Camp stoves have come along way over the years, from the clunky and sometimes unreliable heat sources they once were to the full-featured stoves of today with robust flames, consistent heat, and an array of settings and options.
In fact, there are so many options and choices today with camp stoves that it can be hard to know which camp stoves are best and which one is right for you.
Because of this, we created this Best Camp Stoves Under $100 Guide to help you figure out which camp stoves are the best and which ones will be best suited to your needs.
Best Camp Stoves Under $100
When it comes to camp stoves there is no one right answer or stove for every camper. As each camper will have there own particular needs and wants from a camp stove depending on how and where they plan to use it.
Because of this, we broke these best camp stoves under $100 into two separate groups including best camp stoves for front-country or car camping and best camp stoves for backpacking, and hiking.
This way it will be easier and faster for you to find the best camp stove for your particular needs.
Best Camp Stoves for Front-Country and Car Camping
Front-country or car camping is one of the most popular forms of camping today, which involves camping in a designated campground or campsite that is usually located within a hundred feet of your car.
Because you’re camping next to your vehicle, weight, and portability of the camp stove is not usually a major concern with this type of camping stove, instead, ease of use and cooking ability are typically the most important concerns.
Below are some of our top picks for camp stoves when front-country or car camping.
Coleman Gas Camp Stove | Triton+ Propane Stove 2 Burner
- Why It’s Great: Best Overall
- Category: Tabletop
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Number of Burners: 2
- Heat Output: 22,000 Total BTU
- Weight: 6.5 lbs
If you’re looking for one of the best 2 burner tabletop camp stoves then this stove by Coleman should definitely be high on your list.
While Coleman sells a variety of tabletop camp stoves, this Triton+ model is one of the best stoves they make.
Even though this camp stove is one of the more expensive stoves on this list, you definitely get plenty of bang for your buck. As this camp stove has many features that some of the cheaper models just don’t have including an auto-ignition start, three-sided wind barrier, well thought out and rugged design, as well as a super low heating setting you can use for simmering.
While most camp stoves have the ability to adjust the heat output of the burner at some level, this Triton+ model by Coleman has one of the most finely adjustable heat settings we have ever seen.
This camp stove by Coleman also has a very rugged and sturdy feel thanks to its all-metal construction with chrome-plated grate and rust-resistant aluminum cooktop.
So if you’re looking for a quality well-built camp stove that offers great cooking performance as well as reliability then you should definitely check out this portable camp stove by Coleman.
To check the price of this high performance and rugged camp stove on Amazon click here.
Outbound Camping Stove | Propane Gas Stove 2 Burner
- Why It’s Great: Best Design
- Category: Tabletop
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Number of Burners: 2
- Heat Output: 20,000 Total BTU
- Weight: 10 lbs
This tabletop camp stove by Outbound is another great option if you’re looking for a well thought out and rugged camp stove for cooking while camping outdoors.
Thanks to its stainless steel construction and rugged design you can be sure that this camp stove will provide years of reliable performance. In addition, with its 2 burners and large cooking surface measuring 15 inches long by 9 and a half inches wide you can cook just about anything while at the campsite.
Also, thanks to the eye-catching fire-engine red color it helps to set it apart from every other camp stove out there. While the color might be a little bold for some it’s a nice change of pace compared to other camp stoves which are typically shades of muted greens and beiges.
Another feature that we really like about this camp stove is the fold-out legs that raise the cooking surface up a couple of inches from the table you place it on, giving you a nice elevated cooking surface that helps keep the hot flames away from other things that might be on the table nearby.
If we had one complaint about this particular camp stove though it is that it does not have auto-ignition feature, requiring you to use a match to light the burners. While this isn’t the end of the world, it is one additional step when lighting the camp stove and does make it a little trickier to light especially in windy conditions.
To check the price of this reliable and rugged camp stove on Amazon click here.
Coleman Gas Camp Stove | Classic Propane Stove 2 Burner
- Why It’s Great: Most Affordable Tabletop Camp Stove
- Category: Tabletop
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Number of Burners: 2
- Heat Output: 20,000 Total BTU
- Weight: 11.5 lbs
One of the most affordable and economical tabletop camp stoves on this list is this classic Coleman propane camp stove.
