The 9 Best Small Wood Stoves of 2023

Photo: Pleasant Hearth

Sometimes you do not need to spend thousands of dollars on a large wood stove because, with the best small wood stove, you can still get efficient and effective heating.

Small wood stoves are typically smaller units for heating individual rooms and cabins, and they will often come with a 2 cubic feet firebox that will generate enough heat to cover a space of up to 2,000 square feet.

These stoves will use relatively shorter (under 20 inches long) and smaller logs when compared to the larger ones, and they will not burn up a lot of wood. If you are on the lookout for one, this post is for you as we review 9 top-rated ones and provide a handy buying guide.

9 Best Small Wood Stoves – Review

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES
	1. Vogelzang TR001 (Best Overall)	Heavy-duty cast-iron feed door Durable ceramic glass window Conveniently adjustable legs Burns for several hours
	2. TMS STOVE-2346 (Best Budget)	More budget-friendly Ideal for both heating and cooking Easily accessible bottom for simple cleaning Spark arrester for safer use
	3. Guide Gear Outdoor Wood Stove (Built to Last & Inexpensive)	Durable galvanized steel and cast iron construction Relatively more affordable Easy storage and transportation Easy control air-vents
	4. Vogelzang TR004 (Efficient Heating & Long Burn Time)	Airtight for improved efficiency Up to 8-hour burn time Heavy-duty cast iron feed door Classic large hearth surround
	5. Pleasant Hearth WS-2720 (Perfect Single-Family Use Stove)	Perfect single-family use size Little assembly required Large ceramic glass window Convenient ash drawer
	6. Drolet HT3000 (High Heat Output & Low Emission)	Up to 110,000 BTUs heat output Low 1.32 grams per hour emission rate Accepts up to 22-inch long logs Larger glass view window
	7. Vogelzang TR008 (Super Long Burn Time)	Delivers up to 12-hour burn time High-performing turbo burn technology Can accept logs up to 26 inches long EPA-certified for clean-burning Efficient air-tight design
	8. US Stove Company 1269E (Classic-Style & Reliable Cast Iron Stove)	Pleasant classic-style stove Durable cast iron build Stay cool safety handle Handy integrated cooktop surface
	9. Pleasant Hearth WS-2417 (Well-Built & Effective)	Durable steel and cast iron construction Efficient and effective heating up to 1,200 square feet Safe and durable chrome handles Requires little assembly

1. Vogelzang TR001 – Best Overall

Photo: Vogelzang

• Heat Coverage: 1,200 sq. ft.
• Heat Output: 68,000 BTUs
• Material: Plate steel
• Log Length: 17 inches

The heavy-duty construction that includes a plated steel housing, cast iron door, and a sturdy ceramic glass window are what make this our top overall product.

Besides allowing you to watch the fire as it burns the glass window makes it easy to tell when you need to add more logs and is handy for ensuring efficient heating.

Despite the smaller and more space-saving size, this wood stove will still deliver a heat output of up to 68,000 BTUs and cover up to 1,200 square feet.

Also, the legs are adjustable for easy placement, and safety is assured thanks to the secure cam-lock door latch. To top it all up, the stove will come with a blower.

This wood stove seems to make it a little hard to adjust the flame, but if you have some experience with these stove types, it should be easier by removing or adding more logs and adjusting their position.

Pros:

• Heavy-duty overall construction
• Clear glass window for increased heating efficiency
• Conveniently adjustable legs
• Secure cam-lock door latch
• Blower is included

Cons:

• Flame can be hard to adjust

2. TMS STOVE-2346 – Best Budget Small Wood Stove

Photo: TMS

• Material: Rolled steel

TMS STOVE-2346 is made for those shopping for the best compact wood stove on a budget. It is the cheapest model on our list but still has a lot to offer.

This rolled steel wood stove is made to offer safer operation thanks to the spark arrestors. But, what many users will appreciate most is that besides heating the house, it will also be very useful for cooking.

The small wood stove will come with some removable dual side cooking tubes that will be very useful for foil meals and baking potatoes.

Portability is made easy by the hinged top grates that will act as a carry handle. And it will take less effort to clean up this stove thanks to the easily accessible bottom.

The paint seems to burn off quite fast which can leave the unit looking older than it is, but this will not affect its performance, and good care or a repaint should take care of this. Also, although there are no assembly instructions, you can easily get them online.

Pros:

• Relatively more affordable
• Safer to use stove
• Versatile design for cooking and heating
• Easy to carry design for portability
• Simple ash cleanout

Cons:

• Paint burns off fast
• No instructions

3. Guide Gear Outdoor Wood Stove – Built to Last and Inexpensive

Photo: Guide Gear

• Material: Galvanized steel and cast iron

The heavy-duty galvanized steel construction and cast iron door are the highlights of this wood stove as they will make it highly durable. And this is the kind of stove you can expect to serve you for a long time.

Despite the heavy-duty construction, this wood stove still comes at an affordable price tag as it is the second cheapest unit on our list.

The stove is designed to be simple to fold down for easy storage and transportation, which makes it the perfect choice for use on the go such as when camping.

