MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Backpacking Stove In-depth Review
A fast boiling lightweight backpacking canister stove with excellent temperature control
Home > Gear Reviews > Backpacking
July 12th, 2024
Our verdict
After more than four years of testing, we believe that the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is one of the best lightweight backpacking stoves out there. The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe excels at all the criteria we set—from boil time to simmer mode—and is the best for ease of use and durability. From its piezo igniter to its pressure regulator (which ensures a consistent flame even in the cold or when the fuel canister is low), this feature-packed stove delivers a lot in a compact package.
The Deluxe is the unanimous favorite of almost all the professional reviews we scanned and was the lightweight backpacking stove used by nearly every thru-hiker we encountered on our John Muir Trail thru-hike.
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Specs
Weight: 2.9 oz
Push start integrated ignitor button: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Integrated pot: No
Fuel type: any canister with 80% isobutane / 20% propane fuel mix and certified to EN 417
Fuel source: canister
BTUs: 11,000 BTU
Average boil time (1L):3 min, 18 seconds
Comparison table
| BACKPACKING STOVE | WEIGHT (OZ) | INTEGRATED POT? | FUEL TYPE | BOIL TIME (1L) | SIMMER? | AUTO IGNITION? | PRESSURE REGULATOR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe | 2.9 | No | Canister | 3 minutes, 18 sec | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MSR PocketRocket 2 | 2.6 | No | Canister | 3 min 30 sec | Yes | No | No |
| Soto Windmaster | 2.3 | No | Canister | 4 min 2 sec | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Jetboil Flash | 13.1 | Yes | Canister | 3 min 20 sec | No | Yes | Yes |
| BRS-3000T | 0.9 | No | Canister | 4 min 45 sec | Yes | No | Yes |
What we liked
Fastest boil time of the canister stoves we considered
Piezo is reliable and saves time looking for a lighter
No moving parts that can get broken or lost
Arms fold in only two directions so it's easy and straightforward to set up
Good simmer and low heat settings
Compact and packs up into a small unit that fits inside a cookpot
What we didn't like
The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe on a section of the Sierra High Route.
Slow to boil in the wind compared to the Soto WindMaster
Cannot accommodate as many sizes of pots as the Soto WindMaster
More expensive than other canister stoves
Updates from the MSR PocketRocket 2
The PocketRocket Deluxe improves on the features we loved in our winner for the past two years, the MSR PocketRocket 2. The PocketRocket 2 is still available and a good option for backpackers who want a lighter weight and more affordable stove. We think the PocketRocket Deluxe is worth it, though.
The Deluxe won us over with its faster boil time, increased windproofing, and the same durability and simplicity as PocketRocket 2.
Features
Close-up on the easy folding pot stand arms on the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe.
Ease of use
We found that the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is among the most straightforward lightweight backpacking stoves to use (falling short only of the Snow Peak GigaPower).
While all canister stoves are relatively easy to use once you get the hang of them, we’ve seen too many backpackers struggle with their stove system and opt not to eat because of it (read more on why we think ease-of-use is the most important feature when picking a stove.) This makes the Deluxe’s ease of use a major win: a first-time backpacker and an expert too tired to see straight can both get the Deluxe up and running.
What makes using the Deluxe (and the PocketRocket 2) so easy is that the pot-stand arms go in two directions: up to hold a pot and down to stow away. The arms don’t fold on themselves like the phalanges on your finger (as on the Snow Peak LiteMax). This means fewer parts to break or get stuck. It also means that you can only open it or close it, making set-up simple.
Durable and reliable
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is so reliable that we bring it camping as well as backpacking.
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is a durable and reliable hiking camp stove, while not feeling overbuilt. Like the PocketRocket 2, the Deluxe’s simple design doesn’t have delicate parts that can snag or break off. Unlike the Soto WindMaster, another canister stove we like, all the parts are attached. This means you can't lose parts, either.
We frequently throw our MSR PocketRocket Deluxe into the mesh outer pocket of our backpacking backpack or within our cookpot, often with a few drops of hot water left in the bottom. The piezo keeps working and it hasn't gotten crushed or destroyed.
The PocketRocket Deluxe comes with a carry case and the brand would recommend that you use it to ensure the long-term durability of this stove. But speaking personally, this is one burly stove that can survive a lot.
Push start piezo ignitor
The push start integrated ignitor button (aka, piezo) on the Deluxe means that you don’t need to hold a lighter next to the stove to get the burner going. This eliminates a step many backpackers find intimidating when using camp stoves. While igniters notoriously fail, we found the piezo ignitor on the Deluxe to be reliable (however, we ALWAYS recommend keeping a lighter and/or matches handy just in case and to avoid getting your stove wet).
