If you love to camp, you already know there’s nothing better than a piping hot meal while watching the sunset, followed by a warm drink around the campfire. Having a reliable stove that’s fast to setup and easy to use is the key to taking your camping cuisine from bland to grand.
There are lots of excellent stoves on the market, but not all camp chefs have the same needs. Luckily, our team has been boiling and sautéing up a storm in our outdoor kitchens. We’ve cooked hundreds of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts on more than 30 camping stoves over the last 9 years to help you find the perfect model for your next adventure. When it comes to precision heating, efficient burners, and long-term durability, we’re confident you’ll find your new favorite cooktop on this guide.
If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor camping kitchen, check out our guide to the most stable and portable camping tables, or revamp your cooking tools with our top choices for camping cookware. For those especially hot summer days, keep your food cold with the best coolers of the year. And if your top priority when it comes to stoves is ultralight portability for overnights in the backcountry, pop over to our list of the best backpacking stoves.
Quick Picks for Camping Stoves
Check out our top picks for camping stoves below. For a deeper dive into each option and the full list – including thoughtful reviews and pros and cons – continue scrolling.
Best overall camping stove for power, portability & value: Camp Chef Everest 2x ($190)
Best budget two-burner camping stove: Coleman Classic ($80)
Best budget one-burner camping stove: Gas ONE GS-1000 ($25)
Durable camping stove with excellent heat control: GSI Selkirk 540 ($149)
Best heavy-duty camping stove: Camp Chef Explorer 14 ($150)
Compact & efficient all-in-one cooking system: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System ($400)
Durable camping stove with a large cooking area: Eureka Ignite Plus ($160)
Affordable camping stove with an extra boost of power: Coleman Triton+ ($110)
Best wood-burning camping stove: Solo Stove Campfire ($100)
Compact & stylish camping stove: Primus Tupike ($260)
What’s new
Our team has been cooking meal after meal and testing our favorite stoves against some of the most exciting new options on the market. As a result, this list has seen some significant changes:
- The powerful and portable Camp Chef Everest 2x Stove offers excellent speed and precision heat control to cook large meals quickly – without breaking the bank.
- The Coleman Classic Camping Stove remains at the top of the list as one of our all-time favorite stoves, especially when it comes to a functional, affordable, and durable car-camping option.
- Our top budget pick is the versatile Gas ONE GS-1000, a compact single-burner stove that stands out for being quiet, portable, and compatible with butane and propane.
Camp Chef Everest 2x
Best camping stove overall
Price: $190
Weight: 12 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 20,000
Pros
- Excellent value
- Powerful
- Durable
- Large cooking area
- Auto ignition
- Highly adjustable burners
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Can use gas quickly
- Heavier than some
If you need a stove with some serious speed and power to feed your whole crew, but you also prioritize a wide cooking area, the Camp Chef Everest 2x Stove offers the best of both worlds. It has plenty of space to use two full-size pots and pans side-by-side, and each of the large burners puts out twice the BTUs of the average tabletop camp stove. That said, with burners turned up the full way, you’ll go through gas a bit faster than other options on this list – although this is a small price to pay for cooking a lot of food so quickly. If you’re looking for excellent cooking control, high heat output, and a relatively portable package, the Everest 2X Stove offers an excellent bang for your buck.
Coleman Classic
Best budget two-burner camping stove
Price: $80
Weight: 9.8 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 10,000
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Flat, slim profile
- Easy to use
- Stackable when closed
- Slightly adjustable wind screens
- Designed to work with Coleman propane cylinder
Cons
- No auto ignition
- Wind screens not as large as some
The utilitarian and time-tested Coleman Classic Camping Stove is a classic when it comes to efficiency, dependability and affordability. That’s why it’s been such a favorite among campers for generations, and for everyone on the CleverHiker team. The Coleman Classic was built to suit the average camper’s needs, so instead of being super powerful, it balances moderate heat output with smart fuel efficiency, and it works seamlessly with the widely-available Coleman propane cylinders. In our experience, the burners are plenty adequate unless you’re cooking for a large group or contending with harsh conditions. We’ve been using our Coleman Classic Stove for many years, and it’s still going strong. This Budget Pick is an excellent investment for singles and couples that want a solid camping stove that can do it all.