While there are many versions of the Coleman camp stove today, this model is a throwback to where it all started for Coleman, which is simple and reliable camping gear that you can rely on for generations.
While there are certainly other camp stoves on the market today with more features and bells and whistles you really can’t go wrong with this classic camp stove by Coleman.
Also, due to its simple design and limited features, there is also less to go wrong or break on this camp stove.
So if you’re looking for a camp stove that keeps things simple and that you can rely on, then this basic camp stove might be a good choice for you.
To check the price of the classic propane camp stove by Coleman on Amazon click here.
Outbound Single Burner Propane Stove
- Why It’s Great: Most Compact Front-Country Camp Stove
- Category: Tabletop
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 10,000 Total BTU
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
If you don’t plan on cooking large meals or need 2 burners while camping and just need a simple and basic camp stove then this single burner stove by Outbound is a great choice.
While the large 2 burner tabletop camp stoves are great, for campers that are planning on cooking only simple one-pot meals or just need to boil some water they can often be overkill.
This single burner camp stove is great for those front-country campers that just want to keep things simple and lightweight while camping.
However, just because this camp stove is compact and lightweight don’t assume the stove is underpowered, as this unit still puts out 10,000 BTUs of power making quick work of boiling water or cooking a meal.
This camp stove also has an adjustable burner and comes with a handy little carrying bag to keep everything together and organized when not in use.
As a reminder though the one thing this single burner camp stove does not come with is the small propane canister that is integral to its design. As you must purchase these propane canisters separately. But don’t worry though as you can find these small propane canisters at almost any hardware or camping store and well as on Amazon by clicking here.
To check the price of this portable and compact single burner camp stove on Amazon click here.
Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove
- Why It’s Great: Best Freestanding Camp Stove
- Category: Freestanding
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Number of Burners: 2
- Heat Output: 60,000 Total BTU
- Weight: 30.5 lbs
If you find yourself needing a larger and more powerful camp stove because you need to cook more food for more people, this freestanding camp stove by Camp Chef is a great choice to consider.
This camp stove is the cheapest large freestanding camp stove we could find on the market that is still reliable and well made.
While you can certainly find fancier freestanding camp stoves including ones made by Camp Chef, this camp stove really provides everything you need, including a large cooking surface, 60,000 BTU’s of total heat output, adjustable heat settings with air dampers, and a full windscreen.
This camp stove is great when you need to cook those big meals at the campsite as this camp stove has a cooking surface that measures 14 inches by 32 inches, providing enough room for even the largest pots and skillets.
While certainly larger and bulkier than your standard tabletop camp stove, this freestanding camp stove is still pretty portable as the adjustable legs can be removed allowing you to travel and store this camp stove pretty easy.
To check the price of this freestanding camp stove by Camp Chef on Amazon click here.
Best Camp Stoves for Backpacking and Hiking
When backpacking, weight, and portability become the primary concerns when choosing a camping stove, as the stove needs to be light enough and small enough to hike with and pack away in your backpack.
When it comes to backpacking camp stoves there are a lot of different options to choose from today, that vary in design, fuel source, and the type of cooking they’re best for.
Because of this, we have chosen a wide variety of some of the best backpacking camp stoves currently on the market so that you can find the perfect backpacking camp stove for you no matter what your particular needs happen to be.
Jetboil Flash Camping Stove Cooking System
- Why It’s Great: Boils Water the Fastest
- Category: Backpacking Camp Stove
- Fuel Type: Propane, Isobutane
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 21,000 gross BTU/lb
- Weight: 13.1 oz
Jetboil portable and lightweight camp stoves are the go-to brand for many backpackers, hikers, and ultralight campers due to their reliability and fast cook times.
In fact, if you are looking for an all in one portable camp stove, the Jetboil camp stoves are hard to beat as they have everything you need to cook a hot meal no matter where you are in the backcountry.
While you can cook any type of meal in a Jetboil stove, what they are best for is boiling water that can be added to freeze-dried meals such as Mountain House, coffee, or my favorite hot chocolate.
The main thing that separates the Jetboil camp stoves from other portable camp stoves is that it includes the cooking cup which securely and tightly attaches to the heating element ensuring a highly efficient and rapid cook time with very little heat loss.
When it comes to cooking times it’s hard to beat the boil time of the Jetboil camp stove as this particular model will boil 1 liter of water within 100 seconds. This is good for several reasons the first being that you can prepare hot meals extremely quickly while backpacking and camping which is great when your starving from hiking all day. The second reason that it’s great is that it helps to conserve fuel by allowing you to heat up your meal or boil water faster.
Keep in mind if you purchase this portable camp stove by Jetboil that it does not come with the Jetboil fuel canister which comes in varying sizes and is sold separately. To check the price of the Jetboil fuel canisters click here.
To check the price of this portable camp stove by Jetboil on Amazon click here.
MSR PocketRocket 2
- Why It’s Great: Smallest Size
- Category: Backpacking Camp Stove
- Fuel Type: Propane, Isobutane
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 21,000 gross BTU/lb
- Weight: 2.6 oz
If you needing a super compact portable camp stove then this backpacking camp stove by MSR is one of the best and most popular. As the PocketRocket is a go-to and well-known camp stove in the camping and backpacking world.
This portable camp stove is so small that it can actually fit in your pocket when stored away and only weighs an incredible 2.6 ounces. Even though this portable camp stove is small though it still packs quite a punch as it can boil water is as little as three and a half minutes.
To use this simple camp stove by MSR all you have to do is pop a fuel canister on the bottom of the stove. Open the gas valve on the heating element and place your pot on top of the cooking surface.
Keep in mind though as with the Jetboil camp stove the fuel canisters which are typically either propane or isobutane are sold separately. To check the price of the fuel canisters for this portable camp stove click here.
To check the price of this super compact and well designed portable camp stove on Amazon click here.
Etekcity Ultralight Portable Backpacking Camp Stove
- Why It’s Great: Most Affordable
- Category: Backpacking Camp Stove
- Fuel Type: Propane, Isobutane
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 6,666 BTU
- Weight: 3.5 oz
This portable camping stove by Etekcity is a great choice for any budget-minded backpackers or campers as this is one of the most affordable camp stoves we could find and is the cheapest camp stove on this list.
Just because this camp stove is super cheap though doesn’t mean its not a quality camp stove as this stove is made with an all-metal construction using both aluminum alloy as well as stainless steel and has a very rugged design.
It also has some nice features that you wouldn’t necessarily assume this portable camp stove would have due to its lower price point such as automatic electric ignition start, adjustable flame control, and a handy little carrying case.
So If you’re budget-minded or just getting started as a backpacker and trying to keep the costs down this backpacking camp stove by Etekcity makes a great choice.
Also, don’t forget the sold separately fuel canisters you will need that you can buy on Amazon by clicking here.
To check the price of this super portable and affordable backpacking camp stove on Amazon click here.
Coleman Camp Stove | Sportster II Dual Fuel Backpacking Stove
- Why It’s Great: Dual Fuel Capability
- Category: Backpacking Camp Stove
- Fuel Type: Coleman Liquid Fuel or Unleaded Gasoline
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 10,000 BTU
- Weight: 2 Pounds
A unique take on the portable backpacking camp stove is this dual-fuel camp stove by Coleman as it not only has the ability to use either Coleman liquid fuel or unleaded gasoline but it also can be refilled and doesn’t require you to buy disposable fuel canisters.
With the built-in fuel canister on this portable camp stove, it truly is an all in one unit as it doesn’t require you to buy special fuel canisters in order to make that camp stove work.
Also with a heat output of 10,000 BTUs, this camp stove provides a robust and powerful cooking element. And as long as you have a ready supply of either Coleman liquid fuel or unleaded gasoline you can cook for as long as you want without worrying about running out of fuel.
To check the price of this dual-fuel portable camp stove by Coleman on Amazon click here.
