In this review article, I’ll cover the best survival lighter for you.
Having a reliable survival lighter that works whenever you want it to work is a good thing. Features such as windproof and waterproof lighters that won’t break are what we all want.
Having a reliable lighter ensures that you will have an easy time starting a fire, and you do not want a hard time starting a fire.
You should have more than one way of lighting a fire(in outdoor situations) because anything can happen, and you should always have a backup plan because the most unlikely and overlooked can happen.
When in a survival situation, the last thing you want to be is starving because you can’t cook food or freezing because you couldn’t start a campfire.
In this article, I will cover the best and most durable best survival lighters on the market to ensure that you get the most bang for your buck.
Let’s dive in.
In This Article
Survival Lighter Variables to Consider
Here are three of the biggest things you should consider when picking a survival lighter.
1. How will you use the survival lighter?
This is the first variable we must look at. You have to think about how you will actually use the lighter.
Depending on whether you plan to light birthday candles, start a campfire, or start a fire in the middle of a storm, you should always choose a lighter that will function during that scenario.
2. How much quality do you want?
You should have a strong, durable survival lighter that won’t crack when dropped on the floor or off a cliff.
A quality lighter should consist of weather-proof and rust-proof elements. There are also immediate fire options that will even light underwater.
However, you will also have to account for pricing and what lighter will be right for you.
3. Don’t forget about portability
Like anything, you should always account for portability. The weight and size may be a critical factor for you, or it may not matter all that much.
You could get the lightest, smallest survival lighter. However, you may miss out on key features that may be necessary for you, like immediate fire or strong plasma lighting features.
However, you still can get compact survival lighters, but you still will have to consider pricing.
Types of Survival Lighters
Here are the top three types of lighters.
1. Lighter Fluid
Lighter fluid is really common and can be found everywhere. This is a good thing because this means that you have the ability to easily find supplies during a disaster.
There are two types of lighter fluids, petroleum-based fluid with a hydrocarbon mixture(Naptha) and alcohol-based fluid(aliphatic petroleum solvent.)
2. Butane/ Gasoline
Butane and gasoline are strong and highly flammable. These lighters are typically windproof. These are also easily refillable.
The BIC lighter is one of the most common Butane lighters. Here’s how to refill a BIC lighter.
3. Plasma and/or Electric
I believe these are the best survival lighters.
These lighters are flameless and do not require fuel, so it is usually safer. Most of them instead are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
They are all windproof and usually waterproof. They will also heat up your focus area faster than a common firelighter, and electric lighters, in particular, can also be used as a self-defense taser.
The downside is that you will have to remember to recharge these after frequent use.
Best Survival Lighters
Here is the real meat of the article now. So far, I have covered things you should consider before purchasing a survival lighter such as variables and the kinds of lighters.
Without further ado, let’s cover the five best survival lighters.
1. VEHHE Plasma Electric Arc Lighter
This is a new brand, and this lighter is the current world’s best survival lighter, considering its price and all the features that it presents.
This survival lighter has a conveniently placed compass and a multifunction flashlight, with the compass on the top and a flashlight at the bottom.
This survival lighter also has fast USB recharging, which is better for the environment than gas lighters.
This is also one of the safest survival lighters, with cutting off the power if on for an extended period of time and child locks so that the likelihood of accidents is much lower.
To add on, this lighter is small and medium weight with immediate fire, similar to most plasma lighters. This lighter is also completely wind and waterproof.
Weight
106g
Size
4.2 x 0.9 x 0.9 inch
Power Source
Rechargeable battery
Weather resistance
Wind and waterproof
- Eco-friendly
- Rechargable
- Safety Design
- Simple Design
- Compact and Small
- Compass and Flashlight
- 100% Water & Windproof
- Durable Material & Design
- Cheaper Short & Long Term
- Requires Frequent Recharge
2. lcfun Waterproof Windproof Lighter
The Icfun waterproof, windproof survival lighter is a really popular and one of the best survival lighters and great for the outdoors and as an emergency lighter.
This lighter is an electric plasma lighter powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is relatively safer.
The Icfun survival lighter is waterproof because of its IP56 waterproof system. This lighter is also designed for almost every outdoor activity.
You simply have to electrically recharge this, which is simple compared to gas refills.
This Icfun survival lighter is eco-friendly because it’s rechargeable. The Icfun survival lighter also has fast charging abilities and can charge from nothing to 100% in 2 hours.
This lighter is also made with very durable Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and Zinc alloy material.
This lighter is also small and medium weight. This particular lighter also has a version with a flashlight with three different modes at an additional dollar and a half, which is worth it.
