Everybody loves a good, crackling fire. A well-tended flame can take your next outdoor gathering to a new level, providing you and your guests with warmth, light, and of course, a perfect way to prepare hot dogs and s'mores. A good fire pit can transform your outdoor living space, and give you one more reason to throw an outdoor gathering. The question is, what's the best fire pit on the market?
The ACTIVE Reviews Team has tested some of the top models, and we've put together a rundown of our favorites. Here are our picks for the best backyard fire pits of 2023.
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The Best Fire Pits - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Fire Pit: Solo Stove Yukon Fire Pit 2.0
- Best Smokeless Fire Pit: Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit 2.0
- Best Propane Fire Pit: Ignite Firecan Portable Fire Pit
- Best Outdoor Fire Pit: Sunnydaze Rustic Steel Fire Pit Bowl
- Best Gas Fire Pit: Lausaint Home Fire Pit Table
- Best Wood Burning Fire Pit: Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit
- Best Stone Fire Pit: Teamson Home Round Stone
- Best Portable Fire Pit: Fireside Outdoor Pop-up Fire Pit
- Best Budget Fire Pit: Camp Chef Redwood Propane Fire Pit
- Best Fire Pit for Cooking: Biolite Firepit+
What to Look for in a Fire Pit
As you shop around for a fire pit, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
Size
You'll find that fire pits come in a range of styles, from traditional circular models to fire tables. But the main thing to consider is size. How big is your outdoor living space? And how many guests will you entertain around the fire pit? These are the questions you need to answer when you choose the size of your fire pit.
Burn Type
Fire pits burn wood or propane. Either option has pros and cons.
Wood fires are the best bet if you want the look and feel of a traditional crackling fire. But you have to deal with ash and soot, and keep dry wood handy.
Propane pits mean gas lines and keeping the tank full. Maintaining this kind of fire pit may be easier because there is no ash and soot to clean up.
Features
Finally, consider any special features or accessories that come with each fire pit. Some of the most common examples include:
- Spark screens
- Grates
- Fire pokers
You can buy these items individually, but it's more convenient when they come with the pit itself.
Best Fire Pit Overall - Solo Stove Yukon Fire Pit 2.0
SPECS
- Size: 27" x 17"
- Material: Stainless steel
- Features: Removable ash pan, stand (sold separately)
- Burn type: Wood
The Solo Stove brand is a name people look for because of the quality of their smokeless fire pits. There have been previous versions which means that the Solo Stove Yukon is the company’s most improved model to date. For the money, it may be the best fire pit you'll find on the market.
This stainless steel pit is not only durable but nice to look at. It has an opening wide enough to handle decent-sized logs and the airflow system helps you enjoy fires without smoke and cinder. We also like how quickly the wood starts burning—you can get a fire going in less than five minutes!
What We Like
- Stainless steel
- Wide mouth but sleek profile
- Smokeless and doesn't spew ash, thanks to the ventilation system
- Logs catch fast
- Removable ash pan for cleaning
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- Accessories are sold separately, requiring extra investment
Best Smokeless Fire Pit - Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit 2.0
SPECS
- Size: 14" x 19.5"
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Features: Removable ash pan, nylon carrying case, stand (sold separately)
- Burn type: Wood
The Bonfire is Solo Stove's mid-sized model and it's a great option for anyone who wants a wood-burning, smokeless fire pit. Just like other Solo Stove products, the ventilation system gives you faster burns, hotter fires, and less smoke than with a traditional fire pit.
While the Bonfire is smaller than the Yukon, some folks might actually prefer its size, especially if you have a smaller yard or patio. Additionally, this is a fire pit that’s easy to travel with because it weighs roughly 20 pounds.
