Backpacking Stoves

Jetboil Minimo vs MSR Pocket Rocket (1 & 2)

Last updated: August 19, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

Jetboil Minimo and MSR Pocket Rocket 2 are both excellent backpacking stoves. Although it's almost impossible to go wrong with either of them, they do have some minor differences worth mentioning.

In summary; in terms of fuel efficiency, boil time and versatility; it's a no brainer to get Jetboil Minimo over MSR Pocket Rocket 2.
In the weight department, though, including its compatible .75 L pot, Pocket Rocket 2 weighs in at an impressive 9.9 oz, which is 4.7 oz lighter than Minimo.
Lastly, for simmering abilities of these stoves, it's a draw...

Don't let the marketed 2.6 oz weight of Pocket Rocket 2 deceive you!

It's the weight WITHOUT THE POT! That's why, to make this comparison reasonable, in this post I'll review MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit (stove + pot), but everything you read is also applicable to the stove only product MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (Stove only) as well.

In the end, if 4.7 oz of extra weight is very important you AND you're absolutely sure you'd never use your stove in the wind, I'd recommend MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit (Stove + Pot). For all others (90% of us), Jetboil Minimo is the way to go.

There's absolutely no reason to purchase Pocket Rocket 1 over Pocket Rocket 2

...so don't. 2 is the updated model and better in terms of everything.

Also, product images below can be misleading. NEITHER OF THESE STOVES COME WITH A CANISTER!!! They come with the stove and pot only.

	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Overall Score	91/100	87/100
	This product is a CrunchPick!: Best Backpacking Stove of 2019
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Best for	Those who are looking for the best overall backpacking stove All-around versatile uses Quick boils Fuel efficient uses Uses in the wind	Ultralight uses Uses in non-windy conditions Beginner hikers Those who want the stove only (without the pot)
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Pros	Very fuel efficient, amazing simmering control, completely packs up into the pot, works incredible in the wind, boils faster, perfect cup size (1L), can cook for 2, light	Extremely light, great at simmering, easy to use & simple, can be purchased without the pot
Cons	4.7 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, can be "overkill" for some	Unstable, less fuel efficient, doesn't work well in the wind, boils slower, smaller pot
	THE NITTY GRITTY
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Total Weight & Pot Volume	14.6 oz & 1 Liter (larger can be purchased separately)	9.9 oz & 0.75 Liter (larger can be purchased separately)
Packed (Pot) Dimensions	5 in (DIA) x 5.5 in (height)	4 in (DIA) x 5 in (height)
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Water Boiled	12 liters per 100 g Jetpower can	7 liters per 100 g MSR IsoPro can
Boil Time	2m 15sec per .5 liter	3m per .5 liter
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2
User Manuals	User Manual [PDF]	User Manual [PDF]
These stoves DON'T come with the canisters	Jetpower canisters 100 g size required to pack it into the pot	MSR IsoPro canister 100 g size required to pack it into the pot

Short Summary

Jetboil Minimo Review

Jetboil Minimo is one of the most fuel efficient and versatile stoves out there which also offers very fast boiling.

More, when the perfect conditions are removed and just a tiny bit of wind is added, with the help of its wider burner and FluxRing, it surpasses even the fastest boiling stoves out there.

If you'd like to read more about this, I also compared it to Jetboil Flash (which holds one of the quickest boil time between all backpacking stoves) and in windy conditions, Minimo even passed Flash!

Data Set: Backpacking Stoves

	Jetboil Minimo Read Review	MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Read Review	Jetboil Micromo Read Review	Jetboil Flash Read Review	MSR Whisperlite Universal Read Review	MSR Whisperlite International Read Review	MSR Dragonfly Read Review
Overall Score	91/100	87/100	87/100	81/100	76/100	74/100	72/100
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Best for	All-around, fuel efficient uses for precision cooking and boiling water (even in wind)	Ultralight uses	Top alternative to Minimo	Those who will boil water ONLY in non-windy conditions	Multiple fuel compatibility (White Gas, Kerosene, Unleaded Gasoline, Canister)
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Pros	Fuel efficient, amazing simmering, compact and light, fast boiling, great in the wind, incredibly versatile	Extremely light and compact, great at simmering, easy to use & simple	Designed identical to Minimo (except the pot)	Extremely fast boiling, completely packs up in to one small unit, light	Variety of fuels, quiet, versatile, durable	Lighter, more simple use than Dragonfly, quiet, durable	Windscreen, great at simmering, very powerful, durable
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Cons	4.7 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, can be "overkill" for some	Considerably less fuel efficient than Minimo, not for wind, boils slower, small pot size	2.1 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, small pot size, worse than Minimo in the wind	Can't simmer, redundant features, not for wind	Bad at simmering, less compact	Bad at simmering, no canister fuel, less compact	Very loud, no canister fuel, heavy, less compact
Fuel Canis-ters (bought sepera-tely)	Jetpower	IsoPro	Jetpower	Jetpower	IsoPro	IsoPro	IsoPro

Lastly, this stove at REI seems to be a solid alternative to MSR and Jetboil, but I'm yet to review it.

You can simmer perfectly well by adjusting the fuel regulator - even in windy conditions (thanks to its wider burner and hence better guard).

It's not only better than Pocket Rocket 2, but also all the other backpacking stoves out there in 2019.

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MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Review

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is an amazing ultralight backpacking stove that performs very well for its simple design unless you're out in the wind.

While there are some other larger and more complex stoves that can't simmer well (for example, Jetboil Flash) Pocket Rocket 2 does so surprisingly well because MSR didn't half-ass equipping a great fuel regulator to it.

If weight is the most important factor for you and you're absolutely sure you won't have to use your stove in a windy environment, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 can be an excellent stove for you.

674 Reviews

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Mini...

An ultra-compact cook-and-eat stove kit for...
Boils 1 liter of water in just 3.5 minutes
Pot’s insulated grip allows it to serve as an...
Includes PocketRocket 2 stove, .75-liter aluminum...
Ultralight kit weighs just 9.9 ounces, and packs...

If you'd like to purchase the stove only (without the pot), this is your product:

SALE

3,893 Reviews

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

Ultralight (2.6 oz) and compact (2x2x3 in) folding...
Boils one liter of water in just 3.5 minutes and...
Fueled by high-performance isobutane-propane fuel...
Easy to setup and operate—no priming,...
Lightweight protective case included; stove weighs...

There's a confusion I often see about these stoves, so I'd like to clear that in advance before we get to the bolts and nuts.

As you see, you can customize both stoves with different cups, canisters and cook sets - but it can be difficult & misleading to understand (especially for MSR Pocket Rocket 2).

Customization

MSR Pocket Rocket 2

You do have the option to purchase the stove only - which you can't with Jetboil Minimo.

You also do have the option to purchase the pot only - (which you can also do so with Jetboil Minimo - see below sub-heading). 1.3L and 0.8L respectively (see "Best Pot for MSR Pocket Rocket 2" heading).

You can also purchase the full kit with the cookware & utensils, BUT IT'S NOT THIS PRODUCT:

377 Reviews

MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove...

Lightweight rugged stove kit accommodates...
Complete kit, including stove and cook set, weighs...
MSR PocketRocket canister stove (fuel sold...
Compact nested design packs all kit contents...
Includes PocketRocket stove, 2-liter aluminum pot,...

Because this kit comes with Pocket Rocket 1, NOT POCKET ROCKET 2. Navigate to "Weight and Compactness" heading to see your cook set options in detail.

All the products mentioned so far nest perfectly well. Customization is better than Jetboil Minimo as you'll see now.

Jetboil Minimo

You can get the cups separately (see "Versatility" heading for more info). But unlike Pocket Rocket 2, you can't get the stove of Minimo separately.

This isn't a disadvantage if you're already looking to buy the stove with the pot though.

Now let's get down to the bolts and nuts.

