Leave behind the days of dehydrated and bland meals during your camping adventures, as modern camping stoves now bring a touch of gourmet to your car camping and base camping experiences. These stoves feature cutting-edge designs, ensuring consistent fuel output, powerful flames, and precise simmer controls. Whether you prefer compact tabletop models or larger freestanding stoves for group camping, there’s a perfect match for everyone. If you’re new to camping stoves or need some guidance, our comprehensive comparison table and buying advice will aid you in narrowing down your choices. Below, we’ve listed our top camping stove picks for 2023. And if you’re specifically interested in lighter and more compact options for backpacking, be sure to check out our dedicated article on the best backpacking stoves.
Our Top Camping Stove Picks
- Best Overall Camping Stove: Eureka Ignite Plus
- Most Durable Camping Stove: Camp Chef Everest 2X
- Best Budget Camping Stove: Coleman Classic Propane
- Best Single-Burner Camping Stove: Eureka SPRK+ Butane Camp Stove
- Best Freestanding Stove for Large Groups: Camp Chef Explorer
Best Overall Camping Stove
1. Eureka Ignite Plus ($158)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 10,000 BTUs
Weight: 12 lbs.
What we like: A generously spacious cooking area coupled with all the desirable features found in a high-quality design.
What we don’t: Compared to some of its competitors, it comes at a higher price point and offers slightly less power.
The Eureka Ignite Plus stands out as one of the most well-rounded camping stove designs available, boasting a sturdy construction, excellent simmer control, and a generous 23-inch cooking area capable of accommodating larger cookware. Setting it apart from many budget-friendly competitors is the inclusion of push-button ignition, a convenient feature that ensures safety and expedites the setup process. This little extra touch is particularly appreciated when you’re setting up camp. Moreover, the Ignite Plus offers a high-end tabletop camping stove experience at a remarkably reasonable price point, especially considering the current discounted offers from most retailers.
However, it’s worth noting that the Eureka Ignite Plus falls slightly short in terms of value when compared to the Coleman Triton, which comes at a more affordable price, approximately $70 less. The Triton boasts higher output per burner, delivering 11,000 BTUs, but it lacks the push-button ignition found in the Ignite Plus. Nevertheless, the Eureka stove compensates for this with its more robust build, featuring high-quality metal latches that ensure better durability against regular use and abuse.
Eureka also offers a less expensive version of the Ignite, priced at $125, with a smaller cooking area and less advanced simmer control. Despite this, it remains a reliable all-around choice for campers. Ultimately, considering the perfect blend of features, quality, and output offered at its price point, the Ignite Plus rightfully claims our top spot for 2023.
Most Durable Camping Stove
2. Camp Chef Everest 2X ($159)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 20,000 BTUs
Weight: 12 lbs.
What we like: Quality build and excellent all-around performance.
What we don’t: Expensive and a little heavy and bulky.
Camp Chef’s Everest stands as one of the most renowned and sought-after camping stove designs, offering an unbeatable combination of cooking power, convenience, and unparalleled reliability. With two large burners delivering an impressive 20,000 BTUs each, you get plenty of heat along with exceptional simmer control, enabling you to prepare diverse and intricate meals with ease. The recent update to the “2X” model brought significant improvements, including locking metal latches on each side, an enhanced windscreen for added protection, a slightly larger cooking space, and a more modern and robust build. Weighing a reasonable 12 pounds and featuring an integrated handle, the Everest 2X proves to be a highly desirable choice for campers.
However, the main drawback of the Camp Chef Everest 2X is its price tag, coming in at $190. While avid campers who enjoy cooking elaborate meals may find the investment worthwhile, the 20,000-BTUs-per-burner output may be excessive for most users. Based on our experience, burners with a quality output of 10,000 BTUs provide ample power for most cooking needs, which is why we rank the Eureka Ignite Plus higher. Additionally, the 2X model is slightly larger and bulkier than its previous generation, although it still remains reasonably compact and easy to transport. (Note: The standard Everest model is still available at a discounted price while supplies last.) Nevertheless, with its top-notch build quality and impressive cooking performance, the Everest 2X remains a competitive option for discerning camp chefs.
