1. Plastic Sparkwheel Lighters

These are plastic lighters that have a wheel made out of serrated steel. A flint is located below the wheel.When you spin the wheel with enough speed, it rubs on the flint and creates a spark. Pressing down on the “fork” (the plastic lever below the sparkwheel) opens a valve so fuel can be released.The spark ignites the fuel and produces a flame.Note that many plastic sparkwheel lighters are actually refillable (see how to refill a BIC lighter). However, because they are so cheap, most people treat them as disposable.In a SHTF situation, you can use an empty sparkwheel light to create a flame. Read about how to start a fire with no matches.

2. Piezo Spark Ignition Lighters

This type of lighter uses a button instead of a sparkwheel.When you press the button, it hits a quart element. Quartz is piezoelectric, meaning it creates electric voltage when hit. The electric voltage is what ignites the fuel inside the lighter.

3. Zippo-Style Lighters

Zippo lighters have been around for nearly 100 years. They work by spinning a sparkwheel against a flint inside the Zippo. This creates a spark that ignites fluid in a wick.Unlike disposable sparkwheel lighters, a Zippo wick will stay lit until you cut off the oxygen supply by closing the lid. You can even leave a Zippo burning like a candle. The downside, however, is that the eyelet which exposes the fuel-filled wick is always exposed. This can result in fuel leakage (and a nasty rash on your skin).Air exposure means Zippo fuel will evaporate quickly. At best, expect a Zippo to last 10 days before refueling. An odd thing about Zippo lighters is that the fuel lasts longer if you use it frequently. If you don’t light the Zippo often, the fuel might evaporate in just 3-4 days.Because Zippo fuel evaporates quickly, they aren’t recommended for camping or emergency prep. Zippos are meant for regular smokers who want a cool, personalized lighter.

4. Butane Torch Lighters

Also called jet lighters, turbo lighters, or cigar lighters, butane torch lighters contain butane stored in a pressurized chamber. The fuel is forced through a nozzle with air, creating a very intense, strong, and hot flame. They are basically like mini Bunsen burners.The benefit of torch lighters is that you can aim the flame in any direction, even upside down. Because of this, they are often used for lighting pipes. They are also often used as cigar lighters because they get hot.As you’d expect from a lighter, which makes such an intense flame, jet torch lighters blow through fuel very quickly. How long a torch lighter will last varies drastically depending on the number of flames, size of the fuel chamber, and pressure level.

5. Electric Coil Lighter

Also called flameless lighters, these are battery-operated lighters. Electricity from the battery heats a coil inside the lighter, which can then be used to light cigarettes or other things pressed against the coils.These lighters are easy to use, reusable, don’t require any fuel, and are usually charged via USB. However, the coils make it challenging to light anything other than a cigarette or maybe candles. They aren’t ideal for camping, emergency preparedness, or other basic uses.

6. Electric Arc Lighter (Plasma Lighters)

These are also flameless lighters but are very different from the electric coil lighters above. With an arc lighter, high-voltage electricity makes an arc of charged plasma between two electrodes.The plasma arc is hotter than a traditional flame and won’t be blown out by the wind.   Some electric arc lighters have four electrodes to produce two arcs.These lighters have become very popular because they work in windy conditions, require no fuel, are rechargeable, and are simply cool. Price varies drastically. Pay attention to brand reputation and battery life when choosing an arc lighter.

7. Permanent Match

Also known as a forever match, this type of lighter is a cross between matches and a lighter. It consists of a metal chamber that holds fuel. A spark stick with a wick inside is screwed into the chamber.The wick absorbs fuel from within the chamber. To use the permanent match, you remove the spark stick and strike it against an abrasive striking surface on the chamber.

8. Candle Lighters