Why You Need Quality Butane
A perfect cigar deserves a flawless light, but low-quality butane can clog your torch lighter, ruin your flame, and taint your cigar’s flavor. For cigar enthusiasts, choosing the best butane fuel for torch lighters is critical to ensuring a clean, consistent burn. Whether you’re toasting a Robusto or maintaining a premium lighter like an S.T. Dupont, high-purity butane keeps your lighter performing at its peak. In this guide, we’ve selected the top butane fuels available on Amazon, tailored specifically for cigar smokers. From triple-refined to ultra-purified options, our picks prevent clogs and enhance your smoking experience. Ready to fuel your lighter the right way? Let’s explore the best butane fuel for torch lighters in 2025, complete with reviews, comparisons, and tips to keep your flame steady.
Browse Top Butane Fuels on Amazon
Why Quality Butane Matters for Torch Lighters
Using the right butane fuel is essential for cigar smokers who rely on torch lighters. Here’s why high-purity butane makes a difference:
- Prevents Clogs: Triple-refined or higher butane (e.g., 9x, 11x) removes impurities, reducing nozzle blockages that cause misfires or weak flames.
- Clean Burn: High-quality butane burns cleanly, preserving your cigar’s flavor without chemical aftertastes.
- Lighter Longevity: Pure butane minimizes residue buildup, extending the life of premium lighters like Xikar or Colibri.
- Consistent Flame: Ensures a steady, powerful flame for even toasting, critical for cigars from 42-60 ring gauges.
Low-grade butane, often found in cheap cans, can damage your lighter and ruin your smoking experience. Cigar enthusiasts need refined butane to maintain performance, especially for windproof torch lighters used outdoors. Our top picks below, all available on Amazon, are vetted for purity and cigar suitability, solving common issues like clogs and inconsistent flames.
Does Butane Brand Matter?
In my honest opinion, no, the brand doesn’t matter when it comes to butane. I have used all the different brands of butane on this list for my lighters over the years, as well as others. The only thing that matters to me is how clean-burning the butane is. If the butane you put in your torch lighter isn’t clean, you are going to end up having issues. Issues like popping and hissing, flameouts, and clogged burners.
I should also mention that no matter what butane brand you use, you will still run into a few common problems from time to time. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with normal lighter maintenance. I’ve got a post on why torches stop working and how to keep them working.
Learn how to refill your torch lighter properly
Not all butane is created equal
This is where the quality of butane for your torch lighter makes a difference. Just a second ago I mentioned that if I knew I had fuel in my lighter and it didn’t light up, I assumed I just had a bad torch lighter. Then I learned about the different QUALITIES of refined butane fuel.
Using cheap, low-quality butane for torch lighters is like putting cheap, low-quality gas in a jet engine. The lower the quality of the fuel, the more impurities that are going to be in it. The more impurities you have going through your lighter, the faster it’s going to clog up and quit working.
Top 5 Best Butane Fuels for Torch Lighters in 2025
We’ve curated five top-rated butane fuels available on Amazon, based on purity (refinement level), canister size, customer reviews, and compatibility with cigar torch lighters. Each review highlights why these fuels are ideal for cigar smokers, with pros, cons, and direct links to purchase.
1. Xikar Purofine Premium Butane
Xikar Purofine Premium Butane is a top choice for cigar smokers, offering triple-refined purity for reliable performance.
- Features: Triple-refined, 8 oz canister, universal tip, low impurities.
- Cigar Fit: Perfect for Xikar lighters and other premium brands, ensuring clean burns for 42-60 ring gauge cigars.
- Pros:
- High purity prevents nozzle clogs.
- Universal tip fits most torch lighters.
- Trusted brand with cigar-specific focus.
- Cons:
- Slightly pricier than generic butane.
- Smaller canister size for heavy users.
- Why We Love It: Purofine’s reliability makes it a must-have for maintaining high-end lighters.
This is the fuel I use for my favorite lighters. Xikar is an outstanding company that makes high-quality products and has never let me down.
