The housing is durable and waterproof. Q. At the higher price points, expect to find more durable designs, dual or triple arcs, and a strong battery that can hold a charge for a longer time. Plasma lighters in this price range are great additions to your roadside emergency or survival kit. These batteries are susceptible to overheating and overcharging. The single plasma beam is adequate for lighting something like a sparkler or paper for a chimney grill starter, but the cap and metal behind each pole get in the way of reaching into tight locations. The tip is also entirely exposed for easier access to tight spaces, and the friendly shape is kind to your palm. Unlike a traditional lighter, they can be used upside down without burning your hand. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How to Make a Char Cloth: Instructions Plus Troubleshooting, Vikings Used a Gross Survival Firestarter. Downsides? Youll have to guess how much juice is left in the battery. Q. Thats nice peace of mind compared to flicking a traditional lighter in vain after its gotten wet. I also used them to light our home gas range and learned that wand- or stick-style lighters were best for this job because your hand is not close to the gas when it ignites. A: When activated, plasma lighters charge opposing poles to create an intense exchange of electricity that creates a large amount of heat along a concentrated path. The button should be near the top of the lighter and positioned so you can easily use the lighter with one hand. It doesnt matter if youre just trying to light candles around the house or survive in the wilderness; a plasma lighter might be your best bet for success. Its also long enough to light the grill or fire pit without singeing your knuckles. Cap/cover: All the plasma lighters you consider should include some form of cap or cover. We use cookies and similar technologies to run this website and help us understand how you use it. You should keep it in its case, so the ignition beam area doesnt get dirty. The cylindrical shape of this plasma lighter is more in line with an EDC flashlight than a traditional lighter. But the poles are arrayed vertically rather than forming an open crown at the top of the lighter, so while I could wedge the LcFun down into a votive (or, a lot more easily, extract a candle from its container and light the wick), the process was awkward. Yes, the cap does swing entirely away from the lighter body, and yep, there are two, rather than a single plasma beam. With the exception of our pick for indoor use, the plasma lighters on this list are built to be waterproof and take an impact without missing a beat. The number of lights youll get from a fully-charged plasma lighter varies drastically depending on factors like: Dont expect to get the full number of charges listed by the manufacturer. A lanyard is included and can be disassembled and used for tinder in a pinch. Due to the fact that they offer heat over a smaller area, these plasma lighters are better for lighting cigarettes or candles. The standout feature of the iLever plasma lighter is that it has a battery indicator light. Plasma lighters are just the latest in a long line of tools that make fire possible. Even refillable lighters burn through fuel faster than wed like. Theyre also very entertaining, so we wont blame you if you havent totally aged out of your inner pyro just yet. It doesnt have a flexible extension, so if youre reaching down into a candle holder, you need to dip the tip of the lighter down toward the wick in a sort of dunking action. Manufacturers have different recommendations on the best way to use and care for their lighters. It also has a 220mAh battery and comes in a waterproof case with a whistle on a para-tinder lanyard. We recommend including one of these in your go bag or camping pack. The future is now, and it is bright. Yes, the flexible wand style design lets you reach into a votive or sideways into a gas grill to fire a pilot light with your hand at a safe distance, but like the Zippo, all that metal around the poles can get in the way if youre trying to insert the lighter into a very narrow space. Be careful not to let the battery charge too long, or it might permanently lose some of its capacity. If you plan on getting a lot of use out of your plasma lighter in austere environments, this is the way to go. Quality lighter fluid like the kind sold by Zippo costs about $9 for a 12-ounce bottle (and thats what we recommend if you choose to use a traditional, refillable lighter). We sought out high-quality plasma lighters to get the job done in camping, survival, and everyday situations. Youre most likely to build a fire in the evening when it can cook whatever food youve managed to find during the day and provide some heat while you sleep. Versatile, user-friendly, and our all-around favorite, Photo: Michael Frank (Only some of the lighters I evaluated were able to light votive-style candles that had burned down somewhat, because of the increased distance between the lighter and the wick.) I also love that the lighter is IPX7 waterproof and only weighs 1.8oz, so it isnt too bulky to carry every day. The beams can be set outside the case (shown on the left with the Tough Tesla 2.0 lighter) or set inside the case (right). Plasma lighters are surprisingly simple devices. This method generates quite a bit of heat, but applications can be limited. Pay attention to how the beams are positioned on the plasma light. It isnt waterproof, doesnt have a flashlight, and doesnt even have a safety lock. Which Brands Make the Most Reliable Appliances? Plasma lighters tend to be the same size as their traditional predecessors. Check out our Ebook bundle. Appearance: Some people think of a plasma lighter as part of their personal image. Instafire doesnt provide fuel like Pyro Putty, but the capability is nice to have. Good for pipe smokers. 