Our Pick: Blazer
Check price →The Best Torch Lighters (2026): For Dabs, Bowls, and Everything Else
A reliable, refillable torch is the difference between a clean dab and a frustrating one. We sorted the dependable, refillable ones — led by Blazer — from the disposable junk.
By Justin Park · ~8 min read · Updated 2026-06-27
Which one should you buy?
Don't guess. Answer 3 quick questions and we'll match you to your perfect pick in 20 seconds — from this guide's own tested lineup.
Get my pickOur top picks
If you dab, your torch is the most important tool you own — and a cheap one is a daily headache: weak flame, won't refill, dies in a month. A good butane torch lights instantly, holds a strong, adjustable flame, refills in seconds, and lasts for years. The same torch crisps a crème brûlée and lights a stubborn bowl, so it earns its keep beyond concentrates too.
We sorted the field by what you need — a do-everything table torch, an everyday pocket torch, a tiny travel one, a value pick, and a budget option. Every pick links to its current Amazon listing. (Butane is sold separately — grab a can of quality 5x-refined butane to keep any torch clean.)
The short version
- Our overall pick is the Blazer Big Buddy — a powerful, hands-free table torch that's the de facto standard for dabbing.
- Blazer is the brand to trust: refillable, repairable, and built to last, versus disposable torches that die fast.
- For everyday carry, the Blazer Evo pocket torch hits the sweet spot of power and portability.
- Always buy refillable and refill with quality 5x-refined butane — cheap butane clogs the jet and shortens a torch's life.
- A torch is dual-use: the same one handles dabs, stubborn bowls, and the kitchen — so quality pays off across the board.
| Torch | Best for | Type | Refillable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blazer Big Buddy | Best overall | Table / hands-free | Yes |
| Blazer Evo | Best everyday | Yes | |
| Blazer Firefox Mini | Best travel | Mini | Yes |
| Special Blue | Best value | Table | Yes |
| Budget Single-Jet | Best budget | Yes |
The shortlist at a glance
The Torch Lighters quiz
Which one should you actually buy?
Skip the scrolling and the second-guessing — answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to your perfect pick, based on how you'll actually use it.
Torch Lighters quiz
Question 1 of 3
What's it mainly for?
💡 Good to know
Our overall pick is the Blazer Big Buddy — a powerful, hands-free table torch that's the de facto standard for dabbing.
01 · Best Overall
Our Pick
Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch
The dabber's standard — powerful, hands-free, and built to last.
Pros
- Powerful, adjustable flame
- Hands-free flame lock
- Durable and repairable
- The dabbing standard
Cons
- Larger table size
- Butane sold separately
Bottom line: The torch most serious dabbers end up with. The Big Buddy stands on its own base, locks the flame on for hands-free heating, and throws a powerful, adjustable turbo flame that heats a nail fast. Refillable, repairable, and basically the category standard.
Key details: Refillable butane; ~2,500°F turbo flame; stand-alone base + flame lock; piezo ignition.
Blazer's Big Buddy is what a torch should be. It sits on a stable base so you can lock the flame on and heat your nail without holding a trigger, the ~2,500°F turbo flame is strong and precisely adjustable, and the build is genuinely durable. Piezo self-ignition fires every time, and when something eventually wears out, Blazer torches are repairable rather than disposable.
- Flame
- ~2,500°F turbo
- Type
- Table, hands-free
- Ignition
- Piezo
- Refillable
- Yes
Who should buy it: Buy this if you dab regularly and want the reliable, hands-free, buy-it-for-years standard.
What we don't like: It's a table torch — bigger than a pocket lighter — and butane is sold separately.
02 · Best Everyday
Blazer Evo Refillable Torch
Blazer quality in a pocketable everyday torch.
Pros
- Pocketable Blazer quality
- Strong adjustable flame
- Refillable
- Dual-use
Cons
- No hands-free base
- Pricier than budget torches
Bottom line: The carry-it pick. The Evo brings Blazer's reliability and adjustable flame into a smaller body that fits a pocket — strong enough for dabs, handy for everyday lights, and refillable for the long haul.
Key details: Refillable butane; adjustable flame; compact Blazer build; great for dabs on the go.
When you want Blazer quality but not a table torch, the Evo is it. It's compact enough to carry, still throws a strong adjustable flame that handles dabs and bowls, and refills in seconds. For most people who want one good torch they can take anywhere, this is the sweet spot.
- Flame
- Adjustable turbo
- Type
- Build
- Blazer
- Refillable
- Yes
Who should buy it: Buy this if you want a portable, reliable Blazer torch for dabs and everyday use.
What we don't like: No stand-alone base, so it's hand-held for heating — less convenient than the Big Buddy for long dabs.
03 · Best for Travel
Blazer Firefox Mini Torch
Tiny, tough, and refillable — Blazer reliability that disappears in a pocket.
Pros
- Truly pocketable
- Hot flame for its size
- Refillable Blazer build
- Great travel/backup
Cons
- Small fuel capacity
- Less comfy for long dabs
Bottom line: The grab-and-go pick. The Firefox Mini shrinks a real Blazer torch down to keychain-ish size without giving up the hot flame or refillability. Perfect for travel or a backup that won't let you down.
