Best Backpacking Stoves [2022] (Lightweight & Ultralight) BikeHikeSafari

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This is a gear review about the Best Backpacking Stoves in 2022.

The best backpacking stove in 2022 is so light you barely notice it and most pack down smaller than a water bottle.

Choosing an ultralight backpacking stove can be a bit of a challenge because there are so many options. You’ve got different materials to think of, different fuels, and different accessories.

I’ve done the hard work and found the Best Ultralight Backpacking Stoves available right now.

Best Backpacking Stoves 2022?

The Best Backpacking Stoves in 2022 are:

Best Ultralight Stove 2022

SOTO WindMaster Stove Review

Weight: 2.3oz / 65g
Power: 11000 BTU
Pros:
> Very fast boil times.
> Ultralight weight.
> Easy to use and store.
> Performs well in adverse conditions.
> Flame control handle.
Cons:
> Expensive.

There is a reason the SOTO Windmaster is at the top of this review of the Best Backpacking Stoves on the market right now.

At only 2.3 oz this canister stove is lighter than a deck of cards and puts out some incredible heat. This hiking stove equals quality, power, and a higher overall build standard.

The Soto Windmaster performs well at altitude, in bad weather, or low temperatures.

The power this thing can put out is incredible. It can go up to 11000 BTU and boils 2 cups of water in 2.5 minutes in windy conditions. That time is reduced significantly on a calm day.

The pot supports are separate from the burner making it a much easier shape to store. It also reduces the risk of the supports snapping.

There is a nice long handle on the flame control valve which is easier to use than some other stove designs. Using this handle, you can set the flame low for a good simmer control, or high to boil water.

The Piezo ignition system on the Soto Windmaster works very well, even in windy conditions.

The only major issue is the price. You can easily buy complete cook sets for half the price of this burner and pot stand. The difference comes down to the quality.

Overall, the Soto Windmaster is a great ultralight stove and the best backpacking stove on the market right now. Great solo stove for boiling water fast and efficiently.

Best Lightweight Backpacking Stove

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Review

Weight: 2.9 oz / 83 grams
Power: 11000 BTU
Boil Time 1L: 3 mins 20 secs
Pros:
> Lightweight
> Works well in the wind
> Quick Boil Time
> Good simmer control
Cons:
> Piezo Ignitor can fail

Think of this pocket as the slightly heavier but much more efficient version of the standard Pocket Rocket 2. It is built to the same very high standard of all MSR products and is a very tough canister stove.

It is more efficient and much better in the wind than almost any stand-alone stove. You need to look at the integrated MSR Windburner to get the best performance in the wind.

It has an integrated Piezo Ignitor which is a good upgrade. But in my experience with Piezo Ignitors, it is not a question of if they fail but when. Although I have had no issue with this model there have been many others who have had issues with the piezo ignitor.

Overall, this is a very well-made lightweight canister stove for backpacking and hiking that works well in windy conditions.

Best Backpacking Stove Kit

MSR Windburner Stove Review

Weight: 15.3 oz / 433 grams (1L pot)
Power: 7000BTU
Pros:
> Best in class performance in the wind
> Very fast boil time
> Uses less gas per boil than many other stove systems
> Compact size which will fit a small size gas canister inside
> Windburner stove can be used with either a 1L or 1.8L pot
Cons:
> Not really ultralight
> Expensive

The MSR Windburner is my new favorite integrated stove and pot system. After testing this unit there is a lot to like. Not only is this the most efficient stove in cold windy environments but it uses less fuel to boil water or cook food than many other stoves. Then there is the very high build quality. Add to that the fact that you can add a coffee press and even another pot or skillet and this is the all-in-one system that I prefer to use when heading into the backcountry.

But there are some things that could be better. It is expensive and it could be lighter. Also, there is no integrated piezo ignitor like that found in some of the competitors. Even though I have found that you always need to carry a lighter anyway as the piezo ignitors tend to fail at the worst possible moment.

Overall, the MSR Windburner is the best integrated hiking stoves and pot for use in windy conditions. No other stove in this review works as well as this one when it is windy.

More Quality Hiking Stoves

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Review

Weight: 2.6oz / 74g
Pros:
> Ultralight.
> Simple but effective to use.
> Excellent boil times.
> Flame control handle.
> Piezo ignition system
Cons:
> Expensive

The Pocket Rocket 2 is an iconic camping stove. This ultralight backpacking stove weighs only 2.6 oz and folds down to about 2 x 3 inches.

