The Cadac 2 Cook 2 Pro Deluxe emerged as the best overall camping stove in a rigorous test of 20 models, offering dual burners and interchangeable grill plates for £125. Tested over two periods, stoves were evaluated on setup ease, cooking performance, durability, and cleaning convenience, with the Cadac praised as a lightweight, portable solution ideal for campervans and family trips.
Best Budget Option: Robens Fire Beetle
At £40.99, the Robens Fire Beetle offers a compact, 189g stove with a sturdy pot stand, boiling water in four minutes. While not the lightest available, it provides excellent value for backpackers and trekkers, though it is sensitive to wind and may struggle in winter conditions.
Portable BBQ: Everdure Cube
Designed with chef Heston Blumenthal, the Everdure Cube (£109) is a compact charcoal barbecue with heatproof handles and a bamboo prep board. Ideal for solo or couple cookouts, its limited grill space makes it less suitable for families. Setup and cleaning are straightforward, but it lacks a cover for wind or rain protection.
No-Frills Burner: Campingaz Camp & Trek Twin CV Connect
For £104, the Campingaz Camp & Trek Twin CV Connect offers a simple, two-burner gas stove with built-in ignition and quick boiling. Lightweight at 1.4kg and portable, it lacks wind guards but provides reliable, fuss-free cooking for family trips or campervan use.
Backpacking Stove: Primus Lite Plus
The Primus Lite Plus (£69.95) is a compact personal stove system that boils water in three minutes, making it the fastest tested. With an integrated igniter and cork cosy, it is ideal for solo campers, though its 800ml pot capacity limits use to one person.
Wild Camping Stove: Petromax Atago
At £229.95, the Petromax Atago is a four-in-one charcoal kit functioning as a grill, stove, oven, and firepit. Made from stainless steel with efficient heat retention, it delivers smoky flavours and converts to a fire bowl, but requires separate accessories and is bulky.
Best Grill: Primus Kuchoma
The Primus Kuchoma portable grill (£172.99) weighs 4.6kg and features a ceramic non-stick grate and foldable legs. It sizzles steaks and toast for two, with even heat distribution and wind resistance, but is expensive and limited to grilling only.
Other Notable Models
The MSR XGK EX (£225) is a multi-fuel stove burning white gas, paraffin, and diesel, ideal for international adventures but lacking simmer control. The Bar-Be-Quick smoker and grill (£69.99) offers smoking and grilling options, though assembly is fiddly. The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E (£229) is a compact electric barbecue heating up to 320°C, suitable for electric hook-up sites. The Gozney Tread pizza oven (£499) makes 12-inch pizzas in three minutes, portable at 13.5kg, but is very pricey. The Petromax Rocket Stove (£144.95) is a wood-burning option for off-grid camping, boiling water in 5-10 minutes.
How to Choose a Camping Stove
Key features include wind protection, simmer control, and easy ignition. Fuel type matters: propane works better in cold weather, while refillable bottles are more eco-friendly. Durability is enhanced by stainless steel or titanium construction. Always set up the stove at home before camping to ensure compatibility and avoid leaks.
