The 9 Best Fire Pits of 2023 to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
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Our top picks include smokeless and tabletop models.
A fire pit is an easy way to turn your patio or backyard into a cozy space. Plus, they allow you to enjoy the outdoors and entertain guests year-round. In-ground fire pits can be pricey, but there are plenty of smaller above-ground options to fit any budget and space—and they don't require any major construction.
To determine 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.
Best Overall Fire Pit: Tiki Brand Smokeless Fire Pit
Who it's for: People who want a smokeless fire pit that lights up quickly and is easy to clean.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for a more traditional wood-burning fire pit.
Sleek and durable, this stainless steel fire pit from Tiki 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.
In our testing, we were impressed by this fire pit’s heating performance, especially considering its smaller size. You can use regular firewood or the included 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 pellets created a roaring fire that lasted for about 15 minutes then slowly died down for another 15 minutes, which was exactly in line with the manufacturer’s claims. And even more impressively, we found that using regular firewood actually increased the heating radius to about five feet instead of four.
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.
Price at time of publish: $395
Product Details:
Size: 24.75 x 24.75 x 18.75 inches
Material: Stainless steel
Fuel Type: Wood
Weight: 45 pounds
Best Budget Fire Pit: Fire Sense Portable Folding Fire Pit
Who it’s for: People looking for a sturdy but portable fire pit at a low price.
Who it isn’t for: Those who want a larger stationary fire pit.
This budget-friendly wood-burning fire pit is the perfect way to upgrade your outdoor space without breaking the bank. Its black steel construction makes for a rather attractive addition to your patio or backyard, plus it’s weather resistant, so you can leave it out in all seasons.
We love that this is easy to assemble—no tools needed!—so you can get set up right away. At just nine pounds, it’s super portable, too—just fold the legs in for easy setup anywhere you want in your yard, on the patio, or by the pool. It’s sturdy enough to use on sand, too. Going camping or heading to a friend’s backyard bash? It’s even got a canvas bag so you can bring it along.
No need to worry about errant embers when cozying up to this fire pit—the protective screen covers up the flame to keep everyone safe while it’s in use. You can set it up as a regular fire pit for warmth and ambience or you can add a grate (included) to roast some s’mores.
Price at time of publish: $73
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Wood
Size: 22 x 22 x 15 inches
Material: Steel
Weight: 9 pounds
Best Splurge Fire Pit: Frontgate Bryndle Root Square Fire Table
Who it’s for: People who want their backyard to be the place for entertaining.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a true wood-burning fire pit.
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.
Price at time of publish: $1,299
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Propane
Size: 28 x 28 x 23 inches
Material: Cement, fiberglass composite
Weight: 81 pounds
Best Wood-Burning Fire Pit: Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit
Who it’s for: Those looking for a classic wood-burning fire pit that makes a statement.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for a no-frills fire pit that’s not as stylish and costs less.
There’s nothing like a real wood-burning fire pit to sit around with friends on a cool night. You won’t have to worry about chopping firewood into small pieces, though, as this Frontgate fire pit is built to accommodate logs up to two feet in length. It’s not meant to be used for cooking or on wooden decks (or any other flammable surfaces), though, so keep your needs and outdoor space in mind before purchasing this fire pit.
This copper fire pit has both beauty and brawn, thanks to a heavy-gauge construction that’s able to withstand fire and weather. The powder coated iron base holds up the 8mm-gauge copper basin; the spark guard is sold separately and made from the same sturdy powder-coated iron. An iron grate positioned between the bottom of the pit and the top lip offers plenty of ventilation, so you can safely enjoy the warmth and ambiance.
In our testing, we were impressed with this fire pit’s durability and style. We also thought the size was perfect: the wide basin allowed us to customize the fire size, and we could easily fit five Adirondack chairs around it. Overall, this is a fantastic option if you love entertaining and want to really upgrade your backyard setup.
Price at time of publish: $649
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Wood
Size: 40 x 40 x 14 inches
Material: .8mm-gauge solid copper
Weight: 66 pounds
Best Smokeless Fire Pit: Solo Stove Yukon 2.0
Who it’s for: People who want a smokeless fire pit with a modern look.
Who it isn't for: People looking for a big burn box for large pieces of firewood.
If you want your s’mores without the smoke, the Yukon 2.0 fits the bill. Thanks to its 360-degree signature airflow technology that features a double-walled construction and vent holes, smoke is reduced without the hassle of setting up a fan. The bonus? You won’t have the smell of smoke permeating your clothing and hair, either.
We found this to be true in our testing—we could see hardly any smoke while it was going, and couldn’t smell it either. We also loved how easy it was to clean, thanks to the removable base plate and ash pan. Plus, we were impressed by how sleek it looked compared to other fire pits.
