Nothing beats a long evening outdoors by the fire. The best fire pits enable you to embrace the outdoors and create memories you’ll treasure. Whether you’re looking for a stylish design that will be the focal point of parties or yearning for quality time roasting marshmallows by the fire with family, there’s a fire pit for you. The best fire pits keep you warm and transform your outdoor space into a cozy retreat, extending the time you can comfortably spend outside. You can wave goodbye to having to retreat inside and call it a night because it’s too cold.
We've got you covered when choosing one of the best fire pits. Our round-up includes affordable picks from top brands like BioLite, Tiki Brand, and Solo Stoves. Plus, we’ll walk you through the key considerations. The first choice you’ll need to make is how your fire pit is powered. Want the benefits of a fire pit without smoke? A propane model is a modern, planet-friendly option. More of a traditionalist? You’ll also find fire pits that burn charcoal and wood. Remember that wood-burning options require more maintenance to remain in top condition than gas-fueled options. Technological advances such as clever airflow management mean you can find fire pits that generate maximum heat minus the smoke.
Can't decide between one of the best patio heaters and a fire pit? The best fire pits boast similar heat to a patio heater and have the bonus of providing entertainment for you and your guests. They’re a great choice if you fancy making fire gazing part of your evening’s activities. Regarding budget, there’s a huge range available with models ranging from $100 to $1000. Don’t forget to invest in a heat protection mat to prevent damage to your surface.
Planning to entertain outdoors? Check out our guides to the best outdoor solar lights and the best gas grills.
The best fire pits we recommend in 2024
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The best fire pit overall
The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is designed to be enjoyed by both novices and experienced campers. Its 360° Airflow technology creates a smokeless fire, so heat and warmth can be enjoyed without the unpleasantness of smoke. With a 19-inch diameter, it’s large enough to entertain small gatherings and parties but still portable enough to transport around via the free carry case.
Solo Stove’s Product Marketing Manager Ty Hancock says that “the Bonfire 2.0 is our most popular fire pit. It is big enough for backyard entertaining but still portable for camping.”
We tested the Bonfire 2.0, weighing its ease of use and maintenance and its claim to create a smokeless fire. The extractable base plate and ash pan made cleaning the fire pit simple, as they could be easily removed and emptied after use.
The fire pit produces a smoke-free fire for the most part; only a very small amount of smoke was experienced, but not enough to affect the overall enjoyability of use. The fire pit felt safe to use, but the main difficulty was the awkwardness of moving it around, plus the reflection of fingerprints on the stainless steel shell.
- Read our full Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 review
The best fire pit for cooking
The BioLite FirePit+ doubles as a fire pit and a cooking stove. Its integrated fan, powered by a rechargeable USB powerpack, superheats the flames to create a smokeless effect. The fan can be controlled either via manual buttons or the Bluetooth BioLite Energy app.
The fire pit has an enamel-coated steel body with mesh sides and is all black except for the powerpack at the front, which is yellow. There is a trap door at the base of the pit to make emptying the ash easier. We found that the BioLite FirePit+ is easy to set up, use, and maintain as both a traditional fire pit and a cooking stove, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite produce a completely smokeless fire.
Demian Lashlee, Associate Director of International Sales at BioLite, says, “We all love being outdoors and gathering around a campfire but don't enjoy the ‘smokey shuffle’ from inefficient burns. With our FirePit+, you get a significantly better burn thanks to the consistent airflow by the battery-driven fan, creating a flame with way less smoke than a traditional fire. We also love to cook outdoors, and this product allows you to grill your favorite foods over wood or charcoal.”
The BioLite FirePit+ is priced at $299.95, and cooking accessories can be bought separately, though these aren’t necessary to use the fire pit as a stove. We recommend this fire pit for people looking to enjoy the experience of a fire without suffering from copious amounts of smoke and for those who want a fire pit/stove that is portable enough to take away on vacation.
- Read our full BioLite FirePit+ review
The best propane fire pit
The Outland Living Mega Fire Pit's CSA approval means you can use it in places where burning wood fires are banned (see below for more on that), which is certainly one reason to pick it over the other fire pits in this guide—but it's also very convenient.
