Backpackers and campers have a wide range of stoves available to them ranging from all-in-one stove systems to general-purpose units that can be used across a wide range of temperatures and locales. Backpacking stoves fall into four popular categories: canister stoves, alcohol stoves, liquid fuel stoves, and wood stoves which can serve double duty as fuel tablet stands.
- isobutane canister stoves are best for solo cooking, frequent resupply, and in places where stoves (including fires) without an on-off switch are prohibited because of fire danger.
- alcohol stoves are best for ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking, where permitted.
- liquid fuel stoves are best for group cooking, cold weather use, and international travel where canister fuel may be difficult to obtain.
- wood stoves are good for wilderness backpacking where permitted by local regulations.
Below are our picks for the best backpacking stoves.
Note: When comparing the weights of these products, it’s important to differentiate stoves from backpacking stove systems. The latter often include integrated cook pots, windscreens, and stove stands, in addition to the stove burner unit.
1. MSR Pocket Rocket 2
2. Jetboil Flash
3. MSR WindBurner
4. Trail Designs Caldera Cone
5. Soto Windmaster Stove
6. Jetboil Stash
7. MSR Whisperlite Universal
8. Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0
9. Zelph Fancee Feest Alcohol Stove
10. QiWiz Firefly Wood Stove
How to Select a Backpacking Stove
When choosing a backpacking stove it’s best to consider:
- the stove’s weight
- the availability and cost of the fuel required to run it
- whether it’s best for individual or group use
- the operating temperatures in which it must perform
Stove and Cooking Fuel Types
There are five main types of backpacking stoves:
- White gas (liquid fuel, Coleman fuel) stoves
- Canister stoves that burn an isobutane/propane mix
- Alcohol stoves that burn denatured alcohol
- Wood stoves that burn twigs and small sticks
- Solid fuel stoves
White gas stoves burn a refined form of unleaded gas. They’re good for group cooking and winter cooking because they generate a large amount of heat. They can be bulky, however, which is why most solo hikers don’t use them. Canister stoves are best used for individual use or couples. Some can simmer, but most are specialized for boiling water. Alcohol stoves are very simple and preferred by thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers, in part because it is so easy to resupply denatured alcohol on a long distance hike (sold in supermarkets, drug stores, and hardware stores.) Wood stoves can be convenient if natural fuel is easily available, but fire bans in dry states often prohibit their use. Solid fuel stoves burn prepackaged fuel cubes and are also very lightweight, but the fuel can be hard to resupply on a long trip.
Backpacking Stove Systems
A stove system includes everything you need to boil water or cook food including a stove, a cookpot, windscreen, and a stove stand, making it a very convenient and economical way to acquire the stove components you need for backpacking or camping. While group stove systems are available, most of them are designed for single users and solo backpacking. Most stove systems are based around canister stoves and are quite windproof, which increases their fuel efficiency. They are limited in their capabilities, however, and more geared toward boiling water quickly, rather than simmering meals.
Winter Backpacking Stoves
Winter stoves are designed to burn fuel at lower temperatures, usually in a liquid form. White gas stoves can burn down to external temperatures of 40 below zero, Fahrenheit, while canister stoves that can burn a liquid feed (called inverted canister stoves) can burn down to about 10 degrees, Fahrenheit. Winter stoves are designed to melt snow to create drinking water and usually lack the ability to simmer meals since they’re glorified flame throwers.
Backpacking Stove Power
Stove power is measured in BTUs. The higher the number of BTUs, the more heat the stove will put out and the faster it will boil water.
Backpacking Stove Ignition
Many canister stoves are available with integrated sparking units called piezo igniters, so you don’t need to carry matches or a lighter to ignite your stove. While they are incredibly convenient, they have a tendency to wear out if you use your stove frequently. They are usually replaceable, but many people buy stoves without this feature to save money if they plan on using their stove heavily.
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Disclosure: The author has received sample products mentioned in this article over the span of many years from MSR, Soto, and Trail Designs. The rest he’s purchased with his own funds.
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