MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove review
By Tom Calder
A genuinely excellent, proven little stove: 73g, packs tiny, and brings a litre to the boil in around 3.5 minutes. Like any gas burner it is for outdoor or fully ventilated use only, never inside a tent, home or garage, because of the carbon monoxide risk.
- Best for
- A featherweight, dependable burner for boiling water and simple cooking in a grab-bag or camping kit.
- Skip it if
- You need to cook indoors or in an enclosed space
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Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Very light (73g) and packs down small enough to sit inside a mug
- Fast, reliable boil (about 3.5 min per litre) with good torch-to-simmer flame control
- Simple, robust MSR build with a hard carry case and no fiddly parts to fail
Worth knowing
- No built-in igniter, so you must carry a lighter or matches
- Small pot supports and only a modest wind clip mean performance drops in strong wind, and output fades in the cold as the canister empties
Out of stock when we checked: our alternatives
Closest in size first, then by our score. None of them was showing out of stock when we last checked.
Best for A featherweight, dependable burner with instant piezo ignition for boiling water and simple cooking in a grab bag or camping kit.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A family or small group wanting one outdoor kit that boils a larger kettle and cooks a hot meal on sticks, with no gas or batteries to buy.
in stock when checked
Best for A household or small group that wants one wood-fired set to boil water, cook and serve from, with no gas, batteries or fuel to buy.
in stock when checkedⓘ As an Amazon Associate, PreparedBritain earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy, or a fee when you request a quote, through our links. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Amazon prices come from Amazon's own product data and show the date and time they were retrieved. Prices at other retailers are checked by us, less often. Prices and stock can change at any time, so always check the retailer's price before you buy.
Our review
The PocketRocket 2 is MSR's plain screw-on gas burner: 73g, a three-and-a-half-minute litre boil by MSR's figures, and a hard case that fits inside a mug. In a household kit it is the lightest way to boil water for drinks and dried meals outdoors during a power cut. It is for outdoor use only.
What it is
MSR's page gives a minimum weight of 73g and a packaged weight of 105g, folded dimensions of 3.3 by 4.1 by 7.9cm, and a hard-shell carry case in the box. It screws onto the top of a threaded, self-sealing gas canister; MSR says it accepts only that type and recommends its own IsoPro isobutane and propane mix. There is no igniter, so a lighter or matches travel with it, and no pressure regulator. The pot supports fold out to hold a small pan, and a small wind clip gives a little shelter to the flame. It is made in South Korea.
Performance
MSR rates it to boil a litre in 3.5 minutes with IsoPro, with a note that published boil speeds come from ideal laboratory conditions. A 227g canister gives about 60 minutes of burn and boils around 16 litres, so one canister covers a household's hot drinks and rehydrated meals for several days of a power cut. The flame adjusts from a roar to a simmer, though the small supports suit mugs and small pots rather than a family pan. Output falls in cold weather as the canister empties, which is where the regulated PocketRocket Deluxe has the edge.
Safety: outdoors only
Like every gas stove, it burns fuel and gives off carbon monoxide. The NHS lists camping stoves used indoors as a cause of carbon monoxide poisoning and says not to use one indoors or inside a tent. In a power cut, that means cooking outside on a stable surface, away from doors and windows, never in a garage, porch or conservatory, and keeping a working CO alarm in the house. Our carbon monoxide symptoms guide explains what to watch for, and our cooking without power guide covers the safe ways to make a hot meal.
How it compares
On our camping stove comparison the PocketRocket Deluxe adds a pressure regulator and a piezo igniter for more money, and is the better buy if winter use is likely. The Jetboil Flash integrates the pot for faster, more wind-proof boiling but only boils. The Primus Essential Trail is a cheaper screw-thread stove with an igniter and a wider base. For frying or a family pan, a double-burner Campingaz is steadier, and the Trangia 27 burns meths you can store for years.
Our verdict
Buy it if you want the smallest, simplest gas burner for boiling water outdoors in a cut and for camping the rest of the year, and you will keep a lighter and a spare canister with it. MSR backs its stoves with a limited lifetime or three-year warranty, depending on product. Skip it if you have nowhere safe outdoors to use it, if you cook for a family in large pans, or if you want an igniter built in.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: MSR (Cascade Designs): PocketRocket 2 stove; MSR: warranty; NHS: carbon monoxide poisoning.
Who shouldn't buy this
You need to cook indoors or in an enclosed space — never use it inside a tent, home or garage due to carbon monoxide. Also skip it if you want an all-in-one integrated boil system or need to feed a large group, where a wider-based or windproof stove suits better.
Key specs
| Type | Upright canister-top stove |
| Fuel | Screw-thread isobutane/propane gas canister (EN417) |
| Boil time | 3.5 min |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
Questions
Can I use the MSR PocketRocket 2 indoors during a power cut?
No. Gas stoves give off carbon monoxide, and the NHS says not to use a camping stove indoors or inside a tent. Cook outside, away from doors and windows, and keep a CO alarm in the house.
What gas canister does the PocketRocket 2 take?
A threaded, self-sealing canister of isobutane and propane, the standard screw-valve type sold by outdoor shops. MSR recommends its IsoPro mix and says the stove accepts only this canister type.
How long does a canister last?
MSR gives about 60 minutes of burn and around 16 litres boiled from a 227g canister, which covers several days of hot drinks and dried meals for a household.
Does the PocketRocket 2 have an igniter?
No. You light it with a lighter or matches, so keep one in the case. The PocketRocket Deluxe adds a piezo igniter and a pressure regulator.
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