The Best Camping Stoves of 2023

We turned up the heat on stoves from all of the top brands to determine the best camping stoves for 2023. Whether you’re a car camping pro or just getting started, we’ve got you covered.

Camping and food go hand in hand, especially when car camping affords you the luxury of a two-burner stove.

This year, we tested a few new stoves and retested many previous top picks. With years of combined experience with camp cooking, we used our collective knowledge to narrow down the best camping stoves available today.

A good camp stove should fire up quickly, provide a steady stream of heat to get things rolling, and be able to dial it back for precision work like simmering or sauteing. There are other details about your camp cuisine to consider as well, such as the number of hungry hikers you’re looking to feed, and whether you’ll only need a raw flame or the sizzle of a griddle to whip up some chow.

For each stove in this comprehensive review, we considered design, ease of use, BTUs, windy weather performance, simmer control, weight, cost, and boil time. On the surface, these stoves all have a lot in common, but each has unique features that stand out for specific uses.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide . We have also assembled a list of frequently asked questions and a comparison chart that can help guide your decision.

• Best Overall
• Best Budget
• Runner-Up
• Best Grill/Griddle for Camping
• Best One-Burner
• Best Large Group
• Best of the Rest

The Best Camping Stoves of 2023

Best Overall Camping Stove: Camp Chef Everest 2X

The Camp Chef Everest 2X ($190) replaced the older Mountain Series Summit model from this brand. The Everest is definitely as high-powered as its predecessor (if not more so), with two 20,000-BTU burners, an auto-igniter, and a redesigned burner area and exterior.

Although the Camp Chef Everest has some of the strongest burners we tested, it still simmers well. And with the new burner and surface design, you get a few more cubic inches of cooking space for the same weight.

Gear Editor Mallory Paige lives in an off-grid cabin and has been using the Everest 2X as her family’s primary stove. After cooking up to three meals a day on it for over a year, the stove has held up impressively well.

The striker still works, and the mix of high output settings and good simmer control meets the demands of any cook. From quickly boiling water at high altitudes to carefully toasting pine nuts, it does it all. This stove roars to life for heavy-duty use, but is delicate enough for finer cooking. The only negative we could rustle up was the weight and bulk.

The previous contender for the best overall stove, the Camp Chef Summit 2-Burner Camp Stove ($150) model, also has impressive heat output, but we had issues with the striker (and the price tag). This year, we found the auto-igniter on the Everest 2X to be much more consistent, and the redesign adds features that make it our overall best camping stove.

Specs

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 20,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 3:06 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 12 lbs.

Pros

• Produces strong flames
• Works well in windy conditions
• Burner design evenly spreads out heat
• Windscreen tabs stay secure with exterior locks, which is a nice touch

Cons

• A bit heavier (12 lbs.) and bulkier than we’d like

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Best Budget Camp Stove: Coleman Classic Propane Stove

The simplest option on the list is also one of our favorites. As a tried and true model that meets the basic demands of car camping, it’s been a go-to choice for our staff over the years.

The Coleman Classic Propane Stove ($75) might not have all the fancy features of the others on the list, but it’s hands down the most bang for your buck out of all camp stoves on the market. The windscreens do the job, and the simmer control is surprisingly effective. It weighs 12 pounds, which isn’t much more than most more expensive options.

For as low as $50 on sale, you get two 10,000-BTU burners in a classic, trusted design. We cooked up plenty of meals on the Coleman Classic and appreciate how simple it is. There’s no auto-ignitor here, which was one of the few downsides we could sniff out. Be sure to pack some matches.

If you’re camping on a budget, or want an extra two burners for large meals, the Coleman Classic Propane Stove would be a great addition to your outdoor kitchen setup.

Specs

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 10,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 7:00 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 12 lbs.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Durable enough for the outdoors
• Ease of use

Cons

• It doesn’t have a striker, so you’ll have to use matches or a lighter
• Simmer control could be better

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Runner Up: Kovea Slim Twin Propane Camp Stove

This stove impressed us from the get-go for two main reasons: the design and functionality. The Kovea Slim Twin ($145) was almost completely redesigned last year, with two 10,500-BTU burners, short and sturdy legs that work well on a variety of surfaces, adjustable windscreens, and an incorporated piezo igniter.

