The 11 Best Fire Pits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Hampton Bay Piedmont 30 in. Steel Fire Pit

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Heating Performance
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

The Hampton Bay Piedmont Steel Fire Pit has an easy-to-use, easy-to-manage, attractive design, making it our favorite fire pit that we tested. One of the most appealing aspects of this model is its simplicity. While it doesn’t have any special controls for controlling the flames or smoke, it can also serve as a grill and comes with a poker and a mesh screen. It has a conveniently sized bowl, too. We noted that the size and depth of the bowl allowed us to place a good amount of firewood in and move it around with ease.

We were able to fully assemble the fire pit in 21 minutes and found the directions a little hard to follow, with diagrams instead of written instructions. But once we were finished with assembly, we didn’t have any difficulties using the unit and were able to get the fire started quickly. We could easily maintain the fire by using the poker and adding more firewood,

The poker conveniently has a hook at one of its ends, which makes removing and adjusting the mesh cover easy when you need to add more wood. The lid itself is light and easy to move, and it feels sturdy. We had no problem lifting the lid when it came time to roast a marshmallow, for instance. Also, throughout the duration of our time using the fire pit, we didn't experience any embers escaping through the screen. 

In terms of design, the fire pit has a plain, but clean and stylish, appearance. However, to keep the fire pit looking like new, you will need to cover it up, otherwise, rust will develop on the screen (although we found that the rest of the fire pit still looked great). Overall, the unit offers a simple, yet effective, design at a great value, and is an essential addition to any outdoor space.

Price at time of publish: $149

_{Dimensions: 23 x 29 x 29.3 inches | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Grill, spark screen, poker}

Best Budget

Yaheetech 32" Outdoor Fire Pit

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  4/5
• Design
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

The Yaheetech Fire Pit 32-inCH Fire Pit is our best budget-friendly pick, thanks to its attractive and manageable design, included accessories, large bowl, and price point. The unit comes with a trapezoid-shaped mesh cover, a poker with a hooked end, and two grill grates. It also has a rust-resistant coating, so you shouldn't have to worry if you leave it uncovered.

Although this unit is not noted as being a smokeless fire pit, it produced less smoke than we expected. We also found it easy to clean, as we only needed to lift the unit to expel the ashes from the pit. Note that while this fire pit has a large bowl, we do recommend making sure it's not overloaded with wood, to keep the smoke, embers, and sparks under control.

We think this fire pit is a good option for grilling hamburgers and hotdogs once its flames subside, though it still wouldn't be our first choice for grilling, due to its height (but it's certainly doable if it's your only option). However, we think it can serve as a good option to take with you camping, since it's fairly lightweight, weighing 22 pounds, which makes it a reasonably manageable option to move around.

Price at time of publish: $116

_{Dimensions: 32 x 32 x 25.2 inches | Material: Iron | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Grill, spark screen, poker}

Best Splurge

Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Smoke Control
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

The Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit has a sturdy build, a large bowl that allows it to produce a good amount of heat, and a unique, rustic design. The fire pit is made from steel, and once the fire starts burning, it turns a bronze color (courtesy of the patina layer it develops when the fire burns). We think this is a stylish heat source and could blend seamlessly into any outdoor living space.

We were able to assemble this unit in approximately one minute. No tools were required, and we only had to attach the bottom piece to the main unit to set it all up. We found that the handles and weight made it easy to move around the yard, but it's not the best option for bringing to a tailgate or on camping trips. On the plus side, we found this fire pit to be very sturdily built. In fact, while testing the fire pit, wind speeds reached around 30 mph, and, unlike our patio furniture, this fire pit did not move with the wind. 

While it is described as being a smokeless model, we did notice some smoke, but it was very minimal. It's also worth noting that accessories for the unit, such as a lid and poker, must be purchased separately.

Although the Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit is one of the most expensive options on this list, if you want to add an interesting focal point to your yard, we think its unique design, durability, and little to no smoke make it worth the splurge.

Price at time of publish: $600

_{Dimensions: 27.5 x 27.5  x 14.75 inches| Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Smokeless}

Best Wood Burning

Tiki Brand Smokeless Fire Pit

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Smoke Control
  4.5/5
• Value
  4/5

We were very impressed with the Tiki Fire Pit’s heating performance. While standing five feet away from the pit, we were still able to significantly feel the warmth. Even at a greater distance, we could still feel it, even though it wasn't as strong. Overall, we found the heat to be evenly distributed and to have a nice feel.

The unit comes with a pellet fire starter bag, and we found the pellets matched their claim of lasting approximately 30 minutes: The flames were pretty high for about 15 minutes but started to die down for the next 15 minutes. We loved that we did not need to even tend to the fire when using the pellets fire pack—we could just sit back and relax around the fire! Outside of its heating performance, we also like the fire pit’s modern appearance, and we think it makes for a nice decorative touch to any backyard.