Weight
68.-113.4g
Size
2x1x3/2.9/3.2in
Power Source
Rechargeable battery
Weather resistance
Wind/waterproof
- Eco-friendly
- Rechargable
- Compact and Small
- 100% Water & Windproof
- Durable Material & Design
- Top rated Amazon's Choice
- Cheaper Short & Long Term
- 60 Day Money-back Warranty
- Requires Frequent Recharge
3. Sipoe Lighters S2000
If you are looking for one of the best survival lighters, the Sipoe Lighter S2000 or DAYS LIVE Double Arc USB Rechargeable Lighter is one of the highest quality luxury plasma electric survival lighters out there.
This survival lighter uses the highest-end(and safest) 300mAh Lithium Polymer batteries that can last well over 600 full charges(+60,000%), making it a reliable emergency lighter.
You simply have to recharge this with the ultrafast 1-1.5 hour full recharge. This has the ideal design with a wide-open lid and a complete design with a neat battery indicator.
This product is made of durable zinc alloy. This lighter is also ultra-small, ultra-compact, and ultra-light.
To add on this has superior safety systems such as the 7 second time out, which makes it one of the safest lighters in general.
Weight
17.01 grams
Size
2.9 x 1.3 x 0.4 inch
Power Source
Rechargeable battery
Weather resistance
Windproof
- Ultra-Compact, Light, & Small
- Eco-friendly
- Rechargable
- 100% Windproof
- Ultrafast charging
- Durable Material & Design
- Top rated Amazon's Choice
- Cheaper Short & Long Term
- Not 100% Waterproof
- Requires Frequent Recharge
4.GUEVARA Double Flame Lighter
If you are looking for a trusted brand and a very powerful butane torch lighter, this is precisely the lighter to choose from.
This torch lighter can emit one of the strongest hottest flames and exceed 2900°F(1600°C) with its jet flames, which are significantly hotter than most lighters.
As a comparison, plasma lighters can go up to 2012°F(1100°C), and electric lighters can go up to 750°F(400°C.) according to Fuego Lighters. This lighter also has a durable design with strong steel material.
Weight
119.1 grams
Size
N/A
Power Source
Butane
Weather resistance
Windproof
- Refillable
- 100% Windproof
- No charging needed
- Durable Material & Design
- Top rated Amazon's Choice
- Not Eco-friendly
- Expensive long term
- Not 100% Waterproof
5. Zippo Outdoor Lighters
This is one of the smallest lighters and the lightest survival lighter, great for the outdoors and as and as an emergency lighter.
The Zippo lighter is known for its quality product, and they are by far the most popular survival lighters out there.
This product uses all steel, so it is very durable. This lighter requires butane or Zippo premium gas for bigger flames.=
Weight
5.7(Satin Chrome Bass & Bird)- 82.2 grams
Size
2.2/3.2 x 1.5/2.4 x 0.5/0.9 inches
Power Source
Butane and Zippo Premium Gas
Weather resistance
Windproof
- 100% Windproof
- No charging needed
- Durable Material & Design
- Top Rated Amazon's Choice
- Not Eco-friendly
- Expensive long term
- Not 100% Waterproof
Additional: How to start a fire
This information is more last case scenarios, where you were either too stubborn to buy a good lighter or your survival lighter somehow malfunctioned. By the way, if you want to learn how to make a BIC lighter bigger, click here.
I will cover the simple hand drill here. First, build a nest full of dry, easily burning things(dry leaves, bark, dry grass)
Then, you have to find a wooden board and make an indentation inside it. After that, cut a notch to the middle of your indent.
Now gather your nest or tender bundle, break it into smaller pieces, and make sure it still has its nest shape.
Next, put another board of wood under your indent. Next, get a sturdy stick and insert it into the indent and start rubbing it.
The friction will give it its initial heat, and eventually, you will get a lot of smoke on your underneath board. From there, you will want to transfer the smoke and ember into the nest and start blowing.
Of course, there are last-case scenarios. It is hard to do in a damp environment and virtually impossible to do in a storm, so you should always have your survival lighter, and I strongly suggest an additional fire source.
Here’s our article on seven of the best techniques to start a fire.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have a better idea of the kinds of survival lighters there are and which is the best survival lighter for you, depending on what you are planning to use it for.
I would always recommend having more than just one source of fire on a camping or wilderness trip. Prepare for all survival crises, and have an amazing day!
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thanks, this was so helpful. i really liked the icfun lighter
Thanks for the support. I liked the Icfun lighter as well!