The best fire pits provide both heat and ambiance, whether you’re using one to make s’mores on a summer evening or to warm up on a chilly fall day. After testing nine different fire pits across a variety of sizes, designs and fuel types over the past several months, I believe the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit is the best fire pit overall. It’s medium-sized, but mighty; it’s smokeless while putting off impressive heat; and it’s portable enough to be used in the backyard or taken on the go. For everything from camp cooking to tailgating, the lightweight BioLite FirePit+ with folding legs is the best portable fire pit I tested. I also have picks for the best upgrade fire pit, the sturdy Breeo Smokeless 24-Inch Fire Pit, and the best tabletop fire pit, the Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit.
After testing nine different fire pits across a variety of sizes, designs and fuel types, the Solo … [+] Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit won as best fire pit overall.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Here are all of the winners from my fire pit testing process.
Amazon
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit
Our score: 10 | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel type: Wood | Dimensions: 20 x 14 inches | Special features: Smokeless
What you’ll love:
SmokelessLightweight and portableQuick and simple to light thanks to high wallsRemovable ash pan for easy cleaning
Keep in mind:
Best for small crowds Develops unique patina over time
The main allures of a wood-burning fire pit are the dancing flames and the crackle you hear from the wood. It’s all about the ambiance, but what can kill the fun? Smoke. Through testing, I found that the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit smokeless fire pit not only eliminated smoke, but it also offered an impressive heat output while being lightweight and versatile enough to use in the backyard or for camping.
The Bonfire 2.0 fire pit is made from stainless steel with a double-walled design to help with better airflow. It has airflow holes both on the top interior of the fire pit, along with the base, which promote air circulation. That extra help with circulation is what works to alleviate smoke created by burning wood. I found that this design was very effective while testing. There was still a bit of smoke while starting a fire, but as it got going and air started to circulate, it faded.
The airflow design helps to create an incredibly efficient fire, maintaining enough heat that you … [+] can feel it within a three-foot radius.
Molly Allen For Forbes
The same airflow design also helps to create an incredibly efficient fire—I felt the heat within a three-foot radius while testing. Compared to more shallow fire pits I tested, the high walled design of the Bonfire 2.0 fire pit makes it simple to light, blocking any breeze that might try to out out your fire. The Bonfire 2.0 has a clever removable ash pan to make clean-up simple. While some fire pits I tested required me to flip over the entire bulky fire pit to empty the ash, all I had to do with the Bonfire 2.0 fire pit was lift the ash pan out once the ashes cooled, dump the ash and put the pan back in the base for my next use.
This particular Solo Stove model comes with a carrying case, so you can stow it away or take the fire pit with you, whether you’re heading out camping or to the beach. I found it light and small enough to pick up and move on my own while testing. Aside from classic stainless steel, which will inevitably develop a unique patina after hours of use, the fire pit comes in seven other exterior color options. You can also choose to use it with the Solo Stove cooking hub for cast iron cooking or cook wood-fired pizzas with the compatible Pi Fire pizza oven on top. The Bonfire model is the same in design as Solo Stove’s larger Yukon and Canyon fire pits, along with the smaller Ranger, Mesa XL and Mesa. Overall, I found the Bonfire 2.0’s approachable size and portability best for a wider range of uses.
After three months of use and testing, I’m still just as impressed with this smokeless fire pit as when I first tried it. I’ve kept it outside almost every day, with the exception of moving it out of the rain a few times to avoid too much moisture coming in contact with the fire pit. It has held up nicely, without any dents, dings or functional issues. Because of its stainless steel exterior, it has developed a patina: hues of bronze, light purple and blue have emerged. The brand notes on its website that this is normal as elements such as air affect the chemical makeup of stainless steel over time.