You can start it in seconds, switch it off rather than waiting for a fire to burn out, convert it to natural gas if it's staying home, or carry it around without any of the mess of wood pits if you're on the move. It's very handsome and includes everything you need, such as a propane bottle.
Depending on how much you burn it, you may need more than one of those since it has a maximum 58,000 BTU output. However, this can be easily adjusted if you're happy with slightly smaller flames.
The best tabletop fire pit
The Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit is the latest fire pit released in Solo Stove’s smokeless fire pit range. It’s designed to be extremely lightweight and portable, weighing only 1.4 lbs and measuring only 6.8 inches in height. It has a nylon carry case, a stand to protect surfaces from heat, and a pellet adapter.
The Mesa takes either firewood or wood pellets as fuel. The Mesa is a really enjoyable fire pit; it’s easy to use and suitable for beginners. Little effort is required in terms of cleaning, and it’s ideal for small storage spaces. The review also found that claims that the Mesa can produce a smokeless fire are true, as long as the burn holes are given adequate breathing space.
The only real critique of the Mesa is its price tag; given its small size, it’s quite expensive. It can’t produce enough heat for several people to enjoy at once, so people looking for a fire pit to entertain larger parties may not be well suited to Mesa.
Ty Hancock, Solo Stove’s Marketing Manager, says, “Solo Stove is all about helping people create memories outside. Mesa is the perfect way for new users and experienced pros alike to spend more and more time outside with those they care about.”
- Read our full Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit review
The best fire pit for parties
Balance is the order of the day here, and Tiki Brand has perfectly combined the attractiveness and practicality of the Fire Pit's design and the convenience of its pellet-burning capabilities with the freedom to fire up logs if you prefer the ability to build a roaring fire with airflow which effectively cuts smoke down to the bare minimum.
It has a slide-out ash tray for easy cleaning, an assembly process that involves attaching just three screws, and a cover included. The only thing it lacks, at least as we write, is a spark shield - but only because Tiki Brand has returned to the drawing board to create a better one, due in summer 2021.
Although this is pricier than some, it's the perfect centerpiece for an evening get-together. For style and ultimate relaxation, we'd also suggest adding a hot tub to complete your garden oasis.
The best budget fire pit
Proof that you don't need to spend through the nose if all you need is a convenient place to build a fire, Amazon's bargain fire pit comes with everything you'll need, from a spark screen to a poker, and seems very sturdy with it.
Perhaps its pre-distressed looks won't be for everyone, but wood burners tend to get a little charred after a few fires anyway—this one has plenty of ventilation to allow good airflow and radiates a lot of side-to-side heat.
It's square, too, which means you have far more room to build a fire than pits with a 26-inch circular diameter. The Amazon Basics 26" Geometric Square Fire Pit is also lighter, meaning you can easily move it where you need it to be.
How to choose the best fire pit for you
Before you invest, it’s worth taking a little time to think through how you’re going to use your fire pit. You’ll want to factor in where you’re planning to put it. If you’ll be using it on decking or grass, you’ll want a heat-resistant barrier to avoid scorching your surface. An alternative is to opt for a fire pit that doesn’t radiate heat downwards. Planning a camping trip? You’ll be pleased to know there are portable options available so you can gather around the fire wherever you are.
In the excitement of buying a fire pit, it can be easy to forget about how you’re going to store it for the long term. If you think you’ll be leaving it out in the open, look for a rust-resistant model and, ideally, one with a cover. You’ll thank yourself later.
Worried about safety? Spark shields give you peace of mind that flaming embers won’t stray out towards you and your guests. They’re worthwhile if you think you’ll be huddling around the fire or if there’s anything flammable nearby. If you’re planning to get close to the fire pit a smoke-free option can save you and your guests from smarting eyes.
Finally, don’t overlook the tools you’ll need to make the most of your fire pit. Check what’s included with the model you buy so you don’t end up having to fork out for extra accessories on top of the initial outlay.
