Best Backpacking Camp Stove Of 2024: Top Models & Buying Guide

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

The MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove is a high-performance, lightweight backpacking stove, fueled by isobutane-propane fuel canisters, that packs down to just 2x2x3 inches and weighs only 4.2oz. It features a protective case, a piezoelectric igniter with auto shut-off (safe to use in tents), and can boil water faster than any other stove in its class. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Campy Gear Wiry 13,000 BTU 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater & Stove

Campy Gear Wiry 13,000 BTU 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater & Stove is a powerful portable heater and cooking system. The efficient 360° radiant heating warms up you and your beloved family members quickly in the freezing cold winter. Read Review

3. Best Realiable: REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove Folding Stainless Steel

This camp stove is the perfect way to warm your outdoor cooking space up to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. With a collapsible design, this stove is easy to store in your backpack or suitcase and features both an adjustable flame and windscreen that allows for better fuel efficiency. Read Review

4. Best Economical: Fire-Maple "Fixed Star X2" Backpacking and Camping Stove System

The Fire-Maple "Fixed Star X2" Backpacking and Camping Stove System is a versatile and safe stove system. This backpacking stove system features a 1 liter cooking pot with an integrated piezoelectric ignitor that will light the stove instantly. The sturdy, hard anodized aluminum pot comes with a handle that locks to avoid accidental drops. Read Review

Backpacking is an exhilarating experience that’s also somewhat of a trial. You can only bring so much with you, and even the most well-equipped hiker will find themselves struggling to cook using their stove. That’s why it’s so important to have a reliable camping stove that doesn’t fail you in your time off.

The right backpacking stove can do cooking on your own much more accessible. Even if you end up eating freeze-dried meals for the duration of your trip, having your cooking equipment means you won’t have to eat out every night and put yourself at risk from potentially dangerous establishments. That’s why we’ve compiled this article to help you choose the best backpacking camp stove on the market today.

You can count on our team of experts who have spent over 21 hours conducting surveys through 4,163 real customer reviews. Because of this, we concluded that the best-reviewed product is the MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove with a protective case and a piezoelectric igniter. 

