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A great camping stove needs to be powerful enough to boil water in a breeze, yet delicate enough to simmer a sauce without scorching it.
The stove we recommend for most campers is the Camp Chef Everest 2x. It's a powerful stove with a great windscreen and performed well across every single test metric. If you need a single burner, we like the Gas One GS-3400P. It has great simmer control, is light, and runs off both propane and butane. Its price is unbeatable.
Since 2012, we've tested 51 camping stoves to find which ones actually deliver. For this update, we pitted the top 11 models against each other. Beyond measuring raw power and fuel efficiency, we cooked real meals to test setup, simmer control, and cleanup.
Editor's Note: On March 30, we added two new models: The Gas One GS-3400P and the Gas One High Pressure Burner.
The Camp Chef Everest 2x is the best stove we have tested due to the large cooking surface, a nearly seamless windscreen, and excellent simmer performance. It delivers an impressive 20,000 BTUs per burner, which allows boiling large pots of water or cooking with large pans, even when breezy. No other stove performed as well across so many tests and real-world camping scenarios.
SPECIFICATIONS
Total BTUs
40,000
Number of Burners
2
Cooking Surface Dimensions
21" x 9.5"
Piezo Ignitor
Yes
Measured Weight
13.97 lbs
The drawbacks of this stove are fairly negligible unless space, weight, fuel efficiency, or price are concerns. The revamped Everest 2x is among the bulkier and heavier tabletop propane stoves we tested. It is also fairly expensive; however, it is comparable in price to the other top performers in our review, so we think it is worth it — especially for premium durability and wind resistance. If your car camping rig can accommodate a slightly bulkier stove and you're looking for a powerful stove that simmers like a boss, this might be the one for you. If you want one that's a bit more compact, take a look at the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp.
We admit that making donuts at camp is a little extra, but we figured hey, why not put these stoves to the test? The Everest 2X heats frying oil to the perfect temperature. Simply toss a little water into the oil, and if it sizzles and dances, your donut will be crispy on the outside and fluffy goodness on the inside. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Gas One GS-3400 is not only a great deal, but it's also one of the most versatile stoves in our lineup. It runs on propane or butane. You can use one unit and easily pack it, or buy a second one for a similar cooking surface and flexibility to a standard two-burner stove. The simmer control is nearly unmatched. You could buy three of them for almost the same cost as the cheapest dual-burner we tested. We generally love the convenience of butane canisters. It's nice to have the option of using either 16-ounce green bottles or an external propane tank with a propane hose adapter (sold separately).
SPECIFICATIONS
Total BTUs
8,000
Number of Burners
1
Cooking Surface Dimensions
8.25" x 8.25"
Piezo Ignitor
Yes
Measured Weight
3.3 lbs
The Gas One has a so-so boil time that becomes quite poor in windy conditions. That said, you can use the lid to get some wind protection, and as long as you don't boil more than half a liter at a time, we found the boil time was adequate for making coffee, hot chocolate, and Ramen. Just don't plan on boiling a big pot of pasta quickly. Of all the camping stoves we keep, we end up using this the most, whether it's for camping or for making Ramen at lunch to avoid outrageous ski resort lunch prices.
Lock the canister and twist the knob: it doesn't get much easier to use than the GS-3400P. The simmer control is excellent. Credit: Chris McNamara
Adding the propane adapter is fairly quick and easy, but not as simple as the butane setup. Credit: Chris McNamara
The 3400P (left) next to the High Pressure (right). They look similar in size from here, but the high-pressure one is about three times the weight and takes about twice as much space to pack. It is also about eight times as powerful. Credit: Chris McNamara
The grill grate flips over for easy storage. Credit: Chris McNamara
We often use the Gas One in the back of our car to quickly heat water for coffee or Ramen. Credit: Chris McNamara
Open the side compartment, slide in the butane canister, and you are ready. Credit: Chris McNamara
The GS-3400P is all about a small burner with an easy-to-adjust flame. Credit: Chris McNamara
Looking for more than just soup heated from the can? The Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 is your go-to for bodacious outdoor chefs and grill masters. More than a stove, it is our favorite multi-use camp kitchen, doubling as a cast-iron grill and griddle. It offers a top-notch cooktop experience with the classic outdoor charm of cast-iron cooking. Cast iron is known for its even heating, durability, and ability to impart a unique smoky flavor that can tempt your friends to line up for seconds. Its versatility makes it the perfect cooktop for those who love to whip up a variety of delicious cuisines, whether lakeside or tailgating in the mountains. Plus, let's be real – food tastes better fresh off the grill, especially with a view.
