10 Fire Pits That'll Turn Your Backyard Into a Cozy Campsite
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A fire pit can help stretch patio season well beyond summer. With so many options now available, from compact propane models to substantial wood-burning designs, choosing the right one comes down to more than looks. The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab and the Kitchen & Cooking Lab have decades of experience evaluating outdoor living and cooking gear, including pellet grills and smokers and gas grills . For this guide, we considered factors such as build quality, durability, fuel type, size and safety features to identify fire pits suited to a range of backyards and budgets. Our favorite is from Tiki for its modern style and innovative low-smoke design.
Our top picks:
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Best overall: Tiki Fire Pit
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Best for cooking: Bali Outdoors Outdoor Fire Pit with Cooking Grill
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Best extra large: Sunnydaze Cosmic Outdoor Fire Pit
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Most durable: Breeo X-Series 24 Fire Pit
1) Tiki Fire Pit
This unique wood-burning fire pit impressed our experts with its perfect balance of size, convenience, and smart design for the ultimate fire experience.Although its 25-inch diameter places it in the mid-sized category of tested models, this fire pit's deep basin allows enough room for logs (or wood pellets) and helps prevents embers from flying everywhere.
Our engineers note that its internal airflow system helps keep the fire going while dramatically reducing the amount of smoke it emits. We also love this pit's elegant yet weatherproof black exterior that suits almost any backyard. At 45 pounds, it's not particularly portable though. If you hate cleanup then opt for a propane model as this one is only wood-burning.
- Deep basin accommodates logs or wood pellets
- Great airflow to keep fire burning consistently while limiting smoke
- Beautiful, durable design
- Wood ash cleanup is more involved than with propane models
2) Teamson Outdoor Round Stone Wood Burning Fire Pit
The most inexpensive fire pits tend to look that way, with cheap materials and flimsy construction. The Teamson fire pit is an exception to the rule, with a concrete design and solid, joint-free construction that our experts see in models costing two to three times as much .
From a safety perspective, this pit is a great choice if you have small kids at home, since the durable steel cover keeps embers from flying out. Our experts also like the grilling grate, enabling you to cook burgers and dogs over the open flame. Weighing just 22 pounds, it's easy to move about the yard—or throw in back of the SUV to take to the campsite or tailgate party. The tradeoff of a smaller bowl is that it's not ideal for warming a large group.
- Unique concrete design
- Grate is good for grilling
- Steel cover blocks embers from escaping
- Smaller fire bowl isn’t ideal for warming a larger group
3) Ledge Halo Outdoor Firepit
Most fire pits lean rustic or utilitarian, but the Ledge Halo Firepit looks more like a piece of high-end patio furniture. Its low, sculptural profile pairs a subtly textured resin base with a smooth powder-coated steel top, giving it a clean, contemporary look that won't feel out of place next to a modern outdoor sectional or pool. It's available in several muted finishes, too, so it's easier to coordinate with your existing setup. With a diameter of 40 inches, it's a substantial size and may overwhelm a small patio.
The thoughtful design goes beyond appearances. A patented PivotGlide top slides open to reveal and conceal a standard 20-pound propane tank, keeping the hose and hardware out of sight. The 70,000-BTU burner provides up to 10 hours of burn time, according to the brand, and an adjustable flame lets you dial the heat up or down. It also has a Wind-Sense flameout sensor that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out.
- PivotGlide top conceals the propane tank
- Powerful 70,000-BTU burner with adjustable flame
- Sensor shuts off gas if the flame goes out
- 40-inch footprint can overwhelm a small patio
4) Bali Outdoors Outdoor Fire Pit with Cooking Grill
This deep, steel lattice wood-burning fire pit from Bali Outdoors comes with a swivel-top grill for making kebabs, s'mores, and anything else you want to cook over an open flame.
Consumer testers love the fire pit's sturdy build, its large 32-inch diameter, and its outer ring that doubles as a mini table. The pit's deep basin is compatible with both logs and charcoal, and it gets decent airflow from the surrounding mesh screen.
You'll need to cover it or keep it out of the elements as it may be prone to rust.
- Comes with swivel-top grill that's great for cooking
- Deep basin fits logs or charcoal
- Large diameter
- Can rust
5) Sunnydaze Cosmic Outdoor Fire Pit
This massive 42-inch wood-burning fire pit has a simple and elegant black finish, with star-and-moon cut-outs for a charming glow pattern at night.
