It was nearly freezing above 14,000 feet, and my SOTO WindMaster was whipping up some warm coffee for me despite the breeze. I had just spent the night on top of Wetterhorn Peak, deep in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, and I was excited to catch the sunrise.
Just like the evening before, my SOTO stove did a superb job of boiling water to make a hot drink to combat the cold environment. Even in great conditions in late June, it is still mighty chilly at that altitude, and the summit rarely sees less than 15mph gusts, the perfect testing ground for a diminutive stove.
But that isn’t to say the WindMaster hasn’t already proven itself to me. I’ve tested several over the years, from long sections of the Pacific Crest Trail to humid campsites in the Northeast and windy desert sandscapes in Utah. The question I had was: how does it stack up against one of the industry’s top sellers, the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe?
The two are remarkably similar — the MSR feels more polished, but the SOTO puts up more impressive numbers. In this review, I put them head to head to see who takes the crown.
In short: The SOTO WindMaster ($70) is a powerful ultralight three-season canister stove engineered with backpackers in mind, and if you need to boil water in any conditions, it’s the canister stove to use. The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe does have a leg up on it in a few areas, and if you need maximum firepower — such as when melting snow — it makes the grade.
This review stacks up two top-tier backpacking stoves head to head, but if you want to see where they land against the wider spectrum, check out GearJunkie’s Best Backpacking Stoves Buyer’s Guide.
- Weight: 3.0 oz w/ 4Flex support (87 g) and 2.3 oz. w/ Triflex support (67 g)
- Dimensions: 1.9 x 3.0 x 1.7 inch (stowed)
- Fuel type: Isobutane canister
- BTU output: 11,000
- Burn time: Approx. 1.5 hours with 8 oz. (250 g) canister
- Boil time (1 L): 4 min., 19 sec.
Pros
- Ultralight with removable pot supports
- Great wind resistance with deep burner head
- Very fuel efficient
- Cheaper than comparable MSR stoves
Cons
- Not quite as hot as comparable stoves
- Too small for use with large pots and pans
- Piezo igniter will eventually fail
- Weight: 2.9 oz.
- Fuel type: Isobutane
- Burn time: 60 min. per 8 oz. of IsoPro fuel
- Boil time (1 L): 3 min., 23 sec.
- Piezo ignitor: Yes
Pros
- Very fast boil time
- Effective simmer capabilities
- Very compact size and comes with small stuff sack
- Raised sides of burner head help reduce stove being blown out
- Wide mixture handle is easy to dial in
Cons
- Piezo ignitors aren't as durable as SOTO versions, and aren't user-replaceable
- Not as fuel-efficient as some canister stoves
- Second best at wind resistance
WindMaster vs. PocketRocket Deluxe: Head-to-Head Review
Over the years, the SOTO WindMaster has been my go-to stove for any outdoor situation. It is ultralight enough to bring on thru-hikes, powerful enough to withstand challenging weather conditions, and quiet enough to use around still snoozing campers.
But how does it compare to the uber-popular MSR PocketRocket Deluxe? To be as objective as possible, I did some bench testing here at my high-altitude home in Durango, Colo. This included three metrics: how long it will take to boil 1 L of water with and without wind, and how fuel-efficient each stove is while doing so?
First, I started without wind. The MSR came out swinging with an impressive 3:41 boil time while using 16 g of fuel. The WindMaster clocked in a bit behind with a 4:19 boil time using 14 g of fuel. The MSR proved to be quicker to get water up to temperature, but it used a bit more fuel to get there.
Performance in a Breeze
The real test, though, was how each stove would perform with a bit of a breeze. To simulate this, I created a wind tunnel using a box fan, and each stove was positioned 8 feet away. All the small variables were accounted for — making sure each stove started with the exact same amount of water at the same temperature, the same 1.3L wide-base titanium pot, and both stoves had their own fuel canister using an optimal isobutane mixture, set on their maximum power outputs.
Before running this test, I had no idea who would come out on top — but the WindMaster shined, or rather, the PocketRocket Deluxe failed to live up to the SOTO standard. The WindMaster clocked in at 6:55 to boil using 22 g of fuel, while the PocketRocket Deluxe came in at 8:05 using 27 g of fuel.
Not only did the SOTO show that it’s king when wind is involved, but it was also more fuel efficient in both scenarios. Not to forget, it was also quieter while doing so.
A Solid Leg to Stand On
When it comes to pot support, the WindMaster offers two interchangeable options: the 4Flex and Triflex stands. The 4Flex is a four-pronged support that weighs 27 g and can hold up to 1.5 L. The Triflex, sold separately ($10), is an ultralight three-pronged support that weighs only 7 g and holds up to 800 mL. This is a significant advantage over the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which only offers a non-removable three-pronged stand.
I enjoy the flexibility of having both options. In the backcountry, I bring the Triflex and a 1L pot to keep it as light and compact as possible. When combined with a 4-ounce fuel canister, you do have to be conscientious of balancing the stove. For car camping and situations where I’m trying to boil more than 800 mL of water, I use the 4Flex combined with a larger canister for maximum stability and balance.
Not a WindMaster of Everything
The WindMaster is a superb design with little to fix, but there are two considerations to note. First and foremost, the igniter is prone to failure. On two of the four WindMasters I’ve had over the years, the igniter mechanism gave out after some use. I find it necessary to bring a mini lighter with me to start up a flame.
For those who like tinkering with their gear, though, SOTO has an igniter repair kit ($16) and an instructional video to keep your stove going for years.
Second, the stove doesn’t ship with the Triflex stand, and you must arrange to snag it yourself. Purchasing it separately is a bit of a hassle and undoubtedly leaves many backpackers without the ultralight pot support option, as they might not even be aware of its existence.
Where the PocketRocket Deluxe Rises Above
The PocketRocket Deluxe certainly has its positives. Compared to the WindMaster, it feels more well-built in hand; the igniter mechanism has a snappier rebound, the pot stands to move with precision, and the fuel canister connection spews less fuel when connecting and disconnecting. MSR also offers a robust repair service, including a complete stove overhaul option for $25, covering cleaning and replacing worn or broken parts.
SOTO WindMaster: The New Go-To?
At the end of the day, there has never been a time when I desired a backpacking stove other than the SOTO WindMaster. Time and time again, it has proven to be the best canister stove option on the market, whether in the damp reaches of New England, the desert sands of Utah, or the high alpine of Colorado.
This does, however, mean that the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is also one of the best canister stoves out there, as the two closely resemble one another. The difference comes down to this: Need more BTUs over all else? The MSR certainly makes the grade. But are you willing to trade a slightly longer boil time for efficiency, wind resistance, and versatility? The WindMaster is your stove.
With that in mind, for folks looking to primarily car camp and use multiple fuels, you might do better with a heavier setup that can support larger pots and pans, such as the MSR WhisperLite Universal. For hikers who are only searching for the lightest and cheapest without concern for fuel efficiency or noise, the BRS-3000T is a solid option.
But if you’re looking for the best overall backpacking stove that balances every metric, the WindMaster proves that it tames far more than just the wind.
