Spend a few days in the wild, and you will have no problem understanding why having one of the best survival lighters recommended below is an essential part of your outdoors/survival pack.
While it’s still a good idea to practice how to get a flame going without a fire starter device, keeping at least one reliable tool for creating fire on hand is a survival must. Many experienced outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and guides will tell you that only a idiot would go on an excursion without some sort of fire-starting device. It’s one of those must-have items that you’d rather have and not use than need and not have. After all, you can always choose to start a fire the more primitive way – but when push comes to shove, in an emergency situation where you need fire for survival, you’ll always have a guaranteed method to get a fire going if you have a survival lighter with you.
A lighter is more than a convenient item to start a fire that will keep you warm or cook your food: it represents preparedness and vigilance, two things on which survival depends. In the field, you only want to make things more difficult if it’s by choice – you never want to be stuck in a difficult situation due to the lack of planning or preparedness.
In our list of best survival lighters, you’ll find a breakdown of which important features to look for, and what make lighter provides the best value for money. At the end of the list, we also have a buyer’s guide so you can pick out the best survival lighter for you.
The 8 Best Survival Lighters for 2020
Features:
- 100% waterproof (even after 30 minutes of submersion)
- Non-refillable butane lighter
- Floats in water
- Weighs 0.3oz/8.5g
The EXOTAC has a PVC black/orange case and compact design more in keeping with an emergency whistle than a survival lighter. This is a good thing, as it travels light and you won’t even know it’s in your pack until you need it.
If you need the perfect survival lighter for your canoeing and kayaking trips, the EXOTAC should be your first choice. Even if you’re not out on the water, this reliable source of flame should be a go-to tool. After rigorous testing, the EXOTAC remains impermeable against water for up to thirty minutes underwater, and floats if dropped in anything deeper than a puddle.
Made in the USA, the EXOTAC features a lock that allows you to keep the flame up without having to press a button down. This is a powerful and versatile lighter that ignites campfires and tinder alike without a splutter. The FireSLEEVE functions perfectly every time; it’s because of this unwavering reliability we rate it the best survival lighter overall.
Check price of the Exotac Waterproof Firesleeve Lighter
- Best protection from elements
- Rubber grip for secure holding
- Affordable price
- Orange color stands out for you to see if you drop it.
- Not refillable
Features:
- Transparent butane tank to check when fuel is low
- Voluminous tank
- Wind resistant (3-torch flame)
- Dual action ignition powered by quartz
- Refillable
- Butane fuel level window
The Vertigo lighter is seriously cool in both the looks and performance categories. It’s a great torch lighter, good for providing intense flames that are also carefully controlled. The look of the Vertigo is functional enough to fit in with a standard survival pack, yet different enough so that you won’t have a problem locating which lighter is yours on a coffee table.
As with all Lotus products, one of the key features is the table and pocket appeal. We’d be happy to add the Lotus to any backpack as well.
The ridges on the Vertigo tank provide a nice grip. It might be a little hard to find this charcoal colored lighter in the dark if you drop it, but you’re sure to be able to locate it from touch. Its distinctive shape can be felt quickly if it’s fallen to the bottom of your pack too.
Technically the Vertigo is designed for lighting cigars, but it checks all the boxes for a survival lighter, plus it looks great.
Check price of the Vertigo by Lotus Cyclone
- Triple windproof
- Clear tank means you’ll always know when fuel is low
- Refillable and reusable
- Easy to refill by adding butane
- Shoots strong jet flames for both fires and cigars
- Not waterproof
- Designed with cigar-lighting in mind
Features:
- Good for dozens of lights
- Produces a short flame
- Non-leak
- Reliable
- Great value for money
One of the most recognized names in flame production: BIC ticks all the boxes when it comes to affordable, disposable lighters. But are they any good used for survival purposes?
The answer is yes. Anyone who practices shrewd survival techniques will have a handful of BIC lighters scattered over the home, in addition to lesser known stone age fire lighting equipment. They are the perfectly priced item to round out your emergency fire supplies.
No one should knock the lowly BIC lighter. This brand is surprisingly resilient against accidental submersions and knocks. They can sit in a glove box, first aid kit, or emergency bag for years and still function when you take it out for use.
