Home > Outdoor

The Best Firestarters of 2023

Firestarters are a must-have for your outdoor survival kit. After all, fire can be your closest anchor to life in the outdoors, especially in wet and cold conditions.

(Photo/Honey McNaughton)
Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Start a fire in the rain. Start a fire in the snow. Start a fire after your gear gets dunked in the river. And start the fire with a firestarter that is capable of working through the most difficult scenarios.

There are various firestarters to choose from, and part of getting the best one is getting the right one. Weโ€™ve pored over the research and testing thatโ€™s been done to create a buying guide that will steer you to the best firestarter for you.

Outdoor survival is just as much about outsmarting the elements as it is using them to your advantage. Packing the right firestarter is one of the best ways to outsmart any of the difficulties the outside world tries to throw at you, whether youโ€™re camping, hunting, backcountry skiing, or stranded on the side of the road.

Know your local fire restrictions and think carefully about whether you actually need a fire. Never leave your fire unattended and be prepared to completely saturate your fire until the ground beneath it is wet and cold. Unattended campfires are the cause of some of the largest, most costly natural disasters in the U.S., consuming millions of acres of forest and destroying entire communities. A fire can save your life in cold, wet conditions, but we must be responsible outdoors people.

Check out ourย firestarter comparison chartย at the bottom of the list for a quick comparison, or follow ourย buyerโ€™s guideย to figure out the best firestarter for your pack. Then, get your burning questions answered in ourย FAQ.

The Best Firestarters of 2023


Best Overall Firestarter

Wolf & Grizzly

Specs

  • Material Ferro rod, steel striker, paracord with jute core
  • Lifespan 20,000 strikes
  • Size 4.9โ€ x 0.8โ€
  • Other Features Emergency tinder, can be sharpened and stacked on the rod
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Long lifespan
  • Simple design

Cons

  • No space for grip
Best Budget Firestarter

Light My Fire Tinder-on-a-Rope

Specs

  • Material Pine
  • Lifespan Enough for more than 10 fires
  • Size 5.9โ€ x 0.7โ€ x 0.8โ€
  • Other Features 80% resin content, rope attached for easy carry
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Highly combustible in any conditions
  • Can be used with any ignition source, affordable

Cons

  • Need to carry separate igniter
Runner-Up Best Firestarter

UST BlastMatch

Specs

  • Material Flint-based bar with plastic carrier
  • Lifespan 4,000 strikes
  • Size 4.1โ€ x 1.4โ€
  • Other Features One-handed use, 360-degree flint rotation, waterproof housing
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Fits in small pockets
  • Distributes wear and tear

Cons

  • Method takes some work to get down
  • Doesnโ€™t last as long as others
Best Natural Firestarter

UCO Sweetfire

Specs

  • Material Sustainable construction of bagasse and vegetable wax
  • Lifespan 24 firestarters that each burn for 6-7 minutes
  • Size 6โ€ x 5.5โ€ x 1.13โ€
  • Other Features 3.7 oz. that gets lighter as you use it
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Sustainable product
  • Catches a spark easily
  • Can be used with any ignition source

Cons

  • Need to carry separate igniter
Best Firestarter Knife

Morakniv Companion Spark

Specs

  • Material 3.9โ€ณ hardened 12C27 stainless steel blade, magnesium alloy firestarter
  • Lifespan 3,000 strikes
  • Size 9.4โ€ x 4.1โ€ x 2.5โ€
  • Other Features Firestarter twist locks into the handle
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Two-in-one knife and firestarter
  • Low-maintenance and high-quality knife blade
  • Catches on tinder easily

Cons

  • Firestarter has a short lifespan
Best Firestarter Flashlight

Wicked Lasers FlashTorch

Specs

  • Material Military-grade anodized aluminum
  • Lifespan 2,000-hour life for the halogen lamp, 20-80 minutes of battery life
  • Size 2.4" x 1.9" x 11.5"
  • Other Features 4,100 lumens of power, rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Versatile use with three different settings
  • Heavy-duty construction
  • Automatic lockout prevents lighting your pocket on fire

Cons

  • Expensive technology
  • Short battery lifespan
Best Hassle-Free Car Camping Firestarter

