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MSR

MSR Elixir 3 Review

Last updated: August 19, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

MSR Elixir 3 is quite popular mainly because of its livability.

Most backpackers including myself really like the ample headroom it offers - but it also is incredibly well ventilated, easy to set up and offers surprisingly well wind & rain protection for a 3-season tent although I do have some gripes which, in this post, I'll mention first in summary and then in more detail.

  • MSR had always marketed Elixir 3 as their most livable tent - but...

...in 2019, MSR revised Mutha Hubba NX to optimize its internal volume, and as a result, it now offers even more volume inside than MSR Elixir 3, but it's list price is $549.95 at the time of writing this article (3 Feb 2019) since you also pay for its ultralight qualities...

Check out the price of MSR Elixir 3 at REI. 

Overall, it's a pretty good 3-season tent, but I wouldn't use it in severe weather. It does resist perfectly fine against spring-downpours even if you incorrectly set up on a stream path (more on this later) and it does dodge the wind well due to its shape (maybe even better than some other 4-season tents!); but it still just isn't durable, stable or waterproof enough for winter. This tent simply isn't designed for that kind of use.

If you're planning to camp specifically during winter, then I'd recommend you to check out this gear list published by TheWildGuides. 

  • MSR updated Elixir 3 in 2018

Don't use the information in this post for the previous versions - although there isn't much of a difference. To see what's new in this most recent (2018) version, go to the bottom of this page.

Also, yes it does use a unique pole design which provides more volume inside the tent, but it comes from the increased headroom - not the floor area. Floor area of MSR Elixir 3 is still large compared to other 3P tents, but it just really isn't great for 3 big sized people to sleep inside comfortably.

That's why, if you're 3 average-big sized guys, I'd also check out either MSR Elixir 4 or MSR Zoic 3. I'd also recommend checking out my article about ways to sleep comfortably in a tent.

Table of Contents
Space (Floor & Head)
Floor Space
Headroom
Weather protection
Rain
Wind
Cold weather
Ventilation
Is ventilation really that important?
Structure
Vents and mesh fabric
Ease of setting up
Features
Weight and Size
Marmot Limelight 3P vs MSR Elixir 3
MSR Elixir 3 vs Mutha Hubba NX (2018 version)
What's new in the updated model?
References

So in this post I reviewed MSR Elixir 3 in terms of:

  • Space (floor & head) [Good], 
  • Weather protection [Good for a 3-season tent],
  • Ventilation [Very good]
  • Ease of use [Very good],
  • Features [Good],
  • Weight and size [Average].

I don't like talking about durability because it's entirely up to how YOU treat it. All you need to know is that as long as you don't use it in severe weather, you'll be fine using ALL 3-season MSR tents.

In summary, I like it because it's easy to set up and incredibly well ventilated. Despite being a 3-season tent it resists surprisingly well against rain (as long as it isn't severe). Dome-shaped design allow ample headroom and better wind protection. Floor area, though, can be too small for 3 big sized people to sleep inside comfortably. If you aren't an ultralighter (and don't want to pay extra 100's of bucks to lightweight qualities!) and you don't camp in severe weather this is probably the tent for you.

SALE
MSR Elixir 3-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
401 Reviews
MSR Elixir 3-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
  • Unique pole geometry maximizes space and provides...
  • Tent body mesh and solid fabric panels provide the...
  • Tent can be set up with just the rainfly and...
  • Freestanding system features color coded poles,...
  • Supremely livable design includes large...
−$136.45 $243.50
Buy on Amazon

Also, this most recent 2018 version comes with the footprint - which you'll get anyway unless you already have another one. Plus, this one fills beneath the entire tent floor very well (more on this later).

Other than that, it's a full package includes the following:

  • Frame assembly, 
  • Tent body, 
  • Rain-fly, 
  • Guy lines,
  • Stakes, 
  • Footprint.

Space (Floor & Head)

Floor Space

Floor space is 68 inches (1.72 m) x 84 inches (2.13 m), which sums up to 39.5 square feet (3.67 square meters). 

After MSR Zoic 3, it's the second most spacious (in terms of floor space) backpacking tent by MSR. Combine it with headroom and ventilation, you see why they label Elixir Series as "most livable MSR tent". It also feels roomier than its dimensions.

If you're planning to fit 3 sleeping pads inside, you might better consider these dimensions - especially the length. There's nothing wrong if they overlap width-wise! Also, I reviewed best air mattresses for camping too, so it can be a good read if you're looking for buying one.

