Types of Cigar Lighters: Torch vs Soft-Flame vs Matches

When you first reach for a flame, the wall of lighters at the shop can feel overwhelming — jets, single flames, triple flames, soft flames, fancy lacquered cases. The good news is that the types of cigar lighters boil down to just three families, and picking the right one is simpler than it looks. Here's what each does, what to avoid, and which to buy first.

The three main types of cigar lighters

Almost everything you'll see falls into one of these groups:

• Torch (jet-flame) lighter. Shoots one or more focused blue jets of flame, fueled by butane. It's hot, fast, and windproof — the most popular choice for everyday smoking.
• Soft-flame lighter. A butane lighter with a gentle, candle-like yellow flame instead of a jet. It burns cooler and slower, which many longtime smokers prefer.
• Wooden matches or cedar spills. The traditional, no-gadget route. Long wooden matches and thin strips of Spanish cedar both burn clean and add nothing harsh to the flavor.

What unites the good options is clean-burning fuel. That's why all three avoid one thing: anything that taints the smoke.

What to avoid

Before we compare the three, here's the short list of what not to use:

• Fluid lighters (the classic flip-top kind). The naphtha fuel can leave a chemical taste on the first few puffs.
• Scented or birthday candles. Wax and fragrance can drift into the smoke.
• A stove burner or a long barbecue lighter with off-gassing fuel. Improvise only as a last resort.

If you ever find yourself without a proper light, our guide on how to light a cigar covers the safe ways to improvise.

Torch lighters: the easy all-rounder

A torch lighter is the one most beginners are happiest with. The jet flame is hot enough to toast the foot (the open end you light) quickly, and because it's a pressurized jet, it shrugs off wind on a porch or patio.

Torches come in single, double, and triple flame:

Flame count	Best for
Single	Most cigars; precise, easy control, less fuel use
Double	Faster lighting, larger ring gauges
Triple	Big cigars and windy conditions; uses fuel quickly

A common rookie mistake is blasting a big triple-flame torch right against the foot and charring it. The trick is to hold the flame just below the foot and rotate — toast, don't scorch. For your first lighter, a single-flame torch is plenty and the most forgiving. If you want a deeper look at flame counts and what's worth paying for, our best cigar lighter guide breaks it down.

Soft-flame lighters: gentle and traditional

A soft-flame lighter uses butane too, but produces a soft yellow flame like a candle rather than a jet. Fans like it because the cooler, slower burn is gentler on the delicate wrapper (the outer leaf) and lets the tobacco's flavor come through without any risk of scorching.

The trade-off: a soft flame is easy to blow out in any breeze, so it shines indoors or in a sheltered spot. If you mostly smoke at home or in a lounge and enjoy a slower ritual, a soft-flame lighter is a lovely choice — just not the most practical first-and-only lighter.

Matches and cedar spills: the purist's light

The oldest methods are still some of the best. Long wooden matches (the fireplace kind, not short kitchen matches) burn clean and give you a soft, even flame — just let the match head's sulfur burn off for a second before you bring it to the cigar.

A cedar spill takes it one step further. It's a thin strip of Spanish cedar — the same aromatic wood that lines a good humidor — that you light from another flame, then use to light your cigar. It burns clean, adds a faint sweet-cedar note, and is about as traditional as it gets. The downside is patience: spills and matches take longer and don't work in wind.

Which type should you buy first?

If you want one lighter that handles almost any situation, get a refillable single-flame butane torch with an adjustable flame and a fuel window so you can see when it's low. It's windproof, fast, and forgiving — exactly what a beginner wants. Add a soft-flame lighter or a pack of cedar spills later, once you know whether you prefer a gentler, slower ritual.

A lighter is one of the few pieces of gear worth getting right early, alongside a sharp cutter. If you're still building your kit, our best cigar accessories and best cigar cutter guides cover the rest of the essentials.

The takeaway

The three types of cigar lighters — torch, soft-flame, and matches or cedar spills — all share one rule: clean-burning fuel, never fluid lighters or candles. A single-flame butane torch is the most forgiving first choice, with soft flames and cedar spills as pleasant upgrades once you find your rhythm.

As your gear and your taste come together, the Casa DNC app lets you log each cigar and rate it, so you build a real record of what you enjoy.