This $16 rechargeable lighter doesn't require a flame to light your candles, making it safer and more reliable

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• Fed up with the waste and lack of reliability of fluid lighters and matches, I sought out a more sustainable and effective way to light my candles. 
• I discovered USB-rechargeable arc lighters, which create an electrical "arc" that's hotter than an open flame and can be used over and over again. 
• The Ronxs USB rechargeable lighter ($10.99) contains 500 ignitions in one full charge.
• It features a long, flexible neck to reach into various openings and a child safety lock so you can light your candles (and anything else that requires a fire) with peace of mind. 

Thanks no doubt to my growing tendency towards creating comforting rituals and the influence of two candle-obsessed editors on my team, my candle collection has grown significantly in the last year. With it, so too has my pile of used fluid lighters and matches. 

In an effort to cut down on waste, not to mention the frustration of dealing with finicky lighters and matches, I started looking for effective, affordable, and sustainable alternatives. And behold, the world of rechargeable, electric arc lighters revealed itself to me. 

Rechargeable candle lighters are preferable to traditional lighters and matches for a few reasons. They're more reliable and efficient, safer, and less wasteful. 

How does a rechargeable arc lighter work? 

Instead of using fluid or friction to start a flame, these lighters, which contain a lithium ion battery, create a small electrical "arc" that's much hotter than an open flame. To ignite it and light your candle, all you do is hold down the button — you'll hear a kind of high-pitched zapping noise and see a bright line of light at the head of the lighter — and lower it to the candle wick. Your candle should light immediately. 

Since it's hotter than an open flame, it lights your candle faster. The lack of open flame also means you can light things even under windy conditions, making it perfect for outdoor needs.  

Ultimately, I landed on one with solid reviews, priced at a very reasonable $10.99: the Ronxs USB rechargeable candle lighter. 

This lightweight device has a long, flexible neck and a handle with a child safety lock, USB charging port, on/off switch button, and hook. 

After charging it fully (it comes with a USB charging cable), which takes up to a few hours, it's ready to use. The safety lock solves the worrisome issue of children playing with matches, but once unlocked, the straightforward button mechanism makes the lighter easy to immediately use. 

The flexible neck can be rotated in any direction or configuration, keeping your fingers safe and allowing you to even light things upside down. No matter the shape or depth of my candle, this smart, safe design could handle it. 

With one full charge, the lighter can deliver 500 ignitions. This is already higher than traditional lighters, but the beauty is that you can get your next 500 simply with a recharging session. While a four-pack of Bic fluid lighters is a few dollars cheaper than this Ronxs lighter, they're not refillable or reusable, resulting in both plastic and financial waste.

Compared to other lighting methods, a rechargeable arc lighter is also more reliable. Fluid lighters can go mysteriously kaput for no real reason or take multiple tries to ignite, while poor quality matches or poor match striking form are another battle to fight. My Ronxs rechargeable lighter does its job every time with a satisfying consistency. 

The bottom line 

I wish I had bought the Ronxs rechargeable lighter earlier because it would've meant less waste, less frustration, and more time spent basking in the warm glow of my candles. I'm glad I finally have this efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional lighters in my possession now. Based on how quickly I'm tearing through my candles, you can tell it's being put to good use. 

Shop the Ronxs USB Rechargeable Lighter for $10.99 at Amazon here