Sizzle front

With summer at our doorstep, there’s no better time to stock up on some handy outdoor living accessories, like lighters, for those backyard barbecues, lakeside picnics, and camping trips. With everything going electric it was only time before battery powered lighters hit the scene. They offer a combination of safety, convenience, and environmental benefits. But are they better than traditional lighters?

I’m reviewing five new electronic lighters from Sizzle. These are USB plasma arc lighters that contain lithium-ion batteries. Plasma lighters use a high voltage arc to create heat instead of a flame. This makes them windproof, flameless, and more convenient to use. The big question is, are they any good and are they safe? Let’s find out. 

Design of the Sizzle plasma arc lighters

Sizzle Flare lighter

Each of the five Sizzle lighters have their own unique design elements. The Pitmaster is designed for lighting gas, wood, or charcoal barbecues. It’s long with a hole at the end to hang it off a BBQ. There is a black switch that turns the device on and showcases the power on LED lights below. Drawing back the sliding switch activates the plasma arc lighter which retracts open when activated.

The Sleek has an elegant and futuristic look to it. It sits upright and the power button and micro USB port are located on the bottom. It’s made for indoor use to light things like birthday candles. Conversely, the Survival is designed for outdoor use. It features a waterproof LED flashlight and weighs only 56 grams. The Flare looks like a modern day Zippo lighter. Flipping the lid open and pressing the engage button activates the plasma arc. Finally, the Extender has an extendable 49cm metal shaft to light things up from a distance. This makes it great for lighting campfires, furnace pilot lights, or BBQs from a safe distance.  

Using the Sizzle lighters to light a BBQ

These lighters couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I just finished cleaning my BBQ and I haven’t fired it up yet. It has an igniter button that sometimes works so I usually have a BBQ lighter on standby. The Pitmaster is designed for BBQs but instead I opted for the Extender. With the long retractable handle, it was better suited for my needs. You can see in my video review that I was able to reach all the burners with it, both from the top and bottom of the BBQ. I like the fact that it is flameless and windproof. This made it easy and safe to light BBQs in various weather conditions.  

Using the Sizzle lighters to light a candle

Sizzle Survivor

In all, these arc lighters can be used to light anything a traditional lighter can. From my experience, the key is to place material across the arc to ignite. For this review, I used a birthday candle. Once the wick was between the arc, a flame was produced on the candle. The wick was small enough to fit in between the arc. One issue I can foresee is wax getting on the arc. That would likely affect the performance. Therefore, if you do get residue on it, immediately clean it up with a dry cloth or brush. 

Charging the Sizzle plasma arc lighters     

According to Sizzle, these lighters ignite approximately 100 times on a single charge. To charge, simply plug it into any USB port with a DC 5V output voltage and output current below 3000mA. You cannot use a fast charging USB port. It’s advised to charge it at least once a month. In addition, do not keep a plasma arc lighter charging overnight. This prevents overcharging. It should also not be placed in direct sunlight while charging. 

Plasma lighters use lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, they will not last forever. The typical lifespan is about 2 years. You cannot extend the lifespan of these lighters by infrequent use. Basically, once you get it, use it as much as you can during the 2-year lifespan.  

What can you light with the Sizzle plasma arc lighters?

As a general rule, anything a traditional lighter can ignite, a plasma lighter can as well. This includes cigarettes, matches, kindling, paper etc. The difference is how you light it. With the Sizzle lighters, technique is key. Ideally, you want to place the object right in between the plasma arc but that may be difficult for larger items. In that case, start the arc, and then touch it to the object. Be mindful the whole time to ensure debris, like wax or dirt, doesn’t get on or around the arc area. If it does, clean it up right away with a dry cloth. 

Sizzle Top angle

What I like about Sizzle plasma arc lighters

Given the choice to use a traditional flame-based lighter, or a Sizzle lighter, I would choose a Sizzle plasma lighter. Trying to light something with a flame-lighter in the wind has always been an issue. That’s not an issue with the Sizzle lighters. The plasma arc works very well in windy environments. The only issue would be keeping the fire going while it’s still windy. 

