7 BEST Mini Wood Stove Reviews: Small, Compact, Tiny, Minature Wood Burning Stoves

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.

For instance, the Grizzly Cubic Mini is a perfect wood stove with ideal features for small space heating.

Nonetheless, mini wood stoves are not made equal. Some are ideal for cabins, others for RVs, while others are capable of heating much larger areas. In this review, we will do a roundup of different picks to help you choose one that matches your needs.

Best Small Wood Stove Reviews

If you want to consider larger wood stoves, check out our round-up of the best wood-burning stoves for homes.

1. Grizzly Cubic Mini Wood Stove – Best For Tiny Homes

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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

Well-constructed, portable, and fuel-efficient, the Grizzly Cubic Mini Wood Stove is an ideal winter heating solution that comes with a bag of unique features. Designed for heating smaller spaces like cabins, tiny homes, and RVs, the stove can heat spaces to 400 square feet in size.

With secondary combustion to channel smoke and fumes out and improved energy efficiency, the Grizzly is simply perfect for its size and price. Managing temperatures in a small home is pretty much a challenge, especially during winter. But with this Cubic Wood Stove model, your heating needs will be sorted.

Check out our complete Cubic Grizzly Wood Stove review for more info.

Pros:

• High quality
• Superb performance (great airflow)
• Eliminates humidity effectively
• Easy to install
• Energy-efficient (consumes less wood)

Cons:

• Very small cooktop
• As with all mini wood stove, requires very small pieces of wood which take more work to prepare
• Have to frequently put wood on the fire
• Requires frequent emptying of ashes

2. Cub Cubic Mini – Runner Up Wood Stove

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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 pretty similar to the Grizzly, only that it’s a little smaller, and is 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 ideally designed for spring and fall weather, so it’s not great for the middle of winter in a very cold climate.

Pros:

• Longer burn time
• Energy-efficient

Cons:

• Not ideal for winter
• Takes only very small pieces of wood

3. The Dwarf – Top Quality Small Stove

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Started out of a passion for small-space living, Tiny Wood Stove has grown into a line of high-quality mini stoves that provide convenient and reliable energy-efficient heating.

The Dwarf is one of their popular brands, which is under constant improvement. Featuring a cast iron door with a spring handle and a large window for monitoring the fire, a Dwarf makes an elegant addition to your small space.

Tiny Wood Stoves have gone out of their way to create a Dwarf for every size of space. Currently, available models include Dwarf 3kw, 4kw, and 5kw.

Check out our complete Dwarf wood stove review.

You can see that there is a bit more space in the firebox as compared to the Cubic Mini Grizzly and Cub. Therefore, you don’t have to have such small pieces of wood which means you’re not adding 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 series 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 3kw	Dwarf 4kw	Dwarf 5kw
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.

Customization options for the Dwarf stoves are good as well.

You can 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!

Pros:

• High-quality stove (sturdy steel body and cast iron door)
• Easy ash cleanout
• Great air control
• Variety
• High output

Cons:

• Because they’re so popular, there are sometimes delays in delivery

4. US Stove – Best For Cabins

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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 heating solution ideal for log cabins, shops, and large garages. With proven durability, this 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.

Pros:

• EPA-certified for high energy efficiency and
• Adequate clearance
• High output

Cons:

• Smoky at first

5. Dickinson Newport – Best Cheap Wood Stove

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Specs:

• Measurements: 7.88” W x 15.63” H x 10” D
• Fuel: Wood, charcoal briquettes, and coal
• Output: Up to 8,000 BTU

Since 1932, Dickson Marine has been supplying quality appliances to the marine industry.

The Dickson Newport 00-NEWSF is one of their amazing innovations that stands out for its affordability. Designed for casual use, mainly boats 20-25 ft. (although it can provide sufficient heat for a 400 sq. ft. space), this heater delivers decent performance for its price tag.

With a detachable ash drawer for easy cleaning, the wood/charcoal briquettes/coal burner is efficient at countering humidity inside a vessel.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Preinstalled fire shield

Cons:

• Fire can be extinguished quickly

6. Ventis HES140 – For Small Spaces

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Specs:

• Measurements: 26 ¾” W x 32 1/8” H x 26 3/4” D
• Fuel: Wood 17” long
• Output: 45,000 BTU
• Weight: 225lbs
• Material: Steel
• Heat capacity: Up to 1200 sq. ft.

Our top selection for small spaces is the Ventis HES140.

This is a metallic freestanding pedestal stove with premium features that justify its cost. With the capacity to warm up to 1,200 sq. ft., providing an output of 45,000 BTU, HES140 burns with decent efficiency.

2020 EPA-certified, this stove is a cost-efficient solution that you can rely on for overnight heating of your small space.

Pros:

• Energy efficient with EPA certification
• Longer burn time (8 hours)

Cons:

• Expensive

7. Drolet DB03111

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Specs:

• Measurements: 25 5/8” W x 32 5/8” H x 25 3/4” D
• Fuel: Wood 20” long
• Output: 75,000 BTU
• Weight: 383lbs
• Material: Steel, ceramic glass
• Heat capacity: Up to 2100 sq. ft.

Last on our list of top picks is the Drolet DB03111, which takes the trophy for small wood stoves for larger areas.