Our score: 9.5 | Material: Metal mesh and stainless steel | Fuel type: Wood or charcoal | Dimensions: 27 x 13 x 16 inches | Special features: Included fan to increase airflow and eliminate smoke and grill grate
What you’ll love:
Easy to carry at under 20 poundsFolding legs make for easy transportCan fit full-sized logs
Keep in mind:
Fan runs loud on highest speed
Take your fire on the go with you camping, tailgating or to the beach with this clever portable design. The BioLite FirePit+ fire pit was the lightest full-size pit that I tested, weighing less than 20 pounds and measuring 27 inches wide. The lightweight mesh metal design makes it simple to move, with folding legs to make transport that much easier. The legs also help to lift the fire pit off the ground. However, it’s still best to use this fire pit on stone or gravel, or to use the brand’s aluminum-coated fiberglass fabric when setting up on grass. There is an interior fuel rack on the FirePit+ which can hold standard-sized wood logs, or you can choose to cook with charcoal over the fire pit.
You can cook on the BioLite FirePit+ fire pit either by using the grill grate or by placing a … [+] griddle over the top.
Molly Allen For Forbes
The signature mesh design makes for a mesmerizing display of dancing flames. It also put off impressive heat from such a small vessel. In my testing, I felt heat from this fire pit as far as two feet away. The included rechargeable battery-powered fan helps with airflow to eliminate smoke, and has three different settings. Of course, you can also choose to leave it off. While testing, I found that there wasn’t much smoke coming off of this fire pit with the fan off, but turning it on eliminated it completely.
The sliding grill grate on the FirePit+ serves multiple purposes. It helps to keep embers from flying, and you can open it to add more fuel. You can also cook over it, whether you’re cooking directly on the grill grate or placing a griddle over the top. Once the flames died down, this fire pit cooled in less than 20 minutes during testing thanks to the impressive airflow—that allows you to quickly pack it up if you’re on-the-go. To clean out the leftover ash, there is a small sliding drawer on the bottom to allow for easy dumping, without having to tip the fire pit upside down.
I’ve taken this fire pit several places over the past several months of use. I’m continually pleased with just how light and compact it is, allowing me to easily pack it for camping or take it over to another family member’s house for a cookout. There haven’t been any issues with functionality, and the construction of both the fire pit and the fan has held up. I’ve continued to test the battery-powered fan for airflow which helps to eliminate smoke. My preference still remains to keep the fan on low to avoid too much of a humming noise. At that setting, the battery has lasted over multiple days of use without needing a recharge.
Breeo
Breeo Smokeless 24-Inch Fire Pit
Our score: 9 | Material: Stainless steel, Corten steel | Fuel-type: Wood | Diameter: 28 x 15 inches | Special features: Smokeless
What you’ll love:
SmokelessImpressive 4-foot heat radiusEasy to set up and light straight out of the box
Keep in mind:
Very heavy, making dumping the ash difficult
Straight out of the box, I was impressed with the heavy-duty construction of Breeo’s fire pit. I tested the 24-inch model which can easily fit six to eight people around it, but Breeo also offers the same fire pit in smaller 19-inch or larger 30-inch and 42-inch options. The fire pit is constructed from corrosion resistant stainless steel, or you can choose Corten steel as the base option to save a bit of money. While the two materials will perform the same when it comes to building a fire, the stainless steel option is naturally weather resistant. The Corten steel option will develop a rust patina over time.
The Breeo’s sturdy construction is impressive, with thick, high walls and a flat interior floor that made it simple to get a fire going in my tests. The double-walled fire pit has interior holes, which promote airflow to make it smokeless. But just because there’s no smoke doesn’t mean the heat is any less intense. This fire pit was absolutely cranking out heat during my testing, reaching well over 1000 degrees after just a few small logs were added, with a heat radius that I felt from further than four feet away. The size, double-walled design with airflow holes and stainless steel construction contributed to the fire pit’s quick, impressive heating.
The Breeo’s sturdy, thick construction is impressive, with high walls and a flat interior base to … [+] make it simple to get a fire going.
Molly Allen For Forbes
I found the Breeo’s setup to be simple, since all you need to do is pull it out of the box. However, given that it weighs 62 pounds, this may be a job for two people. Because of how heavy it is, I needed assistance to unbox this fire pit while testing. The Breeo fire pit comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is compatible with a list of cooking accessories including a grill, griddle and pizza oven. The most crucial accessory in my opinion? The Breeo Base, which will help to protect the surface you put the fire pit on. This is especially important if you’re hoping to use this fire pit on grass, but not essential on gravel or stone.
