The Best Portable Camping Stoves for Every Adventure

Camp Chef Everest 2X: The Powerhouse for Group Camping.

First on our list and the stove we purchased when we jumped back into camping is the Camp Chef Everest 2XL. This rockstar is built for serious outdoor camp cooks who refuse to settle for weak flames and crazy slow boils. With a rugged stainless steel body and a matchless ignition for ease of use, this beast is ready for action right out of the box. 

This camp stove runs on propane, delivering two 20,000 BTU burners that can handle anything from simmering sauces to searing steaks. If you’re just getting started camping and looking for a versatile, high-powered stove that’s great for beginners, seasoned campers, and SUPER budget friendly, the Camp Chef Everest 2X is our top pick for the best portable camping stove. We promise you’ll love it!

Pro Tips:

• Use a 5 lb. propane tank with an adapter for longer cook times.
• The built-in wind guards shield the wind for the best heat efficiency. Lifesaver when the winds ramp up!
• Preheat your griddle for even cooking—this stove gets hot, fast!
• Oven cleaner works great at the end of an adventure.
• Grab this Camp Chef Carrying Bag to keep your portable camping stove clean.

What we love about this two-burner stove is its compact design and folding lid, making it SUPER easy to transport and store. Perfect for any camping trip with large groups or outdoor adventures. 

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• User-friendly design: We need our camp stoves to be hassle-free. With an easy push-button ignition and a easy-to-read temperature control, beginners can start cooking right away without any hassle.
• Performs like a champ in windy conditions: Built-in wind guards help protect the flames during windy conditions, ensuring consistent heat control output even in blustery and cold temperatures.
• Spacious cooking area: With 125 square inches of cooking area, you can easily fit large pots and the Coleman Camp Oven, making it perfect for campers who love preparing gourmet meals outdoors. 
• Best Option: Perfect price point for the ultimate budget camping gear!

Best for:

Backcountry chefs, car campers, and overlanders who crave power, precision, and portability without sacrificing real cooking performance. If your idea of “roughing it” includes gourmet meals, this is your go-to camp stove.

Need a morning caffeine fix? The Camp Chef Everest 2X can bring water to a boil in just a few minutes, so you can enjoy fresh, piping-hot coffee with minimal wait time.

Ideal for Group Camping.

This stove’s dual burners and high heat output make it a fantastic choice for larger groups where you need to cook multiple meals at once. 

Jetboil Genesis Basecamp: The Compact Culinary Powerhouse.

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp isn’t just a camp stove-it’s a portable gourmet kitchen wrapped in a sleek, space-saving design. Built with rugged yet lightweight materials, this two-burner system folds like a taco for easy storage, making it perfect for adventurers who pack smart but still want to eat well. 

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System is perfect for campers who want a full cooking setup without the bulk, and is one of our favorite stoves. This dual-burner system offers high efficiency and excellent portability, making it a fantastic option for both car camping and longer expeditions.

Running on propane, it delivers 10,000 BTU per burner with Jetboil’s signature precision simmer control. Because honestly, nobody wants scorched eggs at sunrise!

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Compact and lightweight: The stove folds into itself, saving valuable space in your camping gear.
• Easy ignition system: The push-button igniter ensures a hassle-free start every time.
• Precise simmer control: Unlike many camp stoves that are either full blast or barely on, the Genesis Basecamp allows for a fine-tuned flame control, ideal for simmering stews or frying delicate foods.
• Become a camping legend: This compact folding 2-burner camping stove comes with a 10-inch frypan, a 5-liter Flux Pot with strainer lid, and a stove system carrying bag with a pocket for regulator.

Pro Tips:

• Pair it with Jetboil’s 5L FluxRing pot for lightning-fast boils.
• Use a propane adapter for bigger tanks on extended trips.
• Keep an eye on wind—low-profile design helps, but a windscreen boosts efficiency!
• PERFECT as a stand-alone portable camp stove for small families, couples, and solo use. You can also pair with other Jetlink-compatible stoves or a Luna satellite burner to create an outdoor cooking range.

Best for Small Groups & Gourmet Cooking.

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp’s efficient propane usage and wide burners make it an excellent choice for small groups, backpackers-turned-glampers, van lifers, and weekend warriors who crave compact convenience without sacrificing quality meals. If you want a packable, high-performance stove that simmers as well as it sears, the Genesis is your go-to kitchen-on-the-go.

Pair it with the Jetboil coffee press, and you’ve got an on-the-go coffee maker that rivals your home French press. The fast boil time means you’ll have coffee ready in minutes.

Jetboil Stash Utility Light Camping and Backpacking Stove: The Backpacker’s Dream.

The Jetboil Stash is built for those who count every ounce but refuse to settle for cold meals. Weighing in at just 7.1 oz, this ultralight titanium and aluminum stove is Jetboil’s lightest system yet, designed to disappear into your pack until it’s time to boil water at record speed.

Fueled by isobutane-propane, it cranks out 4,500 BTUs, optimized with Jetboil’s FluxRing technology to deliver boil times under 2.5 minutes-because patience isn’t always a virtue when you’re hungry on the trail.

For ultralight backpackers, the Jetboil Stash Utility Light Stove is an absolute game-changer. This stove is one of the lightest and most compact options available.

Pro Tips:

• Use a windscreen to maximize fuel efficiency.
• Stick with Jetboil’s 0.8L pot—it’s built for the perfect fit.
• Ideal for boiling water but not great for simmering, so plan meals accordingly!

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Simple, no-fuss design: Unlike complex stoves that require multiple components, the Stash is a one-piece system that’s easy to use.
• Quick boil time: Even with its small size, it can boil 2 cups of water in about 2.5 minutes, making it perfect for quick meals and coffee.
• Super packable: The stove nests into the included cooking pot, saving space in your pack.

Top-Rated Lightweight Camp Stove

Ultralight backpackers, fastpackers, and thru-hikers who live by the “less weight, more adventure“ mantra. If you want a no-fuss, lightning-fast boil system that won’t weigh you down, the Jetboil Stash is your perfect camp kitchen companion.

If you love pour-over coffee while backpacking, the Jetboil Stash is the perfect companion. It’s fast boil time ensures you never have to wait long for your morning brew.

Best for Solo Hikers, Ultralight Backpackers, & Quick Adventures

For those trekking long distances where every ounce matters, the Jetboil Stash offers high efficiency, light weight, and incredible convenience. We LOVE this system for quick camping trips where less-is-more. BONUS: This single burner has fast boil times and easily sets up on a picnic table or, for us, the back of the Jeep!

Adventure-Ready Cooking: The Best Portable Camp Stoves for Any Trip!

Choosing the best camping stove depends on how and where you plan to use it. If you need a powerful, full-size camp stove for group cooking, the Camp Chef Everest 2X is unbeatable. 

For those who want a compact yet versatile dual-burner system, the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp is a great option. And for ultralight backpackers, the Jetboil Stash is the ultimate go-to for efficiency and portability.

No matter which option you choose, all three of these stoves will enhance your camping experience, ensuring you enjoy delicious meals and fresh coffee wherever your adventures take you. Happy Wandering!