Key details: Compact refillable butane torch; ~2,500°F flame; durable Blazer build in a mini size.
Small but serious. The Firefox Mini packs a genuinely hot flame into a tiny, durable body, and it's refillable like every Blazer — so it's a real torch, not a novelty. Ideal as a travel torch or a reliable backup to keep in a bag.
- Flame
- ~2,500°F
- Type
- Mini / travel
- Build
- Blazer
- Refillable
- Yes
Who should buy it: Buy this if you want a tiny, dependable, refillable torch for travel or as a backup.
What we don't like: Small fuel capacity means more frequent refills, and the mini size is less comfortable for long heating sessions.
04 · Best Value
Special Blue Torch Lighter
A popular cheaper torch that still gets dabs done.
Pros
- Strong flame for the price
- Refillable
- Popular and proven
- Good value
Cons
- Less durable than Blazer
- Less repairable
Bottom line: The value pick. Special Blue torches are a longtime budget favorite — refillable, adjustable, and powerful enough for dabs at a friendlier price than Blazer. Not as bombproof, but a lot of torch for the money.
Key details: Refillable butane; adjustable flame; popular value brand for concentrates.
If Blazer's price gives you pause, Special Blue is the popular step down. You get a refillable, adjustable flame strong enough to heat a nail, in table and pocket styles, for noticeably less. The longevity isn't quite Blazer-level, but as a value torch it's a proven, widely-used option.
- Flame
- Adjustable
- Type
- Table / pocket
- Refillable
- Yes
- Price
- Value
Who should buy it: Buy this if you want a capable, refillable dab torch without paying the Blazer premium.
What we don't like: Build quality and longevity trail Blazer, and customer service/repairability is more limited.
05 · Best Budget
Refillable Single-Jet Torch Lighter
A cheap, refillable jet torch for bowls, kitchen, and light dabs.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Refillable
- Dual-use
- Fine for light use
Cons
- Variable quality
- Slower for dabs
Bottom line: The cheapest functional option. A well-reviewed single-jet refillable torch handles bowls, the kitchen, and the occasional dab for under fifteen bucks. Just buy refillable (not disposable) and good butane, and read the reviews.
Key details: Refillable single-jet butane torch; adjustable flame; widely available.
You don't need to spend up if you only torch occasionally. A refillable single-jet torch lights reliably, adjusts the flame, and refills cheaply — fine for bowls, crème brûlée, and light dabbing. It won't last like a Blazer, but at this price you can just replace it. Avoid the sealed, disposable ones.
- Flame
- Single jet, adjustable
- Type
- Refillable
- Yes
- Price
- Budget
Who should buy it: Buy this if you only torch occasionally and want the cheapest refillable option that still works.
What we don't like: Build quality varies a lot by seller, and a single jet heats a nail slower than a turbo flame.
How we chose
We prioritized a strong, adjustable, reliable flame and easy refilling — the two things that make a torch a tool instead of a chore.
We weighted build quality and repairability (Blazer parts and service) over disposable convenience.
We picked distinct winners for table, pocket, travel, value, and budget rather than five near-identical torches.
We flagged the butane quality issue — the most common, avoidable reason torches fail.
Questions, answered
What is the best torch lighter for dabs?
The Blazer Big Buddy is the best overall for dabbing — a powerful, adjustable turbo flame on a stand-alone base with a flame lock, so you can heat your nail hands-free. The Blazer Evo is the best pocket option, and Special Blue is a solid value pick. Whatever you choose, buy refillable and use quality butane.
Are Blazer torches worth it?
Yes, if you dab regularly. Blazer torches are refillable, repairable, and built to last for years, which makes them cheaper over time than disposable torches you replace constantly. The strong, reliable, adjustable flame and the hands-free base on models like the Big Buddy are exactly what dabbing wants.
What kind of butane should I use?
Use 5x-refined (or higher) butane. Cheap, low-grade butane leaves impurities that clog the torch's precision jet and shorten its life — the most common, avoidable reason torches fail. Quality butane keeps the flame clean and consistent. It's sold separately from the torch.
How do I refill a torch lighter?
Let it cool, turn the flame adjuster to low, hold the torch upside down, and press the butane can's nozzle firmly into the fill valve for a few seconds until it's full. If the torch has been empty a while, bleed the air from the valve first (press it briefly with a small screwdriver) so the butane flows in cleanly.
Can I use a regular lighter instead of a torch?
For bowls, a regular lighter works fine. For dabs, you really want a torch — a butane jet flame heats a nail or banger to the right temperature far faster and more evenly than a soft flame, and it won't leave soot. If you're only smoking flower, a torch is optional; for concentrates it's essential.
Is a single-flame or turbo torch better?
A turbo (jet) flame heats faster and is wind-resistant, which is what you want for dabs and stubborn lights — most quality torches are turbo. A soft single flame is gentler and fine for everyday lighting and kitchen use. For concentrates, go turbo; for casual use, either works.