The Best Backpacking Stoves

Comprehensively testing the best backpacking stoves involves two methods. First, how well does the product do what it’s intended to do, i.e., how capable is it in cooking and preparing food? The second method deals with testing it as a piece of outdoor gear. This entails examining characteristics such as durability and performance in challenging environments and how a stove’s features and design influence that performance. This category consists of stoves for backpacking and more remote wilderness pursuits.

Backpacking stoves are divided into two categories: liquid-fuel stoves and canister stoves. Defining camping stove categories is quite challenging, as even major manufacturers like MSR, Optimus, and Primus can’t agree on an industry standard lexicon for their products. We took matters into our own hands, defining these categories like this:

Liquid Fuel Stoves: backcountry products often used in alpine environments across the globe where fuel availability varies. Fuel is purchased and transported in liquid form, then vaporized into a gas at the time of use. It can vary from white gas to unleaded or even diesel. However, as a relatively new feature, many in this category can switch from liquid fuel pump bottles to isobutane and gas-filled canisters, some without exchanging jets. But it’s their liquid fuel capability that puts them in this category.

Canister stoves: most commonly seen among backpackers and long-distance hikers, these include everything from the ubiquitous screw-on uprights to systems sold complete with companion heat exchanger pots, windscreens and other proprietary accessories. Some products in this category also boast fuel lines and rotating valve housings that allow for canisters to be separated from the stove itself and/or inverted when more fuel pressure or efficiency is needed.

There is potential for a great deal of overlap within the two categories as , technology allows for stoves to use both liquid fuel or canister fuel.