Another thing I like is the long battery life. Typically, you can expect about a 100 uses before you need to charge the battery. That makes it incredibly convenient, especially when you’re camping or off the grid. The Survival is a must-have accessory for anyone who spends a lot of time in the great outdoors. With the built-in light and strobe function, it could be a lifesaver out in the back country. 

What I don’t like about the Sizzle plasma arc lighters

The big issue I have with the Sizzle lighters is the 2-year shelf life. No matter how well you care for your Sizzle lighters, it will eventually stop working. This means you won’t be passing this down generations like some do with Zippo lighters. Another issue is the micro-USB port. In 2023, we really should only be seeing USB-C ports on new devices. I suspect this was done to keep the costs down but for consumers this means carrying or holding onto more cables to charge our devices.   

Sizzle side 2

Final thoughts

At some point in time, everyone needs a lighter. Disposable lighters will also be a part of our lives. The only difference is we now have new electronic options to start a fire. With their enhanced safety features, convenience, and stylish designs, Sizzle plasma lighters offer a compelling alternative to traditional lighters. As technology continues to advance, we can expect further improvements in electronic lighters, providing even greater convenience and safety for users worldwide, and perhaps even a longer shelf life. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, safe, and eco-friendly option, consider embracing Sizzle electronic lighters. If anything, it will ‘spark’ some great conversation this summer.

Andy Baryer
Andy Baryer
http://handyandymedia.com
Andy Baryer aka “Handy Andy” is a technology journalist, gadget reviewer, and DIY/how-to content creator. Known as the handyman of tech, Andy enjoys fixing poor wireless networks, building smart homes, and cooking with the latest kitchen gadgets. He’s a competitive whistler, a budding woodworker, and loves gardening in his home-built smart garden.
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172 COMMENTS

  1. Like the Extender – Can use the extendable 49cm metal shaft to light things up from a distance, whether a bbq or campfire

  3. The Survival Plasma Arc Lighter would be wonderful to win because it’s waterproof and also has the flashlight. Great for camping, hiking and emergency bags.
    But I like ALL the lighters!

  4. The extender is perfect for me because I can use it to light candles even when I’m not close to them!

  5. The Extender would be the best one for me because I do a lot of BBQ’ing and camping so this I think would be best

  11. I like the Extender Sizzle plasma lighter as it would be helpful to light the propane water heater on our trailer

  12. I like the Survival Sizzle in particular since my family and I love camping and it would be so useful. The waterproof flashlight feature is a bonus. It is superior to using a match on windy days especially.

  13. The Survival would be best for me because it has a waterproof LED flashlight and it is lightweight

  17. The Survival would be perfect with the added function of the flashlight, but I would also like the Extender for BBQ and campfires.

  19. The Sizzle Survival is the perfect addition to my earthquake kit with its dual functionality. But it would also be a great tool to keep handy around the house.

  20. The extender is perfect for us to light our wood stove which is really big and would save the worry of getting fingers burned!

  22. My primary use for this will be to light camp fires at the lake so the Extender Telescopic USB Rechargeable Plasma is the perfect choice.

  24. The Survival is perfect for me because I like the outdoors and this also comes with a waterproof flashlight.

  28. The Extender Telescopic USB Rechargeable Plasma. Arc Lighter is best for needs because I like to light things from far away so I don’t get burned!

  29. I think the Extender Telescopic USB Rechargeable Plasma Arc Lighter would be great for lighting the bbq. Using matches or lighters is difficult, this would be so much more effective.

  31. The Survival would be best for our us as it has a waterproof LED flashlight and is super lightweight!

  32. The Pitmaster is for me. I like to have a campfire and this lighter would be best for getting at the right spot for getting a good fire going.

  33. This extendable sizzle would be just perfect for me. We do a lot of outdoor fires and are constantly struggling to keep a flame going to ignite the fire. Arthritic hands make it difficult to hold a bbq lighter while pressing and squeezing only to have the flame go out in the wind.

  34. The Survival would be best for our backpacking/camping trips as it contains a waterproof LED flashlight and weighs only 56 grams.

  50. The Survival Sizzle plasma arc lighter for sure because it looks like a mini flashlight and it’s easy to store as well as tough and durable. I like the camo design as well and the shape is more of my liking.

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