Best Flamethrowers | Compared & Reviewed
The military may not use them anymore, but flamethrowers haven’t gone anywhere. Over the years, they’ve been upgraded to attach to your rifle, strap to a drone, or even mount to a robot dog. Whether you’re battling a zombie swarm, a controlled agricultural burn, or a wasp nest, having the best flamethrower around by your side can come in handy.
There are many options to consider when it comes to flamethrowers: fuel type, range, capacity, etc. This is where I come in. I’m an avid survivalist, prepper, and firearm enthusiast, and I’ve been reviewing flamethrowers for years. I also lean on both my military and engineering backgrounds to evaluate them.
My top recommendation is for the Pulsefire LRT, a great stand-alone flamethrower from Exothermic that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
The Dutywand Torch Gun is a great budget option that is similar to The Boring Company’s “Not a Flamethrower” at a tenth of the price. I also share the best flamethrower attachment for your rifle.
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Our latest update of the best flamethrowers features new recommendations and more pictures.
Best Flamethrower
Pulsefire LRT
Huge Range, Powerful, and Versatile
Best For: Large Burns, Shock & Awe
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Palmetto State Armory.
The LRT model of the Exothermic Pulsefire is a stand-alone model with plenty of range and capacity at a relatively affordable price.
Specifications
- Body: Powder-coated aluminum
- Range: 25 feet
- Fuel: Gasoline/diesel
- Capacity: 0.35 gallons (more with optional attachments)
- Fire Time: 20 seconds
- Ignition: Rechargeable lithium-ion electric spark
- Size: 8.5″ W x 10″ H x 25.7″ L
- Weight: 6 pounds
You can use the Pulsefire Backpack Kit to add 3.3 gallons of fuel capacity and increase your firing time to over 4 minutes. This makes it much more practical than traditional backpack flamethrowers that discharge their tanks in mere seconds. Bundling the two together still costs less than $1K, making it a much cheaper option than the traditional models as well.
The main drawback is the 25-foot range. This is nowhere near the furthest a flamethrower can shoot, with the M2-2 models from WWII spewing as far as 130 feet in 6 seconds. This is where practical use comes in; you’ll rarely need that range, and you would have to use several gallons of fuel in seconds to get there. Those worked to clear bunkers from the outside, but there are better options in the modern era.
With great power and respectable range at a modest price, it’s easy to see why the Exothermic Pulsefire LRT Flamethrower is at the top.
Best Budget Flamethrower
Dutywand Torch
Widely Available, Lightweight, and Inexpensive
Best For: Household Use
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Add a stock and forward handle to a propane torch, and you have yourself a budget short-distance flamethrower. Technically, it doesn’t spew liquid since it’s burning propane before it exits the barrel, but it still projects a few feet of flame when you turn the knob all the way up.
Specifications
- Body: Steel/plastic
- Range: 2 feet
- Fuel: Propane
- Capacity: Based on the propane bottle
- Fire Time: 45 minutes with a 1-lb propane cylinder
- Ignition: Friction
- Size: 2.3″ W x 7.5″ H x 24″ L
- Weight: 2.0 pounds
The horizontal orientation and pistol grip style make this torch look like a flamethrower, which can be good enough on a budget. I’ve used it to kill weeds on my stone pathway, to start campfires, and to generally show off to my friends- all overlapping with traditional flamethrower functions.
It pops apart into two pieces (the stock comes off) so you can pack it away easily.
If you want to do almost everything a traditional flamethrower can do, but without the flamethrower price or restrictions, pick up a Dutywand Propane Torch Gun.
Best Flamethrower Attachment
Pulsefire UBF
Lightweight, Compact, and Effective
Best For: Weapon Platforms
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Palmetto State Armory.
Exothermic keeps their flamethrowers simple and versatile. The UBF is the go-to for weapon attachment, with plenty of standalone versatility too. Slide the handle off, and it’s ready to mount to a MIL-STD-1913 common picatinny rail. This makes it a serious upgrade to any platform.
Specifications
- Body: Powder-coated aluminum
- Range: 25 feet
- Fuel: Gasoline/diesel
- Capacity: 0.25 gallons (more with optional attachments)
- Fire Time: 20 seconds
- Ignition: Rechargeable lithium-ion electric spark
- Size: 5″ W x 9″ H x 16″ L
- Weight: 6 pounds
The versatility of the UBF is really where it shines, and it goes beyond being a stand-alone or weapon attachment. It can also use the backpack attachment, extending its firing time drastically.
It does weigh a bit more than an underbarrel flare or grenade launcher (like the M203), but the 8 pounds (when filled) isn’t especially unwieldy for the additional functionality. Plus, I’m unaware of any flamethrower attachment like it, so it is what it is.
If you are looking for an underbarrel flamethrower, you can’t go wrong with the Pulsefire UBF.
Comparison Table
| Flamethrower | Recommendation | Price* | Range | Fire Time | Empty Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exothermic Pulsefire LRT | Best Overall | $690 | 25′ | 27 seconds | 6.0 lbs |
| Dutywand Torch | Best for Budgets | $40 | 2′ | 45 mins | 2.2 lbs |
| Exothermic Pulsefire UBF | Best Weapon Attachment | $600 | 25′ | 20 seconds | 6.0 lbs |
| Koackl Torch | $66 | 2′ | 45 mins | 1.9 lbs | |
| The Boring Company | $500 | 6′ | 30 mins | 3.0 lbs | |
| Throwflame ARC | $599 | 30′ | 30 seconds | 6.0 lbs | |
| Throwflame ARC Pro | $899 | 30′ | 30 seconds | 6.0 lbs | |
| Throwflame TF-19 WASP G2 Drone | $1,600 | 30′ | 100 seconds | 5.1 lbs | |
| Throwflame X15 | $1,699 | 50′ | 60 seconds | 42.0 lbs | |
| Throwflame X18 G2 | $3,350 | 110′ | 7 minutes | 45.0 lbs | |
| US WW2 M2-2 | $5,000 | 130′ | 7 seconds | 45.0 lbs | |
| Throwflame Thermonator Dog Robot | $9,420 | 30′ | 30 seconds | 37.0 lbs |
How I Compared
First, I scoured manufacturing specs to find all of the available flamethrowers civilians can buy. Even including rifle-style propane torches popularized by Elon Musk’s Boring Company stunt, there are not that many brands making flamethrowers.