Regardless, if you think the space this tent allows is enough for you, but you think you might need more space during some activities other than backpacking, you can check out MSR Gear Shed which is compatible with MSR Elixir and Hubba Series only.

Headroom

Judging from the stance of all the other 3P tents, headroom of MSR Elixie 3 is better than its floor space - because it uses a new pole design (more on this later under the setting-up heading).

Mutha Hubba sketch belongs to its 2018 version - not 2019.

As you see, it's shaped more like a dome and less like a skyscraper. In the end, high ceiling is spread to more space, and hence 3 people can sit inside more easily. Although 3 people wouldn't sleep inside very comfortably due to not-so-generous floor space, they can sit there perfectly fine.

Ceiling height at the center of this tent is 41 inches (1.04 meters). For an average sized male, it looks like this:

All these numbers add up to 63 cubic feet (1784 liters) of tent volume. In Zoic 3, this number is 102 cu. ft - which is almost TWICE.

But more volume isn't better in every condition. Which brings me to my next point...

Weather protection

Although Elixir Series are 3 season tents, they resist surprisingly well against rain and wind.

Rain

Floor fabric is made of 70D taffeta nylon 3000mm polyurethane (& DWR coating for extra waterproofing) which is superior than rain-fly's 68D ripstop polyester 1500mm Polyurethane (& DWR coating for extra waterproofing).

  • If you'd like to read more about DWR and waterproofing

You can check my post about Arcteryx jackets. I mentioned them more there and same things are applicable to tents as well.

But, don't let the advertisements and commercial content deceive you. Waterproofing isn't black and white - some fabrics are more waterproof than others and vice versa.

But more importantly, there is no fabric out there with 100% waterproofing. With enough time and amount, water can and will penetrate through each and every type of fabric.

Overall, in terms of being waterproof, fabrics of Elixir 3 is superior than most other 3 season tents, but not the best one out there. Structure, though, is what makes a noticeable difference and is better than more 3-season tents in the market. 

The fabric that attaches the floor fabric to body fabric at the floor borders is designed like a "bathtub" style - meaning that the floor fabric is attached higher to the body. So the floor fabric of this tent gets in contact with the terrain less than other tents, and is also more protected from water splashes.

Combined with the included large footprint beneath the entire tent floor, if you encounter an unexpected rain or put your tent on the path of a stream incorrectly, you'll most likely be fine (as long as it isn't anything severe). The stream won't be able to get inside the tent due to this "bathtub" design.

In summary, unless you'll be camping under heavy rain, you probably won't experience any problems.

Wind

4 guy lines are included with this most recent 2018 version, which you can use to tighten the tent and make it more stable against wind. But you can do this in every tent, so it isn't really a big plus.

The big plus is its structure:

Mutha Hubba sketch belongs to its 2018 version - not 2019.

Due to the dome-shaped design of Elixir 3, the body isn't going to be exposed perpendicularly to the wind. That's why the wind will be more prone to slip above the tent rather than striking into the body of skyscraper-shaped designs (like Mutha Hubba).

This way the DWR coating of the body fabric will also last longer.

Cold weather

Protecting from cold is less about the tent and more about you - but Elixir has less mesh on the body fabric as I explained above, so it's more on the warmth side of the fence than ventilation.

Also, I made a post about most effective ways to heat a tent, and it can be a good read if you'll be camping in cold - whether you buy this tent or any other.

Ventilation

When the rain-fly isn't in use and when any doors or vent channels aren't opened, ventilation of all tents is determined by the ratio of mesh fabric used in the body. Generally speaking, more mesh fabric means more ventilation but less privacy and warmth inside the tent.

However... Elixir 3 manages to offer incredible ventilation without compromising privacy or warmth. Let's see how.

Is ventilation really that important?

Ventilation is very important in tent design and if you don't consider it when buying one, you probably should. It's important not only because you'll have more breeze when it's too hot, but also because it'll reduce condensation.

You don't want condensation because it'll reduce the life of your tent. When it happens, you'll have to dry your tent more often to avoid mildew as well as to avoid getting the inside of your backpack and your other items wet.

Believe me when I say this can ruin your entire outdoors experience very easily...

That said... Condensation is a fact of physics and in some conditions, it WILL happen no matter what you do. You should be focused on reducing it as much as possible, and your tent should be designed in a way to direct it to most harmless regions of the tent.

However, when it's very humid outside (say, when it rains), more ventilation can cause more condensation.

To minimize condensation as much as possible you should:

  • Vent more often, 
  • When setting up, orient your tent in a way to leverage the breeze more, 
  • Dry the tent more often,
  • Leave damp items outside.

