Best Windproof Lighters On The Market [Review and Complete Buying Guide]

At a windy campsite or breezy beachside, trying to ignite a fire can be a challenge if you’re using a typical lighter, because the wind will undoubtedly keep extinguishing your flame. On the other hand, a windproof lighter is an excellent solution to make sure you can stay warm and toasty even on the windiest of days.

The winner of this product round-up, the Zippo Classic Street Chrome Pocket Lighter, gains its title due to its well-established, reliable brand name, high-quality construction, and easy-to-use flame. The Zippo is built with a compact, lightweight style that features a durable, all-metal, fashionable design that you’ll find yourself reaching for every time.

To find out more about a variety of the best windproof lighters on the market today and their various important features, read on below.

How Lighters are Helpful in Outdoor Use

A lighter is an essential piece of gear when trying to create a fire to keep warm or make a meal. This can be as simple as starting a fire for smores at the campsite, or as serious as trying to prevent frostbite if you’re caught in a hazardous situation. A lighter can also serve as a light source in dark conditions or scare away predators in the unknown wilderness.

In other words, a lighter can be a lifesaving tool in the most dangerous or harshest of conditions. Unfortunately, a standard lighter can often fail us in the presence of wind when we need it the most. This is why windproof lighters are such an important piece of technology for outdoor use.

How do Windproof Lighters Differ from Regular Lighters?

As you’ve probably experienced before, a regular lighter can be nearly impossible to light if you are standing in even the slightest breeze. A windproof lighter is specifically created so that the flame can withstand windy conditions as the name suggests. This is especially useful outdoors in high winds or special situations, such as on a boat at sea.

The way standard lighters work is by striking metal against a flint. Essentially, liquid fuel is stored under pressure inside a chamber in the lighter. When you use the lighter, some of this fuel is released in a narrow stream of flammable gas. As you strike the flint and create a spark, this gas is ignited to create the flame.

Many windproof lighters are designed with a high-pressure flame ignition. This means that the fuel has a much stronger and faster flow to create a flame, enabling the flame to withstand wind more effectively.

Also, the design of the lighter redirects the wind away from the flame. Surrounding the flame is a metal wall, or enclosure, built with tiny holes for air to pass through. A very small amount of air is, therefore, able to pass through these little holes, thereby not creating enough airflow to disrupt the flame. The majority of the air is forced to flow over and around the flame, avoiding it.

Product Reviews

Zippo Classic Street Chrome Lighter: Best Overall

The Zippo Classic Street Chrome Lighter is the best overall solution in this product round-up. This classically designed lighter is constructed with a durable, all-metal, corrosive-resistant body design and is virtually windproof. The Zippo name is well-known for reliability and their lifetime warranty. The Zippo is simple and quick to use, so this will truly be your trusty lighter.

Zippo lighters operate with the tried-and-true method of a sparkwheel that spins against a piece of flint to create a spark. This spark causes a fluid (petroleum distillate, in this case) to ignite.

The beauty of a Zippo lighter is that it can stay lit until the lid is closed, meaning it burns similarly to a candle and can be used one-handed easily.

The Zippo Chrome lighter weighs only 2 ounces and measures 1.5 x 0.5 x 2.25 inches, so it is made with pocketability in mind. It’s also rather stylish, with its intentionally designed distressed appearance that makes it look well-worn and loved.

Zippo recommends refilling the Chrome Lighter with authentic, premium Zippo lighter fluid, which can be purchased separately for optimal use. Zippo also includes a lifetime guarantee with all of their lighters.

Sipoe Megatriz Electric Arc Lighter: Best Rechargeable Option

The Sipoe Megatriz Electric Arc Lighter is the best rechargeable electric lighter in this product round-up. With a long battery life and a dual-arc upward electrode design that lights easily and swiftly, you will find yourself reaching for this trusty lighter when you need it most.

This lighter has an integrated 300 mAh lithium-ion battery designed to last for a long time, with a single charge lasting up to 300 uses. The battery overall is built to stay functional for over 600 charges, so the device should last you for quite a long time, depending on how often you use it.

Conveniently, the Sipoe is equipped with four LED lights that indicate how much battery you have left. This way, you’ll know ahead of time if you need to bring a charger. Even then, you can easily give life back to the device with its included charging cable via USB port at your computer or in the car when on the go.

