Best Overall Fire Pit

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Fuel Type	Wood, Pellet (adapter sold separately)
Measured Weight	9.62 kg | 21.2 lbs
Measured Burn Time	60 minutes
Measured Assembly Time	3 minutes
Max Recommended Log Length	40.6 cm | 16″

The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 offers a clean and consistent burn, all while keeping the smoke away. The double-walled stainless steel construction means it provides a more robust platform than its aluminum counterparts and can withstand the elements longer. It weighs 21 lbs, meaning portability and transportation are a breeze. While not the group’s hottest pit, the Solo Stove outputs respectable heat output for its size. It produces clean and efficient flames, meaning less mess and a longer burn time. We also have tested the Original Solo Stove. The 2 is an improvement, but not so much that we would replace an Original Solo stove until it reaches the end of its lifespan. Adding a removable ash pan is the biggest difference between the two.

The Bonfire lacks strong radiant heat output. You can increase warmth with Solo Stove’s heat deflector (sold separately). While the price of Solo Stove is in line with competitors, sometimes the stand is sold separately and is excessively expensive. We started without the stand, but it then burned a hole in our deck. Solo Stove customer service was sympathetic and sent us a stand for free. Since this is a necessary part of the setup, we’ve linked the model with the stand included in this review. Overall, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is hard to beat regarding function and value, making it a fantastic pick for those who want an all-around, well-designed fire pit. While it performed better in most metrics compared to the Surestove Smokeless, the Surestove may be adequate for you and is about half the price. Both are the same size and made of stainless steel, but the Solo Stove had better heat output and smoke management.

Read more:Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 review

Best Budget Smokeless Fire Pit

Surestove Smokeless

Fuel Type	Wood
Measured Weight	8.16 kg | 18 lbs
Measured Burn Time	45 minutes
Measured Assembly Time	3 minutes
Max Recommended Log Length	40.6 cm | 16″

For those who want to experience a smoke-free fire without breaking the bank, the Surestove Smokeless is a great option. We were pleasantly surprised by how hot and consistent the Surestove burned during testing. While it may not trap smoke as well as more expensive options, it still maintains a relatively smokeless fire compared to traditional fire pits. The included stand is a nice touch and also acts a catch for ashes. We appreciated how light and easy it was to transport, making it an enticing option for traveling and camping.

While the price to performance on the Surestove is excellent, there are a few downsides to consider. The stainless steel is prone to rusting and will not withstand the elements as well as some of the higher-priced models. Additionally, any leftover ash that does not make it to the ash pan must be picked up and dumped from the pit. Aside from these concerns, it’s still hard to beat the value of the Surestove as a budget-friendly smokeless option. If you need a fire pit that can withstand extended use and guarantee its durability, consider the Breeo X Series X24 as a solid alternative. While not cheap, the Breeo is about as durable and resistant to the elements as you can get.

Read more:Surestove Smokeless review

Best Portable Propane Fire Pit

Outland Living Mega

Fuel Type	Propane
Measured Weight	11.3 kg | 25 lbs
Measured Burn Time	400 minutes
Measured Assembly Time	3 minutes
Max Recommended Log Length	N/A

With more campgrounds banning wood fires for more of the year, the Outland Living Mega is an increasingly compelling option. The use of propane makes this fire pit a versatile choice, whether in the backyard or at the campsite. The Outland Living Mega produces no smoke and boasts a 58,000 BTU rating, giving off a solid amount of heat relative to its size. While heat output is not as hot as its wood counterparts, having an adjustable flame dial, minimal cleanup, and a fire pit free of fire restrictions is a great tradeoff. It was surprisingly portable relative to its steel construction and design shape. We found the Outland Living Mega easy to transport and carry after use during testing.

Some users may find the lack of an electric igniter a problem (although electric igniters tend to fail over time). With continuous burn, this fire pit will go through a 20-gallon propane tank in about six to seven hours. Lastly, this pit may not provide as strong of heat output as desired in colder conditions, making it less appealing to those seeking maximum heat output. Overall, the Outland Living Mega is still a great choice for those seeking a propane fire pit with a versatile, no-frills design. It is also a solid value, especially considering you don’t have to buy firewood, which can cost a lot at many supermarkets and campgrounds. There is a smaller 19″ version of this fire pit called the Outland Living Deluxe, which we have also tested. This larger size of the Mega is the best for most people in most applications and is only nominally more expensive than smaller models.