When we tested an older model of the Kovea Slim stove, we had issues with the leg supports — they were thin and wobbly. Additionally, the burner design required two separate propane cans. The simmer control wasn’t ideal for delicate dishes, and the price was a bit high for a camping stove with that many issues.

Overall, Kovea made tons of great updates, and the effort shows. The only downside would be that a propane adapter doesn’t fit inside the stove for storage. Weighing in at less than 10 pounds, the Twin Slim is a fantastic improvement on the old model, making it one of the best camping stoves of 2023.

Specs

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 10,500-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 4:30 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 9 lbs., 8 oz.

Pros

• Slim and packable, yet sturdy
• Performs well across the board
• Great price point for the ingenuity

Cons

• Adapter doesn’t fit inside for storage. (We recommend labeling it or attaching a leash, carabiner, or clip to the adapter so it can be stored with the stove.)
• Plastic burner knobs aren’t ideal (remember, we’re being picky).

Check Price at Nomadica Check Price at Cricket Outdoors

Best Camping Grill/Griddle: Coleman 3-in-1 Stove

This camping stove comes with not one but two cast iron attachments for grilling and cooking on a griddle. Trust us, the Coleman 3-in-1 ($210) aspect is awesome. Thanks to the versatility, you can use two burners like any other camp stove, or one burner and a grill, or one burner and a griddle.

What we loved most about this stove in testing was its durability, heat output, and simmer control. The windscreens were even adequate for 20-30 mph winds. All of the features offer a quality feel, and it can cook just about anything.

The quality of the cast iron was also on par with more expensive options (though the cast iron components do make the stove fairly heavy). Still, the Coleman 3-in-1 (a two-burner stove, grill top, and griddle) weighs less than the only other camp griddle we tested, the Camp Chef Versatop, which you can read about below.

One somewhat glaring error was the short windscreens that this stove incorporates. Not only do taller windscreens limit heat loss, they also cut down on the grease splatter that a griddle can emit. Build up those walls, Coleman!

If you’re a fan of cast iron, or simply want an all-in-one option that performs well in every category, the 3-in-1 is one of the best camping stoves you can buy. Read our full review.

Specs

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 12,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 4:30 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 13 lbs., 8 oz. (21 lbs., 8 oz. with cast iron griddles)

Pros

• You get what you pay for — quality
• Extra features: cast iron attachments, carry handle, igniter

Cons

• We wish the windscreens were slightly taller
• Pretty hefty with included cast iron attachments

Check Price at Cabela’s Check Price at Coleman

Best One-Burner Camping Stove: Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner

One-burner stoves serve a lot of cool purposes. They’re great for those short on space, ideal for solo campers, and work great for building out vans or off-road vehicles. And as the name implies, they also work for home cooking.

Snow Peak’s newest Home & Camp burner ($120) has all the compactness and intricacy of origami, with the durability of a two-burner camp stove. Snow Peak is known for its minimal, highly compact designs, and this burner is no different — it completely folds into itself (to about the size of a 32-ounce Nalgene).

Simply open the top, slide out the legs, and engage the locking pin to swivel the burner out onto any surface. Then slide in a butane gas canister. While minimal, we didn’t experience any durability issues, and would expect this stove to hold up well to extensive use.

This is the only butane-fueled stove on our list, which highlights the relative supremacy that propane has on the camping stove scene. While it’s not difficult to get, it may not be as universal as going with a propane stove.

At such a small size, this stove is ideal for in-vehicle cooking. With no included attachments, you’ll need to add your own windscreen in blustery weather. If you ride solo often, or are looking for a quality camping stove that’s equally capable and compact, look no further.

Specs

• Number of burners: One
• BTU output: 8,333-BTU
• Boil time: 4:00 min. per L
• Fuel type: Butane
• Weight: 3 lbs.

Pros

• The legs and burner are low to the ground, reducing wind interference
• Great simmer control
• Highly responsive dials

Cons

• On the pricier side ($120) for only one burner
• Butane fuel can be less universal than propane

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Best Large Group Camping Stove: Camp Chef Explorer 14

Suitable for your next tailgating event (or family reunion), the Camp Chef Explorer 14 ($150) sports a generous cooking surface area — a full 14 x 32 inches — and has the heat to back it up. The two burners put out a cumulative 60,000 BTUs, easily the highest of any stove we tested.