Review Year

Best in Class

Overall Rating

Price

Name	Overall Rating	Ratings	The Good	The Bad	Price
MSR WindBurner	92 Best in Class 2018	Boil Time 10 Efficiency 8 Wind Performance 10 Cooking 7 Weight 7	Highly wind resistant Very fast boil Highly efficient Simmers very well	High profile, risks spill Expensive Lid difficult to remove	MSRP $129.99 BEST DEAL $189.95 Moosejaw
Primus Eta Lite	90	Weight 7 Efficiency 9 Wind Performance 8 Boil Time 9 Cooking 7 Value 10	Highly efficient Lightweight Fast average boil Low profile burner great against wind Pot “coozie” and webbing handle very effective Integrated hanging kit is the best in the category, very simple	Smallest pot volume in class Piezo igniter is ineffective in cold with low fuel pressure Included pot adaptors are not stable	MSRP $100.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Jetboil MiniMo	89	Weight 7 Fuel Efficiency 8 Wind Performance 7 Boil Time 9 Cooking 10 Reliability 8	Fast & efficent Superb simmering Glove-friendly	Pot/stove seperation can be difficult Foam pot cozy is inadequate	MSRP $130.00 BEST DEAL $101.21 Go Gear Direct
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Four Season Stove	88	Boil Time 8 Wind Performance 8 Efficiency 7 Cooking 8 Weight 7	Inverted canister design Boils fast Wind resistant Compact	Windscreen attachment process Stove/pot support deployment Long-term durability questionable	MSRP $79.95 BEST DEAL $79.95 GSI Outdoors
Olicamp Kinetic Ultra Titanium	87	Weight 9 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 7 Boil Time 7 Packing 9 Value 8	Lightweight: 1.7 oz alone, 3.2 oz. with included plastic case Wide burner head disburses flame well Size: smaller than the Snow Peak LiteMax and MSR MicroRocket As efficient as MSR MicroRocket, boiling 8 liters from 4 oz. of fuel Price: almost $20 less than competitors tested	Pot supports most narrow among stoves tested at 3.75’’ Small flame control valve is too close to flame Plastic carry case awkward to pack	MSRP $43.40 BEST DEAL $50.00 REI.com
Primus Eta Spider	87	Weight 6 Fuel Efficiency 8 Wind Performance 7 Boil Time 8 Cooking 10 Reliability 8	Fast average boil: 2:53 for two cups of water Highly efficient: boiled 20 two-cup pots on 100g of fuel Simmering is exceptional Easy to grab strainer lid Flexible fuel line Extra-long insulated pot handles	Heavy; included carry bag adds significant bulk Magnetized stove mounts on windscreen lost effectiveness	MSRP $120.00 BEST DEAL N/A
MSR Reactor	86	Weight 7 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 10 Boil Time 10 Cooking 5 Value 7	Fuel-efficient – 9 liters boiled from 4 oz. of fuel Wind resistant – under 3:00 boil time in steady wind Boil times - Consistently sub-3:00 boil time, faster than Primus EtaExpress and Jetboil SOL TI Sturdy, foldable packing handle Regulator maintains canister pressure	Cost - only the Jetboil Sumo TI is more expensive Can only be used with other Reactor pots Bulky – 1.7-liter pot is largest among similar systems	MSRP $190.00 BEST DEAL $124.95 Eastern Mountain Sports
Optimus Vega	86	Weight 8 Ease of Use 8 Wind Performance 7 Boil Time 6 Versatility 8 Value 9	Lightweight: 6.3 oz by itself, 8.5 oz. with stuff sack and windscreen Highly efficient, boiling 18 liters of tap water from 7.76 oz of Optimus Gas Small: can be nested with mugs, bowls, pots, etc. Simple transition to liquid fuel feed Foldable, sturdy pot supports ideal for group cookware Wind resistant because of low stance and windscreen	Weak flame control on low simmer No built-in igniter	MSRP $94.95 BEST DEAL N/A
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Canister Stove	86	Boil Time 9 Wind Performance 8 Efficiency 7 Cooking 7 Weight 5	Lightweight Cooks well Wind resistant	Windscreen attachment process Lacks features compared to competition Third-party pot compatibility	MSRP $49.95 BEST DEAL $49.95 GSI Outdoors
MSR MicroRocket	85	Weight 7 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 8 Boil Time 8 Packing 8 Value 7	Lightweight: 2.6 oz alone, 4.3 with case and igniter Boil time: faster on average than Snow Peak LiteMax and Oilcamp Kinetic Ultra High-quality build, very durable Efficient; boiled 8 liters from 4 oz. of fuel Large fuel valve makes flame control easy	Igniter failed after only a few uses Most expensive, along with Snow Peak LiteMax	MSRP $59.95 BEST DEAL N/A
Jetboil Flash	85	Weight 7 Efficiency 9 Wind Performance 6 Boil Time 7 Cooking 8 Value 8	Most efficient stove in test Lightweight Fast average boil Large fuel control valve easy to use with gloves Stable when in use Price	Slower than competitors in cold and wind Piezo igniter is ineffective in cold with low fuel pressure Pot must cool before safely detaching from stove Bottom cup weak, can be tedious to remove	MSRP $100.00 BEST DEAL $99.95 Gravity Coalition
MSR Whisperlite Universal	84 Best in Class 2017	Weight 7 Ease of Use 5 Wind Performance 8 Boil Time 7 Versatility 7	Lightweight: 1 lb. 3 oz. with all components and stuff sack Fast & efficient in all conditions Consistent performance across all fuel types Stainless steel pot supports maintain stability of group-sized cookware Improved disassembly method Priming control: 30+ liquid fuel ignitions, not one re-start	Risk of losing shaker needle, other parts during fuel swaps Changing fuel jets challenging with cold-weather gloves Short, rigid fuel line de-stabilizes stove during priming	MSRP $139.00 BEST DEAL $199.95 MSR
Kovea Power Nano	84	Weight 6 Efficiency 6 Wind Performance 8 Boil Time 8 Durability 8 Value 8	Average boil time of 2:28. Large valve adjustment handle is precise and easy to use with gloves Wind performance. Durable Price	Less efficient than Soto WindMaster and OliCamp Ion Micro Heavier than competitors Flame spread quickly heats pot handles	MSRP $35.00 BEST DEAL N/A