Ohuhu Wood Burning Camping Stove
- Why It’s Great: Eco Friendly
- Category: Backpacking Camp Stove
- Fuel Type: Wood, Solidified Alcohol
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 7,100 BTU Per Pound of Wood
- Weight: 14.2 oz
If you want to be more eco friendly and avoid burning petroleum-based products such as propane or butane while cooking outdoors one of the best options for this is the Ohuhu wood burning camp stove which can burn small twigs, leaves, and pinecones.
This allows you to boil water and heat up food without having to burn harmful petroleum products and provides a more natural and basic way of cooking food.
While you might think that it would be challenging to use such a camp stove, it really is pretty easy thanks to its large size and ingenious design allowing you to start cooking within just a few minutes from starting the fire.
Another great benefit of this stove is that you don’t have to worry about running out fuel while camping nor do you have to mess with constantly buying new fuel canisters when they run out. Instead, you can just let mother nature provide an endless supply of natural fuel for your camp stove.
As a side note, this camp stove by Ohuhu can also burn solidified alcohol tablets as well if you choose to go that route.
To check the price of this portable wood burning stove for camping on Amazon click here.
Lixada Camping Stove
- Why It’s Great: Ultra Lightweight and Portable
- Category: Backpacking Camp Stove
- Fuel Type: Wood
- Number of Burners: 1
- Heat Output: 7,100 BTU Per Pound of Wood
- Weight: 2 oz
Another great option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly camp stove with no carbon footprint or chemical emissions is this camp stove by Lixiada. And the great thing is that it’s not only eco-friendly but also super lightweight and portable as this wood burning camp stove only weighs 2 ounces and can be folded flat for the ultimate in compact storage.
At first glance, you might assume that this camp stove is kind of flimsy due to the thin metal and fold-out design, but thanks to its titanium or stainless steel construction it’s actually quite rugged and sturdy to cook on.
While the fire in this camp stove does not get as hot or concentrated as the Ohuhu camp stove due it’s more open design, the nice feature that this wood burning stove has that the Ohuhu stove doesn’t is the large opening on the side of the stove that allows you to add wood to the fire without having to remove the pot from the stove.
This wood-burning stove by Lixada is a great choice for any camper that wants to reduce their carbon footprint while still having a reliable and dependable camp stove to cook on.
To check the price of this wood-burning camp stove on Amazon click here.
How to Choose the Best Camp Stove under $100
There are many important things to consider when choosing the best camp stove under $100, such as the type of camp stove you need, the amount of heat output or BTUs you need, the portability of the camp stove, the fuel source of the stove, as well as the number of burners on the stove.
So below we broke down each of these considerations when choosing a camp stove in order to help you choose the best camp stove for your needs.
What Type of Camp Stove Should You Choose?
There are three main types of camp stoves to choose from when cooking outdoors including tabletop camp stoves, free-standing camp stoves, and backpacking camp stoves.
Each camp stove has its pros and cons and which use choose depends largely on what type of camping you planning on doing and how much food you need to cook while camping.
Tabletop Camp Stoves
Tabletop camp stoves have been around for what seems like forever, in fact, Coleman has been making a version of their popular camp stove since the 1940s.
While the classic tabletop camp stove has had some improvements over the years such as auto-ignition and better heating elements the basic design has changed very little from the original version used by your father or even grandfather.
The tabletop camp stove requires a table or other flat surface for it to be placed on as they do not have legs, and they are usually about the size of a suitcase. Most tabletop camp stoves have two burners and a good size cooking surface for larger pots and pans and they typically use propane as their fuel source.
Tabletop camp stoves are best suited for small camping groups of 10 or less with moderate cooking demands.
Free Standing Camp Stoves
Freestanding camp stoves have legs attached to the cooking surface allowing them to be set up anywhere and do not require a picnic table or flat surface to be used.
While they usually have two burners like they tabletop camp stove they are usually much larger and have a greater heat output compared to the standard tabletop camp stove.
Similar to tabletop camp stoves, free-standing camp stoves typically run off of propane but instead of using small propane canisters they usually run off of standard-sized 20-pound propane cylinders that allow for much longer cook times.