100 percent of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. But its more sweat the more times you have to repeat the process. Were thrilled to see a lighter that can work in the wind and rain at such an accessible price. This plasma lighter is pretty similar to the Tough Tesla 2.0 reviewed above. Heres How to Make It, Best Fire Piston (Explore This Little Known Firestarting Method), Survival Hack: How to Refill a Bic Lighter Like a Pro, The Best Survival Lighters: Reliable Flame No Matter the Situation, Privacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie PolicyDisclaimers, 2021. Weve been fans of this TG plasma lighter since our very first plasma lighter gear guide, and its still as good as ever. Theres a good chance youll be up against sunset when that happens, so having some light while you assemble tinder, kindling, and logs can be a big help. Its not difficult, but it takes a beat before you rock the rhythm. The Survival Frog company offers a very good guarantee, which is a sign that you can trust the lighter. Prices for plasma lighters generally range from about $13 to $20 and up. It also has a lid that moves entirely out of the way, so its easy to insert into a votive. Because theyre so rugged, plasma lighters are also just as useful for experienced campers. This product evaluation is part of Consumer Reports OutsidetheLabs reviews program, which is separate from our laboratory testing and ratings. So, Id only recommend this if you are interested in trying out plasma lighters but will probably stick to fuel-based lighters. (Though, alas, the battery inside will die at some point.). Sure, you could bring a USB battery with you, but thats just more stuff to hump down the trail. Why so sour? Thats why our pick for best value, the TG plasma lighter, looks so familiar to other options on the market. ACCEPT. Keep in mind that even a handheld solar charger can keep a plasma lighter up and running, which means you can have access to instant fire totally off-grid. Dual-arc lighters that are designed with two bolts that fire diagonally offer more burning surface area than criss-cross bolt designs. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Place flammable material into the purple arc or arcs to light it. It can damage the battery. In simplest terms, the difference in charge between positive and negative electrodes in these lighters creates an arc of plasma, or ionized gas, thats hot enough to ignite candle wicks, paper, and other flammable materials. The average toddler probably wont spy this control. Keep your lighter away from high temperatures and out of direct sunlight. Built to last and relatively inexpensive. For all these evaluations (save the kitchen stove and the votives), we were dealing with very windy weather but relatively low humidity. Plasma lighters use lithium-ion batteries. Size: You dont want a plasma lighter thats too bulky or heavy. Dont overcharge your plasma lighter. It occurred to us that sometimes lighters are used in more domestic settings than remote wilderness campsites; and for that, we recommend this little plasma lighter from Reidea. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Plasma lighters can get a cookstove or a candle going just like a traditional lighter, but thats about where the similarities end. Our other picks are more specialized and come with features that help them stand out from the crowd. Say goodbye to lighter fluid and hello to the future. Value-adding features vary from product to product and may include glass-breakers, storage compartments for tinder, and flashlights. Shock-absorbing housing is up for adventure, Includes a tiny storage compartment for tinder, Comes with a ball of Pyro Putty so youre always prepared, Replacement Pyro Putty tinder isnt cheap, All-caps pyro branding isnt the most understated, Arc configuration requires precise placement of tinder, As small as a Zippo but way more affordable, Tinder must be inserted between the poles, Not the most robust option here, but strong enough for most tasks, Storage compartment for your preferred tinder, Longer-lasting battery than most of the competition, Several times more expensive than the alternatives, The glass-breaker isnt the most practical feature for a lighter, Tiny button is harder to activate that a traditional-style lighter button, Pyro Putty Elite Rechargeable Dual Arc Lighter. It then becomes too bulky to carry with you, so this is a plasma lighter best suited for home use. Single plasma beam lighters have a hard time lighting items with a larger surface area, such as cigars. I like that the double arcs are set outside the lighter so its easy to light tinder and not just cigarettes. There is no battery life indicator. Accessories: Some common accessories to look for when shopping include the following: Cleaning brush for cleaning the electrodes, Lanyard for wearing lighter around the neck for camping, for example. Some incorporate an additional safety feature and wont light if the cap is closed. For $15, you can get a pocket full of disposable lighters that only work half the time, or you can get this plasma lighter from TG. Learn more about our product review process. Instant download! Some lighters incorporate a charging light to monitor this. I had no issues igniting the stovetops, fireworks, or charcoal chimney. If youre in the market for a plasma lighter, its probably because you want a reliable piece of gear that just works every time; thats exactly what this Pyro Putty lighter does. If youre a fan of high-end gear and dont mind paying for craftsmanship, the Instafire Crossfire is the plasma lighter for you. If you need to squirrel away a few lighters for emergencies, this is an affordable way to prepare. You can write the rest: The Zippo also wasnt easy to get close to the emissions of a range or camp stove without risk of getting burned when the gas ignited. We may never need a lighter this hardcore, but that doesnt make us want it any less. At the other end is a glass-breaker for emergencies were not sure how often youll need to break free and immediately light a fire, but youll have the option. Just remember to pack a solar charger in your survival kit to keep it operational. Thats significantly faster than some of the alternatives. If you have just got a few candles to light, its no sweat. I also found the balance a little off here, with the flexible arm end of the lighter outweighing the handle, making the plasma end want to fall forward. Long, slim shape is great for reaching deeper candle wicks, Single arc isnt as efficient as a dual arc, Number of lights per charge isnt available. If youre trying to light something like that, both the Power Practical and Reidea have exposed heads that are just better.