11 Best Backpacking Stoves For Your Next Hike

The best backpacking stove is subjective, but there is no doubt you’ll want some form of a stove on your next trip. When backpacking, the three major concerns are food, water, and shelter. That is what makes finding the best backpacking stove so crucial. It should be able to boil water quickly, be big enough to cook a full meal, and sturdy enough to withstand whatever harsh conditions you may find yourself cooking in.

However, these are not the only concerns. With so much that goes into making the best backpacking stove. There is a vast range of types, features, and fuel options to consider before you purchase this essential piece of backpacking gear. 

Here, we break down some of the best backpacking stoves currently on the market, so you can go into the store knowing what might work best for you. 

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The Best Canister Stoves

With good reason, canister backpacking stoves are by far the most popular among 3-season backpackers. These small stoves are some of the lightest you can carry, giving them a massive advantage over the competition and making them the go-to stove for ounce-counters and thru-hikers alike. They are also extremely easy to ignite, requiring little to no prep, and the isobutane fuel canisters can be found just about anywhere. 

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MSR PocketRocket Deluxe

The burner is exceptional, and it’s easy to deliver a consistent temperature to cook food on a pan, whether boiling water or simmering. Most impressive it the sheer amount of heat the burner throws our boiling water faster than any other cooker we’ve used. It also has a small stuff sack that fits well inside your cook kit.

Other than the typical drawbacks to canister burners, the PocketRocket Deluxe didn’t always light on the first ignition click (nit-picking here) and could stand to be a little more fuel-efficient. Altogether, it’s likely the best backpacking stove, and I love to use it when we’re hiking in the mountains as it handles wind surprisingly well.

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Soto Windmaster

A consistent temperature is easy to maintain and holds up well against the wind. It loses a few points for the pot supports that must be attached as opposed to the Deluxe and a regulator that is a little tougher to maintain a consistent temperature. Nevertheless, it’s one of the best canister burners to take camping, and it’s $10 cheaper than its competitor, the Deluxe.

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MSR PocketRocket 2

The self-sealing thread fits onto the top of any standard isobutane canister, and the side lever gives you optimal simmer control in almost any environment. It’s not the best in high-wind environments and is loud when cranked up.

All that being said, it is important to note that these are not the best choice for alpine or winter backpacking. This is because the stove’s ability to heat is significantly reduced in temperatures below 20F. Also, these stoves do not come with their own cooking system (i.e., pot or pan); however, you can opt for the additional stove kit, which solves this problem. It’s a pretty affordable stove that’s served many hikers very well throughout the years.

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MSR Windburner

While this backpacking stove seems to cover all the essentials, there are a few things to consider. First, the Windburner can be a little top-heavy when placed on top of the canister. You may want to consider purchasing canister stabilizing legs if you decide on this option to prevent it from toppling. This backpacking stove is also much heavier than the PocketRocket above, weighing in at a whopping 15.5oz. 

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Jetboil Minimo

It also features its own fuel can stabilizer, a stout and sturdy body, and an excellent simmer control for cooking various meals. Like the MSR Windrunner, it also comes with a sturdy handle, allowing it to easily transition from a bowl to a mug, and it is almost as good at standing up against high winds. 

As with most integrated stoves, the downside is that you will have to deal with the excess weight – 14oz. Also, like all canister stoves, it is only best for 3-season backpacking, with diminished performance below 20F.

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Best Liquid Fuel Stoves

Liquid fuel backpacking stoves can be thought of as picking up the slack for canister stoves. These stoves are designed for sub-zero temperatures, which may occur at extremely high altitudes or in arctic conditions. They are also perfect for international backpacking trips where isobutane canisters are harder to find.

This is because these stoves can be run on readily available fuels such as kerosene or unleaded auto fuel. They also tend to be sturdier, with a broader base, cooking platform, and more intricate construction. These details make them an optimal choice for larger backpacking groups where you cook for multiple people. 

While these stoves are not recommended for standard 3-season backpacking because of their heft, the regular need for maintenance, and complicated ignition, they have their benefits when utilized in the right scenario. 

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MSR Dragonfly

It pumps out an incredible amount of heat for when you need to boil quickly or melt large amounts of snow but can be dialed down to a simmer using the dual-valve. It also has a large enough base to handle pots and pans up to 10 inches in diameter, allowing you to cook gourmet meals for large groups in any setting. 

All of this power comes with one major drawback – sound. These backpacking stoves are so loud that having a conversation over the dinner fire will be virtually impossible. But at least this will help you scare away hungry predators looking for scraps. 