Gas ONE GS-1000
Best budget one-burner camping stove
Price: $25
Weight: 3.1 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 7,650
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Auto ignition
- Quiet
- Compatible with multiple fuels
- Efficient and simple design
- Slim profile
Cons
- Less powerful than some
- Only one burner
- No wind screen(s)
- No hard top
If you need an affordable, compact stove for simple camp cooking and boiling water, look no further than the Gas ONE GS-1000. We’ve been really impressed with the quality of this stove, especially at such a low price point – it’s the most affordable option on our list. The GS-1000 features all-metal construction and quality craftsmanship. Plus, it’s easy to carry and it fits in a slim case that hardly takes up any room for transport and storage. We also love that we have the option of using both butane and propane with it, making the Gas ONE a versatile option no matter where you’re camping. If you’re looking for a basic stove for outdoor cooking or emergency preparedness, this model is an incredibly budget-friendly and effective solution.
GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540
Durable camping stove with excellent heat control
Price: $149
Weight: 10 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 10,000
Pros
- Precision flame control
- Large cooking area
- Durable
- Auto ignition
- Bright colorway
- Relatively lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- Bulkier than others
- Auto igniter doesn't always work (general con of piezo ignitors)
If you’re looking for great simmer control in a sleek, durable, and lightweight package, you’ll love the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 Camp Stove. The powder-coated steel shell is tough and built to last, but this baby is almost two pounds lighter than similar stoves, so it’s much easier to maneuver. For all you gourmets out there, the Selkirk’s cooking surface is big enough to use two pots and pans at once for creating culinary masterpieces. The automatic light button is also super handy, although like most stoves with this feature, we recommend keeping a lighter in your mess kit in case the piezo ignition device decides to quit working. We really like the Selkirk’s bright color and easy-to-clean design, and we highly recommend it for those who want a wide range of flame control and even heat distribution for even the most complicated camp meals.
Camp Chef Explorer 14
Best heavy-duty camping stove
Price: $150
Weight: 36 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 30,000
Pros
- Excellent value
- Powerful
- Durable
- Freestanding
- Large cooking area
- Uses larger refillable propane take (lasts longer, more economical)
- Tall / built-in stand
- Additions available (sold separately): storage bag, cover, side table, griddle
Cons
- Very heavy
- Bulky to store
- No auto ignition
- Slower to set up
If cooking is a major part of your group’s camping fun, it’s worth upgrading to a heavy-duty stove like the Camp Chef Explorer 14. Thanks to it’s adjustable legs, it doesn’t need to take up much-needed table space, and is more than burly enough to stay setup for the duration of your trip, whether for a weekend or a week. The Explorer 14 has massive, powerful burners and a huge cooking area for full-size pots and pans, which means no recipes are off-limits. Go ahead and bring that big stock pot for a low boil. Although accessories are sold separately, we’re impressed with the options to outfit the Explorer with a side table, grill cover, carrying bag, and even a wide griddle for cooking up to 8 pancakes or 4 burgers at once. The downside is the Explorer is heavy and bulky, so it’s best for those who aren’t super limited on space. This stove is one of the best values on the market for camp chefs who prioritize a semi-permanent cooking area, lots of power, and unmatched durability to feed big groups on multi-day trips.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System
Compact & efficient all-in-one cooking system
Price: $400 (includes cookware)
Weight: 9.31 lb.
BTUs (per burner): 10,000
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact designf
- Durable construction
- Efficient and fast
- Auto ignition
- Large cooking area
- Excellent accessories
Cons
- Very expensive
- Overkill for occasional campers
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System showcases some of the coolest new technology available for outdoor cooking. This compact, lightweight stove folds up into a rugged metal pod that nests inside a pot for compact storage. The pot and stove, along with a frying pan, lid, windscreen, and regulator fit into a travel bag no bigger than a bowling ball. Needless to say, the Genesis Basecamp System is one of the most portable and space-saving stoves on the market.