I collated the data into a comparison table to be able to evaluate what the best value is for most people. Fuel type, range, capacity, and versatility all factor into finding the best model, and price scales quickly as those improve.
Flamethrower vs. Torch
A torch ignites gas (butane or propane), whereas a traditional flamethrower projects and ignites gasoline, diesel, and/or napalm (usually a mix). Torches are meant to light fires or cut within a short distance.
Flamethrowers stream fuel over medium to long distances, and the flames stick to the target area. A butane torch is sometimes used to keep a pilot light at the end of full-size flamethrowers.
The range of short-range ‘flamethrowers’ (like the Boring Company’s ‘Not a Flamethrower’) makes some consider them (like the state of California) not to be a flamethrower because their range is less than 10 feet.
What to Look For
We hinted at it above, but the best flamethrower has several important features to look for:
- Value
- Fuel Type
- Capacity
- Range
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a flamethrower that is a blast to use and is versatile for many jobs. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the flamethrowers that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a flamethrower shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. The range of prices makes selecting one easy, especially if you temper your expectations on range and capacity on the cheaper models.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a niche tool with a specific purpose. It’s better to diversify your tools to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios, but (of course) having a flamethrower on hand is pretty cool.
Fuel Type
Being able to use gasoline, diesel, or a napalm mix is actually one of the defining features of a flamethrower. Anything powered by other fuel, like propane or butane, is just a glorified lighter.
Our picks use gasoline at the least, and they are most effective when using a gas/diesel/napalm blend. Each manufacturer recommends a different blend to get the most range and effectiveness out of the thrower.
Capacity
Typical flamethrower capacity ranges between 1/2 gallon and 3 1/2 gallons of liquid fuel (gasoline and diesel, as we discussed above). This can be modified to use more accessories, like hoses, backpacks, and larger fuel tanks.
The capacity of a flamethrower affects its weight and firing time. The latter is also dependent on the gallons per second it can shoot. In our top pick, it adds significant power and range.
Range
The range of a flamethrower is a defining feature of flamethrowers, along with the fuel it uses. Notably, California considers a liquid fuel ignited over 10 feet to be a flamethrower device.
Most flamethrowers have a range between 25 and 35 feet.
Versatility
Versatility in flamethrowers has really taken off over the last decade, with range adjustment knobs and more compact versions being developed to attach to weapon platforms and even drones.
Their size and weight can limit their versatility, though, since larger flamethrowers can be tougher to transport and use for longer periods of time without backpack support.
Are Flamethrowers Legal?
Flamethrowers are legal in most states in the US except for:
- Maryland – This state has a full ban on flamethrowers with a $250,000 fine and up to 25 years in prison for breaking the law.
- Alaska – Shipping flamethrowers is restricted, making them harder to get.
- California – This state requires a permit to be obtained through the Fire Marshal for any device that can project flames more than 10 feet. Usually, you can order with a different nozzle to keep it under 10 feet and swap the nozzle back if you move. Or, just go get the permit.
- Hawaii – Shipping flamethrowers is restricted, making them difficult to obtain.
- Michigan – While legal in most of Michigan, Warren bans them with a local ordinance.
Additionally, the USCPSC (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission) recently published safety guidance for civilians in 2018.
There are no international laws explicitly banning flamethrowers from wartime use, but many countries have retired them from military use, including the US in 1978. The US also agreed to a conventional weapons treaty in 1983 that limits incendiary weapons, including flamethrowers.
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers and are sharing what we discovered during our research. We are not providing legal advice, as you should check your local laws and regulations before purchasing a flamethrower.
What are Flamethrowers For?
Flamethrowers aren’t just for World War 2 and zombie apocalypse kits– they have plenty of practical everyday uses (besides just being awesomely fun to shoot).
Many people use flamethrowers for:
- Pest control (light up a wasp nest in a tree)
- Clearing debris off power lines
- Controlled burns to prevent wildfires
- Expedient weed burning
- Firefighter training
- Ice and snow removal
- Pyrotechnics for TV shows and movies
We’ll probably see a lot more of them, too, with the upgrades and attachment capabilities being developed.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best flamethrower is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:
Favarato, L., et al. (2016). Flamethrower Application Time in Weed Control. Planta Daninha. Volume 34. Issue 2. (Source)
Tothill, N., et al. (2008). Does your robot need a flamethrower? Automated astronomical instrumentation in Antarctica. Astronomical Notes. Volume 329. Issue 3. Pages 326 – 329. (Source)
Van Wyck, D. (2020). Beyond the burn: Studies on the physiological effects of flamethrowers during World War II. Military Medical Research. Volume 7. Article 8. (Source)
Conclusion
Flamethrower technology seems to be just getting started. Researchers are equipping robots with flamethrowers in Antarctica, and automated drones are getting flamethrowers – it’s only fair that we have them too, to even the robot vs. human score!
Although they may be the most fun way to start a fire, they are just one of the many firestarters we’ve reviewed and considered for survival in our top-level guide: Survival Fire Starters & Firecraft Skills.
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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