Not a lightweight by any means, the Explorer 14 is the cookout battle station of choice for anyone looking to feed a lot of people. The twin burners are fueled by a propane canister that you’re unlikely to want to carry in a backpack, so best to think of this as a close-to-the-vehicle cooking setup.

We will note that the stove packs down smaller than expected, with all legs and windscreens detaching for travel. Likely the most exciting component of this stove is its family of cooking surface accessories — spanning from griddle tops to BBQ boxes to pizza ovens. This flexibility greatly increases the dishes on the menu, and will also cost you some extra cheddar.

We first tested our Explorer 14 at a family-style Dungeness crab boil, and this is exactly the type of stove for an event that aims to feed many. If you’re looking to set up the full mobile kitchen, this stove is up to the task.

Specs

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 30,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 2:50 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 30 lbs., 8 oz.

Pros

• Impressive heat output
• Large cooking area can accommodate multiple stock pots
• Many add-on cooking surfaces

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Non-adjustable legs

Check Price at Cabela’s

Best of the Rest

Camp Chef VersaTop

While not technically a stove, a griddle can bring a lot of joy and simplicity to outdoor cooking. The Camp Chef VersaTop ($190) has a nonstick cooking surface with a wide 18,000-BTU burner underneath, plus a grill accessory.

The unique part about the VersaTop is its versatile design. With separate attachments, you can cook on a flat top, grill, or even bake bread inside. You just pull off the cooking surface, place it on another, and start cooking.

While quite heavy (24 pounds), the size and weight make you feel like a real chef. During a previous GearJunkie campout, our editors had a blast cooking breakfasts, sandwiches, and large helpings of stir fry on the VersaTop.

If you’re a griddle savant and don’t mind the extra weight in your rig, the Versa Top might be the best camping stove for you.

Specs

• Number of burners: One
• BTU output: 18,000-BTU
• Boil time: N/A
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 24 lbs.

Pros

• Even cooking surface
• Great option when cooking for large groups of people
• You don’t need additional pans

Cons

• It takes a while to heat up fully
• Can’t boil
• Weighs a hefty 24 lbs.

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Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove

The Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove ($115) is an exceptionally well-rounded camp stove. It performs well time and time again. The classic, functional design packs up well, and it has acceptable heat regulation.

The wind panels block wind reasonably well (but not great if you notice the gaps), and it has excellent simmer control. It may look similar to cheaper options, but the materials feel more trustworthy than our bargain pick. On par with options higher on the list, it weighs just 10 pounds.

While perfectly functional, this stove simply doesn’t excel in any one particular area. It does all things a camp stove should do, but when compared to others, its performance just doesn’t stand out.

The Ignite has proven to be highly durable, with little to no lapse in function after extended use, and it looks great in action. Despite its lack of exceptional features, it’s still one of the best camping stoves for the price.

Specs

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 10,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 8:00 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 10 lbs.

Pros

• Falls in the middle/upper end of the pack
• Simmers really well
• Looks great
• Fairly priced

Cons

• We had occasional issues with the strikers
• Slower to boil than its higher-priced competition

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Primus Profile 2-Burner Stove

The Primus Profile 2-Burner Stove ($140) has a clean design and classic appearance. With a moderate heat output of 12,000 BTUs per burner, it works great for almost any meal you can conjure.

The piezo ignition striker is easy to use, and it has a slightly larger cooking area than other stoves we tested. This allows you to get larger pans on it, though the larger the surface area, the longer it takes to generate adequate heat.

While it performs well in almost all facets of cooking, our flames blew out multiple times while testing, which means it’s not ideal for windy climates. The dials function well enough to simmer, and it’s also on the lighter side for two-burner stoves, weighing in at under 12 pounds.

This is another stove that works great, but simply doesn’t stand out in any specific category. The Profile is an all-around performer with no frills, and would work well for anyone who wants a little extra cooking space in a classic design.

Specs:\

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 12,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 8:00 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 11 lbs., 8 oz.

Pros

• Ideal for steady, low-heat cooking
• Dial is accurate and slow to turn

Cons

• Lacks adequate wind protection
• A bit pricey

Check Price at CampSaver

Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove

The Genesis Basecamp Stove ($270) from Jetboil brings one of the more novel (if not genius) designs to the classic camping stove. It functions with a clamshell design that unfolds to display the cooking surface. And underneath each burner is a place to chain additional burners.