This is my absolute go-to fuel for all my torch lighters. XIKAR Purofine has extremely low levels of impurities. According to the Xikar website, each can only 15 parts per million when it comes to impurities. In comparison, there are brands out there that have levels of impurities as high as 400 parts per million in their fuel. Lastly, Xikar Purofine is 3x refined to ensure that it is free of water and other contaminants. I think you’d agree that Xikar Purofine is definitely worth a shot in your torch lighter. In my opinion, the is the best butane for torch lighters.
Check Price on Amazon For Xikar Purofine
2. Colibri Premium Butane
Colibri Premium Butane is renowned for its ultra-refined formula, ideal for luxury lighters.
- Features: 9x refined, 10.1 oz canister, universal adapter, near-zero impurities.
- Cigar Fit: Suits Colibri and S.T. Dupont lighters, delivering a clean flame for premium cigars.
- Pros:
- Ultra-high purity minimizes clogs.
- Larger canister for frequent refills.
- Compatible with most torch lighters.
- Cons:
- Higher price point than budget options.
- Adapter may leak if not inserted correctly.
- Why We Love It: Colibri’s 9x refinement ensures a pristine flame, perfect for cigar purists.
Colibri Torch lighter fuel is probably the cleanest butane available on the market today. I can’t stress how amazing this fuel is. I use the Colibri fuel exclusively in my Colibri lighters and again have never been let down by them.
According to the Colibri website, their butane fuel is processed so pure that there are less than 6 parts per million of impurities in their fuel. Their process is so good it does not require more than one filtering to remove the unwanted contaminants. Again these impurities will affect your torch lighters getting clogged up or affect the flavor of whatever you happen to be smoking.
See on Amazon
3. Vector KGM 14x Butane
Vector KGM 14x Butane is an ultra-purified option for cigar smokers seeking maximum purity.
- Features: 14x refined, 10.6 oz canister, universal tip, virtually impurity-free.
- Cigar Fit: Ideal for high-end lighters (e.g., Vector, S.T. Dupont), ensuring flawless flames for 42-60 ring gauges.
- Pros:
- Highest refinement level prevents all clogs.
- Large canister suits heavy users.
- Premium choice for luxury lighters.
- Cons:
- Expensive compared to triple-refined options.
- Overkill for budget lighters.
- Why We Love It: Vector’s 14x purity is unmatched, perfect for protecting premium lighters.
What can I say about Vector butane? For me, it has been a backup for as long as I’ve had torch lighters. There is nothing wrong with it and it works great, but it’s really never been my first choice. Their website doesn’t have much info except for they say it’s filtered 14x.
It’s weird but somehow I think of butane like a lot of people think of cars. Some people are Ford people and others are Dodge people. Personally, I am a Xikar Purofine guy and not so much a Vector guy. With that being said it is still a quality butane for torch lighters.
Check Price on Amazon
4. Neon 11x Ultra Refined Butane
Neon 11x Ultra Refined Butane offers high purity at a budget-friendly price, great for casual cigar smokers.
- Features: 11x refined, 10.1 oz canister, 5 universal adapters, low impurities.
- Cigar Fit: Compatible with most torch lighters (e.g., Vertigo, Visol), suitable for 42-50 ring gauges.
- Pros:
- Affordable with high refinement.
- Multiple adapters for versatility.
- Large canister for value.
- Cons:
- Less known brand than Xikar or Colibri.
- Adapters may not fit all premium lighters.
- Why We Love It: Neon delivers near-premium performance at a fraction of the cost.
See on Amazon
5. Zippo Premium Butane Fuel
Zippo Premium Butane Fuel is a reliable, affordable option from a trusted brand, ideal for everyday use.
- Features: Triple-refined, 5.82 oz canister, universal tip, low impurities.
- Cigar Fit: Works well with Zippo torch inserts and budget lighters (e.g., Vertigo), suitable for casual cigar smoking.
- Pros:
- Budget-friendly price.
- Trusted Zippo brand.
- Easy-to-use universal tip.
- Cons:
- Smaller canister size.
- Triple-refined, not ultra-purified like Vector.
- Why We Love It: Zippo offers solid performance for cigar smokers on a budget.
