The Best Fire Pits of 2022
Sports Illustrated aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
A backyard oasis isn’t complete without a fire pit. Whether it's cool summer nights or chilly winter evenings, a fire pit is an excellent investment to extend the use of your backyard through all seasons. Spring and fall are the prime seasons for fire pit use, but purchasing over the summer can snag you some fiery deals.
From roasting s’mores over the fire to sipping wine around it, a fire pit adds a vacation ambiance to your yard. But what are the best outdoor fire pits you can buy?
We searched dozens of online retailers, read hundreds of reviews and did the research to make it easy for you to pick the best fire pit options for your backyard.
Best Propane Fire Table: Outland Living Series 403 Fire Table ($585.29, originally $730; amazon.com)
This fashionable and functional fire pit is constructed from synthetic (polyethylene) wicker for year-round durability and weather resistance with a great look. Powder-coated, aluminum frame construction provides a solid base, while the tempered glass tabletop provides ample space for drinks or small plates. The smokeless design makes this fire pit perfect for your patio or deck. You can operate it with a 20-pounds propane tank and it delivers 50,000 BTU of heat.
Pros
- Available in choice of slate gray or espresso brown
- Easy push-button igniter
- Five-star Amazon reviews
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Does not include cover
- WIndscreen sold separately and recommended by several Amazon reviewers
Best Natural Gas Fire Table: Elementi Manhattan 56-inch Natural Gas Fire Pit Table ($1,899; amazon.com)
We absolutely love the look of this Elementi concrete fire table with an ornate finish that looks like fine marble. It will look great on your modern or transitional patio, completing your outdoor backyard with mystical ambiance. The heavy, 14- x 56- x 32-inch table includes a canvas cover, 10-foot hose to connect it to your natural gas system, and lava rocks to help deliver 45,000 BTUs of warmth. So pretty much everything you need to get started right after setup is complete.
Pros
- Five-star rating on Amazon
- Sturdy, heavy-duty
- Stylish modern design
Cons
- Other similar models may cost less
Best Fire Bowl: Elementi Lunar Bowl Fire Pit ($1,499; walmart.com)
This 42-inch fire bowl is small enough to fit in virtually any backyard setting but big enough to deliver 45,000 BTUs of heat and plenty of ambiance. Available in natural gas or propane models, the fire bowl has auto ignition and delivers smokeless flames that are easy to adjust to the height you desire.
Pros
- Sturdy glass-fiber reinforced concrete construction
- Choice of natural gas or propane
- Easy to set up
- Includes a canvas cover for protection when not in use
Cons
- Weighs 170-pounds so it cannot be easily moved
- May be too small for larger spaces, where a 48-inch model would look better
Best Wood Fire Pit: Tiki Low Smoke Fire Pit ($395; amazon.com)
You can find less expensive wood fire pits, but you won’t find many better than the Tiki Low Smoke Fire Pit. Amazon reviewers give it five stars for its easy-to-use design that is light lightweight and easy to maneuver, as well as its heat output.
Pair the Tiki fire pit with the company’s own Tiki Wood Pack for fast lighting and a low smoke flame. Of course though, you can also use this pit with regular wood.
Pros
- Includes stand, weather-resistant cover and starter wood pack
- Sturdy
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Requires TIKI Brand Wood for best results
- You can find less expensive wood fire pits
Best Budget Wood Fire Pit: Sunnydaze Outdoor Fire Pit ($199, originally $248.99; amazon.com)
The Sunnydaze 36-inch black outdoor fire pit has a rustic appeal that will look great with farmhouse décor, at your lake house or even at your campsite. This fire pit includes everything you need to get started, including a metal spark screen, weather-resistant cover, built-in wood burning grate and a poker tool, all for less than $200. Just add wood (and maybe some marshmallows and beverages of your choice) to get started making campfire memories.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Real wood delivers true campfire ambiance
Cons
- Real wood needs tending
- Creates ash and smoke
Best Smokeless Fire Pit: Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit ($599; breeo.co)
Breeo invented smokeless fireplaces that burn real wood back in 2011 and, since then, they’ve been a brand that’s hard to beat. The popular, top-rated X Series 24 model comes in a choice of corten steel, which evolves into a natural, rustic patina or stainless steel for a sleek look in any setting.
The unique double wall design and X Airflow raised air vent system delivers more airflow, which lets the fire burn hotter, vastly reducing the amount of smoke created. You’ll enjoy the warmth and aroma of a real wood fire without the environmentally harmful effects of smoke.
Pros
- Smokeless with the ambiance of real wood
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Higher priced than many other wood fire pits
- Outpost grilling system for cooking sold separately
Best Portable Fire Pit: Outland Living Portable Propane Smokeless Fire Pit ($163.26, originally $174.99; amazon.com)
We love the Outland Living brand for the quality and value, and so do Amazon reviewers. They gave this portable propane fire pit for camping an average rating of five out of five stars, and at under $175 retail, it’s a great budget model, too.
This campfire kit runs on propane with natural lava rocks for warmth, so if you want the scent and atmosphere of real wood for your camping trip, you’ll want to choose a different portable fire pit. But this spark-free option may be permitted in areas that have banned other campfires.