SPECIFICATIONS
Total BTUs
24,000
Number of Burners
2
Cooking Surface Dimensions
22" x 13.2"
Piezo Ignitor
Yes
Measured Weight
12.95 lbs
Coleman designed the Cascade 3-in-1 for convenience. It's compact, boils water quickly, and is a breeze to clean and store. Its multi-use versatility makes it a favorite among our reviewers. While it may have smaller wind guards than some models, and its fuel efficiency may not be the highest, it still offers a convenient cooking experience. If you're looking to optimize fuel efficiency, consider the Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X and Camp Chef Pro 60X.
As the sun sets, it's the perfect time to whip up a delicious meal for famished hikers, all thanks to the easy-to-adjust heat settings of the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you prefer gear built to last, then the Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X certainly checks that box. It is durable and fuel-efficient, two features that contribute to a lower environmental footprint. It boils quickly without wind and, owing to a solid windscreen and recessed burners, our wind test barely phased it. With auto-igniters and good low-end control for excellent simmering, this stove impressed even the most discerning members of our review team. We found it carried well despite its weight, and its rectangular shape stowed easily with our camping kitchen gear.
SPECIFICATIONS
Total BTUs
40,000
Number of Burners
2
Cooking Surface Dimensions
25.25" x 12.5"
Piezo Ignitor
Yes
Measured Weight
14.63 lbs
In terms of functionality, there was very little to complain about with the Mountaineer. It is a premium stove that is designed exceptionally well. However, with a premium stove comes a premium price. Beyond being the most expensive stove in our review, the Mountaineer is also among the heftier and least compact of the tabletop models. Additionally, it may be a drawback that this stove won't work with small 1-pound propane canisters. Our reviewers actually see this as a perk because it reduces waste. If you are looking for a well-designed camping stove that will keep up with your car camping or river adventures for years to come, we highly recommend this stove. However, if you're looking for a great stove and don't want to shell out the big bucks for the Mountaineer, take a look at the more affordable Camp Chef Everest 2X.
The Gas One High Pressure Burner is a sturdy, highly cost-effective powerhouse built for rapid heating. Boasting a massive six-inch burner, it delivers an incredibly fast three-and-a-half-minute boil time for a liter of water. Its wide surface and sturdy legs easily accommodate large pots, making it truly unbeatable for feeding large groups in windless conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Total BTUs
65000
Number of Burners
1
Cooking Surface Dimensions
10" x 10"
Piezo Ignitor
No
Measured Weight
8.0 lbs
However, this stove struggles significantly with ease of use and portability. At eight pounds, it is heavy and bulky. It lacks a built-in igniter and features awkward, tank-mounted flame controls. Furthermore, offering zero wind protection, the ultra-wide flame easily blows out while simmering and can dangerously melt narrow kettle handles. We highly recommend buying some wind screens, which cut into the ultra-bargain price of this unit.
The high power of the High Pressure. The Gas One did not disappoint, when windless, with boil time and heat output. Credit: Chris McNamara
Product Comparison Table
Testing the Gas One in Spring 2026. Even on a mostly windless day, we noticed a significant drop in performance when making delicate pancakes without a windscreen. Credit: Chris McNamara
How We Tested
Our amazing team of passionate campers, backcountry guides, and van lifers is an expert at creating delicious meals in the great outdoors. They don't just settle for reheating canned soup. These adventurous foodies pack fresh ingredients to campsites and trailhead parking lots, whipping up everything from simple mac and cheese to elaborate multi-course feasts. They've braved high altitudes, cooked in challenging weather, and lived out of cars and tents for months to test the best camping stoves available in real-life conditions. After conducting countless boil and fuel-efficiency tests, they've pinpointed the models that are not only well-designed but also offer the best value. For more on our testing of these stoves, see our dedicated How We Test article.
Our rigorous testing process uses five metrics:
-Boil Time (25% of overall score weighting)
-Fuel Efficiency (25% weighting)
-Simmering Ability (20% weighting)
-Ease of Use (15% weighting)
-Portability (15% weighting)
We hosted the “Great Camp Stove Cook-Off” to separate the burnouts from sizzling success. Credit: Kate Pitts
Why Trust GearLab
Our camping stove testing team is a solid crew of experienced car campers, foodies, and folks who love to play camp chef. This review is headed up by Mary Witlacil and Kate Pitts. Mary is an avid outdoorswoman who would always choose a dish seasoned with a little bit of trail spice (aka dirt) over a Michelin five-star meal, especially if it means falling asleep under a blanket of stars. After spending years bike-touring and traveling, Mary traded in her bike cleats and passport for climbing gear and a pair of climbing shoes. She has spent years dialing in her backcountry cooking scene, from deluxe multi-course car-camping meals to prepping expedition meals for multi-week backpacking trips. This gal loves playing outside almost as much as she loves cooking outside. You'll find her romping around the Western US, climbing cracks, and perfecting her backcountry culinary skills.