Read more:Outland Living Mega review

Best Tabletop Fire Pit

Roundfire Concrete Tabletop

Fuel Type	Bioethanol
Measured Weight	1.59 kg | 3.5 lbs
Measured Burn Time	60 minutes
Measured Assembly Time	0.5 minutes
Max Recommended Log Length	N/A

If you’re seeking ambiance and comfort for your tabletop, the Roundfire Concrete Tabletop is hard to beat. This tabletop pit is simple to use and easy to clean. Using bioethanol fuel means no smell, smoke, or toxins and leaves virtually no cleanup. Finally, using alcohol-based fuel means it can be used indoors. While you may not opt for a tabletop pit for warmth, the Roundfire still generates a substantial flame for its size. You feel the heat from close distances.

One downside to the Roundfire Tabletop is that certain fuels, such as isopropyl alcohol, burn rather quickly, meaning refilling is necessary to keep it burning. This was a nonissue with bioethanol, where burn time at full capacity was over an hour. The design of the Roundfire also means the flame is produced above the rim of the pit, making it susceptible to nearby flammable items if not positioned in a proper area. While there are minor drawbacks to any tabletop pit, the Roundfire is an excellent product that provides ambiance and comfort at a solid price point. If you want a tiny firepit that burns wood, we recommend the Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop. While you can only burn 3-5″ twigs or pellets, and it doesn’t provide that much heat, it still provides a lot of ambiance for 2-4 people to huddle around. The Mesa is twice the cost but does not require buying fuel, so it is less expensive in the long run.

Best Large Fire Pit

Solo Stove Yukon 2.0

Fuel Type	Wood
Measured Weight	19.1 kg | 42 lbs
Measured Burn Time	70 minutes
Measured Assembly Time	3 minutes
Max Recommended Log Length	55.9 cm | 22″

For gatherings and groups, the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 offers an enticing option for a smoke-free night around the fire. Like the Bonfire 2.0, the Yukon provides a great fire pit experience from Solos Stove’s thoughtfully designed 360-degree airflow. We noticed time and time again how clean and easy it was to burn with the Yukon. Tending the fire was minimal, and the heat output was consistently hot from start to finish. Smoke was minimal and only present when igniting and extinguishing, which is to be expected. The larger size can accommodate logs up to twenty-two inches, which helped produce a strong fire that we could still feel from over six feet away.

Solo Stove sells its fire pits with the option to purchase a stand as an added cost. The stand is an important feature for most users to avoid damaging the surface below the fire. Many competitors have designs with built-in stands or come with stands as part of your purchase. Additionally, the sleek design of the solo stove is visually appealing. Still, the lack of places to grab and carry your stove can make moving it awkward and challenging without multiple hands. Despite these small concerns, the Yukon is our favorite for larger groups and big gatherings, making it a fantastic option for the backyard and beyond. Another option worth considering is the Tiki Brand Reunion Smokeless pit if you value a built-in stand and intuitive ashtray.

Best Propane Fire Pit for Home

Outland Living Granville

Fuel Type	Propane
Measured Weight	43.5 kg | 96 lbs
Measured Burn Time	400 minutes
Measured Assembly Time	5 minutes
Max Recommended Log Length	N/A

While we have only tested a few larger propane home fire pits, the Outland Living Granville stands out. We tested this model for over two years at a vacation rental with 800 guests over the test period. The Granville held up remarkably well. The previous model the Granville replaced, the Hearth Fire Pit Table, showed many more chips and dings and had to be replaced in less than two years. In addition, the Granville is at a great height, is better for drinks and food placement, and allows you to store the propane tank under the table. The low-height models usually have a long hose that is difficult to conceal and requires a second location for the propane tank.