This is the standard most other lightweight backpacking stoves are judged.

With a boil time of this canister stove is about 3.5 minutes for a liter of water, this is one of the best backpacking stoves for the Pacific Crest Trail.

The flame control handle on the Pocket Rocket is long enough to reduce the risk of burning yourself when you turn it down to simmer. Speaking of simmering, this backpacking stove simmer control is great and works at very low levels which is great for cooking meals like pasta.

You get good fuel efficiency with the MSR PocketRocket 2 but it is not even close to the MSR Windburner or Jetboil in that department.

The Piezo ignition system works well and is a great addition when it was upgraded a couple of years ago.

Overall, there is a reason why the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is the most popular ultralight backpacking stove on the market right now. There is nothing bad to report about this hiking canister stove. Great quality mixed with outstanding performance at a reasonable price.

AOTU Portable Camping Stoves

Weight: 4oz / 113g
Pros:
> Best price, best budget stove in this review.
> Decent boil time.
> Lightweight.
> Ignition button and flame control handle.
Cons:
> Small area for pots to sit.
> Slightly flimsy pot stand.

There is an awful lot to love about this budget backpacking stove.

Firstly, it is a fraction of the price of name brand stoves making the AOTU Portable Camping Canister Stove the best budget stove for backpacking.

Secondly, it has some premium features despite the low price tag. The Piezo ignition system is great because it means we don’t need to fumble around with matches or lighters, however, I always bring a small lighter with me anyway just in case.

It has a flame control valve with a nice long handle. This means you don’t need to stick your hand near the flames or underneath the pot.

In its plastic storage box, this stove weighs about 4 oz which is great considering the budget price. Sure there are lighter-weight backpacking stoves but nothing is close at this price.

The boil time is respectable, between 3 and 6 minutes for a liter of water. For the price, this is rather good.

The main complaint with this stove is the build quality. The pot stand is uneven making the whole thing a bit unstable. This problem can be fixed by bending them slightly to ensure the pot sits perfectly flat and even.

Overall, this is the best budget backpacking stove.

Jetboil Zip Review

Weight: 12oz / 340g
Pros:
> Well-liked and established brand.
> Very fuel-efficient.
> Full cooking system.
> Quick boil times.
Cons:
> Can only be used with Jetboil accessories.
> No flame controls.
> A bit heavy
> Match ignition.

Jetboils have a bit of a cult following. There are plenty of people who refuse to use anything else.

What’s great about these stoves is that they are a complete integrated canister stove system. They include the burner, pot supports, the cooking pot, and a measuring cup which also works as a bowl.

The reason Jetboil provides all this is that their stoves aren’t really compatible with any other kit. This is frustrating if you lose or damage the cooking pot.

At 12oz it is one of the heavier stoves on our list however it does include the cookware, so the weight makes a lot of sense. All you need is the isobutane/propane gas canister and away you go.

This stove packs a fair bit of power. It can boil half a liter in about 2.5 minutes. That’s more than enough for most freeze-dried meals!

On the downside, there is no ignition system, so you better remember your matches! It also doesn’t have a flame regulation system, so everything gets, well, jet boiled!

Overall, I love Jetboil. I love the fuel efficiency, the quick boil times, the quality and the fact that they are a complete canister stove system. Jetboil Zip is the best complete backpacking cook system on the market right now. If you need to boil water fast and efficiently, this is for you.

This kit is a full cook set. It has everything you need to make delicious meals at the end of a long day of hiking, including a washcloth and spork!

At half the price of some burner only stoves, this complete backpacking cookware set is excellent value for money. As well as the burner, you get two pots, a washcloth, spork, and a storage bag. What’s also great is the gas canisters can easily fit inside the pots.

Despite its low price, this stove competes well with its more expensive stoves in this review. It has an average boil time of about 3 minutes for two cups of water which is pretty good.

One wish is that the set would clip together for transport. The smaller pot does rest on top of the larger pot, but it doesn’t stay there unless it’s in the bag. If you lose the bag, you’re a bit stuffed.

Overall, the quality of the pots and burner is excellent for the price. A great alternative to Jetboil.

The MSR Whisperlite stove is a powerful, versatile, and incredibly usable liquid fuel stove! It was designed with the needs of someone heading into the mountains for a long period of time.

First up, let’s look at the weight. At 10.9oz it’s not the lightest stove, but it’s not unmanageable either.

I used this stove 20 years ago when I was on a multi-month trip through South America in the 1990s and again when Cycling from Alaska and Argentina.

