We compared two very different ways to cook on the trail: the Jetboil Flash, a complete 1 litre cooking system with a built-in igniter and French press, and the MSR PocketRocket 2, a tiny ultralight stove you pair with your own pot.
What we looked at
Weight and packability, ignition, stated boil times, what is included in the box, and price.
The verdict
If you want a compact all-in-one system with automatic ignition and a coffee press, the Jetboil Flash is the convenient pick, though it costs almost four times as much on these listings. If you already own a pot and want the lightest, cheapest way to boil and simmer, the MSR PocketRocket 2 is the ultralight value choice.
A complete cooking system with automatic ignition and a French press, but it costs almost four times as much as the MSR.
A stated 73g stove with an adjustable flame and a carry case at a fraction of the price, but you bring your own pot.
Jetboil Flash 1.0L Portable Fast Boil Stove with Silicone French Press — Best All-in-One
Intended for: Marketed as an all-in-one 1 litre fast-boil stove system with automatic ignition and a silicone French press, for camping and backpacking, that packs the burner, press and a 100g fuel canister inside its own cooking cup.
What we liked
- One-step automatic ignition: a twist-and-click igniter, so no match or lighter is needed
- Stated to boil 16 ounces of water in 2 minutes
- Includes a silicone French press for coffee
- Stove parts, coffee press and a 100g fuel tank fit inside the 1 litre cooking cup
- Upgraded locking system with three locking points and visual indicators, plus colour-coded safe touch zones
Worth knowing
- Costs almost four times as much as the MSR PocketRocket 2 on these listings
- Built around its own 1 litre cooking cup, so it is a system rather than a stove you use with any pot
Best for
- Backpackers and campers who want a complete, compact cooking system
- Anyone who mostly boils water for coffee and dehydrated meals
- Buyers who value automatic ignition and a French press included
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who wants to use their own pots or the lightest possible setup
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Ultralight Backpacking Stove — Best Ultralight
Intended for: Marketed as an ultralight isobutane-propane backpacking stove weighing 73g (2.6 oz), with an adjustable flame, no priming or preheating, folding serrated pot supports and a hard-shell carry case.
What we liked
- Much cheaper than the Jetboil Flash on these listings
- Ultralight at a stated 73g (2.6 oz)
- Flame adjusts from a simmer to a rolling boil, with a stated 3.5 minutes to boil 1 litre of water
- No priming, preheating or pressurising needed
- Folding serrated pot supports fit a range of pot sizes, and a hard-shell carry case is included
Worth knowing
- A stove only: you supply your own pot
- No built-in igniter or coffee press listed, unlike the Jetboil
Best for
- Ultralight backpackers counting every gram
- Budget-conscious buyers who already own a pot
- Anyone who wants to simmer as well as boil
Not ideal for
- Anyone who wants an all-in-one system with pot included
- Buyers who want automatic ignition
