Sturdy, reliable, lightweight, affordable, and without the leakage flaws of other refillables --- a few of the reasons why the Maratac Peanut lighter has stayed on the market for years. The folks at UST definitely thought this one through when designing it. One of the best refillable lighters is the $35 Maratac Peanut (not the Zippo or butane cigar lighters). You might be thinking to yourself, cant any lighter be considered a survival lighter? The sleeve floats and has an attachment point for a carabiner or paracord loop. Dimensions 4.12 x 1.8 x 1.25 weighs 3.4 oz The Zippo is a good EDC lighter if you are going to use it often, and remember to fill it regularly. Zippo has been the gold standard for lighters for nearly a century at this point. As such, youll want to look for a fire-starter that can be used multiple times. Reusability: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Fuel Cell. 
This is a very similar lighter to the other UST lighter on this list but is not designed to float but maintains the ability to operate optimally up to 8000ft. The compact, lightweight Peanut has all of the survival advantages of the classic Zippo without the downsides: The Peanut is available in a variety of size and metal combinations. The information presented here is for general educational purposes only. Our best guess is that the market for these refillable survival lighters is very small, and Maratac is the only company committed to it for the long haul. As far as the butane options go, the UST Floating Lighter tops the list solely because it is the best of the bunch. Nothing will exacerbate your situation like accidentally dropping a non-waterproof lighter into a puddle and ruining it. You can submit private feedback to editor@theprepared.com, See our testing of 40+ of the best backup fire starters Read more, We've purchased and tested over 50 of the best matches and waterproof containers. HICONSUMPTION was established by gearheads for gearheads as a modern day mens lifestyle publication, uncovering the greatest products in adventure, tech, gear, automotive, and style. The higher up in altitude you travel the more difficult butane lighters are to get going so they are not the best option for the mountain tops. It feels great in the hand, lights reliably, and most importantly, its rubber O-ring and screw-top design holds fuel for months at a time. After all, once a match is struck and burned, it has no more ability to create or hold a flame. Fuel Type: Plasma And thats exactly what you get out of the MecArmy X7S. There are a few things that are extremely important to have access to in a survival situation regardless of the reason your in the situation in the first place. Dimensions 3.7 x 1.4 x 1.1 weighs 2.4 oz This lighter also runs on butane and is piezoelectric ignition as well. Additionally, SurvivalCache.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we may get a commission through purchases made through our links. Overall most people seem very happy with their Zippos. Its small size of course means that it will not have much of a run time. Fuel Type: Butane, Piezoelectric Ignition System A streamlined & sustainable take on an everyday carry-focused crossbody pack. I like that this lighter is a cylinder and will slide nicely in the elastic holders in many of the pouches available on the market. Whether you refuel it with lighter fluid, plug it in, or pop in a new disposable, a survival lighter isnt going to be of much use if you can only fill the reservoir once. Many LighterBro users consider the clip a must-have add-on. So, if you want to smoke a cigar, but you dont have any butane handy, this one should still work. Resistances: Windproof, Waterproof, Impact-Resistant Finally, these lighters run out of fuel quickly, so theyre just not practical in longer-term emergencies. Fuel Type: Butane We also wish the gap where plasma streams cross and ignite your material was larger but thats probably a basic limitation of the Ghostbusters-style energy beams and battery drain. Personally, we keep some of these on hand for their convenience, coolness, and as a backup to the primary BICs and refillable variants in our emergency supplies. Weve personally seen Peanuts stored for a year without use light up on the first try. Fuel Type: Butane Resistances: Waterproof, Windproof, Impact-Resistant Reusability: Refillable. Reusability: Refillable. SurvivalCache.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking reviews to Amazon. But that case isnt water tight and doesnt completely solve the evaporation problem. For such a low price, you could do far worse. Its not so much the butane that gives the trouble but the style of lighter. Overall it seems that a majority of customers are happy with their lighters. While it lacks the features and quality of the Tough Tesla it is still a decent choice as a pocket lighter as long as you have a few backup ignition methods. Finally, more tied-into the material construction is overall durability. Electric/Arc: Requiring no combustible fuel whatsoever, these types of lighters run on battery power. It can also hold down the fuel button for you, so you can focus on applying the flame, rather than pushing down on that annoying button. Its not a deal breaker just something to think about. Reusability: Rechargeable 300 mAh Battery. Its made of sturdy stainless, and adds a bit of functionality and durability to your BIC without adding much bulk. . Reviews are pretty positive with some negativity around quality control and the difficulty in disassembling the unit to refuel it.
