Category - Gear
Best Lighters of 2025 to Carry a Flame Wherever You Go
Our ancestors learned to control fire roughly 1.8 million years ago. A lot has changed since then, but the utility of fire remains constant, keeping us warm, cooking our food, and lighting the darkness when modern conveniences fail. The ability to carry fire around in your pocket, on the other hand, is a relatively new phenomenon. Matches didn’t hit the scene until the mid-1800s, and the pocket lighter as we know it today didn’t even exist until the 1920s.
The good news is that lighters haven’t changed much in the last 100 years. As someone who’s been collecting lighters of all sorts for a few decades, I can confidently say that many of the best lighters of 2025 are functionally identical to the most sought-after collectibles money can buy.
Of course, a few new technologies have come to light in recent decades, which means there’s a lot more variety out there than ever before. I’ll explain all that in detail down at the bottom, but if a high-quality lighter is what you’re looking for, here are my top six picks for best lighters of the year.
Best Lighters at a Glance
- Best Lighter Overall: Zippo Windproof
- Longest Lasting Lighter: Tsubota Pearl Bolbo
- Most Compact Lighter: Rowenta Trench
- Best Disposable Lighter: Bic Classic
- Best Premium Lighter: Tokyo Pipe Co Douglass Field S+
- Best Butane Lighter: Im Corona Old Boy
Best Lighters of 2025
Best Lighter Overall: Zippo Windproof
Kurt Spurlock
Why We Chose It
Zippo’s classic flip-top lighter is without a doubt the most iconic in the world, and truth be told, most readers could stop their search here and have all their bases covered. I started collecting Zippos at flea markets and antique stores in my teens, and I’ve got some that are 50+ years old that still work as well as they did brand new.
Want something timeless and effective? Get a classic brass Zippo. Want something classy and refined? They’ve got options in polished silver and even 18K gold. On top of that, Zippo now makes “inserts” that work on lighter fluid, butane, and even USB-rechargeable electricity. You’ll have to get used to the routine of refilling your lighter, but there’s nothing quite like the satisfying click and heft of a Zippo.
Pros
- Built to last for decades
- Rebuildable/refillable
- Multiple fuels/configurations available
- Hundreds of designs to choose from
Cons
- Lighter fuel can be messy/smelly
- Requires regular refilling
- Torch-style version not allowed on airplanes
Longest Lasting Lighter: Tsubota Pearl Bolbo
Courtesy Image
Why We Chose It
Tsubota Pearl is another Japanese manufacturer known for their quality and craftsmanship, and the brand focuses almost entirely on tobacciana like cigar cutters, cigarette cases, and high quality lighters like the Bolbo seen here. I like the Bolbo because it adds a touch of class like the Douglass above, but does it for a little less cash.
The Bolbo is about the size of a Bic disposable (albeit a bit thicker), but uses a flip-top cap and a horizontal striking wheel for ignition. The Bolba’s classy look is great, but truth be told this lighter made my list because it’s able to go much longer between refills than anything else I’ve seen. I chalk this up to the Bolba’s added capacity (the majority of the lighter’s volume is just for holding fluid) as well as the refilling port, which is an o-ring sealed screw that forms a tight seal to limit evaporation over time.
Pros
- Handsome and sophisticated
- Satisfying flip top and striker action
- Goes extra long between refills
Cons
- Expensive
- Tool required for refilling screw
Most Compact Lighter: Rowenta Trench
Courtesy Image
Why We Chose It
The first time I saw a Rowenta Trench Lighter was outside a coffee shop in Amsterdam, and the cool factor really stuck with me. Essentially a Zippo-style refillable with the dimensions of a cigarette, the Rowenta Trench Lighter is ultra-slim and compact, but shares the same timeless look and feel as a brass Zippo.
The top cap holds the replaceable flint/spring assembly, while the bottom one is packed with cotton and sealed with an o-ring to hold your fluid. The top pops off, spins around, and then hinges to the side, exposing the striking wheel. Extinguishing the lighter is as easy as clipping the top back into place, but you can also spin it in a circle like a flaming nunchuck to douse the fire.
While the Rowenta’s slim shape and compact dimensions are what makes it special, I’ve found they also have a downside. Because there’s less volume/packing material inside the Rowenta Trench, it can’t hold as much fluid and requires refilling more often. I’ll also note that the Rowenta doesn’t feel quite as robust as any of my Zippos, so its long-term durability remains an unknown.
Pros
- Super slim and compact
- Unique opening/closing design
- Refillable/rebuildable
Cons
- Holds less fuel than a Zippo
- Long-term durability unknown
Best Disposable Lighter: Bic Classic
Courtesy Image
Why We Chose It
Tried and true, when most folks ask for a lighter, it’s a Bic disposable they’ve got in mind. They aren’t stylish, unique, or particularly powerful, but Bic lighters just plain work whenever you need fire.
