Best Backpacking Stoves of 2022

Having a stove on a backpacking trip can make all the difference – after a grueling day of hiking, there’s nothing like chowing down on a hot meal, and a warm cup of coffee or tea makes a world of difference during chilly camp mornings. While there are some people who can live off bars and prepackaged ready-to-eat meals, for most people, a camp stove is a must-pack item for backpacking trips.

Looking to buy a new stove? We’ve put together a list of the best backpacking stoves, followed by important factors to consider when purchasing a backpacking stove.

Best Backpacking Stoves At A Glance

Backpacking Stoves Comparison Table

See the comparison table below for a quick summary of each of the top stoves for backpacking. You can click on the columns to sort by what’s most important to you.

*Note: The boil time we mention is for 1 liter of water. Many times, you’ll be boiling less than that for your meals, so the boil times you experience will likely be less than what’s listed.

JetBoil MiniMo Backpacking Stove

Best All-In-One Backpacking Stove

Great for: people who want a full cook set, backpackers who mostly boil water for meals vs. cook

Pros: convenient, don’t have to buy a separate pot, good simmer control

Cons: a little bulky vs. other backpacking stove setups

The JetBoil MiniMo comes with a paired cooking pot so you don’t have to worry about selecting a compatible cooking container. The MiniMo also has better simmer control than some of the other canister backpacking stoves, so you can boil water as well as make other simple meals without burning the bottom. If you only need to boil water, the Jetboil Flash Cooking System (featured in the photo at the top of this blog post) is a more fuel efficient option as it boils water quicker than the MiniMo.

MSR PocketRocket 2 Backpacking Stove

Most Lightweight Backpacking Stove

Great for: ultralight backpacking

Pros: very compact, durable, easy to setup & use

Cons: doesn’t perform well in windy conditions, need to purchase a separate pot

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is one of the lightest, most compact, and easiest remote canister stoves to use on the market. It’s also one of the least expensive backpacking stoves available. Weighing only 2.6 ounces, it takes up very little room in your pack and is simple to use. This version is a well-loved upgrade from the original PocketRocket and has been used by backpackers for many years. While it doesn’t include a full cook set, there is a compatible MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit available.

Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 Backpacking Stove

Best Budget Canister Backpacking Stove

Great for: lightweight backpacking

Pros: auto ignition, easy to set up & use, durable

Cons: doesn’t perform well in windy conditions, need to purchase a separate pot

The Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 Stove is an ultralight backpacking stove with a fully adjustable burner that can be used for simmering, not just boiling water for freeze-dried foods. It has a built-in Piezo igniter that sparks once the gas is turned on, which means you don’t need a lighter to start (although we always recommend bringing one along just in case).

MSR WindBurner Backpacking Stove System

Best Backpacking Stove for Windy Conditions

Great for: people who want a full cook set, backpackers who mostly boil water for meals vs. cook, windy trips

Pros: works well even in windy conditions, great fuel efficiency, don’t have to buy a separate pot

Cons: heaviest stove on our list, bulkier than other backpacking stove setups

The MSR WindBurner Stove System is one of the best all-in-one stoves on the market. Ideal for both backpacking and car camping, this stove delivers faster boil times and more fuel efficiency than conventional stoves. The integrated cookware has built-in heat exchanger which efficiently transfers heat to the lock-on pot.

MSR Whisper Lite Universal Backpacking Stove

Best Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stove

Great for: backpacking trips that require flying (can fly with empty liquid fuel)

Pros: compatible with both canisters and liquid fuel, durable

Cons: one of the heavier backpacking stoves on our list, no simmer control (unless using a canister)

The WhisperLite Universal Backpacking Stove (the stove I have) is similar to the WhisperLite, but the Universal model can be used with either canister fuel or liquid fuel, making it especially versatile. This stove has to be primed before each use but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it, and the flame can be turned down to a simmer so it’s great for cooking a variety of meals, not just for boiling water to rehydrate prepared backpacking food.

Primus Express Spider Backpacking Stove

Best Budget Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stove

Great for: backpacking trips that require flying (can fly with empty liquid fuel)

Pros: compact, stable to use, budget-friendly for liquid fuel, easy to use in windy conditions

Cons: no simmer control

The Primus Express Spider is one of the lightest hose-mounted gas stoves on the market. It performs well at low temperatures with its reheating coil and is a great option for those who don’t want a “sit on top” stove. This stove is extremely sturdy, durable and lightweight.

