The 10 Best Fire Pits for Patios We Tested in Our Own Backyards

Best Fire Pit Under $100

Blue Sky Outdoor Living Ridge Portable Fire Pit

$73 at Amazon

Our tester liked the Blue Sky Fire Pit so much that two of their family members own one now, but it tops our list because of its even heat, smokeless fire, and low price. It also produces a low amount of ash, and at just under 15 pounds, it’s conveniently portable, too. The steel construction protects against the elements, and once a fire starts, it’ll warm the area up to five feet around its circumference.

While our top pick, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0, has a more impressive stainless steel construction in comparison to Blue Sky’s powder-coated steel, it weighs a lot less. After a few uses, the paint on the inside of the pit began to blister. Our tester also found that although it comes with a carrying bag, it’s a tight squeeze and needs some maneuvering to fit inside.

Dimensions: 12.5 x 15 x 15 inches | Weight: 14.8 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Carrying bag

Best Smokeless Fire Pit

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

$249 at Amazon $250 at Target $300 at Walmart

While all of the fire pits on our list performed impressively well during testing, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 received an almost perfect score across the board. We loved that this fire pit was easy to assemble and create a fire. Getting started took less than five minutes, and a fire was quickly built with nothing but a lighter and sticks gathered around the yard. Cleanup was even easier, thanks to a removable ash pan.

While no fire pit can be completely smokeless, we only saw visible smoke at the very beginning. Our tester also reported that the Bonfire 2.0 created a "more powerful fire with less wood," which consistently burned at a three-foot radius. It even kept bugs away! 

The biggest consideration that comes with buying a Solo Stove is how high the fire burns; when new wood is added, it can create intense flames, so those with small kids or pets should keep a close eye. It’s also pricier than some of our other picks, but because its sleek design really does prevent smoke, it's a great investment for those looking for a fire pit that can be both stationary or portable.

Dimensions: 19.5 x 14 inches | Weight: 23.3 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Stainless steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Base plate, ash pan, carrying case

Best Propane Fire Pit

Mainstays Square 50000 BTU Propane Gas Fire Pit

View on Walmart

Propane fire pits have two main draws: They’re smokeless because they do not use wood as fuel, and a propane tank creates instant fire that allows users full control of the flame’s height.

This attractive fire pit from Walmart's Mainstays line was the best propane option we tried because of its affordable price paired with its impressive aesthetic. The cabinet below hides and stores the 20-pound propane tank, and the fire pit can be controlled with just the press of a button. The included lava rocks work to maintain heat, and it even comes with a metal lid that allows the fire pit to function as a small side table when not in use. Our tester loved the convenience of being able to quickly start a fire without the ash, flame maintenance, or smoke that comes with a traditional wood-burning fire pit.

At nearly 60 pounds, this is not an option you can easily move around your yard or take on the go, but it's a great stationary pick for those who have a small patio or deck and are looking for a mess-free, smokeless fire pit that's ideal for outdoor entertaining.

Dimensions: 28 x 28 x 25 inches | Weight: 59 lbs. | Fuel Type: Propane | Material: Steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Lava rocks, lid, cover

Best Fire Pit Table

Better Homes & Gardens Colebrooke Round Fire Pit Table

View on Walmart

Editor’s note: Better Homes & Gardens is owned by PEOPLE’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.

This Better Homes & Gardens Fire Pit Table is 37 inches in diameter and includes a lid, so it can function as an outdoor dining table for three or four people in addition to being a fire pit. Our tester appreciated its "hassle-free" fire-making — all it needs is a 20-pound propane tank to create instant flames that emit consistent heat and are easy to extinguish with the twist of a knob. It also needs little to no maintenance, as it comes with a cover and can be cleaned with a damp cloth to keep it looking like new.

The biggest drawback with this table is its learning curve: It takes a few tries to master the dial to turn it on, which requires some maneuvering and takes up to 45 seconds. It also takes two people to assemble, but given that it’s also an outdoor table, that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.

Dimensions: 37 x 24.41 inches | Weight: 77 lbs. | Fuel Type: Propane | Material: Aluminum | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Glass beads, electric igniter, lid, cover

Best Wood-Burning Fire Pit

Hampton Bay Piedmont Steel Fire Pit

$200 at Amazon $149 at Home Depot

This classic, wood-burning option from Hampton Bay is likely what comes to mind when you think of a fire pit, and its basic, well-executed functionality is exactly why it made this list. Easy to set up in under 15 minutes, the simple construction also makes it lightweight enough to move around your patio. Our tester noted that it created a nice fire with a five-foot radius that could be controlled with a mesh cover and that it stood up well to the elements.

There are a few additions that elevate this beyond its simplicity — it has handles, for instance — but perhaps the most notable is that it comes with a cooking grate. This allows users to cook up some alfresco dinners on the pit, and its almost 30-inch diameter will allow for plenty of space to do so. It also comes with a poker to move and distribute firewood around to create an even flame.

The biggest drawback of this model is something that comes along with any wood-burning fire pit: It produces smoke and soot as it burns, which will likely stick to your clothing and hair. If you're looking for a traditional campfire experience, though, this is a great pick.

