Multi-day backpacking trips require a light and reliable backpacking stove. After a long day of hiking, a warm meal is exactly what you need to unwind and replenish what your body needs.
With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
This video explores the features, benefits and flaws of the 10 best backpacking stoves on Amazon. Prices range from as low as $18 up to $199.
Here are direct links to the 10 highest-rated backpacking stoves mentioned in the video with updated ratings, list prices and additional info for 2024.
1. SOTO WindMaster Stove – $79.99
The highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon is the SOTO WindMaster Stove. It is a well-made canister stove with a concave burner that protects the flames from the wind when a cookpot is on top.
Weighing only three ounces and working with standard isobutane canisters, this stove is a popular option for backpackers and it’s one of the more affordable options on this list.
With more than 1,400 ratings and an astonishing 4.8 stars, the SOTO WindMaster Stove is worthy of its top Amazon ranking.
Amazon reviewer Charlie gave it five stars and said:
“My best stove for windy days. It boils water fairly fast and has a fully adjustable burner, quite stable too.”
Note: cookpots and gas canisters are not included.
* If there is a downside, it’s slightly more expensive than the MSR PocketRocket.
2. Jetboil Flash Cooking System – $129.95
The Jetbboil Flash Cooking System is considered by many to be the best all-in-one cook system for backpackers.
It is one of the most efficient stoves for boiling water on this list, taking only three-and-a-half minutes, which means it uses fewer isobutane gas canisters than other stoves.
The Jetboil Flash has a push-button igniter and comes with a one-liter cooking pot wrapped in a neoprene sleeve for safe handling and insulation. The whole cook system weighs just 13.1 ounces.
With an impressive 250 ratings with an average of incredible 4.8 stars, the Jetboil Flash Cooking System is the second highest-rated and one of the bestselling backpacking stoves on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Scott gave it five stars and called it
“The fastest and easiest way to boil water in the woods. This thing is great, completely self-contained, sturdy, lightweight and super easy to use.”
* One downside is that it doesn’t simmer very well.
3. MSR PocketRocket 2 – $104.95
The MSR PocketRocket 2 and the PocketRocket Deluxe ($123) are both very highly rated and affordable canister stoves, but it’s the PocketRocket 2 that currently shines the brightest in the Amazon ratings.
MSR uses isobutane fuel canisters and this model weighs only 8.3 ounces. A convenient push-start igniter offers good simmer control and time-tested reliability.
With an incredible 750 ratings and an impressive 4.7 stars the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is the third highest-rated and a top-selling backpacking stove on Amazon.
One Amazon reviewer gave it five stars and said:
“I got this stove for cooler months when my alcohol stove can be fickle. I opted for the deluxe because of the claims about wind resistance. I can testify that it is certainly more wind resistant than the standard PocketRocket.”
* If there are downsides, it does not come with a cookpot or wind guard. It also may be less stable and efficient than the integrated cook system stoves.
4. Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System – $169.86
This cooking system demonstrates all-in-one performance that is super efficient at boiling water, but also offers simmer control.
It is a canister stove using isobutane or propane that only takes about four-and-a-half minutes to boil water. The Jetboil MiniMo comes with a one-liter cooking pot wrapped in a neoprene sleeve for safe handling and insulation.
The whole cook system weighs 14.56 ounces.
With more than 615 ratings and an impressive 4.8 stars, the Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System is the fourth highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Kimberly gave it five stars and said:
“This is my first backpacking-type stove and I love it. It’s compact, easy to use, easily cooked with other cookware and fuel efficient.”
* If there is a downside, it’s a bit pricey, and the previous Jetboil model on this list boils water a full minute faster.
5. MSR WindBurner Windproof Stove System – $189.95
This MSR model is a very good integrated cook stove solution that is extremely fast and efficient.
It is a canister stove using isobutane with a heat exchanger for faster boiling. Its Radiant Burner design makes it virtually impervious to outside weather conditions.
This system also comes with a high-quality one-liter cook pot that is completely BPA-free.
Total weight comes in at 16.93 ounces.
With nearly 556 ratings and an impressive 4.7 stars, the MSR WindBurner Windproof Stove System is the fifth highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Glenn Thomas gave it five stars and said:
“The WindBurner has changed the way that I cook while backpacking. No more fiddling with windscreens and carefully balancing the pot on an unstable surface. All components of the cook system are contained in or on the pot in one simple package.”
* If there are downsides, it is among the more expensive on this list, as well as being among the heaviest. There is also no built-in igniter.
6. MSR WhisperLite Universal – $199.95
This hybrid fuel stove performs well even in harsh cold climates.