Solo Stove Lite Backpacking Stove

Best Wood Burning Backpacking Stove

Great for: ultralight backpacking (no fuel canisters required), eco-friendly backpacking

Pros: don’t need to carry fuel, can function as a windscreen/pot support for an alcohol stove

Cons: can’t use in backcountry areas with burn bans, can’t control flame, slow to boil water

With the Solo Stove Lite, you can burn either wood or use an alcohol burner attachment to burn denatured alcohol. The basic operation is you stick wood and twigs in the stove, the stove sucks air in from the bottom and it results in a flame. This is a good option for people who want to cut weight – no need to worry about carrying fuel canisters, but it does have a slow boil time and requires you to gather sticks to get the flame going. Another thing to keep in mind is that wood burning stoves cannot be used when fire restrictions or burn bans are in effect.

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Best Backpacking Stove Accessories

To complete your backpacking kitchen setup, you’ll need a pot (if you’re not using the Jetboil MiniMo or MSR Windburner) and a few other stove accessories. Here are some of our favorites –

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What Type of Backpacking Stove Is Right For You?

There are three main types of backpacking stove fuel: canister, liquid fuel, or alternative fuel (ex. wood). Below we break down the differences between these fuel types and the pros/cons of each.

Canister Stoves

Canister stoves use closed fuel containers (called canisters) that contain pressurized isobutane and propane gases. There are two types of canister stoves, integrated canister stoves, and remote canister stoves. Canister stoves tend to be best for boiling water for lightweight, dehydrated backpacking meals and very simple cooking for 1-2 people.

Integrated canister stoves have a stove that screws directly into the canister fuel source and come with a sealed cooking pot that pairs with it. Essentially, integrated canister stoves are a complete cooking system. Remote canister stoves have a stove that has its own base with a fuel hose that connects to the canister. One advantage here is that you get to select your own cooking pot to use with the stove instead of having a cooking pot that pairs with the stove.

Pros of Canister Stoves:

• Canister stoves are easy to use and are very efficient.
• The fuel canisters self-seal so you don’t need to worry about spilling fuel.
• These stoves require little maintenance.
• Canister stoves are generally smaller and more lightweight than other backpacking stoves.

Cons of Canister Stoves:

• Fuel canisters can be expensive and it can also be difficult to know how much fuel you have left in your canister.
• Empty canisters should be disposed of properly – you will most likely need to collect and return them to a location for appropriate disposal/recycling. In some cases, canisters are difficult to recycle or can’t be recycled which can be wasteful.
• You can’t fly with fuel canisters so if traveling with a canister stove you’ll always need to identify locations that sell fuel canisters at your destination.
• Being small, these stoves often can’t accommodate a large pot.
• If on low in windy terrain, the flame can easily go out. You should NEVER use a windscreen around a canister stove because it can trap heat which could cause the canister to explode.

Helpful Tips on Canisters:

It can difficult to know how much gas is left in a canister. Here are two helpful tricks:

• While at home, you can use a kitchen scale to weigh your canister. This will show you how much is left compared to the original weight of the canister that is marked on the container.
• While in the backcountry, you can place a canister in water. Empty canisters will float higher than full canisters which will sink a bit. This is helpful if you’re unsure just how much you have left while on your trip. If you do this at home BEFORE leaving for the backcountry you can mark an initial water level line on the container. While on your trip you can then put the canister in water to see how much you’ve used.

Liquid Fuel Stoves

Liquid fuel backpacking stoves use white gas, kerosene, diesel or automotive gas instead of pressurized isobutane and propane gases. The fuel canister generally connects to the stove via a hose. Liquid stoves offer more flexibility for cooking more elaborate meals for larger groups. They’re also good for international backpacking trips or any outdoor adventures where you’re getting on a plane since you can fly with the canister empty and fill it at your destination. Below are the best liquid fuel backpacking stoves.

Pros of Liquid Fuel Stoves

• It’s easy to see how much fuel you have left because you can unscrew the top and look in the fuel container.
• You can refill a single bottle of fuel rather than having to dispose of/recycle used canisters and purchase new ones.
• These stoves perform well even at high elevations and in cold temperatures.
• Since these stoves can accommodate a variety of liquid fuels, it can be easier to find usable fuel anywhere in the world.