Formerly a backcountry ranger for the National Park Service, Kate has cooked hundreds of meals for hungry hikers on and off the clock. No matter the conditions, she loves how a good meal lifts the spirits. Now, she shares her love for the outdoors by guiding and teaching yoga in Yosemite and is passionate about how food brings people together in nature. After a full day of hiking, climbing, or paddling, she enjoys the way the air fills with laughter and stories around a bubbling soup or a whistling kettle. She intends to share joy when she rolls her sleeves in the camp kitchen. A meal that brings deep contentment, connecting you to yourself and loved ones, and grounding you to the earth beneath your feet. Her wish for all readers is, "May you enjoy a delicious meal under the open sky with the beings you love!"
Our testers know how to figure out which gear is up for the task of taking great cooking to the great outdoors.
Analysis and Test Results
To determine the final scores, we conducted months of head-to-head testing, prioritizing boil time and fuel efficiency as the most critical indicators of power, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. While simmering ability and ease of use remain essential performance metrics for outdoor cooking, we weighted portability slightly lower, acknowledging it as a secondary—though often deciding—factor for many buyers. We distinguish between different testing criteria so you can make an informed decision based on the pros and cons of each model.
Worse Value
Better Value
With adjustable windscreens, the Coleman Cascade can accommodate larger pots or provide better wind protection. Lucky them, our testers have been doing side-by-side comparisons for years, and have cooked a lot of excellent food in the process. Credit: Jared Ross
What's the Best Value?
The Gas One GS-3400P is not only the least expensive stove in our review but also offers nearly unmatched ease of use and versatility. Weighing only 3.3 pounds, this highly portable stove can use butane for portability or hook up to your larger propane tank for better cost-effectiveness and cold-weather performance. It is significantly cheaper than competitors like the Coleman Butane Instastart, which performed similarly.
At just $30, the Gas One High Pressure Burner offers exceptional value for those needing massive power on a budget. Boasting 65,000 BTUs and a sturdy 6-inch burner, this cost-effective powerhouse boils a liter of water in under three and a half minutes, making it perfect for feeding big groups. When paired with the GS-3400P, you get two burners that offset each other's weaknesses for under $60.
Two of the best value options side by side: the GS-3400P left and the Gas One High Pressure (right). Credit: Chris McNamara
The Coleman Cascade Classic is the best value among two-burner stoves. It is an affordable, entry-level stove that has impressive fuel efficiency and straightforward usability. It features a reliable piezo igniter, adjustable windscreens, and precise simmer control, perfect for budget-conscious car campers. While its 10,000 BTU burners result in slower boil times and average wind resistance, it is a highly portable, fuel-conserving alternative to power-hungry models like the Camp Chef Everest 2X.
The Real Money Saver: Ditch the Green Bottles for a 5 lb Propane Tank
The best way to save money on every camping stove is to replace the disposable Coleman 16 OZ Propane Bottle ($25–$40/gal) with a refillable 5-lb propane tank, which holds five times more fuel at a fraction of the cost ($3–$5/gal). While a standard 5-gallon tank is heavy (37 lbs) and bulky, the 5-lb model offers the perfect balance of portability and performance, paying for itself after just 1 refill while keeping empty canisters out of landfills. You will also need a propane hose adapter.
Boil Time
Time to boil and fuel efficiency are our most heavily weighted metrics. Theoretically, the more power a stove has, the better it boils and the more efficient you can be when you slay your camp feast. The burners in your home kitchen likely have 12,000-18,000 BTUs on the high end (but can dial down as low as 4,000 BTUs). The stoves in our review range from 9,000 BTUs to a shocking 30,000 BTUs per burner. What became apparent during our boil tests, however, is that BTU ratings aren't everything. Smart design can boost your cooking power.
To assess boil time, we test each stove in our windless garage “lab” at 5,000 feet. We then conduct two boil tests, one windy and one windless, to measure how long each stove takes to boil 1 liter of 58° Fahrenheit tap water in an enclosed 2-liter tea kettle. To rank each stove, we take the average of its test results. For the windy test, we turned a box fan to the lowest setting and used a pocket anemometer to ensure we blasted the stoves with 2-4 mph of constant “wind.” From there, we measured how long it took for each stove to boil one liter of 58°F water in a tea kettle. While this test cannot directly replicate the variability, intermittence, and multidirectionality of wind gusts in the real world, it does provide insight into how each model performs in the presence of constantly moving air.