Our Top Picks

  • Ultralight (2.6 oz) and compact (2x2x3 in) folding canister stove for minimalist adventures, backpacking, hiking, trekking, camping, and global travel
  • Boils one liter of water in just 3.5 minutes and flame easily adjusts from a simmer to a rolling boil for gourmet cooking in the outdoors
  • Easy to setup and operate—no priming, preheating, or pressurizing is required; serrated pot-supports accommodate a wide range of pot sizes and styles
TOP Choice #2 Campy Gear Wiry 13,000 BTU 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater & Stove
Our Score:
9.5
Campy Gear
  • FAST HEATING: Max output up to 13,000 BTU propane heater with efficient 360° radiant heating that warms up you and your beloved families quickly in the freezing cold winter.
  • PRECISE COOKING: Equipped with adjustable flame control to satisfy various cooking purposes, and the collapsible pot stands can support pots range from 3.9 inch to 12 inch.
  • DUAL FUNCTION CAMPING GEAR: Campy Gear honorably presents you this 2-in-1 heater & stove that serves the purpose of cooking and heating for your outdoor adventures.
TOP Choice #3 REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove Folding Stainless Steel
Our Score:
9.3
REDCAMP
  • VARIOUS FUELS: The stove accept various fuels like leaves, twigs, you can get these easily in the nature and enjoy a real wilderness fun
  • STABLE AND SAFE: Upgrade design of the grid backing plate is connected to the stove and will not fall apart during handling after assembly
  • FOLDABLE: Easily collapsible Unfold size: 10.6*7.8*7.8", fold size: 10.6*7.8*1.5". Net weight: 5.5lbs/2500g. This camping stove comes with its own carry bag so you can sling it along and serve up a warm meal wherever you’ve set up camp
  • SAFE, STURDY AND DURABLE - The sturdy, hard anodized aluminum pot features a locking stainless steel handle for secure and safe handling, this combined with the insulating neoprene cover on the pot will ensure years of safe outdoor cooking pleasure!
  • 30 DAY RETURNS AND 3 YEAR WARRANTY! - The Fire-Maple Fixed Star 2 is the ideal cooking system for backpacking, camping, hiking, trekking, fishing, hunting, biking, kayaking, tailgating, picknicking and all other outdoor activities!
  • COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT - All accessories including stove, bowl and fuel canister(NOT included) fit into the 1 liter cook pot. THIS SET DOES NOT INCLUDE A FUEL CANISTER, but is compatible with most canisters EXCEPT the COLEMAN fuel canisters. This item weighs only 22 oz!
  • FUELED BY MOTHER NATURE- No gas or Liquid fuel is required to power the Titian, creating even more space for other necessary camping accessories
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & FAST BOIL TIME. Boils water in 4-6 mins (34 fl oz. water). 5.1" Diameter, 5.6"/7.9” tall (packed/assembled). Weighs only 16.5 oz. Made of premium stainless steel and nichrome wire. Nylon stuff sack included.
  • WARRANTY SERVICE: From mountains to beaches, BLUU offers you best affordable camping gear and survival kits. Make omelets, coffee, pasta and more with the click of a button! BLUU proudly provides 30-days refund guarantee and 1-year warranty service. If you have any questions, please contact us directly.
  • MAXIMIZED EFFICIENCY: With heat exchange technology efficiency increased by 30% and maximum windproof technology, our camping stove is fast acting and easy to use outdoors. Boil 0.5-liter pot of water in about 2 minutes and enjoy consistent performance at extreme altitudes or cold areas. NOTE: NOT COMPATIBLE WITH COLEMAN FUEL CANISTER. COMPATIBLE WITH MOST BRANDS OF 100g/230g PROPANE/BUTANE/ISOBUTANE FUEL CANISTER.
  • SAFE & DURABLE: Equipped with sturdy and durable aluminum pot body and a thermal insulation neoprene outer cover to protect your hands while keeping food/water warm. The burner has a push button igniter, a simmer control and an optimized gasket that offers better flame control with less fuel consumption. Rely on BLUU for warm food and drinks during all your outdoor adventures!
  • Modular Versatility: Customizable system works with optional cookware accessories, including the MSR WindBurner accessory pots, MSR WindBurner Skillet, hanging kit and coffee press
  • Maximum Efficiency: Radiant burner and heat exchanger deliver faster boil times and more fuel efficiency than conventional stoves that use convective heat only
8 STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove
Our Score:
8.6
STADELHORN
  • 🔥 ULTRA PORTABLE DESIGN — Every part of the Stadelhorn wood stove has been designed for practicality, durability, and portability. The wide open mouth design makes it easy to add more wood to keep the fire going. Extremely easy to assemble, and the crossbar provides a stable surface for your cookware. Folds down to the size of a cell phone and easily fits into a backpack pocket.
  • 🔥 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED — Our stove is backed by a No Hassle Money Back Guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with our wood stove for any reason. Please Note: Includes 1 stove and 1 mesh carry bag, any other items in photos are for demonstration purpose only.
  • 🔥 BUILT TO LAST FOREVER — The design of our Titanium wood stove gives it unique properties over other stainless steel models. Titanium is more durable, stronger, and more shatter resistant than steel while being able to withstand higher and lower temperature extremes. Unlike steel, Titanium is non-corrosive, non-magnetic, and rustproof. The Stadelhorn Titanium wood stove is truly built to last forever.
  • 【Fast boiling】The WILD-WIND X0 backpacking stove upgrades heat exchange design for higher efficiency and wind resistance. With less fuel consumption, it can boil 0.5-liter water in just over 2 minutes to prepare meals and coffee in your backcountry journey.
  • 【Safe and easy use】X0 is covered by insulting cozy, keeping foods warm and your usage safe. The integrated design enables you to set up stove in seconds to start cooking by one click.
  • 【Compact Design】 The X2 Backpacking Stove has a compact and lightweight design, you can pack all accessories into the pot, it is easy and quick to pack with a drawstring bag. It can be placed in a small space, convenient for outdoor travel. Product dimension: 4.96*7.48 inch. Weight: 19 oz.
  • 【Highly Efficient】 The WILD-WIND X2 backpacking stove adopts a nested windproof design, which increases heat exchange technology. The built-in piezo ignition with 1000W power and windproof design, making heating faster and saving fuel. Boil 0.5-liter pot of water in about 2 minutes and enjoy consistent performance at any environment. Compatible with 110g/230g/450g fuel canister. NOTE: NOT COMPATIBLE WITH COLEMAN
  • 【Essential for Outdoor】 The personal stove system makes coffee, pasta and any survival food easily and quickly, ideal for Outdoor Backpacking Hiking, Camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, biking, picnicking, emergency, etc. Our product have 1-year warranty service. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

What should you know before purchasing best backpacking camp stove?

Our website is an online source that provides clients with a diverse selection of best backpacking camp stove. Many items on the site perfectly suit the demands of clients and serve their intended function.

So, how can you determine which of the best backpacking camp stove is the best fit for your needs? Don't be concerned! This article will walk you through all you need to know about the best backpacking camp stove before you buy it.

 

Time To Boil

Camping is a great way to get out and enjoy nature. Yes, camping also involves enjoying the outdoors and good food. A camp stove must be able to boil water.
While some stoves boil in three minutes, others can take up to 10 minutes. A stove with the highest boiling time is considered a good stove. However, it doesn't always mean that the stove will be the most efficient. You may need to give up some boiling time if you want certain features like a lighter stove or an igniter.
The stoves that we tested were all able to light/start and heat the water in less than 8 minutes.

Performance In Wind

Consider how frequently and in what circumstances (such as cold weather) your stove will be used. You will have more chances to experience wind and harsh weather if you travel further.
It's not something that you should learn while on a 10 day camping trip along the New England coast. You can check the specifications, find out if your stove offers windscreens, and review customer experiences.
You can make your stove more efficient in colder areas by purchasing extra BTUs if you live in windy regions.

