To come up with this list of the best fire pits, we looked at a variety of options and narrowed down the list based on price, size, style, and fuel type. We made sure to include various types of fire pits that can be used in small spaces, on tables, and even as tables. We also spoke to Rupa Mehta, a home expert at Angi, who recommends considering your neighborhood before choosing a fire pit. “Some places have restrictions on which kinds of fire pits you can have, so be sure to do your research to find a fire pit that works for your location,” says Mehta. Our top pick, the Tiki Brand Patio Fire Pit, has a stylish design that will complement the rest of your outdoor furniture and an airflow system that enables better flames with low smoke. And it comes with a wood pack, so you have one less thing to worry about if you want to use the fire pit as soon as it arrives. Here are the best fire pits to add to your backyard or patio.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Fire Pit: Tiki Brand Patio Fire Pit Best Smokeless Fire Pit: Solo Stove Bonfire Best Portable Fire Pit: BioLite FirePit+ Best Tabletop Fire Pit: TerraFlame Geo Fire Bowl Best Budget Fire Pit: Best Choice Products Steel Outdoor Patio Fire Pit Bowl Best Splurge Fire Pit: Frontgate Bryndle Root Square Fire Table Best Propane Fire Pit: Outland Living Mega Fire Pit Best Wood-Burning Fire Pit: Real Flame Anson Wood-Burning Fire Pit
Who it’s for: People who want a fire pit that lights up quickly and is easy to clean. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a big burn box for large pieces of firewood. Sleek and durable, this stainless steel fire pit from Tiki Brand is efficient, too: It provides big flames and a four-foot heat radius, so you don’t have to hover too close to enjoy the warmth. And thanks to an internal airflow system, the low-smoke fire pit also produces less ash. The ashes you do get are caught in the pan underneath, which makes cleaning easy. You can use regular firewood or the wood pack, which takes some of the work out of starting a fire. Simply toss the bag into the fire pit, light it with a match, and you’ll have a full flame in five minutes. The fire pit also comes with a weather-resistant cover to protect it from the elements or for when you want to store it out of the way. In addition to this 25-inch circular fire pit, the brand also offers a 21.5-inch rectangular version that’s more portable.
Size: 24.75 x 24.75 x 18.75 inchesMaterial: Stainless steelFuel Type: WoodWeight: 45 pounds
Who it’s for: People who want a smokeless fire pit with a modern look. Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to have to maintain stainless steel. If you love an outdoor fire but don’t love having smoke blowing into your face, hair, and clothes, the Solo Stove Bonfire is for you. This cylindrical fire pit is a modern addition to your patio in both style and function. It has a double-walled design, 360-degree airflow technology, and vents on the bottom to feed oxygen to the flames, keeping the fire strong and hot without the accompanying smoke. This smokeless fire pit is all one piece, so there’s no assembly required. And once the fire pit has cooled down, you can simply turn it upside down to empty the ashes. The fire pit doesn’t come with a cover (you can buy a cover and other accessories, like a cast iron cooktop, separately), but you do get a carrying bag that makes it easy to store and move the fire pit. One thing to note: Over time, the stainless steel finish will naturally develop a patina—but the brand recommends polishing the exterior with a bit of Bar Keepers Friend to keep it looking sleek and shiny.
Size: 22 x 22 x 17 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel Fuel Type: WoodWeight: 20 pounds
Who it’s for: People who want a travel-friendly fire pit so they can bring heat or grill on the go. Who it isn’t for: People who often forget to charge their devices. The BioLite FirePit+ is super versatile and portable: It can be used with charcoal or wood, and it has convenient foldable legs. The fire pit has 51 air jets to feed the fire with oxygen, creating a more efficient burn with minimal smoke, and the mesh cover allows heat to radiate out on all sides (and lets you watch the flames in action). A USB-rechargeable battery helps keep it on for up to 30 hours, and the included grate lets you turn the fire pit into an instant grill for an easy meal al fresco. When you’re done using it, open up the trap door at the bottom to clean out any ash or coal. Most convenient of all, this portable fire pit is Bluetooth-enabled, so you can control and adjust the flames via the free BioLite app on your phone. You can adjust fire manually, but we love the idea of doing it comfortably from your seat.
Size: 27 x 13 x 15.8 inchesMaterial: Metal with enamel coatingFuel Type: Wood or charcoalWeight: 19.8 pounds
RELATED: The 15 Best Places to Buy Outdoor Furniture Online Who it’s for: People who want a small fire for ambiance on their patio table. Who it isn’t for: People who want something more than a table centerpiece. For anyone with a smaller patio or those who don’t want to commit to a larger floor fire pit, this geometric tabletop fire bowl lets you enjoy some quick flames without a ton of effort or maintenance. At 11 inches in diameter, this compact model fits on most tables and can be used both indoors or outdoors as a mood-setting centerpiece or a stylish s’mores station. It comes with three 13-ounce cans of gel fuel that give you up to three hours of burn time each, and it’s available in five neutral colors to match any space. Bonus: The outside of the stone bowl doesn’t get hot to the touch.
Size: 11 x 11 x 5.13 inchesMaterial: StoneFuel Type: EthanolWeight: 14 pounds
Who it isn’t for: People who want a super sturdy fire pit for years to come. Simple, affordable, and effective, this fire pit from Best Choice Products is a great choice for anyone looking to spend as little as possible. Even though it’s the cheapest option on our list, it’s made of steel and can be used with two fuel types, either wood or charcoal. The fire pit is compact enough to fit in small spaces and includes a mesh cover to help contain flames and embers, as well as a tool to let you safely adjust the fire or cover. The fire pit itself comes in three pieces (bowl, base, and lid) and requires some minor assembly, but once you’re done, it’s lightweight and easy to place wherever you want.