Over the course of several months of testing, I’ve continued to use the Breeo. This large fire pit is definitely the best option for gathering around when I have a larger group of friends or family coming over to my backyard. It continues to surprise me with just how hot it gets, putting off an impressive heat radius of three to four feet. While this fire pit is weather-resistant and has proven to be very durable, the stainless steel has changed colors slightly. It hasn’t developed quite as much of a patina compared to the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 fire pit I tested, and I believe that could be due to the thickness of the steel. The finish has changed to a light bronze color, particularly around the top lip of the fire pit.
Amazon
Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit
Our score: 9.5 |Material: Stainless steel | Fuel type: Wood or pellets | Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches | Special features: Smokeless
What you’ll love:
Compact and lightweightSmokelessImpressive heat radius despite its size
Keep in mind:
Burn time is shorter due to smaller size
A smaller, tabletop fire pit like the Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit can add warmth and ambiance to an outdoor space while also being light and portable enough to move to different seating areas or on top of a picnic table. Solo Stove’s tiny Mesa fire pit checks all of those boxes. Weighing in at only 1.4 pounds, this fire pit is similar in size to a vase of flowers is small but mighty. In my testing, it put out an impressive tall flame ranging from five to seven inches, with a heat radius of one to two feet. It’s constructed from stainless steel with double walls, just like the larger Solo Stove fire pits. That double-walled construction also means it has interior airflow holes for better circulation, making it smokeless.
Weighing in at only 1.4 pounds, the Mesa is similar in size to a vase of flowers.
Molly Allen For Forbes
With its included small base, I had no issues using this fire pit on a variety of tables including wood and stainless steel. You can either fuel this tabletop fire pit with small pieces of wood or fill it with wood pellets for a longer burn time. Chopping wood into small pieces is a tedious yet doable task, or you can purchase pre-chopped smaller wood from Solo Stove.
Once the fire dies out, it takes just about 45 minutes for the Mesa to cool down, allowing the ash to be dumped and the fire pit to be stored away relatively quickly after use.
It’s been three months since I’ve been using this tabletop firepit, and I can no longer count the number of s’mores I’ve made with it. The Mesa been such a fun addition to my outdoor space, especially for welcoming friends over for s’mores parties without needing to set up a large fire pit. I’ve mainly left it out on a table but it’s easy to stow away during intermittent rain. I continue to find it incredibly convenient for spontaneous use, especially now that I have a good stock of small pieces of wood on hand.
Because of the stainless steel construction, the once-shiny stainless steel finish has developed a bronze patina. Solo Stove says that all their fire pits, big or small, will develop this type of patina.
Amazon
Outland Living Mega Fire Pit
Our score: 9 | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel type: Gas | Dimensions: 24 x 13 inches | Special features: None
What you’ll love:
Long hose allows propane tank to sit further awayImmediate ignition using a match or lighterExcellent heat radius
Keep in mind:
Tricky to transport because of loose rocks
If you’re looking for an incredibly convenient fire pit to put off excellent heat, this is it. The Outland Living Mega Fire Pit is moderately lightweight at 34 pounds, making it easy to set up and move by just one person. All you have to do is pull it out of the box and put the included lava rocks in the bowl. It hooks up to a propane tank, with a convenient 10-foot hose. To light it, switch the flame dial to ‘on’ to get the gas flowing and use a match or lighter to ignite the flame. Lighting is immediate, and you can adjust the flame intensity with the dial. The compact fire pit put out a surprising amount of heat at the lowest setting in my tests; I felt that radiating heat from two feet away.
The compact fire pit puts out a surprising amount of heat at the lowest setting; the radiating heat … [+] can be easily felt from two feet away.
Molly Allen For Forbes
This is a great option for someone who wants a simple, easy-to-use fire pit at an approachable price. There’s no need to clean any ash since this fire pit is powered by propane. Once the flame dial has been switched off, it took under an hour to cool in my tests.
Amazon
Barebones Cowboy 23-Inch Fire Pit
Our score: 9 | Material: Steel | Fuel type: Wood or charcoal | Dimensions: 25 x 29 x 14 inches | Special features: Included grill grate with pole for adjusting grate height
What you’ll love:
Bowl shape allows for an even, wide base of hot coalsComes with adjustable pole arm and grill grate for cookingLightweight and easy to move
Keep in mind:
Entire fire pit needs to be dumped to get rid of ash
Some people may want to specifically use a fire pit for cooking. If you want the ability to try wood-fired cooking straight out of the box, the Bare Bones Cowboy 23-Inch Fire Pit is an excellent choice. At 30 pounds and constructed from steel, it’s lightweight, yet durable. It has three legs to lift the bowl so the ground or surface underneath doesn’t get too hot. It also has a relatively wide, shallow bowl compared to other fire pits I tested. The shape allowed enough room for multiple logs to get a fire going to burn down to a large, even base of hot coals in my tests, creating an ideal heat source for cooking. I was able to move the coals around to put them under the grill grate for cooking while keeping a fire burning on the other side for a consistent heat source.
This fire pit also has some extra features to help control temperature while grilling. Using the pole arm, I could slide the grill grate up and down by loosening the handle to move it and tightening it again once in place. This handy features allows you to choose how close to the coals you want to cook. You can also swivel the grate out of the way if you’re hoping to simply enjoy gathering around the fire without prepping a meal at the same time.
The wide, open bowl shape on the Barebones Cowboy 23-Inch Fire Pit made was unique amongst fire pits … [+] I tested.
Molly Allen For Forbes
The fire pit radiates excellent heat which I felt within a three-foot radius in my tests. The wide, open bowl shape helps to promote airflow to cool it down, which means the fire will die out quicker when you’re done enjoying it. Just keep in mind that this fire pit doesn’t have an ash catcher—you will have to scoop ashes or dump the fire pit to clean it.
Other Fire Pits I Tested
Of the nine fire pits tested, there were three that didn’t earn specific top spots. However, they did still perform well and have positive features.
Solo Stove Yukon (9): This isn’t the largest fire pit offered by Solo Stove, but it’s second in line. At 27 inches in diameter, the smokeless fire pit puts off an incredible amount of heat and is ideal for gathering six to eight people. It was simple to set up, and the high-walled design made it easy to get a fire going. It’s a bit bulky if you’re looking for something to move often, but otherwise an excellent choice if you plan to keep your fire pit stationery. The Yukon and my top pick, the Bonfire, are almost identical; the Bonfire is slightly smaller. The Bonfire outperformed and outranked Yukon in my tests because it’s more easily portable.
Tiki Social Smokeless Fire Pit (8): This fire pit received points for being compact and easy to move, but I found the interior design to be trickier for starting and maintaining a fire compared to other fire pits I tested. The pit has a dome insert which helps to collect ash. But the angle of the base, coupled with a tall ring handle, gets in the way of trying to build a fire. Both the angle and handle didn’t offer a moderately flat base to keep an even flame.
Greyleigh Steel Fire Pit (8): This fire pit was very shallow. Its design made it difficult to get a fire going and keep it fueled. While it is lightweight, it felt awkwardly shaped and bulky, which made dumping ash very difficult once the coals cooled down.
How I Tested The Best Fire Pits
To test the best fire pits, I used each multiple times in my backyard in Oregon. I evaluated each fire pit for set-up and assembly, assessing how quickly and easily I could go from taking the fire pit out of the box to watching a glowing fire.
I timed how long it took each fire pit to cool before it could be cleaned or moved.
Molly Allen For Forbes
I performed several burn tests in each fire pit over the course of three months. I used an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the fire pit’s exterior and interior walls to evaluate for heat performance, along with seeing how well the warmth could be felt within a several foot radius.
Once the flame died out, I timed how long it took each fire pit to cool before I could move or clean it. I also took note of how easy or difficult it was to clean the remaining ash from the fire pit. I also judged fire pits based on how portable they are, whether they could easily fit in the back of my Subaru Crosstrek and how many people could comfortably sit around the fire pit. I noted any special features, like smokeless designs or included cooking accessories.
I continued to use several fire pits over the course of three months in my backyard to see how well they held up over time. I took note of whether finishes developed a patina, as well as how easy they were to continuously use and maintain.