The ability to burn almost any type of fuel makes this the go-to stove for expedition style trips. It can use Kerosene, white gas, or unleaded fuel.

Where this stove really shines is the boil and burn times. Depending on whether you use white gas or kerosene, you can boil a liter of water in 3.5 or 4.5 minutes!

As for burn times and fuel efficiency, the MSR Whisperlite will get around 110 minutes from 20oz of white gas and 150 minutes out of 20oz of kerosene. That’s enough time to boil about 31.5 liters of water!

The liquid fuel stove comes with windshields to keep your flame protected, but it does not come with cookware. You’ll need to factor in the weight of your cookware and fuel on top of the weight of the stove. This can make it feel a bit heavier than other stoves.

This stove is fully maintainable with a spares kit for any issues that may occur in the backcountry.

The only thing I don’t like about this stove is the smell. When using some types of fuel the smell can penetrate through the stove to the staff sac and into everything inside the backpack. Having said that.

When I head into remote areas and want to carry weeks worth of fuel, the MSR Whisperlite is the only stove I consider. The fuel efficiency and ability to maintain the stove in the field make it supreme. This is the stove for you if spending a very long time away from resupply.

Overall, the MSR Whisperlite is the best stove for extended travel in remote areas.

REDCAMP Windproof Portable Backpacking Stove

Weight: 8.5oz / 241g
Pros:
> Lightweight.
> Sturdy base and pot stand.
> Fast boil time.
> Ignition button.
> Built-in windshield.
> Great Price
Cons:
> Flame control is a bit hit and miss.

This is the first of two Redcamp stoves we’ve included. This one is one of the canister stoves with a bit of a twist.

Unlike most of the canister stoves we’ve seen so far, this one has a fuel hose which means that the stove doesn’t have to sit directly on top of the canister. The remote canister stoves are great if you’ve got an oversized fuel canister because it gives the stove more stability.

At 8.5oz this stove is not quite in the ultralight category but is a great choice when using larger gas canisters.

It includes a Piezo ignition button, a flame control valve, and built-in windshields around the flame. These work together well to give you a boil time of around 2 and a half minutes for two cups of water!

Overall, this is another great budget option that is great for hikers wanting to use the larger gas canisters.

Alcohol backpacking stoves don’t come much lighter than this! At only 5oz you won’t notice this thing in your pack.

It is simple in design, just a stand, an alcohol burner, a fire cap, and a windshield. With no moving parts it is one of the toughest alcohol stoves in this review.

You do need to buy your own cooking pot but considering this comes in at under $20 you’ll have plenty of spare cash to do that!

It comes with an included windshield and the pot stand can be used to provide additional wind protection. This definitely contributes to the decent boil time.

The burner has great simmer control and can be adjusted to get a smaller flame which is great for simmering pasta or other meals that require a low simmer heat.

The big downside of alcohol burners is the poor cooking time. At 6 minutes for 2 cups of water it is at the lower end compared to others in this review but OK for an alcohol stove.

The stove comes with a sealing lid that can be used to carry the alcohol fuel inside the stove. Despite the rubber o ring I like to empty all the fuel into a separate container when I carry it in my pack. I’d hate to have alcohol fuel leak into everything.

Overall, this is a great cheap stove.

This is a full cook system including the alcohol burner, two pots, a solid fuel burner, and a stand. This means that you can choose whether to use solid fuel or alcohol in your stove making it incredibly flexible.

Many years ago this was the ultralight stove of choice for thru hikers but things have changed over the years.

The full weight of this set comes in at 14oz which is a decent weight for everything that is included.

They achieve this low weight by using lightweight, anodized aluminum for the pots and stand.

The two pots also save space by packing together as a lid and a pot. Everything else will comfortably sit inside the pots. It’s a neat construction that will save space in your pack.

This is a multi fuel stove that can also burn solid Espit fuel tablets. I always carry some of these fuel tablets with me when heading into very remote areas an emergency fuel source to make a fire for warmth or cooking.

The fuel can be stored inside the brass alcohol burner but this is not a good idea, a separate fuel bottle is the best way to carry the fuel.

The boil time isn’t great when compared to some other stoves. It comes in at about 10 minutes for two cups of water. That being said, once it’s at a rolling boil, the burner keeps its heat very well.

Overall, this is a great cheap alcohol stove that can burn both Esbit solid fuel tablets and alcohol. But burn times are not good enough for most people.

