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The best electric fire starter lights charcoal, firewood and fire pits with heat or hot air instead of lighter fluid, matches or newspaper.
We compared 8 electric charcoal starters and arc lighters by heat output, cord length and safety features.
Quick Answer: The Best Electric Fire Starter
- Best Overall: Looftlighter Classic Electric Charcoal Starter & Fire Lighter
- Best Fast Hot-Air Starter: 1500W Electric Charcoal Starter with 10ft Cable
- Best Budget: 600W Electric Charcoal Starter Fire Lighter for BBQ Grill Smoker Fireplace, Firepit, Stove
- Best for Deep Grills: Electric Charcoal Starter for Grill – Mata Leon Premium BBQ Grills Fireplace Tools
- Best Mid-Price: Skyflame Electric Charcoal Starter 600W for Grill, Smoker and Fireplace
- Best Big-Brand Pick: Charbroil Electric Charcoal Starter – CB1250127R6
- Best Arc Lighter for Fireplaces: XTENDR ARCS Extra Long Lighter Extendable to 3.2 Ft, Dual Arc LED Light
- Best Pocket Arc Lighter: SUPRUS Electric Lighter Arc Windproof Flameless USB Rechargeable Lighter with Safety Lock
The Looftlighter Classic Electric Fire Starter is our best electric fire starter overall. The EZUVITA 1500W Electric Fire Starter lights fastest with a long cord, and the WishDirect 600W Electric Fire Starter is the budget pick.
Best Electric Fire Starter Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Looftlighter Classic Electric Charcoal Starter & Fire Lighter | Best Overall | Hot-air electric starter | 1300°F flameless hot air (maker claim) | Check Price |
| 1500W Electric Charcoal Starter with 10ft Cable | Best Fast Hot-Air Starter | Hot-air electric starter | 1500W, 10 ft cable, safety lock, overheat protection | Check Price |
| 600W Electric Charcoal Starter Fire Lighter for BBQ Grill Smoker Fireplace, Firepit, Stove | Best Budget | Element starter | 600W at 120V, 29 in cord, side grip plate | Check Price |
| Electric Charcoal Starter for Grill – Mata Leon Premium BBQ Grills Fireplace Tools | Best for Deep Grills | Element starter | 700W, 304 stainless coils, curved long neck | Check Price |
| Skyflame Electric Charcoal Starter 600W for Grill, Smoker and Fireplace | Best Mid-Price | Element starter | 600W, three-ring element, long handle | Check Price |
| Charbroil Electric Charcoal Starter – CB1250127R6 | Best Big-Brand Pick | Element starter | 550W at 120V, stainless steel | Check Price |
| XTENDR ARCS Extra Long Lighter Extendable to 3.2 Ft, Dual Arc LED Light | Best Arc Lighter for Fireplaces | Extendable arc lighter | Extends to 38 in, dual arc, LED, USB-C | Check Price |
| SUPRUS Electric Lighter Arc Windproof Flameless USB Rechargeable Lighter with Safety Lock | Best Pocket Arc Lighter | USB arc lighter | Flameless arc, safety lock, 4-LED battery display | Check Price |
The 8 Best Electric Fire Starters
Each pick below was compared on heat output, ignition speed, cord or charge, safety features and value.
Looftlighter Classic Electric Charcoal Starter & Fire Lighter
1The Looftlighter Classic blows flameless hot air that Looft rates at about 1300°F, so coals start glowing quickly.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lights coals with superheated air
- No lighter fluid
- Works for grills, pizza ovens and fireplace logs
Cons
- Corded; needs an outlet
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Hot-air electric starter
- Includes: Starter
- Key feature: 1300°F flameless hot air (maker claim)
Looft says a cooking surface is ready in about 5 minutes, and the starter also works for pizza ovens and fireplace logs.
It is the best-known electric fire starter brand.
Check Looftlighter Classic Electric Fire Starter Price on Amazon
1500W Electric Charcoal Starter with 10ft Cable
2The EZUVITA starter combines high heat and airflow at 1500W and comes with a 10 ft cable.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Long 10 ft cable
- Safety lock and overheat shutoff
- Hanging hook for storage
Cons
- High wattage needs a strong circuit
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Hot-air electric starter
- Includes: Starter
- Key feature: 1500W, 10 ft cable, safety lock, overheat protection
A safety lock, overheat protection and a stainless hook for hanging storage are built in.
It is our pick for fast lighting and long reach.
600W Electric Charcoal Starter Fire Lighter for BBQ Grill Smoker Fireplace, Firepit, Stove
3This WishDirect starter uses a 120V, 600W element and a long insulated handle.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 600W heating element
- Metal plate grips the grill side
- Long insulated handle
Cons
- 29 in cord is short
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Element starter
- Includes: Starter
- Key feature: 600W at 120V, 29 in cord, side grip plate
A metal plate grips the side of the grill for hands-free use while coals catch.
It is a popular budget starter.