One thing that makes the piezo so good is that the spark ignitor is inside the burner, which protects it from getting damaged.
Pressure regulator
The pressure regulator on the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe keeps the gas pressure consistent, even in colder temperatures and higher altitudes.
The Deluxe also features a pressure regulator, a feature usually found in bulkier and more expensive stoves. The pressure regulator means that in colder conditions or when the fuel canister is low, the stove will deliver a consistent flame. This means that boil times will be more consistent from boil-to-boil compared to most other minimalist camp stoves we tested. While the stoves in this guide are designed for 3-season use, a pressure regulator could stretch it into mild 4-season use.
Windproofness
The PocketRocket Deluxe design is more windproof than the PocketRocket 2. It has a broad burner head with a wind lip somewhat similar to another one of our favorite stoves, the Soto WindMaster.
The Deluxe improves on the PocketRocket 2, which we found didn't work well in the wind. The Deluxe improves on the PocketRocket 2’s design and although it still isn’t as windproof as the WindMaster, it’s better than most other stoves we tested.
Simmer control and cooking speed
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe has some of the best simmer ability of any canister stove we tested.
Canister stoves tend to be pretty good at simmering and frying up real food with temperature control—at least better than integrated backpacking stoves.
We found the Deluxe's simmer control to be better than the PocketRocket 2. That broad burner head that makes it perform well in the wind is also great for heat distribution when frying up potatoes and onions. It has an easy-to-turn wire control valve that gives you a lot of, well, control, in dialing in exactly what temperature you want.
It was able to hold food at just below a boil for extended periods by controlling the flame with a half-turn of the control valve. Only the Snow Peak GigaPower was easier to use for simmering.
Stability
The Pocket Rocket Deluxe can handle some pots of different sizes, but is best for solo trips or shared with a couple.
The PocketRocket Deluxe, much like the PocketRocket 2, has grooved pot supports (which I call "arms") that hold up your pot. This increases the friction against pots of different sizes, holding them in place. Some of the other stoves are a little more stable, like the pot support on the Optimus stoves. But we thought the PocketRocket Deluxe was plenty stable for most 500-1200 mL pots.
Power
The PocketRocket Deluxe has a whopping 11,000 BTU of power for a quick boil.
The PocketRocket Deluxe is capable of cooking at 11,000 BTUs (aka 2800 kcal/h 3260w). It cooks significantly hotter (and thus faster) than most of the stoves we considered, except the Soto WindMaster.
Noise
The PocketRocket Deluxe is quieter than some of the other backpacking stoves we tested, which means it is a welcome guest in the busy campground at Mesa Verde National Park.
The PocketRocket Deluxe is less noisy than the PocketRocket 2. I’ve heard some backpackers complain that the PocketRocket 2 jet can block out conversation. The newer Deluxe can be loud on full heat but can be made quieter when needed.
Simplicity
The Pocket Rocket Deluxe is a reliable camp stove that is simple to use and that means joy in camp after a long day of backpacking.
We think the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is the best backpacking stove because of its simplicity. Compared to the PocketRocket 2, the Deluxe's piezo ignitor adds to its simplicity by eliminating the extra 30 seconds of searching for your Mini Bic to light the stove. When you’re that tired, the fewer steps between you and food, the better.
PocketRocket 2 vs. PocketRocket Deluxe
MSR PocketRocket 2
Weight: 2.9 oz
Push start integrated piezo igniter button: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Integrated pot: No
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: Isobutane-propane
Average boil time (1L): 3 minutes 18 seconds
BTUS: 8,200 BTU
Water boiled per 8-oz canister: 17 L
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is the earlier version of the PocketRocket Deluxe. It is a classic standby that was, for many years, our go-to backpacking stove and the overall winner of our best backpacking stoves guide. The PocketRocket 2 has a fast boil time and is very easy to use, but the Deluxe is faster at boiling, especially in the wind.
We've tried to make hot beverages at windy passes and waited for 30 minutes to get a few cups to turn into lukewarm hot cocoa with the PocketRocket 2. The Deluxe fairs much better.
Also, the piezo on the Deluxe, while not an essential feature, saves some boil time as well. The Deluxe already boils 12 seconds faster than the PocketRocket 2—and that isn't taking into account the 30 seconds you will spend trying to find the lighter to get your PocketRocket 2 started in the first place.
