When your first product is one of the most innovative and straight-up coolest gadgets on the market, what do you do for an encore? That’s the problem Looft faced after the launch of the Looftlighter 1.
How does the new Looft on the block measure up? We’ve got the answer below in our hands-on Looftlighter X review, including pros, cons, full specs, and if we’re happy to recommend it.
Recently, Looft was kind enough to send me a sample of their second product, the Looft Air Lighter X. To be clear right up front, it was sent to me free of charge in exchange for a review. Having said that, this will be an honest, unbiased test and assessment. I am not about to waste anyone’s money — or risk my credibility — by recommending something I wouldn’t buy myself.
So, with that in mind, let’s jump into my review of the Looft Air Lighter X. I’ll cover all the specs you need to know, share my thoughts on how it performs, some pros and cons, and my opinion on who it’s best for if anyone, and whether it’s worth the money.
Let’s light this candle!
Jump to:
Ratings and Final Verdict
Having put the Looft Lighter X to the test, I can honestly say it’s a good bit of kit that heats up fast and lights my charcoal without the need for any lighters, matches, starters, or chemicals. It basically does what it says on the tin and does it well.
The cordless battery operation means I can use it far from any power source, which is handy for me as I have so many grills and smokers scattered all around my garden, and I don’t like to move them often or run power cords unless I have to.
I have taken it camping once, but I found it too big and bulky for that. Yes, it is portable and works well, but a box of matches and a handful of wood wool and wax firelighters is much smaller and packable, so I won’t take it again. Your opinion may vary.
In my tests, I also found I could only light 3 or 4 charcoal fires between charges. I would have hoped for more. However, it charges quickly in 2 hours so when I’m at home, this is a non-thing and does away with the hassle of using traditional lighters or the limited reach of cords.
All in all, while it’s true that it comes at a higher price point than I expected, and the size took some getting used to, the convenience of cordless operation and the speed at which I can get my grill going are unmatched. Plus, I really do have fun using it!
So, for those of you who love BBQ gadgets like I do or who value speed and eco-friendliness and are willing to pay for it, the Looftlighter X lighter is definitely worth considering. It’s a well-built device that delivers on its promises.
Pros
- Cordless, so not tied to a power outlet.
- Eco-friendly.
- Faster than using standard electric starters or matches/butane lighters and starter cubes.
- Can be used anywhere.
- Charges quickly.
- Looks cool and is really fun to use!
- ‘Air mode’ is useful for fanning flames of a dying fire, or really stoking a small fire when you want it raging.
Cons
- Need to watch out for the hot end between uses.
- Price is steep compared to other lighting methods.
- On high power, the fan may blow embers and bits of burning paper where you don’t want them.
Who is the Looft Air Lighter X Best Suited to?
First, you have to be someone who grills with wood and charcoal or lights a lot of wood fires in a fireplace or fire pit. Gas grillers need not apply!
Next, people who frequently grill or build fires far from any power supplies might find the Looft Air Lighter X handy. If your grill is on the deck right out back of your home, you probably have easy access to an outlet. But, if you have a smoker, pizza oven, or fire pit way in the back of your yard, this is a better option than connecting a bunch of extension cords.
And it’s suited to campers and people who go off-grid. A fully-charged battery should allow you to light several fires during your trip. Bringing the Looft Air Lighter X is an excellent alternative to carrying matches, which are not always reliable, and fire starter material.
The Looft Air Lighter X is a portable, battery-operated fire starter that can be used to light charcoal or wood fires in 1 to 3 minutes, using super-heated air up to 600 °C / 1200 °F.
It replaces traditional firelighters with a safe and friendly way to start your fires while being eco-friendly and ‘clean.’ It also looks super cool and is fun to use!
Our Ratings Explained
This is how we scored the Looft Air Lighter X, where it won and lost points in our ratings:
Design and Build Quality
When I first got my hands on the Looft Air Lighter X, I was impressed with its sleek, modern look and solid feel. It’s obvious that a lot of thought went into its design and the materials used. The replaceable heat shield and wire mesh are great forward-thinking features, knowing this piece has a chance of melting with misuse, so making it easily replaceable tells me that this lighter is built to last.
But it’s a bit on the larger side, which makes me think twice about calling it “portable.” I’ve seen and used quite a few fire starters, and while the Looft Lighter X stands out for its design, could its size be a bit smaller for easier handling and portability?
