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Nov 02, 2024

Best Firepit for 2024 - CNET

Article updated on November 1, 2024 at 9:29 AM PDT Create the cozy outdoor space of your dreams with the best firepit for gathering, cooking or relaxing. CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens

Article updated on November 1, 2024 at 9:29 AM PDT

Create the cozy outdoor space of your dreams with the best firepit for gathering, cooking or relaxing.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Size

Choosing the right size pit for your space and numbers.

Safety regulations and codes

Before buying a fire pit, find out your local rules and regulations.

Budget

Bare-bones models come as cheap as $50 or splurge on a premium fire pit but be prepared to pay.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Size

Choosing the right size pit for your space and numbers.

Safety regulations and codes

Before buying a fire pit, find out your local rules and regulations.

Budget

Bare-bones models come as cheap as $50 or splurge on a premium fire pit but be prepared to pay.

There's nothing quite as cozy as snuggling up next to a firepit with your friends and family on a cool night. There are so many ways to use a firepit space, and no matter how you choose to do so, you're sure to make some great memories.

An outdoor firepit can warm your patio space and even act as an extra place to cook. With all the options out there, you can choose from firepits that serve as a permanent centerpiece, compact ones to store when not in use or portable options for camping trips. Below is a list of top-rated firepits catering to a range of needs and preferences. With winter on the way, they could even be perfect gifts for the holiday season.

Fire pits are more than just campfires to gawk at. Many of these models come with cooking grates, meaning you can grab your cast-iron cookware and make your dinner in your backyard fire pit instead of in the kitchen. Some throw in fire pokers for the price. Our testers at CNET have had a great time finding and testing the best fire pits, so we can pass the best recommendations on to you.

You can find compact $50 models for warming a couple of pairs of hands or fiery, high-performance pits worth hundreds of dollars. Fire pits can run on a variety of different fuel types too, whether you're after a fire pit that runs on wood pellets, propane or a smoke-free gel that can even be burned indoors without any noxious fumes.

After testing fire pits from the most reputable brands out there, we can tell you that the sleek, efficient Pit Boss Pellet Fire Pit is the best overall fire pit of 2024. Its pellet fuel burns more evenly than wood and has the advantage of being smokeless, making it more palatable for partygoers who don't have to worry about standing downwind of the flames. Every model in this list is worth your consideration, each catering to a different budget and coming with its own benefits, whether you need a fire pit you can bring indoors or something portable for when you're far from home.

Using a pellet fire pit instead of wood is a different experience. The smell can be different, especially if you throw in some pellets designed for smoking meats, and the fire feels more intense. The Pit Boss pellet fire pit kept me warm from 6 feet away on a brisk November morning, and the pellets lasted a long while before they needed a refill. Like a lot of modern fire pits, the Pit Boss uses a design to catch the smoke and recirculate it so you mainly get fire rather than smoke. Lighting it was easy, although pellet pits can take an external accelerant to get going. I used a small spray of barbecue lighter fluid on mine, and it worked perfectly. It releases more smoke as you start it, but it goes away as the fire heats up.

It also comes with a quality-feeling cover to keep the rain off and a removable ashtray to make dumping out the pellet ash pain-free. Pellets burn more evenly than wood chunks, so the ash never has unburned lumps. I like pellet pits more than wood now, and the Pit Boss has helped me in that decision.

Most of our selections are wood-burning fire pits, but there is something to be said for propane pits. This 19-inch fire pit from Outland Living fits neatly on a table or the ground and is perfect for people who already use propane for their grills or patio heaters.The Firebowl has a nice long hose to keep your gas tank away from the open flame, so it is safe to use. It gives off a significant amount of heat; because it is gas, heat can be adjusted as needed. A fire pit that can start the evening on a low setting for the ambiance and finish it with a roaring fire to keep the chill away is a luxury that wood burners don't offer.

The Firebowl also comes with lava rocks, perfect for creating the illusion of a bonfire, as they add carbon to the flame, making it yellow instead of blue. They also help keep the heat going, even if you turn the gas off to conserve it. One big advantage of a gas fire pit is instant heat. There's no waiting for the fire to get going; it's just the heat you want when you want it.

Some could argue that this is not, strictly speaking, a "fire pit" but it is a chiminea, and that's close enough. The Solo Stove Lloyd is a beautiful-looking fireplace that has several key features that are nearly unique. It uses a smokeless gell fuel that comes in a can and burns for around three hours. It can also be used indoors as the gel fuel doesn't produce any noxious fumes. The indoor/outdoor use comes in handy when the night gets so cold even a fire pit isn't enough. In the warmer months, you can reduce the amount of cans you light down through one, two or three, so you get the fire without the heat.

I was concerned at first that the Lloyd wouldn't produce enough heat from the gell cans, but it was sufficient to keep us warm from seven feet away on a 40-degree night. That's good enough for me. The only downside I can see is the fuel can be a little pricey. The cheapest way to buy it is in bulk, but it still costs around $7.50 a session, which is more than wood or even pellets.

If you do a lot of camping or any amount of travel, you know how important it is to pack your car properly. Tetris-like skill is needed to fit everything you need. The Flat Packer from Burch Barrel makes the packing hell a little easier by being under an inch thick when folded away. It can fit easily down the side of your luggage or even flat with bags on top. When you get to where you are going, slide the four pieces together and boom, an instant fire pit with a grill top for burgers.