The Maxi lighters are good for 3,000 lights defined as a strike of the flint that produces a flame of one second in duration about twice what a normal BIC is good for. Butane lighters are loved by cigar smokers for their even, odorless flame. This post contains affiliate links. Some lighter fuels are more accessible than others, but their functionality limits their usefulness depending upon factors such as the weather outside and access to a power grid. Fuel Type: Butane Rather than relying on matchsticks, however, you can invest in a lighter. Despite all these drawbacks, some preppers like that these lighters can hang onto their fuel for a long time in storage. Reusability: Uses Disposable Lighters. Great for everyday carry or as a backup you can tuck almost anywhere. He is also a husband and father and makes his home in British Columbia, Canada. And when youre desperate to survive, every ounce counts. Lighter Fluid: By far the most easily accessible combustion fuel type, you can find tins of lighter fuel in just about any grocery, convenience, or outdoor store. A survival lighter isnt going to be of much use if you can only fill the reservoir once.It would be amazing if only one bad situation ever arose in our lives.
I like these piezoelectric ignitions as well since they are very easy and fool proof to operate. This copyrighted material may not be republished without express permission. .
It is a good thing they are pretty inexpensive though since Ive lost quite a few of them over the years. The Prepared is more like a curated wiki than a blog. This is a good lighter and the addition of a flashlight and whistle are nice bonuses. Read more. And if you hope to have a fire-starter at your side, youll want something that isnt going to shatter the first time you drop it. I like to think of the Zippo as a true end of the world lighter. The piezoelectric ignition is good for when your hands are cold and numb and the 2000 degree adjustable flame will get your fire going with ease. Think of this lighter kind of like the Tesla coil of lighters. Including an all-new tactically-inspired EDC pack & a purpose-built gym bag. Read more, Quick tips for finding in-stock and cheap ammo. Its also very easy to replace the wick and flint, should they need be. It takes Zippo-branded replacement wicks, flints, and wheels, so you can stock up on these long-lasting, easy-to-find items to keep the lighter going indefinitely, As is the case with the Zippo, the Peanut can take BIC flints, so used disposable lighters become a source of parts, You can buy replacement O-ring kits to refresh the fuel seal, While its designed to take the standard Zippo fuel, it can take a variety of scavenged fuels, including some types of cologne, mentholated spirits, and even diesel fuel.
This UCO lighter took the runner up spot only because it is not advertised to float and does not appear to be engineered to work up to 8000ft like the UST Floating lighter. Plus, it looks pretty cool. Many are knockoffs, a few have unique differences, and most have design flaws, quality problems, or availability issues. Resistances: Impact-Resistant, Waterproof, Buoyant Read more, Our 40 favorites after reviewing hundreds of packs. Keep your lighter dry or strap it to your gear with this rugged, waterproof, floating case. There are specialty products (eg. This lighter runs off regular lighter fluid and is very tiny. Usually composed of naphtha, this fuel is poured directly into the lighters fuel tank where it is dispensed via a wick and often lit with a flint striker wheel. Another example of a super-tough survival lighter with a viewing window, this lighter creates a spark which can be used to ignite fuel even if the reservoir is empty. Turn your BIC into a mini-tool with this stainless steel case. The fact that these types of lighters rely on batteries means that you really need to make sure that you have fully charged it before every outing. Its all-metal construction is far more durable than the BIC, and its also sturdier than most specially designed survival lighters. . Refillable lighters make sense, provided they can use a wide range of fuels you may scavenge and can hold that fuel for a long time without leaking. There are enough of these reports for us to think this is a real issue in a small percentage of lemon lighters, even though our own Peanut stores fuel indefinitely and many other reviewers agree. Adds functionality with minimal bulk. The Prepared helps you get ready for emergencies without wasting time, money, or sanity. Make sure to check out the more detailed review here. But, it does take the benefits and availability of disposable lighters (which can be found in just