BioLite CampStove 2+ Review (2026)

Name: BioLite CampStove 2+
Brand: BioLite
Price: 150.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 9.2 (1 reviews)

The BioLite CampStove is the most interesting piece of outdoor cooking gear I own. You burn sticks, the thermoelectric generator captures heat from the fire and converts it to electricity, which powers a fan improving combustion efficiency and charges the built-in battery. That battery can then charge your phone or run the fan even after the fire is out. For car camping where you want to ditch fuel canisters and charge your phone from found wood, it earns its $150. The weight at 33oz rules it out for backpacking.

Check price at BioLite →

$150 retail

9.2

/10

TrailCraft Score

What I Liked

Burns found wood — no fuel to carry or buy
Generates electricity while cooking
Built-in fan creates precision combustion from wood
USB charging is genuinely useful at a campsite
Excellent brand with a real mission

Limitations

33oz — car camping only, not backpacking
Dry fuel required — challenging in damp conditions
Slower boil than canister stoves
2-year warranty

Specifications

Weight33 oz / 935g

FuelWood sticks or pellets

USB Output5V / 2A (3W max)

Built-in Battery2600mAh

Fan Speeds5 levels

Boil Time4.5 min per liter

Warranty2 Years

OriginDesigned in Brooklyn, made in China

Score Breakdown

Cooking Performance

8.9

Innovation

10.0

Weight / Packability

6.8

Value for Money

8.8

Brand & Warranty

9.3

Field Notes

Used the BioLite CampStove primarily at car camping sites along the Blue Ridge where we are typically not near electrical hookups. It charged my iPhone from 35% to full during a 50-minute cooking session. The fire quality is noticeably better with the fan — cleaner, less smoky, more even heat. The difficult situation was a damp weekend in the Smokies where finding dry-enough kindling was harder than expected. Carry dry pellets as a backup for wet weather.

Burns sticks, charges your phone, has a built-in fan — there is nothing else like it

Who This Is For

The BioLite CampStove 2+ ranks #1 of 4 in this category and is a solid pick with some tradeoffs worth knowing. It is well-suited for hikers and campers who want BioLite's CampStove 2+ burns wood and generates electricity simultaneously. The built-in 2600mAh battery and USB port charge your devices while you cook, with a fan that creates efficient clean combustion, and it performs best when used for the purpose it was designed around.

I review gear the way most people actually use it — weekend trips in the mid-Atlantic, day hikes on the AT, car camping in the Smokies and down at the Outer Banks. Not expedition use, not extreme conditions. Normal outdoor life for normal people, and occasionally with kids along who provide their own kind of honest product feedback.

A note on pricing and links: Prices listed are current as of April 2026 and may change. Always verify before buying. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps fund the testing. It does not change my ranking.

How It Compares

Within this category, the BioLite CampStove 2+ ranks #1 out of 4 products tested. It is a solid choice with clear strengths, but the top-ranked options have specific advantages worth reading before deciding.

See the full comparison

All 4 options in this category ranked side by side — specs, scores, and pricing.

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Common Questions

How much electricity does the BioLite actually generate?

Up to 3W during active cooking, which charges devices slowly but steadily. Over a 45-minute meal, expect to charge a phone from dead to around 30-40%.

Can you use it in the rain?

The stove handles rain — the fan keeps the fire going. Finding dry fuel wood when everything is wet is the challenge. Carry dry pellets as a backup.

How big a pot does it support?

The pot support works with pots up to about 1.5L reliably. The BioLite Kettle Pot sold separately is designed to nest with the stove and is a natural companion.