The Sipoe lights via high volts of electricity which creates two arcs of plasma that carry a charge between four electrodes. Of course, because it does not rely on butane fuel or gas and does not create an actual flame, the Sipoe Megatriz is an excellent wind resistant option.

As a safety feature, the Sipoe features a seven second automatic shut off feature to prevent burning unintentionally. Also, the Sipoe measures only 3.15 x 0.98 x 0.51 inches and weighs 3.84 ounces, so it is rather compact and easily pocketable.

Tesla Coil USB Rechargeable Windproof Arc Lighter: Another Electrical Option

The Tesla Coil USB Rechargeable Windproof Arc Lighter is another excellent electric (plasma) lighter, making it reliable to use in windy conditions. The Tesla Coil is an easy-to-use, economical, environmentally friendly option.

The Tesla Coil operates in the same way as the Sipoe above, although it only creates one plasma arc instead of two. Because of this, its heat output is less intense.

The Tesla Coil also has a safety feature that prevents the lighter from operating if the lid is closed.

Measuring 1.75 x 0.5 x 3 inches and weighing just 4 ounces, the Tesla Coil is fairly compact and easy to carry around for convenience of use. Like the Sipoe above, the device can be easily chargeable via USB. A full charge also lasts up to 300 uses.

GStar TorchZilla Series Windproof Jet Flame Butane Refillable Torch Lighter: Best Budget Option

The GStar TorchZilla Series Windproof Jet Flame Butane Refillable Torch Lighter is the most affordable lighter in this product round-up at only $7.24, making it the best budget option. Although it is low-budget, the GStar is a very useful and reliable lighter that creates a powerful flame.

The GStar TorchZilla is a refillable butane (or jet) lighter that is available in four colors. For fuel, it requires a canister of liquid butane gas, which can be easily replaced and refilled. This butane is kept inside the lighter under high pressure. When triggered, the fuel exits the nozzle at a fast speed to ignite a powerful, wind-resistant flame.

Essentially, the GStar operates like a Bunsen burner to produce quite the strong flame. The flame will stand upright even if the lighter is turned on its side. It will even stay alight and facing upwards (not burning your hand) if the lighter is turned upside-down.

This lighter also features a safety plug to prevent the ignition button from accidentally being pressed.

The GStar measures 4.5 x 0.3 x 0.3 inches, so it is slightly taller than some of the other lighters in this list. It weighs only 4 ounces (0.25 pounds), however, so it is another decently pocketable option.

Survival Frog Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0: Most Extra Features

The Survivor Frog Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0 is the most premium of all the lighters in this list, as it has the most extra features. This is an electric lighter with a long battery life, a built-in flashlight that can withstand the elements, a neck lanyard, an integrated rescue whistle, and safety features.

The Survivor Frog ignites via plasma dual arcs that light easily and swiftly.  This lighter is not only windproof, since it is electric, but it is also waterproof thanks to its plastic casing. The waterproofing and windproofing features enable the Survivor Frog to withstand the most difficult of elements and provide safety and comfort if you find yourself in harsher conditions.

The integrated flashlight itself is also waterproof and features three different modes: regular brightness, extreme brightness, and flashing to alert rescuers of your location. This feature, along with the built-in 120-decibel whistle, makes the Survivor Frog a versatile choice that can be quite useful if you find yourself in need of rescue.

The Survivor Frog lighter features a 300-use battery life and is easy to recharge within two hours through the included micro USB charger, similar to the other electric lighters in this guide. The lighter also has a 10-second time-out feature for safety.

Lastly, the Survivor Frog is lightweight and compact, weighing only 2.1 ounces and measuring 2.875 x 1.9 x 0.75 inches. The included lanyard loop makes carrying it around even easier.

Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Windproof Lighter

Fuel Type

Butane

One of the more common types of fuel used in lighters is butane. Butane lighters that are marketed as windproof are often called “jet lighters.” These lighters use the same butane that is found in standard lighters, but they do so under a high-pressure flame ignition system.

For such a lighter to be windproof, it alights via Bernoulli’s principle, which means that high pressure will push a fluid more quickly towards an area of lower pressure. Essentially, this means that the column in which the butane is stored inside the lighter is under a higher pressure, which causes the fuel to accelerate more rapidly and forcefully.

