10 Best Backpacking Stoves

One of the best things about backpacking is getting up for sunrise with a warm cup of joe to watch the colorful sky turn pink. Being able to easily and quickly make a warm cup of coffee or oatmeal in the morning is extremely important for me. Especially after a long days worth of lugging around a heavy backpack all day through the forest. Fortunately, these days cooking in the backcountry has become sooooo much more pleasant. There are some outstanding stoves out there that are simple to use in the outdoors. I have made it even easier for you. I listed the ten best backpacking stoves out there. This list includes the pros and cons of each of these stoves and why I think they are perfect for you. So check it out below and happy trails. <3

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

My Pick For Best Backpacking Stove: JetBoil MiniMo

I pick the MimiMo just because it is effortless to use, compact, lightweight, and it comes with a pot. I don’t usually cook fancy meals while backpacking, so I don’t need a separate pot and pan for my stove. So that is why the MiniMo is my favorite stove. >You Can Buy It Here

Backpack Stoves Review Table

10 Best Backpacking Stoves

Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System

One of my favorite stoves to use is the Jetboil MiniMo. I have had this Jetboil stove for a few years now, and it is one of my favorites. It boils water pretty fast, it is easy to set up, and the handles are pretty sturdy. I can easily sip some tea or coffee in the early morning. I am all about ease when it comes to the backcountry. I also like how they upgraded this model to be wider. I feel like it is more efficient than the older JetBoil models.

But there are a few negatives about this stove. It is on the more expensive side, and it doesn’t perform very well during windy situations. But I always feel like you can find a rock or a tree to help block out the wind.

It is also challenging to make a fancy meal. The primary purpose of the MiniMo is to boil water as fast as possible. You can only eat meals that need boiled water like dry foods. I am not the fanciest person when it comes to backpacking food. I usually just eat dry food, so the MiniMo is a perfect stove for me.

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Jetboil Flash Cooking System

If you want all the frills of the MiniMo Stove but spend a lot less money, the Jetboil Flash is a great deal! The main difference between this model and the MiniMo is probably the size. The Flash is a lot taller. Also, the handles on the Flash are not so sturdy. Another cool thing about the Flash is that there is a cool heat indicator. This helps with figuring out when the water is about to boil.

The Flash was my first camping stove. I loved how easy it is to use and how fast it boils water. It is an excellent beginner backpackers stove. Just note that you can’t cook any fancy meals on it. This stove is mainly for dried foods and or ramen.

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MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove

One of the most well-known backpacking stoves in the market is the Pocket Rocket stove. This tiny stove is what most backpackers have in their backpack. It is lightweight, compact, has the best simmer control, and it is durable! The price is also pretty reasonable, given all the features.

But please note that there is no auto igniter, so you do have to light this sucker up, and it doesn’t do well in the wind. If you would like those features make sure to check out the Pocket Rocket Deluxe below. But like I have said before, you can always find a rock to hide behind to avoid the wind. This tiny stove comes at a great price and is perfect for your backpacking adventure.

Please Note: You can also buy the kit version, which comes with PocketRocket 2 stove, an aluminum pot, 16 oz. bowl, clear lid with straining ports, pot grip, and a stuff sack. >>>You Can Buy The Kit Here

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MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove

Want to cook some fancy meals while backpacking? The Pocket Rocket Deluxe is perfect for this! It is excellent for simmering foods. Almost as good as your kitchen at home. It also works great in the wind, and it is small and lightweight. This is one of the best backpacking stoves out there.

But one of the main things people complain about is the unreliability of the igniter. Also, heavy pots and pans don’t do the best on this stove. It isn’t sturdy. Even with those small negatives, this is one of the best backpacking stoves in the market. MSR does a great job with its products.

Please Note: You can also buy the kit version, which comes with PocketRocket Delux stove, an aluminum pot, 28 oz. bowl, clear lid with straining ports, pot grip, and a stuff sack. >>>You Can Buy The Kit Here

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Soto WindMaster Stove with 4Flex Pot Support

The Windmaster is the best ultralight backpacking stove. I rank this second in terms of the best backpacking stove. The Soto WindMaster is like a better version of the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe. This small stove is lightweight, simmer control is outstanding, works great in the wind, supports big pots and pans, the auto-ignition is high quality, and it is cheaper than the Pocket Rocket Deluxe. It is pretty much an all-around good quality stove. I highly recommend it.