Check price of the BIC Lot of 5 x Maxi Multicolor Lighters
- Instantly recognizable – everyone knows how to use one
- Great for everyday carry
- Backup item to put in every pack and emergency kit
- Price can’t be beaten
- Disposable
- Flint can heat up with repeated use
- Frustrating to use in wind/rain
Features:
- 68.4g/2.3oz
- No fuel required
- Flint spark wheel
- Compact
- Water resistant
- U.S. manufactured flint wheel
The name says it all: The Zippo Emergency Fire Kit will be your best friend when the lights and power go out. While not exactly a lighter, this kit is most definitely the best gear to have in case of fire.
This emergency fire kit is the ultimate solution for a quick-start fire outdoors. The Zippo Emergency flint has an O-ring which ensures it stays waterproof and protected against moisture. The flint wheel produces a maximum of 1,700 reliable sparks, and it doesn’t matter what the weather conditions are, those sparks will flare.
The casing is made from ABS plastics that have been molded with a textured grip for extra non-slip properties. The cap has a hole to thread a lanyard through for easy access.
Check price of the Zippo Emergency Fire Kit
- Portable kit
- Lightweight
- Weatherproof
- Paraffin, wax-coated cotton tinder balls
- Floats
- Not intuitive – practice using the kit before venturing out
Features:
- Weighs only 1.76oz/50g
- Lasered bottom and hinge
- Matte finish
- Metal construction
- Zippo fuel refillable
- Windproof
If you want a lighter that can be used outside of the survival environment, the Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s still a genuine Zippo article, with proven windproof capabilities and that distinctive “click” sound when it’s activated.
The Zippo matte comes in a range of color choices and if you want to make it an easy-to-find survival lighter, choose one of the neon colors. They come in the standard rounded top and flat bottom Zippo shape. Zippo back up this product with a lifetime guarantee.
Check price of the Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter
- Optimal performance every time
- Classic style
- Works under any weather condition
- Lifetime warranty
- Prestige name brand
- Not waterproof
- Lighter arrives unfilled
Features:
- Butane fueled torch lighter
- Manual-open safety cap to adjust flame
- Refillable
- Ergonomic grip case
Not an instantly recognizable name in lighters, TOPKAY is marketed as a torch lighter for cigars, candles, and barbecue fires. Is it any good for survival? The twin jet flames are wind and moisture resistant, and it uses less fuel to do it. It’s also possible to adjust the flame height according to the weather conditions.
The TOPKAY arrives in a nicely packaged gift box that includes a user manual and 12 month warranty. The design is distinguishable enough to make it hard to misplace, and the lighter is lightweight if you prefer to carry it around.
Check price of the TOPKAY Torch Lighter
- Nice lighter for social and survival use
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Affordable
- Can get scratched
- Designed as a cigar lighter
- Not as reliable as other options
Features:
- Use with or without kerosene
- No flame
- Reliable spark production method
- Flint wheel
This traditional-looking rope lighter is sure to turn heads when you bring it out to start a fire. It’s even more impressive for lighting fires when there’s gale force winds at high altitude or other camping environments you’re likely to encounter outdoors.
If you want to keep the traditional methods of creating flint sparks alive, this is the survival lighter to keep in your pack. There’s no need to stress about refueling with the Wakey, it’s designed to provide reliability with convenience. It arrives with three ropes included in the package, and these are enough to last you for many trips outdoors.
The WakeyPQ is the ultimate survival lighter, as it operates efficiently by creating sparks anywhere you need them. The charred rope is made of cotton, which is the perfect material to catch and hold sparks. It’s worth practicing how the WakeyPQ works a bit first, but once you have the hang of it this lighter will never leave your backpack.
Check price of the WakeyPQ Sailors Windproof Rope Lighter
- Foolproof
- Reliable
- Unusual design
- Traditional style
- A little practice needed to master this lighter
Features:
- Metal-ring sealed lighter cover
- Multipurpose
- USB chargeable
- Well-priced
- Eco-friendly
- 60-day warranty after sale service
The Icfun Outdoor lighter is one of the best survival lighters to have with you in an emergency or on a bad weather camping trip. The Icfun doesn’t just look good, it is the perfect lighter for any outdoorsperson who needs an ever-ready waterproof flint that is compact enough to fit in a pack and lightweight enough to not even know its there until you need it.
If you want a lighter for fishing and camping trips, that can also cross over into survival in an emergency, the Icfun Outdoor is for you. The lighter can fall in water and it will still work, although this isn’t likely because of the handy lanyard hole that keeps it around your neck.
