Eureka SPRK vs SPRK+ Which Is The Better Butane Stove?

In the market for an inexpensive butane camping stove that’s compact, great quality and provides plenty of power? 

Sounds like a tall order but if you’ve already researched your options, you may have come across the Eureka SPRK and SPRK+. These are both some of the best affordable compact butane stoves out there.

But it can be difficult to tell the difference between these 2 similar models and know which one is going to be the better buy

The Eureka SPRK and SPRK+ are both butane-powered, compact and single burner camping stoves.  

However, the SPRK+ has slightly more power at 11,500 BTUs compared with the SPRK’s 10,000. It also has a double-walled windshield and adjustable feet for added stability which all account for the slightly higher price tag. 

The SPRK is 0.45 lbs lighter and 68 square inches smaller, making it more convenient for transport. It also has a black grill and underplate which helps conceal stains and burn marks. 

Although both models are strong contenders for the best budget-friendly and high-quality camping stoves, the Eureka SPRK+ is the better stove because it has a bit more power for faster cooking and has a durable double-walled windshield and stabilizing feet – which the SPRK lacks.

All this for only $17 (if you buy directly from Eureka) more makes it worth it. 

Power

The Eureka SPRK has a 10,000 BTU burner which is pretty much the standard for basic camping stoves (some people use 8,000 BTU camping stoves without issues). It will easily boil water and cook a wide range of meals without issues. 

Below is a YouTube video from Eureka showing how easy it is to use: 

However, the Eureka SPRK+ has slightly more power at 11,500 BTUs. While this may not seem like much, the extra power means that it gets a little hotter and will speed up your cooking time by a minute or two. 

Also, if you’re cooking in the early morning or evening and the temperatures are cold, the slightly higher BTU rating could help you. 

Size

If you’re like me and like to pack as lightly as possible when camping and space and weight is a big issue for you, I’d go for the SPRK instead of the SPRK+. 

However, since the price difference is quite small I’d only do this if space and weight was truly at a premium. 

The SPRK is only 0.45 lbs lighter but it’s much more compact at 130.8 square inches compared with the SPRK+’s 198.9 square inch area. 

The difference is 68 square inches which is quite significant and can mean the difference between the stove fitting in your backpack or not or having to sacrifice another essential camping item for the stove. 

Extra Features

Comparing both stoves, the SPRK and SPRK+ share the same excellent features: 

• Matchless autoignition
• Simmer control
• Carry case

However, the Eureka SPRK costs around $50 while the Eureka SPRK+ is around $15 more expensive. The price difference is small which is why I’m happy to pay a little bit extra to get the extra features of the SPRK+.

For this additional $15 or so, you get the following extra features: 

• 1,500 BTUs in extra power which can help in cold conditions and cook your food slightly faster 
• A durable and double-walled windshield (which can be a lifesaver in really windy conditions)
• Adjustable stove feet for extra stability
• A better looking stove

This means that unless you’re on a very tight budget, these extra features are well worth it and can definitely pay off in the long run. 

Appearance

The Eureka SPRK comes in peridot (a bright and cheerful green color) while the SPRK+ has a bold blue color (legion blue). No other color options are available. 

Both colors are attractive but if you like your camping stove looking as pristine as possible and don’t like the odd cooking stain and dull metal, you might consider the SPRK instead because it has a black grill and underplate that can hide a lot of imperfections. 

In contrast, the SPRK+ has a shiny silver burner and underplate when new but I can imagine it starting to look a little dull with use and the light silver color will reveal even the tiniest burn mark or cooking stain.

Which Is Better: The Eureka Spark or Spark+?

The better stove between the Eureka SPRK and SPRK+ is definitely the SPRK+ because it has a bit more power and added features like a durable windshield and stabilizing feet. You get all these extras for only another $15 or so. 

The only time I wouldn’t recommend the SPRK+ is if: 

• You need the most lightweight and compact stove possible. 
• You’re on a very tight budget and don’t want to spend more than $50 on a stove. 
• You like fuss free cleaning and don’t want to spend a lot of time polishing your stove and removing stains to keep it looking good. 

In such cases, I’d recommend the SPRK because it’s lighter, more compact and below $50. The black grill and underplate also makes cleaning easier. 

A final note that if you’re considering the SPRK+ only because of the added power so you can use it in very cold conditions, I would strongly consider a propane or multi-fuel stove instead. Butane stoves don’t normally give problems but this is one of the rare ones. 

Propane works much more efficiently in very cold temperatures but you need to ensure you use it outdoors or in a well-ventilated space. 

For example, the Gas One Dual Fuel Camping Stove from Amazon works on both propane and butane. The lower power output of only 8,000 BTUs accounts for the low price tag but the over 10 thousand excellent product reviews shows that it’s a good buy. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more high-end butane stove option and one with 2 burners, check out this guide which compares the Camp Chef Teton 2X and Everest 2X.