Check Out Zippo Butane on Amazon
Comparison Table
| Butane Fuel | Price | Refinement | Canister Size | Cigar Suitability | Amazon Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xikar Purofine | $10-$12 | Triple-refined | 8 oz | Premium lighters, 42-60 ring gauges | Buy Now |
| Colibri Premium | $10-$15 | 9x refined | 10.1 oz | Luxury lighters, premium cigars | Buy Now |
| Vector KGM | $15-$20 | 14x refined | 10.6 oz | High-end lighters, 42-60 ring gauges | Buy Now |
| Neon 11x | $8-$12 | 11x refined | 10.1 oz | Budget lighters, 42-50 ring gauges | Buy Now |
| Zippo Premium | $6-$10 | Triple-refined | 5.82 oz | Casual smoking, budget lighters | Buy Now |
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Butane Fuel for Torch Lighters
Selecting the right butane fuel for your torch lighter ensures optimal performance and cigar flavor. Consider these factors:
- Refinement Level: Triple-refined (e.g., Xikar, Zippo) is sufficient for most lighters, but 9x-14x (e.g., Colibri, Vector) is best for premium models to prevent clogs.
- Canister Size: Larger cans (10-11 oz, e.g., Neon, Vector) offer better value for frequent users; smaller cans (5-8 oz, e.g., Zippo) suit occasional smokers.
- Compatibility: Universal tips or adapters (e.g., Neon’s 5 adapters) fit most lighters, but check your model (e.g., S.T. Dupont requires precise fit).
- Price vs. Value: Budget options (Zippo, Neon) cost $6-$12, while premium fuels (Vector) are $15-$20 but protect high-end lighters.
- Cigar Focus: Choose butane designed for cigar lighters (e.g., Xikar, Colibri) to ensure clean burns and flavor preservation.
For cigar smokers, we recommend at least triple-refined butane and regular maintenance to keep your lighter in top shape. Check out our guide on how to refill a butane torch lighter for step-by-step tips. Ready to buy? Explore our picks on Amazon for the best butane fuels tailored to cigar enthusiasts.
How to refill a butane torch lighter
Shop Top Butane Fuels on Amazon
Maintenance Tips for Using Butane Fuel
To maximize your torch lighter’s performance with these butane fuels, follow these tips:
- Bleed Air Pockets: Purge air before refilling to ensure a steady flame. See our how to bleed a butane lighter guide.
- Clean Regularly: Use compressed air to clear jets monthly, preventing clogs. Check our how to clean a torch lighter tutorial.
- Store Properly: Keep butane cans in a cool, dry place to maintain purity and pressure.
- Refill Correctly: Always refill upside-down to avoid air bubbles, as explained in our refilling guide.
Proper maintenance with high-quality butane ensures your lighter delivers a perfect flame for every cigar. Visit Amazon for our recommended butane fuels to keep your lighter running smoothly.
Check out our guide on torch lighter troubleshooting
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FAQs
What is the best butane fuel for torch lighters?
High-purity butane (triple-refined or higher, e.g., Xikar Purofine, Vector KGM) is best for torch lighters, preventing clogs and ensuring clean burns for cigars.
Why should I use refined butane for cigar lighters?
Refined butane (9x-14x) removes impurities, reducing clogs and preserving cigar flavor, unlike cheap butane that can damage lighters.
How often should I refill my torch lighter with butane?
Refill every 1-2 weeks for regular use, depending on your lighter’s capacity (e.g., Xikar lighters hold more than Vertigo). Check fuel windows.
Can I use any butane for my torch lighter?
No, use at least triple-refined butane (e.g., Colibri, Zippo) to avoid clogs. Premium lighters (e.g., S.T. Dupont) require 9x-14x butane.
Why is my torch lighter sputtering after refilling?
Sputtering is often due to air pockets or low-quality butane. Learn fixes in our Why won’t my torch lighter stay lit guide.
Why won’t my torch lighter stay lit?
Conclusion
Choosing the best butane fuel for torch lighters is essential for cigar smokers who value a clean, reliable flame. Our top picks—Xikar Purofine, Colibri Premium, Vector KGM, Neon 11x, and Zippo Premium—offer unmatched purity and performance, available on Amazon for every budget. Whether you’re lighting a premium cigar with an S.T. Dupont or a daily smoke with a Vertigo, these fuels keep your lighter clog-free and your cigars tasting perfect. Shop our recommendations on Amazon today to fuel your torch lighter the right way, and let us know your favorite butane in the comments!