Bernzomatic

Specs

  • Material Propane fuel, steel container
  • Lifespan Varies depending on use
  • Size N/A
  • Other Features Burns at 3,400 degrees F, self-igniting trigger
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Lights just about anything
  • Easy to use and completely hassle-free
  • Long reach of the flame

Cons

  • Need to replace fuel more often
  • Takes up a lot of space and weight
Best of the Rest

Gerber Fire Starter

Specs

  • Material Ferro rod, metal striker, cotton tinder, plastic casing
  • Lifespan N/A
  • Size 4.75" x 1.1"
  • Other Features 100 decibel whistle, water-resistant tinder capsule
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Compact design with striker and ferro rod
  • Tinder capsule
  • Included whistle

Cons

  • Short rod
  • Lanyard limits range of motion while striking

Dark Energy Plasma Lighter

Specs

  • Material Plasma lighter, plastic case
  • Lifespan N/A
  • Size 3.75" x 1"
  • Other Features 120-lumen built-in flashlight
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Weatherproof design
  • Can light a fire in windy environments
  • Integrated flashlight
  • Rechargeable

Cons

  • Not the best battery life

รœberleben Zรผnden Fire Starter

Specs

  • Material Ferro rod, 550 paracord, metal scraper
  • Lifespan 12,000 strikes (trad), 15,000 strikes (pro), or 20,000 strikes (fatty)
  • Size 2.5โ€ x 0.31", 0.38", or 0.5"
  • Other Features Paracord lanyard, multitool scraper included
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Comfortable wood grip
  • Affordable
  • Multifunctional, effective scraper

Cons

  • Ferro rod length is a bit short

Zippo Firestarter Kit

Specs

  • Material Ferro rod, steel striker, pine tinder
  • Lifespan Five pine tinder shreds burn up to 8 minutes each; the lifespan of ferro rod and striker depends on the frequency of use
  • Size 1.5โ€ x 6.63โ€ x 6โ€
  • Other Features Five paraffin-coated pine tinder bundles, collapsible stainless steel bellows
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Has everything you need in one package
  • Bellows help you keep the fire going once started
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Small pieces can be lost easily
  • Only five tinder bundles, so you will need more

SOL Fire Lite Fuel-Free Lighter

Specs

  • Material Plasma lighter, plastic case, cord lanyard
  • Lifespan 45 uses in one charge (Each use = 7 seconds)
  • Size 4" x 1.4"
  • Other Features 3-foot tinder-cord lanyard, 100-lumen built-in flashlight, 2-hour charge time
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Dependable in just about any environment
  • Easy to use
  • Emergency flashlight and tinder
  • Quick-charging lithium battery

Cons

  • Needs to be charged every so often
  • Wonโ€™t light anything too wet

Exotac Firerod

Specs

  • Material Ferro rod, paracord lanyard, aluminum handle, cotton tinder
  • Lifespan 10,000 strikes
  • Size โ€Ž3.55" x 0.55" x 0.55"
  • Other Features Tinder capsule, cotton tinder included
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Perfect dimensions for ferro loops on knife sheaths
  • Handy waterproof tinder capsule
  • Can add replacement ferro rods

Cons

  • Somewhat short rod
  • Doesn't come with its own striker

MSR Strike Igniter

Specs

  • Material Plastic, ferro rod, reflective paracord, steel
  • Lifespan 3,000-12,000 strikes
  • Size 3.8" by 1"
  • Other features Striker doubles as a bottle opener
The Best Firestarters of 2023

Pros

  • Reliable
  • Lasts a while
  • Works for stoves and fires
  • Produces a good spark