Score: 8/10.
Ease of Use
Right away, I have to say this cordless is way better than the version 1, making it a lot easier to use without worrying about a cord. On top of this, use is incredibly simple. The instructions are clear, the buttons easy to reach and press, there’s not a lot to it, and it works as it should. It couldn’t be easier, really, and it’s definitely easier to use than messing around with matches or a lighter and lighter cubes.
Score: 10/10.
Speed and Efficiency
I was genuinely impressed with how quickly I could get my charcoal going with the Looft Air Lighter X. Lighting up charcoal in just a few minutes without any solid starters is fantastic. However, starting a pure wood fire took me a lot longer. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to keep in mind. Compared to traditional methods, the Looft Lighter X is a speed demon, though there’s a bit of variation depending on what you’re trying to light.
Score: 9/10.
Battery Life and Charging
It takes 2 hours to charge, and I found it would light 3 or 4 charcoal fires before the battery ran out. This is a shorter battery life than I’d hoped for, and it means having to charge it more often than I’d like. However, charging is easy by simply placing it back in its stand. But yes, if you’re planning back-to-back uses, the battery life might be a bit limiting. It holds its own against other battery-operated gadgets, but I wish it lasted a bit longer between charges.
Score: 8/10.
Portability
One of the big highlights of the market positioning for me was the idea of taking the Looft Lighter X anywhere. And while it’s true that it’s cordless and more portable than a corded model, its size and weight are something to consider if you’re considering packing it for a camping trip. It’s handy for moving around the yard or taking to a friend’s house, but it might not be the first thing you grab if you’re tight on space and traveling.
Score: 8/10.
Price and Value for Money
At nearly $300, the Looft Lighter X is an investment. It works very well and offers a cleaner, more eco-friendly way to light fires, which I love. But when I compare it to other options out there, the price tag feels steep, especially for casual grillers. I’ve not done the maths, but you can buy A LOT of solid starters and matches for that price. But if you grill, say, 5 times a week or more, using it regularly in different settings, you will probably break even over 2 or 3 years of use compared to buying lighters, so you might find value in it, but it’s worth weighing your options.
Score: 7/10.
What is the Looft Air Lighter X?
The Looft Air Lighter X is a high-tech alternative to matches, butane lighters, and electric charcoal starters for starting and building a fire. It’s a two-stage lighter, with the initial ‘lighting mode’ using super-heated air to start a fire and a second mode used to ‘fan the flames’ by blowing air at it.
Whether you want a fire for warmth, ambiance, or to cook over (the best use of a fire), your flammable material won’t light itself.
Not so much a successor to the original Looft Lighter I as it is a portable version, the Looftlighter X is a battery-operated fire starter that works with almost any flammable medium. It made sense to address the most limiting aspect of the original Looft Lighter, the power cord. Even at nearly 10 feet long, it still restricted the operating range to a fairly short distance from your house or another source of electricity.
The Looft Air Lighter X does away with the plug, replacing it with a rechargeable 36V Li-Ion battery pack. Despite cutting the cord, it supposedly operates to the same specifications as the first generation.
What Can it Be Used for?
For myself, the main reason to own a Looft Lighter is to start my charcoal burning in a kettle grill, hibachi, or kamado. It works as advertised, so is much easier and faster than lighting starter cubes with long matches or a butane lighter, and less toxic and food-destroying than soaking everything in lighter fluid.
It works almost equally well with lump charcoal and briquettes.
Sticking with cooking, you can also use it to light wood chunks in a smoker or pizza oven. You might use it on pellets or wood chips in a smoker box, though this could be overkill.
Additionally, you can use a Looft Air Lighter X to light a fire anywhere you care to enjoy, such as a fire pit, chiminea, or household fireplace.
The beauty of the Looft Air Lighter X is that you can use it anywhere. Is your backyard firepit far from your house and the power outlets? No worries. Are you heading to the beach or doing some off-grid camping? You’re good to go — provided the battery is charged first.
Manufacturer Specs
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 17” x 4” x 4”
- Weight: 2 pounds w/o battery pack; 3 pounds w/battery
- Battery Type: 36V Li-Ion, 200mAh, 72WH
- Charger Cord: 4’2”
- Max Temp: 1200°F
Why Trust Our Review?