Weight And Packed Size

The biggest difference between stoves in this category is their weight. These stoves can be carried around in your car, but they are designed for camping. Weight might not be as important if you are looking for a strong and reliable two-burner.
Packing size is what matters more. You have a limited amount of space at your campsite or in your vehicle. You should check to make sure the stove can fit into a bag, is covered, and where the grill and fuel lines are stored. Are all the pieces stored in one place? Are accessories taking up more space than the main item? All these factors should be considered for your individual preferences and needs.

BTUs

BTU is the British Thermal Unit. It's basically a measure of heat and energy. On average, a gas stove that you would find in your home uses 6,000 to 8,000 BTUs.
Lower BTUs are good for light and simmering cooking. Higher BTUs, which are above 10,000, indicate high heat cooking. This is great for longer cook times as well as for quick boiling of large quantities of water.

Fuel Types And Capacities

As you can see, the majority of stoves in this article use propane canisters up to one-pound. Some stoves use butane as an alternative fuel. It all depends on the time it takes to cook meals, and on what temperature your burner is set. A one-pound canister usually lasts three to four meals.

Simmer Control

Because boiling water doesn't always work, we did extensive testing on the simmer control. You need to not only be able boil water, but you also have to cook, bake, stir fry, stew, or grill in order to make a camp meal that is chef-worthy. To see the stacking of the burners/stoves, we measured their simmering temperatures.

Number Of Burners

A two-burner camp stove is a good choice if you plan to spend at least 2-3 months camping each year, even if your household is small. You can cook with two burners, so you have both the option to use a pan and a pot, or make one main dish while cooking for a family of four.
Two-burner stoves remain the norm. There are many options for single-burner stoves, as well as a handful of three-burner models.

Ignition: Strikers Vs. Matches

Sometimes called piezo incendiers, or auto-igniters, strikers are buttons that use electricity to excite a spark and ignite a stove. It's similar to the button that lights up the pilot light in your home stove.
Metal and flint are other options for sparking. A camp stove with an integrated igniter is my preference. As long as it works well, I will always use this option.
A match is your last choice for lighting your camp stove. Matches can prove to be wasteful and fragile. They also don't all hold up well in harsh weather. As an alternative, you can always take flint and some matches.

 

FAQs

What Burn Time Should I Look Out For?

Stoves are often advertised with their boil and burn times. This is especially important if your campsite is far from civilization. You should also consider your weight, especially if backpacking. It is also useful to transport and store your stove in its own containers or bag.

Can You Use A Camping Stove Inside A Tent?

No. No. Your tent may catch on fire, and your body could be engulfed in a molten nylon coating, leading to a terrible, unimaginable death.

Backpacking Stove Vs. Camping Stove: What's The Difference?

The backpacking stoves can be small, single-burner units. They fit into a backpack or even your palm. They weigh in at a mere ounce. However, camping stoves are only used for "base camp", whether you're camping in a car, truck, National Parks or somewhere else.
The camp stove is larger and more heavy (8-14 lbs) and can be placed on top of a truck bed, tabletop, picnic table or camp table to convert your campsite into a kitchen.
You now have all of the information you need to camp, cook, and just enjoy the outdoors.

What Size Do I Need?

There are many sizes of stoves, from small ultra-light ones to large multi-hob models with grills. These can be used to prepare almost any meal you make at home. A simple, small camping stove is sufficient for camping solo or with your partner.
A lightweight backpacking stove that can work in all weather conditions is worth it if you are going on an extended expedition or wild camping trip. We recommend buying the largest camping stove possible if you plan to take your family on a camping trip. Having multiple burners allows you to cook in every field.

What Stove Is Best For Cooking Actual Food?

A stove with enough BTU output and can heat is the best. It can be used to cook food in a pot. These stoves are generally used for car camping/basecamp cooking.

Which Is Better — A Butane Or Propane Camping Stove?

Butane as well as propane both have pros and cons. Both gases are compressed gases, which is gas stored in liquid form. Butane performs less in colder temperatures. There are many sizes of propane canisters. This makes it easier to find the right size for your needs.
You should consider the climate in which you will be using your camp stove most often. You can also find propane in large cities, rural areas, and general stores close to national parks or state lines.

Are Multi-Fuel Stoves Difficult To Use?

No. They do require more preparation and care than canister stoves. They are easy to learn once you have the necessary procedures.

I’m Going To Travel. Which Type Of Stove Would Be Best?

It depends. A backpacking stove is the best option if you are traveling on foot with a backpack. Car? Get a camping stove for your car. Check with the airline to find out what they allow you to bring aboard, and what fuels will be available. Most airlines won't allow you to fly without fuel.

Conclusion

In short, you have just been shown all the things related to best backpacking camp stove, including the top models, buyer’s guides, and the comparison between products as well. At this moment, it’s obvious that you acquire the mentioned information and are ready to pick one among the list of best backpacking camp stove above. In case there is no model that suits your needs, then Anbull Camping Stove Portable Camp Stove for Backpacking,Camping will be the best to pay attention to. Hopefully, our sharing today will help you choose the best item for your requirement. 


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About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio