Purchasing a good camping stove requires making one of the most important decisions when getting your camping kit ready for action. With so many different stoves available, from the powerful to the portable, how can you know which is best suited for your camping style?
We look at multiple aspects to give you a true insight into which stove is the best choice. We cover: heating power, ease of use, portability, burn time, and price. In addition, we consider different categories of camping stoves – from the most portable (for those who need to travel light) to more robust options (for those who have more leeway in their packing weight).
As a snapshot, your best bet for car camping without weight restrictions is the Coleman Gas Camping stove. For backpackers, the best lightweight option is the JetBoil Flash, and for those looking for a campfire-style stove, the kampMate Ultra Light might be just for you.
Best Camping Stoves and Heaters
- Coleman Gas Camping Stove (Top Pick)
- Camp Chef Explorer Two Burner Stove (High End)
- Gas One GS-3400P Camping Stove
- Jetboil Flash Camping Stove
- MSR PocketRocket 2 Camping Stove
- Coghlan’s Folding Stove (Budget Buy)
- Kovea Spider Gas Camping Stove
- kampMATE WoodFlame Camping Stove
- Titan Wood-burning Stove
Compare Top Stoves For Camping
| Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Coleman Gas Stove | 76 |  Best overall for car camping | Check Out On Amazon |
 Camp Chef Stove | 68 |  Perfect for big families or large groups | Check Out On Amazon |
 Gas One GS-3400 P | 74 | Most compact for car-campers | Check Out On Amazon |
 Jetboil Flash Stove | 74 | Best speedy boiler for backpackers | Check Out On Amazon |
 MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove | 72 | Slick and functional lightweight stove. | Check Out On Amazon |
 Coghlan’s Folding Stove | 70 |  Good budget option. | Check Out On Amazon |
 Kovea Spider Stove | 72 | Most suitable for cold weather trips. | Check Out On Amazon |
 kampMATE WoodFlame Stove | 76 | Best portable wood-burning option. | Check Out On Amazon |
 Titan Wood-burning Stove | 70 | Sleek and elegant wood-burning design | Check Out On Solo Stove |
Best Stoves for Car Camping
1. Coleman Gas Camping Stove
Overall Score: 76
Advantages
- Dual burners
- Precise cooking
- Easy to clean
- Recommended by campers
Disadvantages
- Burn time is shorter than other options
Heating power
A long-time favorite in the camping community, this reliable gas-powered camping stove packs out 22,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of power across the dual burner, making it a great workhorse for family camping trips where you’ll need a good amount of stove use.
Ease of use
Well protected, this thoughtfully designed kit comes with two wing guards to keep burners sheltered from the wind during cooking sessions.
Each burner has independently rotatable knobs to give you full control over the temperatures for precise cooking. The grate is also chrome-plated and can be removed, making it relatively easy to keep clean.
Portability
Weighing 5 pounds and with dimensions of 15.9 “L x 7.8 “W x 24.8 “H, it’s not the most portable equipment we’ll look at. However, it should be compatible with any car camping trip.
Burn time
The Coleman dual burner can run for up to 1 hour on high power when fuelled by a 16 oz propane canister, giving time to cook a meal for the whole family.
As long as you are car camping, you’ll also have the opportunity to bring along additional fuel, extending the use for as long as feasible.
Price
At between $70-$90, this isn’t the cheapest option we’ll look at, but you get quality with this stove that comes highly recommended by the camping community.
2. Camp Chef Explorer Two Burner Stove
Overall Score: 68
Advantages
- Very powerful
- Home-style set up
- Precise cooking
Disadvantages
- Difficult to transport
Heating power
With each of the two cast-aluminum burners producing up to 30,000 BTUs per hour, the Camp Chef Explorer is the most powerful stove we are considering here.
With individually adjustable burners, you’ll be able to cook almost as if you were back in your kitchen at home.
Ease of use
Although it also comes with a protective shield to alleviate the effect of the wind on your campsite cooking, the most notable feature of the Camp Chef Explorer are the detachable and adjustable legs which mean it is safe to set up and easy to operate on uneven ground.
The cast-aluminum design helps protect the stove from rust, meaning it should be easy to use for years.
Portability
At 30.5 pounds and 34 “L x 14 “W x 29 “H in dimensions, easy transportation is not one of the Chef’s benefits since it is more suited to a camp with a family or large group where you have easy access via vehicle and want a home-style kitchen setup.
