Skip to main content
Head to Head

BioLite CampStove 2+ vs MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove

Ultralight canister stove vs wood-burning USB-charging stove. Two radically different philosophies of portable cooking heat.

— VerdictOur Pick

We recommend the MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove

The MSR PocketRocket 2 wins for most van dwellers — 2.6 oz vs 2 lbs, instant ignition, works in any weather. The BioLite wins for off-grid purists who want free fuel and USB charging from fire. Pick the PocketRocket for hybrid van/backpacking. Pick the BioLite for established campsites with firewood.

Read the full MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove review
Side-by-side

Specifications

BioLite CampStove 2+MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove
Editorial Score8.6/109/10
User Rating4.4 (4800 reviews)4.8 (9200 reviews)
Price$149.95$49.95
Power10,200 BTU
USB Output3W
Weight2.06 lbs2.6 oz
Burn Time~45 min per full load
FuelBiomass (sticks, pellets, pinecones)Isobutane/propane canister
Battery2,600 mAh onboard
Boil Time3.5 min / 1L
BTU10,500
Dimensions1.7 x 3.1 in (folded)
WarrantyLimited lifetime

BioLite CampStove 2+

Strengths
  • Burns free biomass (sticks, pinecones)
  • 3W USB charging from fire
  • Smokeless secondary combustion
  • 10,200 BTU cooking power
Trade-offs
  • Outdoor use only
  • Requires dry fuel (rain day is a problem)

MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove

Strengths
  • 2.6 oz — lightest stove in the catalog
  • Boils 1L in 3.5 minutes
  • Works with standard isobutane canisters
  • Folds into palm-sized package
Trade-offs
  • No simmer control
  • Requires separate fuel canister

More head-to-head comparisons