Most importantly, I own and actively use the Looft Lighter X, allowing me to share insights from a position of direct experience. And my extensive background and expertise in BBQ since 2005 means I have lit thousands of fires using all sorts of solid fuels, electric starters, gas torches, and more. So I have a good grasp of competing and alternative products I can compare against.
I also did a ton of research before writing this review, reading other expert reviews and feedback from users at online retailers, social media discussions, and discussions in BBQ forums, so I had a well-rounded and informed view before going into my testing.
Finally, I have been testing and reviewing equipment full-time for this site since 2017. I pride myself on being independent and having no ties to any brand or company, so I keep my reviews and recommendations fair and free from bias or favoritism.
The Looft Air Lighter X is a portable, battery-operated fire starter that can be used to light charcoal or wood fires in 1 to 3 minutes, using super-heated air up to 600 °C / 1200 °F.
It replaces traditional firelighters with a safe and friendly way to start your fires while being eco-friendly and ‘clean.’ It also looks super cool and is fun to use!
Hands-on Review and Test Results
Here is where I get hands on with this firelighter, look at every detail, use it to light some fires, and report on everything I find.
Unboxing and Assembly
Gotta love cracking open a brand-new gadget! Here’s what to expect when your new Looft Air Lighter X arrives.
What’s in the Box?
Opening the box reveals a battery pack, charger base, the Looft Air Lighter X itself, a Quick Start Guide, and your Operator’s Manual.
Ease of Assembly
There’s no assembly required, and no tools are required to put it together. All you have to do is snap the battery pack into place, and then you’re ready to light up. It couldn’t be easier.
First Impressions
When you see the Looft Air Lighter X on the product page, it’s hard to get a sense of how big it is. When you see it in my rather average-sized hands, you get a clearer picture; it’s not small!
It’s nearly a foot and a half long and weighs about three pounds with the battery attached.
I like the look of the Looft Air Lighter X; it’s sleek and modern, more so than the original Looft Lighter, which looks much like a large curling iron. The integrated handle creates a hole in the center of the unit’s body, and it feels ergonomic enough, and you won’t need a large hand to grip it.
There are just three buttons on the Looft Air Lighter X — On/Off, Burn, and Air — so I don’t think it’ll take long to figure out the operation.
There’s also a battery release button, but that’s a mechanical function, so I won’t include that as a ‘button.’
This is very simple to operate if you need to. However, as I only have the single battery and can stand the Looft Air Lighter X complete into the charging dock, I never have the need to remove the battery. You may wish to if you get into buying spares, so you always have a charged battery ready to go.
Charging the battery pack is as simple as sitting the Looft Air Lighter X on the base, and there’s an LED indicator on the battery so you can tell the charge level at a glance.
Overall Build Quality
The fit and finish of the Looft Air Lighter X is excellent. It looks even better than the original Looft Lighter I, and it’s already in its second generation; gen 1 Looft Air Lighter X was a little bit slower, so I understand.
The plastic main body is solid and durable, and the battery locks in securely. It feels equally secure when it’s sitting in the charging dock.
Another nice touch is the heat shield at the end of the gun, the wire mesh that comes into contact with the embers during use is removable and replaceable. This part can eventually burn through if left in fires too often, so it’s good that they recognize this and built in an easy way to replace it.
How to Use the Lighter X
To get the real measure of the gadget, you have to put it to use. So, I headed to the backyard to light some fires, and I have used it MANY times since.
So how do you use the Looftlighter X?
- Arrange your charcoal or wood as you usually would.
- Turn on the Looft Air Lighter X by pressing and holding the power button for three seconds. The Burn and Air buttons will light up white to show that the unit is in standby mode.
- Look for smaller pieces of charcoal near the center of your pile and touch the tip of the Looft Air Lighter X to them. If you’re lighting wood, touch the Looft Air Lighter X to any smaller pieces or kindling.
- Press the Burn button (the one with the flame icon) to activate the heating element and start a gentle airflow. Maintain contact, and you’ll see sparks forming within seconds. After 15 seconds, the fan speed automatically increases.
- When the charcoal starts to glow at the point of contact, pull the Lighter back 1–2 inches, but keep aiming at the same spot. You’ll see the glow spread as other pieces combust.
You could stop at this point and just let the wood or charcoal do its own thing. But why? Instead, wait a bit!
60 seconds after first turning on, the air goes into boost mode to inject oxygen, fire’s fuel, at high speed to really get things moving. The heating element turns off at this point.
Pull back a little more when most of the wood or charcoal is burning to spread the flames further. Pretty soon, your wood will be ablaze, or your charcoal will grey over and be ready for grilling.
Incidentally, you can press the Air button anytime to enter boost mode as needed. This could be useful for stoking a dying fire or if you’re just impatient.
Lighting a Charcoal Fire
I neatly arranged my natural lumpwood charcoal in a heaped pile, with smaller pieces in the center that I could easily reach with the hot tip of the Looft Air Lighter X heat gun.
I turned the Looft Air Lighter X on, placed the tip onto the coals, and started the ‘burn mode’ for lighting. Holding it on the coals, it started creating sparks and a small lit area within about 30s, though I find you really do need to keep it there for about 90s, otherwise, the glowing embers are just too small.
At this point, I now had some nicely glowing embers, so I pulled back slightly and pressed the second button to switch to ‘air mode.’
In this mode, the Looft Lighter simply blows unheated air at high speed from its end to oxygenate the fire and fan it.
I found I needed to keep blowing the fire in this manner for a good 3 to 4 minutes to get it sufficiently lit. This gives a total lighting time of 4 to 5 minutes.
Overall, it works well. It is easy, clean, and fun to use (if you like this kind of thing…which I do.) And I really enjoy using it.
Lighting a Wood Fire
In all fairness, I found it a bit of a struggle to light a PURE wood fire with the Looft Air Lighter X. I managed it, but it took some time. As an estimate, using standard-sized kiln dried kindling, it took two goes of the 2-minute ‘burn mode’ to get a decent ember and then a few minutes of ‘air mode’ to get a fire going.
This pretty much empties the battery, so I would recommend doing either one of two things instead:
- Chop up your kindling into very small pieces that will light far faster. Or…
- Use Looft Lighter to light some paper, that in turn will light the kindling.
I ALWAYS go for option 2 myself now.
To light a wood fire, I simply scrunch up 3 or 4 pieces of newspaper, place a handful of kindling on top, then use the ‘burn mode’ to light the paper. Within as little as 30s, the paper ignites, which in turn ignites the kindling.
Once the kindling is lit, use the ‘air mode’ to really fan the flames, and get a raging fire within 3 to 4 minutes.
Again, I’d say this works well, and I often use this way to light my wood fires now.
Charging
To charge the Looft Air Lighter X, you simply stand it upright into the supplied charging block, where it sits securely while it charges.
The charging block has a little ring light that slowly dims and lights up to show the device is charging and stays solid to show when fully charged.
On the Looft Air Lighter X itself, there are LEDs to show the charge status at a glance too.
So I found charging incredibly easy and straightforward.
Battery Life and Charge Time
You’ll need about 2 hours to charge an empty battery fully. Of course, you don’t have to wait that long to use the Looft Air Lighter X if you’re in a rush. The best thing to do is just leave it on the charger all the time, so you know it’s ready whenever you need it.
Results will vary, but you can expect to start 3 or 4 charcoal or wood fires on a full battery. Of course, this will really depend on what you’re lighting and how difficult it is to ignite.
For example, if you’re always lighting paper and kindling, you should get 10 starts easily. But, if you’re working with larger pieces of wood or charcoal, you will get 3 or 4, particularly if it’s cold or there’s any moisture present.
What do Others Say?
At the time of writing, this is what the Looft Air Lighter scored at major online retailers:
- looft.com: 4.5/5 from 71 reviews.
- williams-sonoma.com: 4.5/5 from 58 reviews.
The review of the Looft Lighter X by The Barbecue Lab is highly positive. They praise its convenience, portability, ease of use, and eco-friendly approach to lighting fires. The reviewer appreciates the tool’s design features, such as its vertical standing capability for safety, detachable heat shield for durability, and the fact it’s battery-powered, eliminating the need for a power cable.
However, the review also acknowledges a significant drawback: the price. At $299, the Looft Lighter X is considered expensive, potentially putting it out of reach for many users. Despite this, the review concludes that the Looft Lighter X offers unparalleled convenience and efficiency in starting fires for those who can afford it.
Warranty and Support
The Looft Air Lighter X comes with a 2-year warranty against defects. That’s a little disappointing, considering the Looft Lighter I comes with 3 years. It’s like an open admission that the X is more complex and hence more likely to have trouble. I wouldn’t call that a deal-breaker, but it’s something to note. The good news is, it’s a replacement warranty.
