We tested five popular backpacking stoves and the Soto WindMaster was the overall best. Here is what we tested and why it ranked number 1.
Overall Score: 92/100
Best Ultralight Stove Tested
We tested five stoves and the Soto WindMaster performed the best overall. It is lightweight (87 grams / 3 ounces) with the four-prong pot stand (as tested), boils 2-cups of water in 106 seconds, works well in the wind, simmers well, packs up small, has an auto-ignitor, and was the most fuel-efficient stove tested. A three-prong pot holder can be purchased separately reducing the total stove weight to just 67 grams or 2.3 ounces.
Stove burner almost identical to the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe stove
The only differences observed between the two burners is the older Soto WindMaster (right) is 46mm wide and the newer MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is 47mm wide. They have the exact number stove top holes in the exact same order. The better fuel efficiency observed with the Soto WindMaster is likely due to the slower maximum fuel rate which causes slightly slower boiling times. The maximum estimated 2-cup boils per 100 gram fuel canister for the Soto WindMaster is 15. This translates to one extra boil when compared to the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe.
Stove has a detachable pot support
There are two different pot stands available, a lightweight three-prong (7 grams / 0.3 ounces) or the heavier four-prong pot support shown (27 grams/ 1 ounce) which came with the stove. You can purchase the three-prong separately for around $10. The published stove weight with the three-prong pot support is 67 grams or 2.3 ounces.
Conclusion
The Soto WindMaster performed best overall. The ability to switch pot stands for your individual cooking needs is a nice bonus. In seconds you can convert from the four to the three-prong pot stand reducing about 20 grams of stove weight. The boil times were just a few seconds longer than the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe but the better overall fuel efficiency of the Soto Windmaster and the ability to change out pot stands makes the Soto WindMaster the winner.