10 Best Backpacking Stoves in 2023

You love the outdoors! You can’t think of anything better than heading into the wilderness with everything you need strapped to your back, taking in the beauty and sleeping under the stars. And to really make it enjoyable having a light pack and a way to settle down at camp with some hot food and drinks while you stretch out after a day of adventuring makes all the difference.

Choosing the perfect backpacking stove for you endeavors is worth it and there are many good lightweight options depending on what your cooking priorities are in the wild.

Check out our favorite picks below and dive into our Backpacking Stove Buyer’s Guide to help you cap off your next wilderness outing with a hot drink and warm belly.

Backpacking Stove Buyer’s Guide

A backpacking stove is a portable, lightweight cooking device for overnight and multi-day self-propelled adventures. The main difference between backpacking and camping stoves is their size and weight.

Most camping stoves, like the Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove or Eureka! Ignite, are designed to be transported in your car or camper van. On the other hand, backpacking stoves are small and lightweight enough to be carried inside your backpack along with your other essential camping gear.

The beauty of a backpacking stove is being able to cook up a hot meal and make a warm drink even when you’re in the wildest and most remote places. Backpacking stoves aren’t just a luxury. They can also be lifesaving when trudging through days of bad weather. You can even boil water to pour into a Nalgene bottle before bed, keeping you warm on those frosty nights.

Backpacking stoves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each design has its own unique functionality. When shopping for a backpacking stove, there are a number of considerations you’ll want to keep in mind:

–   Fuel Source & Efficiency

–   Weight & Portability

–   Boil Time

–   Ease of use

–   Versatility

–   Stability

–   Safety

–   Price

Each backpacking stove will have its pros and cons, so it’s important to know your main priority when purchasing your stove and what you’re planning to use it for. Are you primarily using it to boil water for hot drinks and dehydrated meals, or are you looking to fry up an egg or pancakes for breakfast in the morning?

You may also want to consider how long you’ll be traveling. On an overnight hike, you might not be as concerned about weight and portability as a weeklong excursion where you’re carrying a lot more food and gear.

When and where you’re traveling is also important, as some stoves and fuel types perform better at a higher elevation and in colder conditions than others.

It may feel overwhelming at first with so many considerations and options on the market. But I’m confident you’ll be able to identify the perfect backpacking stove (or stoves) for your unique adventures after diving into this guide.

Fuel Source & Efficiency

Your stove’s fuel source and efficiency is important, especially if you’re planning on a longer, multi-day adventure. The fuel you’re carrying is often heavier than the stove, so it’s ideal only to take as much fuel as you require on your expedition.

There are three main categories of backpacking stoves defined by their fuel source:

– Canister and integrated canister stoves

– Liquid gas stoves

– Alternative fuel stoves

Canister and integrated canister stoves:

While car camping stoves often use larger propane or butane gas canisters as fuel, backpacking stoves typically use a mixture of propane and isobutane, which can be purchased in lightweight, portable canisters from brands like Coleman, MSR, Jetboil, or Snow Peak.

Integrated canister stove systems like the MSR Windburner and Jetboil Flash are designed so that the pot is part of the stove system and the gas canister screws directly into the burner. These stoves often have excellent fuel efficiency because they have an in-built windscreen that shields the flame from the wind. The insulated pot slides directly into the burner for increased efficiency, and many are designed with an inbuilt heat exchanger that increases the heated surface area between the flame and the liquid allowing water to boil much faster.

Canister stoves like the Snow Peak Giga Power Stove also screw directly into the burner, but they have a more adjustable base to fit different-sized pots and pans. Canister stoves are slightly less fuel efficient than integrated canister stoves, but they are generally much lighter and less bulky depending on the cook wear you carry.

Pros:

–   Easy to use and don’t require a lot of maintenance

–   Fuel efficient

–   No need to worry about spilling your fuel

–   Compatible with various types of canisters so you can shop around for the cheapest option.

Cons:

–   Difficult to gauge how much fuel is left in a canister, which often results in carrying a spare canister in case one runs out.

