Sure, you could just eat a handful of trail mix or a can of tuna, but it’s hard to beat a hot meal after a long day on the trail. On the other hand, you want to keep your pack weight low. Luckily, there are plenty of backpacking stoves on the market today that make quick work of heating up dinner without weighing you down.
The GearJunkie team spends countless hours camped out in the backcountry, so we understand how important it is to have a reliable, long-lasting stove. From full-blown thru-hikes on the PCT or AT to lightweight overnights in the Rocky Mountains and staff camp trips, we logged a lot of time preparing meals outside and testing stoves.
Our squad of honorary backcountry chefs has collectively tested hundreds of these little stoves, whipping up meals in the most remote locations imaginable, in all sorts of conditions. Current author and Senior Editor, Chris Carter, has thru-hiked the triple crown of long trails, and has arguably cooked more meals over a backpacking stove than in the comfort of his home. He has been putting new models to the test for years, and leaves no stone left unturned when dialing in the selection for this guide.
The primary factors we looked at were weight, packed size, boil time, and simmer abilities. Secondarily, we considered fuel efficiency, performance in wind and cold, and additional stove features.
While there isn’t a single backpacking stove that’s best for everyone out there, we’ve organized this guide into categories to help you find the best stove for you. The majority of stoves we tested were canister stoves. While these stoves aren’t the only option on the market, they do have lots of perks, which we’ll explain in detail below.
Be sure to check out our handy comparison chart, buyer’s guide, and FAQ sections for more help in narrowing in on the best stove for you. Below you’ll find our best picks for budget, wind performance, and more, as well as the best options in the following categories.
Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on October 24, 2023, adding additional details about our testing practices, and more information in the Price and Value section of the buyer’s guide. We also made sure our product list is up-to-date with the most current models and designs.
The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2023
Best Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stove
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Weight
13.7 oz. -
Fuel type
Liquid or Canister -
Burn time
1 hr. 50 min. (20 oz. white gas)/ 1 hr. 15 min. (8 oz. isobutane) -
Time to reach boil
3.5 minutes per half-liter (white gas)
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Can use a variety of fuel types -
Great for cold weather -
Performs well at high altitudes
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Not the most packable -
Pretty heavy -
Need to prime the stove and do maintenance in the field
Backpacking Stoves Comparison Chart
How We Tested Backpacking Stoves
Our entire staff contributed to testing and using a variety of backpacking stoves over the years. But every year, we test new and updated models. In addition to testing in group settings, we dedicate a lot of time to personal trips packing in and using these stoves.
We pay extra-close attention to each stove’s burner performance in wind and colder conditions, as well as its general usability. Managing Editor Mary Murphy has spent over 250 days in the backcountry on solo backpacking, camping, and pack-paddleboarding trips, and has also section-hiked the Appalachian Trail and Colorado Trail. She carefully curated our initial selection of 15 diverse stoves back in June of 2020.
Senior Editor Chris Carter took over management of the guide in August of 2022. He has way too much experience burning dehydrated meals over all sorts of backpacking stoves, having thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails in the United States: the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail. He knows the importance of a reliable stove for nutrition and sustenance on trail, and is all too familiar with the sinking feeling of a mid-trip stove failure. Nobody likes cold-soaking — no matter what the ultralight cult says.
Over the years, he has tested countless models to bring you the exhaustive list of 19 stoves you see today. He consistently has his nose to the ground, sniffing out new products the moment they hit the market to ensure this guide represents the most up-to-date, deserving selection possible. Rest assured, every stove on this list has been vetted by our seasoned staff of backpacking enthusiasts, and has proven to be worthy.
Buyers Guide: How to Choose a Backpacking Stove
The right stove depends on a variety of factors. What works for one person might not suit your particular adventures. Read on for tips on choosing the best backpacking stove.
It’s also worth noting that this article focuses solely on backpacking stoves. If you’re looking for a larger two-burner camp stove, check out the best camping stoves of 2023. Also, take a peek at our guide to the best backpacking meals for some backcountry culinary inspiration.
Types of Backpacking Stoves
There are a variety of different types of backpacking stoves, and which one you decide to go with boils down to personal preference and the type of adventure you plan to use it on.
Canister Stoves
These stoves typically screw directly onto a fuel canister filled with a blend of isobutane-propane. Benefits include ease of use and low maintenance.
On the flipside, canisters can’t be refilled, causing additional waste (they can be recycled, but you’ll need to take them to a recycling facility). And they’re prone to freezing up or providing a weak flame in cold winter conditions.
Top examples of canister stoves include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe and GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Stove.
Liquid Fuel Stoves
These stoves connect to refillable fuel bottles. They are generally filled with white gas, but you can also use other fuels, including kerosene and gasoline. This is ideal if traveling overseas. This stove type can be slightly more complicated to use (in other words, it requires maintenance), but it performs well in cold conditions.
Our top pick for liquid fuel stoves would be the MSR WhisperLite Universal.
Wood-Burning Stoves
The traditionalists out there will appreciate a wood stove. You get the pleasure of cooking over a fire packed into a smaller space. The upside is you don’t need to carry fuel. The downsides include susceptibility to wind, unpredictable cook times, and fire restrictions.
These are fantastic options for those looking to harken back to the roots of the backcountry culinary art. But, these aren’t the most reliable stoves for long journeys. Trudge through the rain all day and there may not be any dry tinder to warm up that freeze-dried spaghetti you so meticulously prepared beforehand. If you do decide to go this route, either bring a backup fuel source or embrace occasional cold-soaking.
The Solo Stove Lite and Vargo Titanium Hexagon are some of the better wood-burning backpacking stoves on the market.