While free-standing camp stoves are somewhat portable as the legs can usually be detached from the cooking surface they are the largest of the three types of camp stoves and can be cumbersome and heavy to move.
The free-standing camp stove is best suited for large groups of campers of 10 or more where large meals need to be prepared.
Backpacking Camp Stoves
Backpacking camp stoves are the smallest and most lightweight of the three types of camping stoves and are usually not much larger than a water bottle.
While they usually don’t have the heat output of the larger camp stoves such as the tabletop or free-standing stoves they still are more than capable of making small meals while backpacking or in the backcountry.
Backpacking camp stoves can run off a variety of different fuel sources including propane, butane, alcohol, or even wood depending on the type of backpacking camp stove.
When it comes to backpacking camp stoves, size and portability are the most important features and they are best suited for backpacking or the backcountry when preparing meals for 2 or less.
What are BTUs and How Many Do You Need?
When shopping for a camp stove you will often see a reference to BTUs and how many BTUs the camp stove will put out. But what exactly is a BTU and how does that help you when cooking a meal at your campsite?
To begin with, BTU stands for British Thermal Unit which is simply a measure of heat. BTU is defined as the amount of heat that is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree.
So know that we know what a BTU is, why should we care how many BTUs a particular camp stove has or doesn’t have?
When considering different camp stoves BTUs are important because it lets you know the maximum heat output of the camp stove and the more heat output the camp stove can provide the faster and easier you can cook your meals while camping.
Typically, BTUs on a camp stove will range from as low as 5,000 BTUs for your smaller compact stoves to over 20,000 BTUs for your larger and more robust camp stoves.
While there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to how many BTUs a camp stove should have, just remember that the lower the BTUs the longer it will take to boil water and cook your meal.
Camps Stoves and Portability
Camp stoves can be as small as your fist or as large as your grill at home and the size of camp stove you choose should depend primarily on how much portability you need.
If you plan to set up your camp stove 20 feet from your vehicle, then portability and size should not be that big of a concern for you. And instead, you should focus more on the functionality and cooking ability of the camp stove.
If however, you plan to hike and backpack with your camp stove then size and portability should be extremely important and should be one of your primary concerns. In this scenario you should look for the smallest and most portably camp stove you can find that still meets your minimum cooking requirements.
Just remember that when it comes to size and portability, the smaller and lighter you go, typically the less overall power and cooking capability the camp stove will have.
Different Types of Fuel Sources for Camp Stoves
When choosing a camp stove it’s important to pay attention to what type of fuel source the camp stove uses because there are many different types of fuel sources for camp stoves and they each have their own advantages.
To help you decide which type of fuel source is best for you, we created this helpful table that describes the different advantages of each type of fuel source.
| Fuel | Advantages |
| Propane | Other than gasoline, propane is the most widely available and easiest to find fuel source. Propane is also an extremely efficient heating source and burns clean. |
| Isobutane / Butane | Isobutane and butane are typically found in convenient pressurized throwaway fuel canisters but can sometimes be challenging to find. They provide an excellent fuel source for camp stoves and burn efficiently. |
| Alcohol / Solidified Alcohol | Alcohol is one of the lightest fuel sources for camp stoves making a good option if weight is a primary concern. |
| Gasoline | Gasoline is the most readily available fuel source of the different fuel sources. However, it does not store as well as propane and other fuel source sources so it is not typically used in camp stoves. |
| Wood | Wood is a great renewable and eco-friendly fuel source that does not produce harmful chemicals when burned. Also, you don’t have to worry about running out while camping as you are literally surrounded by an unlimited supply while camping. |
One Burner or Two?
Most camp stoves have either one or two burners and which type you choose depends largely on what type of camping you are planning on doing.
If you are planning on doing mostly front-country car camping in campgrounds where you are camping with lots of people then the two-burner option is probably best for you as it will provide you the most convenience and versatility when preparing larger and more complex meals.
If however, you plan on doing mostly backcountry camping or backpacking with small groups of people then it makes more sense to opt for the one-burner stove as they are more compact and lightweight and easier to hike with.