Best Camping Stove under $50 – My Top 3 Choices

There’s nothing like getting out of the house and heading out into the wild. Camping should be a part of everyone’s year; we weren’t built to spend all of our time in cities. But just because you’re headed out into nature it doesn’t mean that you can’t take some creature comforts with you.

Thanks to modern camping stoves you can eat better in the woods than you might at most of your local restaurants. And thanks to advances in manufacturing camping stoves are cheaper than ever. To help you pick from the wide selection available we’ll look at the three best options on the market today.

1. Coleman Classic Propane Stove

This is a product that lives up to its name; stoves don’t get any more classic than these. Every year millions of campers turn to their Coleman propane stove for delicious food in the great outdoors. This portable green stove has a simple and elegant design. To start cooking you simply place the stove on a flat surface and unfold it. The design has Wind Block™ panels that run along the back and sides to keep the wind from causing you issues with your cooking. The side panels are adjustable, so you can even use oversized pans that couldn’t fit inside the constraints of other stoves.

Best Camping Stove under $50 - Coleman Classic Propane Stove

This stove might be sold at a low price, but it packs quite a punch. The stove has not one, but two 10,000 BTU burners. With a burner turned on high you can get water boiling in less than five minutes. The two burners operate independently, so you can set one on high for cooking and the next on low to keep food warm. Or you can cook on one while you leave the other off to save on propane. The stove is 23 1/4 inches wide and 14 3/4 inches deep. It can fit two 11 inch pans or one 10 inch pan and another 1-inch pan.

Coleman has been making camping supplies for over 100 years now, and they’ve survived thanks to the dependability of their products. This stove is a true classic, tried and true even years after its first release. It should be noted that the stove lacks some extras like a built-in lighter or propane bottle storage compartment. Still, given the price, power, and dependability of the Coleman Classic Propane Stove, it is still our number one recommendation.

2. Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition

There are plenty of large and fancy store that will let you cook just about any dish in the middle of the woods. But in some cases, this can be overkill. For example, we love the Coleman Classic Propane Stove, but it isn’t a stove you want to load up into your backpack for a hiking trip. If you want to pack as lightly as possible an option like the Etekcity Ultralight Mini Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove is the way to go. These aluminum stoves are just over half a pound each.

Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove

The stove has a built in lighter to ensure that the flame lights quickly every time, no need to bring along matches or a lighter. It might be small, but it can give you over 6,600 BTU of heat. Whether you need all that power or not this stove has you covered, the built-in flame control allows you to adjust the flame to achieve the perfect temperature for whatever task might be at hand. Elekcity is confident in their products ability, which is why they cover it with a 1-year warranty.

One thing to remember is that while the stove itself is absolutely tiny, it’s just one of the things you will need to cook properly. You will also need to pack a bottle of butane to power the flame. You’ll also likely need a pan or dish to cook in, though some people put cans directly above the stove to cook the contents in their container.

If you want the ultimate portable stove, this is the option for you. It isn’t just small; it collapses to save as much space as possible. To ensure that you can transport it safely it comes with a carrying case. And the great thing about this particular deal is that you get two stoves for the price of one! Keep one as a backup or give one to your camping partner, so you don’t have to share the same stove.

3. Coleman Butane Stove

We’ve looked at one relatively large stove and one of the smallest stoves possible, so let’s end with a look at something in the middle. This from Coleman is reminiscent of their Classic Propane Stove, but it’s less than half the stove. It only has one burner, which is perfect for camping by yourself or with one other person. No need to carry around excess burners when you’ve only got so much room in your packs.

Coleman Butane Stove

The stove is 20 inches long, 12 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and weighs in at 4.7 pounds. The stove can heat up an entire 10-inch pan. Larger dishes will fit on top of it, but they won’t be heated as evenly. The burner can provide up to 7,650 BTU of heat, which is less than the Coleman Classic but more than the Etekcity Ultralight. One advantage this stove has over the Coleman Classic is its Instastart automatic ignition system; you don’t need to provide your own flame to start cooking with this stove.