Table of Contents

Short Summary

Jetboil Minimo Review

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Review

Weight and Compactness

Best Pot for MSR Pocket Rocket 2

Conclusion

Product Videos

References

Fuel efficiency

Compared to Pocket Rocket 2, Minimo is almost twice as efficient in terms of fuel consumption.

Minimo boils 12 liters of water per 100 g Jetpower can compared to MSR Pocket Rocket's 7 liters of water per 100 g MSR IsoPro can. And the reason behind this difference is Minimo's FluxRing:

FluxRing technology demonstrated here is located around the burner. It's designed to increase efficiency through increasing the metal surface area by bending them. As a result, less heat provided by the burner is lost to the air and more of it is captured by these extra surface area & delivered to the cup to boil the liquid.

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 doesn't have a similar technology as its burner is open to the environment.

Besides fuel efficiency in perfect conditions, this difference also causes the Minimo to outscore Pocket Rocket 2 in windy conditions as well.

As you see, there is so-called MSR WindClip at the top of the burner which is meant to guard the wind, but to be honest, it fails to make a big difference as you can guess.

On the other hand, on top of its FluxRing, pot support of Minimo (shown below) also works as a guard:

As a result, wind is barricaded with a lot of strong obstacles until it can reach the burner (the center). MSR Pocket Rocket 2 isn't equipped with any strong obstacle for that matter.

Also, both stoves work with Butane-Propane Gas mixture under vapor pressure, and both can be used with 100g/230g/450g Isobutane/Propane Gas Cartridges only [see the manuals in the table at the top].

If you'd like a stove that also works with liquid fuel, check out my MSR Whisperlite vs Dragonfly comparison.

If you aren't going to use these stoves with MSR IsoPro or Jetpower

Make sure your canister conforms to the EN417 or AS2278 standard.

Now let's get to their compatibility. In short, you can use MSR IsoPro with Jetboil Minimo, and Jetpower with MSR Pocket Rocket 2. Their valves are compatible as well.

As you see, MSR IsoPro fuel contains Isobutane/Propane Mixture - which is compatible with Jetboil Minimo as well [see the manuals in the table at the top]. It’s a high quality blend of 80% isobutane and 20% propane. It comes in 4, 8 or 16 oz. cans. I took this photo in Naturkompaniet when I was in Sweden, but you can also order it online on MSR's site or on Amazon.

Also, Jetpower is compatible with MSR stoves as well. As you can also read in their manuals, you can pretty much use any brand of fuel canister on any brand of canister stove.

But beware: All of these canisters are sold separately, including the Jetpower! You DON'T GET ANY CANISTER WITH EITHER OF THESE STOVES! You can purchase them on Amazon separately:

Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend, 230 Gram

(573)

MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister for Backpacking and...

(700)

If you want your canister to be packed into the pot as well, make sure you go with the smallest (100 g) one. More on this later (with diagrams) under the compactness heading.

They also don't expire or go bad - although the valve can start to deteriorate (probably would take almost decades though)... Regardless, you can think of investing in a Jetboil CrunchIt to ensure emptying the cans completely and make them recycling bin ready.

Boiling Speed

It takes Minimo 2m 15sec and Pocket Rocket 2 3m to boil .5 L of water.

45 sec isn't a deal breaker for most of us, so I wouldn't attribute too much meaning to this difference unless you're in the wind.

Boil time is the the first time to 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) degrees is achieved

Not when you start seeing bubbles.

Minimo does a perfect job sticking fairly close to 2m 15sec even in nearly 10 mph of decent wind, whereas Pocket Rocket 2 is much worse.

When looking for additional pots, though, absolutely consider the cup/pot height. The taller they are, the more prone they are going to be to being tilted easily due to the wind.

Weight and Compactness

Weight

There's one thing I'd like to clarify in advance.

At 14.6 oz, Minimo is 4.7 oz heavier than Pocket Rocket 2. MSR Pocket Rocket 2 DOES NOT weigh 2.6 oz or something like that - because as already explained in the introduction, it's the weight without the pot. Don't let the commercial posts deceive you.

Glad we got that out of our way. Now you know that their weight difference is 4.7 oz.

This might sound like a minor difference, and I'm not going to argue with that if you're a medium distance hiker.

If you're not, however; and if you're going to hike anything longer than, say, 8-10 miles a day; it might be a good idea to take weight into consideration as a more important criteria because even 2-3 oz of extra weight is going to feel ten times worse at the end of the day.

Regardless, you should always calculate the amount of fuel you'll need before hitting the trail. MSR Blog has a good article about it here for the math.

Still, this doesn't mean Jetboil Minimo isn't really for a solo thru-hiker. The truth is whatever Minimo lacks in weight compared to Pocket Rocket 2 it makes up and even outscores by far in fuel efficiency, boiling speed and versatility. Make sure you know how to pack your backpack the optimal way for a better weight distribution and you should be perfectly fine.

Compactness

If terminology for Pocket Rocket 2 is confusing for you:

MSR Pocket Rocket 2: Just the stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit: Stove + .75 L pot

Some sites might claim there's also MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove Kit: Stove + .75 L pot + Cook Set

But that's INCORRECT! That includes the Pocket Rocket as the stove, NOT POCKET ROCKET 2.

If you'd like to see the Cook Sets which are designed to nest perfectly with your Pocket Rocket 2, here they are:

SALE

MSR Quick 2 Camping Cook Set

(294)

Trail Lite (first one) can be a good choice if you won't cook for more than 2.

Now let's see how they nest:

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit PackedJPG

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit. Click on image to enlarge.

MSR Trail Lite Duo. Click on image to enlarge.

Easily fit your MSR Pocket Rocket 2 inside one of the mugs of Trail Lite Duo and you have your entire cook set in one small unit after you fold it as follows:

3 pot supports shown in this video had left pointy in Pocket Rocket 1 and enhanced in the upgraded most recent model Pocket Rocket 2. They now don't chafe into whatever pack you decide to put it into.

Jetboil Minimo. Click on image to enlarge.

Both are easily packed up into one small unit as you see above. Plus points for both stoves as you can fit the entire assembly into the pot - but extra points for Pocket Rocket 2 for being super tiny when folded.

Simmering

Both of these stoves are "precision cooking" type of stoves and NOT "boil quick and boil only water" type of stoves. They're both equipped with a fuel regulator and offer great simmer control.

The little difference you need to know between them is that MSR Pocket Rocket 2 simmers better in perfect conditions (without any wind). Minimo is still amazing at simmering in these perfect conditions, but just shy of Pocket Rocket 2.

However, if you add a tiny bit of wind, the difference between these stoves get larger than perfect conditions and thanks to its FluxRing and better protected & guarded burner, Minimo makes a much better job than Pocket Rocket 2 in terms of simmering (as well as everything else!).

Regardless, getting yourself a stove with the fuel regulator is highly recommended as it has two main advantages:

You get to cook precisely (duh). This means that you can literally cook with both of these stoves as if you're cooking with your oven at home
You get to control gas consumption. You can consume less fuel once the water boils at 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) Degrees

This adds to their versatility. A lot.

Maybe it's a little off-topic but there are stoves out there without this feature such as Jetboil Flash. They're designed to get your liquid hot as quickly as possible (you can't simmer with them), so I wouldn't recommend them for any other purposes.

So it's probably a good idea that you're stuck deciding between two stoves that both can simmer greatly.

Versatility

Simmering ability alone is enough to make both stoves quite versatile.

Both stoves are recommended to be used with cookware smaller than 9.5 inches (23 cm) diameter and lighter than 6.5 lbs (3 kg). Check out my best backpacking frying pans article for more information.

Minimo's larger pot at 1 L helps with its versatility a lot, whereas Pocket Rocket's 0.75 L pot can be insufficient at times especially either you're cooking for two or cooking something bulkier.

Having the extra 0.25 L with you but not needing is ALWAYS better than needing it and not having it!

But, actually... Since Pocket Rocket 2 offers high customization, you can get the stove separately and then add either .75 L or 1.2 L pot size (more on this under following heading).