We also tested the fire pit using wood only, and we found the heating performance to be as great as with the pellets. We also noticed that the smoke output was about the same, as we did not notice any when using the pellets, and only a barely traceable amount with the wood. If you prefer the pellets, you can always order more, at a price that we found comparable to purchasing regular firewood.

Assembling the fire pit was quick and straightforward, as we only needed to use three screws to attach the base to the main unit. However, we found the assembly process to be a two-person job, since we needed to lift the fire pit and line up the screws to attach the base properly. The fire pit comes with a cover, and it also comes with an ash-collecting tray, though you will have to use your own brush to fully expel the ashes from the tray once the fire pit has cooled down. Extra accessories, such as a fire poker, are sold separately.

Price at time of publish: $395

_{Dimensions: 24.75 x 24.75  x 18.75 inches | Material: Stainless Steel | Fuel Type: Wood/pellets | Features: Smokeless with pellets}

Best Large

Real Flame Anson Wood Burning Fire Pit

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Smoke Control
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

Our favorite large fire pit is the Real Flame Anson Steel Wood Burning Fire Pit, which measures 20.25 inches high, 36 inches wide, and 31.5 inches deep. The fire pit has a smooth, minimalist appearance and is shaped like a large, deep bowl, making it a stylish addition to any outdoor setup. While testing, we used 10 logs and newspaper as kindle to start the fire, and we found the heat distribution to be perfect from every angle. We found that maintaining the fire was fairly undemanding. There was also minimal smoke produced when using dry firewood. This fire pit also comes with a spark screen which did a great job of keeping embers inside.

Assembling the fire pit took us 15 minutes, and while it did come with instructions, the process was straightforward enough that we didn’t need to rely on them heavily. We did need to use our own pliers and screwdriver; otherwise, all of the necessary materials were included.

The unit is expensive, and we wish the base and the bowl of the unit were attached, because we couldn’t move the pit individually and needed one person to move the bowl and another person to move the base. The fire pit is also quite heavy, weighing 59 pounds, so—needless to say—if you are looking for a unit that can be moved around easily, this might not be the model for you.

In addition to the spark screen, the unit comes with a log grate, fire poker, and cover. We found that the included cover was perfect for inclement weather storage.

Price at time of publish: $648

_{Dimensions: 20.25 x 36 X 31.5 inches | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Fire poker, log grate, and cover}

Best Design

Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit

5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Balancing function, style, and durability, we think the Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit has the best design among the fire pits we tested. It has a copper bowl and iron base, which offers an attractive contrast of colors and gives the unit a look that is both sophisticated and rustic. We also love that the unit has a wide base and sturdy build—the base is made of thick and heavy metal, and it held up well on windy days.

This unit was easy to assemble, since we only had to place the bowl on the stand and then the grate inside the bowl. The entire assembly process took us less than five minutes. Unfortunately, if you would like to have a spark screen for added safety, you will need to purchase that component separately.

In regard to the unit’s heating performance, its bowl is deep, allowing you to create a fire in a range of sizes. While testing, we created a smaller fire with five logs, but we felt the bowl could have easily fit twice as much. The unit is also noted as being able to hold logs up to 2 feet long. 

We also appreciated the size of the pit, as it has a 40-inch diameter and stands 14 inches high. We were able to place five Adirondack chairs around the unit, but there was still lots of space to add more people if needed. If you plan to host some guests around the fire pit, it is important to note that it is not approved for cooking. The fire pit is hard to move, in part due to its 66-pound weight, so it’s not the best option if you’re looking for an easy-to-move model.

Price at time of publish: $649

_{Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 14 inches | Material: Copper/iron | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: No extra features included}

Best Smokeless

Solo Stove Yukon 2.0

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Smoke Control
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you are looking for a great smokeless option that you can use in your backyard or take with you camping, we recommend the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0. The unit is made of three pieces, and it is easy to assemble, thanks to its clear instructions. It also weighs 41 pounds and is designed to be portable. The unit also comes with a ring that can go under the pit to protect grass underneath it, as well as a removable ash tray that helps streamline the cleaning process.  

While using this fire pit, we were pleased with how evenly the heat was distributed. We were able to feel the warmth without it feeling overpowering. Maintaining the fire required slightly more maintenance than other models, and we felt that the fire needed to be fed more firewood more often than other models. However, adding wood and kindling to the unit was a seamless process, and we do like that the bowl was decently sized and able to hold up to six firewood logs.

