Two Burners, a Grill Top or a Jetboil? The Best Camping Stove for Each Kind of Trip

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The best camping stove depends on how you get to camp. If you drive to the site, a two-burner propane stove or a grill and stove combo turns a picnic table into a kitchen. If you carry everything on your back, ounces matter more than burners, and a canister stove that boils water in minutes is the better tool.

We compared seven stoves sold by Amazon.com and listed in stock: three two-burner propane stoves, a combo with a grill grate on one side, a dual-fuel butane and propane single burner, and two backpacking canister stoves. For each, we quote the brand’s BTU, burn-time and boil-time claims as written, compare wind protection, ignition and simmer control, and flag listings that leave out a number or print one that can’t be right.

Every stove here burns fuel and makes carbon monoxide, so we also cover the CPSC and NFPA guidance on where not to use one.

Our Top Camping Stove Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Coleman Triton+ 2-Burner Propane Stove: Best Overall Two-Burner

Coleman’s Triton+ is a classic suitcase-style camp stove: two burners in a case that latches shut, with a handle for carrying it from the car to the picnic table. Open the lid, flip up the side wind guards, screw on a 16-ounce propane cylinder and you have a two-burner cooktop.

Coleman rates the pair at 22,000 total BTUs and says the burners are independently adjustable, with what it calls PerfectFlow and PerfectHeat technology for precise temperature. That means you can boil pasta water on one side while keeping a sauce at a low simmer on the other. Push-button InstaStart ignition lights the burners without matches.

Day to day, the cooking area fits a 12-inch and a 10-inch pan side by side. Dual wind guards shield the flames, the chrome-plated grate lifts out for cleaning, and the cooktop is rust-resistant aluminized steel. Coleman lists up to one hour of burn time on high from one 16-ounce propane cylinder, sold separately, so bring spares for a long weekend. The listing gives its size as 23 by 13.75 by 5.75 inches.

It suits families and groups who car camp, cook real meals at the site, and want a stove they can light with one push.

Why we like it

• Matchless push-button lighting
• Two pans at once
• Three-year warranty field

Watch out for

One cylinder lasts about an hour on high, per Coleman, and the listed 1-pound weight is clearly wrong, so don’t rely on it for packing.

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2. Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Grill/Stove: Best Camping Grill Stove Combo

Coleman’s Tabletop 2-in-1 puts a grill grate on one side and a stove burner on the other, so you can cook burgers and a pot of beans at the same time. The listing gives the grill 130 square inches and says the stove side fits a 10-inch pan. Total output is up to 20,000 BTUs across two adjustable burners.

Coleman lists a PerfectFlow pressure regulator, which it says keeps performance consistent even in extreme conditions, and PerfectHeat technology that it says cooks more efficiently with less fuel. WindBlock panels shield the burners from wind and fold down to become small side tables when you need somewhere to set a plate or utensils.

Cleanup centers on a removable grease management tray under the grill and a rust-resistant aluminized steel cooktop. Coleman claims up to two hours with both burners on high from one 16.4-ounce propane cylinder, sold separately. The listing gives the size as 23.62 by 5.98 by 15.36 inches and the weight as 13.75 pounds. This particular listing doesn’t describe the ignition, so check the box or manual before leaving the matches at home.

It suits campers and tailgaters who want grilled food and a hot side dish from one tabletop unit and don’t need two full-size burners.

Why we like it

• Grill and burner side by side
• Fold-down side tables
• Grease tray for cleanup

Watch out for

The stove side takes only one 10-inch pan, and this listing doesn’t confirm push-button ignition.

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3. Camp Chef Everest 2X: Best High-Output Stove

Camp Chef’s Everest 2X is a two-burner propane stove built around power. The listing describes dual 20,000 BTU burners for 40,000 BTUs in total, which Camp Chef says delivers fast heat and reliable output on outdoor cooking trips.

Like other suitcase-style stoves, it opens into a cooktop with a folding lid that doubles as a windscreen. Camp Chef says that design keeps the stove steady in breezy weather. Matchless ignition and what the brand calls precise controls handle lighting and heat adjustment, so you can move from a hard boil to a gentler flame without fumbling for a lighter.