For Minimo, there's the famous 1.8 L Spare Cup, somewhat more "infamous" 1.5 L cooking pot, and the 1 L spare cup if you'd like to have two of it:

JetBoil 1.8 Liter Fluxring Spare Cup

(23)

Jetboil 1.5L Cooking Pot

(54)

Fluxring Spare Cup Short 1 L

(10)

I also compared Jetboil Micromo to Minimo, as Micromo offers a .8 L pot instead of Minimo's 1 L pot and everything else remains the same.

Best Pot for MSR Pocket Rocket 2

As mentioned earlier, you have two options, either .75 L (solo) or 1.3 L (duo):

No products found.

I'd absolutely recommend 1.3 L if you might need to cook either something bulkier or for 2. If not, .75 L can do fine for you.

If you aren't sure, remember; having the extra volume with you but not needing is ALWAYS better than needing it and not having it!

Conclusion

Both backpacking stoves are great and hence neither of them are "bad". I'd highly doubt you'll regret buying either of these stoves because they're two of the best backpacking stoves out there for most of us.

For 90% of us, I'd recommend Minimo over Pocket Rocket 2 because of its higher fuel efficiency, versatility and boil speed.

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The truth is advantages (being 4.7 oz lighter and better simmering in non-windy conditions) are just too niche and unnecessary for most of us. While it’s certainly a lot lighter and can be more effective for thru-hikers, I'd probably recommend Minimo if you're a recreational hiker/camper.

674 Reviews

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Mini...

An ultra-compact cook-and-eat stove kit for...
Boils 1 liter of water in just 3.5 minutes
Pot’s insulated grip allows it to serve as an...
Includes PocketRocket 2 stove, .75-liter aluminum...
Ultralight kit weighs just 9.9 ounces, and packs...

If you'd like to purchase the stove only (without the pot), this is your product:

SALE

3,893 Reviews

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

Ultralight (2.6 oz) and compact (2x2x3 in) folding...
Boils one liter of water in just 3.5 minutes and...
Fueled by high-performance isobutane-propane fuel...
Easy to setup and operate—no priming,...
Lightweight protective case included; stove weighs...

Product Videos

Jetboil Minimo:

MSR Pocket Rocket 2:

Jetboil Minimo vs Micromo

Last updated: August 19, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

Jetboil Micromo and Minimo are both great stoves and they're 95% identical. They have exactly the same burner, regulator, shroud, control valve, canister stabilizer and baseplate attachment. Both are "real cooking" stoves - not "quick boiling without simmering" stoves.

The only difference between the two is that Minimo comes with a pot with 1L of volume instead of the Micromo's pot with 0.8L of volume. Since the benefit you get from 0.2L of added pot volume is going to be greater than reduced weight of 2.6 oz for 90% of us, I'd recommend Minimo over Micromo without a doubt!

We'll compare Jetboil Micromo and Minimo on the basis of:

Fuel efficiency (Draw),
Compactness & Weight (Draw),
Boiling speed (Draw),
Versatility (Winner: Minimo),
Simmering (Draw).

Again, because they're extremely similar products, I called a draw for all the criteria except one.

In summary, I'd recommend Jetboil Minimo over Jetboil Micromo without a doubt. Remember, having the extra 0.2L with you but NOT needing it is ALWAYS better than needing it and NOT having it!

Turn your phone sideways for a much better table display!

	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Micromo
Overall Score	91/100	87/100
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Micromo
Best for...	Those who would rather having 0.2L of extra pot volume than the benefit of 1.1 oz of less weight (90% of us)	Those want to ditch as much weight as possible (even the extra 1.1 oz in Minimo!)
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Micromo
Pros	Very fuel efficient, amazing versatility, great simmer control, completely packs up in to one small unit, works better in the wind	Very fuel efficient, lighter, great at simmering, completely packs up into one small unit, works good in the wind
Cons	2.6 oz heavier (not really a "con" though...)	Small pot size (only 0.8 L)
	THE NITTY GRITTY
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Micromo
Weight & Volume & Dimensions	14.6 oz & 1 Liter & 5 in x 5.5 in (127 mm x 140 mm)	12 oz & 0.8 Liter & 4.1 in x 6.25 in (104 mm x 159 mm)
Gas consumption	6 MJ/hr (AU) \|\| 120 g/hr [1.75kW] (EU) \|\| 6,000 BTU/hr (CA)	6 MJ/hr (AU) \|\| 120 g/hr [1.75kW] (EU) \|\| 6,000 BTU/hr (CA)
Jet size	0.31 mm	0.31 mm
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Micromo
Water Boiled	12 liters per 100 g Jetpower can	12 liters per 100 g Jetpower can
Boil Time	2m 15sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of Jetpower can)	2m 15sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of Jetpower can)
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Micromo
User Manuals	User Manual [PDF]	User Manual [PDF]

Short Summary

Jetboil Minimo Review

Jetboil Minimo is one of the most versatile stoves out there. It might be boiling the water slower than some of the stoves out there, it's still one of the fastest in the market. More, when the perfect conditions are removed and just a tiny bit of wind is added, it surpasses even the fastest ones due to its wider burner and FluxRing.

If you'd like to read more about this, I also compared Minimo to Flash (which holds one of the fastest boiling speeds between backpacking stoves) and in windy conditions Minimo passed Flash as expected.

Data Set: Backpacking Stoves

	Jetboil Minimo Read Review	MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Read Review	Jetboil Micromo Read Review	Jetboil Flash Read Review	MSR Whisperlite Universal Read Review	MSR Whisperlite International Read Review	MSR Dragonfly Read Review
Overall Score	91/100	87/100	87/100	81/100	76/100	74/100	72/100
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Best for	All-around, fuel efficient uses for precision cooking and boiling water (even in wind)	Ultralight uses	Top alternative to Minimo	Those who will boil water ONLY in non-windy conditions	Multiple fuel compatibility (White Gas, Kerosene, Unleaded Gasoline, Canister)
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Pros	Fuel efficient, amazing simmering, compact and light, fast boiling, great in the wind, incredibly versatile	Extremely light and compact, great at simmering, easy to use & simple	Designed identical to Minimo (except the pot)	Extremely fast boiling, completely packs up in to one small unit, light	Variety of fuels, quiet, versatile, durable	Lighter, more simple use than Dragonfly, quiet, durable	Windscreen, great at simmering, very powerful, durable
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Cons	4.7 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, can be "overkill" for some	Considerably less fuel efficient than Minimo, not for wind, boils slower, small pot size	2.1 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, small pot size, worse than Minimo in the wind	Can't simmer, redundant features, not for wind	Bad at simmering, less compact	Bad at simmering, no canister fuel, less compact	Very loud, no canister fuel, heavy, less compact
Fuel Canis-ters (bought sepera-tely)	Jetpower	IsoPro	Jetpower	Jetpower	IsoPro	IsoPro	IsoPro

Lastly, this stove at REI seems to be a solid alternative to MSR and Jetboil, but I'm yet to review it.

It also has a fuel regulator, which allows simmering perfectly, and comes with a 1L of standard pot volume.

Unless 1.1 oz of extra weight compared to Micromo is a deal breaker for you, I'd recommend Minimo without a doubt.

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Jetboil's proprietary regulator technology offers...
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Jetboil Micromo Review

Jetboil Micromo is completely identical to Minimo - except the pot size. It comes with a smaller pot at 0.8 L - which is quite small for most of us.

If going 1.1 oz ligther is super important to you (which I'd highly doubt it) and you're sure you won't really need to cook for two or anything "bulky", Micromo can be an excellent stove choice for you.

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Jetboil MicroMo Carbon

Lightweight .8 Liter FluxRing cooking cup
Lightweight drink-through lid with pour spout and...
Jetboil engineered valve for unmatched simmer...
Lightweight insulating cozy
Consistent performance down to 20° F

Still, you can get the famous Jetboil 1.8L spare tall cup (or the 1L version for Micromo) separately if you'd like to increase the volume of either of these stoves. They are compatible with both Minimo and Micromo. (more on this later).