Cons

  • Bottle opener design could be better

Firestarter Comparison Chart

FirestarterPriceMaterialLifespanSizeMain feature
Wolf & Grizzly$23Ferro rod, steel striker, paracord20,000 strikes4.9โ€ x 0.8โ€Emergency tinder
Light My Fire Tinder-on-a-Rope$4PineEnough for more than 10 fires5.9โ€ x 0.7โ€ x 0.8โ€80% resin content
UST BlastMatch$20Flint-based bar with plastic carrier4,000 strikes4.1โ€ x 1.4โ€Waterproof housing
UCO Sweetfire$4Bagasse and vegetable wax24 firestarters, 6-7 min each6โ€ x 5.5โ€ x 1.13โ€Lightweight
Morakniv Companion Spark$30Stainless steel blade, magnesium alloy firestarter3,000 strikes9.4โ€ x 4.1โ€ x 2.5โ€Firestarter twist locks into the handle
Wicked Lasers FlashTorch$249Anodized aluminum2,000-hour lamp life, 20-80 min battery life2.4″ x 1.9″ x 11.5″4,100 lumens of power
Bernzomatic Trigger-Start Torch$97Propane fuel, steel containerVaries depending on useN/ABurns at 3,400 degrees F
Gerber Fire Starter$20Ferro rod, metal striker, cotton tinder, plastic casingN/A4.75″ x 1.1″100 decibel whistle
Dark Energy Plasma Lighter$30Plasma lighter, plastic caseN/A3.75″ x 1″120-lumen built-in flashlight
รœberleben Zรผnden Fire Starter$16Ferro rod, 550 paracord, metal scraper12,000 – 20,000 strikes 2.5โ€ x 0.31″, 0.38″, or 0.5″Multitool scraper
Zippo Firestarter Kit$22Ferro rod, steel striker, pine tinderTinder shreds burn 8 min each1.5โ€ x 6.63โ€ x 6โ€Five paraffin-coated pine tinder bundles
SOL Fire Light electric lighter$28Plasma lighter, plastic case45 uses in one charge4″ x 1.4″3-foot tinder-cord lanyard
Exotac Firerod$33Ferro rod, paracord lanyard, aluminum handle, cotton tinder10,000 strikes3.55″ x 0.55″ x 0.55″Waterproof tinder capsule
MSR Strike Igniter$18Plastic, ferro rod, reflective paracord, steel3,000 – 12,000 strikes3.8″ by 1″Striker doubles as a bottle opener
We meticulously tested each of the firestarters on this list in a variety of different conditions and environments; (photo/Honey McNaughton)

Why You Should Trust Us

From experienced survivalists to weekend warriors stoked on bushcraft, the GearJunkie team is made up of outdoor enthusiasts that know the importance of getting a fire started in any condition. Weโ€™ve spent hundreds of hours gathering tinder bundles, snapping sticks, and getting light-headed as we blow flames into life. Whether itโ€™s a campfire to cook dinner over, or an emergency heat source, fire-making skills are key for anyone going camping or backpacking in the backcountry.

We put a load of the top firestarters to the test for this guide, hoping to narrow in on the best ones available for a variety of different situations. We have significant hands-on experience with everything on the list and focused on the ease of use, reliability, and lifespan of each starter to ensure that each product will serve you well in the wild.

Buyerโ€™s Guide: How to Choose a Firestarter

Best Firestarters
Make sure you get comfortable using whatever firestarter you decide to buy before depending on it in the backcountry; (photo/Honey McNaughton)

While matches or lighters may be some of the faster ways of starting fires, they arenโ€™t always the most reliable. Itโ€™s important to have, and know how to use, a solid firestarter for when the unexpected happens. You accidentally fall into a river and soak all your gear. You break all your matches or your lighter runs out of fluid.

Being able to start a fire in any situation is one of the best steps you can take to improve your chances in a survival situation. We found the top tried and true firestarters out there and put them to the test for this guide, offering a selection for every type of adventure.

Type of Activity

Different activities require different firestarters. For example, carrying the heavy Bernzomatic Torch on a long-haul backpacking trip could make for a good laugh, but youโ€™ll regret it pretty quickly.

If youโ€™re going car camping, something bigger and heavier like that will be a much better fit. Backpacking demands lightweight gear thatโ€™s easy to bring along, so youโ€™d be much better off with a simple ferro rod and flint firestarter.

ATP03942 (1)
Being able to get a fire going in any condition not only makes things more enjoyable at camp but could save your life in a survival situation; (photo/Chris Carter)

Size & Weight

Every ounce counts when backpacking, and every inch of your backpack is valuable space. The little things like firestarters are where the ounces can quickly add up. An extra inch of material means less space for food and more weight to carry.

Finding the middle ground with size and weight is key to getting the right tool. Too small and itโ€™s impossible to handle; too big, and youโ€™re lugging extra weight you donโ€™t need.

Ease of Use

At the end of a long day of hiking, the last thing you want is to fight with your firestarter to get warm. The easier the firestarter is to use, the better.

There are certain ways to make life easier in the backcountry, especially when youโ€™re just starting to learn how to use a firestarter. If youโ€™re new to the skill, pack extra firestarter sticks. They donโ€™t weigh much or take up much space, and theyโ€™ll be more than worth it in the long haul.