about any gas station around the world) and turns them into waterproof floating versions. Fuel Type: Lighter Fluid Read more, Medical experts with 180 years of experience organize this 37-item list for your portable first aid kit. Some lighter fuels are more accessible than others, but their functionality limits their usefulness. Resistances: Windproof, Splashproof For instance, most disposable lighters are not windproof which is a problem if youre trapped outdoors during a storm. Like the Exotac Firesleeve, this is not a stand-alone lighter. Tesla Survival Lighter Review: Hands-On Review, Lighters vs Matches? The premium pocket knife is also packing a scissor and a scraper/screwdriver/pry bar combo. Reusability: Refillable. Light a lighter straight out of Star Wars, this battery-powered plasma lighter has no fuel reservoir to speak of. Michael is a survivalist, traditional bowhunter, student of traditional and primitive skills, as well as a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. Primitive methods are the backup. These lighters run off batteries instead of traditional fuels so if choosing one of these its a good idea to have a method of charging it in the bush. Reusability: Refillable, Replaceable Wick & Flint, Lifetime Warranty. Cheap plastic cracks easy and since thats what most disposable lighters are made of, you might want to look elsewhere. A simple BIC lighter ignites the butane into an orange flame with the trade off being that it is far from windproof. Dimensions 2.6 x 1.6 x 0.6 Weighs less than 1 oz with fuel . Or, if you prefer, theres one with a bottle opener built into the base. For anyone who is not as old school as myself or likes to run several backup ignition sources a plasma lighter like this is a good choice for your fire lighting needs. . The strong torch output is marketed as a windproof flame, which lead some companies to release survival-focused variants. Being able to get a fire going quickly is essential, and to do that you need a dependable survival lighter that will light your tinder no matter what the conditions. Although its fine if you stick with disposable lighters for your emergency fire kit, they do run out of fuel, so its worth the extra $20 to have refillable or rechargeable lighters that save you money during daily use and create long-term versatility after SHTF. Victorinox's 13th Damast Edition gets upgraded scales & a Baldur-pattern Damascus blade. There are plenty of super durable lighters made from lightweight polymers. The only downside I see is the reliance on a battery but since most of us only go into the bush with multiple methods of fire lighting, that shouldnt be an issue. But many preppers buy stone-age fire products while skipping over the lowly fueled lighter. Plasma: Scientifically, plasma and electricity are technically different. Fuel flexibility is very handy for preppers. If you plan to visit or live somewhere thats especially rainy, you should be looking for waterproofing in a survival lighter. The one thing the LighterBro is missing is a clip, but theres a $7 add-on LighterBro clip attachment that lets you easily secure it in a pocket on a belt. How many $2 products can you say that about? Not only does it allow you to get warm, dry, purify water, and cook food but it provides a source of comfort and an ancient method of keeping the boogeyman away. How reusable you want your lighter will, however, be balanced by the availability of the fuel used to ignite it. There is not a lot of info on this particular lighter and this one seems to be the same as others sold under different branding. The Maxi version lasts twice as long as a normal BIC. Learn more. Otherwise, check out the lighter below: This is one of those inexpensive Chinese plasma lighters that does the job of forming plasma arcs just fine.
Emergency preparedness checklist: prepping for beginners, Rational reasons why you should be prepared, Get our free newsletter for more reviews and how-to's, Emergency preparedness checklist: Prepping for beginners, Food list: How to build your survival pantry with long-lasting food from the supermarket, Best water purification tablets (and other portable purifiers), The Peanut doesnt leak fuel nearly as fast as a Zippo. This factor will not only determine the viability of using the device in a survival situation, but also the availability of refueling it, as well as the overall cost to you. There are just so many options out there, its hard to figure out which ones are worth your time. This would be a good buy for those who want an EDC lighter but rarely ever have occasion to need one. Weighing in at only 2.9 oz youll hardly notice this little lighter in your pocket.