Like all propane fire pits we have tested, the Piezo igniter is not as durable or consistent as we would like. It also doesn’t crank out the heat. The flames provide some warmth but are more for ambiance than overcoming freezing temperatures. The pricing is also very confusing in this model. The manufacturer lists a high price but always has nearly 50% off. The different colors can also vary wildly in price at different retailers. Those gripes aside, we love this model’s look, durability, and size and find it is the best option for homes we’ve tested to date.

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How We Test Fire Pits

We took fire pits from various categories and put them to the limits over months of testing. From the beach to the mountains to backyard gatherings, we tested fire pits in many conditions to find where each pit excels. Emphasis included heat output, dividing heat into overall temperature, and heat dispersion outwards. Along with the heat, we analyzed smoke management and how well each pit dealt with smoke during ignition, burn, and extinguishment. We did independent testing to verify weight and dimensions and measured the volume of each pit using liquid measurements. Learn more about how we test fire pits.

Our testing used five different metrics:

• Heat Output (35% of overall score weighting)

• Smoke Management (30% weighting)

• Portability (20% weighting)

• Ease of Cleaning (10% weighting)

• Ease of Assembly (5% weighting)

Why Trust WebProCare

The lead tester is Kenji Mowrey from South Lake Tahoe, CA. Kenji is an advocate of all things outdoor-related and specializes in outdoor gear design, for which he is currently finishing his studies. Growing up in a family of outdoor sales reps, he spent his earliest days at retailer shows and grew up in the world of all things gear-related. He is joined by WebProCare founder Chris McNamara, who has spent over 2000 hours testing fire pits over the last nine years both at home and camping. Chris has now tested over 1000 products for WebProCare.

How to Pick the Best Fire Pit

Below are four factors to consider when finding the ideal fire pit for your next fire.

How Much Heat Do You Need?

Fire pits can vary greatly in heat output with factors such as size and fuel type. Some models offer excellent heat dispersion and hot temperatures but may burn out quickly. Other pits may burn slower and cooler but provide a longer-lasting and cleaner fire. Also, other fuel types like propane will not reach the same heat level as a wood-burning pit. If you regularly accommodate groups or families, a larger burning pit will be ideal to keep everyone warm. On the other hand, someone who uses their fire pit camping in smaller settings will prefer a compact pit with easier cleanup.

Looking to Avoid the Smoke?

With the advancements in smoke management, many fire pits are now “smokeless.” While there is smoke during ignition and extinguishment, smokeless fire pits greatly eliminate smoke while the fire is burning. This can help avoid the smell of smoke on clothes, produce a more efficient burn, and make it easier to clean up due to less ash production. If you are on the fence about going smokeless, a key consideration is the increased price associated with these pits. If you plan on utilizing your fire pit often, a smokeless fire pit can be worth the investment.

What Fuel Type is Best?

Wood-burning fire pits can be great for get-togethers and gathering around the fire. On the other hand, propane pits will offer more convenience and bypass some fire restrictions (confirm with the local fire district). A wood-burning pit will also require more cleanup than its propane counterparts. If you don’t mind maintaining and cleaning up after your fire, then a wood fire pit will offer more heat, but a propane fire pit can be a great option as a backyard staple or portable option while on the go. Ultimately, deciding between fuel types will depend on where you use your fire pit and how often you plan on using it.

How Much Cleaning is Required?

With the use of wood, ash will accumulate and require regular cleanup. If you plan on buying a wood-burning fire pit, properly disposing of ash is necessary. This will add additional time to your night and should be accounted for. One of the best features of a propane pit is how easy they are to clean. With no leftover residue or ash, propane pits make cleanup effortless.

Analysis and Test Results

We tested each fire pit side by side to produce the most comprehensive and accurate results possible. Five metrics are weighted based on importance and relevance to find our overall score for each fire pit. Our testers value heat output as the highest-rated metric because a fire pit’s main purpose is to provide warmth and comfort. We also highly value smoke management since a fire pit with smoke issues can ruin a get-together and leave users dodging smoke and breathing unclean air. We break down each metric to help make your decision simplified and straightforward.