A pedestal model with a heat output of up to 75,000, Drolet DB03111 is a mini stove with impressive performance even across larger spaces.

Drolet has a lot of very good wood-burning stoves, see our complete Drolet heating appliance reviews. They also sell nano wood stoves, pellet stoves, furnaces, and fireplace inserts.

Pros:

• Longer burn time (8 hours)
• High output

Cons:

• Expensive

Small Wood Burning Stove Buying Guide

BTU Meaning

BTU is an abbreviation for British Thermal Unit, a measure of energy or heat production, in this case.

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.

Small Wood Stoves Are Best For… 

While some small wood stoves are primarily for heating small areas, some are versatile, serving as cook appliances alongside dehumidifying the spaces.

2020 EPA Certified Meaning

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.

A March 2021 news release by EPA announced that 95 manufacturing plants had earned the 2020 ENERGY STAR certification for being the most efficient players in their industries.

Together, the plants saved almost $400 million in energy bills, cutting down on 80 trillion BTUs of energy, thereby preventing more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Efficiency

Efficiency measures the amount of energy a stove preserves.

For instance, if it has a rating of 80%, this means only 20% of the heat escapes through the chimney. In the case of traditional fireplaces, their efficiency rating is usually 10%, meaning 90% of the heat goes up the chimney.

Pros And Cons Of Wood Burning Stoves

When compared with other types of heating solutions, wood-burning stoves have some distinguishing merits as well as downsides that set them apart.

Some of them include:

Pros

• High energy efficiency
• Lower emissions than traditional fireplaces
• High output
• Longer burn time
• Not affected by electricity outage

Cons

• High purchase and installation cost
• Represents a hazard in small spaces
• Requires custom bits of tiny firewood
• Woodstove smells

The smells from a wood stove can be covered up, removed, and/or prevented to some degree, but especially in a tiny home, it doesn’t take much escaped smoke to create a bit of a stink.

Gathering firewood for a mini wood burner might be a lot easier than collecting it for a larger wood stove.

You can usually buy bags of small wood and kindling from gas stations, big box stores, or grocery stores. Even Amazon can deliver small lots of firewood to your door as well.

Different Types of Construction

The type of construction material for wood stoves varies from one manufacturer to the other.

However, the main materials used for the body are either steel or cast iron. Doors are usually made of glass, while the firebrick is, in most cases, clay.

Standard Features of a Small Wood Burning Stove 

Stove features vary from one model to the other.

But these are the standard features you should look out for when buying a wood-burning stove:

• Steel or cast iron body
• Ample-sized ash bin
• Secondary combustion
• Decent heat output
• High efficiency
• Ideal stove size for your space
• Longer burn time

Special Features of a Tiny Wood Burning Stove 

Some stoves also have special features, which may or may not escalate their cost.

These may include:

• Dual-use (Heating and Cooking)
• Certification
• All-season use

Small Wood Stove FAQs

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.

See this list of the best wood stoves for RVs and campers if you have one of those structures.

Can you leave a wood-burning stove burning overnight? 

It depends. Some stoves have higher safety standards than others. But even with such, you should step up your safety measures, e.g., stacking all the wood inside. Choosing a catalytic model for enhanced combustion can also go a long way in guaranteeing your safety while you’re asleep.

What are the best brands? 

There are several leading wood stove brands, most of which we have already mentioned such as;

• Cubic Wood Stove
• Englander
• Tiny Wood Stove
• US Stove
• Osburn

For those in the UK, the Pipsqueak wood stove is another good option for small spaces.

The Little Hottie Wood Stoves include the smallest wood stove ever in their lineup, though it’s only for fun and not suitable for heating.

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.

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.

Can you do it yourself in a tiny home, cabin, or mobile home, or do you need a professional? 

You shouldn’t install a wood stove on your own unless you have the expertise.

The risk is usually too high; hence you should hire a certified professional to install it. A professional will choose the right location, add appropriate floor and wall protection, and help with conducting regular maintenance.

One of the other big issues with not having a certified pro install a wood burner is that it can affect insurance claims in the event of damage.

Best Mini Wood Stove

There you have it! Your complete guide to choosing a mini wood stove for your home.

Summing up the list hasn’t been easy. As you have seen, every stove has unique characteristics that stand out.

But since there has to be one winner, the Grizzly takes the trophy, thanks to its miniature size that doesn’t compromise its efficiency. Its ability to keep your home warm during winter, despite its humble features, is what wins for us.

If you would like to enjoy a similar experience at an even lower cost, but in the milder spring or fall weather, then Grizzly’s sibling, CB-1008, will do just fine. Again, with its ideal size for a tiny space and decent output, the stove shines for its price.

Englander twins Englander 2000 and 2400 are also a win for us if you don’t mind spending a little more and carrying extra weight on your mobile home. However, if you’re on a budget and in search of a lesser load for your camper, then the Dwarf models will be ideal for you.

Has any of the other models won your heart? We wouldn’t be surprised. Let us know which ones in the comments below!

For your outdoor space, check out these great outdoor fireplaces, or for something more portable, these cast iron fire pits (I just bought one and I love it!). Meanwhile, we hope you’ll enjoy shopping for your next mini wood stove.