Best Cigar Lighters (Torch vs Soft Flame Guide)

I've owned eleven lighters in eight years of smoking cigars. Three Xikars (one lost on a golf course, one gifted, one still in daily rotation), a Dupont MaxiJet that lives on my desk, two Vertigo Cyclones that I keep as backups, and five cheap lighters that all died within a year. The cheap ones taught me the lesson: buy once, buy right.

The real question isn't which lighter — it's which type. Torch or soft flame. That decision depends on where you smoke, and the answer for most people is torch. Here's why, and here are the specifics.

Torch vs. Soft Flame

Torch: wind-resistant, fast, precise. Lights a cigar in 30 seconds outdoors in a breeze. The concentrated flame can scorch if you hold it too close, but basic technique prevents that. Uses butane faster than soft flame.

Soft flame: gentler, more traditional, prettier. Completely useless outdoors. A light breeze kills it. If you only smoke inside — a lounge, your office, a basement — soft flame is a viable choice. If you ever smoke on a patio, a golf course, at a campfire, or anywhere air moves, you need a torch. End of debate.

I smoke on my balcony. Torch. No contest.

Single vs. Double vs. Triple Torch

Single: most precise, least fuel consumption. You can target specific sections of the foot. Best for experienced smokers who want control. My personal preference.

Double: wider flame, faster lighting on big ring gauges. The most popular choice in the cigar world. Covers more surface area without being wasteful. If you smoke lots of 54-60 ring gauge sticks, this is probably your best bet.

Triple/Quad: raw power. Lights anything in fifteen seconds regardless of wind or size. Burns through butane like a truck burns gas. Scorching risk if you're not careful. I keep a triple in my golf bag because conditions demand it. I'd never use it at home.

Xikar Xidris — $30-40

My daily lighter for four years. Single torch, reliable ignition even in cold weather, generous fuel tank, comfortable in hand. The lifetime warranty means when it eventually fails (everything fails), Xikar replaces it free. No receipt, no questions, no hassle. I've sent one in and had a new one back in a week.

If you're buying your first real cigar lighter, this is it. Stop reading and buy it.

Xikar Allume Double — $35-50

Same Xikar reliability, two jets. The dual flame converges at a point, giving both coverage and precision. I bought one for my buddy who smokes mostly 54-ring-gauge toros and he lights faster than I do with my single. Pockets fine despite being slightly heavier than the Xidris. Lifetime warranty applies.

S.T. Dupont MaxiJet — $80-120

The luxury single torch. French engineering. Satisfying click. Premium build that makes every other lighter feel like a toy. I bought mine as a treat after a promotion and I reach for it at home over the Xikar because the ritual of using it adds something to the experience. No lifetime warranty, but the build quality suggests I won't need one for a long time.

Is it three times better than the Xikar? No. Is it three times nicer to hold and use? Honestly, yes.

Xikar Turismo Double — $25-35

Budget Xikar. Plastic body, same internals, same lifetime warranty. This is the lighter you keep in your golf bag, your travel kit, your car. If you lose it, twenty-five bucks replaces it. If it breaks, Xikar replaces it free. No emotional attachment needed. Pure function at minimum cost.

Vector Thunderbird Triple — $20-30

When you need brute force. Windy patio, large ring gauge, five buddies waiting for a light. Not subtle. Not fuel-efficient. Gets the job done in any conditions. I keep one specifically for outdoor group sessions where I'm lighting multiple cigars and don't want to spend five minutes per person with a single torch.

Vertigo Cyclone Triple — $10-15

The beater. Triple torch for fifteen dollars. Build quality reflects the price — it'll last six to twelve months before something gives. At this price, buy two. One for the tackle box, one for the camping bag. When it dies, throw it away and buy another. No sentiment, no warranty, no problem.

S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 Soft Flame — $400-700+

I'm including this for completeness. The iconic soft-flame lighter. Famous "ping" sound on open. Gold and lacquer. A beautiful object. If you only smoke indoors and you want the most romantic, traditional lighting ritual possible, this is the pinnacle. I don't own one — I can't justify it for my balcony smoking. But I've used one at a lounge and I understand the appeal.

The Maintenance That Actually Matters

Use quality butane. Xikar, Colibri, or Vector branded. Cheap butane contains impurities that clog jets. This is the number-one reason lighters fail and it's completely preventable. Bleed the tank before refilling — press the fill valve with a small tool to release trapped air. Clean jets occasionally with a thin pin if the flame turns yellow.

That's it. Quality fuel + bleed before refill + occasional jet cleaning = years of reliable lighting.

How Many Do You Need?

Two minimum. A primary and a backup. Lighters die at the worst moments — Murphy's Law applies doubly to butane ignition systems. My setup: Xikar Xidris as daily carry, Dupont MaxiJet on the desk at home, Vertigo Cyclone in the golf bag, Xikar Turismo in the travel humidor. Four lighters, every scenario covered, total investment under $180. But if you can only buy one: the Xidris. Done.

For proper lighting technique: how to light a cigar without scorching. For the rest of your essential accessories.