Its extra-large size means it can easily warm a crowd,while its basic spark screen lid helps prevent embers from escaping. Keep in mind that it's not as deep or well-ventilated relative to its diameter as the low-smoke options on this list. Some at-home also complained of rusting, so you'll need to cover it properly or store it out of the elements.
- Wide enough to warm a crowd
- Comes with screen lid to limit sparks
- Cute moon-and-stars design
- Not very deep
6) Breeo X Series 24
The Breeo X Series was designed with durability in mind—each fire pit is made from steel in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and you can choose between a classic stainless steel finish or corten steel, which is designed to be left out in the elements and develop a natural reddish patina over time.
This fire pit has a simple, rustic design, a deep basin, and an internal airflow system to keep smoke to a minimum. Breeo also offers a variety of accessories for the pits, including a grilling package and an insert ring for adding to an existing concrete or stone fire pit. Choose between the smaller X Series 19 for two to four people the X Series 24 (shown here) for three to seven people, or the large X 30 which can warm large groups.
- Durable steel construction
- Great airflow limits smoke
- Deep basin
- Remember to select a stainless steel finish, unless you enjoy the natural patina of corten steel
7) Solo Stove Bonfire
Wood-burning fire pits are beloved for the campfire-like experience they provide, but the smoke scent can cling to hair and clothes. Solo Stove makes the lowest-smoke wood-burning fire pits we found,thanks to an advanced airflow system that promotes efficient combustion.
The Solo Stove comes in three different size options: The compact Ranger
, the mid-size Bonfire (shown here), and the large Yukon
. They all share an identical stainless steel cylindrical design, but our consumer testers thought the Bonfire would suit most people, with enough depth for logs and space for a small group to gather around.
A mesh screen lid,
is sold separately, so be aware of burning embers.
- Great airflow creates very little smoke
- Deep basin
- Available in three sizes
- Open top offers less spark protection than fire pits with a screen lid
8) Stahl Firepit
Since it launched nearly a decade ago, the Stahl Firepit has developed a loyal following in the Pacific Northwest, emanating from the brand's headquarters in Portland, OR. Now its reputation is spreading nationwide.
Our experts like the pit's sculptural form and the way the steel develops a deep patina over time(it's also available in anodized aluminum that stays black or silver, depending on which finish you choose). The rugged materials can withstand all kinds of harsh weather, and the nonwelded construction means there's no chance of it coming apart at the seams. We also like how easy the fire pit is to assemble—simply slot the puzzle-like sections together and you're ready to go. But at 105 pounds, it will be difficult to move around, so make sure you pick a good spot in your yard for it.
- Weather-resistant materials
- High-quality steel construction
- Sculptural form
- Too heavy to move around
9) BioLite Smokeless FirePit+
This uniquely shaped wood-burning fire pit is compact and lightweight (under 20 pounds!), with side handles for extra portability.In testing, we loved the fire pit's three-speed fan settings that control the size of the flame, as well as its interesting "x-ray mesh" body that gives you a full view of the logs while they're burning. The downside to its narrow footprint is that it produces a smaller fire.
The BioLite FirePit+ is designed to fit four standard 16-inch logs at a time, but it can also be used with charcoal. There's also Bluetooth compatibility for controlling the fan remotely and an included grill grate if you're looking to cook while camping or in the backyard.
- Portable at less than 20 pounds
- Great airflow to keep fire going
- Includes grill grate for cooking
- Narrow footprint means smaller fires
10) Outland Living Mega Firebowl Fire Pit
The Firebowl line of portable and no-mess propane fire pits from Outland Living is simple to use and performs exactly as expected. Each has a 58,000 BTU output and generates great heat without the embers, ash, smoke, or maintenance of a wood-burning fire pit.Keep in mind that the propane tank will be visible.
These fire pits are also allowed in many places that have a ban on wood-burning fires. While the Firebowl comes in a range of sizes, we like this larger, 24-inch Mega Firebowl for backyard living as well as camping. The 19-inch Deluxe Firebowl is also portable (with a cover and carry kit) and great for camping and beach trips.