Best Budget Camping Stove
3. Coleman Classic Propane ($70)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 10,000 BTUs
Weight: 12 lbs.
What we like: Cheap and gets the job done.
What we don’t: Cheaply made, limited flame control.
Coleman stoves have been a trusted choice for campers seeking simple and reliable performance over the years. Towards the lower end of their camping stove lineup lies the Coleman Classic Propane model, consistently available for approximately $70 or even less during sales. It’s evident that the Classic is the more budget-friendly option compared to Coleman’s premium Triton stove (and other higher-priced designs). While neither stove can be considered exceptionally solid or durable at this price point, the Triton proves to be a better investment for campers who frequently venture out multiple times a year.
The cooking performance aligns with initial impressions: The Classic has slightly lower power than the Triton and falls behind in flame performance despite its PerfectFlow designation. However, let’s consider these results from a practical standpoint: Priced between $50 to $70 from various retailers at the time of publishing, the Classic still offers ample cooking power for casual outdoor enthusiasts needing to prepare meals for a few people. While it may lack the precision controls of high-end stoves, it remains perfectly capable of boiling water, cooking steaks, or grilling veggies. For a more modern and expensive option from Coleman, the PEAK1 2-Burner Stove is worth considering. It boasts a slim yet durable cast-iron build with elevated burners, ensuring a more even flame distribution and easier cleaning.
Best Single-Burner Camping Stove
4. Eureka SPRK+ Butane Camp Stove ($65)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Butane
Burners: 1 @ 11,500 BTUs
Weight: 3 lbs. 4 oz.
What we like: Compact and decently powerful.
What we don’t: Single burner is limiting and butane fuel doesn’t work well in the cold.
Let’s begin with the obvious: The Eureka SPRK+ Butane stove is not intended for serious camp chefs or large-group cookouts. However, it proves to be an affordable and reliable single burner option for limited use or as a backup stove. Despite its compact size, the stovetop easily accommodates small kettles or pans (up to 11 inches) and performs admirably. Its thoughtful design includes adjustable feet to keep the unit level and a slightly inset feature that provides crucial protection against wind. This stove is a great choice for situations where your primary cooking will be done over a fire pit, but you still need a portable stove for quick tasks like heating water.
As the name suggests, the SPRK+ runs on butane, which may not be as readily available as the common green propane canisters. Additionally, butane’s performance suffers in cold temperatures, especially around and below freezing, making it less versatile compared to propane stoves on our list and falling short of the more winter-ready liquid-fuel models. Despite these considerations, the SPRK+ is a well-rounded option among butane models and outperforms Coleman’s Classic 1-Burner Butane Camping Stove in terms of heat output, weight, and wind protection. If you can accept the tradeoffs associated with using butane as the fuel type, the Eureka SPRK+ is an affordable and thoughtfully designed single-burner stove worth considering.
Other notable one-burner options include Fore Winds’ sleek and rugged Luxe Camp Stove and Snow Peak’s compact Home & Camp Burner, although it’s essential to keep in mind that both designs come at a much higher price point compared to the Eureka SPRK+.
Best Freestanding Stove for Large Groups
5. Camp Chef Explorer ($120)
Category: Freestanding
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 30,000 BTUs
Weight: 30 lbs. 8 oz.
What we like: Great value for the output.
What we don’t: Lacking in features and bulky in design.
When it comes to burner performance, the Camp Chef Explorer stands out as an excellent value for your money. With a total output of 60,000 BTUs from its two burners, this stove is an ideal choice for large-group camp cookouts or even emergency use at home. The stove’s quick setup and individually adjustable sturdy legs ensure stability even on uneven ground. However, to maintain an affordable price, the Explorer sacrifices some features. There’s no push-button ignition, and the burners are less shielded from wind compared to premium offerings.
The simplicity of the design, though, comes with its advantages, making the Explorer compatible with various accessories from Camp Chef, such as a barbecue box, griddle, or pizza oven. The large dials are easy to use, functioning similarly to your cooktop at home. But, keep in mind that the stove’s weight is relatively hefty, tipping the scales at 30 pounds 8 ounces with its powder-coated assembly. Leaving behind the legs can reduce some of the weight, but the Explorer may be overkill for less serious campers. For larger groups, the three-burner version of the Explorer adds an additional 30,000 BTUs of output at a higher price of $250. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more feature-rich two-burner option from Camp Chef, their popular (yet pricier) Pro 60X is worth considering.
