Spending time in the backcountry wilderness has huge benefits to life, that’s why we do it. But it doesn’t come without its risks either and we should do our best to mitigate those as much as possible.
Intelligent things to have with you include a GPS, Satphone, Radio, and a bunch more things. Often though, it’s the little things that save the day like having a multitool to get you out of a jam or one of the best windproof lighters so you can always start a fire.
Getting cold and not eating are two of the biggest problems man can face in the wild and in life, so being able to start a fire to get warm and cook some food is paramount in all survival situations.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Windproof Lighters
In this article, we run through some of the best performing windproof lighters on the market so that you can always have one ready to make a fire, no matter the conditions.
Best Allrounder
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Best Of The Best
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![]() | Best Butane
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![]() | Best electric arc lighter
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The Green Vivid Windproof Electric Lighter is a little different from a normal lighter as it uses just electricity to help you start a fire.
Through dual arc technology, it generates a current that’ll light anything it touches making it one of the top windproof lighters around, as there is no flame to blow out.
It runs on a rechargeable battery that takes just 2hrs to charge and gives you a week’s worth of power or up to 300 uses, more than enough for most camping trips.
It’s also waterproof and comes in a durable, easy-to-see plastic case. Just remember to recharge it before you hit the trail.
Next up is the Frog & Co Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0.
This lighter uses the same dual arc technology as the Green Vivid lighter above meaning it also has no flame to blow out. You can’t get much more windproof than that.
It’s also waterproof so if you drop in a puddle while using it you can just picking it up and go again. Plus durable case will protect it from any damage.
It recharges fully in less than 2hrs and gives up to 300 uses per charge and it comes with extra survival features including a flashlight, paratinder lanyard, and an emergency whistle.
The Kollea Double Jet Butane Lighter is one of the best windproof lighters that runs on butane that you can find.
This windproof lighter is encased in zinc for durability and features a double jet to give you a flame that even the strongest winds won’t blow out.
Along the side is a fuel gauge so you always know when a refill is in sight and filling it up couldn’t be easier.
These lighters do use fuel quite fast but this one is at least adjustable so you can control how much it uses to a point and save it when you need to.
You’ll also find a handy cigar punch on the base, so if you love having a Cohiba Robusto in the evening when camping, this probably the ideal windproof lighter for you.
If you want one of the most stylish windproof arc lighters then the Tesla Coil Lighter is right up your street. The slim and sleek design makes you want to have this lighter in your pocket at all times.
The Tesla Coil lighter works similarly to the other zero-butane lighters featured, running only on electricity. It creates a 5mm arc and to light something you’ll need to get it into the arc, making it a little tricky sometimes.
You can recharge this windproof arc lighter via USB in an hour or two and get a full week or 100-300 uses out of it before it needs to be plugged in again.
It’s pretty durable overall but it’s not waterproof like the others so be sure not to let it get wet or it might fail on you.
Another windproof light that runs on butane is the GUEVARA Butane Torch Lighter.
This windproof lighter comes with a sturdy metal body that feels nice in the hand and ensures the lighter’s durability.
It runs on butane and created a super-strong flame that consists of 2 jets. No matter how windy it is, this flame will not be blown out.
The lighter does use fuel quickly like all jet/torch lighters but with its universal cap, it couldn’t be easier to refill. You can also adjust the flame height in order to control fuel consumption a bit.
There is also a fuel gauge along the side so you never get caught short and know when to refill. Just be sure to check it before you head out on the trail.
The one thing holding this lighter back is that it’s not waterproof, so be sure to keep it dry.
Another one of the best electric arc lighters on the market is the lcfun Outdoor Windproof Lighter.
This lighter also runs on arc technology meaning there are no butane refills, also you need to do is remember to charge it with the USB cable provided.
This USB rechargeable windproof lighter charges fully in about 2 hours and gives you 300 uses or a week’s worth of charge before it needs topping up again.
It comes in a handy, lockable, protective, waterproof case. You can drop on concrete or in a puddle and it’s going to be fine and get a fire going when you need it to.