Lightweight and portable, this kit gives you everything you need for an easy fire pit experience anywhere you might be.
Pros
- May be safer than wood fires for a campsite
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- No ash
- Affordable
- 5 stars on Amazon
Cons
- Lacks the atmosphere and smoke of real wood campfires
Best Tabletop Fire Pit: Ecolovida Portable Fire Bowl ($68.99, originally $89.20; amazon.com)
This stylish tabletop fire bowl kept showing up time and again in our searches for fire pits. Measuring just 11 inches by 10 inches, and 5.3 inches high, the oval shape can fit well on any table and is safe for use indoors and outside. It includes a stainless steel, six ounce burner cup to hold bio ethanol or isopropyl / rubbing alcohol, making it convenient, safe, and easy to use. A full cup should deliver 90 minutes of odorless, smokeless flames to create a relaxing mood.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Portable
- Smokeless and odorless flames
Cons
- Other models may cost less
- Some customers reported the stone cracking after first use
Best Gel Fuel Fire Bowl: TerraFlame Tabletop Fire Bowl ($99; amazon.com)
If you prefer not to deal with pouring ethanol or alcohol into your tabletop fire bowl, a model from Get Fuel is the better choice. This bestselling tabletop fire bowl comes with three cans of Terra Flame gel fuel that burns up to three hours per can. It’s portable and convenient to use indoors or out, adding a zen-like ambiance to your patio space, living room or dining table.
Pros
- Clean gel fuel burns up to three hours per can
- Safe indoors or out
- Crackling fireplace sounds
Cons
- Other models may be less expensive
- Does not give off much heat
Best Chiminea - Bali Outdoors Chimenea ($179, originally $199; amazon.com)
The Bali Outdoors wood-burning chiminea outperformed more expensive models on multiple consumer review sites. With a 4.5-star average review on Amazon, it has been named the number one bestseller in its category by the shopping giant.
Reviewers liked its ease of assembly, the heavy-duty cast-iron construction which makes it durable and sturdy, and the all-around mesh wire screening. All of which make this fire pit the perfect centerpiece to your deck, patio or other outdoor gathering space.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Use real or artificial wood logs
Cons
- Some assembly required
Before You Buy a Fire Pit
Before you buy a fire pit, you’ll want to determine the type you want, decide where you will put it and, of course, establish your budget or how much you want to spend. Fire pits can look at home on decks or patios, or you can create a separate seating area in the depths of your backyard for relaxing.
First, let’s consider the types of fire pits you can choose from.
What Are the Different Types of Fire Pits?
Fire pits come in many different styles and shapes, and can use a variety of different fuel sources, as well. Our guide seeks to cover the best fire pits in each category, including fire tables, chimeneas, fire bowls and table top models.
There are five main sources of fuel for fire pits:
- Gel fuel
- Bio ethanol / rubbing alcohol
- Natural gas
- Propane
- Wood
Each has pros and cons, depending on your needs and the availability of fuel sources. Firewood is one of the easiest, most readily available ways to fuel your fire pit, but you’ll need to replenish the wood and clean out the ash.
Also, unless you choose a smokeless model, traditional wood fire pits give off lots of smoke that can burn your eyes and make your hair and clothes smell. Some regions and campsites do not permit wood-burning fires due to local fire safety ordinances, so you’ll need to be sure you’re allowed to burn a real wood fire before you purchase a wood fire pit.
Natural gas or propane fire pits produce odorless, smokeless flames, yet may not have the same ambiance as a wood-burning fire pit. However, if you have a natural gas hook-up in your home, a natural gas fire pit is a convenient alternative.
Propane fire pits can use portable propane tanks or connect to your home’s propane source.
Natural gas, propane and wood fire pits all give off substantial heat to keep you and your friends and loved ones warm on chilly spring and fall nights.
Bio ethanol and fuel gel are most commonly used for tabletop fire pits. The fire won’t last as long as wood, propane, or natural gas, but they burn clean and provide a convenient source of fire to create a relaxing mood indoors or out.
Fire Pit Safety Tips
Before you use your fire pit, be certain that you have a heat- and flame-resistant surface. You can create a fire pit area using rocks or sand in your backyard, or purchase a fireproof mat to protect your deck or lawn.
Some fire pits and chimineas get hot to the touch, so you’ll want to be aware of that, especially if you have young children. And make sure to keep small hands—and adult hands, for that matter—away from flames.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good size fire pit for a backyard?
The size of your fire pit, of course, will depend on the space you have available. If you’re seeking to create a permanent fixture in your backyard, you may want to look for a fire pit with an inside diameter of at least 30 inches, and enough space around the inner circle to keep people a safe distance away.
Fire tables often have enough room to hold drinks and small plates around the ages, making them a convenient centerpiece for your backyard gatherings.
What type of fire pit is best?
The type of fire pit you choose depends on the space you have available, the fuel sources you have available, and your personal preference.
Are fire pits good for heat?
Propane, wood, and natural gas fire pits can all give off substantial warmth for chilly nights. Propane and natural gas fire pits measure heat output in BTUs - the higher the BTUs, the more heat they will give off.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.