The Pros and Cons of Plasma Lighters

plasma-lighter-camo-finishPlasma lighters are pretty cool gadgets to have, and make a great choice for a gift, even if the person they’re for is not a smoker. They come with quite an array of advantages over classic, fuel lighters. But of course, they also have their share of downsides. Therefore, in case you’re wondering what these pluses and minuses are, here’s a list of the most important ones.

Pros

Windproof. A plasma lighter is flameless, using a plasma arc for lighting up a cigarette or just about anything else. This is actually quite a plus, and not only for people who want to light up a cigarette during a windy day. An arc lighter can be extremely handy if you need to quickly start a campfire during a hiking trip, if the weather is not exactly friendly.

Easy to recharge, no fluid required. It’s not like a rechargeable butane or methane lighter is difficult to recharge. But in order to recharge it, you’ll need a special tank or container with the specific fluid for it, which may not be available all the time. Plasma lighters are battery powered. Some of the newest models also feature USB charging ports and you can charge them at your PC. Also, some of them have a battery indicator like smartphones, so you’ll know when your lighter is low on battery. Most arc lighters can lit up to 4 packages of cigarettes or even more with a fully charged battery.

Much safer. Butane lighters are actually small containers of flammable gas, which can break or spill, and further on lead to an unfortunate accident. On the other hand, most plasma lighters not only that don’t contain any flammable gas, they also have safety features which prevent an electric arc to form if the lid is closed. On top of that, a regular lighter which creates a big flame can be extremely hazardous. Anything near it including your hair or clothes can immediately catch fire if the lighter is not handled properly. This is never the case with a plasma lighter.

Cons

Lighting surface is pretty small. This may not be the case with all plasma arc lighter models, but some of them create quite a small arc. Thus, in order to light up a cigarette, you’ll need to roll it a little, for all its tip to catch fire.

High pitch sound. All lighters of this sort create some sort of sound when lit. In some cases it might be a soft electric buzz, in other cases a sharp beep. Some may find it annoying.