The heat retention coils on the base of the pot made this system incredibly fast and efficient for cooking and boiling water. We also love that you can customize the number of burners using the Jetlink port, so other Jetboil burners like the lightweight Luna Satellite Burner and the larger HalfGen Base Camp Cooking System. This model is a versatile, top-quality cooking system with an emphasis on streamlined portability and maximum fuel efficiency.
Eureka Ignite Plus
Durable camping stove with a large cooking area
Price: $160
Weight: 12 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 10,000
Pros
- Wide cooking area
- Durable
- Auto ignition
- Adjstable leveling feet
- Affordable
- Slim profile
Cons
- A bit heavier than some
- Small windscreens
- Less heat output than some
If other two-burner stoves feel too crowded for your large pots and pans, you’ll appreciate the extra-wide cooking area of the Eureka Ignite Plus Camping Stove. Conveniences like push-button start and excellent simmer control make it an excellent choice for discerning camp chefs who want the ability to fine-tune the heat. We also love that the Ignite Plus is made with thick-gauge steel and durable latches, so it’s less likely to dent or get damaged in transport. However, the Ignite Plus has smaller windscreens that make it a bit less convenient than others on this list for cooking in breezy, let alone windy, conditions. But if you’re looking for excellent quality and want to make sure you’ll have plenty of elbow room, the Ignite Plus is a solid choice. It’s also available in a smaller size as the Eureka Ignite if you prefer a more compact version.
Coleman Triton+
Affordable camping stove with an extra boost of power
Price: $110
Weight: 10.2 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 11,000
Pros
- Affordable
- Powerful burners heat faster than Coleman Classic
- Durable
- Large dials
- Large wind screens
- Wide cooking area
Cons
- Not as sleek as Coleman Classic
- Bulky to store
The Coleman Triton+ is the updated and upgraded version of Coleman’s Classic Camping Stove, with a modernized style and a small increase in BTUs. The extra 1,000 BTUs per burner don’t make a huge difference for cooking, but we found the Triton does heat pans and pots faster overall. You really can’t go wrong with either of these tried-and-true stoves, since both are simple, dependable, and affordable workhorses for reheating meals or cooking from scratch. For us, the choice between the two boils down to price and aesthetics. While the MSRP of the Triton and the Classic are roughly the same, the Classic is frequently on sale for less.
Solo Stove Campfire
Best wood-burning camping stove
Price: $100
Weight: 2.2 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): Varies
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Fun and interactive
- Creates heat and ambiance
- No need to buy fuel
- Low smoke
Cons
- Takes a bit more time and practice to use
- Soot can be messy
- Only one burner
Sometimes camping just doesn’t feel complete without a fire, which is why we love the Solo Stove Campfire. It’s a gasifier stove – one of the cleanest options for burning fuel by using wood – that creates a hot, efficient, and nearly smoke-free fire. The Campfire is easy to start and keep burning with only twigs and small pieces of wood that you can find everywhere, and for free, in most campsites. It works great for cooking simple one-pot meals for small groups. That said, we highly recommend using a cast-iron skillet from home and/or the Pot 4000 for cooking, and as an added perk, The Campfire nests inside the pot for compact storage. A Tripod to hold the pot over fire is also available.
And, if you’re like us, you’ll enjoy keeping the Campfire burning long after you’ve finished your meal for entertainment, warmth, and that relaxing orange glow of a fire. We love gathering around it to warm our hands and watch the mesmerizing flames. The Campfire requires a bit more effort than most camping stoves, but we love the fun and interactive qualities of it for leisurely frontcountry trips.
Primus Tupike
Compact & stylish camping stove
Price: $260
Weight: 9.5 lbs.