The stove comes with a carrying case for safe and convenient transportation. At Setting this little machine up, putting it to use, and packing it away is as easy as possible. Once it’s working, you can cook a sausage breakfast or brew coffee in 20 minutes or less. It’s a great balance of power, portability, and durability that is perfect for single campers.

Conclusion – The Best Camping Stove under $500

Each of these three stoves are designed to serve campers with specific needs. If you’re camping with a large group and plan on cooking up to two dishes at once, then the Coleman Classic is the way to go. If you are camping on your own, but you’re not planning on hiking far from your car, then the Coleman Butane Stove is everything you need and nothing you don’t. Finally, hikers who want to pack as light as possible will find that the Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove offers the most power per pound on the market. Take a moment to think about what you need your stove for. If you know what sort of trip you’ll use your new stove on then, it’s simple to choose the right model.

Best Budget Sleeping Bag under $100 – My Top 3 Choices

Everyone should own a sleeping bag. They’re essential if you want to go camping, but they can also be helpful in other situations. If you ever have so many visitors over that you can’t fit them on your furniture; then you can set them up in a comfortable sleeping bag. They can also help you out when you’re the person looking to comfortably crash on a floor. There really is no good excuse for going without a sleeping bag thanks to the affordable and high-quality sleeping bags on the market.

To help you find the best budget sleeping bag under $100 in 2018 we looked at the options on the market and chose the best. These sleeping bags combine affordability, comfort, and portability to help you get a good night sleep no matter where you are.

Coleman Palmetto Cool Weather Sleeping Bag

Anyone looking for a more traditional sleeping bag will find what they’re looking for with the Palmetto from Coleman which is why it’s my first choice for the best budget sleeping bag under $100. This rectangular sleeping bag is 33 inches wide and 75 inches long. This makes it a great fit for anyone who is 6 feet tall or shorter. It’s a relatively light 3.5 pounds so fit hikers will have no problem carrying this bag with them as they trek through the wilderness.

Coleman Palmetto Cool Weather Sleeping Bag

This camping bag will serve campers well from spring to fall. It received a temperature rating of 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the lowest temperature the bag is created for. So, while you can use this bag in freezing temperatures, it’s worth remembering that this is a cool weather bag, it’s not built for the depths of winter. But that goes for most budget sleeping bags, and when you compare the Palmetto to other bags in its price range, you’ll find this bag does quite well.

This is a comfortable bag. It has a polyester outer layer, a wool liner, and three pounds of insulation to keep you nice and toasty when the sun goes down. It’s not a heavy-duty bag by any means, but it will get the job done in most situations. Simply put, it’s all you could ask for from a budget sleeping bag.

Ohuhu Double Sleeping Bag

Most sleeping bags are made for one person. This might suit the single camper, but it can be disappointing to couples that want a romantic getaway in nature. That’s why this sleeping bag from Ohuhu was created. Now couples can share one sleeping bag.

Ohuhu Double Sleeping Bag

If that wasn’t enough this design has another twist, the bag can be separated into two different bags. When the two halves are combined bag is At 6 pounds this bag is heavier than most bags but that’s to be expected, this bag is twice the size of most competitors. If no one in your group wants to carry a six-pound bag, you can separate into two different 3-pound bags and spread the effort equally. This ingenious design means that parents can confidently buy the bag to sleep with their young child. When the child grows up they can get their own bag without the cost of purchasing a new one. It’s a highly flexible design that is great for a wide range of circumstances.

This bag has a temperature rating of 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Once again, you’ll still be cold in temperatures that low, but you’ll be a warmer than you would without this bag protecting you. To be warm, you should only use it when the temperature isn’t likely to drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The exterior of the bag is made of water-resistant polyester. It’s built to keep you as warm and dry as possible. Please note that water-resistant is different from water-proof. Don’t sleep under the rain in this bag or try and float down the river on it unless you want to get soaking wet.