–   Disposing of your empty canister can be tricky because you cannot throw gas canisters in the garbage. Some outfitters will recycle canisters on your behalf. Otherwise, you may need to take them to your closest recycling depot.

Liquid gas stoves:

Liquid gas stoves typically use white gas, which is refined so it burns clean and can be used in freezing temperatures or high altitudes.

Liquid gas is cheaper than gas canisters, so this is an excellent option for longer expeditions. You can also purchase various gas bottles to accommodate the length of your trip and how often you’ll be cooking. They’re also more sustainable, as you can reuse the same gas bottle for every journey.

Liquid gas stoves require more work to start because the gas must be pressurized in the bottle using a pump, and the fuel line must be heated by burning a small amount of fuel, which is called priming.

The MSR Whisperlite Universal burns white gas, kerosene, unleaded gasoline and is also compatible with gas canisters.

Pros:

–   Liquid gas is cheaper to purchase than gas canisters.

–   Can be fixed in the field.

–   Spare parts can be ordered if something fails.

–   You can take the exact amount of fuel you want for each trip.

–   You don’t have to worry about discarding a canister at the end of your excursion.

–   You can refill your bottle with as much fuel as you need for your next adventure.

–   Liquid gas performs better in cold temperatures because you can regulate the bottle’s pressure using a pump.

Some canister stoves on the market, like the MSR Windburner, feature a pressure regulator, enabling more consistent performance in various climates. But liquid gas stoves guarantee more control and better performance in colder conditions.

Cons:

–   Requires more preparation than a canister or alcohol stove.

–   Requires more cleaning and maintenance than canister stoves.

–   Requires priming, which involves burning a small amount of liquid gas below the burner that preheats the fuel line to convert the gas into a vapor.

–   First-time users may find it challenging to release just the right amount of fuel to prime the stove without flooding it.

For those who want a screw-and-go solution, a canister stove may be a better option for you.

Alternative fuel stoves:

Alternative fuel stoves provide a substitute for both gas canisters and liquid gas. These include:

– Wood-burning stoves like the Solo Stove Lite or the Vargo Titanium Hexagon Backpacking Wood Stove.

– Alcohol stoves like the TOAKS Titanium Alcohol Stove.

– Solid fuel tablet stoves like the Esbit Ultralight Folding Pocket Stove.

Each of these alternative systems has its pros and cons. In theory, wood-burning stoves don’t require you to carry fuel and could be said to be better for the environment. On the other hand, they need you to camp in areas with access to dry fallen wood. Fire bans may also prohibit the use of wood-burning stoves, while some parks limit the use of these types of stoves above specific elevations.

Alcohol stoves are known for their simplicity and portability and are often some of the most lightweight. They run on both denatured and solid alcohol and can even use products like HEET (a gas-line antifreeze). Alcohol stoves don’t allow you to adjust the intensity of the flame, which means they’re great for boiling water but can quickly burn food at the bottom of your pot.

Solid fuel tablet stoves are also incredibly lightweight and compact, like alcohol stoves. They are easy to use and require little to no maintenance, but they are slower to boil water (as they don’t burn as hot as propane or white gas stoves) and have the same limitations as alcohol stoves in adjusting the intensity of the flame.

Pros:

–   Do not have to carry fuel in the case of wood-burning stoves.

–   Fuels like denatured alcohol or HEET can be easier to come by in small towns without an outfitter.

–   Burn more quietly than canister or liquid gas stoves.

Cons:

–   Sourcing wood can be challenging in the high alpine or desert.

–   You might struggle to light the wood if it’s very wet.

–   Takes longer to boil water because they don’t burn as hot as canister or liquid gas stoves.

–   You also can’t regulate the intensity of the flame.

–   Limited to boiling water rather than frying up a fresh catch or sautéing vegetables.

Weight & Portability

The weight and portability of your backpacking stove are essential, especially if you’re planning a multi-day expedition where every ounce and square inch of space in your pack is important.