This fire pit is made of 304 stainless steel, which makes it lightweight yet sturdy. There’s no assembly required, so you can set it up for s’mores in your yard or for hot dogs in the stadium parking lot before the big game. At 27 inches in diameter, it’s the largest stove offered by Solo Stove, but it’s still compact enough so you’re not taking up a ton of space when it’s time to light those logs.
Price at time of publish: $460
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Wood
Size: 27 x 27 x 17 inches
Material: Stainless steel
Weight: 41.6 pounds
Best Portable Fire Pit: Biolite FirePit+
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 don’t want a battery-controlled fire pit.
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 the fire manually, but we love the idea of doing it comfortably from your seat.
Price at time of publish: $300
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Wood or charcoal
Size: 27 x 13 x 15.8 inches
Material: Metal with enamel coating
Weight: 19.8 pounds
Best Tabletop Fire Pit: Terra Flame Geo Tabletop Fire Bowl
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 portable they can take on the go.
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. Measuring 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.
Price at time of publish: $100
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Gel fuel
Size: 11 x 11 x 5.13 inches
Material: Concrete
Weight: 15 pounds
Best Propane Fire Pit: Outland Living Mega Firebowl
Who it’s for: People who want to use a fire pit without having to sweep up ashes afterward.
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to deal with the 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.
Price at time of publish: $200
Product Details
Fuel Type: Propane
Size: 24 x 24 x 13 inches
Material: Steel
Weight: 34 pounds
Best Fire Pit for Cooking: Barebones All-In-One Cast Iron Grill
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a super durable cast iron fire pit for cookouts.
Who it isn’t for: Those who want something lighter in weight for easier transport.
Want to cook dinner or appetizers without firing up the barbecue grill? This charcoal-burning fire pit is an outdoor chef’s new BFF. Combining the compactness of a fire pit with the searing power of cast iron, this all-in-one grill truly offers the best of both worlds for your backyard or campsite cookouts.
The cast iron pot plays multiple parts: It’s a grill, wok, skillet, slow cooker, smoker, braiser, and stock pot. You can even use it to roast or deep fry meat. It’s got wide handles on the side for easy carrying, and it comes pre-seasoned with sunflower oil—just keep in mind there will be some light maintenance needed between uses to keep it looking good and cooking well.
This cast iron fire pit is a star in its own right, but it comes with a lot of great accessories, including a grill grate, baking griddle, tray lifter, and a belt for easier transport. The coal tray is adjustable and has a windguard, so you can keep those flames stoked even when the wind kicks up. It also comes with a wok base, tripod stand, and a domed lid. While most cast iron cookware comes with a high price tag, this all-in-one fire grill is quite budget-friendly considering all that it offers.
Price at time of publish: $150
Product Details:
Fuel Type: Charcoal
Size: 15 x 13 x 19 inches
Material: Cast iron
Weight: 25.2 pounds
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Tiki Patio Fire Pit, which is efficient and easy to use, even if you’re new to fire starting. It also helps make cleaning—one of the worst parts of owning a fire pit—a little easier with its removable ash pan.
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 Rupa Mehta, a home expert at Angi. “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.”
Intended Use
When shopping for a fire pit for your outdoor space, think about how you want to use it. If it’s just a warm, ambient glow you’re seeking, then you can achieve that with a small, portable fire pit powered by gas or propane. If you want to use it for cooking, then opt for a wood-burning one. Keep in mind that roasting marshmallows for s’mores is much different than searing cuts of meat, so make sure you’ve got the right accessories, such as a grill plate.
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, including 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
Which fire pits give off the most heat?
Wood-burning fire pits produce more heat than propane- or charcoal-fueled fire pits because wood logs burn at a higher temperature. Design is also important. Heat rises, so wood-burning fire pits that are built low to the ground will produce more warmth than those built higher simply because there’s more room for the warm air to spread.
If you choose a propane or charcoal fire pit, look for those with vents on the side; these will provide radiant heat for those gathered around. Lastly, size also matters. A small fire pit might be compact and portable, but it simply won’t create the same amount of heat as a larger fire pit.
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.
What is the lifespan of a fire pit?
As with most outdoor equipment, a fire pit’s longevity depends on both its construction and maintenance. Look for fire pits made from weather-resistant materials like stainless steel so you won’t have to worry about leaving it outside all season. You’ll also want to clean and maintain it accordingly between uses.
For example, wood- and charcoal-burning fire pits need to have their coals and ashes cleaned out regularly in order to work properly. Propane fire pits don’t produce residue, but you’ll still want to wipe them down to keep them free of dust and yard debris. Read the manufacturer’s guidelines on any fire pit you purchase to ensure its proper maintenance, and you will enjoy your fire pit for many years to come.
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. This article was also updated by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelance writer who researched fire pits and utilized testing insights from our real world testing.
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