MSR WindBurner Stove System vs Jetboil TrailCook 2.0

The MSR WindBurner is the better pick for a solo backpacker who mostly boils water in wind and bad weather. Its pressure regulator holds output steady as the canister cools, and the radiant burner is genuinely windproof. The Jetboil TrailCook 2.0 is the better pick for two to four people who actually cook at camp: a 2-liter ceramic-coated pot, a self-centering support that takes third-party cookware, and a simmer-friendly regulator. Owners of both praise fuel economy and fast boils; the WindBurner draws complaints for its narrow one-liter pot and limited cooking, the TrailCook for its weight and bulk in a pack.

• Choose the MSR WindBurner if you hike solo, want one compact pot for boiling water, and need it to work in exposed, windy camps.
• Choose the Jetboil TrailCook 2.0 if you cook real meals for two to four people and want a bigger pot that takes your own cookware.