An Ans-Voxnaes-designed EDC folder offered with a variety of handle & blade materials. 2022 HICONSUMPTION LLC. Granted, this isnt a lighter itself it has to be loaded with a disposable. Theyre water-resistant, can be removed from the lighter, and wont dry up or evaporate without use. Capitalism and the strenuous demands of chain smokers have created an easy to use, compact, lightweight, durable, reliable, and effective product that lasts decades on the shelf. So this lighter and other flameless lighters like it are immune to forces like extreme wind and rain that keep more traditional lighters from working. Customer sentiment is a bit mixed on this one with almost an even split between the most positive and most negative reviews. Some take disposable batteries, but most can be plugged in for recharging. The main options are plasma arc, lighter fluid, and butane each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Majority of customers are happy with their purchase the exceptions to this seem to revolve around the usual quality control issues. Another big problem with butane cigar lighters is reliability. The Prepared is supported by readers, and when you buy something we recommend, we may get an affiliate commission but it never affects your price or what we pick. When you are cold and numb operating a lighter can be a challenge or downright impossible. Your lighter is useless without tinder and if you are in a true survival situation a good tinder source will mean the difference between life and death. Prepping is about being ready for anything that comes your way; whether thats a natural disaster or manmade. Overall it is a good choice especially when out on the water. The negative reviews are usually in regards to getting faulty product or having the lighter fail soon after purchase. Aside from that it is an all around decent refillable butane lighter that operates just as you would expect. Reusability: Refillable Waxed Tinder Sticks. That being said, the reason they are different is convoluted (and argued over) and isnt really applicable to this situation. However, it is probably the best option for when SHTF as you can burn a wider variety of fuels in it and in a pinch improvise the wicks and flints. It is claimed to be waterproof and because of that should not run dry as fast a Zippo does. Waterproof and windproof, the micro-USB-rechargeable $35 Survival Frog Outdoor Tesla Lighter uses a small arc of plasma to ignite whatever material youre trying to light. Resistances: Impact-Resistant, Waterproof, Buoyant, Windproof And, on top of the water- and wind-resistant ignition system, its also rechargeable and quite tough. Even better, its USA-made. Read his full interview here. This fuel flexibility makes them great backup preps for long-term emergencies, where you may be scavenging fuel from odd places like perfume bottles or paint supplies. I would be remiss if I did not give a mention to the classic Zippo in this verdict. For instance, you can choose one that has emergency duct tape wrapped around it. If youre looking for the most functionality out of your survival or everyday carry gear, this one is probably the best value proposition. Yes, that means it needs to be refillable in some manner. So, if you want to bump up the value of your bug-out bag or just make life easier in the case of a disaster, youll want to pick up one of the following 12 best survival lighters. Fuel Type: Electric/Arc Resistances: Windproof, Splashproof, Impact-Resistant A lighter is only one of the things youll need in a worst-case scenario. DIY methods include cutting a piece of bike inner tube or rubber glove to slide over the Zippo as a sort of exterior gas cap: A plasma lighter which is powered by electricity and thus rechargeable is a nice upgrade for daily use, camping, and backpacking. This is the primary reason I chose it to be best for a day pack or bug out bag. Besides being absurdly cheap and common, disposable lighters are a miracle of modern manufacturing. Even if you get a Peanut that only stores fuel for two months and decide not to exchange it, we still think the fuel flexibility and widespread availability of replacement parts make this lighter a solid investment and a great tool to have in your emergency preps. Which is Better in a Survival, Best Plasma Lighter: Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0 Review, Best Survival Lighter for EDC Zippo Matte Pocket Lighters, True Utility FireStash Lighter Multi-Tool, Best Waterproof Survival Lighter: UST Refillable Floating Lighter, Honorable Mention UST Trekker Stormproof Lighter, Dimensions 2.25 x 1.5 x 0.5 weight 2.0 oz, Wide variety of colours and finishes to choose from, Can use multiple types of fuels in true survival or SHTF situations, Dimensions 2.6 x 1.6 x 0.6 Weighs less than 1 oz with fuel, Above 8000ft the lighter will not preform as well, Dimensions 4.12 x 1.8 x 1.25 weighs 3.4 oz, Dimensions 3.7 x 1.4 x 1.1 weighs 2.4 oz. Micro-USB rechargeable. Zippo does however now offer a range of inserts to upgrade your lighter to a more advanced offering. Compact, durable, leak-proof, cheap, and lightweight. So, there are a few things youre going to want to consider when picking up a worthwhile survival lighter.