Size: 22 x 22 x 18.5 inchesMaterial: Alloy steelFuel Type: Wood or charcoalWeight: 12 pounds
Who it isn’t for: People who have small backyards or like to move their fire pits around. For a real conversation starter, this square fire table from Frontgate will make a statement in your backyard. As the name suggests, it’s part fire pit and part table, with a wide rim for holding snacks and beverages while you and your guests sit around it. The fire table is made with cement and fiberglass composite but has a rustic chic design, inspired by tree roots. It comes in two finishes (either gray or brown) and includes lava rocks and a rain cover. Also great: The fire table has a storage compartment to hide away a 20-pound propane tank (not included). It has a battery-operated ignition so you can turn the fire on and off with ease, and there are two heat settings to choose from.
Size: 28 x 28 x 23 inchesMaterial: Cement, fiberglass compositeFuel Type: PropaneWeight: 81 pounds
RELATED: The 6 Best Patio Dining Sets for Outdoor Entertaining Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to deal with buying and disposing of propane tanks. To enjoy an easy, mess-free fire at home or while camping, a propane fire pit is a great option because you don’t need to deal with any firewood, ash, or soot, and you can turn it on and off with a turn of a switch. This all-weather fire bowl requires only minimal assembly and includes a 10-foot hose so you can attach a propane tank and keep it out of the way. You’ll need to purchase your own propane tank, though. There’s a valve knob to turn the propane fire pit on and off as well as adjust the flame height, and the included lava rocks help enhance flickering and spread heat. Just keep in mind that this fire pit can’t be used as a cooking appliance.
Size: 24 x 24 x 13 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel, alloy steelFuel Type: PropaneWeight: 34 pounds
Who it’s for: People who love the sights, smells, and sounds of a wood fire. Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to buy or store firewood. It’s hard to beat the crackle of a wood-burning fire, and this outdoor fire pit from Real Flame delivers. The heavy-gauge steel bowl measures 31.75 inches in diameter and sits low on the ground, which leaves plenty of space to pull up a few chairs and gather around the fire. The wood-burning fire pit comes in a dark gray finish and has clean lines that won’t clash with the rest of your outdoor furniture. Assembly only requires a screwdriver, and the fire pit comes with all the accessories you need to enjoy an afternoon or evening fire-side, including a log grate, spark screen, fire poker, and cover—just BYO firewood.
Size: 35.5 x 31.75 x 20.25 inchesMaterial: Powder-coated steelFuel Type: WoodWeight: 59 pounds
How to Shop for Fire Pits Like a Pro
Fuel Type
There are two types of fire pits—wood and gas—and each has its pros and cons. Wood fire pits tend to be more inexpensive and simply designed, and they usually create larger fires than propane fire pits. “However, wood fire pits result in more mess and safety issues,” says Mehta. “Because wood fire pits burn real wood, you have to be knowledgeable on how to build a fire, and the lingering smoke smell is one of the biggest disadvantages of wood fire pits.” If you or anyone in your household is particularly sensitive to smoke, you may want to avoid a wood-burning model. Gas fire pits, on the other hand, use an electric switch and propane. “They’re easy to operate, mess-free, smoke-free, safe, and provide instant fire,” says Mehta. With a cleaner burn, they also tend to create smaller fires. “Keep in mind that you can’t cook on all gas fire pits,” according to Mehta, “so if that’s important to you, wood may be a better option.”
Size
One of the biggest factors in deciding the best fire pit for you is how much space you have. If you have a big backyard or patio, you have more options in terms of size and shape. But those with small yards or patios will want to opt for something more compact (or even a tabletop model). And if you’re planning on traveling with a fire pit (road trips, camping, beach outings, etc.), a portable fire pit is going to be much easier to pack and tote around.
Materials
Fire pits come in all types of materials such as steel, concrete, and stone. Part of your decision will be based on aesthetic and personal preference, but other things to take into account are durability and weight. For example, a stainless steel fire pit will be durable enough to last for many years to come, whereas a stone fire pit, although sturdy, will be much heavier and harder to move around if you decide you want to redecorate.
Questions You Might Ask
Where should you place a fire pit?
When it comes to open flames, safety should be your first priority. “Your outdoor fire pit should be at least 10 feet away from your house, trees, and any other flammable structures,” says Mehta. Ideally, you’ll want to put it in a wide, open space. And since fire pits are a great place for friends and family to gather, you’ll appreciate the extra room to add in some chairs or comfortable seating nearby.
How do you maintain a fire pit?
“Most gas fire pits are mess-free and don’t require much cleaning,” says Mehta. However, if you’re using a propane tank, you’ll need to manually replace it once it runs out. Wood fire pits, on the other hand, can be messier and require regular cleaning due to ash left behind from the burned wood. You’ll also want to clear out any extra debris in the fire pit before and after using it, and cover it when it’s not in use to protect it from inclement weather.
What can you do with fire pit ashes?
Fire pit ashes are compostable, so they can be reused in your garden. “The day after you use the fire pit, sweep the ashes into a can or other container,” says Mehta. “Once you gather enough ashes, you can spread them around your garden to make the soil less acidic.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with six years of experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories. To compile this list, she thoroughly researched fire pits and rounded up the best options based on style, size, material, and fuel type. For expert advice on how to choose and care for a fire pit, Lesley spoke to Rupa Mehta, a home expert at Angi.