Best of the Rest

Here is a list of stoves that are not on the main list but are worthy of a look, most are on this list as I have not been able to review them as yet:

• Snow Peak Litemax – The Snow Peak Litemax is just that, light. Made with titanium the stove is quite efficient but not as good as most of this on this list when it is windy.
• Jetboil Flash – The Jetboil Flash is also a great integrated canister stove with great fuel efficiency.
• Jetboil MiniMo – The Jetboil MiniMo like all the jetboils is an amazing integrated canister stove that not only has great fuel efficiency but has simmer control to vary the heat output.
• Snow Peak Gigapower 2.0 – The Snow Peak Gigapower 2.0 is another strong performer but I think the Snow Peak Litemax would be the better option for canister stoves.
• BRS 3000t – BRS 3000t is one of the most ultralight backpacking stoves on the market and should appeal to a lot of people for that reason alone. Made from titanium it is a worthy choice.

Lightweight Backpacking Stoves Buyer’s Guide

There are three things you really want to focus on when looking for a lightweight backpacking stove.

You want to look at the fuel type, the weight, and the system.

What Types Backpacking Stove Fuels are there?

There are 5 different kinds of commonly used fuels for backpacking stoves. They are:

• Liquid Fuel Stoves
• Alcohol Stoves
• Canister Fuel Stoves
• Wood Stoves
• Solid Fuel Stoves

Liquid Fuel Stoves

The liquid fuel stoves run on liquid fuel which often goes by the name of Coleman fuel, White Gas or Bencina Blanca. Most liquid fuel stoves tend to be a bit bulkier than other stoves as you need to carry the stove and a separate fuel bottle. They work well for extremely cold weather, high altitude, group cooking, or extended periods in remote areas.

Liquid fuel stoves do not have the best simmer controls but they can be turned down to simmer meals if needed, it just isn’t the best.

I love liquid fuel stoves for long term travel in remote areas. Looking to cycle across Africa or hike for months through the remote areas of the Himalayas? Then the liquid fuel stove would be best suited and when spending a very long time away from resupplies they are more fuel efficient. If you can find it, white gas is always best.

Alcohol Stoves

Alcohol Stoves are great and I’ve used them for hundreds of nights of camping. These stoves use denatured alcohol which you can pick pretty much everywhere in the world.

The fuel is found in drugstores, marinas, hardware stores, as well as outdoor stores. They’re easy to use and light as anything.

They are the most simple of all these stoves with no moving parts.

Canister Stoves

Canister Stoves are by far the most popular kind of stoves with backpackers. Fuel Canister stoves are lightweight and usually fold down to a small size. They burn a fuel mix of isobutane-propane.

The canister stoves are also compact and offer much better simmer control than any other type of stove which is better for cooking food rather than simply boiling water. A lot of them use a piezo igniter but they are prone to breaking just when you need them most, so be sure to always carry matches or similar to light the stove when needed.

These things can put out a decent amount of heat but most don’t offer you huge amounts of control. They’re more about boiling things than simmering.

One thing most people dislike is that spent fuel canisters end up in landfill and are a complete waste of resources.

It could be said that they are not so good for traveling overseas but gas for fuel canister stoves are becoming more and more available. Thinking of hiking the remote mountains in Peru, should be no problem to buy a fuel canister for the stoves in the large towns where trekkers base themselves.

Wood Burning Stoves

A Wood Burning Stove burns twigs and sticks which is super handy if you’re in a forest or similar environment.

I have used a combination alcohol stove and wood stove for multiple years and love it, however, it is not so good as a wood burning stove.

There are several downsides of wood burning stoves:

• Wood Stoves are banned in a lot of places due to the risk of causing forest fires.
• A Wood fuel stove is very inefficient and with slow cook times
• Not easy to always find small sticks in the high mountains
• Worst of all, the pots you use with wood stoves end up covered in black soot!

Solid Fuel Stoves

These alternative fuel stoves burn blocks of fuel. Solid Fuel Stoves are super lightweight, but the fuel can be difficult to find outside of camping or outdoor stores.

Solid Fuel Tablet Stoves are not as popular as they once were but I always carry a small block of solid stove fuel for emergencies. They are lightweight, easy to light, and burn for quite a while.

On the downside, these fuels are very inefficient resulting in very low cook times. Overall, there are better options for most people.

Weight

When it comes to the weight, there’s a lot of variation because it depends on the fuel and what else you carry as part of your stove system.

The aim is to keep the stove as light as possible so that you have more room for fuel and food. Most ultralight canister stoves are simply small guards that sit over the fuel tank.

