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Oct 17, 2024

5 Best Outdoor Gas Fire Pits of 2024 for Cozy Gatherings

By Rachel Brougham Updated on May 02, 2024 Finding the best gas fire pit for your outdoor space will keep you comfortable and cozy on chilly nights—no messy firewood needed! Our editors and experts

By Rachel Brougham

Updated on May 02, 2024

Finding the best gas fire pit for your outdoor space will keep you comfortable and cozy on chilly nights—no messy firewood needed!

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.

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A gas outdoor fire pit provides warmth and visual beauty without the hassle of building and tending to a wood fire. Gas fire pits allow you to enjoy instant flames without smoke or ash and are available in various styles and sizes. Plus, many are portable, meaning you can take the warmth with you!

If you’re looking to sit around the fire, enjoy some ambient lighting and get cozy, having the best gas fire pit is a must. Check out our expertly-chosen top picks (and pass the s’mores, please).

“Aesthetically, gas fire pits are perfect for all homeowners and can make a great outdoor centerpiece to enjoy with family and friends,” says Ashley Murphy, fire and pool merchant for Home Depot. “The wood vs. gas debate is mostly a matter of personal preference. A gas fire pit burns cleaner and turns on and off with the flip of a switch.”

When looking for the best gas fire pit for your lifestyle, consider the size and shape you’ll need and whether you want it to be portable or fixed. Also, some are intended for entertaining and eating, while others are purely decorative.

Fire bowls are round, attractive designs that curve upward from the ground. Fire tables with flat tops may be tall enough to use for a dining table or low-slung like a coffee table. Fire columns have a small footprint, just enough space for the propane tank and decorative enclosure.

Electric ignition (usually battery-powered) creates that spark via a button, switch or phone app. These are by far the most popular, though manual and spark-ignition models exist as options. Heat output is also an essential factor to consider. Fire pit heat output is rated in British Thermal Units (BTU). Most fire pits are in the 30,000 to 60,000 range, with some producing 100,000 BTUs or more.

Lastly, you want to think about the gas you’ll use to fuel your fire. “Gas fire pits commonly use liquid propane, which is available in refillable tanks,” says Murphy. “Natural gas is an option for some fire pits, but they must be connected to the home’s gas line. All of these are considerations when deciding between a wood burning and a gas fire pit.”

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For those looking to add a gas fire pit and create the ultimate outdoor space, this Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit with Lid is worthy of a splurge. When lit with the push of a button, the fire dances atop a bed of fire glass. The design is simple yet modern to enhance your outdoor space. It comes with a glass burner cover, and while it is set up for liquid propane, it can be converted to natural gas.

Jeff, a verified buyer, noted the fire pit was an instant hit in the neighborhood. “Great flame, produces superior heat, but adjustable, so it’s able to be used for simple ambiance if desired. Very sturdy… we will own this for the rest of our lives.”

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At less than a foot in width and depth, this Propane Tabletop Fire Pit is a great option for those short on patio or deck space. At 15 inches tall, this lightweight concrete-style fire pit will add light, ambiance and warmth to your patio. Buyers noted it was easy to set up and a great value without sacrificing quality. It’s not a push-button ignition, so you’ll need a match or lighter.

“This is an adorable small fire pit perfect for a small area where ambiance is the priority,” said Paula, a verified buyer.

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The most common way to conceal a propane tank is to hide it inside the table, as with the Bali Outdoors Propane Fire Pit Table. As our best overall pick, this model available on Amazon has an output rated at 60,000 BTUs and a natural slate top with a metal insert to cover the pit when not in use. It’s 42 inches long, 24 inches wide and 24 inches high. It ships with fire glass, and the entire unit weighs 77 pounds.

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When finding the best gas fire pit on a budget, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for the price. The Yaheetech Gas Fire Pit Table offers up 50,000 BTUs of heat output and can easily be converted into an outdoor dining table, coffee table or bar when the fire is not in use. Buyers liked its push-button ignition system and the ability to adjust the flame with an easy-to-use control knob.

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If you’re interested in a portable fire pit, consider this option from Outland Living. Whether tailgating with friends or vacationing alone, this small fire pit is a perfect traveling unit. Auto-ignition gets the fire going quickly, with no matches required. The bowl is 19 inches in diameter and 11 inches high. It produces 58,000 BTUs and ships with a cover, lava rocks and a 10-foot hose to connect your propane tank.

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I lived through a major home renovation in 2019, know the ups and downs of home improvement and love sharing tips with readers. I specialize in everything from home decor and design to lawn and garden, product reviews and pet care. I loved spending time outdoors and know how to select products that will make people feel like their yard is an oasis.

We consulted Ashley Murphy, a fire and pool merchant for Home Depot to get more insight on what makes gas fire pits such a great option for buyers. Murphy is an expert on how to enjoy an outdoor fire safely and the best products for every customer.

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

On average, a gas fire pit using a 20-pound propane tank will get you anywhere from three to six hours of use, depending on the size of the fire pit and BTU rating.

Gas fire pits can keep you warm, even on chilly nights! However, it is worth noting that heat output largely depends on BTUs, so the higher the number, the hotter your fire pit will be. Check out your fire pit’s specs to get an inside look at just how hot yours is getting.

You can certainly cook over a gas fire pit. Since most gas fire pits run on propane, this would be no different than cooking on a gas grill.