What We Like
- Stainless steel
- Smokeless and doesn't spew ash, thanks to the ventilation system
- Logs catch fast
- Lightweight and easy to take with you
- Stand and carrying case included
What We Don't Like
- No cover included
- Burns through wood a bit faster than other pits
Best Propane Fire Pit - Ignite Firecan Portable Fire Pit
SPECS
- Size: 15.3" x 11.4" x 7.1"
- Material: Alloy steel
- Features: Quick-release hose
- Burn type: Propane
Are you looking for a fire pit that doesn't mean you have to keep a wood pile or clean up ash and soot? Consider the Ignite Firecan Portable Fire Pit. It runs on clean-burning propane and is lightweight and easily portable. You can even bring it along to your next tailgate party or camping trip.
It has a boxy look, but this rugged, functional fire pit is made of alloy steel. Additionally, a hose comes with it which allows you to regulate your fire, and adjust the flame to radiate the amount of heat you need.
What We Like
- Adjustable flame
- Portable
- Mesh sides improve visibility and heat transmission
- Folding legs make it easy to set up and take down
What We Don't Like
- The boxy look won't be everyone's cup of tea
- Not recommended if you prefer the traditional crackle of wood fires
BUY: Ignite Firecan Portable Fire Pit
Best Outdoor Fire Pit - Sunnydaze Rustic Steel Fire Pit Bowl
SPECS
- Size: 34" x 34" x 16"
- Material: Cast Iron
- Features: None
- Burn type: Wood
The Sunnydaze Rustic Steel Fire Pit Bowl could become the focal point of your patio or outdoor living space. Made of rugged cast iron with four slanted legs to keep it sturdy and stable, it can give your outside area that trendy rustic look.
We like the wide bowl as it seems to be just the right size for gatherings with friends. While we recommend it as an outdoor gathering spot for your yard or space, it’s also easy to pack up for an adventure.
What We Like
- Nice, wide bowl is excellent for gatherings
- Rustic and rugged cast iron look
- Portable
- Slanted legs offer stability
What We Don't Like
- No accessories included
- Very basic design, with no mesh or ventilation options
BUY: Sunnydaze Rustic Steel Fire Pit Bowl
Best Gas Fire Pit - Lausaint Home Fire Pit Table
SPECS
- Size: 32" x 32" x 25"
- Material: Iron, Stainless Steel
- Features: None
- Burn type: Propane
The Lausaint Home Fire Pit Table provides you with an alternative to tending logs or keeping a pile of dry kindling on hand whenever you want to get a toasty fire going. This rugged gas fire pit is made with an iron frame and a stainless steel furnace head, but it looks nice enough for almost any outdoor living space.
You can hook your Lausaint Home Fire Pit Table to a natural gas line or simply install a tank, which could give you 20 or more hours of clean-burning fire. The tank is easy to access and the fire pit itself doesn't need to be assembled. We like it because it’s durable, weather resistant, easy to use, and you can control the temperature.
What We Like
- Durable, weather-resistant design
- Uses clean-burning natural gas
- Easy to use, with no assembly required
What We Don't Like
- No accessories included
- Higher price point
BUY: Lausaint Home Fire Pit Table
Best Wood Burning Fire Pit - Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit
SPECS
- Size: 32" x 32" x 25"
- Material: Steel
- Features: Poker, log rack, grilling grate
- Burn type: Wood
To bring a little bit of that traditional wood-burning feel to your backyard, consider the Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit. It’s got a classic steel design and has everything you need for your outdoor gatherings, including a grilling grate that is FDA-approved, a poker, and a log rack.
The grill portion is adjustable and removable and the round design allows people to gather closely together. That said, there's some assembly required, but users state that it's quick and easy to put together.
What We Like
- Adjustable, removable grill
- Round design
- Made of steel
- Modest price point
- Several accessories included
What We Don't Like
- Some assembly required
- Not as portable as other fire pits
BUY: Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit
Best Stone Fire Pit - Teamson Home Round Stone
SPECS
- Size: 40.55" x 40.55" x 11.42"
- Material: Stone
- Features: Lid, lava rocks
- Burn type: Propane
If you're looking for a backyard centerpiece, this heavy-duty stone fire pit may be for you. The Teamson Home Round Stone would make a nice fixture for your yard or patio, as it’s a bit too heavy to take on a camping trip or to a tailgate party.
