Camping Stoves: Reviews

Updated September 2009
 

Best camping stove.

MSR Reactor *Est. $140 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

TGO: Chris Townsend tests seven camping stoves, and the MSR Reactor is one of the few to earn a Recommended label. Townsend says the ...

RockAndIce.com: The MSR Reactor gets four stars (out of five) in this review from Duane Raleigh at Rock and Ice magazine. Raleigh says the ...

Snewsnet.com: The editors of SNews give the MSR Reactor an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of five. Their testing shows the stove is quiet and ...

BackpackGearTest.org: Just a handful of campers comment on the MSR Reactor at BackpackGearTest.org, and each review is incredibly detailed. All are ...

Backpacker.com: In this video review, Kristin Hostetter at Backpacker explains why the MSR Reactor won an Editors' Choice award. Hostetter says ...

Buzzillions.com: More than 100 owners give the MSR Reactor extremely positive ratings in reviews compiled by Buzzillions.com. Many reviewers rave ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine includes the MSR Reactor in its 2008 buyer's guide, saying the stove is "incredibly fuel efficient." The review ...

Amazon.com: Only about half a dozen owners review the MSR Reactor here, but they give it nearly perfect ratings. Reviewers are very happy ...

 

Lightweight, budget camping stove.

Snow Peak LiteMax *Est. $60 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: This detailed test from BackpackingLight.com focuses on carbon monoxide emissions, but the Snow Peak LiteMax is also subjected to ...

Backpacker.com: In a test of six camping stoves, the Snow Peak LiteMax is named the best all-around stove. Casey Lyons says the LiteMax is ...

National Geographic Adventure: The Snow Peak LiteMax scores a Best of Adventure award from National Geographic Adventure. While there are few details, Steve ...

Buzzillions.com: Buzzillions.com compiles more than 20 individual reviews on the Snow Peak LiteMax, and most are highly favorable. Most are ...

PopularMechanics.com: In this short review, which isn't based on personal testing, Seth Porges calls the Snow Peak LiteMax one of the best new pieces ...

 

Camping stove for groups.

Jetboil Helios *Est. $150 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: This detailed test from BackpackingLight.com focuses on carbon monoxide emissions, but the Jetboil Helios is also subjected to ...

GearJunkie.com: The Jetboil Helios brings a liter of water to boil in 2.5 minutes in Stephen Regenold's test, and he is also able to decrease the ...

Snewsnet.com: The editors of SNews give the Jetboil Helios a very positive review, praising the fuel performance and fast boiling times. The ...

Men's Journal: The Jetboil Helios earns a Gear of the Year award from Men's Journal. Adam Spangler says the Helios boiled 1.5 liters of water in ...

RockAndIce.com: Larry Amkraut at Rock and Ice magazine says the Jetboil Helios performs well in freezing temperatures thanks to its inverted ...

Wired.com: Wired.com gives the Jetboil Helios only an average rating. Although Steven Leckart says the stove is efficient and quiet, he ...

The Seattle Times: In this single-product review, Dan Nelson at The Seattle Times says the Jetboil Helios has set a new standard for camping stoves. ...

Buzzillions.com: In about two dozen reviews, owners give the Jetboil Helios average ratings. Some owners like the powerful performance, but others ...

 

Camping stove for winter and high altitudes.

MSR XGK EX *Est. $140 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

TGO: After testing several multi-fuel camping stoves, Chris Townsend recommends the MSR XGK EX. He finds it reliable and stable, and ...

Wired.com: Calling it a "demon camp cooker," Steven Leckart says the MSR XGK EX can put out some serious heat. That's great for boiling ...

Buzzillions.com: More than 50 reviewers give the MSR XGK EX very high ratings at Buzzillions.com, which compiles reviews from Rei.com and other ...

Trailspace.com: Only a handful of owners review the MSR XGK EX on TrailSpace.com, but the reviews are highly detailed. Overall, the stove gets ...

Outside Magazine: In this older review, Christopher Solomon at Outside magazine calls the MSR XGK EX "the most reliable stove we've used." He says ...

 

Best campground stove.

Brunton Wind River Range *Est. $315 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

Snewsnet.com: SNews editors say the Brunton Wind River Range is the "best-performing double-burner stove we have ever hauled along on a ...

Camping Life Magazine: Stuart Bourdon says the Brunton Wind River Range is the "Porsche" of two-burner camp stoves. He says the stove makes it easy to ...

MyFJCruiser.com: In this photo review, a blogger takes the Brunton Wind River Range apart and photographs each part. There's not much analysis, ...

Amazon.com: Only one owner reviews the Brunton Wind River Range at Amazon.com, but he gives it high marks. Overall, he says this stove is the ...

 

Camping Stoves Runners Up:

MSR Pocket Rocket *Est. $40

3 picks including: Backcountry.com, Backpacker.com…

Snow Peak GigaPower Stove *Est. $50

3 picks including: GORP, Backcountry.com…

Century Matchless Deluxe Stainless Steel 2-Burner Stove *Est. $80

2 picks including: Camping Life Magazine, REI.com…

Jetboil PCS *Est. $100

2 picks including: GearReview.com, TheBackpacker.com…

Optimus Nova/Nova+ *Est. $135

2 picks by top review sites.

Brunton Profile Duo *Est. $85

2 picks by top review sites.

Optimus Crux Lite *Est. $40

2 picks by top review sites.

Primus Atle BBQ *Est. $90

2 picks by top review sites.

MSR Whisperlite Internationale *Est. $80

2 picks by top review sites.

Brunton Vapor AF *Est. $110

2 picks by top review sites.

     
 
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Snow Peak GigaPower Stainless Steel Stove - Auto
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $49.90   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Century Matchless Deluxe Stainless Steel 2 - burner Stove
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $74.97   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Katadyn Optimus Nova
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Brunton New Profile Duo Range/Grill Combo Stove
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $68.98   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Optimus Crux Lite Backpacking Stove
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Primus Atle Propane BBQ Grill/Stove
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $85.36   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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MSR - WhisperLite Internationale Backpacking Stove
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Brunton Vapor AF All Fuel (liquid and butane) Expedition Stove
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $107.51   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 

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