Cons of Liquid Fuel Stoves

• Liquid fuel stoves require more knowledge to use. You have to prime the stove by heating the fuel line so the stove is able to convert liquid fuel into gas. It’s not that difficult, but you will want to do it at home first before you go out into the backcountry.
• Routine maintenance and cleaning are required as well.
• There is potential for fuel spills since the fuel containers can be opened and re-filled.
• On average, liquid fuel stoves are heavier than canister stoves.

Alternative Fuel Backpacking Stoves

Alternative fuel stoves are continuing to evolve and in recent years seem to be getting more and more advanced. The downside of having a wood burning backpacking stove is that you can’t use them when burn bans are in effect, so keep that in mind when thinking of your trip plans.

Pros for Denatured Alcohol Stoves

• Generally the most lightweight option you can find
• Denatured alcohol is very inexpensive and easy to find
• Easy to use and no maintenance is required

Cons for Denatured Alcohol Stoves

• Extra parts are critical, such as a windscreen
• Fuel spills are a possibility
• Denatured alcohol doesn’t burn as hot (in temperature) as canister fuel/white gas so it can take a significant amount of time and thus fuel for water to boil
• It’s very difficult to control the size of the flame, so it’s difficult to simmer rather than boil

Pros for Wood Burning Stoves

• Simple and lightweight – can save you on pack weight
• Some models can charge a mobile phone or other small gadget via a USB connection when burning twigs

Cons for Wood Burning Stoves

• Finding dry twigs in wet conditions can be difficult
• Use may be prohibited during a burn ban or in some places at high elevation

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Factors to Consider When Choosing A Backpacking Stove

Weight

As with everything you put in your backpack, stove weight figures into that equation. You need to consider both the stove weight itself as well as fuel weight. If you’re selecting a backpacking stove for a long thru-hike, you’ll want to be counting ounces as well as the space the stove and fuel will take up in your pack. If you’re just looking for a backpacking stove for an occasional 1-2 night backpacking trip, weight isn’t as big of a concern.

Efficiency

Efficiency, in our opinion, is the key factor to consider. It’s more important than weight because a more efficient stove means you’ll have to carry less fuel. Most nights in the backcountry, I need to boil water so knowing the amount of time and fuel a stove takes to bring water to a boil is vital.

Functionality at High Altitude & Cold Temperatures

It takes longer to boil water at higher elevations, so having a fast-boiling stove is more important if you plan to backpack at altitude. Also, some stoves, such as those that use canisters, can depressurize in cold weather making them difficult to use when temperatures drop. Various types of stoves can also be prohibited in some areas and/or when above a certain elevation. Keep these factors in mind when searching for a backpacking stove.

What About Going Without a Stove?

If you’re just heading into the backcountry for one or two nights and don’t mind eating cold food and forgoing a hot cup of coffee in the morning, going without a backpacking stove won’t be too rough. And, if you’re a beginner backpacker who just wants to test out the waters before committing to buying all the backpacking gear, a stove is an easy piece of gear to borrow from a friend or share with a campmate (be sure to plan ahead and ask about what fuel you need to bring!)

Wraps, sandwiches, and powdered hummus are doable for backpacking dinners, but ultimately having a nice hot meal after a full day of trekking is very satisfying. Plus, some hot tea at night before bed and a hot cup of coffee in the morning to start your day are musts on our wilderness itineraries. But it’s all a personal choice!

What About Cooking Over a Fire?

Cooking over a fire can be an option in areas that allow fires where fire risk is low. First, make sure the area you’re backpacking in allows fires. If you go backpacking in a fire-safe area and plan to cook this way, you’ll need a metal pot with a metal lid to keep ash out (make sure there are no plastic parts that could melt). Always look for existing backcountry campsites with fire rings, so you don’t create new scars and remember to Leave No Trace.

Also, note that fire safety skills are extremely important here and we do not recommend cooking over a fire in dry areas or if you are uncertain about your skills. If it ends up being windy or rainy during your trip, you may find yourself wishing you brought a backpacking stove along so keep that in mind.

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What is your favorite backpacking stove? What tips do you have for cooking while backpacking?