Enjoy a Safe, Cozy Campfire Out Back With These Wood Fire Pits

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If you love the crackle and pop of a campfire and want to create that same experience in your own backyard, a wood fire pit is the way to go. They deliver all the same benefits as a regular campfire—good times hanging out with your loved ones topping the list—and are generally easy to maintain. Plus, they're relatively inexpensive compared to fire pits fueled by propane or natural gas. They’re built for year-round use, which gives you an occasion to gather around the fire for hot chocolate and mulled wine in winter, and making s’mores in summer.

Best Wood Fire Pits

What to Consider

First, decide if you want to use your fire pit for barbecuing or for simply enjoy sitting around with friends and family. Wood fire pits typically come with a mesh screen and poker, and some come with a protective cover. (You can buy any of these if yours doesn’t include one.) The mesh screens are a good idea if you live in areas prone to forest fires or when using fire pits around homes situated close together.

Wood fire pits that convert to a grill will include a grate, some are built-in and some are removable. If you’re planning to move it from, say, the patio to the lawn, make sure the fire pit you choose is relatively lightweight. There are also fire pits meant to be portable—we feature a couple below—which is a nice if you also want the option of bringing it camping.

You also have the choice between traditional fire pits as well as smokeless fire pits. The smokeless variety helps eliminate watery eyes when unexpected winds blow smoke your way and they burn wood more efficiently, leaving less ash and requiring less cleanup. Smokeless fire pits tend to be a little more expensive, but the tradeoff is worth it for some because they really work

How We Selected

We analyzed results from our own testing of fire pits to determine high-quality brands worth considering, and we also read countless user reviews to make sure we didn't miss any noteworthy models. Our choices were driven by factors like quality of materials, ease of setup, and value, as well as consulting from our test team as to what to look for when shopping for a wood fire pit.

Style and size were also among our top considerations, and we curated our list to feature options that work with a variety of décor and outdoor spaces. Wood fire pits tend to be less expensive than those fueled by propane or natural gas, and our picks span a range of price points.

For more great ways to keep your outdoor space toasty, check out our coverage of the best fire pit tables, smokeless fire pits, and gas fire pits!

X Series 24 Wood Fire Pit

The corten finish of Breeo's fire pit is designed to oxidize, creating a natural finish that protects the steel over time. Its heft weight isn't exactly portable but guarantees it’s built to last.

Our test team was impressed at how easy it was to load standard logs into this pit and appreciated the patented design that keeps them high, allowing air to flow in and feed the fire from the bottom. The large interior means it fits a lot of wood thus making a larger fire with a substantial heat output, but for spring and summers you can use less wood.

The test team found the Breeo to be virtually smokeless as promised and clean-up to be easy—they had to scoop out the ash as the pit is too heavy to dump out but Breeo sells a shovel designed to ease the process.

The brand also offers several accessories for cooking over the fire, which make the X Series as much a grill as it is a fire pit. Breeo also sells a smaller size if you want something more nimble.

Smokeless Wood Fire Pit

With an eye-catching design and carrying case thrown in, this fire pit offers excellent value for just under $100. The geometric shape and diamond cutouts on the base and top tier add an element of style, plus help to feed the flames for an energy-efficient burn.

The two side handles make it easy to take on beach trips and campouts as well as making shaking out the ashes easy after use. The small flame is great for spring and summer when heating isn't a priority or if your outdoor space is on the small side.

We suggest using a piece of wood or a mat to stabilize this pit if kids or dogs are running around the yard, since the bottom bit is smaller than the top and it can tip over if knocked.

Bonfire 2.0 Wood Fire Pit

The Bonfire 2.0 improved on the previous model by including a removable ash pan for easier cleanup. It includes a carrying case with a drawstring closure at the top making it easier to transport and keeps ashes from falling out in the whenever you’re transporting or storing.

Our test team has come to appreciate the Bonfire’s design—a network of interior and exterior holes on the steel cylinder create a secondary combustion that cuts down on smoke and speeds up the burn. It burns hotter and faster than other wood fire pits but leaves very little ash to clean up afterward, and you use logs or pellets.

The Bonfire 2.0 lives up to the brand hype—it looks great, fits in at home or on an occasional weekend of car camping, and easy to clean and maintain.

Wood Fire Pit

This fire pit is reminiscent of the Middle Ages with hammered metal and black ring details; it’s constructed of steel for durability and has a high-temperature, rust-resistant copper finish.

The fire pit is lightweight yet has a sturdy base. It comes with an assortment of accessories like a mesh spark screen and built-in grate for firewood. Two drain holes in the bottom prevent water from pooling in the base but doesn’t help when emptying ash. However, this fire pit’s manageable size makes for easy dumping and cleaning.

Cosmic Wood Fire Pit

The charming star and moon cutouts that cast a warm, inviting orange glow are a sweet design detail with practical purpose: They help increase airflow to feed the fire pit’s flames. Its deep, wide base holds plenty of firewood that’ll burn long into your outdoorsy evening.

The piece is finished with rust-resistant matte black paint and comes with a poker and large screen with a top ring that keeps sparks and embers from escaping. Setup is as simple as attaching the legs and the outer rim, which is easy to grab onto and move around once the fire pit has cooled down.

Bowl Wood Fire Pit

If you want to invest in a fire pit that’s built to last and can be passed down for generations, look no further than those produced by Ohio Flame. The quality is exceptional: They’re handcrafted by an artisan and built using thick carbon steel sourced from Ohio’s local mills.

This streamlined model, called the Patriot, has a natural finish that oxidizes and takes on a rich patina over time. A drain at the bottom of the bowl prevents water from pooling, so there’s hardly any maintenance required.

Wood Fire Pit and Grill

While many fire pits double as grills, it’s less common to find a model that does both jobs at once—and this is an excellent choice if that feature is a priority. It’s split evenly down the center, with logs burning on one side and a 20-inch chrome grill grate on the other.

The hinged mesh screen, which lifts up so you can add firewood or flip burgers and dogs, is a highlight among features. The fire pit is made from steel, coated in black high-temperature paint that prevents rust. The metal used is rather thin, but with proper care, it'll last you a couple of years. Accessories include a poker and protective vinyl cover.

Asher Wood Fire Pit

This adorable retro fire pit, made by design-savvy brand Novogratz, is perfect for city dwellers. Its brick red base is ceramic, has a weather-resistant finish, and does a good job of keeping the heat in.

There’s a small grill grate included (perfect for an impromptu barbecue), a poker and mesh dome to catch sparks from embers, plus a steel lid that transforms the fire pit into a low side table when it isn’t in use.

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