This clean-burning propane fire pit is a good size for backyard gatherings. It also comes with a waterproof cover to help protect your fire pit and additional lava rocks for a more natural look.
What We Like
- Stone construction
- Waterproof lid included
- Good size for backyard gatherings
What We Don't Like
- Heavy
- Not as portable as other fire pits
Best Portable Fire Pit - Fireside Outdoor Pop-up Fire Pit
SPECS
- Size: 24" x 24" x 15"
- Material: Aluminum, Stainless Steel
- Features: Zippered carrying bag
- Burn type: Wood
If you're a camper or a tailgater, you probably need a lightweight, portable fire pit. So you may want to consider the Fireside Outdoor Pop-up Fire Pit. Although it’s made with lightweight aluminum, it’s sturdy and comes with its own weather-resistant bag for transportation.
The Fireside Outdoor Pop-up Fire Pit has a mesh ventilation system that gives you a decent, hot wood fire that creates up to 80 percent less smoke than other fire pits. The Leave No Trace Heat Shield is also a nice feature for campers who don't want to harm their campsite environment.
What We Like
- Lightweight and portable
- Modest price point
- Minimizes smoke and overall environmental impact
What We Don't Like
- Not the nicest looking fire pit
- May not be appropriately sized for bigger outdoor gatherings
BUY: Fireside Outdoor Pop-up Fire Pit
Best Budget Fire Pit - Camp Chef Redwood Propane Fire Pit
- SPECS
- Size: 13" x 19"
- Material: Steel
- Features: Lava rocks, roasting sticks, carrying bag, hose
- Burn type: Propane
The Camp Chef Redwood Propane Fire Pit is our pick for the best budget-friendly fire pit because it allows you to enjoy warm and welcoming outdoor gatherings without spending an arm and a leg.
This steel fire pit uses propane and comes with lava rocks, a carrying bag, roasting sticks, and more accessories. Some people may find this fire pit to be on the smaller side, but the temperature controls are easy to use which may make up for its diminutive size.
What We Like
- Great value
- Several accessories included
- Easy to adjust the flame
- Portable
What We Don't Like
- It may not be the right size for bigger outdoor gatherings
- Very utilitarian appearance
BUY: Camp Chef Redwood Propane Fire Pit
Best Fire Pit for Cooking - Biolite Firepit+
SPECS
- Size: 27.5" x 11" x 12"
- Material: Stainless steel
- Features: FirePit+, grill grate, fuel rack, USB-A to micro-USB cord
- Burn type: Charcoal, wood
Do you like to use your campfire for cooking? The Biolite Firepit+ may be the best choice for you. Air jets help give you consistent temperatures, the enamel coating makes cleaning up a breeze, and you can keep tabs on your fire at all times thanks to the mesh body.
You can burn either charcoal or logs—it can hold up to four logs at a time—and cook your favorite camping food like hot dogs and s'mores with the included grill grate. Additionally, you can connect your phone by using an app to control the grill's fans and temperatures.
What We Like
- Grill included
- Lots of options to regulate flame and temperature
- Up to 30 hours for a low simmer flame
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- Not as well suited for casual gatherings
FAQs About Fire Pits
What is the best type of fire pit to buy?
Depending on your goals and preferences, we think the best value and performance come from Solo Stove's line of smokeless fire pits. That's why we ranked Solo Stove as our top overall choice.
What are the most durable fire pits?
For durability, fire pits made from steel or stone tend to be the best options.
Which fire pits give off the most heat?
Wood-burning pits can usually create larger fires than propane-burning ones, which means they are the best bet when it comes to sheer heating power.
Which is better: wood or propane fire pits?
It all depends on what you value. If you're looking for something that offers the more traditional feel of a "crackling" fireplace, wood-burning fire pits are the way to go. For something clean and low maintenance, propane is likely the better choice for you.