We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Camping + Hiking The 6 Best Camping Stoves of 2024 Whether you’re backpacking or car camping, these camp stoves make cooking outdoors a breeze. By Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove is a New York-based travel writer, photographer, and content creator who focuses on off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures. Her work has been featured in Afar, Time magazine, TravelPulse, Popsugar, Travel + Leisure, Elite Daily, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on March 21, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan There’s nothing quite like a solid camp meal after a day of exploring the great outdoors; something about it just tastes better. I love getting creative when cooking outdoors, with favorite dishes like gourmet burgers to camp paella. Having a great camp stove can make or break the experience though, you don’t want something difficult to set up, that doesn’t have any wind resistance, or a finicky flame control. Finding the right balance of portability, functionality, and efficiency is key, as is assessing your needs based on whether you’ll be backpacking or car camping. Whether you need something compact and lightweight for your camp cooking needs, or a stove that provides a larger cooking surface with the option to grill, we’ve scoured the internet for the best camping stoves for all needs. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Eureka! Ignite Plus Two-Burner Camping Stove at Amazon $160 Jump to Review Best Portable: MSR WindBurner Stove System at Amazon $190 Jump to Review Best Single-burner: Coleman Cascade 18 1-Burner Camp Stove at Amazon $130 Jump to Review Best Compact: Solo Stove Campfire Camping Stove at Amazon $110 Jump to Review Best Grill: Snow Peak Takibi Fire and Grill at Amazon $405 Jump to Review Most Durable: Camp Chef Mountaineer Aluminum Stove at Amazon $390 Jump to Review Best Overall Eureka! Ignite Plus Two-Burner Camping Stove PHOTO: Amazon $160 at Amazon $96 at REI $160 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It It’s big enough to cook for groups, but it's not overly bulky. What to Consider The lid can flip open if not attached to the windscreens. We love how versatile the Eureka Ignite Plus 2-Burner Camp Stove is for car camping. The easy-to-use stove makes set up and cooking a breeze, with ample room for fitting two 12-inch pots or pans, making it possible to cook larger meals. One of the trickiest things about making a meal in a camp kitchen is dealing with the wind messing with the burner flame, but this stove comes with built-in, fold-out windscreen protection to help out with that issue. I also don’t like spending just as much time figuring out how to get the camp stove going as I do cooking. That’s not the case with this one; it has a simple design, with push-button lighting and simmer control dials to hone in the flame power to your liking. The adjustable, non-slip feet are a bonus as well, because almost every time, the camp kitchen surface isn’t going to be completely even terrain. Whether you’re cooking breakfast or dinner for friends and family at your favorite campsite, this stove will get the job done without taking up too much room or being too heavy to transport. The Details: 12 pounds | Propane | 2 burners Best Portable MSR WindBurner Stove System PHOTO: Amazon $190 $165 at Amazon $190 at REI $237 $190 at Backcountry Why We Love It It’s an all-in-one system that nests inside the pot for easy packing. What to Consider The fuel is not included. Backpackers will rejoice at the MSR WindBurner Stove System, a lightweight and incredibly compact kit for cooking at your site after a long day of hiking. A secure-locking pot, personal eat-and-drink mug with a koozie, folding canister stand, and small PackTowl for cleaning, as well as a bowl all pack up nicely together, making this cook stove set incredibly portable. When going camping with a kit in tow that has multiple pieces, I always look for something that stacks into each other for easy transport, this one definitely ticks that box. The lid comes with drinking and straining ports so you can enjoy your coffee, tea, soup, pasta, etc. straight from the source. Most importantly, this feature means you don’t have to worry about your noodles falling into the dirt as you drain the water. It lights quickly in all weather conditions, and boils water fast, so you won’t have to wait too long for your food or drink. For thru-hikers, backpacking trips, or even a summit sunrise coffee, this personal camp stove system is our go-to for most portable. The Details: 15.5 ounces | Isobutane-propane | 1 burner Best Single-burner Coleman Cascade 18 1-Burner Camp Stove PHOTO: Amazon $130 at Amazon $80 at REI View on Coleman.com Why We Love It It’s easy to clean. What to Consider It doesn’t come with a storage bag or case. The perfect in-between camp stove that isn’t too big or too small, the Coleman Cascade 18 is our top pick for a single-burner cooker. It’s compact enough to be portable yet still able to hold a 12-inch pan for making your outdoor meals. Since cooking, in general, can be messy, I really appreciate a camp stove that’s easy to clean, and with its aluminized steel cooktop and simple-to-use design, messes can be wiped up quickly. I also really love how the dial allows for a more fine-tuned flame and temperature control. The grate detaches and flips for easy storage too. The burn time is impressive as well, which can go up to two and a half hours on high. So, go ahead and slow-cook that oatmeal. The Details: 5.5 pounds | Propane | 1 burner The Best Camping Gear We’ve Ever Tested Best Compact Solo Stove Campfire Camping Stove PHOTO: Amazon $110 at Amazon $150 $110 at Dicks Sporting Goods $105 at Walmart Why We Love It It boils water fast (within 2-4 minutes). What to Consider Cooking accessories are sold separately. We love how user-friendly the Solo Stove Campfire Camp Stove is, as well as its durability and quick start-up capacity. A camp stove that comes with its own carrying case earns extra points in my book, and this one does, making it even more portable than it already is. I also really enjoy the versatility of the design, since it can be used as a little campfire for warming up, as well as a camp stove for cooking. So, you can easily go straight