And besides heating up spaces, the stove comes with a multifunction top platform that will be useful for other things like cooking and keeping food hot.

Some users will find the air intake holes quite small, which can affect the burning of the logs, but the good news is that this is a fixable issue by simply drilling the holes to enlarge them.

Pros:

• Long-lasting construction
• More affordable
• Simple to carry and store
• Multifunction top platform

Cons:

• Air intake holes are quite small

4. Vogelzang TR004 – Efficient Heating and Long Burn Time

Photo: Vogelzang

• Heat Coverage: 1,800 sq. ft.
• Heat Output: 69,600 BTUs
• Material: Plate steel
• Log Length: 18 inches

The heating efficiency of the Vogelzang TR004 is almost unbeatable by any other stove in its class, and it will deliver enough heat to heat an area of up to 1,800 square feet and do it quite fast.

Besides heating efficiently, this wood stove has been designed to operate cost-effectively as it will burn the log for up to 8 hours, which means you end up using less of them and hence saving money.

The construction is heavy-duty, and it will feature a plate steel housing, cast iron feed door, and a ceramic glass window.

There is a cool-touch wood handle that will make this wood stove comfortable and safe to use. And it has the looks to go with the top quality construction thanks to the large hearth surround that gives it an impressive classic look.

The blower fan used on this unit can be quite loud, but most users will hardly have any issue with the sound once they get used to it. Also, when compared to other units on our list, it is a little expensive but for a heavy-duty wood stove, the price is still okay.

Pros:

• Airtight design heats up to 1,800 square feet efficiently
• Burns up to an impressive 8 hours
• Heavy-duty plate steel housing
• Attractive large hearth surround
• Cool-touch wooden handle

Cons:

• Blower fan is quite loud
• A little expensive

5. Pleasant Hearth WS-2720 – Perfect Single-Family Use Stove

Photo: Pleasant Hearth

• Heat Coverage: 1,800 sq. ft.
• Heat Output: 65,000 BTUs
• Material: Steel and cast iron
• Log Length: 22 inches

The Pleasant Hearth WS-2720 is the perfect size wood stove for a single-family, and it is built to give users an easy time as it will require almost no assembly at all.

This small wood stove is quite efficient as it will produce up to 65,000 BTUs, and it can heat up spaces that are up to 1,800 square feet, which is larger than what most others on our list can heat.

For those that enjoy watching the fire burn, this model takes care of this as it will come with a large ceramic glass view window.

Although the ashtray on this stove is not as big as what you get on other models, it is still very handy as it makes cleanup a breeze, and better yet, you can still scoop out the ash from the top and don’t have to use it.

Pros:

• Ideal size for single-family use
• Quick and simple cleanup
• Amazing fire burn view
• Requires little assembly

Cons:

• Smaller ashtray

6. Drolet HT3000 – High Heat Output and Low Emission

Photo: Drolet

• Heat Coverage: 1,800 sq. ft.              
• Heat Output: 110,000 BTUs
• Material: Steel
• Log Length: 22 inches

Drolet HT3000 offers a heat output of up to 110,000 BTUs, which is the highest on our small wood stove review. Hence, if you are looking for high heat output, this is your best bet, and the good news is that it will cover up to 1,800 square feet, which means it can work for almost any room.

Despite the high heat output, this wood stove will still not produce a lot of emissions as it has a 1.32 grams per hour emission rating, which is also the lowest on our list.

This small wood stove accepts logs that are up to 22 inches, which means you will not be restricted to chopping down your wood into small pieces. And you get to enjoy the fire burn thanks to a large glass view window.

The price is one of the few drawbacks with this wood stove as it is the priciest unit on our list. However, the high heat output and coverage make it worth the extra cost.

Pros:

• Higher heat output
• Lower emission rate
• Accepts relatively larger logs
• Design includes a larger view window

Cons:

• More expensive wood stove

7. Vogelzang TR008 – Super Long Burn Time

Photo: Vogelzang

• Heat Coverage: 1,500 sq. ft.
• Heat Output: 74,000 BTUs
• Material: Plate steel
• Log Length: 26 inches

The 12-hour burn time that you get with Vogelzang TR008 is not only longer than all others on our list, but also longer than what many larger models will offers.

Besides the long burn time, this is a high-performing wood stove thanks to the turbo burn technology, and this stove is also up to 75% more efficient as it comes in a completely airtight design.

You can be confident that it will burn more cleanly than most others. And to make it even better, the smaller wood stove will accept logs up to 26 inches long to eliminate the need to chop your wood into tiny pieces.

The blower seems to be relatively weaker when compared to what you get with others on our list. However, this should not be the deal-breaker as it does not affect the wood stove’s efficiency.

Pros:

• Longer burning time
• High-performing and efficient
• Cleaner burning stove
• Accepts larger logs

Cons:

• Relatively weaker blower

8. US Stove Company 1269E – Classic-Style and Reliable Cast Iron Wood Stove

Photo: US Stove Company

• Heat Coverage: 900 sq. ft.
• Heat Output: 54,000 BTUs
• Material: Cast iron
• Log Length: 23 inches

The best compact wood stove for you is one that not only provides an efficient performance but also has the looks to go with it. US Stove Company 1269E offers both because besides being highly durable thanks to a heavy-duty cast iron construction, it comes in an attractive classic-style.

With this small wood stove, you will get a nice cooktop surface that will make it more versatile as you can use it for cooking or heating food. And it is safer to use thanks to the stay-cool handle.

This stove will produce up to 54,000 BTUs and heat an area of around 900 square feet, which is quite good given its relatively affordable price tag.

The provided assembly instructions are wanting, and the illustrations are not very clear or easy to follow. However, setting up this wood stove is still quite straightforward.

Pros:

• Attractive classic-style
• Heavy-duty cast iron material
• Handy cooktop surface for versatile use
• Stay cool handle for safe use
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

• Poor assembly directions

9. Pleasant Hearth WS-2417 – Well-Built and Effective

Photo: Pleasant Hearth

• Heat Coverage: 1,200 sq. ft.
• Heat Output: 50,000 BTUs
• Material: Steel and cast iron
• Log Length: 18 inches

This small wood stove is the kind that you can be certain you will have around for a long time to come as it will feature a heavy-duty steel cast iron build that guarantees many years of service.

Besides the build quality, the highly effective and efficient design also helps to make this one of the best wood stoves out there. It will deliver up to 50,000 BTUs and heat an area that is up to 1,200 square feet which is quite good.

Also, the fact that this model requires little assembly and that it has a larger ceramic view window that will ensure you get a good view help to cement its place as one of the best small high-efficiency wood stoves out there.

This small wood box seems to use up the logs a little too fast when compared to others on our list, and so you will need to add more frequently. But, this is a small drawback given the efficiency of the wood stove.

Pros:

• Heavy-duty steel and cast iron construction
• Larger window for a fantastic view
• Highly efficient and effective firebox
• Requires minimal assembly

Cons:

• Requires minimal assembly

How to Buy the Best Small Wood Stove

Photo: US Stove Company

Here are some key points to keep in mind when shopping for the best mini wood stove.

1. Heat Coverage

The first element that you will need to take into account is the heat coverage of the wood stove that you want to buy as it will determine whether it will be ideal for your intended use or not.

While these small wood stoves will not cover as much area as the larger full-house models the area of heat coverage will vary from one model to another.

Typically, you can get anything from 500 to 2,000 square feet coverage from the stoves. The size of your cabin or room should help you decide on which model to buy, but you will always be better off settling for something with more heat coverage than you need instead of something with less.

A unit that covers around 1,800 square feet like Vogelzang TR004 seems to work well enough for a majority of users.

2. Heat Output

Besides the heat coverage, you will need to consider the heat output that the stove will produce. This will not only affect how warm the room can get but also determines the coverage because the more the heat the larger the area it can cover.

Like with most other stoves, the heat output will be measured in BTUs, and here you can expect anything from 50,000 to over 100,000 BTUs.

The amount of heat you need should help you decide the right model to buy but, for most cabins and living rooms, a model with 65,000 BTUs like Pleasant Hearth WS-2720 should be perfect as it will not produce too much or too little heat.

3. Construction

The build quality matters a lot as it will determine whether you get value for your money or not and if the stove will serve you well.

When it comes to the construction, you will need to watch out for both the material used to make the stove and how it is made.

The best small wood stoves will be typically made from either cast iron or steel. While both materials are tough and durable enough, cast iron will be more ideal if you want something that will also offer you a rustic appeal.

4. Cost Effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness is a crucial factor to take into account as you choose a small wood stove. And here you will need to consider both the buying and operation costs.

For the buying cost, you can get one of these stoves for anything from under $100 to over $1,000 depending on the features, size, and construction.

When it comes to the operation cost, the most cost-effective unit will be one that does not use up a lot of wood but still produces enough heat.

5. Safety

As you shop for the best small wood stoves for cabins or home use, safety needs to be at the top of your mind as you do not want to put yourself and those around you in danger.

The good news is that wood stoves tend to be quite safe to operate as they do not have any electric components.

With that said, you still need to make sure you choose something with a thick and heavy-duty door and a heat-resistant handle material to ensure you can operate the stove safely with no risk of getting burnt.

Also, make sure that you go for a small wood stove that has passed emission tests and has been certified to be safe to use.

6. Maintenance

Hate it or love it, maintenance will always be part of owning any wood stove whether it is small or large, Hence, the best you can do when choosing a small wood stove is to make sure the model you pick will be easy to maintain.

Models that come with an easily removable ashtray will give you the easiest time as they will make clean up a breeze.

An easily accessible chimney and interior also make maintenance easy as you can easily get in there and remove the nasty buildup.

Conclusion

Whether you are on the lookout for the best small wood stove for use at home or a cabin, there is something for you in our top 10 reviews above.

And from our review, the Vogelzang TR001 is our best overall model as it has heavy-duty steel and cast iron build, delivers up to 68,000 BTUs and will burn up for several hours.

But, if you prefer something more budget-friendly that is ideal for both heating and cooking and will also give you an easier time when it comes to clean up, go for the TMS STOVE-2346.