Before we get down to the bolts and nuts, I'd like to make it clear one more time that most of the criteria is going to be the same for both stoves, because they're very much identical:

I contacted Jetboil Customer Service myself and asked about it one more time to make sure (pardon my grammar there guys...). Yes, they're indeed 95% IDENTICAL!

If you'd like to read about their differences only, navigate to the short summaries/table/introduction section above or the compactness and versatility headings below.

Table of Contents

Short Summary

Jetboil Minimo Review

Jetboil Micromo Review

Fuel efficiency

Boiling Speed

Compactness and Weight

Fuel efficiency

Minimo and Micromo are identical and great in terms of fuel efficiency. Their gas consumption is only 6 MJ/hr (AU) || 120 g/hr [1.75kW] (EU) || 6,000 BTU/hr (CA) - which means that per 100 g Jetpower can, you can boil 12 liters of water with them.

FluxRing technology here is patented by Jetboil and is designed to provide efficiency through increasing the surface area by bent metal you see in the above image. As a result, less heat is lost and more of it is delivered to the cup to boil the liquid - which brings about higher efficiency.

Also, both stoves work with Butane-Propane Gas mixture under vapor pressure, and both can be used with 100g/230g/450g Jetboil Jetpower Isobutane/Propane Gas Cartridges only [see the manuals in the table at the top].

If you'll use other canisters, they must conform to the EN417 or AS2278 standard

It may be hazardous to attempt to fit other types of gas containers or cooking vessels.

Also, Jetboil service says that they don't test their stoves with each and every canister out there - so try to use it with the Jetpower brand of fuel. But, canisters of Brunton, Gigapower, MSR, Primus and Snowpeak use the same mixture and valves and are compatible with Minimo and Micromo. If you have an MSR canister and would prefer an MSR stove with it, check out MSR Whisperlite vs Dragonfly article of mine.

As you see, MSR IsoPro fuel contains Isobutane/Propane Mixture - which is compatible with Jetboil Micromo & Minimo [see the manuals in the table at the top]. It’s a high quality blend of 80% isobutane and 20% propane. It comes in 4, 8 or 16 oz. cans. I took this photo in Naturkompaniet when I was in Sweden, but you can also order it online on MSR's site or on Amazon.

Beware: All of these canisters are sold separately, including the Jetpower! You DON'T GET ANY CANISTER WITH EITHER OF THESE STOVES! You can purchase them on Amazon separately:

573 Reviews

Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend, 230 Gram

High-performance propane/isobutane four-season...
Propane provides higher vapor pressure to the fuel...
Iso-butane provides more constant pressure as the...
Jetpower microcanisters stow conveniently within...
weight of fuel is 230 g

If you want your canister to be packed into the pot as well, make sure you go with the smallest (100 g) one. More on this later (with diagrams) under the compactness heading.

An additional advantage canister fuels have over liquids is that they don’t require priming, preheating or pumping! If you prefer using these canisters, make sure you read my post about the things you should know about butane canisters as a hiker, though.

Boiling Speed

Both Minimo and Micromo stand at 2m 15sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of Jetpower can).

Yes, there are faster boiling stoves out there but 2m 15sec is very good. But more importantly, the fast boiling system of stoves such as Jetboil Flash goes out the window then the perfect conditions are removed and some wind/cold weather is brought to the environment.

On the other hand, both Minimo and Micromo do a perfect job sticking fairly close to 2m 15sec even in nearly 10 mph of decent wind.

Boil time is the the first time to 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) degrees is achieved

Not when you start seeing bubbles.

This is why both stoves are demonstrated as 4 season stoves.

Some might say that taller cup of Micromo can be an issue in the wind because it'll be more prone to being tilted easily. However, the difference is not even an inch, so I'd doubt you'd notice a difference there. If you go ahead and purchase an additional, larger, taller pot such as the famous Jetboil 1.8 L Spare Cup:

23 Reviews

JetBoil 1.8 Liter Fluxring Spare Cup

Weight: 7.7 oz (.8 L), 10.2 oz (Short 1 L), 9.7 oz...

...it absolutely becomes something to take into account though.

Compactness and Weight

First things first: Neither of these stoves are truly lightweight nor compact.

At 14.6 oz (Minimo) and 12 oz (Micromo), they're in the same weight ballpark - which had been considered light for many years. But lately, some other stoves such as BSR | $17.95 and MSR Pocket Rocket 2 start becoming more and more popular in the ultralight community although they have their downsides as well which I won't go into detail under this post. They weigh as low as 10 oz (including the pot). See my Jetboil Minimo vs MSR Pocket Rocket comparison for more information.

Recently, this is considered the only major disadvantage of most Jetboil stoves - not just these two.

Still, this doesn't mean they aren't really for a solo backpacker but more for car camping or a large group or an expedition. They're being used by thousands of people for almost a decade and hence wouldn't really be a deal breaker! Just make sure you know how to pack your backpack the optimal way for a better weight distribution and you should do perfectly fine.

Another thing to note on the weight department is that even though these stoves can be regarded somewhat "heavier" after other brands came up with very light models, you still get to control the amount of fuel you carry. You have the option to carry the exact amount you need after you do the math. MSR Blog has a good article about it here as to how much fuel you should carry for your trip.

Now here's how to pack them into their pot:

Diagram belongs to Micromo.

Diagram belongs to Minimo. Click on image to enlarge.

Both are easily packed up into one small unit as you see above. Plus points for both stoves as you can fit the entire assembly into the pot.

Simmering

Both of these stoves are "precision cooking" type of stoves and NOT "boil quick and boil only water" type of stoves. They're both equipped with a fuel regulator and have great simmer control.

If you're unaware, this means that you can adjust the fuel intensity once the water is boiled - so you can simmer.

Getting yourself a stove with the fuel regulator and hence the option to simmer has two main advantages:

You get to cook precisely (duh). This means that you can literally cook with both of these stoves as if you're cooking with your oven at home
You get to control gas consumption. You can consume less fuel once the water boils at 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) Degrees

This adds to their versatility a lot.

Versatility

Simmering ability alone is enough to make both stoves quite versatile.

Both stoves are recommended to be used with cookware smaller than 9.5 inches (23 cm) diameter and lighter than 6.5 lbs (3 kg). Check out my best backpacking frying pans article for more information.

Minimo's larger pot at 1 L helps with its versatility a lot. Micromo's 0.8 L pot can be insufficient at times especially either you're cooking for two or cooking something bulkier.

As mentioned earlier having the extra 0.2L with you but not needing is ALWAYS better than needing it and not having it!

Still, there is something you can do if you go with Micromo and/or you'd like something even bigger than Minimo's 1 L pot. There's the famous 1.8 L Spare Cup (with FluxRing for fuel efficient heating!), and somewhat more "infamous" 1.5 L cooking pot (again with FluxRing):

JetBoil 1.8 Liter Fluxring Spare Cup

(23)

Jetboil 1.5L Cooking Pot

(54)

And here is the 1 L pot if you'd like to equalize the volume of your Micromo to the standard Minimo:

Jetboil .8L FluxRing Cooking Cup

Bottomcovers double as a measuring cup and bowl
Drink-through lid with pour spout and strainer
Lid stores fuel stabilizer
Can pack Zip, Flash, Flashlite, Mo Family or Luna...
Weight: 10.2 oz. (288 g)

Highly recommended if you think you'd cook for more than two at times.

For other accessories, check out Jetboil's site for Minimo and Micromo.

Conclusion

These stoves are literally 90% identical and are great for precise cooking. For 90% of us, I'd recommend Minimo over Micromo for increased cup size.

584 Reviews

Jetboil MiniMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System...

Powered by FluxRing technology, the MiniMo camping...
Jetboil's proprietary regulator technology offers...
Metal handles and a redesigned FluxRing cooking...
Start heating instantly with the convenient,...
Includes: MiniMo Camping Cook System (stove,...