Electric starters, like the Dark Energy Plasma Lighter, are some of the easier, more weatherproof options out there; (photo/Honey McNaughton)

Flint & Steel, Ferrocerium Rods, and Magnesium Bars

The three primary types of firestarters โ€” flint & steel, ferrocerium rods, and magnesium bars โ€” can be used in a variety of different scenarios, and each has its place in a firestarting kit. This guide covers other unique firestarters that use electrical sparks, a blowtorch, or even a hot beam of light, but these are the more traditional starters youโ€™ll see in simple survival kits.

Flint & Steel

Flint & steel is one of the oldest tried-and-true methods of starting a fire. The flint can be a variety of different hard rocks, such as quartzite or chert. The steel striker component is constructed with a high carbon content and is usually heat-treated. When the steel strikes the rock it breaks off tiny particles of the metal, which oxidize and ignite when exposed to oxygen.

One of the negatives of flint & steel is how dull the sparks are, and charred cloth or naturally charred materials are usually required to effectively hold the spark and turn it into a flame. The value of flint and steel lies in their ability to be easily reproduced with readily available materials.

Starting a fire with Bear Grylls using a striker
Using flint and steel is the more traditional way of starting a fire, but can often be more difficult; (photo/Mallory Paige)

Ferrocerium Rods (Ferro Rod)

The sparks created by a ferro rod are extremely hot compared to those of flint & steel, which makes it easier to light a dry tinder bundle. Some of the starters in this guide, such as the Wolf and Grizzly, and the Zippo Fire Starter Kit use a ferro rod as part of their set.

Itโ€™s a good idea to carry some highly flammable tinder in your survival kit, such as cotton balls coated with Vaseline, to make this process easier, but there are plenty of natural resources that can be used in a pinch.

Ferro rods are constructed with different metals, which make it easier or more difficult to scrape depending on the composition. Softer rods donโ€™t have as long of a lifespan but generally provide more sparks with each strike. Most ferro rods are made with about 50% cerium, with various ratios of lanthanum and iron making up the rest of the mixture.

A ferro rod doesnโ€™t create a flame when struck, so itโ€™s important that the tinder bundle you use is as dry and flammable as possible. Many ferrocerium rods will have a black protective coating on them when they come out of the box, which will need to be scraped off before use.

The sparks from a ferro rod are super hot, like the 5,500ยบ F sparks that spew from the รœberleben Zรผnden; (photo/Honey McNaughton)

Magnesium Bars

Often referred to as โ€œmag bars,โ€ this is a bar or block which usually has a ferro rod attached to the top of it. Instead of having to gather a tinder bundle that will catch a spark, or bringing cotton balls, you can use magnesium shavings from the bar as much of your tinder bundle, which will ignite with a spark from the ferro rod.

Some mag bars come with their own striker, but you can use the back side of your bushcraft knife to shave off magnesium, and strike the ferro rod. Avoid using the sharp end of your knife for this, as it could dull or damage it significantly.

This is usually a pretty time-consuming way to start a fire as it takes a large pile of magnesium shavings to make a flame that lasts long enough to light your tinder or kindling, and the shavings can blow away easily in any amount of wind. You will want to use additional dry tinder with the shavings, as the shaving bundle itself may not be enough to catch the larger fuel on fire.

Firemaking Tips

"How to Light a Fire" artwork by Emily Malone
Make sure not to increase the size of your fuel too fast while building your fire, and gather plenty of these sizes of wood before lighting your tinder bundle; (photo/Emily Malone)

Fire is such a basic, fundamental element to human existence, but can be surprisingly hard to make, particularly if the weather is against you. Itโ€™s important to practice using any firestarter that you plan on having in your emergency kit beforehand, as matches and lighters can fail on adventures.

Whether using flint & steel, a ferro rod, or a mag bar, you will need a bone-dry bundle of tinder to catch your spark and transfer a flame to larger kindling. Fatwood shavings, birch bark, cattails, dry fluff from plants, or dried animal dung often work well as tinder bundles.

Gather plenty of medium-sized dry kindling (preferably from conifers) and have it on hand to build up your fire once you establish a flame. Make something of a โ€œbirdโ€™s nestโ€ with your pile of tinder, using fluffed-up dry materials. Place fatwood shavings or a feather stick (a stick that has been shaved to produce clusters of thin curls protruding from the wood) on top of the birdโ€™s nest.

