MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Review

5 Popular Backpacking Stoves

Overall Score: 87/100

2nd Place

The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe was the second best performing ultralight backpacking stove tested. The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is lightweight (82 grams / 2.9 ounces), boils 2-cups of water in 102 seconds, works in the wind, simmers well, packs up small, has an auto-ignitor, three-prong sturdy pot stand and is very fuel efficient.

The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe with it's case and instructions.

Stove burner almost identical to the Soto WindMaster stove

The only differences observed between the two burners is the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is 47mm wide and the Soto WindMaster is 46mm wide. They have the same number of stove top holes and are aligned in the same order. The faster boil times observed with the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is likely due to the faster maximum fuel burn rate. The maximum estimated 2-cup boils per 100 gram fuel canister for the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is 14. This is one less boil when compared to the Soto WindMaster stove.

The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe stove vs the Soto WindMaster stove next to a ruler.
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe stove vs the Soto WindMaster stove next to a ruler.

Stove is easy to assemble and packs up small

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe being measured next to a ruler.
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe attached to a fuel canister being measured with a ruler.

Conclusion

The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe performed very well and boiled water the fastest in all the boil tests. This is an impressive stove. The stove burned a little more fuel than the Soto WindMaster which would be expected with the faster boil times. The limitation of the attached three-prong stand and the slightly lower fuel efficiency brought the MSR PocketRocket down to second place just behind the Soto WindMaster.