MSR WindPro II	84	Weight 6 Efficiency 8 Wind Performance 8 Boil Time 7 Durability 8 Value 7	Fast average boil, faster than Kovea Spider and Optimus Vega Efficiency; boiled 16 liters on 8.9 oz. canister Wind performance; wind screen, low burner/pot clearance maximize capability Stable under all pot and pan sizes Ease of use of flame adjustor with gloves Included windscreen and inverted canister support	Price. At almost $100, it’s expensive for a canister stove Heavier than most in its class Bulky, not as easy to pack	MSRP $100.00 BEST DEAL $134.95 MSR
Kovea Spider	84	Boil Time 6 Weight 8 Efficiency 8 Wind Performance 6 Durability 8 Value 8	Lightweight. Lightest in category at 6 oz. Very efficient, tied with MSR WindPro II for with 1 16 liters boiled on 8.9 oz. canister Long, flexible fuel line aids in packing and backcountry kitchen set up Wide stance accommodates multiple pot sizes Glove-friendly fuel control	Slow average boil Not as efficient in windy conditions Windscreen not included	MSRP $65.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Primus EtaExpress	83	Weight 8 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 4 Boil Time 7 Durability 7 Value 10	As fuel-efficient as MSR Reactor – 9 liters boiled from 4 oz. of fuel Boil time: averaged 3:19 over ten boils Compact & Versatile: can be used with alternative brand pots Price: great performance for well under cost of competitive systems Field-repairable: jet can be cleaned if needed	Windscreen makes for clunky piezo ignition Not as fuel-efficient as JetBoil SOL TI Slower average boil than MSR Reactor Wind performance less efficient as MSR Reactor, Jetboil SOL TI Lid too small to function as practical plate or pan; requires stuff sack to stay in place when packed	MSRP $97.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Optimus Elektra FE Cook System	83	Boil Time 8 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 7 Cooking 6 Weight 5	Compact Wind performance Durable Fuel control dial	Price Igniter Cooking flexibility Fry pan/lid	MSRP $49.95 BEST DEAL $71.47 Backcountry.com
Primus OmniFuel	83	Boil Time 5 Fuel Efficiency 8 Ease of Use 7 Durability 7 Weight 6	Fuel pump Versatility Flame control White gas efficiency Jet swaps	Price Noise Flame spreader Priming	MSRP $157.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Jetboil SOL Titanium Premium Cooking System	82	Weight 8 Efficiency 9 Wind Performance 7 Boil Time 7 Durability 6 Value 5	Fuel efficient – boiled 12 liters of water on 4 oz. of fuel Lightweight – titanium’s best benefit Quick boil time – averaged 3:12 boiling .75 liters of water Compact – smaller than MSR Reactor and EtaExpress Pressure regulator - maintains consistent boil times	Pricey – higher end of the market, expensive for heating less than a liter of water Neoprene wrap virtually pointless – pot is to hot to handle for pouring Destroys itself quickly when tipped over.	MSRP $150.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Olicamp Ion Micro Titanium	82	Weight 9 Efficiency 9 Wind Performance 5 Boil Time 7 Durability 7 Value 5	Size & weight; smallest canister stove on the market at 1.5 ounces Highly efficient; boiled 17 pots of water on 4 ounces of gas Average boil time of 3:13	Size of stove and flame adjustor makes control difficult Miniscule pot supports provides stability for only smallest of pots Poor wind performance Cost; priced similarly to much more versatile competitors	MSRP $50.00 BEST DEAL $50.00 REI.com
MSR SuperFly	81	Weight 7 Efficiency 6 Wind Performance 7 Boil Time 6 Durability 9 Value 6	Pot supports offer variety and stability with cookware Wind performance Flame control; best in category for camp cooking Durability; strong, very well-built	Least efficient among four screw-on canister stoves tested Boil time; slowest in test	MSRP $65.00 BEST DEAL N/A
MSR XGK EX	81	Boil Time 6 Efficiency 6 Wind Performance 7 Cooking 7 Weight 6 Reliability 9	Bombproof Fuel versatility Low, stable stance Easy field maintenance	Heaviest in category Expensive Inflexible fuel line Loud	MSRP $159.99 BEST DEAL $209.95 MSR
Optimus Nova+	81	Boil Time 5 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 7 Cooking 7 Weight 7 Reliability 8	Lightweight Fuel versatility Low, stable stance Magnetic jet cleaning needle	Powerline™ control valve Stiff fuel line Expensive Doesn’t pack well	MSRP $149.99 BEST DEAL N/A
Snow Peak GeoShield	81	Boil Time 6 Efficiency 8 Wind Performance 7 Cooking 8 Weight 6 Reliability 6	Large pot stability Standard or inverted canister use Good for simmering, long-term cooking Efficient Good wind performance	Cumbersome setup Wire locking system for windscreen Base plate attachment clips bend No included stand for inverted canister stability	MSRP $99.95 BEST DEAL N/A
Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium	79	Weight 8 Efficiency 7 Wind Performance 6 Boil Time 7 Packing 6 Value 5	Lightweight: 1.9 oz alone, 2.2 oz. with included stuff sack Large, rubber-coated fuel control valve Folding pot supports adjust to pot size Pot support width of over 4’’	Slowest boil among competitors OliCamp Kinetic Ultra Titanium and MSR MicroRocket Poor performance in wind	MSRP $59.95 BEST DEAL $49.95 CampSaver.com
Jetboil Sumo Group Cooking System w/ Companion Bowl Set	77	Weight 4 Cooking Capacity 10 Packability 5 Versatility 7 Durability 6 Value 5	Durable pot. Strainer lid. Nests all bowls, stove and 230g fuel canister. Sol stove.	Bulky. Complex to nest properly. Flimsy measuring cup. Many separate parts and accessories. Pricey.	MSRP $149.90 BEST DEAL $139.95 Jans