Dimensions: 23 x 29.6 x 24.4 inches | Weight: 22 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Metal | Smokeless: No | Accessories: Cooking grate, mesh cover, poker

Best Portable Fire Pit

Solo Stove Ranger 2.0

View on Solostove.com

This Solo Stove shares many of the benefits of our best smokeless option, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0. It’s made from the same stainless steel, has double walls for a drastic decrease in smoke output, and comes with a removable base plate for ash disposal. However, it’s 3.5 inches smaller and 8 pounds lighter, so it’s easier to take to the beach or a campground. The carrying case with handles also makes its portability extra convenient.

It was quick to assemble, and a fire started easily, especially when paired with a fire starter. Heat output was also consistent and emitted about four feet around the fire. Our tester found that while there was some smoke produced on a windy day, it was light and didn’t make their clothes smell like a traditional wood-burning fire pit.

The Ranger 2.0’s biggest flaw is that its tinier size means it won’t warm up a larger group of people. On windy days, you might see an increase in smoke and some residual soot on clothes, but it’s still a fantastic option for those who want to take a fire pit on the go.

Dimensions: 15 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 15 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Stainless steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Base plate, ash pan, carrying case

Best Portable Fire Pit (Cheaper)

Outland Living Deluxe Fire Pit

$123 at Amazon View on Cabelas.com View on Outlandliving.com

The Outland Living Firebowl is a portable fire pit that uses a propane tank, allowing for easy fire output and maintenance wherever you are. Our tester called this fire pit “amazing” and reported that it produced an intense fire that kept their family warm. It was easy to adjust the flame level with the valve knob, and its smokeless design allowed for instant fire that also produced no ash. It also came with a wealth of accessories, including a carrying case, a hose, and natural lava rocks for that flickering fire effect. Plus, it has a conversion kit available for purchase should you want to convert it to a natural gas fire pit.

It may not be as sleek or stylish as some of our other options on the list, but that’s likely not to be a concern for those who want to use it for travel. However, its biggest flaw has to do with the portability: The fire pit could benefit from handles, as you need to wait until it cools entirely before you can move it.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 18.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 23 lbs. | Fuel Type: Propane | Material: Alloy, stainless steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Lava rocks, propane tank stabilizing ring, hose regulator, cover/carrying case

Best Chiminea

Hearth & Hand Magnolia Wood Burning Outdoor Metal Fire Pit Chimenea

$170 at Target

A chiminea functions more like an outdoor chimney because its long spout funnels smoke up and away from guests. It also uses less firewood than traditional fire pits. Our tester found that this Hearth & Hand chiminea has a small opening that allows for the quick creation of fire with very little kindling required. Because it also produces smoke and ash, there’s some considerable cleanup required after burning.

While this lightweight chiminea is easy to move around, it’s not meant to be a portable option the way the (heavier) Outland Living Firebowl is. It does warm up a space, but it’s considered more of a decorative stationary fire pit for your patio. However, at under $200, it’s a stylish and functional piece that can be used for years to come.

Dimensions: 50 x 17 x 17 inches | Weight: 14.77 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Steel | Smokeless: No | Accessories: Removable lid

Most Versatile Fire Pit

Biolite FirePit+

$250 at Amazon View on Bioliteenergy.com $250 at REI

A tech-forward fire pit? That’s what piqued our interest when it came to the BioLite FirePit+, but its performance is why it made this list. This fire pit comes with an integrated USB fan that helps stoke the flames, which can keep the fire going (and it only needs to be recharged every 30 hours of use). The fan, which can be controlled by an app, also works as a power bank that can charge phones and other devices.

Our tester noted that a fire is easy to start with some twigs and firewood and that it produces a nice flame that heats three feet around the pit’s circumference. Wind was also not a deterrent, as the fan really did work to maintain the strength of the flames.

Although this fire pit is advertised as “smokeless,” it did produce more smoke and ash than other options on this list, which makes the lack of a removable ash pan a bit of a deterrent. And considering its price, it should come with a cover or carrying bag.

Dimensions: 12 x 27.5 x 16 inches | Weight: 19.8 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Alloy steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Grill grate, fuel rack, rechargeable power pack

Best Fire Pit Design

Tiki Smokeless Fire Pit

$211 at Amazon View on Tikibrand.com

Combine aesthetics with quality design, and you’ll get the Tiki Social Smokeless Fire Pit. Our tester found it produced a fire with a consistent radius of around six feet — and once the fire got going, it produced virtually no smoke (although expect some smoke as the flame builds). It also has built-in handles, which is a nice touch for those who want to move it around their backyard.

Comparable to the Solo Stove models, this one has fewer accessories but functions almost exactly the same, with a smokeless output and a removable ash pit as a base. However, this one will likely be preferred by those who want an elevated design rather than something they can take camping, as it’s more stylish and sleek than any other model on this list.

The Tiki Social comes with a weather-resistant cover, but it doesn’t come with a carrying case or a lid to help snuff the fire. And while the matte exterior is nice to look at, it's prone to smudging with regular use.

Dimensions: 25.5 x 25.5 x 17.7 inches | Weight: 32 lbs. | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Stainless steel | Smokeless: Yes | Accessories: Cover, base