We think it's worth paying extra for the Deluxe. It weighs 0.3 oz more and costs about $20 more, but a backpacking stove is something that should last you a decade or maybe even a lifetime, so you may as well go with the one that is easier to use in varied conditions.
Other stoves you should consider
Soto WindMaster
Weight: 2.3 oz
Push start integrated ignitor button: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Integrated pot: No
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: SOTO's stoves will work with any combination of butane, isobutane and/or propane gas mixtures.
BTUS: 11,000 BTU
Average boil time (1L): 4 minutes 2 seconds (1L)
Burn duration: Burns approx.1.5 hours with 8 oz (250g) canister
The WindMaster is the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe's greatest rival. The WindMaster is our current winner in our Best Backpacking Stoves guide and we even have an in-depth review on that backpacking stove.
So what do the WindMaster and PocketRocket Deluxe have in common? The two stoves weigh nearly the same. Both have piezos. But the PocketRocket Deluxe boils water almost a minute faster, making it a good choice for backpackers who want water fast.
The WindMaster, is as its name implies, better than the PocketRocket Deluxe in the wind. While the burner head of the PocketRocket Deluxe looks a lot more like the burner head on the WindMaster than it does on the PocketRocket 2, the WindMaster still performs better in the wind.
Weight: 13.1
Integrated pot: Yes
Fuel type: Canister
Boil time (1L): 3 min 20 sec
Simmer: No
Auto-ignition: Yes
Pressure-regulator: Yes
Many backpackers buying their first backpacking stove may be choosing between the Jetboil Flash and the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe. They're two of the most popular backpacking stoves out there, and they're both beginner-friendly and easy to use.
The Flash is an integrated stove, which means it comes with the pot, stove, ignitor, and pot handles (in the form of a Neoprene insulated pot and handles).
We like the Flash–especially for its color-coordinated temperature gauge. It's only about $10 more than the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe. But one thing to know about integrated stoves is that they aren't very good at simmering or frying food. They're great at boiling hot water and that is about it.
If you're thinking about an integrated stove, we would steer you towards the similar Jetboil MiniMo, which fits more easily into a backpack and does a better job of simmering. The Flash is a little faster for boiling water, but it's less versatile.
Compare prices of the Jetboil Flash
Weight: 14 ounces (includes cooking pot)
Push start integrated ignitor button: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Integrated pot: Yes
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: Isobutane-propane
BTU: 6,000 BTU
Average boil time (1 L): 4 minutes 30 seconds
Like the Jetboil Flash, but want something more packable? Part of what makes the Jetboil MiniMo the best integrated backpacking stove is its shape: a squat size 1 L pot vs. the more traditional “beer mug” shape of the Jetboil Flash or MSRs we tested. The MiniMo's size is easier to pack, easier to clean, and easier to eat from than the Flash. The squat design is more stable and easier to simmer. You can read more about why we like the Jetboil MiniMo so much in our long-term, in-depth review of that stove.
Compare prices of the Jetboil MiniMo
Should I buy the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe?
We think the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is one of the best backpacking stoves on the market. It's got the fastest boil time. It's easy to use. It doesn't have parts to lose or break. It simmers well. But it isn't as windproof as the Soto WindMaster and is more expensive.
For me, where the PocketRocket Deluxe really shines is that it is easier to use than almost all other stoves. If you know you're spatially challenged and find assembling gear (or puzzles, for that matter) to be your own personal hell, then go with the PocketRocket Deluxe over toe Soto WindMaster. It's why I kept choosing the Deluxe as the best backpacking stove year after year.
The recent price increase on the PocketRocket Deluxe ended up pushing the WindMaster over the top as our new best backpacking stove. But if you find it on sale or you're less price sensitive and aren't going anywhere windy, then the PocketRocket Deluxe is a great choice.
About the author
I’ve backpacked over 20,000 miles and have at least 1,000 nights sleeping outdoors. On most of these overnight trips, I’ve cooked dinner on backpacking stoves. When I wake up in the morning in the backcountry, I’ll boil up some hot coffee. On chilly days, I’ll make hot lunch.
I’ve written about outdoor gear for numerous publications, including as contributing editor at Backpacker Magazine and the New York Times’ product review site, Wirecutter. I’m the author of the National Outdoor Book Award winning Long Trails Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. My book has extensive gear and nutrition chapters--both of which address different kinds of backpacking stoves. I regularly book speaking gigs with outdoor clubs, non-profits, and colleges and universities to talk about backpacking and lead gear panels. I’m also Editor-in-Chief here at Treeline Review and oversee all of our outdoor gear stories.
You can read more about me at www.eathomas.com or at her author page.