The cooking surface is listed at 215 square inches, enough for two pans plus accessories, according to Camp Chef. A drip tray catches spills for easier cleanup, and a carry handle helps when moving it between the car and the table. The listing gives the size as 27 by 15.5 by 8.25 inches and the weight as 15 pounds, so this is a stove for car camping rather than carrying any distance. Burn time per cylinder isn’t stated.

It suits groups, hunting camps and anyone who boils large pots or cooks for a crowd and wants a strong, steady flame on a breezy campsite.

Why we like it

• Two 20,000 BTU burners
• Lid works as a windscreen
• Roomy 215 sq in surface

Watch out for

It’s the biggest and heaviest stove here, and the listing gives no burn time, so pack extra propane.

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4. Gas One GS-3400P Dual Fuel Stove: Best Budget Dual-Fuel Stove

Gas One’s GS-3400P is a single-burner stove with a twist: it runs on either butane or propane. Drop in an 8-ounce butane cartridge, or attach a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder using the included converter regulator. Fuel is sold separately, but having two options helps when one type is hard to find.

Lighting is handled by an automatic piezo-electric ignition, so no matches or lighter are needed, and an adjustable heat dial sets the flame. For butane use, Gas One lists a built-in pressure sensor with a cartridge ejection system and a gas flow cut-off mechanism, which the brand says will eject the cartridge when irregular pressure is detected.

The listing doesn’t print a BTU rating for this model, so you can’t compare its output on paper with the other stoves here. It does come with a carrying case, per the title, and the listing gives its size as 13.5 by 11.2 by 4.4 inches and its weight as 3.1 pounds. Gas One also pitches it for emergency preparedness kits, which makes sense for a stove that takes two common fuels.

It suits budget campers, picnickers and households that want a backup stove for power outages and value the choice of butane or propane.

Why we like it

• Two fuel options
• Push-to-light piezo ignition
• Cartridge ejection safety feature

Watch out for

No BTU rating appears on this listing, and a single burner limits what you can cook at once.

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5. Flame King VT-101 2-Burner Stove: Best Budget Two-Burner

Flame King’s VT-101 is a compact two-burner propane stove for campers who want more than one pot going without paying for a full-size Coleman or Camp Chef. The listing gives 20,000 BTU of heat output from its two burners, and each burner has its own adjustable control knob.

Wind protection comes from what Flame King calls 3-sided wind blocking panels: two wind guards on the sides and a lid that converts into a windshield. The cooking surface measures 15 by 9 inches, per the listing. It runs on a 1-pound propane cylinder, sold separately, and Flame King says you can connect it to a larger propane tank using one of its adapter hoses.

The listing says it is CSA Approved and suggests it as a backup emergency stove as well as a camping stove. A few details need care. The title calls it a “Stove Grill,” but the bullets describe burners and a cooking surface, not a grill grate. The title also mentions backpacking, yet the listed weight is 8.3 pounds, heavy for a pack. Ignition isn’t described, so bring a lighter.

It suits budget car campers, tailgaters and anyone who wants a cheap second stove for power outages, as long as a short warranty and lighting it by hand are acceptable trade-offs.

Why we like it

• Two burners for little money
• Lid doubles as a windshield
• Can run from a bigger tank

Watch out for

The warranty field lists only 90 days, and the listing says it voids if the stove isn’t bought from Amazon Retail or Flame King.

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6. Jetboil Flash 1.0L: Best Fast-Boil Backpacking System

The Jetboil Flash is an integrated cooking system: a stainless steel burner that screws onto a fuel canister and a 1-liter insulated cup that locks on top. Fill the cup, turn the knob and click, and Jetboil says it boils 16 ounces of water in two minutes, enough for coffee or a freeze-dried meal.

The newest version uses what Jetboil calls a one-step auto ignition: a turn-and-click knob that works like a home stove, so no match or lighter is needed. Color-coded, rubberized Safe-Touch zones stay cool for gripping, and an improved locking system with three locking points and visual indicators confirms the cup is secure on the burner. An insulated cozy keeps water hot longer.