While it might be great to purchase the most lightweight option on the market, like the TOAKS Titanium Alcohol Stove, these types of stoves come with their limitations. Where they win out on weight and portability, they lose out in boil time and versatility because you’re unable to adjust the heat and strength of the flame.

Larger, integrated stove options like the MSR Windburner Stove System might be heavier and bulkier, but their advantage is their ease of use, boil time, and wind protection. Similarly, the Jetboil MiniMo is a lot bulkier than a white gas or alcohol stove, but Jetboils proprietary regulator allows for heat adjustment and simmer control, allowing you to boil water in two minutes using less fuel than most other systems.

Some alternative fuel options like the Solo Stove Lite are on the heavier side too, but because this is a wood-burning stove, you don’t need to carry gas in addition.

A stove that finds a great balance between weight and functionality is the Snow Peak Giga Power Stove. It’s easy to use, packs down to ‎5.16 x 3.86 x 1.81 inches, and weighs only 5 ounces. It can hold a variety of sized pots and pans and provides some control over the strength and intensity of the flame.

The biggest issue with the Snow Peak Giga is wind protection, so you may need to use a wind guard or another piece of gear to shield the stove while in use. Be aware that gas canisters can overheat, so ensure there is a gap in the guard for heat to escape.

The Snow Peak Giga also doesn’t have a pressure regulator, which means it won’t perform well in colder conditions or at higher elevation. If you are using this type of stove in colder conditions, you can warm the canister in your sleeping bag or on your body before use.

For a more wallet-friendly version of the Snow Peak Giga, you could also try the BRS-3000T.

Boil Time

When I used an alcohol stove while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013, I was always jealous of hikers using Jetboils who were able to boil water five times faster than I was.

Boil time can be important if you’re aiming to make a lot of miles each day, but it may not be as important to someone base camping by an alpine lake with time to spare for their water to boil.

Generally, stoves with the fastest boil time are integrated canister stoves because:

–   The burner is shielded from the wind

–   The pot fits perfectly over the burner and is often wrapped in an insulated sleeve

–   Technology like inbuilt heat exchangers are used to increase the heated surface area

Stoves with the slowest boil times are alternative fuel option stoves because:

–   Alcohol, solid fuel tablets, and wood don’t burn as hot as canister or liquid gas

–   These stoves are susceptible to the wind

–   The pot must sit higher above the flame than a canister or liquid gas stove to avoid stifling the flame

Ease of use

If you’re looking for a backpacking stove that doesn’t require a manual to assemble and is easy to prepare, clean, and maintain, I recommend either a canister, alcohol or solid-fuel pellet stove.

Canister stoves generally have a small burner that screws directly onto your gas canister and prongs to hold your selected cook wear. Depending on the design, the prongs fold down towards the burner so they pack down very small like the Soto Amicus or the MSR Pocket Rocket. These stoves are incredibly easy to set up and pack down, and require very little maintenance.

Alcohol stoves generally consist of a small round vessel (burner) that is filled with fuel and then placed on the ground. Most alcohol stoves will come equipped with some kind of windshield that stops the flame from going out and holds your pot and cookware above the flame. These types of stoves like the TOAKS Titanium Alcohol Stove and the REDCAMP Mini Alcohol Stove are easy to use without any complicated moving parts that can break down with use.

Solid fuel tablet stoves are similar in design and functionality to alcohol stoves. They consist of a burner that holds the fuel tablet and feature a basic potholder that accommodates various styles of cookware.

Wood burning stoves are also very basic in their construction compared to white gas stoves. Wood burning stoves require you to source your own fuel, however, which can be more challenging depending on your location.

Liquid gas stoves like the MSR Whisperlite Universal certainly excel in functionality, but out of the three main types of backpacking stoves, are the most complicated to set up and use. You must remember to pressurize the fuel by using the pump on the bottle before priming the stove, which requires burning a small amount of fuel to heat the fuel line so the gas will turn into vapor and ignite.

These stoves also require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Versatility

When choosing your perfect backpacking stove, versatility refers to whether you can adjust the flame to a simmer, use different sized pots and pans on the stove, and can use the stove in various climates or at high altitude.