Best of the Rest
6. Camp Chef Rainier 2X ($130)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 1 @ 8,000 BTUs, 1 @ 10,000 BTUs
Weight: 16 lbs.
What we like: Hybrid stove/grill combo increases efficiency for more complex meals.
What we don’t: We prefer to purchase a grill accessory separately.
Diverging from the standard two-burner design of most tabletop stoves on this list, Camp Chef’s Rainier 2X offers a unique twist with a single burner on one side and a built-in aluminum grill and griddle plate on the other. This innovative setup allows for quicker and more efficient meal preparation, enabling you to cook multiple components simultaneously. For example, you can boil water for coffee or tea on one side while grilling sausage and bacon on the other—eliminating the need to wait for a burner to become available. The stove’s overall design is well thought out, featuring protective windshields, a stainless steel drip tray, auto ignition, and reliable flame adjustability.
However, like most hybrid designs, opting for the Rainier 2X as your primary camp stove involves some tradeoffs. The grill portion occupies approximately two-thirds of the cooking space, which may limit your cooking options if your meal requires more than one pot, pan, or kettle (even a single larger pot or pan could pose challenges). For maximum versatility, we recommend purchasing a standard two-burner stove, such as Camp Chef’s own Explorer mentioned above, and utilizing interchangeable accessory tops. Another option is Coleman’s Cascade 3-in-1 stove below, which allows easy swapping between interchangeable cooktops, including standard burners, grill grates, and griddles, although it’s slightly less premium than the Rainier. Additionally, you may consider the Primus Profile Dual Stove & Grill and Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Grill/Stove as alternative hybrid options, but we find the Rainier to be the most reliable and well-rounded choice among them.
7. Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System ($280)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 10,000 BTUs
Weight: 9 lbs. 5 oz.
What we like: An entire cook system for under 10 lbs.
What we don’t: Not the most powerful, and steep price.
Jetboil, renowned for its lightweight backpacking stove systems, has ventured into the camping realm with the innovative Genesis System. This all-in-one camping system is the first of its kind, incorporating two burners, a pan, and a pot that cleverly nest together for compact storage. With a total weight of less than 10 pounds (excluding the 16 oz. propane bottle), it is even lighter than most stoves on this list sold individually. The Genesis System boasts excellent simmer control and burner output, and Jetboil has designed the burners to work seamlessly with their pots and pans, resulting in minimal fuel waste.
Despite its impressive features, the system’s $400 MSRP can be considered astronomically high, especially when compared to more affordable options like the Eureka Ignite Plus mentioned earlier. The Ignite Plus costs less than half the price of the Genesis, offers the same burner power, and is only about 2 pounds heavier (without cookware). Although the Genesis is currently discounted by around $160 on Amazon, a price of $236 is still a significant investment for a stove with such a specialized design. For budget-conscious campers, Jetboil also offers the Genesis HalfGen Basecamp System priced at $210, which includes a single burner and is less versatile overall (though it may appeal to tailgaters and solo travelers). It’s worth mentioning that availability for the Genesis series has been inconsistent, but at the time of publishing, both stoves are back in stock at a few major retailers.
8. Coleman Triton Series ($74)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 11,000 BTUs
Weight: 11 lbs.
What we like: Excellent value and plenty of performance for most campers.
What we don’t: No auto ignition and fairly limited wind protection.
Colman’s Triton stove delivers impressive cooking power and reliability at a highly competitive price, coming in at under $100. This tabletop design boasts two robust and highly adjustable 11,000 BTU burners that run on a standard 16-ounce propane canister (with the option of using adapters for compatibility with larger 20-gallon tanks). With decent simmer control and solid output at full capacity, the Coleman Triton stands out among stoves in its price range, making it more than capable of preparing diverse and flavorful meals. Its manageable weight of 11 pounds and compact size also ensures easy transport in a car and convenient storage at home.
