Best Canister Stove

An upgrade of a classic, the MSR PocketRocket 2 is a high-performance backcountry stove in a small package. It produces 8,600 BTU of power that allow for impressive boil times as well as precise simmer control. The WindClip technology on the burner provides wind protection so the stove can perform in light winds without significant reduction in boil time. For $44.95, this is a great stove that will be a go-to choice for years to come, and that’s why it is our choice for Best Canister Stove of 2021.

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See Our Best Backcountry Canister Stove Review HERE!

A classic canister stove, the MSR PocketRocket 2 is the lighter and smaller version of its iconic predecessor, the PocketRocket. MSR has—and I don’t use this word lightly—a plethora of stove systems. From liquid, canister, and universal to integrated stoves, MSR will have the system for you. So why did we choose the PocketRocket 2? Well, because it’s a classic, and we really liked the name. It’s not the flashiest of their systems, but is a well-known favorite. The PocketRocket 2 still blew us away with its performance and design, earning the title of Best Canister Stove of 2021.

The Stove

Weighing in at a slim 2.6oz (73g), the PocketRocket does not feel like a burden in a backpack. Along with the included hardshell case, the whole package feels very strong and durable. On the burner is MSR’s WindClip technology, providing 3-point wind protection. It works by splitting the burner into three separate sections via small metal walls. If a gust of wind extinguishes one-third of the burner, the other two sections are protected, and the third section will reignite when the wind dies down. While it is a good system, we found that the stove will struggle to boil water in a true wind, as with any non-integrated stove systems.

The valve control folds right back, wrapping the main stove to create a small package that either goes into the case or into a pot. It is a simple stove, but we like simple—there are fewer moving pieces that can break and cause real problems.

Ease of Use

As previously mentioned, there are very few moving parts on this stove. The legs have a dual swivel to unfold for use or fold up for storage, but besides this, the valve control is the only other moving part.

There is no piezo lighter, but that is definitely not a deal-breaker. The PocketRocket Deluxe ($70) has a piezo lighter and a very different burner design for wind protection—compared to the PocketRocket 2 ($45). Bringing a lighter or matchbox on a camping trip won’t make a difference because everyone should be carrying one anyways!

Simmering

The PocketRocket 2 does not have the 4-turn freedom that you’ll find with the Jetboil MightyMo. What it does have is about 1.75 turns of precision control, which is still ample. The simmering on the PocketRocket felt the simplest. We knew we would have a flame until the bitter end, and the tension on the control valve enabled micro-adjustments while cooking eggs in the morning.

As with all jet-style burner heads, there is a slight issue with spot burning. The flame does spread well, but the primary heat will be directly under the center of your pan or pot. Be sure to keep an eye out when cooking food that can quickly burn or stick to the pan.

Boil Time

On their website, MSR states that the PocketRocket “can boil 1 liter of water in just 3.5 minutes.” We conducted boil tests on 5 of our stoves, and our PocketRocket was able to boil 1 liter of water in right around 4 minutes and 20 seconds. That’s slightly higher than the online claim, but it is hard to know the exact conditions of their boil test. Regardless, the 4:20 boil time was right on par with the Jetboil and much faster than the less expensive stoves in the trial.

Fuel Use

Throughout the boil test, the PocketRocket 2 used 16g of fuel. This amount of fuel was the same as the two other less expensive stoves. It was interesting to see that most of the stoves used marginally the same amount of fuel. On their website, MSR states that the PocketRocket 2 can boil up to 16 liters of water on a single 227g canister or run for 60 minutes straight.

The Bottom Line

It is hard to find many faults with the PocketRocket 2’s design. It packs down very small and comes with a hardshell case, so it’s unlikely to get damaged in a backpack. The supports make it a very tall stove, which can create a balancing problem, but they are sturdy—we had no issues with them, even on a car tailgate or rock. Simple and effective. What more can you ask for in a backpacking stove that is only $44.95? With the value we found with the performance of the PocketRocket 2, it earned our title as the Best Canister Stove of 2021.

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