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Few moments are more frustrating than reaching down to the bottom of a deep candle to light the wick only to wind up with burned fingers and no candlelight—unless it’s the flare of charcoal igniting while tender hands are just a bit too close. Ouch!
The best candle lighters can solve this troublesome and even painful issue. But with so many candle lighters available, it can be difficult for shoppers to narrow down the options. To help make the search easier, the following recommendations were selected for their quality, durability, versatility, and value. Keep reading to learn about some of the key features to consider when shopping for the best candle lighter, then explore some of the top picks organized by each product’s winning features.
- BEST OVERALL: Ronxs Rechargeable Candle Lighters
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: King Multi Utility Lighter, 3 Pack
- UPGRADE PICK: Zippo Candle Lighter
- BEST FOR OUTDOOR USE: Vehhe Electric Rechargeable Arc Candle Lighter
- MOST VERSATILE PICK: TLWTCT Butane Jet Flame Torch Lighter
- ALSO CONSIDER: Bic Multi-Purpose Lighter Value Pack, 1 Flexible Wand
What to Consider When Choosing a Candle Lighter
It’s easy to assume that all candle lighters offer similar performance, but a number of factors affect their functionality. Shoppers will want to select a product that is well suited for their particular needs; however, the best candle lighters have certain features in common. Keep reading to learn about several of the most important features to consider when choosing a suitable candle lighter.
Fuel vs. Electric
Traditional lighters use lighter fluid (typically butane), but modern versions are electronically powered. They’re also known as plasma lighters or arc lighters because they are powered by an electrically charged plasma arc. They utilize rechargeable batteries, so although they may be handy at home, they’re not the ideal choice for camping or any other instance when users don’t have easy access to electricity.
When it comes to cost, expect a plasma arc lighter to be more expensive than traditional fuel lighters. If you simply want a bit of convenience from time to time when lighting a candle, even a less expensive disposable version will be effective. Butane lighters need to be refilled occasionally, adding to the overall cost of use. Luckily, most lighters are quite durable. Candle lighters that are powered by butane or another fuel usually last a very long time, as do the plasma arc lighters, which can provide hundreds of ignitions on one USB charge.
Design
The design of a candle lighter typically incorporates safety by providing a long neck, sometimes one that bends for lighting hard-to-reach wicks. It’s best to opt for a lighter with a total length measuring between 7 and 14 inches to ensure the user’s hands are protected from coming into contact with the flame.
Some of the best candle lighters are incredibly versatile in that they can light any item from a small candle to even a barbecue grill. Look for a model with a long neck if you intend to use the lighter for grilling.
Ease of Use
Candle lighters are made to provide convenience, so ease of use is a primary consideration. A candle lighter with a long, flexible neck will provide top-notch ease of use because it won’t require much tinkering with reach or angle to be effective. Some lighters are designed to remain lit even in windy conditions, making them easier to use outdoors, whether in the backyard or while camping. Electric candle lighters may display their remaining battery life using LED lights, which allows users to clearly see when the device needs to be recharged.
Safety
Candle lighters inherently provide safer use when compared with matches or standard lighters because they prevent the user’s hands from inadvertently coming into contact with a flame. Additional safety features do, however, come in handy. Opt for a candle lighter with a long, flexible neck for the safest experience possible, as it allows users to easily light hard-to-reach candle wicks. Those living in a household with children should consider a candle lighter with a built-in child-safety lock or safety switch to prevent children from injuring themselves. It’s important to note that lighters with safety locks may be harder to use by those with arthritis or reduced mobility.
Our Top Picks
In choosing the picks for some of the best candle lighters on the market, a variety of the abovementioned points were considered, including safety, flexibility, ease of use, versatility, cost, and more. Here are the products that rose to the top.
Best Overall
Ronxs Rechargeable Candle Lighters
This sleek, rechargeable candle lighter from Ronxs features a long handle and a flexible neck that reaches into even the deepest candles and barbecue grills for easy lighting with no risk of being burned by the flame. The electric pulse provides 600 uses on a full charge, with five LED lights showing how much of a charge the lighter still holds. That charge is made easy with a convenient USB charging cable. The 4-inch neck can rotate 360 degrees for reaching into tight spaces. The specially designed handle, easy to hold with a nonslip grip, also includes a safety switch for more peace of mind.
The lighter is lightweight and well suited for inclement weather, thanks to the splash-proof and wind-resistant design. As an added bonus, this candle lighter makes less noise than the competition, so there’s no interruption of the quiet ambience while lighting candles during a dark and stormy night. With a full length of just under 10 inches, this versatile lighter is available in black, blue, red, champagne, and silver.
Product Specs
- Type: Electric
- Length: 9.8 inches
- Lighters: 1
Pros
- Each charge provides 600 uses
- 360-degree rotating neck
- Nonslip handle
- LED lights show remaining charge
Cons
- Requires recharging
Get the Ronxs candle lighter on Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
King Multi Utility Lighter, 3 Pack
Quite affordable and easy to use, this three-pack of candle lighters from King is ideal for infrequent use, especially if you don’t want the hassle of continually recharging a lighter with a USB charger or purchasing butane refills. Check the fuel supply at a glance with the clear window in the handle. The lighting source on this candle lighter is an adjustable flame, but it is not torch-style, so expect to hold it close to the item you’re lighting; this can be difficult for candles with short, deep wicks but easier for lighting barbecue grills or campfires.
This lighter’s safety feature requires holding down the trigger to keep the flame lit. It doesn’t allow for refills and can be easily recycled with other plastics once it’s empty. At this price, this three-pack is a solid option when you need a lighter close at hand around the house.
Product Specs
- Type: Fuel
- Length: 12 inches
- Lighters: 3
Pros
- Comes in a 3-pack
- Includes a safety trigger
- Features fuel supply window
Cons
- Lacks flexible neck
Get the King candle lighter (3-pack) on Amazon.