Value

The market’s wide range of fire pits come in many styles and intended functions. This means that finding a fire pit that fits the bill is subjective on the features most important to you. While some fire pits may be great for larger groups where heat is paramount, other people may need a pit to avoid seasonal fire restrictions where they live. Ultimately, we know price is a determining factor for many, so finding the balance between price and performance is essential.

The performance to cost makes the Surestove one of our favorite options for smokeless fire pits on a budget. The East Oak is the best deal in the higher-end smokeless fire pit category. It’s not cheap, but it has a built-in stand and scored very high. Our testers also admired the Outland Living Mega for its value relative to cost. It provides a simple but durable construction that is hard to beat. Also of note is the Roundfire Concrete Tabletop. This tabletop accessory proved to be a versatile, easy-to-use portable pit, equally impressive as its price. If you don’t care about smoke management, the Amazon Basics Steel Lattice works fine at a low price.

Heat Output

A fire pit that provides adequate heat is essential to warmth and overall enjoyment around the fire. We have valued heat output as the heaviest weighted metric due to its importance and the fundamental value it has to a good fire pit experience. While certain fire pits, such as gas-fed pits, are more easily measured by BTU rating, wood-fed pits require more insight to gather heat output measurements.

To assess heat output, we used a combination of infrared heat thermometers in various locations around the pit and more subjective measures. This included measuring heat from two, four, and six feet away with input from multiple individuals.

The East Oak Smokeless came away with the win in this category. It boasted an impressive rating through our infrared reading, hitting temperatures of 1,100℉. It also provided a more even distribution around the pit than comparable smokeless models. Even six feet away, the heat was still being displaced and felt by our testers. The Cuisinart Cleanburn also wowed testers during heat testing. Our infrared readings were consistently over 1,000℉. While its heat distribution characteristics favored upwards over outwards, it still was plenty hot when close by. The Tiki Brand Reunion Smokeless was one of the best-performing larger fire pits for producing heat outward and up. While it doesn’t have the deepest inner diameter, the Tiki dispersed heat effectively above the rim, which meant testers could still feel plenty of heat past six feet.

Each model was loaded with equal parts wood and starter, then ignited simultaneously. Each pit was timed based on how long its burn lasted, the time to ignite, and the burn length before smoldering.

With over one hour of burn time on just three logs, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 provided a long-lasting burn that was as impressive as its minimal ignition start-up time. Another star in our time tests was the Roundfire Concrete Tabletop Pit. It burns uninterrupted for an hour and ten minutes, using its ethanol-based fuel source at full capacity. The Solo Stove Yukon was also a star in our burn time test. The technology of Solo Stoves airflow was on full display, with both models outlasting all other fire pits.

The size of your fire pit also greatly affects heat output and burn time. Fire pit’s various shapes and dimensions can make their true size deceiving. While some pits may present larger, their inner diameter and the shape of the inner bowl can greatly affect their ability to put larger wood and kindling in. We measured the maximum log length to gauge which pits offer the most space.

For example, the design of the Solo Stove is completely cylindrical with a flat bottom. This optimizes space and allows more wood to be loaded into the pit. Other pits, such as the Reunion Tiki and Cuisinart Clean Burn, have a large outer diameter, but the smaller depth of the bowl means less wood can be filled in the pit. The base plate is rounded, making it more difficult to stack kindling on the bottom. While this may not be the first consideration when opting for a specific fire pit, it’s a good idea to consider how different shapes and diameters affect burn time and heat output.

Smoke Management

Keeping away the smoke while around the fire is another vital aspect of the overall enjoyment of your fire pit experience, hence our heavily weighted metric towards smoke management. A fire pit that keeps smoke at bay helps with air quality and helps avoid the smell and undesirable aromas associated with fires that cling to clothing afterward.

To measure smoke management, we looked at smoke levels throughout the various stages, such as ignition, burning, and extinguishing. We also evaluated each pit’s ventilation and airflow characteristics to see how each system utilized air intake.