And since it doesnt rely on a flame, you dont have to worry so much about wind or falling rain. Although it is in liquid state the off gassing is what ends up being the source of fuel for the flame. SurvivalCache is here to educate. Certainly keeping a lighter on hand is better than nothing, but not all lighters are going to stand up to the kinds of punishment and conditions you might face in a survival situation. Fire is one of the top priorities in a survival situation. This may be the only cigar accessory that we actually recommend as a survival item. This video tests a Zippo with common household liquids (anything that works in a Zippo can work in a Peanut): Weve seen a few online reports of leakage with these lighters, with some users claiming they get as little as two months of storage before the fuel evaporates. You may not commercially benefit from our hard work without permission. A great EDC lighter which also serves as the best windproof lighter and best electric lighter is the $35 Survival Frog Micro-USB Rechargeable Tesla. And this one certainly does. The ease of use and the waterproof and windproof attributes make this one perfect for when life depends on you getting that fire going. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive with the only complaints being around battery life or quality control issues. There are a handful of decent competitors to the Peanut. Its not waterproof or wind-resistant, sure but the low price and easy of use make this a far better option than even the famous BIC disposables. Its also very lightweight, said to last through 30,000 uses, and can withstand up to 80 mph winds while staying lit. The benefit? Fuel Type: Lighter Fluid Alternatively, the UST TekFire Pro is a popular competitor. This lighter is the runner up because of the negative customer reviews and that it is not as lightweight or as well thought out as the UST Floating Lighter. Another reason it makes the overall pick for EDC lighter is that it is slim enough to go virtually noticed in the pocket. The Maratac stainless steel peanut is discontinued now and they brought back the originally recommended anodized aluminum. Read more, We bought and tested over 20 popular paracords, performing load, abrasion, and damp tests to pick the best survival cordage. There are also even more durable metal ones. See below the fold for more details and picks. Fuel Type: Lighter Fluid Plasma Arc This is an interesting option where instead of a traditional flame these lighters use an electric arc of plasma that is exceptionally hot at about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. As with the other butane lighters it will have trouble at altitude. Hands down, the BIC Maxi ($1.80 each, $9 for the five pack) is the best survival lighter for most people. This is where piezoelectric ignition start to shine as I can tell you from personal experience that operating a Bic or a Zippos flint striker wheel when you can not feel your fingers is incredibly difficult. We own and use the $60 Maratac Peanut XL in titanium, and it is awesome. Built-in flashlight, rechargeable with USB, and lanyard. For those situations where space is at a premium this lighter is a good all around choice being a cylinder this lighter will fit in a lot of spaces that the others on this list will not. Being able to quickly and easily locate my lighter when hypothermia is setting in and time is of the essence is a huge win. When youre desperate to survive, every ounce counts. Fuel Type: Lighter Fluid Running off a 220 mAh 3.7 volt battery this lighter boasts being able to be used 300 times per charge. Resistances: IPX8 Waterproof, Impact-Resistant Rather than a traditional combustion flame, this lighter creates an arc of electricity across its contact points that can ignite tinder, tobacco in a pipe, or whatever else you need to light. Even though your lighter may be windproof what youre lighting is not so keep that in mind when building your fire in the wind. The only real downside is the tendency of butane to not work well at high altitudes. But a smart man realizes the scales of life dont work that way. I would not trust this as a primary fire starting tool but as a backup to a back up I think it would do just fine. Resistances: Impact-Resistant, Waterproof Lighter Fluid This is the traditional fluid found in most wick style lighters such as the iconic Zippo. They can create multiple flames across a greater period of time and, if you get the right one, can survive alongside you through thick and thin, giving you access to fire whenever you desire. Plasma lighters are great because they do not rely on fuel to generate the heat that the fire triangle requires. These lighters burn extremely hot and since they do not rely on a flame they are truly windproof lighters. The main issue with plasma/electric lighters is the Lithium-Ion battery.