When it comes to fuel, you need to strike a balance between size and use. You could get a tiny gas canister but that won’t last you long on your lightweight stove. Equally, a large bottle of denatured alcohol will often be more than you need.

Another thing to consider is how much extra fuel will the stove burn when it is windy. Efficient stoves with a windshield will always use less fuel than a stove without one.

Gas fuels are lighter, but you have to factor in the weight of the canister as well as the shape. Liquid fuels weigh more oz for oz, but they don’t tend to have large canisters.

Wind Performance and Windscreens

Using a backpacking stove in strong wind is about as efficient as cooking food in an oven with the door open. All the heat just fails to stay in the places that they are needed.

Stoves that have some form of wind resistance, whether it is in the form of a windscreen or an integrated stove that has built in wind protection will always perform better.

It is possible to purchase aluminum windscreens but I prefer to make my own with some thin sheets of aluminum such as baking trays from the local grocery store. I cut and bend them into whatever size and shape I need and fold them when not in use.

Beware of using windshields with canister stoves that have very high heat output. Ensure there is adequate ventilation as it is possible that the stove can get too hot. Yes, it is possible.

For alcohol stoves, liquid stoves and wood stoves and windshield is compulsory in all but the calmest of weather.

Ease of Use

When it comes to ease of use the integrated canister stove wins. It is an all-in-one stove system with pot burners, pot supports, ignitor, and wind protection all in one package. Just screw on the isobutane-propane canister and away you go.

Integrated canister stoves like Jetboils are the clear winner here with liquid fuel stoves way down the list. Liquid fuels stoves need to be primed. This essentially means they need to be heated up before they work properly. Also, the jets need to be clean and matched to the correct fuel type.

When using poor quality alcohol fuel there have been many occasions that I have needed to prime the alcohol stove too. This involves pre-heating the stove and alcohol before it can burn.

When in the high mountains of Mexico with low alcohol content fuel it can take a while for the stove to work properly. This happened to me a lot in cold temperatures.

Cookware

Backpacking Cookware Sets need to be purchased separately for all stoves in this review except the integrated canister stoves such as the Jetboils and MSR Windburner. In most cases just buy the pot, a spork and a gas canister and head off into the backcountry.

My preference is for an ultralight Titanium Pot such as the Snow Peak Trek 900 Titanium Cook Set Pot and Skillet or the TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot (Ultralight Version) but there are many to chose from.

Take a look at the gear review I wrote about the Best Backpacking Cookware.

Systems

The system refers to the whole stove setup. In some cases, what you pay for is simply the stovetop. In other cases, you get cookware and fuel included.

Some system parts to look out for include a windshield and a stand. These will save you oodles of time and fuel when you cook.

International Travel with a stove

Most airlines have a policy about carrying camping equipment and camping stoves.

I have traveled internationally with liquid fuel stoves, canister stoves, and alcohol stoves and have not had any issues. On several occasions, airline staff inspected my luggage when I declared that I was traveling with a backpacking stove.

I always cleaned my stoves multiple times with soapy water until not even the smallest amount of fuel smell was on the stove. By using normal dishwashing liquid and a sponge I clean, then rinse the stove more than once. This is not always easy with a liquid fuel stove that has used unleaded gas. Yes it stinks.

When I present my stove for inspection it is wrapped in a clean t-shirt which I no longer want to wear. The t-shirt is super clean and smells like a cross between roses and rainbow unicorns. I’ve never had a stove confiscated.

I’m sure I don’t need to mention that leave the gas from the canister stoves at home!

What are the Best Backpacking Stoves of 2022?

Overall, the best stove in 2022

1. SOTO WindMaster Stove
2. MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe
3. MSR Pocket Rocket 2
4. MSR Windburner Stove

These isobutane canister stoves will fit well into anyone’s ultralight backpacking setup. Not only are they light but they are efficient and will last for many years of service in the backcountry.

Best Budget Backpacking Stove 2022

The best budget backpacking stove 2022

These budget canister stoves will do everything they promise and more.

Best Expedition Stove 2022

The best expedition stove 2022 goes to:

When heading into remote areas for weeks or months on end then there is no use looking at any other stove. The liquid fuel stove is king and the MSR Whisperlite is the best of the best.

Best Alcohol Backpacking Stove 2022

The best alcohol stove for backpacking is:

Any of these stoves will serve you well as a lightweight backpacking stove that uses denatured alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

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