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MSR Whisperlite Universal

This solves many of the conditional uses for the two fuel types and leaves you with one of the only backpacking stoves that can be used year-round. This allows you to utilize the same stove at high altitudes, overseas, and even on weekend campouts with friends. 

While this stove solves many of the concerns presented by the canister and liquid fuel stoves individually, it also reduces their positives. Naturally, this backpacking stove will not be as light as other canister stoves nor have the same ease of use. It requires many small parts, which can be hard to keep track of, and it does not support pots smaller than 4 ½ inches or 11cm in diameter.

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Best Wood Stoves

Wood-burning backpacking stoves are still an extremely popular option in the ultralight backpacking community. This is because they weigh almost nothing, and you don’t have to carry an additional fuel source. They allow for an unlimited supply of free propellant (i.e., twigs, branches, kindling) and require little to no maintenance, even through years of use. Wood burning stoves also give you a sense of nostalgia, harkening back to the old-fashioned ways of surviving in the wilderness. 

The only problem with these backpacking stoves is they are extremely location specific. For example, if you plan a backpacking trip in the western United States where wildfires are a serious concern, this should not be your choice of stove. This is because you never know when a fire ban may be in effect, and many of these areas don’t allow for any sort of woodburning through the summer and fall months. 

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BushBuddy

This backpacking stove is also heat shielded to prevent damage to the ground while lit. At 6.4 oz, it is one of the lightest stoves you can purchase when you consider not having to carry an external fuel source. 

Where the BushBuddy begins to falter is with the boil time. On average, other fuel-fed stoves boil one qt of water in 3-5 minutes. The BushBuddy takes approximately 8-10 minutes to boil the same amount. Also, don’t expect any sort of easy-to-use simmer control. Adding fewer twigs, you can have less flame, but this is unpredictable at best. 

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Solo Stove Lite

So, where do they differ? The Solo Stove Lite is much bulkier, weighing in at 9 oz, and only has three pot-holding prongs, while the BushBuddy only has three. Outside of these two differences, these products are virtually identical. Making your product choice is a personal preference. 

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Alternative Stove Options

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Solo Stove Alcohol Stove

Finished cooking? Easily extinguish by just blowing it out. This fuel type is abundant worldwide, and this little gadget can be thrown into your carry-on for your next overseas adventure. You will also enjoy the added benefit of the most eco-friendly backpacking stove there is.

However, there are a few downsides to every alcohol stove. The first is the potential for spills. It’s sturdy while cooking, but pouring the alcohol into the stove takes a while to master, and you are very likely to make a few mistakes as you learn. These types of backpacking stoves also do not have long cook times. You will learn the exact run time at the maximum fill levels through trial and error. 

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Esbit Folding Pocket Stove

The concerns with this type of backpacking stove have little to do with the stove itself and everything to do with the fuel source. The Esbit fuel tabs tend to leave a sticky residue that can be hard to clean and have a distinctly unpleasant smell. They are also not the easiest fuel source to find, so you will need to stock up when you do. 

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What to Consider when Buying a Backpacking Stove 

Average Boil Time 

After a long day on the trail, the last thing you want to do is wait an hour for your food to cook. Longer average boil times also mean more fuel consumption, so you will have to carry more fuel. A good boil time will be between 2-5 minutes for most 3-season backpacking stoves. When you are looking into liquid fuel or solid fuel stoves, expect your average boil time to be a minimum of 8-10 minutes. 

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Weight

Weight should always be a high priority when choosing any piece of backpacking gear. The heavier your base weight, the harder and longer your trek will be. That is why assessing the total ounces of your stove is so essential. For 3-season backpacking stoves, it is best to stay under eight ounces, which includes the pot, fuel source, and cooktop. Most ultralight backpackers cut that even further, staying under five ounces.

That being said, when looking at 4-season stoves, you still want to pay attention to weight, but 15 oz is average. The weight is because of the added features that make them more stable, durable, and able to cook for larger groups. 

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Features

Each backpacking stove is going to come with its own specialized features as an attempt to keep them ahead of the pack. Some of these are necessary, while others are just for looks. Here are a few that are actually beneficial to your outdoor experience. 

Push-button Ignitor

This is a great backup feature for when your matches or lighter get lost or waterlogged. It is found on some canister stoves and creates an instant spark at the fuel source. 

Simmer Control

Outside of the standard boil option, many stoves don’t have a way to reduce the flame. A backpacking stove with this feature is great for longer treks and more elaborate meals. 

Stabilizers

These legs attach to the bottom of your stove to keep it from tipping over while cooking. These are especially beneficial for liquid fuel stoves where spillage is a real concern. These can be added after purchase on some and come standard on others.