Finding the perfect small wood stove for a tiny living space doesn’t have to be challenging.
It might have been the case some years back, but not anymore. With the improvement of mini wood stoves to provide energy-efficient and clean heating solutions for tiny spaces, much of the hassle has been sorted.
However, not all mini wood stoves are equal. Some are ideal for cabins, others for RVs, and still others can heat much larger areas. In this review, we will round up different picks to help you choose one that matches your needs.
Small Wood Stove Reviews
 | GRIZZLY and CUB Mini Wood Stove |
| View On Cubic Mini Wood Stoves |
 | Dwarf Tiny Wood Stove |
| View On Tiny Wood Stoves |
 | Caboose Tiny Wood Stove |
| View On Flame InnovationView Other Models |
Those are 3 of our favorite mini wood stove brands.
The mini wood stoves that these companies sell are tried, tested, and proven. Thousands of their stoves are in tiny houses, RVs, boats, campers, and other small homes.
Here is more information about each of them, along with a few more options.
1. Cubic Mini GRIZZLY Wood Stove
Prices and versions:
- certified with brass features
- certified with black features
- non-certified with brass features
- non-certified with black features
Specs:
- Measurements: 13” W x 15” H x 12” D
- Fuel: Wood (6 ¾” long)
- Output: 2.3 – 5.2 KWh (8,000-18,000 BTU)
- Material: Steel, firebrick insulation, and Robax glass
- Certification:
Well-constructed, portable, and fuel-efficient, the Grizzly Cubic Mini Wood Stove is an ideal winter heating solution with several unique features. Designed for heating smaller spaces like cabins, tiny homes, and RVs, the stove can heat spaces up to 400 square feet.
With secondary combustion to channel smoke and fumes out and improved energy efficiency, the Grizzly is perfect for its size and price. Managing temperatures in a small home can be challenging, but with this Cubic Wood Stove model, your heating needs will be sorted.
The Grizzly comes in certified and non-certified versions, each in black or brass (as above). For more information, check out our complete Cubic Mini Wood Stove reviews.
Pros:
- Certified models can work with insurance
- Designed for use in a wide range of small living spaces
- Listed for use through winter
Cons:
- Very small cooktop and only vents out the top
- Requires very small pieces of wood, which take more work to prepare
- Requires frequent emptying of ashes
2. Dwarf Tiny Wood Stoves
Tiny Wood Stove has developed a line of high-quality mini stoves that provide convenient and reliable energy-efficient heating.
The Dwarf features a cast iron door with a spring handle and a large window for monitoring the fire. The flue can be vented out the back or the top, with the former creating a much larger cooktop.
The firebox has more space than the Cubic Mini stoves. Therefore, you don’t have to have such small pieces of wood or add wood to the fire as often.
The Dwaft Wood Stove uses tri-burn technology with primary and secondary air controls and ceramic firebricks for hot and efficient fires.
This mini wood-burning stove, which comes in three sizes, gives you a lot of airflow control that allows you to build and maintain the best fire for your wood and comfort level.
Specs:
| Dwarf 3 kW | Dwarf 4 kW | Dwarf 5 kW | |
| Measures | 17” H x 10.25” W x 8.5” D | 19.5” x 12” W x 9” D | 22” H x 11” D x 14” W |
| Fuel | Wood and coal | Wood and coal | Wood and coal |
| Output | 7500 – 11500 BTU | 11000-15000 BTU | 14500 – 20000 BTU |
| Heating | Less than 300 sq. ft. | Less than 500 sq. ft. | Less than 500 sq. ft. |
| Weight | 75lbs | 100lbs | 150lbs |
| Material | Cast iron and steel | Cast iron and steel | Cast iron and steel |
| Ideal for | Vans, RVs, Campers | RVs, travel trailers, skoolies, yurts, tiny houses on wheels | RVs, travel trailers, skoolies, yurts, tiny houses on wheels |
In this next chart, you can see the BTU range of each of the stoves.
There are customization options for the Dwarf stoves as well: add soapstone slabs to the side, colored enamel doors, a wood storage stand, cast iron legs, or a top baking stand (only for the 5kW model).
All in all, it’s a great option if you want a miniature wood stove for your small space. Check out our complete Dwarf wood stove review and this fuller comparison with Cubic Mini Wood Stoves.
Pros:
- Sturdy steel body and cast iron door
- Easy ash cleanout with ash pan and riddling grate
- 5 kW version with an oven available
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than other brands
- Not certified for insurance purposes
- Made in China, whereas other brands made in the US or Canada
3. Cubic Mini CUB Wood Stove
Prices and versions:
- certified with brass features
- certified with black features
- non-certified with brass features
- non-certified with black features
Specs:
- Measurements: 11” W x 12” H x 10.5” D
- Fuel: Wood (5 ¾” long)
- Output: 1.75 – 4.1 KWh (6,000-14,000 BTU)
- Material: Steel, firebrick insulation, Robax glass
Another one from Cubic Mini Wood Stoves, the CB-1008 burner, takes our runner-up position. This stove is the same as the Grizzly, only smaller. It’s designed for heating areas of 100 – 200 square feet.
