There is nothing more inconvenient than when your grill won’t start. Except maybe if you have to dig for a match to start your grill. It never fails, when you really need to get your grill started, the electronic ignition doesn’t want to work, or it’s windy and a match just isn’t working on your charcoal grill. When these moments arrive, you need a better tool. A BBQ lighter is a must have for any grill master who never wants to be without an easy and reliable way to get their grill started.
The great thing about BBQ lighters, is that they are a multi-purpose tool. Using them for lighting your gas or charcoal grill is great but investing in a couple of BBQ lighters will allow you to tuck one in your RV or camping gear, for easy starting of your camp stove or a campfire. They are handy for lighting candles and are great for getting your backyard fire pit started. They really are a useful and versatile tool.
Our Top Choice
- All the features at a reasonable price.
- Lightweight, portable and versatile.
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor activities.
- Has good safety features.
- Automatically cuts off the power when battery is fully charged.
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GRILLMATIC Electronic USB Grill Lighter
BEST CHOICE
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SUPRUS Electric Arc Lighter
RUNNER UP
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Power Practical Candle Lighter
VALUE CHOICE
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We love grilling, and just like the next guy, we’ve had that moment when our grill just won’t fire up, or it’s too breezy for a match to even be considered. So, naturally, we’ve decided to take on the task of finding the best BBQ lighter. Frankly, we were really surprised at just how many options there are, and picking one was a daunting task.
So, to help you find the best BBQ lighter for your needs, we’ve done our research, read tons of customer reviews, and even tested some of the products out there, all to find the perfect BBQ lighter. After all this work, we even put together a handy buying guide so that you can pick the right one from our list (or from the hundreds of options out there).
The GRILLMATIC Electronic USB Grill Lighter is our top pick BBQ lighter for a few reasons. We found that it started easily, and had a decent sized flame. It did reasonably well staying lit even with a bit of a breeze, and it wasn’t terribly expensive.
How to Choose the Best BBQ Lighter?
If you’re ready to buy a BBQ lighter but aren’t sure where to start when it comes to narrowing the list of options, you’ll probably want some help. That’s where this handy buying guide comes in. We’ve put together the features of BBQ lighters that we think are most important to consider when shopping for the best one for your needs. We used this list to narrow the hundreds of options down to this list of seven great options, so we think that this buying guide will work great for any grill master looking for a new BBQ lighter.
Type
There are three types of lighters that you’ll want to consider while shopping for your next BBQ lighter. These three options each have their pros and cons, but each will do a good job of getting your grill started or your cigar lit.
- Butane – these lighters are really common, and come in a range of styles and options. We like butane lighters because some options are wind resistant and are perfect for using outdoors. Butane lighters can also be super affordable, which is an added benefit. Also, look for butane lighters that are refillable, for a more eco-friendly option.
- Arc – These lighters use a low voltage electrical current to create a spark. Because they are easy to control and don’t create a flame, they are ideal for smaller spaces, like the inside of your grill. You’ll find these lighters a bit more expensive than the butane options. However, if you’re concerned about safety, these are a nice option.
- Flameless – If you need an option that doesn’t have an open flame, then this is your pick. They use a heated element to create a hot surface that can be used to start a fire. These are most useful for starting gas grills, and can be handy for lighting candles, or your cigar if you’re patient.
Refillable or Rechargeable
We find that this is a really nice consideration if you don’t want to be terrible to the planet, by constantly throwing out a used lighter. Do look for butane lighters that can be refilled. You’ll pay more for these at the start, but instead of tossing them in the trash when the gas is gone, you can buy a can of butane and easily refill them.
If you’re investing in a flameless or arc lighter, do consider an option that has a rechargeable battery. This keeps you from needing to invest in batteries, and they are also better for our planet.
Size and Weight
This is an important consideration if you’re going to be taking your BBQ lighter on the road. If you want to use your lighter while camping or for picnics or tailgating, you probably don’t want a large beast of a lighter. Chimney starters are great for starting your grill fire, but there are great compact options that will work so that your fire started without much effort.
You’ll also want to consider the reach of the lighter. If you don’t want to remove the grates of your BBQ, look for a lighter with a longer wand. This can also be helpful for lighting campfires, where you’ll want to get flame under kindling and stacked wood.
