The camp stove is the heart of the camp kitchen, but the right one depends on how you camp: a 140 g stove for the pack, a self-contained butane stove for quick stops, or a two-burner LPG setup for full meals out of the 4WD.
We’ve reviewed five camping stoves. Here’s how they compare and which one suits you.
Quick picks: the best camping stoves compared
| Product | Score | Output | Fuel | Weight | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for hiking360 Degrees Furno Stove | 9.2 | 11,900 BTU | Canister gas | 140 g | Check price at Anaconda |
Best butane stoveCompanion Single Butane Stove | 9.2 | 7,500 BTU | Butane | 1.4 kg | Check price at Snowys |
Best 2-burnerGasmate Classic 2 Burner Stove | 8.9 | 20,000 BTU | LPG | 3.9 kg | Check price at Amazon |
Most powerfulColeman EvenTemp Stove | 8.2 | 28,000 BTU | LPG | 8.5 kg | Check price at Anaconda |
2 burners + hotplateDune 4WD Dual Burner Butane Stove | 7.5 | 15,500 BTU | Butane | 6.4 kg | Check price at Anaconda |
Best for hiking: 360 Degrees Furno Stove
The Furno weighs only 140 g with its case, yet puts out 11,900 BTU and boiled 1 L of water in 3 minutes 5 seconds. It’s made of stainless steel and aluminium alloy, feels robust for its size and has easy flame control.
There’s no piezo ignition, it can be unstable with large pots, and it isn’t ideal in strong wind. For hikers and solo campers boiling water and cooking simple meals, it’s an outstanding little stove. Read the full Furno Stove review.
The good
- Very fast 1L boil time (3m 5s)
- Lightweight at 140 g with case
- Powerful 11,900 BTU output
- Durable metal construction
- Easy to adjust flame control
The not-so-good
- Can be unstable with large pots
- No piezo ignition
- Not ideal in high wind
Bottom line: A 140 g hiking stove with a powerful 11,900 BTU burner that boils a litre in just over three minutes. It can be unstable with large pots, has no piezo ignition and struggles in high wind.
Best butane stove: Companion Single Butane Stove
The Companion scored 9.2 because it does the basics really well. The 7,500 BTU burner has piezo ignition for an instant start and adjustable heat for precise control, and the tough powder-coated steel cabinet has a twin-release safety valve built in. It packs into its own plastic carry case (2.1 kg in the case).
It only runs on butane (152 g an hour at full output), it’s susceptible to wind, and it’s a bit bulky for backpacking. For car camping, basecamp or a reliable backup, it’s hard to fault. Read the full Companion Butane Stove review.
The good
- Powerful 7,500 BTU burner output
- Piezo ignition for instant start
- Twin release safety valve built in
- Adjustable heat for precise control
- Includes tough plastic carry case
The not-so-good
- Runs on butane only (152 g/hr)
- Stove is susceptible to wind
- Slightly bulky for true backpacking
Bottom line: A simple, reliable 7,500 BTU butane stove with Piezo ignition, precise flame control, safety features and a tough carry case. It runs on butane only, is susceptible to wind and is bulky for backpacking.
Best two-burner: Gasmate Classic 2 Burner Stove
The Gasmate is simple, solid and powerful: two burners with 20,000 BTU in total, built-in windshields that work, a removable heavy-duty chrome trivet and fine burner control. Folded, it’s the size of a briefcase (47 × 33 × 9 cm).
You light it by hand (no piezo), and it needs an external LPG bottle. For families, 4WD travellers and base camps that cook two things at once, it’s a reliable workhorse. Read the full Gasmate 2 Burner Stove review.
The good
- Huge 20,000 BTU max heat output
- Folds down to briefcase size (47 cm W)
- Built-in windshields are effective
- Removable heavy duty chrome trivet
- Fine burner adjustment control
The not-so-good
- Manual lighting (no piezo)
- Needs external LPG gas bottle
- Only 9 cm high when folded
Bottom line: A solid steel two-burner LPG stove with 20,000 BTU, effective windshields and fine flame control that folds to briefcase size. You light it by hand and it needs an external LPG bottle.
Most powerful: Coleman EvenTemp Stove with Griddle
With 28,000 BTU, EvenTemp burners that spread the heat evenly, WindBlock shields and a griddle with a grease cup, the Coleman is the most capable camp kitchen stove we’ve tested.
It’s heavy at 8.5 kg, big when packed (66 × 47 × 15 cm), and the carry bag and LPG bottle are sold separately. For families and groups with room in the 4WD, it gives you real cooking power. Read the full Coleman EvenTemp Stove review.
The good
- High 28,000 BTU output
- EvenTemp burners distribute heat evenly
- WindBlock shields for gusty days
- PerfectFlow for consistent flame
- Includes griddle and grease cup
The not-so-good
- Heavy weight (8.5 kg)
- Large packed size (66 x 47 x 15 cm)
- Carry bag & LPG bottle sold separately
Bottom line: A powerful 28,000 BTU stove with even heat, wind shields and a griddle included that handles a full family meal. It weighs 8.5 kg, packs large and the carry bag and LPG bottle are sold separately.
Two burners and a hotplate: Dune 4WD Dual Burner Butane Stove
The Dune gives you two butane burners (15,500 BTU) with piezo ignition, variable heat control and a Teflon hotplate, all in a carry case. You can cook a one-pot meal and use the hotplate at the same time without carrying an LPG bottle.
It’s relatively heavy and bulky at 6.4 kg, the canisters aren’t included, and one canister lasts about 90 minutes per burner on high. Read the full Dune 4WD Dual Burner Butane Stove review.
The good
- High Heat Output & Variable Heat Control
- Easy Ignition
- Multiple Safety Features
- Quick setup
- Includes Hotplate
The not-so-good
- Butane Canisters Not Included
- Relatively Heavy and Bulky
- Limited Run Time (90 min on one canister)
Bottom line: Two burners, a hotplate and reliable ignition make this a versatile stove for car campers who cook proper meals. It’s heavy and bulky, and a canister lasts about 90 minutes on high.
How to choose a camping stove
- Fuel: butane canisters are self-contained and easy; LPG needs a bottle but suits bigger cooking. Small hiking stoves run on screw-on gas canisters. See propane vs butane.
- Burners: one burner for coffee, boiling water and one-pot meals; two burners (or a burner and a hotplate) for full meals for two or more.
- Heat output: from 7,500 BTU for a single butane burner to 28,000 BTU for the Coleman. See our guide to choosing BTU output.
- Ignition: piezo ignition (Companion, Dune, Coleman) lights at the press of a button; the Furno and Gasmate need a lighter.
- Wind: single butane stoves are susceptible to wind; built-in windshields (Gasmate, Coleman) help a lot, or add a stove windshield.
- Weight: from 140 g to 8.5 kg. Only the Furno is made to be carried far.
