What Is The Best Lighter For You?

HOW DO LIGHTERS WORK?

It may sound simple, but at their core, lighters create fire. The flame that is generated by the lighter can be used to light up tobacco, weed, bonfires - you name it. Lighters are usually very small and compact which makes them portable. Unlike matches that only incinerate once per match, lighters can be lit hundreds of times without the need of a refill. Most lighters contain a flammable substance, usually, butane gas – which is not always desirable. The substance is released while a regular or an electric spark sets the substance on fire; every lighter has a mechanism to put out the flame. There are, of course, exceptions to this classic lighter mechanism, which we will mention.

WHAT TYPES OF LIGHTERS ARE THERE?

• DISPOSABLE LIGHTERS

The most common type of lighter is the cheap, disposable plastic lighter that cannot be refilled, such as the Clipper. They are filled with butane gas which lights up once released and triggered by a spark.

• TORCH LIGHTERS

Torch lighters are very powerful and great for extreme weather conditions. These lighters produce a small yet very intense wind-proof flame that reaches higher temps than its disposable lighter counterpart. The colour of the flame is usually blue or green. Contrary to many beliefs, these lighters produce a strong flame by releasing air with the butane, which generates a smaller yet harder flame. They are refillable.

• PLASMA LIGHTERS

As technology evolved, plasma lighters emerged. These lighters don’t contain any flammable substance; they are electrically powered. The lighter looks like a Zippo, although, once the shaft is open, four coils emerge. These coils shoot beams of electricity diagonally which make an “x” shape which incinerates whatever it touches. It’s cool, innovative and it’s charged by a USB cable. They are a great option for those looking to avoid chemical-fuelled flames, or like a bit of high-tech gadgetry!

• HEMP WICK

For a chemical-free alternative, hemp wick can be used. This hemp based thread can be lit by using any incinerating device, which in turn functions as a soft flame lighter. It’s a chemical-free alternative, which many use on a daily basis. It is a bit more involved, as you first light the hemp wick before lighting your joint, but it ensures butane and joint never meet – making it popular among the more health conscious.

WHAT TYPE IS BEST SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION?

Best cheap lighter

Let’s start with the financial aspect. The disposable lighter is inexpensive, so if your baked friend borrows your lighter and forgets to return it, your bank account shall remain unharmed; and let’s face it, unintentionally stolen lighters is not an uncommon faux pas. The spark wheel of the lighter can be removed and used as a packing tool, which is great for making those tight spliffs. Although initially more expensive, the plasma lighter works out cheaper in the long run due to its reusability - if you don’t lose it.

Best windproof lighter

What if you want to smoke a joint when the wind is going berserk, or if you’re on a mountain where the oxygen is scarce. The best option would be a torch or plasma lighter. The torch lighter has a hard flame that disregards the tumultuous weather conditions. The same can be said for the plasma lighter, as it uses bolts of electricity; however, if you're trekking or climbing mountains, just make sure to have the plasma lighter charged - you don’t want to discover a perfect smoke spot and unable to light up that spliff; it would be borderline blasphemous.

Best lighter for LIGHTING A BONG

What are the best bong lighting methods? There are three main choices: Disposable lighters, torch lighters, and hemp wick. Disposable lighters work great since they produce a soft flame and bend together with the inhalation. The torch lighters also work well, just make sure that the design of the lighter isn't clumsy, since you will need to have the lighter upside down while spreading the flame over the bowl (due to the flame being unbending). Hemp wick takes the prize since it's chemical-free and allows you to spread the fire with precision. You can forget plasma lighters, as the design does not allow for bowl lighting.

Best lighter for SPLIFFS & JOINTS

With regards to smoking joints or spliffs, you can use any lighter that does the job. Maybe something that will impress your friends or be a good conversation starter. If you’re looking for something cheap that looks cool, thousands of various designs are printed on the disposable lighters, which many find artistic and amusing. If you have a bigger budget, or are looking for something cleaner, the other types of lighters work just as well.

OUR TOP FIVE LIGHTERS

1. CLIPPER

This classic clipper isn't just a regular lighter. Available in two styles, both variations have a unique feature that sets them head and shoulders above standard lighters. Whenever you tip the lighter, the size of the flame increases. This makes clippers ideal for bongs and bowls. No need to fiddle with the flame size to make sure you get an even burn on your prized weed.

Even better, the soft grip model won’t slip out of your hands when you need it the most. The trippy edition is perfect when you want some visual stimulation while you blaze the night away.

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2. NOVI PLASMA LIGHTER

Like something out of a sci-fi movie, the Novi Plasma lights combustible material without any harmful chemicals or refills needed. Just place the end of your joint between the four points of conduction, press the switch, and enjoy. The purple beams of energy criss-cross to create a temperature of almost 500°C, easily enough to get your 420 blaze on.

As we mentioned, there is no need to refill the Novi Plasma. The beauty of this lighter comes from the fact that it can be recharged via USB. It makes Novi the ideal long-term smoking partner. Just make sure you get it back if you lend it to a mate!

VIDEO: Novi Plasma Lighter Review

3. TORCH HYPER LIGHTER

Looking for something a bit more heavy duty? Something that can light dabs in an instant? Well, the Torch Hyper Lighter is the tool of choice for you. Available in a range of colours, the lighter produces a high-power blue jet flame. It also allows the intensity of the flame to be changed via adjustments to the air and gas supply.

Consider the Torch Hyper Lighter more of a mini-blowtorch than a lighter. That's not to say it cannot be used to light a joint. On the contrary, nothing looks more badass than sparking up a blunt with a mini-blowtorch. Just make sure you keep all your eyebrows intact.

View Torch Hyper Lighter

4. TORCH LIGHTER FUZION DOUBLE JET

What is better than a single flame? Dual flames of course. If you couldn't tell from the title, the Torch Lighter Fuzion Double Jet features two flames. Whether you need double the firepower, or fancy a romantic smoke with his and her joints, Fuzion Double Jet comes in handy. A flame lock switch enables a continuous flame for up to ten minutes, so dabs, bowls, and bongs are no trouble for the Double Jet.

For added safety, there is a fire lock to prevent accidental ignition—a welcome feature when you have two jets of flame.

View Torch Lighter Fuzion Double Jet

5. ZAMNESIA CLIPPER LIGHTER

Sleek lines and elegant design work harmoniously with functionality and reliability. There is not a lot more you can ask for from a lighter. Zamnesia delivers all those elements in abundance and won’t leave you in the dark. Combined with the prestigious Zamnesia logo, the clipper lighter is bound to be a talking point at any smoking session. Because it's a clipper, it's perfect to use in windy scenarios where an inferior flame would normally go out.

Joint and blunts are not an issue; if anything, the only downside to the Zamnesia clipper lighter is that friends will ask to borrow it and not give it back! Thankfully, Zamnesia offers a discount when you buy multiple units.

View Zamnesia Clipper Lighter

There you have it; you have been illuminated with lighter knowledge. So, light those spliffs and blaze!

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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