from dinner to roasting marshmallows for dessert. It’s also unique because it produces little to no smoke, due to the double-walled design and specialized airflow. There’s no need to bring fuel canisters either, this stove runs on twigs and small pieces of wood. Weighing in around 2 pounds, this small but mighty stove is very portable particularly since the cooking ring and firestarts are nested inside the burn chamber. The Details: 2.2 pounds | 1 burner Best Grill Snow Peak Takibi Fire and Grill PHOTO: Back Country $405 at Amazon $320 at REI $320 at Backcountry Why We Love It It’s easy to assemble and take down. What to Consider It’s heavier than other models. The Snow Peak Takibi Fire and Grill is portable without sacrificing quality, and crafted from durable stainless steel construction. I love that the set includes a carrying case as well as a Grill Net and bridge, Takibi Fireplace, and the baseplate so you don’t have to purchase everything separately. Ideal for backyard grilling or car camping, this grill allows you to leave no trace since the hot coals are kept off the ground. The grilling surface can be adjusted to three different levels so you can control the heat while cooking and it’s easy to clean after your meal. This grill can also be used as a fire pit, adding to its versatility. The Details: 32 pounds Most Durable Camp Chef Mountaineer Aluminum Stove PHOTO: Backcountry $390 at Amazon $390 at Backcountry $390 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It It's durable with impressive wind-resistance. What to Consider This is more of a splurge option best suited for frequent campers. When cooking outdoors, having a durable camp stove is paramount. Ideal for car camping, this stove isn’t the most lightweight model, but is still portable and easy to carry thanks to the suitcase-style lid and closure. It’s built to withstand the elements and has windshields that lock into place. With a high BTU output (40,000), it boils water quickly, too. The larger size and dual burner design make cooking for a group of friends or family a breeze. I often find that a lot of camp stoves can make it difficult to attain a precise temperature, but that’s not the case with this one; you can achieve the perfect simmer. The solid construction out of high-end materials, easy-to-clean design, and rugged durability mean this stove will go the distance on camping trips for years to come. The Details: 16 pounds | Propane | 2 burners The 10 Best Camping Chairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Tips for Buying a Camping Stove Think about weight When purchasing a camp stove, it’s crucial to buy one that will fit in with your specific needs and the type of camping that you typically do. If you need a stove that will fit in a backpacking backpack, you’ll want to prioritize a lightweight and compact model. If you can spare the weight and space, a one- or two-burner stove might work best for car or backyard camping, allowing you to cook larger meals. Don’t forget about fuel and ignition methods Some stoves, like the Solo Stove and Snow Peak models, use wood, so you don’t have to tote around fuel, but you will have to source kindling, and need to pay attention to certain areas and times of year when burn bans may be in effect. Lighting them in this manner is more budget-friendly than purchasing fuel canisters though. Most other models use fuel like butane, propane, or Isobutane-propane, which usually come in portable one-pound canisters and can last for cooking 3-4 meals. Keep in mind that the higher the BTU (British Thermal Unit, which measures the energy needed to bring the temperature of one pound of water up by one degree Fahrenheit), the more fuel required to run it. Extra fuel canisters will mean carrying more to your campsite as well. Another point to consider is the ignition method: some models will require a lighter or matches (which are generally not waterproof) while some camp stoves can be ignited with a push button built in, known as a striker. Consider the number of burners you need Since camp stoves come in all shapes and sizes, the number of burners you need will depend largely on how many people you plan to feed and the stove's overall portability. I like having two burners so that I can use both a pan and a pot to cook two things at once and make the meal move along more smoothly. If you’re camping solo or with one adventure partner, a single-burner stove or grill would be adequate for simple meals. Backpackers will want to go as compact and lightweight as possible, using a personal camp stove kit. You'll also want to consider your camping style and culinary ambition when choosing both your stove and camping cookware. Frequently Asked Questions How do you clean a portable camping stove? Cleaning a camp stove depends on the type and construction, but I always prefer to prioritize using a model that offers easy cleanup, since that’s the last thing you want to spend a lot of time doing when you still have to pack up camp. Typically, warm water and soap will get the job done, and you can use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub any residue off. Make sure to air dry the stove before storing it when you get home, to prevent rust from forming. With a lot of models, it’s possible to remove the burners to clean them and the cooktop. Can you use a camping stove indoors? No, camping stoves are designed to be used outdoors only. In addition to being a fire hazard, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Using them outdoors provides the ventilation needed to cook safely. What is the best camp stove for winter camping? The best camp stoves for winter camping will offer great wind resistance as well as fuel that won’t freeze, like white gas or isobutane (a mix of propane and isobutane). The MSR WhisperLite is a fantastic option for winter camping, providing reliable fuel and a super compact design. Why Trust Travel + Leisure T+L contributor Lauren Breedlove used her personal experience as a camping, outdoors enthusiast, and travel writer as well as online research to find the best camping stoves. She scoured the internet for a wide array of models for all types of campers to find the best combination of portability, functionality, and durability. The Ultimate Camping Packing List Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more