To evaluate wind resistance, we use a box fan to simulate wind, and measure how long it takes for each stove to boil 1 liter of water in our trusty kettle. Credit: Mary Witlacil
The Camp Chef Everest 2x averaged a boil time of 3 minutes and 21 seconds between both tests. It boiled 1 liter of water in 3 minutes and 17 seconds in the windless test, and in 3 minutes and 25 seconds in the windy test. With an average boil time of 4 minutes 25 seconds, the Camp Chef Mountaineer also boasted noteworthy performance for a stove with 20,000 BTU burners. In the windy test, boiling took 4 minutes 46 seconds, and in the windless test, it took 4 minutes 4 seconds. Another strong contender is the Cascade 3-in-1, which boasted an average boil time of 4 minutes and 29 seconds.
Look at that large burner! With the right camping stove, you won't have to wait long to bring your water to a boil or have your oil sizzling for the perfect stir-fry. Credit: Kate Pitts
Camp Chef truly dominates in this category, with their Pro 60X averaging 4 minutes 46 seconds, with two 30,000 BTU burners. One thing to note is that the Pro 60X boiled water significantly slower in the windy test — taking 5 minutes 40 seconds — whereas it took 3 minutes 53 seconds in the windless test. This owes, in part, to the stove having fairly minimal wind screens and a wide gap between the cooking grate and the burners.
The Mountaineer has burners nestled deep in the frame, which combined with thick windscreens, help this stove offer great wind resistance. Credit: Jared Ross
As you can see, while there is some correlation between boil time and BTUs, this doesn't tell the whole story. The large 5" burners on the Camp Chef Pro 60X are surrounded by so much open space that they are more affected by variable wind speeds, especially when the flames are low. Freestanding stoves often require high-power burners to compensate for the open space and the distance between the burners and the cooktop. The impermeable burner design of the Everest 2x and the Mountaineer made a clear difference in wind protection, allowing for fast boil times with lower-output burners, regardless of the circumstances.
With tight windscreens and slightly recessed burners, the Everest 2x delivered unbeatable performance in the wind. Credit: Kate Pitts
What is clear is that high BTUs don't always correlate with faster boil times when it is windy. By contrast, stoves with lower BTUs that feature tight, well-sealed windscreens and burners situated close to the cooking grates did much better in both our wind resistance and boil tests. However, the combination of less power and poor wind resistance, or a lack of a windscreen, did reduce ratings in this category. If you boil your water in a separate device like a Jetboil, boil times may not matter so much to you. We heavily weighted the metric for boiling time because a faster boil in windy and windless conditions generally means quicker meals, faster coffee, broader versatility, and more efficient fuel use. However, the importance of this metric depends on your cooking style and preferences.
Unsurprisingly, models that don't come equipped with a windscreen or that have L-shaped windscreens had considerable trouble in this category. We also noticed that the powerful freestanding models performed well under the constant “wind” simulated in our box-fan test. Still, at windy campsites, these stoves sometimes struggled to withstand breezes blowing from every direction. Unless they were equipped with rocket power, real wind challenged these stoves because they have an open, airy design around the burners, which means wind can swoop in and extinguish the flames, requiring (potentially constant) relighting.
While the L-shaped wind screens on the Pinnable Pro 2 create more space for cookware handles, they fail to provide sufficient wind resistance. Credit: Mary Witlacil
When a stove design lacks wind resistance, there is little you can do other than use your vehicle as a wind shelter or build a wind barrier with rocks. However, in certain cases, you can make a windscreen from an aluminum baking dish or purchase a basic aluminum windscreen like the kind that comes with a backpacking stove. This is a great way to increase the efficiency of a single-burner butane stove like the Gas One GS-3400P. These windscreens are inexpensive, lightweight, and flexible, making them a great way to improve your stove's performance on windy days. If you use a DIY windscreen, make sure not to fully enclose your fuel canister, as this could cause it to overheat dangerously.
In our windless test, all the stoves in our review boiled water in less than 7 minutes, but there was a significant difference between boiling times with and without the fan. The Everest 2x had impressively negligible variability between the two tests, taking an additional 8 seconds. The Mountaineer 2X showed minimal variability between tests, taking only 40-45 additional seconds to boil a liter in the wind compared to without it: the Everest 2x and Mountaineer feature lower-powered burners with excellent wind protection.
Fuel Efficiency
The cost of propane and/or butane fuel canisters adds up. And nobody wants to run out of fuel mid-dinner.
To measure fuel efficiency, we begin each round of stove testing with a fresh fuel canister. We weighed the fuel canister before and after our wind test, then weighed it again following the windless test. We always conduct the windy test first because stoves burn more fuel for longer in the wind, and as the fuel canister empties, they become less efficient. For the windy test, we wanted to give each stove as much of an advantage as possible. After we have the pre-test, mid-test, and post-test fuel canister weights, we subtract the mid-test weight from the pre-test weight to determine the amount of fuel used in the windy test. Then, we calculate the difference between the mid-test and post-test weights to determine fuel usage during the windless test. To round out our analysis, we determine the percentage of fuel used in the windy and windless tests. We then rank stoves based on the average of the two scores.
The Camp Chef Mountaineer did quite well in the windy and wind-free boil tests, with minimal difference in time. Credit: Mary Witlacil
The most fuel-efficient stoves in our review were those that use a large propane tank. With these stoves, we used a full 11-pound tank and weighed it in between uses. However, the tank was too heavy to use with our smaller, more sensitive scale, so it's not inconceivable that our larger scale missed some amount of fuel consumed. This aside, our most fuel-efficient stove was the Camp Chef Mountaineer, which consumed an average of 0.64 ounces of fuel or 0.16% of the fuel in our tank. It used the least amount of fuel overall, burning 1.28 ounces of fuel in the windy test, which was a fairly average score, and then it consumed so little fuel in the windless test that it didn't even register. The other stove that requires a refillable propane tank is the Camp Chef Pro 60X, and it performed well in this metric, burning an average of 1.12 ounces of fuel (0.28% of the tank) over the two tests.
The windscreens, recessed burners, and full-size drip pan coalesce to make the Pro 60x more wind resistant than other freestanding stoves. Credit: Mary Witlacil
Interestingly, the stoves with the best fuel efficiency ratings in our windy test were all tabletop stoves with relatively low BTUs. The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp may have had an average boil time of 7 minutes 30 seconds, but it burned only 0.5 ounces during our wind test. The Coleman Cascade Classic closely followed at 0.81 ounces. Aside from their fuel efficiency in windy conditions, these stoves share another feature: 10,000-BTU burners. One reason these stoves performed better than the higher-octane stoves is that they don't have to work as hard and therefore burn less fuel to produce heat in windy conditions. This is wonderful news if you are hoping to find an affordable and fuel-efficient stove. With a hefty price tag, the Basecamp is an outlier among relatively inexpensive stoves.
Unfortunately, the affordable single-burner butane stoves were not as fuel-efficient or wind-resistant as other models. If you want to save money in the long run, affordable dual-burner models like the Coleman Classic Cascade perform nearly as well as other tabletop models and are cheaper than many of the other stoves in our review.
Simmering Ability
Simmering requires finesse, allowing food to cook slowly at a steady temperature without charring or crusting. While often overlooked in favor of raw BTU output, a stove's simmering capability is critical for achieving home-range results and enhancing the flavors of delicate dishes.
Even if you don't plan on gourmet cooking, a stove's simmering proficiency is a vital metric for both performance and value. High-quality low-heat control translates directly to better fuel efficiency, saving you money on canisters and propane over the long term. Beyond fuel savings, a reliable simmer prevents scorched pans and provides the critical timing flexibility needed to manage multi-component meals without burning your main dish. Maybe you have a curry that's way ahead of your rice — a low simmer allows you to keep a dish warm without overcooking while you wait for other things to finish cooking or for your campmate to finish pitching the tent. The models that performed the best in the simmering category are the Everest 2x and the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp. These stoves had better simmer control than some gas ranges in home kitchens.
Even while tailgating, the Everest 2X offers excellent flame precision similar to your home stove, providing gentle, steady heat for slow and even cooking of flavorful cuisine. Credit: Jared Ross
The Cascade 3-in-1 was also leading the pack. The dials are incredibly intuitive and easy to adjust for frying the perfect egg or simmering curry. This stove is unique in our lineup in that it also includes grill and griddle attachments, giving you that coveted campfire flavor only cast iron provides.
Do you love perfectly toasted Sammies? The Cascade 3-in-1 has a cast iron grill and griddle that will wow your taste buds at summer picnics. Credit: Kate Pitts
While the GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 has slightly less power, it offers excellent simmering for cooking delicate meals with finesse. The Mountaineer is also noteworthy for its impressive flame power (30,000 BTUs per burner). Yet, it's still nimble enough to deliver a consistently low flame for simmering rice, sauces, or delicately cooked scrambled eggs. The capacity to simmer is not necessarily a make-or-break category for people interested in getting food to the “hot” stage to stave off hiker hunger. If you decide to go with a stove based on other metrics and still need to simmer, you can always use a heat diffuser to create distance between the flame and your cookware.
Although the Mountaineer can produce high heat, the fine dial allows you to adjust the flame slowly and gently for infusing intense flavors. Credit: Jared Ross
Ease of Use
While this is among our more subjective metrics, we think it is helpful to have a virtual “friend” who can tell you what is great and what is annoying about every stove. To determine the rank of each stove in this category, we consider several factors, from setting each up and taking them apart to cleaning. While car camping stoves are easier to set up than their old-school liquid fuel backpacking counterparts, some are more intuitive than others. The easier the product is to use, the more likely you are to use it.
The Mountaineer earned top marks in this category because it has an auto-igniter and a straightforward process for moving from stowed to cooking a meal. What makes this stove a league above the rest is that the regulator port is external, making it much easier to avoid smashing the delicate brass threads. Instead of unthinkingly threading the adapter into the port, the two attach visibly, which reduces the likelihood of cross-threading. The Genesis Basecamp has many of the same features with a great external regulator port, but it earned lower marks because the windscreen is difficult to attach. However, both stoves are straightforward to clean, and even the Basecamp is easy to use with time.
We appreciate the Camp Chef Mountaineer's external regulator port, which is easier to attach than the typical recessed ports. Credit: Jared Ross
The Camp Chef Everest 2X is easy to use, set up, and clean. It is an example of how simple every tabletop stove should be. The windscreens snap into place easily, the cooking grate lifts out for easy cleaning, it is simple enough to pair the regulator with its port (though we would prefer an external connector), and the auto-igniter worked consistently throughout our testing. Many of the other tabletop stoves earned similar ratings in our review, but the Everest 2X was among our favorites - easy to use out of the box, and it delivered high performance every time.
The Everest 2X is a top-notch stove that's easy to use and care for - a true champion in the camping stove world. Credit: Jared Ross
The Primus Kinjia also garnered top marks in this category because this is the only compact 2-burner we tested with a pre-attached fuel hose, so no fussing with screwing a metal adapter in place. It also comes with a unique stand to hold the fuel bottle at the correct angle after you screw it onto the hose. A benefit of this system is that you can then set the fuel bottle in a different location as long as it's in range of the hose. A potential issue is that it's a separate piece that can get lost. One reason the Kinjia didn't earn a perfect score is that the wooden handle, which also serves as the opening lever, isn't the most intuitive. That said, there are directions printed on the stove to help.
This stove has a unique fuel setup with a flexible hose and a separate fuel canister stand to keep it at the correct angle. Credit: Penney Garrett
The Cascade 3-in-1 also has a removable grate, which makes cleaning the cooktop simple to wipe clean. The cast iron attachments come in a separate bag that helps keep them organized and dust-free. Seasoning the cast iron will preserve it for years and prevent rust from building on the surface.
The grate can be lifted for easy cleaning of the Cascade 3-in-1, and we recommend seasoning the cast iron attachments to prevent rust. Credit: Kate Pitts
Most tabletop stoves are easy to clean and care for because they are designed to meet similar maintenance requirements. Cleaning is often as easy as lifting off the cooking grate to wipe underneath. However, on most models, the drip tray is not removable, or there are holes in it where food and grease can fall beneath. The Kinjia and Gas One GS-3400P are slightly easier to maintain because you can fully remove the drip pan to clean every internal component.
The directions for use are printed directly on the side of the single-burner butane GS-3400P. Such easy access to directions makes it incredibly straightforward for a new user to jump in and help out if needed.
A removable drip pan makes it easier to clean the surface and internal parts of the stove as necessary. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Both the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Pro and the Mountaineer are also noteworthy for their drip pans, which let you easily scrub every part of the stove once you move the cooking grate out of the way. The Pinnacle is slightly more challenging to unhook and fold out the grate, but it is easy to clean once disconnected. We love the simplicity of the Mountaineer because this stove doesn't have a false bottom under which food scraps can get lost. To clean it, you easily lift the cooking grate and scrub underneath.
Cleaning the Pinnacle Pro's drip pan requires unhooking the grate and folding it forward. Just be careful not to pinch your skin when unhooking the grate. Credit: Mary Witlacil
Portability
A key function of a camping stove is portability. However, not all camping stoves are equally portable. They come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and weights. Portability won't matter for some, but for folks with smaller cars or space constraints in a built-out van or truck, this is a critical element to consider. Storage space is important, but you also want to consider usable burner space to ensure you have enough room for your favorite pots, skillets, and other accessories.
The Gas One GS-3400P scored favorably in this category for its compact, lightweight design and plastic carrying case. It weighs just 4.1 lbs and is 14" x 12" x 3.5".
A review team favorite is the Basecamp, which measures just 9.7" in diameter and 4.5" high on its own, or 11" x 6" in its handy carrying bag. The storage bag includes a pocket for stashing the fuel adapter, and the flexible plastic windscreen wraps around the bag's interior perimeter. With or without a bag, transportation with the Basecamp is a breeze; after folding the stove, the bottom handle tucks away when not in use. The cherry on top is that it weighs a mere 7.4 pounds, bag and all, making it a ridiculously lightweight option for a two-burner car-camping setup.
The Basecamp is a highly portable stove - it's lightweight, low-profile, and comes with a handy carrying bag. Credit: Penney Garrett
The Cascade 3-in-1 has a slim profile for camping with a packed size of 22" x 12" x 4." We enjoyed the recessed handle and how easy it was to carry. The added accessories are heavy because they are cast iron, but they can always be left for longer treks to your picnic spot.
The recessed handle of the Cascade 3-in-1 makes it easy to grab on the go to an epic dinner spot. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Pinnacle Pro also earned high marks in this category, owing to it being one of the slimmest two-burner camping stoves on the market. With dimensions of 20" x 12.4" x 1.4", it will stow away in much tighter spaces than other stoves in our review. The Pinnacle Pro did not earn higher marks in this category because it's too compact to store its regulators inside the stove body. It also doesn't have a carrying handle, but you can purchase a separate canvas storage bag to store everything.
The Pinnacle Pro had one of the trimmest profiles of any stove we tested, so trim that there is no space to store the regulator. Credit: Mary Witlacil
The Coleman Triton is one of the most compact two-burner tabletop stoves, but it doesn't have an auto-ignite feature, so don't forget your matches.
The Coleman Triton is a portable and lightweight option, and is lit with a lighter or match. Credit: Kate Pitts
The windscreen on the Pinnacle Pro is also shaped to provide some extra cooking width, a detail we appreciated.
Food, glorious food! You don't need a dinner reservation to have some of the most memorable meals of your life. Credit: Kate Pitts
How to Choose a Camping Stove
Before buying a camp stove, consider what type matches your cooking style. Do you need a stove for dirtbag efficiency to “heat and eat before the peak?” Maybe you are looking for a backcountry kitchen matched to your culinary genius so you can wow friends at the campground. No matter your outdoor culinary ambitions, we have insights on the best stove for your needs. Here's a summary of the main points from our [buying advice | buying advice guide]:
What style of stove fits your camp kitchen?
Are you cooking for yourself (or your better half) on the road, or are you cooking to feed an army of hungry campers? The best stove(s) give you space to cook up a delicious smorgasbord for the mouths you feed. To meet the needs of solo vagabonds and expedition camp chefs alike, we group camp stoves into two categories: freestanding and tabletop. Freestanding stoves rise on their own two legs and make their own table, making them ideal for cookouts on the beach. They are a good option if you often don't have a tailgate or picnic table, although they are heavier than tabletop stoves and require more elbow grease to carry to your picnic spot. Freestanding stoves are ideal for large groups or setting up a long-term camp kitchen.
Free standing stoves create a spacious outdoor kitchen for treating your friends to dinner with a view. Credit: Mary Witlacil
If you are car camping or cooking for a small group, tabletop stoves fit better in your road trip storage bins. Tabletop stoves are compact and lightweight, so they are not a burden to carry to a secret wilderness picnic. They are ideal for groups of four or fewer and can be used on their own. In the outdoors, where the weather can change, they often offer superior wind resistance compared to freestanding stoves and are easier to pack up if you have to take a rain check.
How many burners do you need?
The next consideration for your ideal camp stove is how many burners you need. If you have larger groups, freestanding stoves can come in two to three burners, giving you more cooking space. Tabletop stoves can still be a good option if you set up multiple stations, which prevents “too many cooks in the kitchen” and offers more burners for the group to cook on. Our best pro tip is to check the cooking dimensions of the stove you intend to buy to match the fit of your pot and pan set. A one-burner stove can be great for minimalist cooking, but two to three-burner stoves can open up possibilities for multi-dish potlucks.
Do you need a compact kitchen for life on the road, or multiple burners for an outdoor shindig? Credit: Kate Pitts
What fuel is best, and how much power do you need?
The standard camp stove uses propane; most models we tested have a propane adapter that attaches to the standard green 16-ounce propane canisters. These canisters are readily available at convenience stores, gas stations, and outdoor retailers. If you want a more economical fuel source, you don't have to refill for weekend warrior adventures, buy a hose and adaptor for a 5-gallon tank you can refill.
Many stoves use 16-oz. propane canisters that can last you for a weekend adventure. Credit: Kate Pitts
Companies measure stove power in BTUs (British Thermal Units), and a higher BTU rating correlates with greater heat output. In addition to power, design features significantly influence the heat the burner can provide to your pots and pans. Features like broad wind screens boost a stove's heat retention, so the data our testers collect in our boil tests helps us identify designs that optimize heat efficiency.
What features should you consider?
Wind guards are essential if you plan on cooking outdoors. The wind through the pines sounds beautiful, but it can blow a flame around. A stove with beefy windscreens or burners recessed in the cooktop can keep you cooking in stormy weather. Broad, rectangular windscreens that protect three sides of the burner create a better shield than low L-shaped side bars.
