A cheap gas station lighter will technically light a cigar. But it’ll also scorch the wrapper, leave a chemical taste, and give you an uneven burn that ruins the first third. How you light a cigar matters more than most beginners realize.

Here are your options, what each does well, and when to use it.

Soft flame lighters use butane and produce a standard flame — like a taller, more refined version of a Bic. They’re the traditional choice for cigar smokers and the preference of most purists. The lower temperature toasts the foot of the cigar gently, which preserves flavor and gives you more control. The downside: wind kills them. Outdoor use is frustrating.

Recommended for: indoor smoking, lounges, anyone who prioritizes flavor over speed. Classic brands include S.T. Dupont and Davidoff.

Single torch lighters are the everyday workhorse. One focused jet of butane flame that’s hot enough to toast a cigar in 15–20 seconds and strong enough to handle a breeze. A single torch gives you control over where the flame hits, so you can even out a canoe (uneven burn) mid-smoke. This is what most cigar smokers carry daily.

Recommended for: daily use, travel, most cigar sizes. Reliable options from Xikar, Vertigo, and Vector.

Double and triple torch lighters throw two or three jets at once. They light large ring gauge cigars (60+) fast and evenly. The tradeoff is butane consumption — a triple torch burns through fuel quickly — and the heat can char the wrapper if you’re not careful. Hold it further from the foot than you would a single torch.

Recommended for: big cigars, outdoor smoking, anyone who hates a slow toast. Don’t use these on thin lanceros or petit coronas — it’s overkill.

Quad torch and table lighters are for the lounge or the patio. They’re bulky, heavy, and drink fuel, but they light anything in seconds and look good on a table. Not something you’d pocket for a walk.