Lighters have often been considered a cheap, disposable necessity. People want to set fires for camping, smoking, or grilling and they want their fires fast. Lighters are bought in large packs and discarded as soon as they are out of fuel. Many people do not think twice about purchasing the cheapest lighter possible, regardless of the long term value that the best plasma lighter can bring. But lately, there has been a significant change in manufacturers’ thinking regarding lighters. There has been a change in peoples thinking too regarding plastic waste, and reusable rather than disposable is the new way forward.

We tested 12 of the top electric lighters. One came out clearly on top, and a couple were unpleasant surprises. Just like matches, they don’t make lighters like they used to, either.

We picked the best ones based on these factors: