Clipper vs Zippo: which one is your match?
Both are icons, but they serve completely different users. We compare Zippo and Clipper side by side on flame, refillability, design and price, so you will know in two minutes which one suits you.
Flame & wind resistance
Zippo: a soft, wide flame that stays lit even in strong wind thanks to its deep case and wind hood. Clipper: a shorter, harder flame that is less wind-resistant in the standard version, but the Jet and Turbo models produce a blue jet flame that can even handle a cigar. For pipe smoking: Zippo. For cigarettes on a terrace: Clipper Jet.
Refillability
Both are refillable, but in different ways. Zippo runs on liquid naphtha: you refill the cotton from the top and replace the flint and wick separately. Clipper runs on butane gas: you refill it from the bottom through a valve, done in 15 seconds. Clipper is quicker, Zippo feels more like a ritual.
Design & feel
Zippo is metal, clicks open with an audible 'tink', feels heavy in your hand and makes a statement. Clipper is plastic or metal, has a rounded shape, fits in any pocket, and its removable poker (flint holder) is handy for pipe smokers. A Zippo is something you own; a Clipper is something you use.
Which one suits you?
Choose Zippo if you want something that lasts for decades, tells a story and comes with a lifetime warranty. Choose Clipper if you want a small, quick-to-refill lighter for everyday use for about ten euros. Many smokers actually have both: the Zippo for the evening, the Clipper for the car.