Larry Campbell, a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board, tells us that when burning wood, smoke is inevitable. However, this unit is designed to funnel all the smoke straight up (instead of blowing at you with the wind). We were unable to smell the smoke and barely able to see it. However, be sure to follow the instructions to take advantage of the smokeless feature. When we first used the unit, we did not properly start and maintain the fire and, as a result, a lot of smoke was created due to our user-based error. When we used the unit again, and maintained the fire with smaller wood pieces, we found that the smokeless feature worked well.

_{Dimensions: 17 x 27 x 27 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Smokeless}

Best Tabletop

Solo Stove Mesa

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  4/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Smoke Control
  3.8/5
• Value
  4.5/5

If you’re looking for a fire pit that you can place and enjoy on a tabletop, we recommend the Mesa Smokeless Tabletop Firepit. The unit is compact, measuring 5.1 inches in diameter and 6.8 inches tall, as well as lightweight, weighing only 1.24 pounds. The unit comes with a stand and a carrying bag, making it easy to tote around and use in different settings. It also comes with a pellet adapter, so you can choose between using regular kindling or pellets to start the fire.

A fire pit of this size is not going to provide as much warmth as a larger model, but we were still pleasantly surprised by the amount of warmth and the size of the flame it provided. In fact, we think it's ideal for crisp fall days when you want just a warm, cozy ambiance. Overall, this is a great portable option at a great value, costing less than $100.  

When using regular kindling, we did detect smoke, although it was not an overwhelming amount. However, when we used the wood pellets and pellet adapter, we were able to enjoy smokeless warmth. The fire pellets did require more fire maintenance on our part, though, and we only recorded about 10 minutes of solid burn time when using the pellets. You can add more pellets to sustain the fire, but we recommend adding them slowly, because one time when the fire was getting low, we dumped a bunch of pellets at once and smothered the flames entirely.

We also found that the outside gets very hot, so you will want to be careful when near it or when trying to move it. On the plus side, we found that it is quick to cool down, and we were able to touch the unit approximately 10 minutes after the fire stopped burning. We also really appreciate the simplicity of the design, and that it is available in multiple colors. 

_{Dimensions: 5.1 x 5.1 x 6.8 inches | Material: Stainless Steel/Ceramic | Fuel Type: Firewood/Pellets | Features: Pellet adapter}

Best Modern

Novogratz Asher 27-Inch Wood Burning Fire Pit

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  4.5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Smoke Control
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

If you want a fire pit with a unique shape and modern appearance, we recommend the Novogratz Poolside Collection, Asher 27" Wood Burning Fire Pit. This fire pit has a rounded, bubble-like shape and is available in an array of colors, including red, aqua, green, white, and gray. We also think it's a great value due to its even heating performance and accessories including a grill, grill tool, lid, spark screen, and rain cover.

We were able to assemble the unit in around 10 minutes. Although there were no instructions, each part was clearly labeled, and we only had to place the various included parts, such as the grill grate and screen, into the main unit.

While creating a fire, we noted that the bowl was not as deep as those you find in other models, and we needed to purchase a specific type of wood that would fit. Around 30 minutes after our initial startup of the fire, we had to add more wood to refuel it, so the fire pit did require some maintenance. However, the unit provided an overall pleasant and even warmth. We also appreciated that the fire pit did not generate much smoke, noting that after using the pit our clothes and hair didn't smell smoky at all, which was a huge plus.

We also enjoyed grilling hot dogs on the fire pit. However, you will need some patience—because of the shallowness of the bowl, we had to wait 45 to 50 minutes for the flames to go down enough for grilling to be possible.

Price at time of publish: $276

_{Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 14.5 inches | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Grill, grill tool, spark screen, lid, and rain cover}

Best With Grill

Barebones Living Cowboy Fire Pit Grill

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Heating Performance
  4.2/5
• Design
  5/5
• Smoke Control
  4.4/5
• Value
  3.8/5

The Barebones Living Cowboy 23" Fire Pit & Grill is perfect for those who love grilling and entertaining outdoors. It comes with an adjustable pole that lets you adjust the height of the included grill grate so you have better control of the cooking temperature. The unit is also compatible with a handy side table add-on accessory—purchased separately—to keep grill utensils, food, and plates nearby.

In order to assemble the unit, we only had to attach the three legs and situate the grill grate. If you choose to use the pole feature, you will need to use a bolt to securely mount it. Since it is made from stainless steel, we recommend covering the fire pit when not in use, to protect it from rust.

Starting up the fire with kindling was a seamless experience, and we found that the wood burned evenly. We also liked the handles on the side, which made it easy to move. Overall, we think this would be a great option if you want a fire pit you can take with you, especially if you like to grill.

Price at time of publish: $400

_{Dimensions: : 23.75 x 23.75 x 14.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel Type: Wood/Kindling | Features: Adjustable grill pole}