The truth is, cup size of Micromo is just too small for most of us. While it’s certainly lighter and can be more effective, for thru-hikers or those who "compete", for most of us it's obviously the less preferred choice.

418 Reviews

Jetboil MicroMo Carbon

Lightweight .8 Liter FluxRing cooking cup
Lightweight drink-through lid with pour spout and...
Jetboil engineered valve for unmatched simmer...
Lightweight insulating cozy
Consistent performance down to 20° F

Product Videos

Jetboil Minimo:

Jetboil Micromo:

Jetboil Flash vs Minimo

Last updated: August 20, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

Jetboil Minimo and Flash are both great stoves but with different design intentions.

The most important thing to know when comparing these two stoves is that Flash is designed for boiling water only (you CAN'T simmer with it), whereas Minimo is designed for cooking AND boiling water. Unless you're looking for a stove for boiling water AND in windless conditions ONLY, I'd recommend Minimo over Flash without a doubt!

We'll compare Jetboil Flash and Minimo on the basis of:

Fuel efficiency (Winner: Minimo),
Compactness & Weight (Draw),
Boiling speed (Winner: Flash),
Versatility (Winner by far: Minimo),
Simmering (Winner by far: Minimo).

But again - they're designed for different uses! So it comes down to what you're looking for - and you probably won't find anything considerably better than these stoves for their exclusive best uses.

Turn your phone sideways for a much better table display!

	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Flash
Overall Score	91/100	81/100
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Flash
Best for...	Those who will simmer AND boil water Convenient eating All-round use 4 season use	Those who will boil water ONLY and won't use simmering more than a few times Thru-hikers Effective & fast boiling uses
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Flash
Pros	Very fuel efficient, amazing versatility, great at simmering, completely packs up in to one small unit, works better in the wind	Extremely fast boiling, completely packs up in to one small unit, lighter
Cons	Slower boiling speed, 1.3 oz heavier	Less versatile, color change heat indicator is a waste of money, no fuel regulator (=can't simmer), loses "fast boiling" advantage in the wind
	THE NITTY GRITTY
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Flash
Weight & Volume & Dimensions	14.6 oz & 1 Liter & 5 in x 5.5 in (127 mm x 140 mm)	13.1 oz & 1 Liter & 4.1 in x 7.1 in (104 mm x 180 mm)
Gas consumption	6 MJ/hr (AU) \|\| 120 g/hr [1.75kW] (EU) \|\| 6,000 BTU/hr (CA)	7 MJ/hr (AU) \|\| 139 g/hr [2kW] (EU) \|\| 9,000 BTU/hr (CA)
Jet size	0.31 mm	0.27 mm
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Flash
Water Boiled	12 liters per 100 g Jetpower can	10 liters per 100 g Jetpower can
Boil Time	2m 15sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of Jetpower can)	100sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of JetPower can)
	Jetboil Minimo	Jetboil Flash
User Manuals	User Manual [PDF]	User Manual [PDF]

Short Summary

Jetboil Minimo Review

Jetboil Minimo is one of the most versatile stoves out there. Although slower than Flash in terms of boiling water, it's still pretty fast. Its simmering ability allows precision cooking even at temperatures as low as 20F (-6C) - which is considerably better when compared to Flash.

Data Set: Backpacking Stoves

	Jetboil Minimo Read Review	MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Read Review	Jetboil Micromo Read Review	Jetboil Flash Read Review	MSR Whisperlite Universal Read Review	MSR Whisperlite International Read Review	MSR Dragonfly Read Review
Overall Score	91/100	87/100	87/100	81/100	76/100	74/100	72/100
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Best for	All-around, fuel efficient uses for precision cooking and boiling water (even in wind)	Ultralight uses	Top alternative to Minimo	Those who will boil water ONLY in non-windy conditions	Multiple fuel compatibility (White Gas, Kerosene, Unleaded Gasoline, Canister)
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Pros	Fuel efficient, amazing simmering, compact and light, fast boiling, great in the wind, incredibly versatile	Extremely light and compact, great at simmering, easy to use & simple	Designed identical to Minimo (except the pot)	Extremely fast boiling, completely packs up in to one small unit, light	Variety of fuels, quiet, versatile, durable	Lighter, more simple use than Dragonfly, quiet, durable	Windscreen, great at simmering, very powerful, durable
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Cons	4.7 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, can be "overkill" for some	Considerably less fuel efficient than Minimo, not for wind, boils slower, small pot size	2.1 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, small pot size, worse than Minimo in the wind	Can't simmer, redundant features, not for wind	Bad at simmering, less compact	Bad at simmering, no canister fuel, less compact	Very loud, no canister fuel, heavy, less compact
Fuel Canis-ters (bought sepera-tely)	Jetpower	IsoPro	Jetpower	Jetpower	IsoPro	IsoPro	IsoPro

Lastly, this stove at REI seems to be a solid alternative to MSR and Jetboil, but I'm yet to review it.

Unless you're going to be boiling water only with your new stove or 1.5 oz of weight is a deal breaker for you, I'd recommend Minimo over Flash without a doubt.

584 Reviews

Jetboil MiniMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System...

Powered by FluxRing technology, the MiniMo camping...
Jetboil's proprietary regulator technology offers...
Metal handles and a redesigned FluxRing cooking...
Start heating instantly with the convenient,...
Includes: MiniMo Camping Cook System (stove,...

Jetboil Flash Review

Jetboil Flash is meant for boiling in SECONDS instead of minutes. It's solely designed around the purpose of providing the fastest and easiest way to boil water and hence its name. This is also why it lacks in terms of cooking meals - it doesn't have a fuel regulator.

The sacrifice comes with this much of an effectiveness is that when compared to Jetboil Minimo, it isn't even nearly as good at simmering. If you're looking for a stove for both simmering & cooking meals AND boiling water rather than boiling water only, go for Minimo.

Sure, it isn't end all be all and you can still precision cook with Flash - but for this purpose, it just can't compete against Minimo.

If you're going to be boiling water for dehydrated meals, coffee, and tea only; Jetboil Flash can be a perfect choice for you.

3,114 Reviews

Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System,...

Optimized for efficiency, the Jetboil Flash...
Jetboil's 1-liter FluxRing cooking cup with...
Start heating instantly with the convenient,...
Bottom cup doubles as a measuring cup and a bowl.
Compatible Jetboil accessories, such as a coffee...

Now let's get to the bolts and nuts.

Table of Contents

Short Summary

Jetboil Minimo Review

Jetboil Flash Review

Fuel efficiency

Using MSR Canisters with Jetboil Stoves

Boiling Speed

Compactness and Weight

Fuel efficiency

When it comes to fuel efficiency, Minimo is so much centered around it that it makes even Flash look bad - which is also pretty good at it compared to other stoves in the market.

Gas consumption of Minimo is 6 MJ/hr (AU) || 120 g/hr [1.75kW] (EU) || 6,000 BTU/hr (CA) whereas that of Flash is 7 MJ/hr (AU) || 139 g/hr [2kW] (EU) || 9,000 BTU/hr (CA). As a result, per 100 g Jetpower can, you can boil 12 liters of water with Minimo and 10 liters of water with Flash. So you consume less gas canisters with Minimo - which makes it more fuel efficient.

The main cause of this difference is the FluxRing.

Wider FluxRing (=more surface area to heat) of Minimo means boiling more with less fuel.

The efficiency gap between these two stoves grows even further in windy conditions. Since Flash is taller and is equipped with a narrower burner than the Minimo, its efficiency decreases even further (more on this later under the versatility heading).

Both stoves work with Butane-Propane Gas mixture under vapor pressure, and both are used only 100g/230g/450g Jetboil Jetpower Isobutane/Propane Gas Cartridges only [see the manuals in the table at the top].