Because it’s an electric arc lighter, it is USB rechargeable for optimum outdoor use. The chunky design makes it easy to locate at the bottom of a pack, and if the camo pattern isn’t for you (after all, you still need to find it in case of an accidental drop) the Icfun also comes in red and black color options.
Check price of the Icfun Waterproof/Windproof Outdoor Lighter
- Waterproof
- USB rechargeable arc light
- Lanyard included
- Distinctive design for easy recognition
- Outdoor-centric design
- Not as slim as other models
- Caution around metal + water due to electric arcs
- No real ‘flame’
Best Survival Lighter Buyer’s Guide
Some Lighters Don’t Work In Cold Temperatures And Others Don’t Work At High Altitudes.
Do you want a “Survival lighter” that’s going to work for you anytime and anywhere? Keep reading — don’t get left in the cold without a good fire to warm up next to (that’s an easy way to die of hypothermia).
When You Need A Fire
When you are braving the forest, coastline or mountains, one of the most important things you can have is the ability to build a fire. First and foremost, you need fire in order to provide the much-needed warmth which can mean your very survival in the wild.
Another important function of building a fire is to cook food and sterilize, which are also survival necessities that you can’t afford to overlook. One of the most reliable ways to build a fire is to have a container of high quality wooden matches or a good lighter with you that you can count on. Of course, you always have the option to go the primitive route and build your own fire from scratch, but it’s just not convenient and reliable.This is why many outdoor enthusiasts make sure that they have the best survival lighter whenever they go hiking or camping.
True enough, having a good reliable lighter can mean the difference between warmth and eating — or freezing and starving. Thus, many folks choose to have a lighter as part of their EDC (every day carry) items. However, not just any lighter will do, the one in your survival kit should be reliable, durable, and be able to withstand even the harshest conditions.
Considerations When Choosing A Survival Lighter
Choosing a survival lighter that’s right for you can be a fairly daunting task, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Lucky for you, we have a couple of guidelines when choosing this type of product so you won’t be caught in the dark and cold.
Uses
Determining the usage of the lighter is one important consideration when buying a survival lighter. As you might know, these kind of lighters aren’t just used for lighting a campfire especially with regards to an outdoor setting. Considering the usage of the lighter is very important because of the unexpected things that can happen while in the wild. With that said, it is best that you invest in a survival lighter that can withstand a variety of weather conditions.
Reliability
Not all things that can produce fire are created equal, especially in terms of reliability. For instance:
- Matches are great for starting a fire but once they get wet, you’re out of luck.
- Butane lighters and butane alternatives are common but they tend to be quite unreliable in the cold.
- Propane lighters are preferable over butane since they’re easy to store and are readily available in portable tanks.
- There are also wick-based lighters that are well-liked by people. These lighters tend to work better in the cold but fuel leaks can be a problem.
The bottom line: each type of lighters has their own pros and cons. That’s why in most cases, it’s better to have multiple lighters for multiple conditions in your survival kit.
Choose A Survival Lighter For Your Location And Elevation
The location of your camp or hike is also an important factor when shopping for your survival lighter. For example, if you are hiking to a high altitude location, there’s a good chance that some lighters will not work properly. The amount of oxygen, which is needed to keep a flame going, is lower when you are at high altitudes.
For high altitude hiking, it’s recommended that you go with a torch instead of a traditional lighter as they are wind resistant and are great for high altitude places.
Deep Cold Or Even Higher Elevations? Have More Than One Survival Lighter With You
Research lighters when it comes to higher elevations and deep cold. A lot of lighters that work great might not work at all in low temperatures or altitudes of 9,000 feet or higher. One trick is to keep a lighter in your pocket so it’s kept warm by your body heat. Then pull it out and light it before the deep cold chills it.
In the end, considering what high elevation backpackers have said about their personal experiences with lighters (you can read some first hand experiences here), a trusty Bic lighter is the least likely of all lighters to fail — though a more expensive survival lighter with a torch head in normal daily conditions may work better in higher winds than a Bic while also having more heat and direct flame, which gives you a faster campfire. So, to be truly prepared, have a survival lighter with a torch head, back up fuel canisters for that lighter, and then a few Bic lighters as well.