Packing is tidy. The stove parts and a 100-gram JetPower fuel canister, sold separately, nest inside the 1-liter cup, and the bottom cup doubles as a measuring cup or bowl. The listing gives the size as 4.3 by 4.3 by 7.3 inches and the weight as 0.82 pounds. It’s designed for boiling rather than frying or simmering a pan of food.

It suits backpackers, hunters and day hikers who mostly add hot water to meals and drinks and want the stove, cup and fuel in one compact package.

Why we like it

• Two-minute boil claim
• Turn-and-click lighting
• Everything packs into the cup

Watch out for

It’s a water boiler first, so if you want to cook in a pan on the trail, a stove like the MSR with separate pots is more flexible.

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7. MSR PocketRocket 2: Best Ultralight Backpacking Stove

MSR’s PocketRocket 2 is a tiny folding stove that screws onto the top of a fuel canister. MSR lists its weight at 2.6 ounces, or 4.2 ounces with its protective case, and says it collapses to 2 by 2 by 3 inches. That’s small enough to tuck inside most backpacking pots.

MSR claims it boils one liter of water in 3.5 minutes, and says the flame adjusts easily from a simmer to a rolling boil, which matters if you cook real meals on the trail rather than just rehydrating. Serrated pot supports hold a wide range of pot sizes and styles, and open it measures 4.8 by 4.8 by 3.6 inches.

It runs on isobutane-propane fuel in self-sealing threaded canisters, which MSR says are available in most countries. The brand says no priming, preheating or pressurizing is needed: screw it on, open the valve and light it. The listing doesn’t mention a built-in igniter, so carry a lighter or matches. No pot is included, and the fuel canister is sold separately.

It suits backpackers, thru-hikers and travelers who want the lightest practical stove, already have a pot they like, and want the option to simmer a real meal instead of only boiling water.

Why we like it

• Ultralight and tiny when folded
• Simmer-to-boil flame control
• Works with many pot styles

Watch out for

You’ll need your own pot and a lighter, and the listing’s warranty field is empty.

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How We Chose the Best Camping Stoves

We limited our picks to stoves sold by Amazon.com and listed in stock, skipped any product line already featured in our griddle, grill and solar oven guides, and compared what each listing says:

• Stove type: two-burner, grill and stove combo, single burner or backpacking canister stove.
• Fuel: propane cylinders, butane cartridges or isobutane-propane canisters.
• Output and efficiency: BTU claims, burn time and boil time, quoted as the brand states them.
• Wind and simmer control: wind guards, lids that act as windscreens and burner adjustment.
• Ignition and safety features: push-button or piezo lighting and canister safety systems.
• Warranty, size and popularity: the warranty field, listed weight and Amazon sales rank.

Camping Stove Buying Guide

Best Camping Grill Stove Combo: Do You Need One?

A grill and stove combo lets you grill and simmer at the same time. The Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 is the only pick here with a grill surface, listed at 130 square inches beside a burner that fits a 10-inch pan. The trade-off is pan space: a two-burner stove like the Triton+ fits a 12-inch and a 10-inch pan. If you want a full flat-top for pancakes and smash burgers, see our gas griddle guide.

BTUs and Burner Count

BTU ratings are brand claims and measure fuel burned, not cooking results. The Camp Chef Everest 2X lists 40,000 BTU, the Coleman Triton+ 22,000, and the Coleman 2-in-1 and Flame King 20,000 each. The Gas One, Jetboil and MSR listings don’t give a figure; Jetboil and MSR quote boil times instead. Two burners matter if you cook for more than two people.

Fuel Types and Canister Availability

The Coleman and Flame King listings name 1-pound (16 or 16.4 ounce) propane cylinders, the Camp Chef listing says only propane, and the Flame King can connect to a larger tank with an adapter hose. The Gas One burns 8-ounce butane or propane. Backpacking stoves use threaded isobutane-propane canisters; MSR says these are available in most countries, and the Jetboil packs a 100-gram canister in its cup. Buy fuel before you leave, since small-town stores may stock only one type.