It’s a good solution for smaller spaces with less than 200 sq. ft. and low ceilings. The stove is designed for spring and fall weather and is not suitable for use in winter in a cold climate.
We have an article with tips on using a small wood stove most effectively, which gives ideas on how to get longer, more efficient burn times.
Pros:
- One of the cheapest small wood stoves
- Can be bought certified or non-certified, depending on your needs
- DIY install for those who are reasonably handy
Cons:
- Not for use through winter
- Takes only very small pieces of wood
- Does not get all night burns
4. The Caboose
Specs:
- Measurements: 22″ wide, 25″ tall, and 10″ deep
- Fuel: Wood
- Output: Heats spaces between 200 to 600 square feet
- Material: Constructed from steel with a fully brick-lined firebox
- Weighs 120 pounds.
The Caboose Tiny Wood Stove by Flame Innovation is designed to heat spaces between 200 to 600 square feet. It boasts burn times of 4 to 6 hours with softwoods, and even longer with hardwoods.
This stove stands out with its space-saving design, allowing for either wall-mounted or free-standing installation, complete with built-in heat shields. The Caboose can be mounted on a sturdy wall bracket, which includes a large shelf and allows for fine-tuning exhaust placement. For enhanced heating, an optional convection fan is available to evenly distribute warmth throughout the space.
This stove is capable of handling cordwood up to 14 inches long and 5.5 inches in diameter, loaded from the right side. It features a large, air-washed glass viewing window for radiant heat transfer and an 8 by 10-inch cook space on top. It uses a 4-inch HT UL-rated combustion pipe for exhaust, with a 6-inch outer diameter for safe installation.
The Caboose has been particularly appreciated in tiny homes, school bus conversions, and small cabins, where it provides reliable and effective heating while maintaining a compact footprint. Customers like Khan Mac, Leanne Hainline, and Geoff and Deborah Imlay commend the knowledgeable and helpful staff, emphasizing the stove’s performance and aesthetic appeal in their living spaces. Read all their reviews here.
5. Steelhead Small Wood Stove
Specs:
- Measurements: 14 ½” wide, 24” deep, 25-30” tall
- Fuel: Wood
- Output: Roughly 10,000 to 23,000 BTUs
- Material: Steel
- Weight: 180lbs
The Steelhead Small Wood Stove is a highly efficient heating solution designed for tiny homes and off-grid living.
With burn times of up to 8 hours, it can accommodate logs up to 18 inches in length. A notable feature is its hot water tank option, allowing users to heat up to 10 gallons of water while warming their space.
The stove is crafted in Post Falls, Idaho, by a team of certified craftsmen who ensure quality through meticulous hand welding, painting, and assembly.
This non-catalytic stove generates 10,000 to 23,000 BTUs and heats areas ranging from 800 to 1,200 square feet. It features a secondary burn system, Neo-Ceram glass with an air-wash system, and a brick-lined firebox.
Customer reviews praise its efficiency, aesthetics, and the exceptional customer service provided by Flame Innovation.
7. US Stove Cast-Iron Stove
Specs:
- Measurements: 22.2” W x 25.8” H x 33” D
- Fuel: Wood 19” long
- Output: 54,000 BTU
- Weight: 128.7lbs
- Material: Cast iron
- Heat capacity: Up to 900 sq. ft.
This rustic heavy-duty stove is another great small space heater from US Stove.
It’s a cost-efficient EPA-certified wood stove ideal for log cabins, shops, and large garages. This durable cast iron stove can take in up to 19” long logs, providing long burns with great heat output.
Rated at 54,000 BTU, US1269E can heat up to 900 sq. ft. while dabbling up as a cookstove.
7. Mini Me Pellet Stove 2.0
Specs:
- Measurements: 19″ wide at the front, 6″ at the back, 18″ tall at the top, 19″ deep, and 38″ in total height
- Fuel: Wood pellets
- Output: Heat range of 8,500 to 25,000 BTUs
- Weight: 97 lbs
The Mini Me Non-Electric Pellet Stove is an efficient and compact heating solution designed for spaces up to 700 square feet. It is ideal for tiny homes, yurts, cabins, and RVs.
Crafted in the USA, it boasts meticulous craftsmanship and reliable performance. The stove is easy to install, accommodating 4-inch stove pipes, and features a smart design that ensures efficient heat distribution.
A standout feature is its non-electric functionality, allowing it to provide consistent warmth without relying on external power sources, making it perfect for off-grid living.
The Mini Me Pellet Stove is designed for convenience, with a 40-pound pellet hopper capacity that minimizes refueling interruptions. It includes new features such as a pellet feed shut-off tool, directional airports for better ash removal, removable airports for easier cleaning, an improved pellet adapter, and a better-sealed ash pan for outside combustion air.