This high-pressure system creates a stronger flame that can more effectively hold up to the wind. An example of this is the GStar lighter, which we reviewed above. Note that jet lighters can use fuel rather quickly because of the stronger flame.

More: Best Pocket Knife Sharpener On The Market [Review and Buying Guide]

Piezoelectric

Some windproof lighters are piezoelectric (or quartz) lighters that light the butane at a button press. Quartz creates an electric voltage when it is hit with a spring-loaded hammer via the simple press of a button. This is what generates the spark to create a flame. The downside of piezoelectric lighters is that they are disposable rather than refillable.

Petroleum Distillate

Zippo lighters ignite with petroleum distillate as the fuel. Petroleum distillate is easy to light and creates no smell. It also works very well in the cold. The downside, though, is that the fuel evaporates quickly and may leak easily, so you will have to refill more often.

More: The Best Tent Air Conditioners for Camping [Review and Buying Guide]

Plasma or Electric (Flameless)

Another option for windproof lighters, as we have seen above, is the electric (or plasma) lighter. This type of lighter is easy to charge via USB cable and creates a plasma instantly when you press a button to create the “spark.”

Of course, electric lighters do not use fuel and gas to light, as these devices are flameless. Instead, such electric lighters use a high voltage between two ceramic electrodes to create an electric arc of charged plasma. The plasma runs at a higher temperature than fire.

Electric lighters are easy to use and maybe more economical than lighters that need to be refilled with fuel after several uses, although their initial purchase price may be higher and they do need to be recharged.

Waterproof

Along with being windproof, finding a lighter that can withstand water will help ensure your device’s longevity and reliability. To find the best waterproof lighter, look for one that has a plastic casing that is sealed to prevent water entrance. Of the lighters we reviewed, the Survivor Frog is the only one marketed to be waterproof.

More: The Best Headlamps for Hunting And Fishing [Review and Buying Guide]

Fuel/Charge Capacity

There’s nothing worse than running out of fuel or battery charge when you need to use your lighter immediately. For this reason, it is important to consider the fuel or charge capacity of the lighter you’re purchasing.

Look for a lighter that is refillable, as this will increase its longevity and usefulness. Many lighters, such as the Zippo reviewed above, have a 2.5-ounce canister of fuel that can easily be replaced. Keep in mind that jet lighters that operate under high pressure will often use up fuel more quickly.

The electric lighters we reviewed have a battery life of 300 uses per full charge. This is typical of an electric lighter, although you may be able to find one with a longer lifespan per charge.

Compact Size and Lightweight Style

For the easiest pocketability, look for a lighter that is lightweight and compact in size. Many of the smallest lighters will weigh a mere two to four ounces and measure only a few inches in length. This makes it easy to throw into your bag or keep in your pocket all day.

More: Cold Steel Recon 1 Review: Is It a Good Pocket Knife

Durability

When you’re trying to survive in the wilderness, you want to make sure that your lighter is as durable as possible in case you accidentally drop it. This is why you should look for lighters made of tough materials that can withstand an impact, such as stainless steel.

Likewise, stainless steel will be resistant to corrosion when exposed to moisture, which will help improve the lighter’s longevity overall.

More: Best Leatherman Multi Tools Review: The Complete Buying Guide

Conclusion

If you enjoy nights at the campsite or at the beach, you may find yourself facing windy conditions in which your standard lighter just isn’t cutting it. A windproof lighter will save the day, as these are designed specifically to shine in such conditions.

The winner of this product round-up is the Zippo Classic Street Chrome Lighter. This device is incredibly simple to operate and features a stylish, lightweight, compact, durable metal design that will be a joy each time you use it. The Zippo won’t break the bank, although this is a well-known, reliable brand that produces quality windproof lighters.

If you are looking for the most extra features, check out the Survivor Frog Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0, which includes an integrated safety whistle and flashlight, a lanyard, a long rechargeable battery life, and a waterproof body design. If you are looking for the ultimate windproof option, an electric lighter is a great idea as it doesn’t produce a flame.

No matter which option you choose, hopefully, this product round-up has helped you decide on a windproof lighter to last you through many years of windy adventures.