BTUs (per burner): 10,200
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to clean
- Legs preserve table space underneath
- Auto ignition
- Includes a non-stick griddle plate
- Large wind screens
Cons
- Expensive
- Small cooking surface
- Less durable than some
The Primus Tupike is a compact camping stove with sleek Scandanavian styling. It has folding legs to raise it up off the table, which is great for providing more space while prepping, cooking, and cleaning up on your table. It also has push-button igniters for a simple matchless start, and a grease tray you can easily lift out for washing. The Tupike is purposely designed to be small for portability, so it’s best for light cooking with smaller pots and pans or the included griddle plate. It’s a bit less durable than the burlier options on this list, but we don’t mind because at less than 10 pounds, this model is easy to store and transport. The Tupike is a stylish, minimalist stove that’s great for picnics, camper vans, and hip outdoor kitchens.
What’s Most Important to You in a Camping Stove?
PRICE
Quality camping stoves can be expensive, but if you spend a lot of time cooking in your outdoor kitchen, it’s worth investing in a stove that you really enjoy using and will last for years. Generally, the higher the price tag is, the more heat the stove puts out, the more control you have over the size of the flame, and the bigger the cooking area. That said, you’ll find excellent stoves at every price level.
Best value camping stoves
Best budget camping stoves:
Best high-end camping stove
PACKABILITY
Size and weight aren’t as much of a concern for car camping as they are for backpacking, but it’s still smart to consider how much space you have for storage and transportation. Small, lightweight stoves are easier to carry and have slimmer profiles, while heavy-duty stoves are more appropriate for big jobs, although take up more space in your vehicle and in storage.
Lightweight & compact camping stoves
Best medium-size camping stoves
Best large, heavy-duty camping stove
POWER
The more BTUs (British Thermal Units) a stove has, the hotter it burns. The average tabletop camping stove has about 10,000 BTUs per burner. That’s sufficient for most camper’s needs and provides a good balance of power to fuel efficiency. However, you may want to bump up the BTUs if you’re cooking for a large group or will be camping in cold, windy conditions.
Most powerful camping stoves
Best average-power camping stoves
Best light-duty camping stoves
THE GAS ONE GS-1000 IS A GREAT BUDGET BUY FOR HOT WATER, COFFEE, AND LIGHT CAMP COOKING
THE Primus Tupike is aN Easy-to-Clean Option with Practical Legs
THE COLEMAN CLASSIC IS AFFORDABLE AND DURABLE WORKHORSE THAT FOLDS FLAT FOR EASY TRANSPORT
IF YOU AREN’T TIGHT ON SPACE, A STOVE LIKE THE CAMP CHEF EXPLORER 14 IS WORTH IT’S WEIGHT FOR MULTI-DAY CAMPING FOR A GROUP
THE GSI Selkirk 540 STOVE IS HIGH-QUALITY, SPACIOUS, AND DURABLE
THE SOLO STOVE CAMPFIRE IS GREAT FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND CAMP COOKING
Critical Camping Stove Considerations
FUEL
All of the camping stoves on this list run on propane, aside from the Solo Stove Campfire, which burns wood. The Gas ONE GS-1000 runs on both propane and butane. Propane is inexpensive and readily available. Most people use 1 lb. propane canisters because they’re small and convenient.
Heavy-duty stoves like the Camp Chef Explorer 14 consume more fuel, so they work best with a larger, refillable propane tank. Standard 20 lb. propane tanks work well and last for a long time, but they’re heavy, bulky, and cumbersome to transport. For the best balance of portability and longevity, we suggest using a 5 lb. propane tank to use with high-output stoves – although keep in mind some 5 lb. propane tanks will need an adapter to connect to stove regulators. Refillable tanks are more affordable and eco-friendly in the long run if you camp a lot.
COOKING AREA DIMENSIONS
Consider what you like to eat while camping and the cookware you’ll use. If you’re serving a large group or cooking up gourmet meals, you’ll probably be using multiple pots or fry pans at once. In that case, it’s best to choose a stove with a spacious cooking area to avoid overcrowding. In contrast, if you only want to boil water, reheat prepared food, or do light cooking, a smaller, light-duty camping stove will be more convenient and less cumbersome.