The bag comes with two pillows and a carrying bag that is designed to fit the sleeping bag and its pillows. The pillows are a nice addition, but you should note that they are a little on the small side. If you want more support and comfort, you should bring your own pillows, but you can’t argue with free. The pillows and the bag itself are all designed to fit into the included carrying bag, which is designed to make transporting the bag as easy as possible. If you pack the bag properly and fully compress it, you’ll find that it all fits in a 13-inch long cylinder of space.

Suisse Sport Everest Sleeping Bag

The traditional rectangular design is the most popular shape for sleeping bags, but it isn’t the only option available. There is also the mummy design, so named because you look a little like a mummy when you’re sleeping inside this contoured bag. The design allows minimal room for heat to escape, trapping your body heat and getting it to circulate as efficiently as possible. If you ever want to sleep out under the stars without a tent above you, then a sleeping bag like this is a good choice.

Suisse Sport Everest Sleeping Bag

At just 4.9 pounds it’s a little heavier than the average single person bag, but it’s still relatively light. Remember, everything about this bag is designed to keep you warm when the sun goes down. Over 70 percent of this bag’s bodyweight goes to the Hollowblend MicroTekk Z1 synthetic fill that makes this bag so warm and cozy. This bag is the warmest on our list, with a temperature rating of 0 degrees Fahrenheit!

The Everest is 82 inches long and 33 inches wide. This means that the bag is almost 7 feet long, so it can comfortably hold anyone who’s around 6 feet tall. Given the size and weight, this bag is a little bit on the bulky side. This isn’t the sort of bag you try and jam into an already crowded backpack. It’s not an all-purpose bag, but that’s only because Suisse clearly wanted to create a bag to suit the needs budget-minded shoppers who are interested in cold-weather camping. With that in mind, this bag is one of the most effective on the market and a great choice if you’re looking for the best budget sleeping bag under $100!

Choosing the Right Budget Sleeping Bag

When shopping for a sleeping bag, you need to find the right model for your needs. A bag that might be perfect for someone else could fall short of your needs. If you want a basic, rectangular bag then the Coleman Palmetto is a great purchase. The Ohuhu Double Sleeping Bag is for couples who want to enjoy an intimate camping experience.

Finally, the Suisse Sport Everest Sleeping Bag is for campers who want to stay seriously warm without spending a ton of money. If you want the best camping experience possible, you need to take the time to find the bag that is designed for your needs, not someone else’s.

Best Camping Tents under $300

Best Camping Tents under $300 – My Top 3 Choices

Every outdoor enthusiast who loves spending quality time in nature exploring the beauty and ruggedness of God’s green earth will own certain gear to facilitate this lifestyle.

One of these pieces of equipment is a tent for camping. As an avid outdoors trekker and a wilderness lover, this is one among many other relevant pieces of equipment that I already own but now I am in search of a slightly bigger camping tent as the family is expanding.

My Top 3 Choices for best camping tents under $300

My top 3 choices for best camping tents would be as follows:

  • Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin 

  • Coleman Echo Lake 6 Person Fast Pitch Cabin with Cabinet 

  • Coleman Tenaya Lake 6 Person Fast Pitch Cabin with Cabinets

All three of my choices are packed with fantastic features and are easy to setup and any one of the three will be an excellent long-term choice for my camping needs during hiking and trekking activity. The brand Coleman is without doubt the best I could find in my research for camping tents.

#1 – Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin

Usually on my camping trips my wife is always with me but when my 3 adult kids decide to join us (which sometimes they do!) I need to look for tents that can easily accommodate all 5 of us and this 6-person instant cabin is the winner as my #1 choice for best camping tents under $300.

Best Camping Tents under 300 - Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin

Guaranteed the family crowd will be happy with the streamlined and spacious interior of this tent. Though it can fit in two queen-sized airbeds and can sleep five adults inside comfortably, it probably will be a squeeze for six and somebody may voice their objections, loudly. In saying so however, two adults and 4 kids should fit in perfectly with extra space for equipment to be stowed away.

