Jetboil Flash vs MSR Reactor 1.7L Stove System

Buy the Jetboil Flash for solo or two-person backpacking where fast boils and low pack weight matter most. It boils a liter in about two minutes, packs into its own pot and has a pushbutton igniter and a color-change heat indicator. The MSR Reactor is the better pick for larger groups, wind and snow, with a 1.7 L pot, 9,000 BTU and strong wind performance, but it is heavier and needs a separate lighter. Owners of both praise build quality and reliability; the Flash is the simpler, lighter all-in-one for boiling water.

• Choose the Jetboil Flash if you want the lightest, fastest all-in-one for one or two people and mostly boil water for coffee and dehydrated meals.
• Choose the MSR Reactor if you cook for two to three people, melt snow, or camp in exposed, windy spots and want a bigger pot with more heat.