If for some reason that Bic won’t work, pull out your dry box (which you should always have with you for any trek into the wilderness) of highly flammable tinder such as Vaseline and cotton wool and magnesium alloy (Firesteel, also known as ferrocerium, creates sparks even when wet and works at any altitude – see our list of the best ferro rod firestarters here) and then proceed to setting campfires that way.
On top of that, make sure that you read reviews from other users to know if a product is worth your money or not. Once you have more experience with using such lighters, you’ll get a better feel as to which models to go for.
Portability
In general, lighters are portable. However as mentioned earlier, not all lighters are suitable for all types of conditions. If you choose to bring a fuel-based lighter, you will also have to bring a container for extra fuel. Then, you will have to worry the fuel leaking in your backpack or pocket. The fuel container is also at risk of exploding or combusting when it’s exposed to extreme heat.
For outdoor uses, flint and steel lighters are highly recommended since they are not just portable and durable, but they are also fairly risk-free to carry. These lighters can also still work even if they are damaged. You can just throw them into your pack and not worry about a thing.
Water And Wind Resistance
As mentioned, matches are pretty much useless once they get wet and the same can be said with conventional lighters; not so much if the lighter is resistant to water. We’re not necessarily talking about a lighter that can work underwater (although there are ones that still work even when submerged in water) but it should still be working even when exposed to heavy rain or water. On the other hand, your survival lighter should also have good wind resistance. In this case, you should look for a lighter with direct flame, meaning that it should be torch-like. Lighters with direct flame are so powerful that they can withstand strong winds: perfect for most outdoor conditions.
Durability
In a survival situation, anything can happen. It’s almost a certainty that you will drop the lighter and the last thing you’ll want is it breaking down on you. Fortunately, most lighters designed for survival situations are tough. However, it still pays to check on the model’s durability. A good practice to ensure the durability rating of a lighter is to pay attention to the overall material and make (check if it’s vulnerable to rust) and to read user reviews. First-hand experiences are always a good indication when it comes to product’s durability.
Refillable
Although it’s not strictly necessary, it’s always a good thing if your lighter is refillable. Lighters with refills have no distinct advantage in terms of durability and performance but it’s great to know that you can reuse it multiple times. It’s a factor that you’ll eventually get used to and perhaps love your lighter for, so it’s good if you can refill it as needed.
Ease Of Use
When things start to go south, you need a fire that will come out easily. When you’re cold and hypothermia starts to set in, the last thing you want is to clumsily fiddle with your fire source because it’s not easy to light. With that said, arc lighters are perhaps the easiest ones to operate. All you need to do is to press a button and voila, you have a fire going.
Wick lighters are also easy to use and will light up as long as you have fuel, regardless of the current conditions. Traditional butane lighters are fairly easy to light as well, although not as seamless when using an arc or wick lighter. Flint and steel offer a lot of benefits but unfortunately, ease of use is not among them because you’ll need to use both hands to light a fire. As much as possible, you want a lighter that you can operate with just one free hand.
Longevity
When you are in the wild amidst a survival situation, it’s just not possible to have your lighter replaced. Thus, you need a lighter that will last you a good long time. In that regard, propane, wick, arc and butane lighters are all good options since they require fuel or a power source to keep working. However, survival lighters are not made to last forever and they will eventually wear out and break down. Therefore, it’s worth repeating that you need to bring extra lighters in case one of them breaks.
Cost Effectiveness
Here’s another important factor to consider especially for the budget-conscious outdoor adventurers. As mentioned, many lighters are fuel-based which means that you’ll need to buy extra fuel for them. It can get rather pricey if you choose to stock fuel for months or even years. Arc lighters would be ideal since you just need to charge them in an electrical power source, which is far more economical than buying extra fuel once in a while. Flint and steel and a magnifying glass don’t require any fuel or power so they’re basically a one-time purchase. However, it’s better if you use them as backup fire starters in case of emergencies.
With these considerations, you should be able to buy a survival lighter or two that will fit your needs and requirements.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to spend significant time outdoors, choosing the best survival lighter for your specific situation is importance. You need a reliable, portable and dependable lighter that will provide the much-needed fire to bail you out once the crap hits the fan on your trek. Choosing the right survival lighter means a lot of research on your part, including knowing what you want and your intended uses for the lighter. On top of that, make sure that you read reviews from other users to know if a product is worth your money or not. Once you have more experience with using such lighters, you’ll get a better feel as to which models to go for.
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