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The Best Single Burner Camp Stove

Last updated on April 12, 2021

We looked at the top 4 Single Burner Camp Stoves and dug through the reviews from 14 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Single Burner Camp Stoves.

Best Single Burner Camp Stove

Our Review Process

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Spending a few days in the outdoors camping is a great way to unwind and appreciate all that nature has to offer. Having a meal outdoors seems to taste better in the fresh air, too. Whether you’re boiling water for a simple cup of tea, or making a pot of chili to share with the family, you need a reliable camping stove.

Single-burner camping stoves are a good option whether you’re car camping or backpacking. They are small, highly portable and lighter weight than multi-burner stoves. Canister stoves are a type of single burner camp stove that are safer and more convenient. They are powered by a small canister of fuel that is pressurized. The canister is leak-proof so that you don’t have to worry about fuel splashing around in your backpack or car as you head to your campsite.

When looking for a single-burner camping stove, it’s important to keep use in mind. How many people will you be cooking for, and what will you be cooking? Typically, a single-burner camping stove is ideal for simple one-pot meals for one to two people, or for simply boiling water quickly for freeze-dried meals in a pouch. If you’re boiling water for coffee, making pasta or rice or heating up soup, a single-burner stove is a good option for you.

Our Picks For The Top Single Burner Camp Stoves

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Our Top Pick

MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Single Burner Camping Stove

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MSR

PocketRocket Ultralight Single Burner Camping Stove

MSR's classic Pocket Rocket is an ultra-light, compact single-burner camping stove that's perfect for hiking, backpacking and other minimalist adventures. It can boil a liter of water in under three and a half minutes. Simply unfold it and attach it to a isobu...

Overall Take

Tiny But PowerfulThis single-burner camping stove is ideal for hiking, backpacking and global travel.

Pros
" Lightweight, compact, and durable stove that won’t break your budget. This stove is a solid upgrade of MSR's popular PocketRocket stove, which has been a favorite in the backpacking community for many years. The PocketRocket 2 has great simmer control,..."
Cons
"We’ve had a few close calls when stirring aggressively or bumping the pot, so set it up in a level spot and take care to keep the pot upright."
 Runner Up

Jetboil Zip Single Burner Camping Stove Cooking System

Jetboil

Zip Single Burner Camping Stove Cooking System

Jetboil mastered the art of boiling water fast. This camping stove system boils water in the cooking cup in two minutes flat. The bottom cover can be used as a measuring cup and a bowl. It comes with a fuel canister stabilizer.

Overall Take

2-Minute Boil TimeYou can boil water in two minutes with this camping stove system.

Pros
" The value of this product is in the tight integration of its components and its small size, which makes it easier to pack."
Cons
"Rotary knob on burner difficult to grab. Pot and burner connection can be tricky to lock."
 Classic Pick

Coleman Single Burner Gas Stove

Coleman

Single Burner Gas Stove

This single burner camp stove offers consistent performance with a pressure regulator. The stove can fit an 8-inch pan or smaller pot.

Overall Take

Consistent PerformanceThis camping stove uses an easy-to-find fuel canister.

Pros
" Very impressed with the construction and the versatility of this cylinder stove. It is easy to set up and store away."
 Also Great

GasOne GS-1000 Portable Butane Gas Stove

GasOne

GS-1000 Portable Butane Gas Stove

This single-burner camp stove will hold a tea kettle or cook a big one-pot dinner at your camp site. It has an automatic starter with safety shut-off and a fuel cartridge injection safety feature.

Overall Take

High Safety StandardThis outdoor camping stove is reliable, safe and easy to use at a picnic table.

Pros
" Other Products We Considered."
Cons
"The quality of the steel is a bit lower, too. In other words, it’s easier to dent and scratch if you don’t pay attention. Poor performance when used at higher altitudes."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the single burner camp stoves available to purchase.
4

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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14

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: New York Mag, BestReviews, Camping Panda, Section Hiker, Trailspace.