If you'll use other canisters, they must conform to the EN417 or AS2278 standard

It may be hazardous to attempt to fit other types of gas containers or cooking vessels.

Beware: These canisters are sold separately (you don't get any of them with either of these stoves) and can be purchased on Amazon:

573 Reviews

Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend, 230 Gram

High-performance propane/isobutane four-season...
Propane provides higher vapor pressure to the fuel...
Iso-butane provides more constant pressure as the...
Jetpower microcanisters stow conveniently within...
weight of fuel is 230 g

If you want your canister to be packed into the pot as well, go with the smallest one!

Using MSR Canisters with Jetboil Stoves

Short answer: Yes you can use MSR Canisters with Jetboil Stoves.

A little longer answer is:

As you see, MSR IsoPro fuel contains Isobutane/Propane Mixture - which is compatible with Jetboil Flash & Minimo [see the manuals in the table at the top]. It’s a high quality blend of 80% isobutane and 20% propane. It comes in 4, 8 or 16 oz. cans. I took this photo in Naturkompaniet when I was in Sweden, but you can also order it online on MSR's site or on Amazon.

Boiling Speed

Flash stands at 100sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of JetPower can) boil time compared to Minimo's 2m 15sec per .5 liter (avg. over life of Jetpower can) which is a huge difference. Winner is Flash. By far...

Some might say, hey, 75 seconds of difference isn't a big deal and I don't have problems with this argument. It's just that you should know that these numbers are just an average.

Boil time is the the first time to 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) degrees is achieved

Not when you start seeing bubbles.

If you're a 4 season hiker, during the winter the difference can increase too much because of more severe environmental conditions - not just cold but also the wind - and it might start making a noticeable difference. As a result, if you go for Minimo, you might end up wishing having a super rigorous stove with you instead.

It's also better if you're planning to go after meals and drinks prepared with hot water only. I have an article on camping foods prepared without cooking or need to refrigerate, but there are lots of dehydrated meals I've placed there, so it can be a good read if you're one of them.

Also... this is actually the reason behind why Flash is less fuel efficient. You need to consume A LOT of gas to be able to boil water in only 100 seconds. It's great for more serious thru-hikers, but not optimal for, say, myself, a recreational hiker.

Before moving on I should also say that Flash is better by far only in perfect conditions. In a windy weather (say, more than 6-8 mph) Minimo boils the water FASTER than Flash (more on this later under the versatility heading)!

Compactness and Weight

First things first: Neither of these stoves are truly lightweight.

At 14.6 oz (Minimo) and 13.1 oz (Flash), their weight ballpark had been considered light for many years. But then, other brands such as MSR, EtekCity, Primus and Snow Peak came up with very compact and much lighter stoves. Including the pot, Pocket Rocket 2 weighs as low as 10 oz (see my Jetboil Minimo vs MSR Pocket Rocket comparison for more information).

That's why, in today's world, I can't really say Minimo and Flash are in "lightweight stoves" category although they're regarded as such by some. Also, this is the major disadvantage of most Jetboil stoves out there - not just Minimo and Flash.

If this is a deal breaker for you and you'd prefer going with the best lightweight and compact stove in the market, I'd recommend you to check out MSR Pocket Rocket 2:

SALE

3,893 Reviews

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

Ultralight (2.6 oz) and compact (2x2x3 in) folding...
Boils one liter of water in just 3.5 minutes and...
Fueled by high-performance isobutane-propane fuel...
Easy to setup and operate—no priming,...
Lightweight protective case included; stove weighs...

Still, this doesn't mean Minimo and Flash aren't necessarily for a solo backpacker but more for car camping or a large group or an expedition. They're being used perfectly fine by thousands of people for almost a decade.

Also, do make sure you know how to pack your backpack the optimal way for a better weight distribution and you should do perfectly fine.

Now here's how to pack them into their pot & how they end up measuring.

Diagram belongs to Flash. Click on image to enlarge.

Diagram belongs to Minimo. Click on image to enlarge.

Both Minimo and Flash can be easily packed up into one small unit as you see above. Another tip here: If you want your canister to be packed into the pot as well, you'd better go with the smallest one.

As you see, Minimo (at right) is shorter and fattier compared to Flash when packed.

It's plus points for both stoves that you can fit the entire assembly into the pot.

I didn't give extra points to Flash just for being 1.3 oz lighter because chances are this is a very, very minor difference for 95% of you. I call it a draw for this criteria.

Simmering

This is one of the most important things you should know when you can't decide between these two stoves (which is why I repeated it many times until this point): Minimo is much better at simmering than Flash. In fact, you don't even have the option to simmer in Flash because it isn't equipped with a fuel regulator. It's made to get liquid hots as quickly as possible.

If you're unaware, this means that you can't adjust the fuel intensity once the water is boiled.

Getting yourself a stove with the fuel regulator and hence the option to simmer has two main advantages:

You get to cook precisely (duh). This means that you can literally cook with Minimo as if you're cooking with your oven at home. When your stove can't do this, obviously it's going to boil full-power only, and hence you can only boil water for dehydrated meals (unless you like burnt meal)
You get to control gas consumption. You can consume less fuel once the water boils at 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) Degrees

As explained in the first heading, Minimo was already superior than Flash in terms of fuel efficiency, so Number 2 helps with it even further.

Versatility

Simmering ability alone is enough to make Minimo more versatile than Flash.

Both stoves are recommended to be used with cookware smaller than 9.5 inches (23 cm) diameter and lighter than 6.5 lbs (3 kg). Check out my best backpacking frying pans article for more information.

Flash comes with a color changing heat indicator at its body. The indicator basically fills up to indicate how long it's until the water is boiled.

Another different thing worth mentioning is accessories. Coffee press is the most popular accessory (sold separately) and different models are compatible for both of these models. Below you can see the one compatible with Minimo (at left) and another one compatible with Flash (at right).

Jetboil French Press Coffee Maker for Jetboil...

(188)

Jetboil Coffee Press Accessory

(626)

For other accessories, check out Jetboil's site for Minimo and Flash.

Another thing to mention in terms of versatility is the winter conditions. The problem comes with it mostly isn't the cold but the wind.

Flash (at right) is equipped with the original burner which is more narrow compared to the revised burner of Minimo. You can see the width difference even in the table in the introduction. As a result of the width, core of Minimo is guarded better than the Flash.

In addition to the width, as I illustrated many times earlier Flash is considerably taller than Minimo, which causes it to tilt very easily in the wind. Combine these two reasons together and you see why Minimo is marketed as a 4 season stove, whereas Flash as a 3 season stove. Regardless, I'd recommend guarding both stoves out in the rather windy (more than, say, 6-8 mph wind) environments.

As a result, Minimo works better than Flash in the wind - even in terms of boiling speed! If you're looking for the best backpacking stove in the wind, you might be better clicking over to the MSR Windburner:

522 Reviews

MSR WindBurner Personal Windproof Camping and Backpacking...

Ultra-efficient windproof radiant burner and...
System perfectly nests components inside the 1.0...
Compatible with 1.0 liter Personal pot, optional...
1.0 liter pot with handheld design locks onto...
Includes WindBurner Stove, 1.0 liter hard-anodized...

In summary, the winner for versatility is Minimo by far - which is the main difference between these two stoves.

Conclusion

In my opinion, whatever Minimo very slightly lacks in boil speed compared to Flash, it makes up in its versatility, fuel efficiency and simmering ability. Without a doubt I'd recommend Minimo over the Flash for 90% of us.

584 Reviews

Jetboil MiniMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System...

Powered by FluxRing technology, the MiniMo camping...
Jetboil's proprietary regulator technology offers...
Metal handles and a redesigned FluxRing cooking...
Start heating instantly with the convenient,...
Includes: MiniMo Camping Cook System (stove,...

The truth is, Flash is just too niche and inflexible for 90% of us. While it’s certainly effective, durable and great for just boiling water, you can achieve the same results with Minimo if you compromise the boil time a little - and in addition, you get to simmer and use a canister for longer due to increased fuel efficiency.