Getting your tinder bundle to catch a spark and ignite is the most difficult part of the process; (photo/Honey McNaughton)

Once you have a tinder bundle you like, hold the scraper at a 45-degree angle to your rod, with the end of your rod almost touching your tinder. Pull the rod, not the scraper, back sharply. This allows you to get sparks closer to the tinder.

When a spark takes in your tinder bundle it should produce a strong but short-lived flame. Build a teepee of small twigs and pencil-size kindling over the growing flame, which encourages the flame to go upward. Gradually add bigger and bigger sticks and logs until youโ€™ve established a solid base of embers and heat.

Blowing slightly on the tinder bundle near the beginning can help, but only after the flame has caught and the tinder is smoldering. Be sure not to blow out a new small flame in an effort to give it more oxygen.

Reliability

electric fire starter
Electric lighters, like the Dark Energy Plasma Lighter or the SOL Fire Lite, offer solid weatherproof solutions to starting a fire in a pinch; (photo/REI)

The problem with matches and lighters is their reliability. Once they get wet, too cold, or too high in altitude, they donโ€™t work well.

Getting a firestarter thatโ€™s reliable in all conditions and environments helps ensure that you wonโ€™t be left shivering on the ground with an empty stomach after a long day of trekking. We would feel comfortable relying on all of the firestarters on this list in the backcountry (though some are better suited for a backup lightweight โ€œsurvival kitโ€ than others).

Price

Just as with every piece of gear, price matters. Determining a budget before even browsing your options is important to help you get the best firestarter for your particular use.

Donโ€™t buy something just because of a high price tag. It doesnโ€™t always mean itโ€™s the better piece of gear. Price can be a reflection of quality, but it can also lead to unnecessary and over-the-top products.

It’s also worth noting that this guide covers a broad range of firestarter types. Our “Best Budget” option doesn’t offer the same level of versatility as some of the traditional ferro rods we cover. Think about the type of trips you plan on using your starter on, and use this to help formulate a budget, and narrow in on the best firestarter for your needs.

Campfires are the perfect cap to a long day on trail; (photo/Chris Carter)

FAQ

What is the best firestarter?

The best firestarter is the one that best fits your needs and your budget. The firestarter that you feel comfortable using when you need it to work, and doesnโ€™t cost a fortune, is the best firestarter. The best firestarter is one that helps you skip having to learn how to start a fire with sticks and friction alone.

Some people prefer using a Bic lighter, while others love a ferro rod and strikerโ€™s reliability. In the end, itโ€™s all about opinion and experience. Test out multiple types to find what fits you best.

How does a firestarter work?

Firestarters all work in different ways. A flint and steel method, or a striker and fire rod made from different materials, will work with simple science.

The hardness of the two materials and the contact between the two results in sparks. Your striker needs to be harder than what you are striking it on.

While the firestriker scrapes away a bit of the fire rod, the ripping apart of the material and the friction of the two objects both play a part in shooting small, insanely hot pieces of metal in the direction you want them to go. They stay hot enough in the air (hopefully) to reach your tinder and transfer heat into the dry tinder, resulting in a fire.

What does Bear Grylls use to start a fire?

Bear Grylls is seen as the Olympian of outdoor survival by many. Still, itโ€™s important to remember that he only uses tools that work well for him.

Bear Grylls teamed up with Gerber to make his idea of the best possible firestarter for survival. They came up with the Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Fire Starter, which is essentially the Gerber Fire Starter that we reviewed above, plus his initials. While this is what he came up with, we can imagine Bear used a wide array of different firestarters to figure out what works best for him.

What is a magnesium firestarter?

Magnesium firestarters have a magnesium block attached to a small ferro rod strip that together can make sparks. Scrape the magnesium off with a knife or the provided striker, and then build up a small pile of the shavings.

This is what you want to strike into. Once the spark catches, the magnesium will burn hot, fast, and bright.

Magnesium doesnโ€™t work alone as tinder to start a fire. You still need to find dry tinder to place the shavings inside. Magnesium burns around 4,000 degrees F, which helps get a fire started more quickly, but it can take a lot of work to get enough shavings from the magnesium block.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox.