Clipper Metal Electronic Jet Lighter Review

Clipper has been the smoker's lighter of choice for over fifty years, and the Metal Electronic Jet Lighter is one of their best iterations yet. It takes everything that made the original Clipper great — refillable, iconic removable base, wind-resistant flame — and wraps it in a stainless steel body with an electronic piezo ignition and an adjustable torch flame. This isn't your standard corner-shop Clipper; this is the premium upgrade.

Adjustable Torch Flame

The electronic jet flame is adjustable, meaning you can dial it down for a standard soft lighter experience or crank it up for a wind-cutting torch that laughs at breezy outdoor sessions. The stainless steel body feels substantial in the hand — noticeably heavier and tougher than the standard plastic or even basic metal Clippers. The electronic ignition is reliable and crisp, firing up every time without the need for flint replacements. It's also windproof and dustproof, making it ideal for camping, beach sessions, or any less-than-ideal conditions.

Still Has the Packing Tool

That iconic removable base is still here. Pop it off and you've got a perfect tamper for packing a joint, pushing down a bowl, or stirring your grind. It's a feature no other lighter has managed to replicate well. The gift tin is a nice bonus too — keeps the lighter protected and makes it a solid present for fellow smokers. At £8.94 it's more than a basic Clipper, but the build quality, adjustable flame, and electronic ignition make it worth the premium.

Refilling and Maintenance: Keeping the Jet Strong

In our testing, this jet stays crisp as long as you treat it to clean fuel and an occasional bleed. Here's what works: before refilling, turn the flame adjuster to minimum, press the refill valve with a small tool to release trapped air until the hissing stops, then fill with high-purity butane in short bursts with the lighter held upside down. Let it rest for a few minutes so the gas settles before sparking. If the flame weakens or sputters, the cause is almost always trapped air or cheap fuel residue — bleed and refill rather than cranking the adjuster to maximum. Keep the burner nozzle clear of pocket lint with a quick blast of air, and store it out of freezing cars overnight since cold butane vaporises poorly.

Clipper Metal Jet vs Scorch Torch: Which to Buy

The closest rival in our testing is the Scorch Torch at £14.99 — a bigger, hotter single jet built for dab rigs and DynaVaps. Here's the honest split: the Scorch hits harder and its continuous-flame lock is genuinely useful for hands-free heating, but it's bulkier and overkill for lighting joints outdoors. The Clipper Metal Jet is the better everyday carry — slimmer, pocket-friendly, with that packing tool base and a flame you can dial down for normal lighting. If you heat a DynaVap daily, read our DynaVap heating guide and lean Scorch; if you mostly light joints and bowls in all weathers, the Clipper wins. See both ranked in our best torch lighters UK roundup.

Who Should Skip It

Honesty matters here. If you run a dab rig regularly, buy a proper torch like the Blazer GT8000 — this single jet is fine for bowls and joints but underpowered for quartz bangers. If you love the classic soft-flame Clipper ritual and replaceable flints, the electronic ignition here will feel less serviceable long-term. And if you lose lighters constantly, £8.94 stings more than a basic disposable. For everyone else who wants one tough, refillable, windproof everyday lighter, this is the sweet spot.

Clipper Metal Jet FAQ

Is it refillable with standard butane?
Yes. It refills from any standard butane canister with a universal tip. Bleed the tank first, fill upside down in short bursts, and let it settle before use. A can of quality butane costs little and lasts many fills.

Can it handle wind outdoors?
Yes, far better than a soft flame. The jet is properly windproof for beach sessions, campsites, and breezy high streets. Cup your hand around it in genuinely harsh gusts, but normal British wind is no problem at all.

Is it worth £8.94 over a basic Clipper?
In our view, yes if you smoke outdoors. The stainless steel body survives drops and pocket life far better than plastic, the adjustable jet lights in conditions where a soft flame gives up, and the packing tool base stays just as handy. It pays for itself against disposables within a season.