Customer reviews highlight the stove’s efficiency, ease of installation, and excellent customer service provided by Flame Innovation, making it a highly recommended choice for those seeking reliable heating for compact living spaces.
We have a full review of the earlier Mini Me version, which burned compressed logs… that model is also still made to order.
Small Wood Burning Stove FAQs
What does BTU Mean?
BTU is an abbreviation for the British Thermal Unit, which measures energy or heat production.
Essentially, a stove that has an output of 75,000 BTU can heat a larger area than one with 15,000 BTU. However, when choosing the ideal stove for your space, you also need to consider its efficiency.
For instance, if it has an efficiency of 80% with a BTU rating of 70,000, then its ultimate output will be much lower, i.e., 80% x 70,000, which is 56,000 BTU.
What does EPA Certified mean?
EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency, a U.S. agency mandated to protect environmental and human health.
The 2020 EPA rating is a certification for products awarded to energy-efficient manufacturers.
What does efficiency mean on wood stoves?
Efficiency measures the amount of energy a stove preserves.
For instance, if it has an efficiency rating of 80%, this means only 20% of the heat escapes through the chimney. Traditional fireplaces, on the other hand, have an efficiency rating of usually 10%, meaning 90% of the heat goes up the chimney.
What is the most fuel-efficient small wood-burning stove?
Manufacturers are constantly improving their stoves’ performance, and more energy-efficient models are continuously hitting the market.
Most of the brands (Cubic Mini Wood Stove, Drolet, Osburn, US Stove, Englander, etc.) are all energy efficient. To determine a stove’s efficiency, simply check its rating, plus burn time and output.
Can a mini wood stove heat an entire tiny home?
Yes. A mini wood stove can heat an entire tiny home, but this largely depends on its capacity.
Every stove indicates its heating capacity, so you may want to buy one that suits your home’s square footage.
See our dedicated post on the best tiny house wood stoves for more info.
What are the best brands?
There are several leading wood stove brands, most of which we have already mentioned, such as;
- Cubic Wood Stove
- Drolet
- Englander
- Tiny Wood Stove
- US Stove
- Osburn
For those in the UK, the Pipsqueak wood stove is another good option for small spaces.
Does a wood-burning stove need a flue?
Yes. Installing a flue is necessary to channel fumes and smoke out of the home for a clean, burning experience.
What else do you need to purchase for a fully functioning stove?
When budgeting for a wood stove, there are additional components that you need to consider for it to become fully functional.
These include items such as;
- Flue (stovepipe)
- Fire shield (to protect floor and walls), etc.
- Accessories like pokers, brushes, shovels, ash buckets
Is installation easy?
Installation is a crucial process when planning for a wood stove.
Since it poses such a high safety hazard to your home, care should be exercised when installing it to guarantee your safety and peace of mind.
Mini Wood Stove Recommendations
Summing up this list hasn’t been easy. As you have seen, every stove has unique characteristics that stand out.
We like the certified Cubic Mini GRIZZLY for those needing a certified stove that’s easiest on the budget (keep in mind everything needed for installation). The Dwarf is best for those wanting the hardiest construction and most features.
All three of the companies we’ve focused on have great customer service reviews, and their products have proven good too. We can recommend any of them.
I have the 4kwh dwarf stove in my outdoor office/ sleepout and I flippin love it. Keeps me warm all day through the winter. Shopping for an rv now and likely i get the same, but maybe the 5kwh model.
Yes, I can imagine – once you get the tiny wood stove bug, you want one for every small space!
Like the look of the Dwarf but it’s quite a bit more than the Cubic mini which seems comparable. What’s the difference?
We have a whole post comparing the Cubic Mini and Dwarf Wood Stoves here. The Dwarf stove is better in terms of the quality of construction, features, and what it can handle, and that’s why it costs more.
Excellent content. Am I allowed to share it on my blog by citing the source?
You can certainly link to the content, but no, please do not republish it.
What do you think is the best mini wood stove between cubic mini and dwarf wood stove?
You can see our post Cubic Mini Vs Dwarf Tiny Wood Stove to learn about all the differences, however, the Dwarf is the better mini stove (more features, thicker steel, etc). BUT it also costs quite a bit more so it depends on your budget.
This is a super helpful & comprehensive review – thank you! Definitely excited that a mini wood stove can heat the whole house.
I really enjoyed your review of the small wood stoves. I’ve been thinking of getting one for my tiny cabin and your comparison of the Grizzly, Dwarf, and Cub mini helped me a lot. I think I’ll go with the Dwarf Mini based on your review. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Great review! I’ve been considering a compact wood stove for my tiny cabin, and your insights on the Cubic Mini and Dwarf really helped. It’s nice to see the pros and cons laid out so clearly. Thanks for sharing!
Can you please advise if they can be vented out a window?