Controlled variables such as wood type, amount of wood, and weather conditions were all done together to ensure accuracy. Using side-by-side testing, it became apparent which models were emitting smoke more than others. We were highly impressed once again with the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0‘s ability to keep smoke away at all stages of burn. Its airflow design was on display, especially in the latter stage of burning, where other pits emitted high levels of smoke during smoldering. With pits that do not utilize an oxygen-fed airflow system, such as the Yaheetech multifunctional table, smoke can become a major factor during use. A big plus to a propane-fed fire pit is the absence of smoke; we greatly appreciated the Outland Living Mega because it emits no smoke.

Portability

Portability is subjective based on the type of pit and its intended use. Some users may need a pit that can fit in their car for camping adventures and extended traveling; others may find themselves using a semi-permanent location in the backyard for family gatherings. Whatever the need, we made sure to test in a variety of circumstances to identify standouts in the world of portability.

We weighed and compared to manufacturer-listed specifications to evaluate portability and took measurements to find dimensions. Additionally, we assessed whether they fit comfortably in common vehicles and how compactly they break down when not in use. We even filled each pit with water to find their inner volume capacity in Liters.

The Solostove Mesa Tabletop is a standout in our portability rankings. While meant to be a small tabletop accessory, we found its ability to pack down impressive. The included stand collapses and fits inside the pit to accompany the carrying bag. And while it doesn’t crank heat like its larger competition, it still provides great campfire ambiance and a more intimate setting as it forces you to pull your chairs in closer.

For more traditional-sized pits, we found the East Oak Smokeless easy to move around thanks to its lightweight 17 lb stainless steel construction. Testers had no problem carrying it from place to place and transitioning from car trunk to campsite. We were also impressed with the inner volume of the pit. Utilizing most of its space, the East Oak boasts a volume of 39.7 liters.

We also were big fans of the Surestove Smokeless for its lightweight, easy carrying, even with the included stand. The diameter of the Surestove also helps it fit into smaller cars and spaces that many other smokeless options do not.

Ease Of Cleaning

A key aspect of a quality fire pit is its ability to be cleaned and maintained to ensure longevity. Factors influencing ease of cleaning include the time it takes to clean, the level of difficulty removing ash and soot, and if any specialized tools are required.

Once again, the Outland Living Mega is worth mentioning since virtually no cleanup is required. One major benefit of a propane fire pit is that it’s easy to keep clean. The only maintenance required is cleaning the lava rocks from the pit when necessary. We also found the Roundfire Concrete Tabletop extremely easy to clean. The use of bioethanol fuel means it burns clean and leaves no mess. All that is required is cleaning the fuel cup to remove the alcohol scent.

We found the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 and the East Oak Smokeless straightforward to clean for wood-burning pits. Both utilize an ash pan system at the bottom of the pit, making ash disposal very easy.

Our favorite cleanup system came from the Tiki Brand Reunion. The Tiki utilizes a slide-out ash pan that’s super convenient and easy to dispose of ash with. This also helps keep your fire pit in place without lifting or dumping ash from the main pit.

Ease Of Assembly

Buying and assembling a fire pit can become confusing and sometimes trickier than imagined. We assessed the difficulty of each pit’s overall assembly from box to finished product. Some fire pits you just unbox and they’re ready to go, while some pits take more time and effort to reach a finished product.

One pit that stands out is the Cuisinart Clean Burn; it was the most simple out of all pits tested because it’s ready right out of the box. The only assembly needed is latching the assembly stand to the pit, and it’s ready to go. On the other end of the assembly side, the Yaheetech Multifunctional Table was less desirable to set up. It requires using Allen screws to connect the side panels and legs, which took our testers almost 40 minutes to assemble. Part of the lengthy setup time was due to the screw quality and tricky threads.

We also admired the Breeo for its ease of setup. Zero setup is required after removing it from the box. Additionally, its Corten steel construction means you can place it in a location and never have to worry about it getting damaged or destroyed by the elements, making it the most durable out of all the pits tested.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect fire pit is no easy task. Deciding on the size, material, features, and fuel type may lead to confusion rather than reassurance. After extensive research, months of testing, and many logs burned, our experts have found top choices in various categories to narrow down what’s best for your next gathering around the fire.