Burn time
The Chef does have long legs in the run time department. However, if you can bring a lot of fuel, you can get up to 15 hours of cooking time from one large tank (20lb) if you regulate your use.
Price
At around $150, the Camp Chef Explorer is not the most affordable option.
Nevertheless, we think it’s good value for money if you are looking for a powerful camp stove suitable for large groups or families.
3. Gas One GS-3400P Fuel Stove
Overall Score: 74
Advantages
- Automatic ignition
- Safety features
- Propane or butane
Disadvantages
- Single burner stove
Heating power
Although not as powerful as the two stoves already considered, this single burner stove (fuelled by propane or butane) can still give out 8,000 BTU and is perfectly good for cooking a standard camp breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ease of use
You don’t have as much cooking flexibility with only one burner as with dual stoves.
However, it does come with automatic ignition, thus removing the need for matches or lighter and making it much easier to light.
There’s an adjustable dial for heat control and safety features to ensure that gas flow is cut off if irregularities are detected.
Portability
Though still best used by car campers or those with plenty of room for equipment, this stove weighs only 3.1 pounds and has dimensions of 13.5 “L x 11 “W x 4.45 “H, making it the smallest and lightest of our car-camping stoves.
Burntime
Using 8 ounces of butane, this stove should run for around 4 hours if used at low heat and 2 hours at high, giving you plenty of time to prepare a warming meal at camp.
Price
At less than $40, this is the cheapest option out of our car-camping stoves and is great for those looking for an effective stove on a budget.
Best Stoves for Backpacking or Backcountry Camping
When camping at a more remote location, and half the adventure is getting there under our own steam, one of our primary requirements for a stove is its portability, which often precedes other features such as heating power.
In this section, we’ve prioritized portability to find the best lightweight stoves.
1. Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System
Overall Score: 74
Advantages
- Compact
- Single button function
- Super-quick boiling
Disadvantages
- Only for water/ pouch meals
Heating power
This compact stove is not intended for cooking big meals at camp but, instead, is designed for boiling water for a hot drink or to prepare ‘freeze-dried’ camping meals, and for this purpose, it delivers.
It’s powerful enough to boil water in 100 seconds, giving you a hot drink to warm you in cold conditions in less than two minutes.
Ease of use
With just the push of a button, your stove is lit, and a handy indicator shows you when your water is ready.
Extremely easy to pack and unpack, with only a couple of separate parts, this stove is perfect for a camper on the go.
There are also multiple accessories available to enhance the usefulness of your Jetboil.
Portability
Weighing less than one pound (13 ounces), this backcountry camping stove adds barely any weight to your pack. Similarly, its dimensions (4.1 in W x 7.1 in H) make it easy to slot anywhere.
The 1-liter tall container can also double as your drinking vessel, saving on additional space.
Burn time
Since the JetBoil can boil 10 liters of water per 100 grams of fuel, it’s a highly efficient system that can keep you going for at least a few nights’ trips.
Price
At over $100, the JetBoil is by no means a budget stove option. However, you are paying for efficient and effective technology.
2. MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Mini Stove Kit
Overall score: 72
Advantages
- Portability
- Multi-functional kit
Disadvantages
- Only for pouch meals and drinks
Heating power
Created by a well-established mountain safety equipment company, the MSR PocketRocket has been designed by experts for minimalist campers and backpackers.
Another lightweight option is also created to boil water for a pouch meal or mug of tea or coffee rather than to pump out maximum heat for cooking meals.
Ease of use
This product has been designed with portability and optimal usefulness as its key features.
The pot can be used to eat or drink from, you can use the lid as a filter, and the bowl is insulated to protect your hands from hot or cold products.
Portability
Weighing just under 10 ounces and packing down to a tiny 4x4x5 inches, the PocketRocket is even smaller than the JetBoil and gets top marks for being extremely easy to transport and carry around in any pack.
Burn time
Depending on the temperature you’re camping in and wind levels, an 8-ounce MRS fuel canister should last four days during the summer months if you’re boiling water for two people.
Price
Priced at around $70, this compact stove is cheaper than the JetBoil but will still put a hefty dent in your wallet.
3. Coghlan’s Folding Stove
Overall Score: 70
Advantages
- Foldable and easy to transport
- Excellent budget option
Disadvantages
- Less powerful heat source
Heating power
Producing only a relatively small flame, Coghlan’s folding stove is not intended to be a fast and powerful boiling gadget like the JetBoil.
However, its simple design can still get the job done if you’re ready to relax with a hot cup of tea or a camp pouch meal.