Electric Charcoal Starter for Grill – Mata Leon Premium BBQ Grills Fireplace Tools
4The Mata Leon starter uses 700W, 304 stainless steel coils with a larger heating area.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 700W larger heat coils
- Curved extra-long neck for deep grills
- 304 stainless steel coils
Cons
- Takes 6–10 minutes (maker claim)
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Element starter
- Includes: Starter
- Key feature: 700W, 304 stainless coils, curved long neck
Its curved, extra-long neck is designed for deep grills, and the maker says coals are ready in about 6–10 minutes.
It is a strong pick for kamado and deep kettle grills.
Check Mata Leon 700W Electric Charcoal Starter Price on Amazon
Skyflame Electric Charcoal Starter 600W for Grill, Smoker and Fireplace
5The Skyflame starter uses a 600W, three-ring element for more coal contact.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Three-ring heat element
- Long handle for deep grills
- Fireplace and wood stove use
Cons
- Corded
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Element starter
- Includes: Starter
- Key feature: 600W, three-ring element, long handle
Its long handle fits deep grills, and Skyflame lists fireplaces, smokers and wood stoves as uses.
It is a well-rounded mid-price pick.
Check Skyflame 600W Electric Charcoal Starter Price on Amazon
Charbroil Electric Charcoal Starter – CB1250127R6
6The Charbroil starter uses a 550W heating element made of heavy-duty stainless steel.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heavy-duty stainless steel
- Heat-resistant, anti-slip handle
- Works with an extension cord (maker note)
Cons
- Lower wattage than some
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Element starter
- Includes: Starter
- Key feature: 550W at 120V, stainless steel
Charbroil notes it can be used with an extension cord and stores easily between cookouts.
It is a simple pick from a big grill brand.
XTENDR ARCS Extra Long Lighter Extendable to 3.2 Ft, Dual Arc LED Light
7The XTENDR ARCS V3 telescopes to 38 inches, so your hand stays far from the fire.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extends to 38 inches
- Battery indicator and ignition counter
- USB-C fast charging
Cons
- Rigid body
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Extendable arc lighter
- Includes: Lighter
- Key feature: Extends to 38 in, dual arc, LED, USB-C
It has a dual plasma arc, a forward LED, a battery indicator and USB-C charging.
It is our pick for fireplaces and fire pits.
Check XTENDR ARCS 3.2 ft Extendable Arc Lighter Price on Amazon
SUPRUS Electric Lighter Arc Windproof Flameless USB Rechargeable Lighter with Safety Lock
8The SUPRUS arc lighter uses a flameless plasma arc that wind does not blow out.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wind and splash resistant arc
- Safety lock and auto power-off
- Battery level display
Cons
- Not for lighting a full coal pile alone
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: USB arc lighter
- Includes: Lighter + USB cable
- Key feature: Flameless arc, safety lock, 4-LED battery display
It has a safety lock, auto power-off and a 4-LED battery display, and it charges by USB.
It is a handy companion for lighting kindling and candles.
How We Chose the Best Electric Fire Starter
To choose the best electric fire starter, we compared popular electric charcoal starters, arc lighters and grill-side accessories on Amazon by heat output, ignition method, cord length, safety features and owner feedback.
CDC warns that burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide, so never burn charcoal indoors; see the CDC carbon monoxide poisoning basics.
Product details in this guide are based on manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: Choosing an Electric Fire Starter
Keep these points in mind before you buy.
Element, hot air or arc lighter
Element starters sit in the coal pile; hot-air starters like the Looftlighter blow superheated air; USB arc lighters are better for kindling, fire starter cubes and candles than a full coal pile.
Wattage and speed
Listed electric starters run from about 550W to 1,500W. More watts usually means faster lighting, and makers quote a few minutes to about 10 minutes.
Cord length and outlets
Built-in cords run from about 29 inches to 10 feet. If you need more reach, use a heavy outdoor-rated cord, such as a 14-gauge SJTW cord rated for 15 amps.
Fireplaces and fire pits
Many electric starters also light firewood in fireplaces, fire pits and wood stoves; check the maker’s list of uses.
Use it safely
Let the element cool on a non-flammable surface, keep it away from kids and pets, and never burn charcoal indoors: CDC warns burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide.
Storage and mounting
Hang a starter on a hook only after it cools, or keep it in a case away from rain.
Fire Starter Tips
Light coals the easy way:
- Pile coals around the element.
- Unplug once coals glow.
- Cool it on a non-flammable surface.
- Never burn charcoal indoors.
Quick answers about the best electric fire starter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best electric fire starter?
The best electric fire starter is the Looftlighter Classic, with the EZUVITA 1500W for speed and the WishDirect 600W for tight budgets.
How long does an electric starter take?
Makers quote from a few minutes to about 10 minutes.
Can I use one in a fireplace?
Many makers list fireplaces and fire pits; check the manual.
Do I need lighter fluid?
No, electric starters replace lighter fluid.
Is charcoal safe indoors?
No; CDC warns burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best electric fire starter is the Looftlighter Classic Electric Fire Starter. Choose the EZUVITA 1500W Electric Fire Starter if you want fast lighting, or the WishDirect 600W Electric Fire Starter for tight budgets.
Related Guides
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Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
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