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The lighter you use changes how your cigar tastes. A cheap fluid lighter leaves a chemical note on the first few draws, and a weak flame makes you over-toast the foot chasing an even light. Spend a little on the right butane lighter and the problem disappears — clean ignition, even burn, no aftertaste. You do not need to spend big either; the best cigar lighter under $50 does everything the expensive ones do.
The first decision is flame type: soft flame or torch. Each has a real argument, and the right pick depends on where and what you smoke. Here is how they compare, and the picks worth buying under $50.
Quick Comparison: Cigar Lighters Under $50
| Type | Best For | Flame | Wind | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft flame | Indoors, purists, slow toasting | Soft yellow | Poor | Shop soft flame lighters → |
| Single torch | All-around, best value | One blue jet | Good | Shop single torch → |
| Double torch | Faster light, larger ring gauges | Two jets | Very good | Shop double torch → |
| Triple torch | Outdoors, wind, big cigars | Three jets | Excellent | Shop triple torch → |
Soft Flame vs Torch: What’s the Difference
A soft flame is the ordinary yellow flame you picture on a normal lighter, fueled by butane. It burns cooler and lights the cigar gently, which purists prefer because there is almost no risk of scorching the wrapper or charring the tobacco. The downside is obvious the moment a breeze hits it — soft flames blow out easily and take longer to toast and light, especially on thicker cigars.
A torch (or jet) flame is a pressurized blue jet that burns much hotter and stays lit in wind. It lights a cigar fast and works outdoors where a soft flame is useless. The risk is heat: hold a torch too close for too long and you can scorch the foot and bring out a bitter, ashy note. Used correctly — flame just below the foot, rotating, not touching — a torch is the most practical all-around choice.
1. Soft Flame — Best for Indoor Purists
If you smoke mostly indoors or on a covered porch and you care about toasting the foot slowly and evenly, a soft flame is the connoisseur’s pick. It rewards patience and gives you the most control over a delicate wrapper. It is the worst possible choice for a windy patio, so be honest about where you actually smoke.
Good butane soft-flame cigar lighters are less common than torches but easy to find alongside them. Browse the soft-flame and all-flame options in the cigar lighters selection at Gotham Cigars →
Best for: Indoor smoking, slow toasting | Watch for: Useless in any wind
2. Single Torch — Best All-Around Value
For most smokers, a single-jet torch is the right buy and the easiest to keep under $50. One concentrated flame lights a cigar quickly, handles light wind, and gives you enough control to avoid scorching if you keep the flame just below the foot. It is the lighter you reach for daily without thinking about it.
Look for an adjustable flame height, a wide fuel window so you can see the butane level, and a stable base. A dependable single-torch like the Altadis is exactly the kind of no-nonsense pick that lasts. See the Altadis torch lighter at Gotham Cigars →
Best for: Everyday use, best value | Watch for: Adjustable flame, visible fuel window
3. Double & Triple Torch — Speed and Wind
Two or three jets light a cigar faster and laugh at wind, which makes them the better choice outdoors or for larger ring gauges where a single flame is slow. The tradeoff is fuel — more jets burn through butane faster — and heat, since it is easier to over-toast if you linger. For a patio smoker, a double torch is the sweet spot of speed and control under $50.
A solid dual-flame option like the Villiger covers most outdoor situations without jumping in price. Check the Villiger dual-flame lighter at Gotham Cigars →
Best for: Outdoors, wind, bigger cigars | Watch for: Higher fuel use, scorch risk
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What to Look For in a Cigar Lighter Under $50
Butane only. Never use fluid (Zippo-style) lighters on a cigar — the fuel leaves a chemical taste. Refined butane burns clean and tasteless. Refill with triple-refined butane and bleed the tank before refilling.
Adjustable flame. A flame-height dial lets you tame the heat indoors and crank it outdoors. It is the single most useful feature at this price.
Visible fuel window. Running dry mid-light is annoying. A clear window saves you the guesswork.
Stable base and built-in punch. Many lighters under $50 include a built-in punch cutter — a genuine convenience if you smoke thick cigars. For more on actually lighting evenly, see our how to smoke a cigar guide, and our hands-on cigar lighter review walks through a specific budget model in detail.
Lighting Mistakes That Hurt the Flavor
Touching the flame to the foot. Hold the flame just below the cigar and let the heat draw up. Direct contact, especially with a torch, scorches and turns the first draws bitter.
Rushing the toast. Toast the foot evenly before you take the first puff. A rushed light burns unevenly and tunnels. Pair a good light with a proper rest in a deep ashtray — see our best cigar ashtray picks.
Using old or cheap butane. Unrefined butane clogs the jet and adds odor. Triple-refined only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a soft flame or torch better for cigars?
Both work. Soft flame burns cooler and is gentler on the wrapper, ideal indoors. Torch is hotter, faster, and wind-resistant, making it the better all-around choice — especially outdoors. Many smokers own one of each.
Can you use a regular lighter for cigars?
Avoid fluid lighters like a Zippo — the fuel leaves a chemical taste on the first draws. Use a butane lighter, soft flame or torch. Butane burns clean and tasteless.
What’s the best cigar lighter under $50?
For most people, a single-jet butane torch with an adjustable flame and a visible fuel window. It lights fast, handles light wind, and gives enough control to avoid scorching. Double torches are worth it if you smoke outdoors often.
Why does my cigar taste bitter after lighting?
Usually over-toasting — holding the flame too close or too long, especially with a torch. Keep the flame just below the foot, rotate the cigar, and stop as soon as it is evenly lit.
What butane should I use to refill a cigar lighter?
Triple-refined butane. Cheaper, less-refined butane clogs the jets and can add odor. Bleed the tank fully before each refill to avoid air pockets.
Shop Cigar Lighters
Browse soft flame, single, double, and triple torch lighters at Gotham Cigars, or read our hands-on cigar lighter review for a closer look at a budget pick.
