Vertigo Boxer

I don’t remember where I first heard the phrase everyday carry or in what context I first heard it, but it certainly seems to have permeated into a phrase I hear, well, nearly every day.

When thinking about my own everyday carry lighter, they tend to fall into a pretty small group that offers reliable performance, a good-sized fuel tank, minimal features, and an MSRP under $20. That group got a new addition in the summer of 2023 with the release of the Vertigo Boxer, a triple-flame torch that comes with an angled head that results in a slight change to the ergonomics of the lighter, as well as a different design from the majority of the lighters in the market that it will compete with.

While she didn’t call it an everyday carry lighter, Rosemary Zilmer, president of The Lotus Group, did describe the Boxer as “a workhorse lighter,” a term also applied to the company’s Cyclone lighter.

WHAT IS IT?

The Vertigo Boxer is a budget-friendly, triple-flame torch lighter that is notable for having an angled head, turning the flame up and away from the thumb when it is on the ignition. The lighter has a large, translucent fuel tank, which is available in either charcoal or clear. It also offers a large flame adjuster that serves as the base of the lighter.

It measures 3.4 x 1.3 x .86 inches and weighs in at 2.2 ounces. As with all Vertigo products, it comes with the company’s lifetime warranty.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

$11.99.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Vertigo Boxer features a very straightforward ignition process, as all the user needs to do is push down on the large black ignition button to begin the flow of butane, spark that butane into a flame, and then keep the button depressed while lighting the cigar. When done, simply release the ignition mechanism to extinguish the flame.

The only other note is setting the flame height via the large adjustment wheel on the base of the lighter; if it is too low, the lighter will not ignite.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?

The angled head changes the ergonomics of the lighter just a bit, which some might find makes it easier to light a cigar.

PROS

• The Ergonomics Are Impressive — I’m not going to pretend that angling the flame in the way that the Boxer does is a complete game-changer that revolutionizes the cigar smoking experience. But it does result in good ergonomics in the hand when lighting cigars. It comes down to a matter of pronating the wrist and/or other arm adjustments a person would need to make to point a traditional vertically-oriented flame at a cigar.
• It Can Be Lit Upside-Down — I’m not exactly sure where this might come in handy, but I’m sure that someone has used a pocket cigar lighter to repair or otherwise adjust something, somewhere. As noted below, there is no safety mechanism, but that does mean that it can be lit in any orientation.
• The Fuel Tank — For me, a large, translucent fuel tank simply can’t be beat. I know they’re not always the most aesthetically pleasing, but there’s no guessing as to how much butane is left.

CONS

• It’s Easy to Scorch The Sides of a Cigar — This is true of pretty much any triple-flame torch lighter, so I write this as a general con and not a specific one. But in using the Boxer, I was consistently reminded to keep the flame height as low as possible and keep the flame as far away from the foot as possible while still getting an even toasting.
• There’s No Safety Mechanism – This means that a child could ignite the lighter without much impediment, and it could also be accidentally ignited in your pocket or during transport.
• It Looks Like a Budget Lighter — With an MSRP of $12 and the billing of being a workhorse lighter, it’s hard to ask for a ton of aesthetic from the Boxer, so its fairly simplistic design might leave some lacking.

THE COMPETITION

If ever there was a crowded segment of the lighter market, it is the one that the Boxer falls into: budget-friendly, frill-free lighters. Seemingly every accessory company has at least one option, with these a selection of ones I have used and which draw from a number of companies.

• Palió Squadra ($9.99) — While I haven’t formally reviewed it, I picked one of these up, and it has become one of a handful that I keep in my desk drawer for when whatever I am currently using runs out of fuel and I need a lighter. Functionally, it is largely identical to the Boxer, though it is noticeably bigger, which means it will stand out more in a travel humidor or pocket. It also has a lid that needs to be manually flipped down before using, the tank is textured, and the design of the head is different, which could make this a decision about which design is preferable. This is a real toss-up as I think both are great lighters, though it is hard to argue with paying two dollars less for a bigger and just as reliable lighter. The Palió Pistola, an offshoot double-torch lighter with a rectangular body style, debuted this year.
• Palió Vesuvio ($8.99) — I have reviewed the Vesuvio, which is a traditional design with the flame coming straight up from the body of the lighter. It earned high praise for its price and functionality, and remains a lighter I recommend without reservation. Like its competitors, it’s not particularly elegant or feature-laden, but it certainly gets the job done. If the angled-head of the Boxer doesn’t seem worth the extra $3, this is a fantastic option that stays in my rotation.
• JetLine Pocket Torch Triple Flame ($14.99) — For an everyday carry, the JetLine Pocket Torch has long been my go-to. It’s an affordable, reliable torch available in single-, double- or triple-torch configurations, offering nothing more than a big tank and nearly perfect ignition. It also comes with a warranty should you need it repaired. There is also the JetLine Super Torch, a very similar model with the same price. From a purely functional perspective, I’d call it a toss-up between the Boxer and JetLine’s offerings, but if the curved head is important, that should solidify the decision.
• Vector Triforce ($24.95) — The Triforce might not be a true value triple flame, but Vector claims it works at elevations up to 14,000 feet. It also comes with Vector’s no-proof warranty coverage. Having not used it, I don’t know if it’s worth the 2x premium over the Boxer, but given Vector’s track record, I feel confident the lighter will work well.
• Topkay Triple Jet Torch ($7.49) — This was found on Amazon and purchased in March 2021 after earning the Amazon’s Choice label. While it may be cheap, its reliability wasn’t great, inconsistent enough that I advised not picking it up. I’d take the Vertigo Boxer over this Topkay model without question.
• Blazer PB207 The Torch ($59.95) — Despite lighting cigars not being listed as one of the uses of this lighter, this has always had a bit of a cult following in the cigar community due to its solid performance as well as being one of the only lighters to be made in Japan. It’s offered in both a single jet torch and a wide flame torch, as well as in a number of color options. I generally prefer single flames to triple flames, but in terms of being able to light a cigar, both The Torch and the Boxer would get the job with ease. Yet at five times the price, it’s harder to justify that premium outside of really liking The Torch’s design or where it is made.

SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Yes.

As I mentioned above, there is no shortage of solid, reliable, frills-free lighters available for under $20, and Vertigo’s Boxer can be counted among that group. It’s a fairly straightforward, what you see is what you get lighter that works as advertised. As for the angled head, it’s distinctive but far from what I would call revolutionary or game-changing, but at least it is not an unnecessary impediment to lighting a cigar. I’ve tried to make cases both for and against the design, and I find myself generally coming up empty, yet that doesn’t detract from my favorable impression of the Vertigo Boxer, which as I finish this review is being added to my box of go-to lighters.

The lighter used for this review was purchased by halfwheel.