Capacity
An important consideration for butane lighters, specifically. If you don’t want to be constantly refilling your BBQ lighter, do consider the tank capacity of the butane lighters on your list. Keep in mind that more powerful butane lighters will use more gas, so even if you get a larger capacity tank, if you’re using it a lot, and it’s a high BTU lighter, you’ll go through gas quicker than with lower BTU options.
Features
When it comes to added features, you’ll probably first want to consider how much you are willing to spend on a BBQ lighter. Many come with fun, added features, but they can quickly bump up the price. If you want more, look for color options, unique designs, LED indicators or lights, handle grips and safety locks.
Top 7 Best BBQ Lighters of 2022
1. Best Overall – GRILLMATIC Electronic USB Grill Lighter
Why you’ll love this:
The Grillmatic USB grill lighter has some great features that we really like. First, the electronic spark is flameless so it is perfect to use in the wind or rain. This is a great benefit especially if you are using your BBQ lighter on a camping trip, tailgating or at the park.
The next great feature is the flexible neck of this lighter. This is a huge added convenience, because it can easily reach in your grill, light candles, or fit in between logs when starting a campfire.
The ability to recharge this lighter is really handy too. Since it is USB rechargeable, it can be plugged into any standard USB port, including car chargers and wall chargers. You don’t have to worry about running out of power with this lighter, so long as you remember to bring a compatible USB charging port.
What We Liked
- Long flexible neck.
- Long lasting Lithium Ion battery.
- Very versatile.
- No gas, no oil, no flame and no smell.
What We Didn’t Like
- No instruction manual.
- Not great performance in wet weather.
Wrapping up
Our pick for the best BBQ lighter, the Grillmatic USB rechargeable grill lighter is a handy option that allows you to get your grill, campfire or candles started in a variety of conditions. If you need well priced gadgets that you can send your friends as gifts then this grill lighter is a great option because it provides a reliable way to start a fire without a flame.
2. Runner Up – SUPRUS Electric Arc Lighter
Why you’ll love this:
Our pick for the runner up best BBQ lighter is the SUPRUS electric arc lighter. This rechargeable lighter is a nice option for a lower price than our top pick, but comes with many of the same great features.
Thanks to a flame-free operation, this lighter can be used in a variety of conditions. Whether you’re lighting a candle in your home or trying to start a campfire on a breezy evening, this lighter will get you started.
The SUPRUS lighter is USB rechargeable, so you can easily keep it running from just about anywhere, provided that you have access to a USB charging port. We found that this lighter even charged quickly using our car charging port.
Our one big complaint about this BBQ lighter is that it has a solid body, instead of the flexible neck. It wasn’t as easy to reach into tight spaces with the solid body, but it still worked great, and was affordable.
What We Liked
- Pocket sized and easily portable.
- Displays real time battery volume.
- Great safety features.
- Wind-proof, splash-proof, no smell.
What We Didn’t Like
- No bendable neck.
- Not fast charging.
3. Best Plasma – Power Practical Sparkr Wick Electric Lighter
Why you’ll love this:
Plasma lighters are similar in function and versatility to electric arc lighters. So, when it comes to using your BBQ lighter in a range of weather conditions, a plasma lighter is a great option.
Our pick for the best plasma lighter is the Power Practical Sparkr Wick electric lighter. This handy plasma lighter has plenty of power to start up everything from birthday candles to a full-on bonfire. This lighter is easy to use, with a simple push button operation. The built-in safety features ensure that your kids are safe and that there’s no accidental starting of the lighter.
We do like the long neck of this lighter. It is narrow enough to get into tight spaces like narrow candle holders or even between the slats on your grill grates. However, we do wish the neck was flexible. It was a bit challenging to reach some spaces.
What We Liked
- Easy to use angled ignitor head.
- Long lasting, durable materials.
- Comfortable soft-grip handle.
- Wind-proof, flameless and odorless.
What We Didn’t Like
- It uses micro-USB.
- You have to push button 3x’s to ignite.
4. Best Arc Lighter – RONXS Square Electric Arc Lighter
Why you’ll love this:
The Ronxs electric arc lighter is our pick for the best arc lighter. While we’ve presented a few options when it comes to arc lighters, we found that this one was just a bit better than the other options.