The only negative feature to note is that it isn’t as efficient as some of the other stoves. So if you are thru-hiking, this probably isn’t the best stove to have. Also, separate supports can be a bit annoying to put together. The fewer things I have to put together while I backpack, the better. But being able to cook with some large pans might outweigh this negative for you. If you are a fancy backpacking cook, then this might be a great bonus.

Please Note: You can also buy the kit version (Soto Amicus Stove), which comes with one small pot (500 ml) and one large pot (1,000 ml), small pot doubles as a lid for the large pot. >>>You Can Buy The Kit Here

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Jetboil MicroMo Cooking System

The Jetboil MicroMo is like a smaller version of the Jetboil MiniMo. This Jetboil has the same features as the MiniMo, but it is slightly slimmer, holds less water, and weighs less. The MicroMo was explicitly made for solo backpackers. It is excellent for backpackers that only cook instant meals.

But like the MiniMo, this stove is not the best for cooking fancy meals, it is expensive, and it not the best for windy situations. But if you are a solo backpacker that only eats instant meals while backpacking, then this is the perfect Jetboil for you.

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MSR WhisperLite Universal Backpacking Stove

Are you a backpacker that loves to hike all year round? Whether it is below freezing temperatures or a hot summer day, you like to be in the outdoors. This MSR WhisperLite Universal stove is perfect for you my friend. It is the best winter backpacking stove. The MSR WhisperLite is great because it is multifunctional. If you didn’t know this already, regular canisters do not work well in temperatures below 20-degree Fahrenheit. But liquid gas does. This stove allows you to use both a liquid and regular canister. Pretty awesome, right?

But it is on the heavier side. It weighs as much as a jet boil, and it doesn’t even come with a pot or pan. It is also costly. But if you need something durable that you can use all year long, then this stove might be for you. If you don’t want the versatility of the canister hookup, you can always get the MSR WhisperLite International.

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MSR WindBurner Stove System

The MSR WindBurner Stove is like a windproof version of the JetBoil Flash. It is efficient, works amazingly in cold and windy environments, and it comes with an integrated pot. But it is a little too expensive for what it provides. The JetBoil systems are less expensive, lighter, and have auto-ignition.

If MSR could lighten up the load or provide an auto-ignition lighter, then I would say the cost could be justified. This stove would be great for people that are backpacking around extremely windy conditions. Also, like all integrated stoves, the simmer control is not the greatest, so your food choices include ramen or dried food. Overall it is still a great stove, but I feel like there are better options on integrated stoves.

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Snow Peak LiteMax Stove

If you are all about weight and compatibility, then the Snow Peak Lite Max is an excellent choice for your adventures. This stove is extremely lightweight (the lightest in this list), compact, and durable. It is made with high-quality materials, so it is incredibly sturdy. Because it is so lightweight, many key features are missing in this stove. There is no auto-ignition, it doesn’t do great in windy situations, and the potholders are a bit too small. But if you are all about ultralight, then this is a fantastic stove to add to your adventure gear.

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Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 Stove

The GigaPower Stove is durable, stable, and has auto-ignition. This stove is a solid performer and is great for any backpacker looking for a sturdy stove. But some of the negatives are that it isn’t as lightweight as some of the other stoves on this list and it isn’t the best in windy situations. But if you can use the GigaPower behind a rock or tree, the wind problem isn’t a big deal. This stove is a solid stove to add to your adventure collection.

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More Information On Lightweight Camping Stove

Backpack Camp Stove Types

Canister Stoves

The most popular stove is the canister stove, which makes up 99% of this post. It just has so many more benefits then the other stoves I list below. They are lightweight, compact, easy to use, and they boil water pretty quickly. The main reason why you shouldn’t be using the canister stove is when you are in high altitude or cold areas. Canister stoves do not work well in cold temperatures. Also, they are not used as much in other countries outside of the USA, so it might be challenging to find a canister since you cannot bring fuel onto a plane.