Wind Screens and Simmer Control

Wind steals heat from a camp stove. The Coleman Triton+ has dual wind guards, the Coleman 2-in-1 has fold-down WindBlock panels, and the Camp Chef and Flame King use their lids as windscreens. For simmering, look for independently adjustable burners (both Colemans) or MSR’s claim that its flame adjusts from a simmer to a rolling boil.

Backpacking Stoves: Boil Fast or Cook Light

The Jetboil Flash is an all-in-one boiler that Jetboil says heats 16 ounces in two minutes. The MSR PocketRocket 2 weighs 2.6 ounces and pairs with any pot. Either way, you’ll need clean water to boil; our backpacking water filter guide covers filters and purifiers for the trail. On sunny base-camp trips, a solar oven can cook with no fuel at all.

Camp Stove Safety: Carbon Monoxide, Canisters and Kids

Every stove on this page burns fuel. The NFPA’s carbon monoxide page explains that CO is created when fuels such as propane burn incompletely, and says gas or charcoal grills can produce CO and should only be used outside. The CPSC’s camping equipment safety alert reports at least 26 deaths from 2006 to 2010 from CO poisoning associated with camping equipment, including grills, lanterns and stoves.

• Never cook inside a tent, RV, camper or car. Cook in the open air, well away from tent walls and vents. The CPSC warns that CO risk is greater at high altitudes and that CO poisoning can be mistaken for a cold or flu.
• Store canisters away from heat. Keep butane and propane canisters out of hot cars and direct sun, follow the warnings printed on the canister, and disconnect them when you’re done cooking.
• Set the stove on a level, stable surface. Use a sturdy table or flat ground so a full pot can’t slide or tip, and keep the stove clear of tent walls, dry grass and gear.
• Keep kids back. The NFPA advises keeping children, pets and anything that can burn at least 3 feet from open flames and the grill, and checking fire restrictions before you cook.

Camp Gear, Home Storage and Your Insurance

Propane cylinders and butane canisters often live in a garage or basement between trips, which is a fire and storage question for your home policy. Keep them in a cool, ventilated spot away from appliances with pilot lights. Camping gear stolen from a car or campsite may also be a claim under your homeowners or renters policy, depending on its terms. See our Ohio homeowners insurance guide or renters insurance costs in Ohio to check what you’re covered for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best camping stove for most people?

For car camping, the Coleman Triton+ is our overall pick. It has two independently adjustable burners rated at 22,000 total BTUs, push-button InstaStart ignition, dual wind guards and a “3-Year Limited Warranty” in its warranty field, the longest here.

What is the best camping grill stove combo?

The Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 is the only pick here with a grill surface. It pairs a 130-square-inch grill with a burner that fits a 10-inch pan, both usable at once, and Coleman claims up to two hours with both burners on high from one 16.4-ounce cylinder.

Can you use a camping stove inside a tent?

No. Fuel-burning stoves produce carbon monoxide. The CPSC links CO deaths to camping equipment including stoves, grills and lanterns, and warns against using portable heaters or lanterns while sleeping in tents, campers and vehicles. NFPA says gas grills should only be used outside. Cook in open air.

Is butane or propane better for a camp stove?

Propane cylinders power most two-burner stoves and are widely sold. Butane cartridges are compact and common for single burners. The Gas One GS-3400P takes either, using an included converter for propane, which helps if one fuel is hard to find.

What is the best backpacking stove?

For the lightest option, the MSR PocketRocket 2 weighs 2.6 ounces and offers simmer control, per MSR. For fast boiling with built-in ignition, the Jetboil Flash claims 16 ounces in two minutes and packs into its own 1-liter cup.

The Bottom Line

The Coleman Triton+ is the best camping stove for most car campers: two adjustable burners, push-button lighting and the longest warranty field here. The Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 is the pick if you want to grill and cook at once, and the Camp Chef Everest 2X brings the most power. On a budget, the Gas One GS-3400P burns butane or propane and the Flame King VT-101 gives you two burners. For the trail, the Jetboil Flash boils fastest and the MSR PocketRocket 2 weighs the least. Whichever you choose, cook outside, never in a tent or vehicle.

Storing propane at home or wondering whether your camping gear is covered away from the house? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or set up a free coverage review.