The Ronxs provides the same great options for getting your grill, campfire or candles started that other arc lighters have. Flameless spark, rechargeable battery operation, flexible neck and safety features that make it difficult to start accidentally.
We pick this product as our favorite electric arc lighter thanks to two features. First the narrow, flexible neck really makes it easier to reach a variety of spaces, which keeps your fingers safe from being accidentally toasted. The other feature that sets this electric arc BBQ lighter apart from other options is the quick charging. We found that though we tested a variety of similar options, this one seemed to charge quicker and then held the charge longer.
What We Liked
- Easy to read battery indicator.
- 7-point safety system.
- Wind-proof, splash-proof with flexible neck.
- Long lasting LED battery.
What We Didn’t Like
- No child safety lock.
5. Best Multipurpose – Bic Multipurpose Lighters
Why you’ll love it:
Sometimes, there is nothing better than the old standby. When it comes to a butane lighter that works well, is reasonably priced and relatively reliable you really can’t go wrong with the Bic Multipurpose lighter.
This lighter has been around for a while, and is a good standby when other options fail you. With a tried and true safety switch that protects against accidental starting, this lighter is safe for indoor and outdoor applications.
Do keep in mind that this lighter isn’t wind or rain proof, so it may be challenging to use if you’re trying to light your BBQ with a breeze or if it is raining. However, for the price (a 4-pack is only $14) it’s pretty hard to be the lasting reliability of a lighter from Bic.
What we liked
- Easy to ignite with child safety mechanism.
- Very bright colors.
- Good durability.
- Comes in 4 pack.
What we didn’t like
- No fuel window.
- Not refillable.
6. Best Rechargeable – Authenzo Arc Flexible Lighter
Why you’ll love it:
Of the rechargeable lighters that we tested, both electric arc and plasma, the one that did the best at keeping a charge, and charging quickly was the Authenzo Flexible electric arc lighter.
While we’ve picked it for the best rechargeable, we did find that it had some features that we liked better than some of the other arc BBQ lighters that we tested. This BBQ lighter has a nice on/off switch, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally starting it. It’s easy to carry and also has a safety feature that keeps the lighter from starting if the button is pushed for too long.
This BBQ lighter also has a built-in LED flashlight so you can see exactly where you are working and where you need a spark. With this added feature we expected the charge life to be shorter, but we were surprised to find that the charge held well even when the light was used more when creating a spark.
What we liked
- Windproof and versatile in bad weather.
- Flexible 360 degree neck.
- Convenient built-in LED area flashlight.
- Battery life display lights.
What we didn’t like
- Not great for lighting larger items.
7. Best Budget – Tacklife Candle Lighter
Why you’ll love it:
Get a spark into tight places with the Tacklife candle lighter, our pick for the best budget BBQ lighter. This handy electric arc lighter is a great pick that is long lasting, reliable, and reasonably priced.
We like the long, flexible neck of this lighter. It allows you to light candles in hard to reach spots, or get a spark for a campfire while keeping your hands safe from flames. This lighter has great safety features as well, which keep your kids safe, and prevent accidental starting of the lighter.
We found that this electric arc lighter seemed to be better under wet conditions than the others that we tested. The product claims to be splash proof, and we found that it did well if there was water/rain in the mix.
The Tacklife candle lighter is USB rechargeable, and uses no lighter fluid. We did note that this lighter took a bit longer than other options to charge completely, but considering the reasonable price, it wasn’t too much of a bother. Our suggestion, if you’re taking it camping, make sure you charge it up before you leave, to avoid the need to charge on the go.
What we liked
- Value priced.
- Great child safety protection.
- Wind-proof, splash-proof, no smell.
- Long lasting, powerful battery.
What we didn’t like
- Neck is not as long.
- Not fast charging.
FINAL VERDICT
Our pick for the best BBQ lighter, the GRILLMATIC Electronic USB Grill Lighter. Is a wonderfully versatile option. Use for lighting your BBQ, but also use it for lighting your favorite cigar, starting up your camp fire or making quick work of birthday candles. It’s easy to use, affordable, and a handy option for at home or on the go.
BBQ accessories like lighters are a handy tool for any home. They are simple and safe to use whether you prefer to cook over gas or charcoal. And, it’s an easy and reliable way to start your grill without using lighter fluids, or matches. In an emergency where your electric grill ignition fails, the BBQ lighter will light up the grill for you.
