The 8 Best Wood Stoves for Warmth, Efficiency, and Ambiance

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Create warmth and ambience with a rustic wood stove in your home, cabin, or tent.

A wood-burning stove provides an effective heat source for a home, cabin, or even a tent. It also creates a rustic feel and a warm, cozy ambience.

Wood-burning stoves are made from steel, cast iron, or soapstone and consist of a firebox with a chimney. They can produce up to 70,000 BTUs or more of heat, enough to warm a small home. Some are also designed to double as actual stoves for cooking. Wood-burning stoves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including stand-alone models, wall or hearth inserts, and portable stoves.

In this guide, I delve deep into the world of wood stoves to identify what features you should consider when shopping for one of these old-school heating appliances and review the models that meet these criteria. I researched some 20 different wood stoves, meticulously comparing the features and specifications on each model and scouring through dozens of customer reviews, to make our list of the best wood stoves.

1. BEST OVERALL: US Stove 900-Square-Foot Cast-Iron Log Wood Stove
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: StarBlue Camping Rocket Stove
3. UPGRADE PICK: Woodstock Soapstone Progress Hybrid Wood Stove
4. BEST INSERT: Ashley Hearth 1,800-Square-Foot Wood Stove Insert
5. BEST FOR CAMPING: Winnerwell Nomad View Large Wood-Burning Tent Stove
6. BEST COMPACT: Ashley Hearth 1,200-Square-Foot Pedestal Wood Stove
7. BEST LARGE: Drolet HT-3000 Wood Stove
8. BEST OUTDOOR: Guide Gear Outdoor Wood Stove

How We Chose the Best Wood Stoves

I considered numerous criteria when narrowing the field of wood stoves to these top selections. A wood stove’s ability to produce heat is key, so we only considered models that could provide heat for 900 square feet of space or more (except for the portable and camping categories).

Since the visible flames are a large part of a wood stove’s appeal, I mainly selected models that provide a good view of the firebox with large windows on the doors. Build quality is crucial, so we only chose models with higher-gauge steel construction and forged-iron doors, except for our upgrade pick, which uses soapstone.

Our Top Picks

The list below takes into account our shopping considerations to feature the best wood-burning stove models on the market. It includes stand-alone models and indoor wood-burning fireplace stove inserts, as well as portable wood stoves for outdoor use.

Best Overall

US Stove 900-Square-Foot Cast-Iron Log Wood Stove

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With its classic appearance and high heat output, this wood-burning stove from US Stove is a worthy choice for warming the home. It consists of a cast-iron body with a modern U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified interior suitable for clean burning. The slim design can fit snugly in most homes taking minimal space while effectively heating areas of up to 900 square feet with its 54,000 BTUs.

This cast-iron wood stove also includes an integrated cooking surface on the top of the unit, ideal for preparing small meals. The deceptively small interior can accept wood of up to 19 inches in length.

Product Specs 

• BTUs: 54,000
• Dimensions: 33 inches long by 21.89 inches wide by 25.6 inches high
• Type: Noncatalytic freestanding

Pros

• Compact size fits easily into most spaces; great for smaller cabins
• Very easy to assemble with clear instructions; good heat coverage for a compact unit
• Cast-iron construction is built to last; very durable wood stove

Cons

• Quite pricey for a smaller unit compared to similar options

Get the US Stove wood stove at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Wayfair. 

Best Bang for the Buck

StarBlue Camping Rocket Stove

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This circular, freestanding wood stove from StarBlue is a great option for those on a budget looking to provide wood-burning heat. Made of stainless steel and weighing in at just 13.8 pounds, it is significantly lighter than cast-iron alternatives, allowing users to tote it around easily on a camping trip.

The Rocket Stove is designed to be assembled very quickly without tools, providing quick access to heat when needed. It also comes with a carrying case and packs away flat, which is a great storage space saver. While not intended to be used as a space heater, this is certainly a budget-friendly option for camping enthusiasts looking for a simple cooking tool that uses natural fuel.

Product Specs 

• BTUs: Unlisted
• Dimensions: 15.35 inches long by 7.87 inches wide by 15.35 inches high
• Type: Portable freestanding

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to carry around; includes a carry bag and packs flat
• Stainless steel construction is rust-resistant and simple to keep clean

Cons

• This stove’s small size requires more frequent feeding of wood
• Not intended for heating spaces; only intended for outdoor cooking

Get the StarBlue wood stove at Amazon or StarBlue.

Upgrade Pick

Woodstock Soapstone Progress Hybrid Wood Stove

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While this stove from Woodstock Soapstone costs twice as much as or more than other wood stoves, its ability to burn cleanly while producing an exceptional amount of heat makes it one of the top-performing models available. As a catalytic stove, it produces low emissions of just 0.63 grams per hour while delivering up to 47,220 BTUs of heat—enough to warm homes of 2,200 square feet or larger.

This high-efficiency wood stove is designed to burn for 14 hours or more on a single load of wood. Its white-and-black marbled soapstone exterior and vintage cast-iron molded frame also provide visual appeal, with four other color options to choose from. The large front window provides an excellent view of the flames, which are enclosed by a 7-gauge-thick welded firebox.