The biggest advantage of this tent is a no-hassle setup as the poles are pre-assembled and require the minimal of effort to set it up. The illuminated and reflective guy lines prevent somebody from tripping over them and upsetting the whole tent structure at night, so somebody can safely step out in the dark. In adverse stormy conditions, the occupants of the tent are safe inside, as the built-in rainfly offers protection from the wet conditions outside.

With the one-piece design of the tent, it will probably take me about a minute to either set it up or take it down. The tent is made of high quality material as the steel poles provide excellent strength and stability even in inclement weather and strong winds.

An adult can stand very comfortably inside the tent as it has been designed with plenty of both horizontal and vertical space in it. You will love the beautiful views of God’s great earth from inside the tent and when it is time to pack and leave, you can take it down very quickly and stow it away in its big-size carry bag provided.

I will always wonder how I managed to use other tents all this time, when this one is so easy to handle, setup and take down.

Pros

  • Easily affordable 

  • Setup only takes a quick minute

  • All-in-one construction

  • Very spacious design, 10’ x 9’ x 6’

  • Fabric is weatherproof and moisture resistant

  • Guy lines are illuminated for safety at night

  • Weight 24.9 pounds

Cons

  • Inside the tent, the window coverings flap down

  • May be stuffy for occupants as air flow isn’t very good inside

#2 – Coleman Echo Lake 6 Person Fast Pitch Cabin with Cabinet

My sleek looking, well-designed choice #2 camping tent is an all-weather tent that is made from flexible, yet durable material.

The design incorporates a peaked roof and an exclusive WeatherTec system which provides superior protection against the elements. The fast pitch system incorporates pre-attached poles and quick setting feet that facilitate setting up of this tent very quickly. Lightweight steel poles with pre-attached fiberglass poles ensure flexibility and durability.

Coleman Echo Lake 6 Person Fast Pitch Cabin with Cabinet

A built-in cabinet allows you to conveniently store extra gear inside the tent. This tent is ideal for six occupants because this tent also has spacious (6.33’ x 9’ x 12’) design, like my choice #1.

Pros

  • Affordable and value for money

  • Setup for this tent is quite quick

  • Flexible and lightweight poles are suitable for windy weather conditions

  • Tent is waterproof as the rainfly is made from polyguard

  • Spacious enough for a adult to stand and move around the tent

  • Weight 25.35 pounds

Cons

  • Has only one door

  • Setup could be a bit complicated for some

#3 – Coleman Tenaya Lake 6 Person Fast Pitch Cabin with Cabinets

My choice #3 for the best camping tents under $300 is an excellent value for money and comes with built-in cabinets minus the extra weight that other tents, having cabinets do.

The USP or unique selling point for this tent is its light weight at 16.5 pounds with extra storage capacity. The tent has enough room for my whole family and all my equipment as its dimensions are 6.58’ x 7’ x 13’, probably the largest among my three top choices. Set up is very easy using the durable fiberglass pre-attached poles and the polyester mesh coupled with the polyguard 800mm rainfly keeps the tent occupants dry while facilitating air circulation.

Coleman Tenaya Lake 6 Person Fast Pitch Cabin with Cabinets

Pros

  • Very good buy for the price

  • Setup is very easy. Even children can set this up

  • Good visibility at night since guy lines are reflective

  • Excellent WeatherTec system provides protection in inclement weather

  • Double zipper is a big advantage

  • Lightweight at 16.5 pounds

  • Spacious, lots of room to stand up and move around

Cons

  • Has only one door

  • Some people find the pre-attached poles difficult to work with

  • Manual instructions are difficult to understand

Conclusion

After having examined the prices and features offered by all three of my top choices for the best camping tent available under $300, my winner is clearly my #1 choice for the best camping tent under 300 dollars – the  Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin , though the other two of my choices are equally good in most of their features that they offer, at varying prices within a small range of about $42.