While the Coleman Triton offers numerous advantages, true camp chefs seeking enhanced precision may opt for a more refined unit like the Eureka Ignite Plus or the Camp Chef Everest 2X mentioned above. Additionally, the cooking space on the Triton is slightly smaller compared to premium tabletop stoves (such as the Ignite Plus and Everest). Nevertheless, it can still accommodate most meals and easily fit two 10-inch pans side by side. It’s essential to note that this model lacks auto-ignition (although there is an Instastart version available for an additional $20) and the windshields on the sides only provide moderate protection against gusts. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Coleman Triton strikes an excellent balance between price and performance, making it a compelling choice for campers looking for reliability without breaking the bank.
9. GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ ($150)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 14,000 BTUs
Weight: 10 lbs.
What we like: Good all-around performance—with a recent boost in power—for less than the competition.
What we don’t: Still not a standout in cooking space or build quality.
GSI, a specialist in camping gear, introduced the Selkirk 540 a few years back to compete with two-burner designs like the Eureka Ignite Plus and Camp Chef Everest mentioned earlier. Now, the latest 540+ model is even more competitive than ever. The most significant improvement comes in the form of a substantial boost in power: The original model featured two 10,000-BTU burners, but the new 540+ raises the bar with 14,000 BTUs of output per burner, surpassing alternatives like the Ignite Plus (10,000 BTUs) and Coleman Triton (11,000 BTUs), among others. Despite the upgrade, the Selkirk 540+ remains relatively affordable at $150, just $10 more than the previous-generation model. It comes equipped with handy features such as push-button ignition, micro control valves for precise flame adjustments, and ample space to accommodate two larger pots or pans side by side. GSI has paid attention to the details, incorporating a built-in and easy-to-grab carry handle, a powder-coated exterior, and generous windscreens to block light gusts.
What are the areas where the Selkirk 540+ falls short in comparison to its competitors? The first drawback is the cooking space, which is a couple of inches smaller than what you get with both the Everest 2X and Ignite Plus (21.4 inches vs. 25.2 and 23 inches, respectively). Moreover, the Ignite Plus can be connected to other Eureka or Jetboil stoves, enhancing efficiency and speed when cooking more intricate meals. Some users have also reported issues with the igniter and general build quality, but it’s worth noting that no stove is perfect. Nevertheless, the Selkirk 540+ remains reasonably dependable and well-built for its price. Additionally, GSI offers the stove in a 460+ model priced at $120, which also features two 14,000-BTU burners but in a smaller, more compact design that sacrifices some cooking space.
10. Coleman Cascade 328 3-Burner ($200)
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 3 @ 9,333 BTUs
Weight: 19 lbs.
What we like: A manageably sized three-burner option.
What we don’t: A little low on refinement and cooking space.
For most campers, two burners are sufficient, but those aspiring camp chefs or heading out with larger groups may find a three-burner stove more suitable. Coleman’s Cascade 328 3-Burner Camping Stove stands out as one of the few tabletop designs available, making it more portable and less cumbersome to set up compared to freestanding options like the Explorer mentioned earlier. While the Cascade 328 is not the lightest stove at 19 pounds, it is reasonably sized and easily manageable for one person to carry from the car to the campsite (similar in size to Eureka’s two-burner Ignite Plus). Like Coleman’s Cascade 3-in-1, the 328 model includes helpful features such as matchless ignition, intuitive temperature controls, and an integrated windscreen.
However, the Cascade 328 3-Burner does have its limitations. Apart from being relatively heavy, the stove offers a slightly limited output with 9,333-BTU burners and has a somewhat flimsier feel compared to premium alternatives from Camp Chef and other brands mentioned above. The burners are also situated very close to each other, limiting the space for larger pots and pans (the stove can fit three 8-inch pans or two 12-inch pans side by side). For campers seeking a significant boost in power (17,000 BTUs per burner) and added cooking space, Camp Chef’s Ranger III is a viable option. However, it is heavier and bulkier at 25 pounds and comes with an additional cost of $20 (although it may be largely unavailable at the time of publishing). In conclusion, the Cascade 328 is preferred for its more compact build, and the output and space limitations should be fairly minimal for most campers.