Upgrade Pick
Zippo Candle Lighter
This aluminum candle lighter carries the Zippo name, made famous by the handheld lighters popular for decades. It is made of high-grade aluminum and takes old-school Zippo premium butane, which allows for years of refills. The patented child-safety lock and soft-touch ignition system lend peace of mind to this user-friendly model. Hold the ignition button down for a steady flame. However, keep in mind that the ignition switch on this lighter can be difficult to use and maintain for individuals who have limited hand strength.
Available in a wide variety of styles and colors, both filled or unfilled, this candle lighter features a torch-style flame that extends the reach to light items from campfires and barbecue grills to fireplaces and candles; however, some users might find the flame too large and powerful for lighting candles around the house.
Product Specs
- Type: Fuel
- Length: 11.5 inches
- Lighters: 1
Pros
- Aluminum casing
- Includes child-safety lock
- User-friendly soft-touch design
Cons
- Needs to be refilled
Get the Zippo candle lighter on Amazon.
Best for Outdoor Use
Vehhe Electric Rechargeable Arc Candle Lighter
Although many candle lighters are suitable for protected areas, such as inside a home or a covered area like a barbecue grill, it takes a lighter built to withstand the elements for true outdoor use time and time again. This electric lighter from Vehhe is designed with a long, flexible neck for easier lighting of campfires and outdoor stoves, and it boasts a powerful windproof design that will light the item without the flame going out. It’s available in five colors and includes a convenient USB charging cable.
A safety-lock design keeps this candle lighter safe around children, while an overheat protection function ensures no danger from the plasma arc. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery promises a long life. Five LED lights along the barrel indicate the charge remaining in this almost 11-inch model. Though this lighter is intended for outdoor use, keep it out of direct sunlight to help ensure the safety of the lithium-ion battery.
Product Specs
- Type: Electric
- Length: 10.04 inches
- Lighters: 1
Pros
- Features flexible neck
- Includes child-safety lock
- LED lights show remaining charge
- Windproof design
Cons
- Needs to be charged
Get the Vehhe candle lighter on Amazon.
Most Versatile Pick
TLWTCT Butane Jet Flame Torch Lighter
Ideal for lighting fireplaces indoors and for a variety of camping needs outdoors, this torch-style lighter from TLWTCT features a significant flame fueled by butane. This refillable lighter is more than 11 inches in length and provides a flexible neck to ensure safety by allowing for plenty of space between your hands and a powerful flame.
The windproof design of this candle lighter makes it easier to use in outdoor situations. A fuel adjustment knob helps ensure the appropriate level of flame for every situation, so it can adjust from a barbecue grill lighter to a fireplace lighter to a candle lighter with one twist. A hole in the handle permits hanging for easy storage. With a soft handle, safety ignition switch, and 360 degrees of flexibility, this is a candle lighter for all occasions and built to last.
Product Specs
- Type: Fuel
- Length: 11.3 inches
- Lighters: 1
Pros
- Features flexible neck that rotates 360 degrees
- Includes safety ignition switch
- Windproof design
Cons
- Needs to be refilled
Get the TLWTCT candle lighter on Amazon.
Also Consider
Bic Multi-purpose Lighter Value Pack, 1 Flexible Wand
This four-pack of candle lighters carries the storied Bic name: a company in the business of making lighters for more than 40 years. This set features two types of candle lighters: three with a shorter, straight neck and one with a flexible neck for hard-to-reach places. Both types of lighters are child-resistant and have passed more than 50 individual quality and safety inspections, so users can be confident they will do the job and do it safely.
The lighters come loaded with fuel, so they’re ready to use right out of the package; however, they are not refillable, so plan to recycle them when the flame runs out. The durable metal wand can grow hot if the flame is held for too long, so use caution when lighting a difficult wick or barbecue grill. A retractable hook makes it convenient to store these lighters.
Product Specs
- Type: Fuel
- Length: 14 inches (for the flexible option)
- Lighters: 4
Pros
- Features retractable storage hook
- Comes in a 4-pack
- Child-safety lock included
Cons
- Needs to be refilled
Get the Bic candle lighter (4-pack) on Amazon.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, you now know more about shopping for the best candle lighters. We recommend the Ronxs candle lighter as our top pick because of its long, flexible neck and extensive battery life. Those looking for a disposable option will appreciate the King candle lighter (3-pack) as a traditional fuel option.
How We Chose the Best Candle Lighters
Years of experience covering home products as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 20 candle lighter options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.
We aimed to include a variety of different types to best suit the highest number of shoppers. Both fuel-filled and rechargeable electric lighters made the cut, as both work for different user preferences. We prioritized lighters with long, flexible necks because those provide optimal safety and ease of use. Candle lighters are relatively inexpensive, but we also kept overall value in mind when making our recommendations.
FAQs
You now know more about choosing the best candle lighters, but you might still be looking for more information about how to use them. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about candle lighters and lighting candles.
Q: What type of lighter is best for candles?
The best type of candle lighter features a long, flexible neck to reach sunken wicks.
Q: Can you use a torch lighter for candles?
Yes, a torch lighter can be used to light candles.
Q: Do electric candle lighters work?
Electric candle lighters work well and are a great choice for those who use candles often because they don’t need to be refueled.
Q: What is the proper way to use a candle lighter?
To use a candle lighter, start by positioning the tip of the lighter about an inch away from the candle’s wick. Press the trigger—or slide the safety lock if the lighter has one—and keep the flame near the wick until it has ignited.
Q: What else can a candle lighter be used for?
A candle lighter can also be used to light a barbecue grill, start a fire in a fireplace, or light incense, among other uses.