Choose an MSR stove for backpacking, wind and cold
We research products from makers' specs, manuals and safety agencies; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.
Quick answer
MSR makes canister and liquid-fuel stoves for different conditions. The PocketRocket Deluxe is a 2.9 oz canister-top burner with a pressure regulator and push-start igniter. The WindBurner Personal is a 1 L enclosed, windproof system. The Reactor 1.0 L is MSR's fastest and most fuel-efficient system, boiling a liter in 3.5 minutes. The WhisperLite Universal runs on canister gas, white gas or kerosene for cold weather and international trips.
- MSR PocketRocket Deluxe (10955). Best for: The lightest stove that still works in all conditions. See options on Amazon
- MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System (14040). Best for: Solo trips in windy places. See options on Amazon
- MSR Reactor 1.0L Stove System (14268). Best for: Fastest boils and least fuel in cold and wind. See options on Amazon
- MSR WhisperLite Universal (14041). Best for: Long trips, deep cold and places where canisters are scarce. See options on Amazon
Which kind of MSR stove
MSR's stoves fall into three groups. Canister-top burners like the PocketRocket screw onto a fuel canister and take any small pot. Integrated systems like the WindBurner and Reactor pair an enclosed burner with a matched pot for fast, wind-resistant boiling. Liquid-fuel stoves like the WhisperLite run from a refillable fuel bottle.
For general camp cooking with a two-burner stove, see our camp stove guide; for a home outage, see our propane stove guide.
Four MSR stoves compared
| Stove | Weight | Boil 1 L | Water per 227 g canister | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PocketRocket Deluxe | 2.9 oz | 3.3 min | 17 L | Canister |
| WindBurner Personal | 15.3 oz | 4.5 min | 18 L | Canister |
| Reactor 1.0L | 14.9 oz | 3.5 min | 20 L | Canister |
| WhisperLite Universal | 11.2 oz | 3.75 min (IsoPro), 3.5 min (white gas) | Not listed (75 min burn per canister) | Canister, white gas, kerosene |
MSR's figures using its IsoPro fuel; weights are MSR's minimum weights.
Wind and cold
MSR says the WindBurner's radiant burner and enclosed design let it work in weather that leaves conventional burners struggling, and that the Reactor delivers its performance in real-world cold and wind. The PocketRocket Deluxe adds a pressure regulator, which MSR says gives consistently faster boils than unregulated canister stoves.
MSR says the WhisperLite Universal switches to liquid fuel for longer trips, cold weather and international use.
Fuel efficiency
On a 227 g IsoPro canister, MSR lists about 17 L of water boiled for the PocketRocket Deluxe, 18 L for the WindBurner and 20 L for the Reactor 1.0. On white gas, MSR lists 4.4 L boiled per 100 ml of fuel for the WhisperLite Universal.
An enclosed system that boils more water per canister means fewer canisters to carry on a long trip or to store for an outage.
Weight and packing
The PocketRocket Deluxe weighs 2.9 oz and packs to 1.5 x 2.2 x 3.3 in, but you also carry a pot. The WindBurner (15.3 oz) and Reactor 1.0 (14.9 oz) are complete systems built around a matched pot. The WhisperLite Universal is 11.2 oz before you add a pot and fuel bottle.
Which one to buy
Choose the PocketRocket Deluxe if you already own a pot and want the lightest reliable stove. Choose the WindBurner Personal for solo trips in exposed, windy places. Choose the Reactor for the fastest boils and best fuel economy, especially in cold weather. Choose the WhisperLite Universal for long or international trips and deep cold, where liquid fuel helps.
Using a backpacking stove safely
The U.S. Fire Administration notes that carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when a fuel-burning appliance is not working or vented properly. Use any stove outdoors in open air, never inside a tent, vehicle, garage or home, and keep it on a stable surface away from anything that can burn.
Read MSR's instructions before first use, check canister and fuel-bottle connections for leaks, and let the stove cool before packing it.
What to look for when you buy
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe (10955)
Best for: The lightest stove that still works in all conditions
MSR lists 2.9 oz, a pressure regulator for consistent boils, a push-start Piezo igniter and a broad burner head for simmering. It boils 1 L in 3.3 minutes and about 17 L of water per 227 g IsoPro canister.
Watch out: An open burner, so wind slows it more than an enclosed system; you supply your own pot.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System (14040)
Best for: Solo trips in windy places
MSR says the WindBurner uses Reactor technology with a radiant burner and an enclosed, windproof design. It has a 1 L pot, weighs 15.3 oz, boils 1 L in 4.5 minutes and boils about 18 L per 227 g canister.
Watch out: Heavier than an open canister-top burner like the PocketRocket.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)MSR Reactor 1.0L Stove System (14268)
Best for: Fastest boils and least fuel in cold and wind
MSR calls the Reactor its fastest, most fuel-efficient stove system for cold and windy conditions. The 1.0 L version weighs 14.9 oz, boils 1 L in 3.5 minutes and boils about 20 L per 227 g canister.
Watch out: MSR also sells 1.7 L and 2.5 L sizes for groups.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)MSR WhisperLite Universal (14041)
Best for: Long trips, deep cold and places where canisters are scarce
MSR lists a hybrid stove that burns canister fuel for easy simmering and switches to white gas or kerosene for longer trips, cold weather and international use. It weighs 11.2 oz; boil times are 3.5 minutes per liter on white gas and 3.75 on IsoPro.
Watch out: Liquid fuel runs from a separate refillable bottle; follow MSR's setup instructions for each fuel.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Which MSR stove is lightest?
- The PocketRocket Deluxe at 2.9 oz minimum weight, though you also need a pot.
- Which MSR stove is best in wind?
- MSR says the WindBurner's enclosed, radiant-burner design and the Reactor keep performing in wind and cold.
- Can MSR stoves burn white gas?
- The WhisperLite Universal runs on canister fuel, white gas or kerosene. The PocketRocket, WindBurner and Reactor use canister fuel.
- How fast does an MSR Reactor boil water?
- MSR lists 3.5 minutes per liter for the 1.0 L Reactor and 3 minutes for the 1.7 L and 2.5 L sizes.
Sources
- PocketRocket Deluxe Stove (cascadedesigns.com), MSR (Cascade Designs)
- WindBurner Personal Stove System (cascadedesigns.com), MSR (Cascade Designs)
- Reactor Stove Systems (cascadedesigns.com), MSR (Cascade Designs)
- WhisperLite Universal Stove (cascadedesigns.com), MSR (Cascade Designs)
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention, U.S. Fire Administration (maker page: www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/life-safety-hazards/carbon-monoxide/)