Part of our Cigar Accessories Guide series
A proper cigar lighter provides clean, odorless flame that won't taint your cigar's flavor. Here's everything you need to know.
Types of Cigar Lighters
Single Flame Torch
- Pros: Precise, fuel efficient, easy to control
- Cons: Slower lighting
- Best for: Beginners, small to medium cigars
Double Flame Torch
- Pros: Good balance of speed and control
- Cons: Uses more fuel than single
- Best for: Most cigar sizes, daily use
Triple/Quad Flame Torch
- Pros: Fast lighting, great for large cigars
- Cons: Can scorch if not careful, high fuel use
- Best for: Large ring gauges, windy conditions
Soft Flame
- Pros: Traditional, gentle on tobacco
- Cons: Wind-sensitive, slower
- Best for: Indoor use, purists
Best Lighters by Budget
Budget (Under $30)
- Vertigo torches
- Basic Xikar models
- Generic quality torches
Mid-Range ($30-80)
- Xikar Allume series
- Colibri torches
- Vector quality lighters
Premium ($80+)
- Xikar premium line
- S.T. Dupont
- Davidoff lighters
How to Properly Light a Cigar
- Toast the foot: Hold flame below cigar, rotate slowly
- Don't touch flame to cigar: Let heat do the work
- Rotate continuously: Even burn around entire foot
- Take first puff: While still toasting lightly
- Check the burn: Should be even all around
What to Look For
- Reliable ignition: Lights every time
- Adjustable flame: Control for different conditions
- Quality construction: Metal body preferred
- Fuel window: See when to refill
- Easy refill: Accessible fuel valve
Lighter Maintenance
- Use quality butane (triple-refined)
- Bleed before refilling
- Keep jets clean
- Store upright
- Don't overfill
Never Use
- Zippo-style liquid fuel lighters (affects flavor)
- Cheap disposable lighters
- Matches with sulfur tips
- Candles