This versatile stove can be fueled with isobutane, propane canisters or liquid fuels, including white gas kerosene and even unleaded gasoline!
The stove weighs a durable 11.5 ounces and comes with a fuel pump, windscreen, heat reflector and a small-parts kit.
With 354 ratings and 4.7 stars, the MSR WhisperLite Universal is the sixth highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer D gave it five stars, saying:
“It was worth the dough. This thing runs great and I couldn’t be happier. It runs on whatever fuel you want it to run on, which is its real superpower.”
Note: The reusable MSR fuel bottle is not included.
* If there is a downside it’s due to the high cost compared to other options.
7. SOTO Amicus Stove Cookset Combo – $76.34
Here is one of the best values on this list. The SOTO Amicus is a well-made screw-on canister stove that weighs less than 9 ounces total!
This stove runs on isobutane or propane canisters. It comes with a 1000-milliliter cook pot, making it a great value for a starter stove and cook set on a budget. Also perfect for the minimalist camper!
With over 743 ratings and 4.6 stars the Soto Amicus Stove Cookset Combo is the seventh highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Matthew gave it five stars and said:
“Take my money! Yeah, I love this, I will be using it for as my primary cook kit. Water boiled very quickly, pot is big enough to quickly boil water for ramen, two camp dinners and some tea.”
* If there is a downside it’s that there are higher-quality cook pots available.
8. Ohuhu Mini Wood (or Alcohol) Stove – $20.49
This mini wood stove is the best alternative fuel stove for backpacking on this list.
It can be fueled by either biomass, like wood and pine cones, or it can be fueled by alcohol weighing under a pound.
The Ohuhu backpacking stove is a real space saver because you don’t need to pack extra fuel canisters.
Its double-wall stainless-steel construction has a wind guard and feeds oxygen directly to the flame cooking faster and cleaner than other wood burning stoves.
With an incredible 5,714 ratings, it has an impressive average review of 4.64 stars, making it the eighth highest-rated stove and one of the bestselling backpacking stoves with the best value on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer John D gave it five stars and said:
“Love it! My trial run was a full burn cup of wood pellets with a couple squirts of hand sanitizer as accelerant. I had a rolling boil of 16 ounces of cold tap water in 20 minutes.”
* The one downside may be that the boil time with biomass stoves is slower than with canister stoves
9. BRS Outdoor 3000T – $16.95
This ultralight minimalist canister stove only weighs 0.9 ounces.
The BRS 3000T runs on isobutane or propane canisters. It screws on top of the fuel canister and the arms unfold to brace a cooking pot.
The BRS Outdoor 3000T is the least expensive stove on this list, but overall presents a tremendous value.
With more than 3,592 ratings at an average review of 4.6 stars the BRS outdoor 3000T is the ninth highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Carol B gave it five stars. She called it:
“Tiny but mighty! First time using one of these, brought 20 ounces of water to boil in two minutes on half throttle. Love it!”
*One downside is that it doesn’t come with a fuel canister cookpot or wind guard so those must be bought separately. Another downside may be that the lightweight design makes it feel a bit flimsy and less stable in imperfect environments.
10. Solo Stove Alcohol Burner – $25
This burner is the best-in-class liquid alcohol stove.
The Solo Stove only weighs 3.5 ounces and has a smart compact design made of brass with a sealable lid for storing fuel in the stove when packed away.
Its ideal fuel source is denatured alcohol, which can be found at most hardware and grocery stores, as well as gas stations. This stove also works with various liquid fuels, including drinkable alcohol like Everclear, making it a budget-friendly and versatile choice.
With 1,049 ratings and a respectable 4.5 stars, the Solo Stove Alcohol Burner is a top 10 highest-rated backpacking stove on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer RDS gave it five stars and said:
“For a simple lightweight backpacking cooking option this is great choice. Will work with any alcohol fuel. Used 70 isopropyl to boil 750 milliliters of water in seven minutes.”
Note: It does not come with a cook pot or wind guard, so those will have to be purchased separately.
* The one downside may be that the boil times of alcohol stoves are slower than common canister stoves.
See Our Latest Posts:
- RV and Van Life Safety Tips to Keep You and Your Vehicle Secure
- Why Glamping is a Great Option for Families with Young Kids
- Shelter Building for Campers: How to Build a Lean-to and Other Simple Survival Shelters
- Solar Camping Gear: Unlimited Power Essentials for Off-Grid Adventures
- Van Life on a Budget: How to Save Money on the Road
Write A Guest Post For Us!
Are you passionate about camping and the great outdoors?
We’re excited to announce that we’re accepting guest posts
in the camping and outdoor niche!