How To Pick A Fire Pit
Finding the best fire pit for you will depend on your space, fuel preference and need for special features like smokeless designs or cooking accessories.
Here’s what to consider when shopping for fire pits:
Fuel Type
When choosing the right fire pit for your needs, consider which fuel type you prefer: wood or propane. While natural gas is an option for more stationery home fire pits, most fire pits will either burn wood or hook up to a propane tank. “Burning wood gives you that authentic camping experience—the smell, the crackling sound— people love the ambiance and the warmth of a wood fire,” says Allison Messner, CEO of Yardzen. On the other hand, Messner notes that the challenge with wood is that you don’t have as much convenience since wood needs to be chopped and ashes need to be dumped. A wood fire has to be managed, and you can’t simply turn it off.
Gas fire pits are fueled by propane, which gives you the option to simply turn a knob on or off and control the flame intensity with ease. “You don’t have to go gather wood, you don’t have to clean it up, there are no embers or ashes,” says Messner.
Size And Design
Brian Shaunfield, a store manager for Lowe’s, says it’s important to think about how many people you want to have around your fire pit as you’re determining the best size. Consider whether you want enough space to fit two to four people, or do you entertain often and want to allow space for six to eight, or even 10 people, to gather around with ease.
Material plays a role in the design of a fire pit, too. Most fire pits are constructed from stainless steel, which offers great durability and heat retention. Ultimately, you may choose a fire pit based on your preferred aesthetic and how it fits into the design of your outdoor space.
Maintenance
Messner notes that wood fire pits require a lot more cleaning due to leftover ash, as opposed to a propane fire pit that doesn’t need to be cleaned. If you opt for a wood fire pit, consider the design of the ash tray or pan. Some fire pits have ash pans that you can remove and dump easily; others may require scooping, or dumping out the entire fire pit. You can easily maintain most fire pits by storing them away when not in use, or putting a cover over it if you plan to keep it outside.
Special Features
Perhaps the most important special feature to consider is whether you want a smokeless fire pit or not. Smokeless fire pits are specifically designed to promote better airflow and move smoke around. Other features to consider include cooking accessories, such as grill grates, wood-fired pizza ovens or cast iron griddles. Safety features or accessories are also important to keep in mind. “A lot of fire pits will come with spark screens and a heavy, sturdy base that [can] prevent accidents,” says Messner. “You don’t want it to topple.” Some fire pits are built with a sturdy base, while others offer a base as a separate add-on.
My Expertise
I’m a product reviewer, recipe developer and food and travel writer with a specific emphasis on outdoor cooking and baking. I have spent years cooking over fire pits, finding new and creative ways to achieve the perfect cook or bake using a live flame. Based in Hood River, Oregon, I love to host friends and family in my backyard, gathering around the glow and warmth of the fire pit to snack on s’mores and other sweet and savory treats.
For expert tips on how to find the best fire pits, I consulted two yard and home experts: Allison Messner, CEO of landscaping company Yardzen, as well as Brian Shaunfield, a store manager for Lowe’s who works with fire pits and outdoor furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Longest Lasting Material For A Fire Pit?
Stainless steel, or steel, tops the list of long-lasting materials for a fire pit thanks to the durability of the metal. Steel is easy to care for and conducts heat well, which helps to extend the heat from the fire out to a larger radius. Some fire pits may also be constructed from concrete or bricks. All the fire pits we tested for this list are made from metal.
Can You Put A Fire Pit On Grass?
Some fire pits are designed with a base that promotes better airflow, allowing them to be used on grass. However, many fire pits radiate too much heat to be used on grass without singeing the grass. It’s best to check the manufacturer’s specifications before using a fire pit on grass.
What Type Of Fire Pit Is Safest?
A propane-powered fire pit is safer to use than a wood-burning fire pit because it doesn’t have embers and has an on-and-off switch or dial. Wood-burning fire pits can still be used safely. It’s best to avoid using fire pits on a wood deck or underneath a covered patio. In any setting, keep in mind what’s below and above the fire pit, allowing for at least six feet of clearance above the flame, and follow any local regulations regarding wood-burning fire pits. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for best safety practices.
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