By Andrew Marshall, Ryan Jordan, and Chase Jordan
Introduction
This gear guide features lightweight upright canister stoves for backpacking (i.e., a canister stove that weighs less than 4 oz (113 g) that sits on top of a canister of fuel).
We evaluated the following criteria:
- Power, efficiency, and fuel economy in control, large water volume, cold temperature, and wind tests
- Piezo ignitor durability
- Pot stability
- Packability
- Noise
- Simmering Ability
- Durability
- Weight
- Cost
Among 17 models of stoves that were subjected to rigorous performance testing, the following stoves were the highest rated stoves in our review:
- MSR PocketRocket Deluxe – Highly Recommended
- Soto Windmaster 4Flex – Highly Recommended
- MSR PocketRocket 2 – Recommended
- Soto Amicus – Recommended
Learn more about our review ratings here.
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe exhibited the best overall performance across all categories, including the best StoveBench performance in control, wind, cold temperature, large water volume, and stress tests.
- Purchase the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe from REI today.
Gear Guide Scope
Herein are the results of a months-long effort to evaluate the detailed performance of the market’s most prominent upright canister stove products. The three of us spent several hundred hours of research, testing, analysis, and writing this 15,000-word report. It is our hope that it would provide a standard of reference that will be useful to backpackers as they consider their options in what has become a very crowded product market.
Upright canister stoves are a subset of a broader product category of canister stoves that also includes integrated canister stoves and remote canister stoves. Stoves from these latter two categories are not included in this gear guide – we’ll save those for another one!
Where do Canister Stoves Come From?
The vast majority of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts and assemblies for backpacking stoves originate from factories in Russia, China, and Korea. One can generally distinguish products in the upright canister stove market into two categories:
- Exclusive stove designs that are designed and marketed under relatively well-known brand names, consisting of unique assemblies of burners, wind blades, stacks, pot supports, valves, and regulators. These brands include MSR, Jetboil, Snow Peak, Soto, Primus, Kovea, Fire Maple, and Optimus. Although you may see some parts of these stoves found in other products, all of the stoves from these brands include either an exclusive combination of parts or custom parts not found in other products. OEM prices for these stoves to the brands are generally $10 to $30, with MSRPs ranging from about $25 to more than $90, with an average in the $40 to $70 range.
- Nonexclusive stove designs manufactured by an OEM supplier and sold as OEM units under a variety of different brand names. These represent the vast majority of stoves sold under a variety of odd brand names via the online mega-retailers Amazon and Alibaba. Examples of these brands include BRS, Etekcity, Joyard, Housweety, Redcamp, Etopsell, Monoprice, Hikevalley, TopOne, Icetek, Desert Walker, and Chenbo. OEM prices for these stoves to the brands are generally $1 to $6 per unit, with MSRPs being less than $15.
There is some confusion abounds in the backpacking stove market. For example, while Fire Maple manufactures its own stoves, it also licenses nearly identical designs for distribution under the Olicamp brand. The design of current-model MSR stoves can’t be found anywhere else, but Kovea is one of their OEM suppliers. And Kovea makes their own line of stoves, and they don’t look like MSR stoves. Further adding to the confusion is that OEM suppliers of finished stoves often purchase their parts from other factories, who are also OEM suppliers of finished stoves. Globalization at its chaotic best, perhaps!
Although not a hard-and-fast rule, we found that the exclusive stove designs in category #1 (which are generally more expensive) feature a higher level of manufacturing quality and durability, and offer marginally-to-significantly better performance than the nonexclusive stove designs found in category #2. Of the brands presented in this review, it’s clear to us that MSR and Soto are the market leaders in terms of design and engineering with an eye towards maximizing performance.
Discarding cheap OEM knockoffs (defined in category #2 above), we surveyed a total of 35 stoves marketed specifically to the backpacking community from MSR, Jetboil, Snow Peak, Soto, Mons Peak IX, Primus, Kovea, GSI, Optimus, and Fire Maple. We did include two more popular white-labeled brands, BRS and Etekcity. We eliminated any stove that weighed in excess of 8.0 oz (227 g) from this initial survey, as this represents the approximate weight at which significantly more function and performance can be realized by a different stove design (e.g., remote canister, integrated canister or liquid fuel stove).
The average weight of this initial group was 3.3 oz (94 g), with a range of less than 1.0 oz (28 g) to more than 6.0 oz (170 g).
Of the initial group of 35 stoves, we selected 17 stoves (with the heaviest stove being 3.44 oz / 101 g) for a more detailed examination and inclusion in this gear guide. A few are heavier than average, most are lighter than average, and a few are in the truly “ultralight” category (less than 2.0 oz / 57 g).
