Best Waterproof Lighters In 2022

Our Best Value item on this list is the Green Vivid Waterproof Flameless Electric Lighter. At just over $10, it’s a great price for a survival lighter like this. The main thing that sets it apart from the other lighters on this list is that it doesn’t have a flame. Instead, it uses electricity to create fire. This has some advantages and some disadvantages. It’s a cool gimmick and it makes it pretty much windproof and waterproof, but it does mean that you have to remember to charge it before you go out. The body is really durable, but we have one small problem with it – it’s camouflage. This might seem like a good idea, but what if you drop it in a bush or on the forest floor. You’ll never be able to find it again. Why would you need a camo lighter anyway? Other than that, we’re big fans of this budget lighter that you should always keep in your survival backpack. 

Zippo is probably the biggest brand name in the lighter industry. Zippo lighters are less common now, thanks to cheap, disposable lighters, but it is still a huge brand. That’s why we had to check out this Zippo Emergency Fire Starter. It’s different to a standard Zippo lighter for two main reasons. Firstly, it has four water-resistant waxed tinder sticks. These will work in pretty much any condition and have a perforated spine, which means they light quickly, even in bad weather. And secondly, it has an O-ring rubber seal, to stop water and other liquids getting into the main part of the lighter. The outer case is made from durable plastic and it’s also designed to float in the water. This lighter is quite a bit more expensive than some of the other lighters on this list, but you know with Zippo that you’re getting a quality product. It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a traditional lighter, so it’s useless if you’re a smoker. It’s designed for emergency fire starting only.

Okay, so technically this isn’t a lighter at all. It’s a waterproof lighter case. You could argue that it doesn’t have a place on this list, but we think it’s a fantastic option if you already have a favorite lighter. Or maybe you’re one of those people that accidentally collect lighters and already has hundreds of them. Either way, this is a pretty useful product. It has a few features that make it more than just a plastic shell. The first thing that caught our eye was that it floats in the water. So, if you do accidentally drop it, you’ll be able to retrieve it pretty easily. It also has attachment points on both the cap and the body to add a lanyard. And, it has a feature called a gas lock. This allows the lighter to stay on without the need to hold the gas button down, which will save your thumb or fingers from injury. It’s compatible with full-sized BIC classic lighters, so you just need to stock up on Exotac fireSLEEVE Ruggedized Waterproof Lighter Cases and you’ve got yourself the perfect survival lighter. For more amazing products for the great outdoors, check out our guide to the best firestarters.

The Xikar 9660BK 9660BK Stratosphere II Lighter is another lighter that’s geared towards survival. It doesn’t have quite the same number of features as the last lighter, but it’s still great in a sticky situation. There are two things we really like about this piece of survival gear. The first is the grippy rubber body. It might seem like a small thing, but when you’re out in the wilderness and your hands are tired and wet, this extra grip really comes in handy. It also makes it tough and resistant to drops. The other thing we like is the shoelace string attached to it. Again, it’s not the most innovate idea, but when it comes to survival it’s the simple things that count. You can easily tie this lighter to your clothing or bag and you don’t have to worry about losing it. Inside the casing is a windproof, single flame lighter that won’t let you down.

The last item on our list is another casing for your lighter, rather than a lighter itself. However, the Thyrm PyroVault Lighter Armor is a bit heavier duty than the Exotac fireSLEEVE we featured earlier. It’s designed to upgrade a classic Zippo lighter to make it the ultimate waterproof, windproof, survival lighter. The casing is made from extremely durable and heat-resistant reinforced polymer. On top of that, it’s got an O-ring seal to stop water and fluid from entering the lighter, and a spring-loaded cap so you operate it with one hand. Another, less obvious, advantage of this product is the fact that it stops the gas from evaporating in your lighter. That means a standard Zippo lighter will last a lot longer when it’s inside this case. The only real downside is that it makes your lighter really bulky in your pocket. Zippo lighters are already on the larger side, but this really makes them stick out. Another piece of gear you should always have handy is a survival knife, so be sure you pick your favorite from our list.