Why I Stopped Buying Cheap Cigar Lighters

If you're a regular cigar smoker, you probably won't have a hard time thinking about a time you've lost a lighter or two over the years. I know I have.

That's exactly one of the reasons I've always struggled with spending $75 or $100 on a really nice premium cigar lighter. As nice as they are, it hurts extra bad when one disappears after a golf outing, gets left on a patio table, or somehow never makes it back home.

Because of that, I usually found myself buying less expensive torch lighters. And while they are easier on the wallet to replace, they often come with their own frustrations. Many of the cheaper cigar lighters I've had even stopped working after a few months. Others wouldn't hold butane, and a few developed ignition problems long before they should have.

I started thinking there had to be something in the middle, a lighter that delivered the reliability and build quality of more expensive models without making me nervous every time I slipped it into my pocket. That's exactly what I found with the JetLine Regal Triple Torch.

After carrying one for months, it's become the lighter I instinctively grab before heading outside with a cigar. It's got all of the durability, features, and dependable performance I was getting from more expensive cigar lighters, but at a price that doesn't make me cringe if it ever ends up going missing.

What Makes a Great Torch Lighter?

After going through more cigar lighters than I'd care to admit, I've realized that the "best" torch lighter isn't necessarily the one with the highest price tag or the most features.

For me, it comes down to reliability first. More than anything, I want a lighter that ignites with the first click, produces a consistent flame, holds enough butane that I'm not constantly refilling it, and feels solid enough to survive getting tossed into my truck, golf bag, or range bag.

If it includes useful extras like an adjustable flame, a fuel window, or built-in cigar tools, that's just icing on the cake. At the end of the day, if a lighter doesn't reliably light your cigar every time you reach for it, nothing else really matters.

Why the JetLine Regal Solved That Problem

When I first picked up the JetLine Regal, the very first thing I noticed was the weight. It has significantly more heft to it than I expected, given its price point.

Unlike many inexpensive torch lighters that feel almost disposable, the Regal has a solid metal body surrounding the fuel tank that immediately makes it feel more substantial. It has the heft and build quality I'd normally expect from lighters costing considerably more. That is no doubt an attribute I can appreciate.

So it's beefy in hand, but how does it actually perform? The triple jet flame has been consistently reliable; the ignition has continued working without issue, and months later, it still performs the same way it did when I first filled it with butane.

That's when it clicked. I was packing up for a weekend trip and grabbing my usual cigar gear. Without even thinking about it, I reached for the Regal. I didn't stop to compare it to my other lighters or wonder which one I wanted to take. I instinctively grabbed it because I trusted it to work.

It's far from being the most expensive lighter I've owned, but it had quickly become the one I reached for most often because it gave me the same confidence I'd had with much more expensive lighters while costing a fraction of the price.

That's ultimately why we decided to carry it here at After Action Cigars. We don't bring in accessories simply because they're available. We carry products we actually used ourselves and feel good about recommending to other cigar smokers.

The Features I Actually Use

I wasn't expecting to use half of these features when I first picked up the lighter. I figured the triple torch would be the main attraction, and everything else would just be there because it looked good on the box. Turns out I was wrong. Over the last few months, I've caught myself using almost all of them at one point or another.

Some are conveniences that save me from walking back inside, while others have become tools I didn't realize I'd appreciate until I started carrying them every day.

Triple Jet Flame

If you asked me to give up every feature except one, it'd be the triple torch, and you would too if you tend to smoke larger ring gauge cigars.

Three burners create an even flame that quickly and evenly toasts the foot of a cigar without having to spend extra time rotating it. Whether I'm smoking a smaller corona or a larger ring gauge cigar, it lights consistently and performs well even when there's a little wind.

For the way I typically smoke, outside on the patio, while grilling, or on a camping trip, a triple torch has become my preferred setup, although I know that's personal preference.

Adjustable Flame

I don't mess with the flame adjustment every time I light a cigar, but I'm glad it's there. If it's windy outside, I'll bump it up a little. If I'm inside, I'll usually dial it back.

Whether I'm lighting a cigar indoors or outside on a breezy evening, I appreciate having that control instead of being stuck with one flame setting.

Fuel Window

It sounds silly, but this little window has probably saved me more frustration than almost anything else on the lighter. Funny enough, it's also one of the most practical.

I can't count how many times I've grabbed a lighter only to realize it was empty after I was already outside. Being able to glance at the fuel level before I walk out the door has saved me more than once.

Built-in Punch Cutter

This one's pretty simple. I've forgotten my cutter more times than I'd like to admit. Usually, it's sitting on the kitchen counter after I've already walked outside. The built-in punch has bailed me out more than once.

While I still prefer using my regular guillotine cutter most of the time, it's incredibly convenient when I'm traveling, fishing, or relaxing outside.

Draw Poker

Thankfully, I don't need this very often. But every now and then, you run into a cigar with a draw that's tighter than you'd like. Instead of forcing your way through the whole smoke, it's nice to have a draw tool already built into the lighter. It's not something I use every day, but when I need it, I'm glad it's there.