However, tent design also determines ventilation. Generally speaking, ventilation increases with more mesh and less solid fabric use (in addition to extra features such as fly vents and other air entrances to the body).

As I already mentioned, Elixir 3 does have fly vents and two large doors, which is good for ventilation. So let's look at the body structure, vents and mesh fabric.

Structure

As you might already know, warm air molecules go up and cold air molecules go down. This is why heaters are located at the floor level and air conditioners at the ceiling level in your home, and most tents leverage this principle.

This design directs the humid air (and hence condensation) to the lower edges of rain-fly. So it's normal to see these areas wet and it doesn't mean tent is leaking or something. Just remember drying it to avoid mildew.

Vents and mesh fabric

You get A LOT of ventilation channels with this tent. When you're not using the rain-fly, you have huge mesh fabric on the two walls without the doors:

There's mesh fabric at the top as well.

These mesh structures offer enough ventilation. Another thing I like about them is that they allow you to see what you have in the tent pockets from outside. This way you don't forget anything there when packing it away.

When you have the rain-fly over, you also get two "fly vents" at the top (opened by pulling the fly down), which isn't available in most other tents and is great for reducing condensation when you have the rain-fly for extra privacy, weather protection or something else.

Also, regular tears (due to condensation or not) aren't covered under MSR warranty. If you want to increase the durability of your tent, don't want to pay extra for repairs by customer service and be able to DIY field repairs to increase your overall outdoors experience before it ends, you can also get mesh repair kit and fabric repair kit.

There's also a pole repair kit, but I'll mention it later.

Ease of setting up

To me, this is the biggest advantage of this tent - especially after the 2018 update when they added glow-in-the-dark internal zips.

Within MSR tents, Elixir has one of the easiest to set up method along with Hubba Series. I really like the color coding as it makes everything much easier especially for beginners.

Here's the quick 4 step guide:

Click on image to enlarge.

Step 4.1 (aligning the rain-fly midpoint to ridge pole) is often overlooked, but is important if you don't want to repeat the next step. Also, attaching the Velcro inside the rain fly to the tent poles before progressing to step 4.2 will make everything easier.

Features

There are 2 doors, 2 vestibules (when the rain-fly is attached) and 3 internal pockets.

Locations of pockets. They're offer ample room and like I said earlier, being able to see them from outside (due to mesh) is what I really like about them.

Attic gear loft looks like this:

Weight and Size

At 7 lbs 1 oz (3.19 kg) and 20 (Length) x 8 (DIA) in (51 x 20 cm) packed size, although still quite light and compact, Elixir Series definitely aren't one of the lightest or most compact tents out there.

If you're going on a backpacking trip for more than nearly 10 days or if space is just too important for you, you might want to consider another tent such as Mutha Hubba.

Other than that, if you know how to pack a tent in your backpack, you should be perfectly fine with Elixir 3.

Marmot Limelight 3P vs MSR Elixir 3

Both are 3-season backpacking tents at around the same price ballpark and hence are compared to one another often.

The only advantage of Limelight 3P to Elixir 3 is that it's more roomy when you judge from the dimensions. But let's take a closer look.

Lengthwise, at 90 inches, it's 6 inches longer than Elixir 3 - which seems like a plus especially if you'll be storing a lot of gear inside - but Elixir comes with an attic gear loft and 2 large mesh pockets hanging from 2 walls. Limelight doesn't offer a gear loft at the top (sold separately) but 4 smaller pockets at each corner (plus 6 inches of extra floor length, as mentioned). 

So I call this a draw, but would like to add that being organized on the trail always worth it. That's why I personally like Elixir a little more for that matter.

In terms of ceiling height, it's 48 inches, which is 7 inches higher than Elixir 3 - but remember, Elixir 3's pole design spreads high ceiling to more floor space and hence 3 people can sit inside more easily.

Limelight 3P is also around half a pound lighter, but that's less than 10% of tent weight, so shouldn't be important for most of you. 

In terms of durability, weather/wind resistance, ease of setting up, packed size and ventilation; Elixir 3 is the winner.

If you'd like to read more, I reviewed Limelight and Tungsten 3P too. But, in short, I really don't see why would anyone go for Limelight 3P instead of MSR Elixir 3.

MSR Elixir 3 vs Mutha Hubba NX (2018 version)

Think of Mutha Hubba like a cheetah and Elixir 3 like a lion.

That's all I have to say about that...

Back to being serious, Mutha Hubba NX and Elixir 3 have a lot in common: 

  • Both are 3 seasons,
  • Both offer 2 doors & 2 vestibules and similar space inside,
  • Both are freestanding,
  • Both offer amazing ventilation.