Summary of Products Featured in this Review
The following chart details feature and specifications for the stoves featured in this review, and provides our Overall Rating. See the Performance Analysis section below for a detailed performance assessment.
| Stove | Overall Rating* | MSRP (USD) | Weight (oz) | Regulated | Piezo Ignition | Burner Diameter (mm) | # of Supports | Support Radius (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSR Pocket Rocket 2 | Recommended | $45 | 2.6 | no | no | 25 | 3 | 61 |
| MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe | Highly Recommended | $70 | 2.9 | yes | yes | 37 | 3 | 61 |
| Soto Windmaster 4Flex | Highly Recommended | $65 | 3.08 | yes | yes | 39 | 4 | 72 |
| Soto Micro Regulator | Average | $70 | 2.5 | yes | yes | 38 | 3 | 55 |
| GSI Pinnacle | Above Average | $50 | 2.43 | no | no | 28 | 3 | 70 |
| Optimus Crux Lite | Average | $40 | 2.61 | no | no | 46 | 3 | 55 |
| Fire Maple FMS-300T | Above Average | $30 | 1.59 | no | no | 17 | 3 | 45 |
| eTekCity | Above Average | $20 | 3.34 | no | yes | 20 | 4 | 45 |
| Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 | Below Average | $50 | 3.05 | no | yes | 25 | 4 | 53 |
| Snow Peak LiteMax | Below Average | $60 | 1.99 | no | no | 28 | 3 | 62 |
| BRS 3000t | Below Average | $17 | 0.89 | no | no | 17 | 3 | 41 |
| Kovea Supalite Titanium | Below Average | $50 | 2.12 | no | n/a | 29 | 3 | 62 |
| Kovea Titanium | Below Average | $60 | 3.25 | no | yes | 29 | 3 | 62 |
| Jetboil MightyMo | Above Average | $50 | 3.44 | yes | yes | 37 | 3 | 60 |
| Fire Maple FMS-116t | Above Average | $40 | 3.55 | no | no | 45 | 3 | 55 |
| Primus Micron Trail | Below Average | $45 | 3.25 | no | yes | 32 | 3 | 68 |
| Soto Amicus | Recommended | $45 | 2.77 | no | yes | 34 | 4 | 54 |
Summary Reviews
Presented in order from highest to lowest overall grade.
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Discussion
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Quite a comprehensive review, thanks. Getting more of these kinds of things lately, much appreciated overall.
This line in this review cracked me up: Carbon monoxide emissions from stoves can cause some physiological problems such as death.
Sorry Paul in Texas, I guess I am still traumatised from time spent building GEE models for my Master’s degree :-)
That article is the shizz I do like. Much respect. Hikin’ Jim’s stove blog led me to the Soto Windmaster a couple of years ago, so props to him for that too.
Last week I pushed these 3 through some vigorous testing. O rings held up nicely.
Wire shutoff valves get hot. left a burn mark on my finger…..won’t do that again :-)
Great report that required many hours of testing. This is why I read and subscribe to BPL – keep up the good work.
Steven Koester
MSR customer service says “The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove can nest inside the MSR Titan Kettle.”. I wonder who is right.
The MSR statement doesn’t say whether the 4 oz gas canister also fits in the Titan Kettle with the PR Deluxe …
Oh, I didn’t catch that BPL’s test was to store both stove and canister in pot. I store canister outside pot (rest of kitchen in pot, including a Snow Peak stove). MSR’s full response implies that both do fit.
I asked “Will a Pocket Rocket Deluxe stove fit inside a Titan Tea Kettle pot (without any plastic case)?”. They replied “The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove can nest inside the MSR Titan Kettle. You can also fit a 4.0 oz IsoPro canister in with the stove if you place the canister sideways with the Lindal valve facing the side of the pot first.”. Note I specified the Tea Kettle (.85 liter); their reply didn’t, but I assume they don’t mean the larger Big Titan Kettle (2 liters).
I might upgrade to the PR Deluxe; it’s sounding like stove + kitchen – canister will fit in .85 liter pot.
Very nice review, pretty comprehensive. I own several of these and have settled on the Windmaster as the current favorite – bought it before the new PR Deluxe came out. Might have to get one of those at some point. I am blown away by the amazing choices available to us and that we have the luxury of splitting so many hairs.
I thought the criticism of some stoves over the wind performance was questionable. I always use a good windscreen which comes some way up the side of the pot, partly as a windshield but also because it improves the efficiency of the heat transfer. So wind resistance does not matter at all to me.