Built-in Cigar Rest

I'll admit it, I kinda rolled my eyes at this feature at first, but then I caught myself using it all the time.

If I'm grilling, pouring another cup of coffee, or moving something around on the patio, I just set the cigar on the rest without thinking about it now, and It's awesome not having to remember to bring out an ashtray onto the patio.

Choosing the Right Torch for Your Cigars

One thing I've learned over the years is that there really isn't one perfect torch lighter for every cigar smoker. The right choice depends on the cigars you smoke, where you usually enjoy them, and even how you like to light them.

If you mostly smoke smaller ring gauge cigars, a single jet lighter gives you excellent precision and typically uses less butane. Double torch lighters are a nice middle ground, offering a little more flame coverage without feeling overpowering.

For me, though, a triple torch has become the sweet spot. Most of my cigars are smoked outside while grilling, sitting on the patio, fishing, or camping, so I appreciate having enough flame to quickly toast the foot without fighting the wind. It's one of those things I didn't fully appreciate until I started using one regularly.

There are certainly situations where a quad torch makes sense, especially if you primarily smoke larger 6 x 60 cigars, but I've found the Regal's triple jet handles just about everything I smoke.

A Quick Word About Butane

One thing that caught me off guard over the years wasn't the lighter itself, but it was the butane I was putting into it. I used to grab whatever can was sitting on the shelf because I figured butane was butane. After dealing with inconsistent flames and a few clogged jets, I learned that it isn't always the case.

Higher-quality refined butane burns cleaner and helps reduce buildup inside the lighter over time. Since making the switch, I've noticed better reliability across every refillable torch lighter I own, including the Regal.

It's a small detail that's easy to overlook, but if you're investing in a quality lighter, it's worth spending a few extra dollars on quality butane as well, so your lighter keeps working as expected.

Is It Worth Spending More on a Cigar Lighter?

Looking back, I don't think my mistake was buying inexpensive lighters. My mistake was buying the same inexpensive lighter over and over again.

Every time one stopped working or disappeared, I'd replace it with another one that looked almost identical. Eventually, I realized I'd spent enough money replacing them that I probably could have bought a premium lighter in the first place.

The issue with going with a higher-priced premium lighter typically hasn't been performance in my experience, but simply that when they go missing it's hurts quite a bit more than losing a cheaper cigar lighter.

The JetLine Regal changed the way I look at that decision. Not only does it sit in a price range where I don't feel guilty carrying it every day, but it also gives me the reliability and build quality I'd normally expect from something costing considerably more. For me, that's the sweet spot, and it's exactly what I'd been looking for all along.

Who I Think This Lighter Is Perfect For

After carrying the Regal for quite a while now, I've realized it probably isn't the perfect lighter for everyone, and that's okay. If your lighter mostly lives in a display case alongside the rest of your collection, there are certainly more premium options out there with beautiful finishes and craftsmanship. There's absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying those.

For me, though, a lighter is a tool. It gets tossed into the truck before a fishing trip, rides around in my golf bag, gets packed for camping weekends, and spends plenty of evenings sitting on the patio while I'm enjoying a cigar. I need something I don't have to baby. That's probably what I like most about the Regal. It's built to be used instead of admired.

I also think it's an excellent choice for newer cigar smokers. Rather than buying several inexpensive lighters over the next few years and hoping one finally sticks, I'd rather recommend buying one dependable lighter that offers the reliability and features you'll actually appreciate as you spend more time enjoying cigars.

Tips for Making Any Torch Lighter Last Longer

Most torch lighters last a lot longer than people give them credit for. The biggest thing I've learned is not to cheap out on butane. Cleaner fuel keeps the jets cleaner, which means fewer headaches later.

Every once in a while, I'll also purge the lighter before refilling it and brush any ash or pocket lint off the burner. None of it takes more than a minute or two, but it's made a noticeable difference over the years.

Finally, keep your lighter reasonably clean. Dust, ash, and pocket lint can all find their way into the burner ports over time. A quick inspection now and then goes a long way toward protecting the lighter and maintaining reliable performance. A quality torch lighter should last for years if you take care of it.

Still Searching For Your Perfect Cigar Lighter?

If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the perfect cigar lighter isn't necessarily the most expensive one. It's the one you trust every time you reach for it.

For me, that's been the JetLine Regal Triple Jet Cigar Lighter. It delivers the reliability and build quality I was looking for, along with several features I genuinely use, without carrying the price tag of many premium lighters.

If I'm being honest, I'll probably lose this lighter someday. That's just part of the way I use my cigar gear. But until that day comes, I'll keep reaching for it because I know it's going to work. If you've found yourself caught between inexpensive lighters that never seem to last and premium models that are hard to justify carrying every day, I think the JetLine Regal is well worth a look.

If you've found yourself caught between inexpensive lighters that never seem to last and premium models that are hard to justify carrying every day, I think the JetLine Regal is well worth a look. Hopefully, it saves you from buying and replacing as many lighters as I did.