Liquid Fuel Stoves

Liquid fuel is probably the second-best set up for backpacking. Here are some pros and cons of using liquid fuel:

Pros:

• Used internationally
• Great in very cold situations
• Great in high altitude
• Fuel bottle is refillable
• Fuel is less expensive

Cons:

• Heavy
• Hard to set up
• Expensive stove

Alcohol Stoves

Alcohol Stoves are great for thru-hikers. They are lightweight and simple to use. Plus, it is effortless to find the fuel in almost any store. >>You Can Buy Some Here

Collapsible Wood Burning Backpacking Stove

The woodburning stove is a great way to do long term backpacking. Essentially you pick up your fuel on the trail as you go. This way of backpacking is extraordinarily lightweight and compact. But please note that fire burning stoves tend to leave soot on your pots, and they take a significant amount of care to start.>>You Can Buy A Wood Burning Stove Here

Please make sure to look at regulations on using these stoves. Many parks have banned the use of wood-burning stoves.

Solid Fuel Tablet Stoves

The solid fuel stoves are great to have in case of a malfunctioning stove. I would not solely rely on this because it doesn’t run as hot as other stoves, and it can leave residue on your stove. But in case your regular stove is not working, its great to have in your pocket. It is inexpensive and tiny. >>You Can Buy One Here

Please make sure to look at regulation on using these stoves. Many parks have banned the use of solid fuel tablets.

Integrated VS Non-Integrated

Integrated Canister Stove

My favorite type of backpacking stove is the integrated stove. When I am backpacking, I am usually a bit too tired to fiddle around with cooking a meal. But the integrated stove makes it so much easier. They pretty much come with everything except the canister. They usually pack well and are easy to put together. The only downside is you can only cook things that need boiled water like dried foods and ramen.

Non-Integrated

The benefits of non-integrated stoves are picking the size of your pots and pans, which means you have more opportunities for cooking regular meals. This might mean more planning, though, as opposed to just bringing dried foods and adding boiled water to them. But at least you have many options and are not limited to only dry food.

Weight

Weight is a little challenging to talk about with stoves. Many of the stoves on this list have integrated pots, while some on this list do not. Of course, some of the stoves seem like they weigh almost nothing, but you have to buy a lightweight pot and gas to go with it. Also, when it comes to cold-weather trips, it is recommended to use liquid fuel, which usually weighs more than regular canisters.

Price

Of course, the most expensive stoves in this list are the integrated stoves. They already come with a pot. The non-integrated stoves are less expensive, but you also have to think about which types of pots and pans you will get for your new stove. It might end up costing more than the integrated stove. Also, Liquid Fuel stoves tend to be more expensive then canister stoves.

Simmer Control

Simmer control is especially crucial if cooking fancy meals are vital for you. Having the ability to control the flame makes it easier to cook some great meals. Most integrated stoves don’t have the best simmer control because the primary purpose is boiling water quickly. But manufacturers have improved simmer control on integrated stoves, so that water does not boil over every time.

Winter and Altitude Use

If you are backpacking in the winter or high altitudes, you definitely need to bring a stove with you. You have to melt snow to drink water. Unfortunately, regular canisters might not work in extremely cold or high altitude conditions. Enter the liquid fuel stove that is extremely reliable. It works a lot better then canisters in the cold and high altitude. One of the best liquid fuel stoves is the MSR WhisperLite International Stove. If you do bring the canister by accident, an excellent way to make sure it works is to put the canister in your jacket to warm it up and use it immediately afterward. But this is a quick fix problem. It is highly recommended to bring a liquid fuel stove in cold situations.

Wind

If you are backpacking through some pretty windy areas, then make sure to bring a windproof stove ( like the Soto WindMaster Stove). Strong winds can make your stove inefficient, which means using your canister up quickly. If you are in a pickle, I recommend finding a rock or tree to hide behind to avoid strong winds.

Auto-Igniter

The best type of stove to have is one with an auto igniter. You just push a button and voila! You have a fire. Having an igniter is especially important during windy situations. Lighting a match while the wind is blowing nonstop can waste precious fuel.

Final Thoughts On Backpacking Stove Reviews

Thanks for reading all about the best backpacking stoves in the market! Make sure to read up on some more hiking posts below:

• Best Camera Gear For Hikers
• Best Down Jackets For Women
• Best Camping and Backpacking Pillows

Pin For Later: Best Camp Stove Backpacking

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