REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Great price
Decent simmering
Durable case
REASONS TO AVOID
Burns fuel quickly
Susceptible to wind
MSR PocketRocket 2 Review
This improved classic just keeps getting better and better with time, with a more durable construction for rugged backcountry use
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 29, 2025
RELATED: The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2025
Our Verdict
The PocketRocket has been around for decades — and for good reason. It's lightweight, small, and a great cooking companion for your backcountry trips. This updated version of the classic PocketRocket, the PocketRocket 2, offers improved durability and stove leg stability in a lightweight package. Accompanied by a hard-sided plastic case, this compact stove is great for adventurers who want the versatility of either boiling water or slow-cooking on a skillet. While the PocketRocket 2 burns more fuel than others, for shorter length trips, you're less likely to even notice the extra fuel. While there are more wind-resistant stoves out there, this is a worthy camping partner for a variety of overnight trips.
Our Analysis and Test Results
MSR's PocketRocket 2 is a time-tested classic backpacking stove. It simmers quite well and is super lightweight, compact, and durable.
We toted the PocketRocket 2 all over the outdoors and loved its ability to boil water and make more involved meals.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Fuel Efficiency
Having a more fuel-efficient stove means you can carry less fuel on your trip, which equates to less weight on your back, which is always a plus. The PocketRocket 2 was around average for its fuel efficiency.
In our lab testing, we found this model burned about .25 ounces of isobutane to raise .5 liters of water to a boil. While this wasn't a top-scoring result, most of the other small canister models in its class performed very similarly. If whipping up quesadillas or grilled cheese sandwiches, the fuel efficiency felt on par with more high-performing options, with less demand on the burner's output.
This won't carry your fuel canister as far as others, but for shorter trips we didn't even notice its fuel efficiency.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
The PocketRocket 2 is a truly lightweight and small backpacking stove. If you're a gram counter and want to hike with the lightest backpack possible, this stove should be on your finals list.
At 4.1 ounces (and 7.1 ounces with a small lightweight pot/lid), the PocketRocket 2 is in the upper echelon of featherweight stoves in our review's lineup. There are a couple models that are ultra lightweight, but this strikes a great balance between weight, packability, and durability. To shed a few more grams, you can leave out the hard-sided case and simply use a sunglasses bag or wrap the stove in a sock or paper towel, but we liked using the protective case.
This is a very lightweight stove. If you want to go lighter, leave the plastic case at home.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Simmering Ability
The PocketRocket 2 is one of our favorite compact stoves for cooking real food. We found it easy to control the amount of heat the burner gave off with the control valve. The burner head isn't as large as some others we tested, but it still provides more evenly distributed heat, allowing decent simmering ability.
We were able to cook everything from oatmeal and mac and cheese to quesadillas using this stove. Just be cautious when using wider pots and pans, as the pot supports are small for larger cookware.
Ease Of Use
The timeless PocketRocket has always thrived on its simplicity. This doesn't have any bells or whistles, but it does boast a tough, road-worthy build when compared to prior iterations. With improved pot supports, this is a do-anything option for most backpackers, as long as having the highest fuel efficiency isn't a top priority.
While previous iterations of the PocketRocket could only accommodate the smallest of cookware, this update can handle a wider variety of pot and skillet sizes. As we've shared previously, these pot stands have also become a bit more sturdy, while still easily folding up inside the case. The control valve is also generously sized, making it easy to adjust whether bare-handed or rocking a pair of winter gloves. While we felt the PocketRocket 2 was mostly user-friendly, it doesn't have as directed of a flame, projecting outwards and upwards, making the exterior of smaller pots get quite hot and harder to handle if the valve is completely open.
We loved this update's improved support dimensions, which accommodates a larger range of cookware.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the MSR PocketRocket 2?
If you want an inexpensive, versatile, and lightweight backpacking stove, this is a great option. While it isn't the easiest to use with full-sized cookware, it'll likely work for your on-the-go pots and pans, and its minimal weight and small size won't be noticed in your pack.
What Other Backpacking Stoves Should You Consider?
For around the same price, we actually prefer the Soto Amicus, which is slightly more fuel efficient and simmers even better than the PocketRocker2. If you're looking for a lightweight and ultra-affordable canister stove, you can buy two to three of the BRS-3000T for the price of the PocketRocket. Our favorite overall model is the Soto WindMaster, which has wider pot supports and weighs slightly less. If you're interested in an integrated canister stove, the Jetboil MiniMo is our favorite and versatile enough to simmer, unlike other stoves of its kind.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare MSR PocketRocket 2 versus top competing products:
—Zach Lovell
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