Buy It For Life
Lighters

Updated Jul 20, 2026

Buy it for life: the most durable lighters,
according to r/BuyItForLife on Reddit.
Recommended by people who have owned them for years. How we pick.
Do you know of an item that should be on this list? Let us know!

Zippo lighter

Classic refillable windproof metal lighter with lifetime repair support and long-term durability.

Lifetime warranty and repair service
Durable metal body
Serviceable with replaceable parts

Yep, carrying one from 1973. Going strong.
– callernumber6

Zippos are pretty legit. My dad had like 6 of em he owned or acquired over the years. He sent them all in for various repairs and they all came back good as new. They definitely stand by their stuff.
– imuniqueaf

Zippos are durable and serviceable
– Vod_Kanockers2

Bic lighter

Cheap disposable but highly reliable lighter that stores well and lights consistently over years.

Very reliable
Cheap
Excellent long-term storage performance

I find Bics to be the best (genuine Bic, not cheap knockoff), i have some that I’ve stored in vehicles and survival kits for at least a decade that will stop light right up first time.
– Vod_Kanockers2

I have one BIC that's got to be at least a decade old and it's still working fine
– Capt_Irk

Everyone should have a bic in their bag imo - it’s like $1.50 for something that will never leak and always work unless it’s not soaking wet or extremely cold
– soapy_goatherd

Zippo butane insert

Butane replacement insert for Zippo cases that solves evaporation issues of liquid-fuel models.

Holds fuel much better
Reduces evaporation problem
Keeps zippo case usability

Butane insert is really good, as it holds the fuel rather than the standard one where the fuel evaporates after a time
– T1M0rtal

I just got a Thunderbird butane insert for mine, really changes it up. Huge improvement
– Von_Lehmann

Get one with the butane insert. Nice BIFL housing with a reliable refillable butane lighter inside...
– F-21

Clipper lighter

Refillable, reflintable pocket lighter popular for low cost and reusable design.

Refillable
Replaceable flints
Low cost

Clipper lighters. Cheap, refillable, reflintable, and collectible
– nudetayne678

Yeah nothing is actually going to last forever, but I like how Clipper lighters are refillable and have replaceable flints
– Significant_Pen_3642

You should try out the clipper lighters. They are made by the same principle but you can swap out the entire flint unit and they automatically make a bigger flame if you turn them upside down so that you can easily light candles/pipes.
– unknown

IM Corona Double Corona

High-quality refillable lighter with brass tank and O-rings for long fuel retention.

Heirloom quality feel
Excellent fuel retention
Brass tank with silicone o-rings

I have an IM Corona Double Corona and I love it--it is arguably one of the best quality lighters made, and the moment you simply pick it up you know you're holding something of heirloom quality.
– pan567

If you don't use a lighter often, you can fill it and it will hold its fuel for years upon end without leaking/evaporating.
– pan567

That's thanks to them using a brass fuel tank and silicone O-rings.
– pan567