For that reason, I’ve probably got a Bic lighter stashed in every corner of the house, every backpack, and every vehicle. They’re dirt cheap, never need to be refilled, are readily available at any gas station in the country, and will survive a trip through the washing machine with zero impact to their functionality.
For that reason, Bic disposables are my go-to for activities like camping, backpacking, emergencies, etc. We’ve also started keeping their latest “EZ Reach” models around the house, as their longer necks are ideal for lighting candles, incense, fire pits, and gas stoves.
Pros
- Cheap and widely available
- Long-lasting and durable
- Compact and reliable
Cons
- Doesn’t feel as “special” as a metal lighter
- Flame isn’t adjustable
- Non-refillable
Best Premium Lighter: Tokyo Pipe Co Douglass Field S+
Courtesy Image
Why We Chose It
While Zippo lighters will always be my go-to, Tokyo Pipe Co.’s Douglass Field S+ lighter is an undeniably more premium and refined product. These lighters are made in Japan to insanely high specifications, and absolutely ooze luxurious style and craftsmanship.
What I love about the Field S+ (apart from its intricate design and elevated build quality) is that the bottom chamber of the lighter doubles as both an additional fuel tank for refilling and a storage area for extra flints. The Field S+ is a big investment, but it's probably the classiest and most overengineered lighter on the planet, and one of the few that might actually outlast a Zippo.
Pros
- Heirloom quality and craftsmanship
- Insanely over-engineered
- Additional fuel tank and flint storage integrated into design
Cons
- Very expensive
- Wick is a bit more difficult to replace
Best Butane Lighter: Im Corona Old Boy
Courtesy Image
Why We Chose It
Im Corona is another lighter specialist that hails from Japan, and their Old Boy lighter is widely acknowledged as one of the most sought-after by pipe smokers. What makes it so desirable in that regard is that the Old Boy produces a 90-degree flame, which makes it easier to use when turned on its side without gurning your fingers.
I dig the Im Corona Old Boy because it’s yet another premium lighter that’s built to high standards, and it also has the added benefit of using compressed butane fuel rather than lighter fluid. That means it won’t impart any unpleasant flavors or smells, making it ideal for folks who smoke fine tobacco in pipe or cigar form.
Im Corona also includes a removable pipe nail/tamper that’s integrated into the bottom of the lighter, so you’re never without a pipe tool. Last but not least, the Old Boy also gets high marks from me for its adjustable flame, which can be conveniently turned up or down with a dial on the bottom by using the integrated pipe nail.
Pros
- Works great for pipes
- Built to last
- No-mess butane refilling
Cons
- Expensive
- Overkill if you won’t use the extra features
What to Look for in the Best Lighters
I’d sum up what to look for in a lighter with two simple questions: Do you need a refillable lighter, and if so, what type of flame will work best for your intended use?
If your answer to the first question is no, then a disposable Bic is probably all the lighter you’ll ever need. If you’re looking for something a little more specialized, however, it’s important to know what to look for.
Kurt Spurlock
The most common type of refillable lighter is what’s called a “soft flame” lighter, a category which covers both classic Zippo-style lighters (those using liquid lighter fuel) as well as some butane lighters like the Im Corona Old Boy. These lighters are easy to own, refill, and maintain, and will often stay lit until you extinguish them manually.
Kurt Spurlock
The second most common type of refillable is a torch-style lighter, which uses the same butane fuel as some soft flame lighters, but creates a sharper, more powerful jet of fire when ignited. The flame from a butane torch lighter burns cleaner than any liquid-fuel alternative, making them ideal for cigar smokers as they don’t add any flavors or odors to tobacco.
Kurt Spurlock
Electronic lighters, on the other hand, are completely different animals that rely on a hot arc of electricity and forego a traditional flame entirely. As a result, they don’t give off any ambient heat, light, or odor, and only require a little time and a USB connection to refill. I’ve found these lighters work well for lighting candles, cigarettes, or the occasional fire, but their comparatively small “flames” and dependence on electricity can limit their versatility as a daily workhorse. If you’re going this route, skip those gas station specials and go with a reputable brand like this Zippo insert.
Why You Should Trust Me
I bought my first Zippo around the age of 13: don’t ask me what a 13-year-old needs a refillable lighter for, but something about its brushed copper finish put a spell on me and I had to have it. That was the start of what became a sizeable collection over the years that I pieced together from antique shops, flea markets, eBay, and estate sales.
I’ve bought, rebuilt, and refurbished dozens of lighters over the years, and I rarely leave the house without one in my pocket as part of my everyday carry. As a result, I know what works and what doesn’t, and I’d heartedly recommend any of the lighters above to friends and family.