Summary of Backpacking Stoves Reviews

Best In Class

MSR Whisperlite Universal

Backpacking Stoves , Camping Stoves & Hiking & Camping

$199.95

Best in Class 2017

The MSR Whisperlite Universal is a fast and highly practical stove that is effective in wind, cold and at altitude using canister-based or liquid fuels. It should be at the top of any mountaineer or backpacker’s gear list.

Read the Full Review Shop Now at MSR

Best In Class

MSR WindBurner

Camping Stoves , Gas Canister Backpacking Stoves & Hiking & Camping

$189.95

Best in Class 2018

MSR may have very well outsmarted itself with the WindBurner. While using much of the same tech as the Reactor, the WindBurner has enough built-in features to muscle its wider, fatter siblings out of shelf space. It’s the fastest and most weather-resistant backcountry boiler tested.

Read the Full Review Shop Now at Moosejaw

Best For Solo Hikers

Soto WindMaster

Backpacking Stoves , Camping Stoves & Hiking & Camping

$69.95

Given its weight, efficiency, performance in wind and average boil time, the Soto WindMaster is the superior stove in this category. It is pricey, but you do get what you are paying for. The micro-regulator is an impressive inclusion on a stove of this size and it performs as advertised, maintaining boil time consistency and performance in temperatures most canister stoves can't handle.

Read the Full Review Shop Now at CampSaver.com

Best For Groups

Primus Eta Spider

Backpacking Stoves , Camping Stoves & Hiking & Camping

The Primus Eta Spider simmers as well as the Jetboil MiniMo and is equally fuel efficient, but it’s a pound heavier when packed as purchased. You can’t go wrong buying it if weight isn’t a top concern.

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Best Value

Kovea Spider

Backpacking Stoves , Camping Stoves & Hiking & Camping

The Kovea Spider is an excellent backpacking stove. The packability, simplicity and efficiency should outweigh its less than stellar wind performance. The Spider isn’t super fast, but when you’re using a stove to cook actual meals, typically a rapid boil isn’t a priority. The Kovea Spider has a wide base, is stable under group-size cook pots and offers precise flame control.

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Best For Reliability

MSR XGK EX

Camping Stoves , Hiking & Camping & Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stoves

$209.95

The XGK EX’s longevity in the market is a direct result of its durability and maintenance simplicity. Having to adjust for alternative fuel types is not as easy as it is with the Kovea Booster +1, which requires no mechanical replacement of the jet. The XKG’s stability and no-hassle set-up make it ideal for larger pots on varied terrain. Its short, rigid fuel line can make fuel bottle placement a challenge. It is heavier than others in its category but it’s meant to serve in a kitchen for an extended basecamp, not packed up every morning. This stove doesn’t have wow with bells & whistles nor does it boil water in under two minutes. What it does do is work every time you need it to.

Read the Full Review Shop Now at MSR

Best For Easy Cleaning

Optimus Nova+

Backpacking Stoves , Camping Stoves , Hiking & Camping & Multifuel Stoves

The Optimus Nova+ stands out amongst similar expedition stoves. It’s easy field maintenance, fuel versatility and low stance make it easy to use. It falls short however in trying to be too innovative with the Powerline control and the included storage bag doesn’t securely hold the stove.

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