Being an arc lighter, it’s hard to start a fire with than an open flame as what you’re lighting has to touch the arc, but it gets easy with practice.
The Sipoe Plasma Lighter is one of the prettiest and coolest lighters I have ever seen. Its sleek chrome finish, stylistic lines, and compact size make it a real looker.
This plasma lighter also runs on arc technology, so again, no butane, no flame, and it can’t be blown out. Ideal for any windy conditions.
It charges quickly in just 1.5 hrs but it doesn’t last so long and needs topping up after a few days. This is most likely due to the blue LEDs on the front that indicate the battery level, chewing up the power. The lights look cool but they are a bit inefficient energy-wise.
Overall it’s the lightest and best looking windproof lighters but the low battery life is an issue.
The Anrapley Butane Torch Lighter is the final lighter in our windproof lighter line up.
This is a little different from the others as it’s shaped like a pen and is thus a little easier to store than wider bulky lighters.
It’s a jet lighter than runs on butane and creates a strong flame that can handle heavy winds with ease. You can adjust the flame at the base and there is a fuel window so you know when you need a top-up.
Refilling it is easy, just push into a universal connector on a butane can and it fills pretty quickly.
From a durability perspective, it’s excellent as the shell is made from quality aluminum and won’t break. It’s not waterproof though so try not to let it get wet.
As you have probably noticed, there are two types of windproof lighters to choose from; dual arc lighters that run on electricity alone or jet lighters that run on butane. Both of these lighters are windproof but they are very different so choosing the right type for you is important.
The electric lighters featured require no fuel at all and create a current via plasma or an arc which you can use to light things off. They are quite tricky to use as in order to ignite something, it will have to touch the arc created by the lighter, which is very small compared to a regular flame.
Since there is no flame at all, these types of lighters are as windproof as a lighter can be. But, they do run on electricity and need to be charged up regularly. Most of them, once fully charged, last about a week or for 100-300 uses, which isn’t bad.
But, in the wild, you don’t always have access to a charger so you’ll need to bring a solar charger or a full power bank if you plan on spending more than a week out there. Plus, you need to add ‘charge my lighter’ to your prep list before you go.
If you choose an electric windproof lighter, always check the battery life on it. Some only last a few days, others a week, and you’re going to want one that lasts as long as possible before needing a top-up.
Jet butane lighters are easy to light fires with. The flame they produce is large, strong, windproof and it’s easy to ignite a fire starter with them. These kinds of lighters do use a lot of fuel quickly, so you’ll want to make sure they are fully topped up with butane before heading out on a camping trip.
Overall, they are far less eco-friendly than electric lighters but probably easier for lighting fires with. You will have to invest in some butane and refill them often though, unlike with the electric lighters than you can just recharge via USB.
If a jet butane windproof lighter is your preferred choice, be sure to choose one with an adjustable flame. This way you’ll at least have some control over the amount of fuel it uses and can conserve it as much as possible.
If have a need for a windproof lighter, chances are that it would be useful if it was waterproof too. Quite a few of the lighters featured above are both windproof and waterproof meaning they won’t stop working if they get wet and you can use them in wet conditions too.
The last thing you want when you’re in the backcountry is to have your windproof lighter fail you simply because it got wet in your backpack during a heavy downpour, so choosing a windproof and waterproof lighter is highly recommended.
The all-around best windproof lighter is the Green Vivid Windproof Electric Lighter. This runs without butane, is windproof, waterproof, durable, easy to see, you can recharge it quickly and get a week’s worth or 300 uses per charge. What’s not to love?!
The overall top windproof lighter is the Frog & Co Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0. Similar to the Green Vivid above it runs without butane, gives 300 uses per charge, is waterproof as well as windproof and it comes with a built-in flashlight and safety whistle, making it pretty hard to beat.
The best butane lighter is the Kollea Double Jet Butane Lighter. Cased in zinc for durability with a stylish look this jet lighter will make a flame in all conditions. It also features a fuel gauge so you know when it needs a refill and you can adjust the flame to control its fuel consumption too.