“Where the Genesis really shows through is its simmering ability. The burner knob can be spun in four full rotations from the lowest to the highest setting, and each slight movement of the knob makes fractional adjustments to the flame,” we wrote in our full-length Jetboil Genesis review .

This stove system packs up small, and with the ability to chain additional burners, you can turn this system into a full-fledged kitchen for large groups at a fraction of the packed size. It’s quite expensive, but the technology backs it up, and it also comes with a lightweight pot and pan.

If you’re cramped on space or want to tote a two-burner system into the backcountry, the Genesis could be the best camping stove for you. While the foldability isn’t necessary for the average car camper, it’s truly one of the most versatile setups we’ve tested.

Specs:\

• Number of burners: Two
• BTU output: 10,000-BTU per burner
• Boil time: 3:15 min. per L
• Fuel type: Propane
• Weight: 6 lbs., 3 oz.

Pros

• The clamshell folds down small
• Great simmering control
• Includes pot and pan
• Can chain additional burners

Cons

• More expensive than other stoves on the list ($260)
• Hi-tech, modern look isn’t for everybody

Check Price at Amazon

Comparison Chart

Camping Stove	Number of Burners	BTU Output	Boil Time	Fuel Type	Weight
Camp Chef Everest 2X	Two	20,000-BTU per burner	3:06 min. per L	Propane	12 lbs.
Coleman Classic Propane Stove	Two	10,000-BTU per burner	7:00 min. per L	Propane	12 lbs.
Kovea Slim Twin	Two	10,500-BTU per burner	4:30 min. per L	Propane	9 lbs., 8 oz.
Coleman 3-in-1	Two	12,000-BTU per burner	4:30 min. per L	Propane	13 lbs., 8 oz. (21 lbs., 8 oz. with cast iron griddles)
Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner	One	8,333-BTU	4:00 min. per L	Butane	3 lbs.
Camp Chef Explorer 14	Two	30,000-BTU per burner	2:50 min. per L	Propane	30 lbs., 8 oz.
Camp Chef VersaTop	One	18,000-BTU	N/A	Propane	24 lbs.
Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove	Two	10,000-BTU per burner	8:00 min. per L	Propane	10 lbs.
Primus Profile 2-Burner Stove	Two	12,000-BTU per burner	8:00 min. per L	Propane	11 lbs., 8 oz.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove	Two	10,000-BTU per burner	3:15 min. per L	Propane	6 lbs., 3 oz.

Why You Should Trust Us

Besides just boiling water, we cooked meals on each of the camp stoves for this review (including mac and cheese, sautéed veggies, meats, rice, and more). We also conducted boil and simmer tests — a consistent way of comparing stove performance. We believe this provides a good understanding of each stove’s technical cooking capabilities.

Note: We tested these stoves over a period of several seasons, hence the absence of some from testing photos. However, we’ve reviewed all of the stoves on this list in depth. We’re confident these are the best camping stoves available today, and we’ll be sure to update the list with any new releases that rival the best.

Boil Test

We subjected each propane stove to a substantial boil test. We boiled 1 L of water with the same GSI pot and lid on each stove. Before each test, we made sure the pot and water were at the same temperatures as in prior tests. We also checked the water occasionally to note when it began to boil.

Different air temperatures and altitudes will boil water differently, so we tested all of these stoves at the same altitude. Don’t buy one of these stoves and expect it to boil water at these specific times; instead, use this as a rough guide as to which stove heats the most effectively and gets the hottest. Some stoves might have faster boiling times, and others might have better simmer capabilities.

1. Camp Chef Everest 2X : 3:06 per liter (compare to the 2019 Camp Chef Summit at 4:50 per liter)
2. Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove: 3:15 per liter
3. Camp Chef Explorer 14 : 2 :50 per liter
4. Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner : around 4 minutes per liter
5. Kovea Slim Twin : 4:30 per liter
6. Coleman 3-in-1 : 4:30 per liter
7. Coleman Classic : 3:40 per 500 mL (a little over 7 minutes per liter)
8. Eureka Ignite : 4:10 per 500 mL (around 8 minutes per liter)
9. Primus Profile : 4:10 per 500 mL (around 8 minutes per liter)