Are Expensive Cigar Lighters Worth It?
Are expensive cigar lighters worth it? Most aficionados simply want to know if they’re getting a lighter that lasts longer or performs better when they spend more money. A lot of butane torch lighters are finicky because you have to fuss with the fuel tank to bleed the air out when you’re refilling it. If the lighter isn’t well made or durable, you can spend more time on lighter maintenance than lighting your cigars. Cigar lighters come in a wide range of finishes and prices, from under $20 to several hundred dollars. Like watches, some folks will only wear a Rolex; others are content with a Casio. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a lighter that gets the job done, though. Here are a few models to consider when you’re shopping for a quality cigar lighter in your budget.
Inexpensive Lighters that Exceed Expectations: Jetline & Visol
Jetline makes some of the most reliable cigar lighters for the money. We’re such a fan of this company, we put our logo on the Holt’s Jetline Prestige Double Torch Lighter, and you can buy the same model for $25-$30 in dozens of finishes branded by the most popular cigar-makers. We’ve been carrying Jetline for over a decade, and the Jetline New York Triple Torch Lighter, just over $17, was one of the first designs that caught our attention. We began selling the New York Triple Torch as an inexpensive impulse purchase at the counters in our brick-and-mortar locations. We sold a ton of them, and very few ever came back with repair issues. For a couple bucks more, you can get the Jetline New York Quad Torch with an extra jet. Jetline lighters are basic but built like tanks. There’s little to fuss with and the jets rarely misfire.
Visol lighters are inexpensive and easy to use. They start under $10 and go up to around $35. The Visol Artemis Triple Torch Lighter is one of the most reviewed lighters we carry, and customers love its cylindrical pocket-friendly shape and the bright finishes it comes in. Performance is never an issue thanks to a trio of vented jets and a protective lid. The Visol Trigger Triple Torch is a little chunkier but equally popular. A see-through fuel tank and ergonomic ignition make this lighter fun and practical.
Sporty, Modern Lighters for a Great Value: Xikar
Xikar lighters start a little over $60 and can cost over $100, but the brand is one of the best known when it comes to innovation, style, and performance. The company’s lifetime warranty also sets it apart. If you ever experience an issue with a Xikar lighter, you can send it back to them for repair or replacement on the house. That perk has inspired brand loyalty over the years and made cigar lovers unafraid to buy new Xikar models. The Xikar HP3 Triple Torch Lighter is a popular model with a substantial chassis and three jets angled to create a concentrated flame. The Xikar Tactical Triple Torch Lighter also includes a trio of jets. The oversized fuel tank is available in a handful of contemporary colors finished in a rugged grip for around $80.
High-End Cigar Lighters Designed to Last: ST Dupont
You can spend over $1,000 on a fancy soft-flame ST Dupont Ligne 2 lighter, made of precious metals and Chinese lacquer, which is akin to buying an expensive Swiss watch. Ligne 2 lighters “ping” when you flip the lid open, and some consumers love their hoity-toity appeal. However, the high-end French accessories maker has sold a ton of its ST Dupont Maxi Jet Torch Lighter, which starts around $150. This sleek single-torch lighter looks classy, fits in your pocket like a dream, and is insanely reliable. Press the simple side-bar in for immediate ignition, and you’re in business. The ignition automatically locks when the lighter is turned upside down to prevent it from going off in your pocket.
The Maxi Jet was so popular, the company created a similar but more rugged and more expensive version called the ST Dupont Defi Extreme Torch Lighter for around $280. The Defi Extreme is built with a heavy-duty chassis, and it’s guaranteed to work in temperatures between 14-104 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to smoke a cigar on a mountain peak, the Defi Extreme will fire up at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet.