Ease of use
Since this stove burns canned fuel or solidified alcohol, it’s an easy choice for those who don’t want to invest in specialized gear.
The design provides a neat shelter for your heat source from the wind, making it fine for use in more exposed areas.
Portability
The key feature of this easily transportable stove is that it is foldable, making it incredibly easy to deconstruct and slot into your pack.
Measuring 6.5 x 6.5 x 5 and weighing one pound, it’s not the smallest or lightest camping stove, but it’s still a reasonable weight to carry in your pack.
Burn time
If you pick up some of Coghlan’s fuel to accompany your stove, you’ll get around 4 hours of use from each can.
Price
At around $30 (or even less than $15 if you can catch it on sale), this is the most affordable of our backpacking stove options and is a great option for those who want a well-functioning stove without investing too much in their gear.
4. Kovea Spider Gas Camping Stove
Overall Score: 72
Advantages
- Collapsible and extremely light
- Functions in cold weather
Disadvantages
- Use may take some practice
Heating power
Designed to function in cold weather where other stove types struggle to ignite, this unique-looking stove can cook or melt snow in cooler temperatures.
While not as powerful as any car-camping stoves considered, the Kovea Spider can still keep you fed with packs and watered on more extreme trips.
Ease of use
The spider-like design may take some getting used to (some customers have struggled to release the legs), and you’ll need to attach the gas canister through a hose (it may need inverting in cold weather) which may be fiddly.
There’s also no windshield or heat reflector included, although it is possible to fashion these yourself.
Portability
With collapsible legs and only six ounces in weight, this is the lightest stove on our list and can’t be beaten for sheer compactness. With its neat carrying bag – you’ll barely know it’s in your pack.
Burn time
Consuming 130g of fuel per hour, depending on your canister size, you should be able to get a few days’ use out of your Kovea Spider, although this will change if the temperatures you are in are more extreme.
Price
At around $50, this specialized piece of equipment is cheaper than the JetBoil or PocketRocket options.
Best Wood-Burning Camping Stoves
In our previous sections, we prioritized power, then portability, but for some campers, a stove can be a key comforting feature of camp – a central focal point.
For these campers, a wood-burning stove might be the perfect mix between usefulness and coziness.
1. kampMATE WoodFlame Ultra Lightweight Portable Wood Burning Camping Stove
Overall Score: 76
Advantages
- Collapsible
- No need to carry fuel
Disadvantages
- Not suitable where wood isn’t available
Heating power
If you’ve got the fuel available, this collapsible wood-burning stove can keep you and your fellow campers warm and be used for cooking a full meal and any hot drinks required to keep your camp comfortable.
Ease of use
Since you can use any wood or sticks around your camp, as long as you have fuel to burn, this stove should be relatively easy to keep going.
While the folding style may take a little practice to get used to, once you’ve got the hang of it, there should be no holding you back. There’s also a crossbar to ensure stability on uneven terrain.
Portability
Folding down to hand size, this stove is the ultimate mix between portability and comfort.
It also weighs just 1.1 pounds and takes up only 0.2 x 7.5 x 6 inches of your pack, so while it’s not the lightest option available, it’s still relatively light.
Given the fuel type, there’s also no need to bring extra canisters or fuel, freeing up more room in your pack.
Burn time
If you have a fuel source at or near your camp, this stove will burn for as long as you keep it fed.
Price
Priced at around $40, this stainless steel stove should be durable enough to last you for many years.
2. Titan Wood-Burning Stove
Overall Score: 70
Advantages
- Modern design
- Improved airflow for easy lighting
Disadvantages
- Price
Heating power
This sleek kit can be used instead of a campfire to keep warm and cook one-pot dishes for your camping group. You can expect a boiling pot of water in under 10 minutes.
Ease of use
Designed to have great airflow, it should be easy for even new campers to get a flame going in next to no time.
Portability
This neat wood-burning stove is a one-piece design making it convenient to carry and pack.
It weighs just over 1 pound and is nearly 8 inches high and just over 5 inches in diameter, so although it’s not collapsible like the KampMATE stove, it’s still reasonably portable.
Burn time
If you’ve got fuel, you’re good to go for as long as you need.
Price
At around $80, you’re paying for a simple yet sophisticated design that will give you an attractive-looking heat source wherever you set up camp.
Final Words
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate in minimalist camping, a stove that’s powerful enough to cook for the whole family, or a cozy centerpiece to your camp, you can choose from our carefully selected list to get the stove best suited to your needs.