There is a small FAQ section on the Looft website, and you can access how-to videos and download the manuals. You’ll find helpful tips, too, for use and maintenance.
You may find that, over time, the aluminum heat shield tarnishes. If you’re not careful, you might even melt it. Fortunately, you can buy a replacement shield from the online shop.
Incidentally, you can also buy another battery from Looft. If you expect to spend long periods of time far away from electricity frequently, you might appreciate heading out with two charged batteries. And I definitely recommend buying the carrying case to protect your investment between uses.
A Recap of Our Findings
When I first saw the original Looftlighter, I thought it was brilliant. And when I got one for myself and tried it out, I knew it was brilliant. I’ve lit many fires with my Looft Lighter I and I love it. Consequently, I had high hopes for the Looft Air Lighter X.
But, do I recommend it?
What We Like
It works just as well as the original, if not even better. It’s every bit as powerful and fast, looks terrific, and is easy to use. Easier, in fact, than the original since there is no cord to worry about and the ignition process is automated. In a nutshell, I loved using the Looft Air Lighter X.
Naturally, we like being able to use it anywhere, and not just anywhere we can plug in. It’s a little heavy, but the handle is nicely engineered for balance and comfort, and it’s easy to grip.
Operation is straightforward, with clearly labeled buttons right where your fingers can reach them. Notably, the power button is on the underside of the handle, making it virtually impossible to turn it on in transit accidentally.
Charging the battery is a breeze; the Looft Air Lighter X sits neatly in the charging dock, and the LED indicator shows you when it’s time to charge up. The charger features a wind-up cord, making it easier to store between uses.
The Looft Air Lighter X doesn’t skimp on power, heating up to nearly 1200 °F to light up your kindling, charcoal, newspaper, etc.
There’s no ‘waste’ or mess. None of the packaging, lighters, matches, or anything typically required to light a fire. So it’s a ‘clean’ and eco-friendly way of lighting fires.
What Could Be Improved
It is somewhat large. If you think about how small a gas lighter and a few lighter cubes are compared to this, it rather takes away from it being ‘portable.’
I only managed 2 or 3 uses between charges and would like more. The manual states you can use it ‘up to 10 times’. This is based on ‘optimal use.’ I guess mileage may vary, but it took me 3 to 5 minutes each time to light a charcoal fire, not the 2 minutes or less they state.
Do We Recommend this Product?
Here’s the thing: it works fabulously well, so, from a functionality standpoint, I absolutely recommend the Looft Air Lighter X. However, it is very expensive; at the time of writing, it was more than four times the price of the Looft Lighter I. So, to really get your money’s worth out of this purchase, you need to be lighting many fires in places without electricity.
The average home barbecue, smoker, or campfire enthusiast is probably better off spending less money on the Looft Lighter I. It’s a fantastic bit of gear and I highly recommend it, especially for charcoal users.
However, if you’re into wilderness adventures or your backyard is big, then the Looft Air Lighter X could be a real asset. You’ll be happy with your purchase if you don’t mind the money spent.
The Looft Air Lighter X is a portable, battery-operated fire starter that can be used to light charcoal or wood fires in 1 to 3 minutes, using super-heated air up to 600 °C / 1200 °F.
It replaces traditional firelighters with a safe and friendly way to start your fires while being eco-friendly and ‘clean.’ It also looks super cool and is fun to use!
Comparing Looft Air Lighter X to the Original Looft Lighter I
The biggest difference is the original Looft Lighter I is corded, and the X is battery-powered and cord-free. If you wish to light a fire camping, fishing, or anywhere away from home, then it’s unlikely you will have a power source to plug into, so the X is a massive improvement.
The Looftlighter X is larger and heavier, but it’s not cumbersome or hard to hold and use, so this is basically a non-point.
When it comes to use — and I do own both the original Looftlighter and the X — they are pretty much the same, lighting fires in a similar time frame, with pretty much identical use.
The biggest difference between the two, though, is the price. At the time of writing, the Looftlighter I is approximately $70, and the Looft Air Lighter X is roughly $300. This is a big difference, but it’s to be expected for newer, cordless, battery-powered tech.
Thanks for Reading
Thanks for checking out our Looft Air Lighter X review. If you have any unanswered questions about this or any product we’ve reviewed, please reach out through the comment form below. We’ll be happy to help!
Happy grilling!
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