Product Specs 

• BTUs: 47,220
• Dimensions: 25 inches long by 30.5 inches wide by 28.5 inches high
• Type: Stand-alone

Pros

• Produces very low emissions; burns clean for 14 hours or more
• Great for cold winters; produces enough heat to warm larger homes

Cons

• Very expensive compared to similar wood stoves on the market

Get the Woodstock Soapstone wood stove at Woodstock Soapstone.

Best Insert

Ashley Hearth 1,800-Square-Foot Wood Stove Insert

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A compact size and high BTU output make this Ashley Hearth model from US Stove one of the best wood stove inserts on the market. With its 69,000-BTU output, it’s capable of heating up to 1,200 square feet. It’s made from 4.76-millimeter-thick plate steel with firebrick lining on the interior. The 16.5-inch-by-9-inch door is made from cast iron and comes with a ceramic glass window, which provides a wide view of the flames.

The stove is large enough to burn logs up to 18 inches long and has a 65.5 percent efficiency rating. A blower on the bottom of the insert helps circulate warm air through the room. The entire heater measures 20.1875 inches long by 26.5 inches wide by 22.375 inches high and has a spring-loaded automatic adjuster that makes it easier to install into a wall.

Product Specs

• BTUs: 69,000
• Dimensions: 20.1875 inches long by 26.5 inches wide by 22.375 inches high
• Type: Wall insert

Pros

• Item’s heavy plate-steel and cast-iron construction offers good heat retention
• Integrated blower helps circulate warm air; automatic adjuster allows for easy installation

Cons

• The blower can start to make a rattling noise over time

Get the Ashley Hearth wood stove at Wayfair or Woodstovepro.

Best for Camping

Winnerwell Nomad View Large Wood-Burning Tent Stove

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This large, well-designed wood stove from Winnerwell is ideal for cooking with wood while camping. At 108 inches long by 25 inches wide by 20 inches deep and weighing 34 pounds, this stainless steel stove is compact enough for taking to the campground to heat a tent, yurt, or tepee. It’s made from stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion from rain. It includes five sections of 3.5-inch-diameter chimney pipe that attach to the exhaust pipe at the top of the stove for venting smoke to the exterior of the tent or structure.

The flat top is large enough to support a pot for boiling water or a pan for frying up eggs. Two grates fold out and serve as side racks for cooking. The firebox is accessible via windowed doors on the front and side of the stove.

Product Specs 

• BTUs: Unspecified
• Dimensions: 108 inches long by 25 inches wide by 20 inches high
• Type: Portable

Pros

• Lightweight; can be converted to compact size for transport; includes chimney extensions
• Corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction that is easy to keep clean

Cons

• Requires more frequent refilling than a larger wood-burning stove

Get the Winnerwell wood stove at Amazon or Winnerwell. 

Best Compact

Ashley Hearth 1,200-Square-Foot Pedestal Wood Stove

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Most wood stoves require a big chunk of space. This Ashley Hearth model from US Stove comes in at just under 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep—a much smaller footprint, making it ideal for heating tinier rooms and homes. Despite its compact size, it still puts out enough heat to warm a 1,200-square-foot room.

The stove consists of plated-steel construction with a cast-iron door that features a large glass window to provide a nice view of the burning logs. Despite its small size, the door is wide enough to handle logs up to 18 inches long. A brushed-nickel handle on the loading door and ash drawers add an elegant look to this rustic wood stove.

Product Specs 

• BTUs: 68,000
• Dimensions: 21.2 inches long by 22.5 inches wide by 31.7 inches high
• Type: Noncatalytic freestanding

Pros

• Small size; takes up less space in a room than similar wood stoves
• Firebrick lined and durable; built sturdy for long life and combustion efficiency
• The brushed nickel spring door handle and pedestal base bring elegance to any room

Cons

• Can only accept relatively small pieces of wood; may require extra work

Get the Ashley Hearth wood stove at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.

Best Large

Drolet HT-3000 Wood Stove

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Experience unparalleled warmth and comfort with the Drolet HT-3000 wood stove, an ideal heating solution for large homes. Boasting a noncatalytic design, this stove efficiently generates a maximum of 110,000 BTUs using dry cordwood, ensuring consistent and powerful radiant heat production. The 3.5-cubic-foot firebox accommodates substantial log sizes, up to 22 inches in length, reducing the need for frequent reloading.

Designed for spacious living, the HT-3000 can effortlessly heat areas of up to 2,700 square feet, making it the ideal choice for those seeking reliable warmth throughout their home. With a minimum chimney height requirement of 12 feet, installation is adaptable to various settings. Elevate your living space’s ambience while maintaining an eco-friendly approach to heating. Choose the Drolet HT-3000 wood stove for its exceptional heating capacity and efficiency, transforming your abode into a cozy retreat during cold seasons.

Product Specs 

• BTUs: 110,000
• Dimensions: 31.25 inches long by 28.125 inches wide by 36.375 inches high
• Type: Noncatalytic

Pros