The most important difference is that at 4.8 lbs and 21 x 7 in packed size, Mutha Hubba is a lot (2.3 lbs!) lighter and slightly more compact. The sacrifice comes with being this light is that it's less durable than Elixir 3.

This is Mutha Hubba 2018 - NOT 2019.

Advantages of Elixir 3, besides extra durability, is that first, it's easier to set up. Second, the dome-shaped design dodges the wind better than Mutha Hubba and allows more headroom inside.

Both tents have a lot in common (I'd say, 60%). If you're going on a longer trip (more than a week) or if weight is more important than durability, ease of use & headroom to you; you'd probably better go after Mutha Hubba NX (2018 version). For all the other folks, I'd recommend MSR Elixir 3.

Review of Mutha Hubba 2019 coming soon!

What's new in the updated model?

Here you can see the updates to the previous Elixir 3:


I hope this review was helpful for you to understand whether MSR Elixir 3 is for your needs or not. Feel free to ask me any questions, provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below if it's within my knowledge.

Thanks a lot for reading. Happy trails.

Filed Under: Tents Tagged With: camping, elixir, hiking, MSR

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. 

Jetboil MiniMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System...
1,742 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,...
$162.94
Buy on Amazon

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. 

SALE
MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Mini...
610 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...
−$13.54 $91.41
Buy on Amazon

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

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove
3,697 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...
$59.95
Buy on Amazon


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:

SALE
MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove...
358 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,...
−$27.85 $92.10
Buy on Amazon

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
Customization
MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Jetboil Minimo
Fuel efficiency
Boiling Speed
Weight and Compactness
Weight
Compactness
Simmering
Versatility
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
Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend, 230 Gram
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MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister for Backpacking and Camping Stoves,...
MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister for Backpacking and...
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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
MSR Quick 2 Camping Cook Set
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$111.56
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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. 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 Fluxring Spare Cup 1.8 L
Jetboil Fluxring Spare Cup 1.8 L
(23)
Buy on Amazon
Jetboil 1.5L Cooking Pot
Jetboil 1.5L Cooking Pot
(55)
Buy on Amazon
Jetboil Fluxring Spare Cup Short 1 L
Jetboil Fluxring Spare Cup Short 1 L
(10)
Buy on Amazon

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.

Jetboil MiniMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System...
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Jetboil MiniMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System...
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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. 

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MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Mini...
610 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
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If you'd like to purchase the stove only (without the pot), this is your product:

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove
3,697 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...
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Product Videos

Jetboil Minimo:

MSR Pocket Rocket 2:

Filed Under: Backpacking Stoves Tagged With: backpacking, camping, camping kitchen, cooking, CookwareFoodsDrinks, food, hiking, jetboil, MSR, stoves

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.

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MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel Camping and...
311 Reviews
MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel Camping and...
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  • Lightweight: Aluminum mixer tube, extra-stable...
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MSR Dragonfly Review

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. 

SALE
MSR Dragonfly Compact Liquid Fuel Camping and Backpacking...
352 Reviews
MSR Dragonfly Compact Liquid Fuel Camping and Backpacking...
  • Dual-valve design provides unrivaled flame...
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Now let's get down to the bolts and nuts.

Table of Contents
Short Summary
MSR Whisperlite Universal Review
MSR Dragonfly Review
Types of Fuel
Technical Properties
Size and Weight
Maintenance
Noise
Design and Abilities
Conclusion
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.

SALE MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel Camping and...
MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel...
(311)
$164.85
Buy on Amazon
SALE MSR Dragonfly Compact Liquid Fuel Camping and Backpacking...
MSR Dragonfly Compact Liquid Fuel Camping and...
(352)
$171.72
Buy on Amazon

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. 

SALE MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel Camping and...
MSR WhisperLite Universal Compact Hybrid Fuel...
(311)
$164.85
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MSR WhisperLite International Compact Multi-fuel Camping and...
MSR WhisperLite International Compact Multi-fuel...
(400)
$159.95
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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.


Filed Under: Backpacking Stoves Tagged With: backpacking, camping, camping kitchen, CookwareFoodsDrinks, gas, hiking, liquid, MSR, MSR stoves, stoves

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Hey, what's up? Canberk here. I try to approach outdoor gear from a scientific point of view. Here's more about me.

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Featured Posts

  • Temperature Ratings of Insulated Jackets
  • Best Arc’teryx Jackets
  • Best Patagonia Jackets

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