- Portable at 22 pounds
- No mess or maintenance
- Generates great heat
- Exposed propane tank
11) How we choose the best fire pits
Our experts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify the top-selling fire pits you're most likely to find at home centers, specialty dealers, and online. They also attend trade shows and industry events, including HPBExpo and the International Builders Show , to keep up with the latest trends in outdoor living. Next, they identify brands that have performed the best and proved the most reliable through years of testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute . They also consider newer brands with unique features or innovations.
Evaluations begin with a thorough review of technical data, including an assessment of materials and quality of construction. Consumer testers also try out fire pits at their homes, focusing on how easy they are to start and maintain a fire, the level of heat and smoke generated, and the portability of each fire pit. Our experts also pore over thousands of online reviews looking for red flags related to safety, performance, and maintenance.
12) What are the main types of fire pits?
The primary decision you need to make when shopping for a fire pit is whether you want a wood-burning or gas pit.
✔️ Wood-burning fire pitsuse wood logs, wood pellets, charcoal, or some combination thereof, and you build your fire the way you would an open bonfire. However, they're generally safer and more convenient than bonfires because the vessel tends to be deep enough to prevent embers from flying everywhere. Many are designed to give off less smoke, and many have ashtrays in the base for convenient cleanup. Some also have internal fans to keep the fire going. You should opt for a wood-burning fire if you love that campfire smell, are interested in cooking outdoors, or want to generate a lot of heat. The drawbacks are the ash cleanup, the fuel maintenance, and the potential for smokiness, as well as the potential fire hazard from embers.
✔️ Gas fire pitsuse propane or natural gas to generate a "clean" fire, with no embers, ash, or cleanup. They're generally safer and more consistent than wood-burning fire pits because there's no fire hazard from embers, and they can be switched on with the flip of a switch or by pressing a button. They often have different heat and flame-height levels. Gas fire pits are great to use for elegant outdoor tables or patios, or when camping somewhere where wood fires are banned or inconvenient. However, gas fire pits aren't always intended for cooking because, unlike gas grills, they often don't have grease traps, sealed burners, and other features designed to contain messes. They also don't provide you with the smell of a campfire and you'll need to be able to store the propane tank somewhere. Tanks and gas lines also need to be carefully inspected and maintained to prevent leaks.
13) What else to consider when shopping for a fire pit
✔️ Size:Fire pits come in all shapes and sizes, and the picks in this list range from 15 to 42 inches in diameter. It's intuitive, but generally speaking, the larger the fire pit, the more people it can accommodate. The largest picks can comfortably seat 10 people around them without crowding, while the smallest can fit only two or three. Smaller fire pits are generally easier to transport and store. Choose the size that makes sense for you and your outdoor space—and try to prioritize depth when possible. We find that deeper fire pits generally hold more logs without spilling out the top and don't throw off embers that may disrupt your enjoyment of the fire.
✔️ Material:The most common material for standalone fire pits is steel. Some will be designed for the elements and will develop their own patina; others are stainless and won't rust easily but should still be covered. Those made with very raw materials will rust quickly if not protected. There are also fire pits that are painted or housed inside another exterior, such as brick, concrete, or fiberglass. If you want a fire pit that's going to stay put in your backyard for months on end, make sure you invest in something that will stand up to the elements, or get a good cover to put over it when not in use. Otherwise, you can choose a more lightweight and portable option that can be stored indoors.
✔️ Safety features:In general, propane fire pits are safer than wood-burning fire pits because they don't produce the embers, ash, and smoke that pose a fire hazard. However, gas lines and propane tanks should always be checked to prevent potential leaks. Most wood-burning fire pits on this list have basic protections including wire mesh shields and deep basins to prevent embers from falling outside the pit. One of the most important things you can do to reduce the fire hazard of your pit is to place it a safe distance away from any structures, and position it on a fireproof surface such as concrete, brick, or stone. You can also buy fireproof mats to place under portable fire pits.
✔️ Bonus features:Many fire pits come with extra features such as cooking equipment, unique exterior designs, batteries for charging devices while camping, Bluetooth connectivity, side tables, and more. These can be fun and useful, but don't prioritize these features over the safety and performance of the fire pit itself.
14) Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This article was a collaboration between experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoors Lab and Kitchen Appliances Lab.
In his role as director of Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House. He's a regular at trade shows and industry events, where he stays on top of trends around outdoor living, often speaking on the subject.
Nicole Papantoniou runs the Institute's Kitchen and Cooking Lab, overseeing all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014. She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer.
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