Backpacking stoves tend to be either minimalist burners like the MSR Pocket Rocket—affordable and simple but needing separate cookware—or premium all-in-ones like the MSR Reactor, which are fast, efficient and wind-resistant, but costly and less flexible. The MSR Switch stove system aims to carve out a middle ground, striking a balance between the efficiency and convenience of an integrated system and the lower price and freedom to use your own cookware offered by simpler canister-top stoves. It's a strong choice for beginners and anyone after a lightweight, versatile setup.

In Use

I'll admit, my first impression of this stove system was that it was trying to do too much and might end up falling short across the board. But after using it and considering its place in the market, I've come to see it differently.

I think it will actually appeal to a broad range of users. The relatively affordable price is a major draw, but so is its flexibility—whether you're buying your first stove setup or adding a reliable all-rounder to your kit. It's especially well-suited to situations where top-tier performance or ultralight weight aren't the main priorities, but a reasonably lightweight and packable cook setup with some added versatility is.

The Switch gets you about 70% of the way to a premium integrated system like the MSR Reactor or WindBurner, but at a significantly lower cost—and with the added bonus of being far more versatile. Unlike those locked-in systems, the Switch works with a range of cookware, giving you flexibility as your needs evolve. This makes it a standout option for newer backpackers or light car campers.

It's affordable, and comes bundled with a 1L pot, which removes one of the initial friction points of getting started - something you don't get with minimalist burners like the Pocket Rocket. At the same time, it doesn't box you into a proprietary ecosystem. You can grow your cooking setup at your own pace, whether that's adding a frying pan from your kitchen or investing in a specialised pot or kettle later on. While some Jetboil systems offer adapters for other cookware, they're still not as effective for gentle simmering as the Switch. A closer competitor—though with a different design philosophy—is the Jetboil Stash.

Performance-wise it's not top of the range, but still more than does the job, and boil times have held up well in real world use (see below for controlled tests). Wind does affect performance more than with fully enclosed systems like the WindBurner, but far less so than typical canister-top stoves. The burner design features a stainless steel divider that splits the flame into three segments, offering partial wind protection by helping at least one section to stay lit, depending on wind direction.

Beyond boiling, the Switch handles low-output cooking impressively well. Achieving a gentle simmer—often tricky with lightweight pots prone to scorching—is surprisingly easy. The micro-regulator maintains a steady, clean-burning blue flame even at low output, offering reliable performance where other stoves might flicker out.

A small benefit I've found is that the shape also makes the pot easier to clean by reducing stubborn buildup in corners — useful when you're deep into a multi-day hike or just stirring soup at a campsite. However I have still tended to save cooking food in the integrated pot for simpler dishes like instant noodles, and cook more saucy meals using other cookware.

Overall this setup strikes a nice balance between cost, convenience, and performance, and for many users this may be all the stove they need, and not be a piece of gear they will quickly outgrow and want to replace. The one big turn off for me is the relative instability of the system with the pot set-up in use; although with a well chosen spot this hasn't actually proven to be an issue.

Weight

The full system weighs in at 394g, putting it in the middle of the pack compared to major integrated stove systems—lighter than MSR's WindBurner and Reactor, though still heavier than the Jetboil Flash. While weight is always a consideration for backpackers, it's unlikely to be a deal breaker for many users here. The Switch offers a well-balanced mix of weight to flexibility, and value.

Performance and Design

The burner appears to be a modified version of the MSR Pocket Rocket, adapted to work with the Switch pot. What sets it apart—especially at this price—is the inclusion of a micro-regulator valve, a feature missing from the standard Pocket Rocket and that of its clear competitor the Jetboil Stash. This helps maintain steady gas flow in both warm and cold conditions, avoiding the pressure drops common with traditional needle valves. It's a surprisingly refined touch for a stove in this class. Paired with the integrated pot, the system also delivers much faster boil times than the Pocket Rocket alone.

The hemispherical base enhances heat transfer by encouraging the flame to follow the contour of the pot, reducing hot spots and distributing heat more evenly. This not only lessens reliance on the aluminium to conduct heat across the surface, but also improves fuel efficiency.

The Switch outputs 7,100 BTU, and MSR claims it can burn for approximately 84.5 minutes on a 227g canister. While controlled tests don't fully reflect real-world performance—especially with variables like wind and temperature—they can still offer a useful baseline.

In an indoor, wind-free test using the integrated pot and a full gas canister, I brought 500ml of room-temperature water to a full boil in 2 minutes 27 seconds—3 seconds under MSR's claim—using only 6g of fuel. For a cold-weather comparison, I chilled the canister to around -5°C in my freezer. Boil time was only slightly longer at 2 minutes 34 seconds, again using just 6g of fuel - although by the end of this the canister had also warmed up slightly.

Given these results, I'd feel confident using this stove on longer trips without worrying too much about gas consumption. I've been boiling up a brew quickly, and fuel efficiency has been great.

Features:

The gas canister clip on stand's rubber design makes it adjustable around the base which in turn makes it more flexible for finding a stable position on uneven ground compared to more standard rigid clip in ones - a nice feature for what otherwise could be a rather unstable setup.

A cork insulation sleeve only partially covers the Switch compared to the likes of the MSR Windburner or Jetboil Flash. I assume because of this it probably provides not much in the way of insulation to decrease boil time, but it does make handling the pot after boil much easier along with the foldable handles - which I much prefer to the handles seen on the other mentioned competitors.

The built-in piezo ignition is a welcome addition—especially in windy Scottish conditions where using a lighter can be tricky. While these are often the first thing to fail on a stove, this one has reliably sparked on the first or second try so far, though long-term durability remains to be seen (always carry a backup lighter).

The integrated bowl/mug works perfectly fine for a brew or some porridge in the morning and the plastic cap works well for a nice smooth pour or straining of some noodles, and all fit together well in the overall packed setup.

Verdict

The MSR Switch strikes an impressive balance between affordability, performance, and versatility. It's not the lightest or most wind-resistant option, but it offers strong boil times, good simmer control, and the flexibility to grow with your cooking needs—all at a fair price. Stability may be an issue with the pot at times, although this is aided with the well designed canister stand. With a micro-regulator, integrated pot, piezo ignition, and compatibility with other cookware, it's a well-rounded stove that's especially appealing for newer backpackers or anyone after a simple, packable system that won't quickly be outgrown. For many, it could be the only stove they need.