Generally, the most versatile backpacking stoves are liquid gas stoves because they perform well in cold weather and high altitude, can accommodate custom-made backpacking cookware or your pots and pans from home and have the ability the adjust the strength of the flame so you can rapidly boil water or simmer on a lower temperature.

Canister stoves have the versatility and compatibility to use various types of cookware. They allow you some control over the strength of the flame and depending on which canister you purchase, work relatively well in cold weather and higher altitudes.

Some integrated canister stoves like the Jetboil Flash come with a pot support adapter, which allows you to use a standard pot or pan on the burner instead of the integrated pot. This is a great feature that adds to the versatility of the stove.

Other integrated canister stoves like the MSR Windburner have an inbuilt pressure regulator, which enables the stove to function well in colder temperatures and higher altitudes.

Alternative fuel stoves may be versatile in accommodating various types of cookware, but they’re essentially designed to boil water because you have no control over the strength and heat of the flame. They will also perform a lot slower in colder temperatures and higher altitudes.

Stability

The lower the burner is to the ground, the more stable a stove will be. This is why canister and integrated canister stoves are often said to be the most unstable because the burner sits on top of the canister, which can easily become unbalanced and fall.

Jetboil and other brands have developed a Fuel Can Stabilizer, which attaches to the base of the canister to make it more stable on uneven ground. But you should still be weary when using taller-profile backpacking stoves that are prone to tipping.

Alternative fuel stoves are generally very stable because the burner and fuel are placed on the ground. The stability of each stove is dependent on the design of the pot stand, but most hold the pot only inches above the flame.

Liquid gas stoves are generally quite stable because they have burners that sit close to the ground with the gas bottle attached via a hose that sits off to the side of the stove. I sometimes find it difficult to get the burner to sit flush on the ground without the weight of a pot on top, and on a few occasions have accidentally knocked the gas bottle attached to the burner, causing a spill.

Safety

Backpacking stoves are generally very safe to use, but you always need to be wary when dealing with fuel and fire.

You should never use any form of backpacking stove inside your tent or even under your vestibule. Tents are made from nylon and are highly flammable, so you want to make sure you’re away from your tent when cooking.

You also want to make sure you aren’t using your stove in long grass, on top of dry leaves or near other flammable materials.

As mentioned above, gas canisters can overheat, so it’s important to ensure heat can escape if you’re using an aftermarket windshield.

When priming your liquid gas stove, the liquid will ignite into a flame that will slowly die down as the fuel burns and heats the fuel line. You need to be careful not to release too much liquid when priming, both because it can flood the stove and also because it will create an even larger flame that takes time to burn off. You should be especially careful when priming your stove in windy conditions.

Alternative fuel stoves create a flame that can be harder to put out without the ability to turn a gauge like on your canister stove. Because these burners are generally placed on the ground, you should pay close attention to what is directly beneath and surrounding your stove before igniting the flame.

Some people choose to carry a protective mat for their stove to sit on like a Fibreglass Heat Shield to ensure there is no risk of anything on the ground catching fire.

Price

Price could be one of the main deciding factors when purchasing a backpacking stove, but I have left it to the end purposefully because I believe it’s important to assess which style of stove you’re after before shopping around for the best price.

All three types of backpacking stoves (canister, liquid fuel, and alternative fuel) come in a range of different prices from the cheapest alcohol stoves that retails under USD $15, to the more elaborate integrated canister stoves like the MSR Reactor Windproof Camping and Backpacking Stove System, which retails for around USD $270.

Well-known brands like MSR and Jetboil will generally retail for over USD $100, but there are lesser-known brands like BLUU or Fire-Maple, who offer integrated canister stoves for under USD $50.

Price will often determine longevity, quality of materials and construction, versatility, weight, and portability. My recommendation would be to purchase the style of stove you want somewhere in the midrange like the Jetboil Flash or the MSR Windburner for integrated canister stoves and the Soto Amicus or the MSR Pocket Rocket for standard canister stoves.