Still, if you literally have no plans to simmer, it's probably one of your best choices out there.

3,114 Reviews

Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System,...

Optimized for efficiency, the Jetboil Flash...
Jetboil's 1-liter FluxRing cooking cup with...
Start heating instantly with the convenient,...
Bottom cup doubles as a measuring cup and a bowl.
Compatible Jetboil accessories, such as a coffee...

Product Videos

Jetboil Minimo:

Jetboil Flash:

MSR Dragonfly vs Whisperlite

Last updated: August 20, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

These are both great stoves which can handle multiple types of fuel and will last through some nasty conditions. They've both been on the market for some time and it can be confusing which one is better for you - so I tried to answer this as clear and in detail as possible in this post.

For Whisperlite, there's the Classic, International and Universal. Both Whisperlite International and Universal are better than the Classic and the Universal is even better than the International.

In summary, while MSR Dragonfly is a more powerful stove and has some cooler features, MSR Whisperlite Universal (NOT International or Classic) is (probably) the most versatile stove on the market that’s also really powerful and way quieter.

In this post we'll compare MSR Dragonfly and MSR Whisperlite Universal on the basis of fuel types, size & weight, efficiency and comfort - but I also included other Whisperlite variations in the table below for easy "scanning". There's also another heading devoted to Whisperlite International vs Universal comparison at the bottom of this post.

Turn your phone sideways for a much better table display!

	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Overall Score	76/100	74/100	72/100
	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Best for...	...those who want to save grams, cares about versatility and the ability to work with canister fuels!	...those who want to save grams	... those who want easy simmer control or a stove for cooking for large groups
	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Pros	Variety of fuels, lighter, quiet, very versatile, durable	Lighter, more simple use than Dragonfly, quiet, durable	Windscreen, great at simmering, very powerful, durable
Cons	Not as good at simmering, less compact	Not as good at simmering, no canister fuel, less compact	Very loud, no canister fuel, heavier, less compact
	THE NITTY GRITTY
	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Weight	14.9 oz	14.9 oz	1 lbs 1.8 oz
Types of fuel	White Gas, Kerosene and Unleaded Gasoline and Canister Fuel	White gas, Kerosene and Unleaded Auto Fuel	White Gas, Kerosene, Unleaded Auto Fuel, Diesel and Jet Fuel
Comes with	Fuel pump, windscreen, heat reflector, small-parts kit, isopro adapter, canister fuel, stand and stuff sack	Fuel pump, windscreen, heat reflector, small-parts kit, and stuff sack	Fuel pump, windscreen, heat reflector, small-parts kit, and stuff sack
	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Burn Time per 20 oz. of fuel	110 min (white gas) 155 min (kerosene) 75 min (MSR IsoPro)	110 min (white gas) 155 min (kerosene)	126 min (white gas) 153 min (kerosene) 136 min (diesel)
Boil Time per 1 Liter	3.5 min (white gas) 4.4 min (kerosene) 3.75 min (MSR IsoPro)	3.5 min (white gas) 4.4 min (kerosene)	3.5 min (white gas) 3.9 min (kerosene) 3.5 min (diesel)
Water boiled per 1 oz. of fuel	1.3 liters (white gas) 1.6 liters (kerosene) 1.8 liters (MSR IsoPro)	1.3 liters (white gas) 1.6 liters (kerosene)	1.6 liters (white gas) 1.7 liters (kerosene) 1.7 liters (diesel)
	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
User Manuals	User Manual [PDF]	User Manual [PDF]	User Manual [PDF]

Short Summary

MSR Whisperlite Universal Review

In my opinion, whatever Whisperlite Universal slightly lacks in power compared to Dragonfly, it makes up in its versatility, simple design and ease of use. Without doubt I would choose Whisperlite Universal over the Dragonfly. It’s lighter and more compact.

Data Set: Backpacking Stoves

	Jetboil Minimo Read Review	MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Read Review	Jetboil Micromo Read Review	Jetboil Flash Read Review	MSR Whisperlite Universal Read Review	MSR Whisperlite International Read Review	MSR Dragonfly Read Review
Overall Score	91/100	87/100	87/100	81/100	76/100	74/100	72/100
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Best for	All-around, fuel efficient uses for precision cooking and boiling water (even in wind)	Ultralight uses	Top alternative to Minimo	Those who will boil water ONLY in non-windy conditions	Multiple fuel compatibility (White Gas, Kerosene, Unleaded Gasoline, Canister)
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Pros	Fuel efficient, amazing simmering, compact and light, fast boiling, great in the wind, incredibly versatile	Extremely light and compact, great at simmering, easy to use & simple	Designed identical to Minimo (except the pot)	Extremely fast boiling, completely packs up in to one small unit, light	Variety of fuels, quiet, versatile, durable	Lighter, more simple use than Dragonfly, quiet, durable	Windscreen, great at simmering, very powerful, durable
	Jetboil Minimo	MSR Pocket Rocket 2	Jetboil Micromo	Jetboil Flash	MSR Whisperlite Universal	MSR Whisperlite International	MSR Dragonfly
Cons	4.7 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, can be "overkill" for some	Considerably less fuel efficient than Minimo, not for wind, boils slower, small pot size	2.1 oz heavier than MSR Pocket Rocket 2, small pot size, worse than Minimo in the wind	Can't simmer, redundant features, not for wind	Bad at simmering, less compact	Bad at simmering, no canister fuel, less compact	Very loud, no canister fuel, heavy, less compact
Fuel Canis-ters (bought sepera-tely)	Jetpower	IsoPro	Jetpower	Jetpower	IsoPro	IsoPro	IsoPro

Lastly, this stove at REI seems to be a solid alternative to MSR and Jetboil, but I'm yet to review it.

You also get the option to choose liquid fuel and canister fuel with Whisperlite Universal, which would make it my go to for both shorter getaways and longer trails.

SALE

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MSR Dragonfly Review

You might still want to consider Dragonfly if you don’t really care about the noise and you're going to cook for large groups and want really easy simmer control.

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Now let's get down to the bolts and nuts.

Table of Contents

Short Summary

MSR Whisperlite Universal Review

MSR Whisperlite International vs Universal

References

Types of Fuel

This is one of the best thing about these stoves. They're compatible with a lot of types of fuels - especially Whisperlite Universal.

Camping stoves are classified depending on the types of fuels they use. The three main groups are liquid fuel, pressurized canister and alcohol stoves [1]. They each have their ups and downs. We are interested in the two liquid fuel stoves: MSR Dragonfly and MSR Whisperlite. Liquid fuel stoves are generally more durable than the alternatives, they are also way more powerful both in terms of how fast and how much they provide heat. Even though canister fuels are great they don’t perform as well in colder weather as they sometimes sputter when the temperatures drop. This isn't an issue for liquid fuel and it provides you with constant, reliable heating power [2].

Typically the main fuel source for liquid gas stoves is white gas. It's a naphtha product and it's a liquid (unlike the name).

What's "Coleman Fuel"?

It's the same thing as white gas! It is just marketed by the Coleman Company.

Both of these stoves can also readily burn kerosene and unleaded gasoline. MSR Dragonfly can also use diesel and jet fuel. While white gas is handier, you might appreciate these alternatives if you travel abroad.

MSR also makes these fuel bottles that fit the pumps of Dragonfly and Whisperlite. They are refillable and they come in three sizes: 11, 20 or 30 oz.

The real advantage in the fuel type category belongs to MSR Whisperlite Universal, while the previous Whisperlite models didn’t have this feature, Universal can also use canister fuel. Canister fuel is pressurized isobutane and propane. The big advantage canister fuel has over liquids is that it doesn’t require priming, preheating or pumping! If you prefer using butane canisters, make sure you read my post about the things you should know about butane canisters as a hiker.