And yes, I have different windshields for upright and remote canister stoves, as they have different heights.
I think you will find that peak stove power is almost entirely controlled by the size of the jet. They can range from <0.27 mm to >30 mm. The bigger the jet, the more flow and higher power. That said, I would not recommend trying to change the size of the jet. But I never run anywhere over about 50% peak, as the higher powers lose efficiency fast. The flames go up the side of the pot and are wasted.
For CO testing, see our 6 part series from 2005, starting at https://backpackinglight.com/stoves_tents_carbon_monoxide/
And my BRS-3000T stoves (I have several) are all from the good batch. I love them. Seems a real shame they changed the alloy to something which melts. Noise? It just says ‘dinner is coming’.
Cheers
Since it is impossible to have too many stoves I picked up the Pocketrocket 2. It’s a giant next to the BRS-3000T! I personally haven’t had any issues with the BRS and I’ve been using it a lot since 2015.
I noticed that the Pocketrocket 2 uses screws for the supports and to attach the stack to the valve assembly. I guess that this is to facilitate easier service or replacement of some parts? Anyone had issues with them unscrewing?
Regarding fitting the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe inside the Titan Kettle with a 4 oz canister: no matter what direction you put the canister (bottom down, or sideways), with the stove inside, you can’t snugly close the pot lid.
Kristoffer – I’ve never had one of the screws come undone on the MSR stoves by accident, but on my PR2 which has seen a lot of hard use, I have tightened one of them up as part of routine cleaning / maintenance. I have taken them apart just for fun.
Thanks for the information Ryan.
I have found some reports online of problems with the stack and valve assembly becoming loose. However, it may be fixed by MSR with a new revision of the stove – the one I just bought has 3 screws but on a lot of pictures and in videos the stove only has 2.
Not expecting any issues, but I guess that it’s good practice to check the screws before a trip.
From another site:
JetBoil JetGauge
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079QLJMPJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WAi7CbBEYZ777
I’m confused about that gizmo, Dan. Is it something you would take when truck camping? I always weigh my canisters with my gram kitchen scale before and after each trip, and I note the amount of remaining fuel on the bottom of the can. I suppose it would be nice if the goal is to own one of everything Jetboil sells, but otherwise…
Don’t be confused, just dumped it here for giggles. Lots of toys out there. :-)
I am with Gary and Dan.
Cheers
My questions on page one were forgotten:
Why does the Amicus have its weight listed as a disadvantage, but the PR Deluxe (which weighs more) does not?
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And why use the heavier 4-pot stand version of the Windmaster instead of the triflex? Seems that would be a more direct comparison.
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With regards to the Compactibility Test, I wonder if the Pocket Rocket Deluxe in the MSR Titan pot should have been an ‘almost fits’. I tried a different arrangement wherein the canister is on its side and both canister and stove fit in the Titan pot except the canister protrudes just a bit.
In any event, I opted for the Toaks 750 ml pot which fits both canister and stove quite nicely.
Photos of MSR Titan + Pocket Rocket Deluxe included in this post.
Two things —
First, the Fire Maple FMS-116t’s weight is listed incorrectly in the summary table (it’s listed as 3.55 and should be 1.7).
Second, howcome the FMS-116t got the “best performance for its weight” award when the FMS-300t got a higher score and weighs less?
David B- There’s some fishiness going on with the reviews. See my concerns posted on pg 1 and re-posted further up this page.
I certainly hope it doesn’t have to do with any sort of agreement made between MSR and BPL with respect to receiving a review unit. It’s hard to find other explanations, though.
David W- I’m more inclined to guess honest mistakes than foul play. Hanlon’s Razor, and all that. And MSR has been making really excellent stoves for many years, surely there would be no need for them to buy a good review.
MSR has been making really excellent stoves for many years
Like the Reactor, with its lethal levels of CO, and the original Pocket Rocket, with its weak bendy pot supports …
They WERE good, until Larry, the founder died, then the lawyers and accountants took over.
Imho.
Cheers
To answer my own question, the FMS-300t probably didn’t get the best performance for weight award since it failed the large volume test.
Here is a quote from the Upright Canister Stove Reviews, Stovebench Tests, and Gear Guide.
I’ve recently been doing extended burn time (15 min) tests with the BRS 3000 and there has been no indication that the titanium supports will even begin to “melt”
I would truly like to see some photos of your “melted” supports from the 4 that failed. What did your supplier say when you informed them of the 4 that had melting failures? Thank you in advance.
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