When your picnic table is wind whipped, the Everest 2X buckles down with excellent wind guards so your kettle whistles for tea-time in a jiffy. Credit: Kate Pitts
Another feature to consider is simmering ability. When you want to cook a pancake, having a stove that blasts out too little heat and leaves your flapjacks gooey inside, or too much heat and blackens their bottoms, is a bummer. Knobs that let you dial in heat settings intuitively will enable you to simmer soups and sauces to perfection and provide even heat for perfectly crisped eggs, bacon, and burgers. We meticulously test each model's precision to find camp stoves suitable for your inner pro chef in your outdoor kitchen.
This is essentially the same stove as the Coleman Triton with the addition of a built-in igniter. Like the Triton, it shines at simmer control. Once you get the hang of the slightly sensitive dials, it handles low-and-slow cooking beautifully, letting you cook eggs or simmer sauces without incinerating them. It's also incredibly user-friendly, featuring a reliable push-button auto-ignition and an intuitive, easy-to-clean design with a removable grate and steel drip tray. If you want a straightforward, affordable stove for calm, sunny days, it delivers reliable performance.
However, the Triton Plus struggles significantly when the weather turns. With lower-powered 11,000 BTU burners, it lacks the raw muscle of its competitors, resulting in sluggish boil times. While it can boil water in under five minutes in ideal conditions, a breezy day can nearly double that time to over nine minutes due to its remarkably poor wind resistance. Furthermore, its overall cooking surface is slightly cramped, and its thin metal body tends to dent and scratch more easily than those of more premium models.
This freestanding powerhouse offers incredible value for anyone cooking for large groups. Its standout feature is the sheer muscle of its dual 30,000 BTU burners, which easily accommodate massive 14-inch pans. Despite all that intense heat, the dials finesse beautifully, giving you precise simmer control for delicate meals without burning them. Plus, its removable legs make it highly adaptable, allowing you to use it as a standalone station or a tabletop stove for tailgating.
However, its open, airy design makes it highly vulnerable to weather. Lacking a proper windscreen, a stiff breeze can easily blow out the flames during cooking. Furthermore, it lacks an auto-ignition system, meaning you'll need a long lighter to start it—and you'll need to temporarily move hot pans aside to relight it if the wind puts it out. It's also quite bulky and can develop minor rust if left outside unprotected under the elements.
If you want similar cooking prowess in a traditional tabletop design, the Camp Chef Everest 2X is a major upgrade. While its 20,000-BTU burners are technically less powerful, the Everest 2X actually boils water faster in breezy conditions thanks to an excellent, nearly seamless three-sided windscreen. It also solves the Explorer's biggest annoyance by including a highly reliable push-button auto-igniter. Though it is heavy for a compact stove at roughly 14 pounds, it's vastly more portable and weather-resistant than the bulky Explorer.
This stove's biggest appeal is right in its name: it's a lightweight, uniquely foldable camping stove that makes packing and transport a breeze. If you're tight on car space, its compact, stow-away design and easy-to-clean surfaces are undeniably convenient. For budget-conscious campers cooking on perfectly calm, sunny days, it can easily handle the basics. Surprisingly, under those ideal, windless conditions, its simmering ability is actually quite impressive. The stove manages delicate tasks beautifully, letting you slow-cook a pot of curry or perfectly caramelize onions without accidentally scorching your meal.
Unfortunately, that's where the praise ends, as the Fold N Go suffers from severe performance flaws the moment you step outside perfect weather. Its fatal flaw is the sheer distance between the cooking grates and its relatively weak 10,000 BTU burners, which results in frustratingly slow cooking times—taking a sluggish seven minutes to boil water on a calm day. Worse, it completely lacks wind protection. In testing, even a mild morning breeze rendered the stove nearly useless, failing to boil water after 25 minutes or even to heat food properly. Despite its affordable price tag, these glaring reliability issues make it tough to recommend over better-performing competitors. If you love this design, consider the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp, which is twice the price but performs much better.
This is perfect for casual campers who want an easy, fuss-free setup. Just lock the fuel canister into the side compartment and turn the dial to ignite. Its standout feature is a highly adjustable flame that excels at simmering without scorching your food. Plus, butane fuel is generally cheaper and slightly more efficient than propane.
However, this stove trades speed and weather resistance for simplicity. Its modest 7,650 BTU output means it takes five minutes to boil water in ideal conditions—and over 21 minutes in a breeze, since it lacks a windscreen. Also, butane struggles in freezing temperatures, meaning you'll need to physically warm the canister before cooking in cold weather. Most importantly, it's hard not to get the Gas One GS-3400, which has pretty similar performance, offers propane compatibility, and costs less than half as much.
Conclusion
Choosing the right camping stove depends on three main factors: burner count, design (freestanding vs. tabletop), and your specific cookware needs. These choices are driven by your available space, group size, and cooking style. Our rigorous testing is designed to help you navigate these options to find the best match for your budget and appetite.