For best quality, MSR recommends MSR IsoProTM fuel. It’s a high quality blend of 80% isobutane and 20% propane. It comes in 4, 8 or 16 oz. cans [3]. I took this photo in Naturkompaniet when I was in Sweden, but you can also order it online on MSR's site or on Amazon.

We’ve been discussing it as a liquid gas stove but it’s officially classified as a hybrid fuel stove! You have the option of taking canisters to your weekend getaway and liquid fuels to a colder and longer trip.

Bonus feature

The Whisperlite valve that attaches to canisters keeps them upside down for stronger and more consistent output – even when the can is almost empty!

MSR has this great introductory video on how to use liquid gas stoves. If you're inexperienced with them, you might want to check it out:

Technical Properties

The top two technical properties of a stove is how fast it boils/heats and how much fuel it uses [4]. The two key words are fast and efficient. We will compare them on the basis of three properties: burn time, boil time and water boiled.

Burn Time is the time the stove can produce a flame per 20 oz. of fuel. The Dragonfly does better when used with white gas, beating Whisperlite Universal 126 to 110 minutes. They are about the same for kerosene with the Whisperlite lasting slightly longer by two minutes. Dragonfly comes with the option of diesel and Whisperlite comes with the option of MSR IsoPro.

The second criteria is boil time, it’s the time it takes to boil 1 liter of water from room temperature to 100°C. Both Dragonfly and Whisperlite Universal do this in 3.5 minutes for white gas. Dragonfly produces better results of 3.9 minutes compared to Whisperlite’s 4.4 minutes for kerosene. Both of these products are not as fast but more efficient when used with kerosene. They take longer to boil but fuel also lasts longer.

Lastly, when the water boiled per 1 oz. of fuel is compared. Dragonfly also does slightly better by boiling more for the given fuel. Dragonfly can boil 1.6-1.7 liters of water per 1 oz. of fuel. Whisperlite boils only 1.3 liters for white gas but can boil 1.8 liters per MSR IsoPro (canister fuel).

When we take a lot at these technical specs, we see that MSR Dragonfly is more powerful and faster. However, note that both of these stoves are really powerful and dependable when used in colder temperatures.

Size and Weight

First thing to note: Neither of these stoves are truly lightweight. They aren't necessarily for a solo backpacker but more for car camping, a large group or an expedition. Dragonfly is 1 lbs. 1.8 oz. and Whisperlite is 14.9 oz. This isn’t an insignificant weight when you're backpacking and every ounce counts. However, the Whisperlite is slightly lighter - meaning a slight advantage over the other. I'd recommend you to know how to pack your backpack the optimal way because you probably aren’t going to find a lighter hybrid/liquid gas stove than Whisperlite Universal (except other Whisperlites!).

If you decide to go with Whisperlite you might want to commit to a type of fuel per trip and leave the other contraptions at home for a lighter pack!

Another thing to note on the weight department is that, even though these stoves are heavier, you get to control the amount of fuel you carry. Unlike canisters where you have carry in discrete units even if they are almost empty, the liquid fuel tanks are refillable. You have the option to fill it up the exact amount you need. MSR Blog has a good article about it here.

Maintenance

Another great aspect of these two are that they are field-serviceable meaning that you can take care of any issue that arises in minutes. They are easier to take apart, clean and reassemble than other stoves.

Both come with a small parts kit which is for minor problems. MSR also makes more applicable expedition repair kits that are sold separately.

If you're using diesel, kerosene or unleaded auto fuel that weren’t intended for stoves, certain small particles might clog the pipes. Both Dragonfly and Whisperlite Universal are made with ShakerJet technology which is essentially a needle you can shake to clean the insides of the stove.

There are detailed instructions and videos on the MSR website and on their YouTube channel for detailed maintenance tips. Both of these stoves also come with an instruction manual that details how to properly use and take care of your valuable stove.

You can checkout the maintenance video for DragonFly:

There is a similar style maintenance video for Whisperlite Universal and International:

These two stoves are quite similar in terms of how easy it is to take care of both them. These beasts are really built to last you for over 20 years and with proper care they would.

Noise

We didn’t think noise would be a point in comparison for fuel stoves – but it is! The MSR Dragonfly is loud, like really loud. It’s almost not even possible to have a conversation when the Dragonfly is in full blast. In comparison, the MSR Whisperlite sounds like a “whisper”.

The loudness of MSR Dragonfly can really annoy your fellow campers after a long day on the trail. Especially when you are in the middle of the woods, trying to escape the chaos and sounds of the city the last thing you want is the sound of a roaring fuel stove.

I personally think this is actually an important point and Dragonfly really gets some negative points for this problem. However, if you are going to use it in an environment where the noise doesn’t matter that much and or the power of the stove is the determining factor Dragonfly is still a great option.

Design and Abilities

The designs of Dragonfly an Whisperlite are quite different and even though they can perform similar tasks interchangeably, they excel in different things. First of all, both of them are larger than other stoves which creates a more stable cooking setup. Especially if you have larger pots and pans that you use for your group both of them stay stable on the ground. Dragonfly especially is very stable due to its tripod shape and large legs. You can also check my best backpacking frying pans post to see which one would work for your stove or open fire.

Dragonfly also has an extra windscreen around the fuel cup that provides extra protection without the separate windscreen. Both of these models come with a separate aluminum windscreen that greatly decreases the consumption of fuel in windy/colder weather. Besides functioning as a windscreen it concentrates the heat released from the fuel cup to the pot/pan above.

This is a major plus for Whisperlite Universal because other stoves that use canister fuel tend to perform pretty badly with wind as they usually don’t have - and can’t be used with - windshields.

The best ability of Dragonfly is its ability to simmer, the dual valve at the side allows you to control the heat just like your stove at home. It’s possible to cook a variety of meals ranging from pizzas to sauteed vegetables. While instant noodles is enough for a day trip, eating a range of meals becomes more important if you're on an expedition or if you're camping for fun with friends and want a bit more luxury. Whisperlite Universal is also pretty good at simmering especially when used in canister mode. However, for good simmering and flame control when used with liquids you need to master the technique a bit.

Whisperlite Universal may not have the large legs but it also has stainless steel tripod legs that are very stable. Not having the bulky legs means that it becomes more compact when packing. It also has great pot rests with grippy teeth that prevent anything from sliding down. This is a great improvement from the previous editions of Whisperlite.

Whisperlite Universal comes with an adapter and stand for the canisters and the classic pump for liquid fuels.

Conclusion

In my opinion, whatever Whisperlite Universal slightly lacks in power compared to Dragonfly, it makes up in its versatility, simple design and ease of use. Without doubt I would choose Whisperlite Universal over the Dragonfly. It’s lighter and more compact. You also get the option to choose liquid fuel and canister fuel with Whisperlite Universal, which would make it my go to for both shorter getaways and longer trails.

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MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel...

(332)

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MSR Dragonfly Compact Liquid Fuel Camping and...

(360)

The truth is, Dragonfly is just too loud and bulky for the wilderness. While it’s certainly powerful, durable and great for complicated meals, you can achieve the same results with the Whisperlite Universal. You might still want to consider Dragonfly if you don’t really care about the noise and you're going to cook for large groups and want really easy simmer control.

Below video for Whisperlite Universal from MSR can also be a good watch for this comparison:

And this one for Dragonfly:

MSR Whisperlite International vs Universal

Simply put: MSR Whisperlite Universal can do everything that MSR Whisperlite International does and it can also be used with canister fuel. I think this is a great feature because while liquid fuels are stronger and more efficient, canister fuels are easier to use and need no priming. For quicker getaways and smaller groups canister fuels might be the better choice.

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There's also Whisperlite Classic that we didn’t discuss here. It’s slightly heavier than Universal and International and it can only burn white gas. While it's really a classic that deserves the fame, the newer models improve on the classic and are the better choice. The classic also doesn’t have the jagged wire potholders and other design improvements.

This is why this comparison was based on MSR Whisperlite Universal instead of International or Classic. However, you can see the overall features of International on the comparison chart in the introduction.