26,321

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 4 Single Burner Camp Stoves and also dug through the reviews from 14 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Single Burner Camp Stoves.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Overall

MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Single Burner Camping Stove


Our Expert Score

10.0
6 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.6
2,618 user reviews

Our Take

MSR's classic Pocket Rocket is an ultra-light, compact single-burner camping stove that's perfect for hiking, backpacking and other minimalist adventures. It can boil a liter of water in under three and a half minutes. Simply unfold it and attach it to a isobutane-propane fuel canister.

What other experts liked

Lightweight, compact, and durable stove that won’t break your budget. This stove is a solid upgrade of MSR's popular PocketRocket stove, which has been a favorite in the backpacking community for many years. The PocketRocket 2 has great simmer control,...
- Clever Hiker
A proven stove at a good price. Weighing in at a scant 2.6 ounces (excluding the fuel canister), this is a supremely packable stove. The serrated supports can hold a variety of pots, and lighting is a simple matter of...
- Gear Junkie
With a surprisingly powerful burner for its size and price tag of less than $50, the PocketRocket 2 is one of the most popular options on the market and a familiar sight in the backcountry
- Switchback Travel
Compact and lightweight, it weighs 2.6 ounces and includes a built-in pot stand that's compatible with a wide range of pots. When not in use, the arms of the pot stand fold down and fit into a small protective plastic...
- Section Hiker
The stove is uses fuel very efficiently. Since you don't need to open the valve all the way to get the most heat if you find the balance point where it burning all the fuel and not letting any escape....
- Trailspace
Offers incredible value for an affordable price and packs up small…. very small. This ultralight stove weighs in at 2.6 oz and folds down to 2 x 2 x 3 inches and is the best value canister stove for backpacking...
- The Broke Backpacker

What other experts didn't like

Somewhat bulky (but durable) carrying case, not as good in wind as some others.
- Clever Hiker
We’ve had a few close calls when stirring aggressively or bumping the pot, so set it up in a level spot and take care to keep the pot upright.
- Gear Junkie
Integrated systems like the Jetboil Flash below are more stable and windproof.
- Switchback Travel
Somewhat poor wind resistant, poor pot support, and poor performance in the cold keep it from being 5 out of 5 stars.
- Trailspace
This stove comes with no integrated cookware meaning you will need to purchase some additional bits.
- The Broke Backpacker

What to Look For

  • Read you camping stove’s instructions carefully to see what kind of fuel is best for that model. Options typically include kerosene, butane and propane. Kerosene is widely available and easy to use. Propane is also widely available, but it does not perform well in high altitudes or cold temperatures. Butane is a lightweight fuel, but like propane, it is not ideal for below-freezing temperatures or high altitudes.
  • Be sure to check the length of time the fuel is designed to last versus the length of time you plan to use the stove. You don’t want to run out of fuel in the middle of your camping trip, especially if you’re in the backcountry.
  • For many campers, efficiency is an important factor to consider with single-burner camp stoves. You don’t want to spend all your time waiting for it to heat up to cook your food, especially if you’ve spent a whole day out trekking and are hungry. Look for one that can bring water to a boil within a couple of minutes.

Single Burner Camp Stove Rankings

1. MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Single Burner Camping Stove

Overall Score: 9.9
Reviews Included: 8

2. Jetboil Zip Single Burner Camping Stove Cooking System

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 8

3. Coleman Single Burner Gas Stove

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 3

4. GasOne GS-1000 Portable Butane Gas Stove

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 4

More to Explore

If you want to cook a delicious meal on a single-burner camp stove, opt for a one-pot meal. This way, everything can be ready to eat all at once. Good options include pasta or rice and lentils, which can be cooked and seasoned in the same pot and provide a lot of energy and nourishment. You can also use a small skillet over a single burner camp stove to make pancakes, skillet bread and cornbread. Campfire nachos, where you pile on ingredients and melt cheese over them all in a single pan, are an excellent late-night snack when you’re camping with friends or family.