Stove Use: Cooking vs. Boiling
If you plan to eat mainly dehydrated backpacking meals (just add water), you’ll want a simple stove with a fast boiling time. If, on the other hand, you’d like to cook more elaborate meals, it will be more important to find a stove with better simmer control, and maybe a wider burner.
Think about how often and for what type of cooking you’ll be using your backpacking stove before buying.
Stove Packed Size and Weight
The stoves on this list weigh anywhere from an ounce to 2 pounds (but most are within the 3- to 9-ounce range). Some can fit in the palm of your hand, and some take up a bit more room.
Not everyone needs the tiniest stove on the market. Especially if you camp year-round, you’ll want to choose a four-season stove, or one better rated for cold performance.
There are also a few differences to consider between size and packed size. For example, the Jetboil stove itself is larger and slightly heavier than other canister stoves on our list. However, it integrates with all the other components and packs down super small (including the pot, lid, stove, and fuel).
Weight is another consideration. If you are going on a 2-day overnight, weight won’t matter as much as, say, a 30-day wilderness trek.
Also, think about what other gear you’ll be carrying. Do you have a lightweight backpacking tent that doesn’t take up much space? Or will you be carrying lots of equipment, like a camera or climbing gear?
If you frequent forests or parks that allow folks to collect firewood, or if you are going to an area where fuel is harder to come by, maybe a wood stove would be the best option. If you’re an ounce counter, an ultralight canister stove may be what you’re after.
Price
Will you be using this stove every weekend? Twice a month? Twice a year on big trips?
It makes sense to invest more if you’ll be relying on it to feed yourself regularly. If you’ll use it only fairly often or if it’s for emergencies, consider purchasing a less expensive model.
That being said, if you need a backpacking stove, there are stoves in every price range: $10-40, $40-70, and over $100.
Winter and Cold Performance
Not all stoves are created equal, and nowhere is this more evident than in the frigid temps of winter camping conditions. If you camp in the warmer months only, this isn’t a concern.
But if you head out in the winter, you’ll probably use your stove to melt snow and boil a lot of water. You need to be able to rely on it when the mercury drops. The MSR Reactor is a great stove for this purpose.
For this, you’ll want a liquid fuel or four-season stove. We’ve found liquid fuel stoves to be the most reliable choice in winter.
Other Considerations
Group size: If you regularly backpack and plan meals with a group (families, college students), consider dispersing the weight and investing in a larger group cookset and stove. Or, a wider burner that can accommodate a variety of pots and pans. The Camp Chef Stryker Multifuel Stove is a great choice for group camping.
If you’re a solo adventurer, a smaller canister stove like the popular MSR PocketRocket 2, is a fine choice.
Tips for Using a Backpacking Stove
- When you buy your first backpacking stove, invest in a few extra fuel canisters too. This lets you have a stockpile for spur-of-the-moment trips and early-morning endeavors — you won’t have to run to a store to track down fuel.
- Always read the instructions. (Yes, even if you are familiar with camp stoves.) The instructions will tell you how to prime your stove, and might even have tips on cleaning and repair.
- Avoid spills by setting up on the flattest spot possible. Flat rocks make great cooking surfaces.
- Always bring matches to light your stove in case of emergency. Yes, even if your stove has a piezo igniter. Igniters can fail, lighters can break, and there’s nothing sadder than a cold meal because you can’t get a flame.
- Never cook inside your tent or vehicle. On top of being a fire hazard, this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and death. If you camp frequently in rainy climates, invest in a tarp and some guy line for a safe overhead kitchen shelter.
FAQ
Camp stoves and backpacking stoves are both built for use in the outdoors, but they vary wildly in features. Camping stoves weigh anywhere from 6 to 15 pounds, and they’re designed for use on a camp table or picnic table in more front-country settings (you won’t want to carry one far).
On the other hand, backpacking stoves are designed to hike with. They weigh 1-12 ounces, and they’re designed to pack small to fit in a pocket or pack.
Backpacking stoves tend to have a single burner, with some sort of fuel connector, regulator/simmer dial, and pot support platform. That’s it!
The best backpacking stove that won us over in testing was the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe (the PocketRocket 2, the previous model, is also a solid stove).
However, we recognize that this isobutane canister stove might not fit everyone’s needs, or maybe budget. Which is why we’ve compiled our list of best backpacking stoves by fuel type, and also differentiated by price and size.
The lightest backpacking stove — of any fuel type — on our list was the Esbit Titanium at only 11 g (less than half an ounce)! The smallest canister stove we tested was the BRS-3000T at 0.9 ounces, with the GSI Pinnacle coming in second at 2.4 ounces.
For just a few more ounces, and with a few more features (piezo igniter), you can consider our top choice, the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which rings in at 2.9 ounces.
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit — essentially, it’s a measurement unit of heat. In stove speak, BTUs refer to the energy required to raise the temperature of boiling water. Higher BTUs mean a stove will have a more powerful output of energy and/or heat (not necessarily hotter).
Lower BTUs have a weaker output, but are often better for simmering and providing a more controlled regulation of your stove’s flame.
As you can see, stoves range widely in price! But expect to pay at least $25-50 for a durable backpacking stove.
If you are on a tight budget, consider waiting until your favorite stove is on sale. (Pro tip: Bookmark this article and check back on prices throughout the season.)
We tested the best camping stoves from Coleman, Camp Chef, Primus, and more for this review. Check it out to see how each performs and which stove came out on top.
Head into the backcountry with the best backpacking backpacks of 2022. From budget-friendly options to ultra-comfortable picks, we’ve got you covered.