To say the Breeo X Series 24 is built to take a beating is an understatement. Manufactured in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the X Series is constructed from a mix of corten (weathering) steel and 304 stainless steel. As a result, the X Series doesn't require a rain cover or weather shelter. After six months of exposure to the elements, the outer wall of the fire pit develops a natural patina that protects it from corrosion.

The X Series also has an advanced airflow system designed to facilitate secondary fuel burn, similar to the smokeless fire pits from Solo Stove. Not as easy to ignite as the Solo Stove pits, the X Series definitely stays lit once you get the fire going, and when it's done properly, the process takes 5 minutes and only requires smaller logs and kindling at first. It puts out plenty of heat as it burns away at full temperature, but the pit's secondary burn releases hardly any smoke.

In addition to being built extremely tough, the Breeo X Series also works with the excellent Outpost Grill, SearPlate Griddle, Flat Top Griddle, and Live Fire Pizza Oven. As you might expect, these accessories are built just as durably as the fire pit. This type of fire pit versatility makes for a big win for your patio.

One last note: Be sure to think strategically about where you want to deploy this pit. Weighing in at 78 pounds, the X Series 24 is 33 pounds heavier than the second-heftiest pit in this group, the Tiki Fire Pit. I recommend asking a friend or two to help move it where it needs to go in your yard or patio.

The FirePit Plus, made by Brooklyn-based BioLite, weighs under 20 pounds and is built for portability. Measuring 27 by 13 by 15.8 inches, it's relatively long and narrow, making it really good for patio use. It holds a little more wood than you'd think, with room for up to four cordwood logs. You can either use it as a standard fire pit or as a backyard grill and it was upgraded in 2021 with an enamel coating for easier cleaning and a higher-capacity battery for its built-in fan. It can also work as a patio heater. In fire pit mode, you lower the fuel rack to the bottom of the pit. To use it as a free-standing grill, so you can cook over hot wood coals or charcoal briquettes if you prefer, raise the rack to its highest position. BioLite offers a bundle with a grill grate that sits over everything. The grill lit up fast, in less than 5 minutes, and was fully burning in less than 10.

The FirePit Plus has a couple of signature features, one being patented airflow technology. A motorized fan powered by the flames' heat output drives air to the firebox. You can also control it using an iOS or Android app on a phone using Bluetooth. A mesh body lets you see flames through the FirePit from any angle.

The Breeo Luxeve may look fancy (and it is), but it's also very durable. This is because it's just what Breeo does, and the other reason is that it is essentially the Breeo X Series 24 fire pit but leveled up a few notches.

Breeo modified the base X Series 24 to allow for some nice upgrades that elevate the aesthetics of the typical fire pit. When ordering from Breeo directly, you can customize your fire pits in a couple of ways. One is by choosing the color. You can pick between White River, Bronze Vein, Silver Vein and Earth Rust, which is what you can see in the photos.

Secondly, you can customize the glass around the top ring. For this option, you can choose between black, dark blue, gray, clear and Amber Brown. Black was chosen in the photos.

The Luxeve isn't just a good-looking and durable fire pit; it has the same fantastic smokeless fire capabilities as the rest of Breeo's lineup. In addition to all of this, the Luxeve is also compatible with the Flat Top Griddle and Live Fire Pizza Oven. It won't work with the Outpost Grill or SearPlate Griddle.

Solo Stove fire pits are among the best smokeless fire pits out there, and while they work great and their stainless steel construction gives them a sleek appearance, the original models had one flaw: They weren't so easy to clean up. That changed with the arrival of the new Solo Stove 2.0 fire pits, which are available in the same three sizes -- Ranger 2.0 (small), Bonfire 2.0 (medium) and Yukon 2.0 (large) -- and have a removable ash pan, a feature missing from the 1.0 models.

We tested the midsize Bonfire 2.0 model, and it was a breeze to get fires started -- the 2.0 fire pits have the same 360-degree Airflow Technology that allows for smokeless fire -- and on the outside, the 2.0 fire pit looks the same as the 1.0 version. The difference is on the inside: once your fire has gone out and fully cooled down, you simply remove the screen over the pan, which collects the majority of the cinders, then remove the pan itself and dump the remaining ash (you no longer have to turn over the fire pit to remove the ash). A bit of the finer ash can end up at the bottom of the fire pit basin after you remove the pan but that's easy to remove with a wet rag or paper towel. Solo Stove fire pits are efficient. They consistently consumed our test logs and produced a lot less smoke than other fire pits we've tested. As with other high-performance fire pits, kids (and adults) need to be careful around the Bonfire 2.0. In addition to the intense heat from the fire itself, the Bonfire's steel surface heats to burning temperatures fast.

Solo Stove, which makes some of the best smokeless fire pits, released its second-generation Ranger 2.0 (small), Bonfire 2.0 (medium) and Yukon 2.0 (large) fire pits in August 2022. Now it's gone extra small for its new Mesa fire pit.

As its name implies, the Mesa is designed to sit on a tabletop and is small enough to slip into a backpack for mobility. Naturally, you could also set it on the ground, but when you put it on a table, it's at a good height for comfortably roasting marshmallows. It has the same 360-degree Signature Airflow system as Solo Stove's larger fire pits and is the spiritual successor to the Solo Stove Lite, a mini camp stove (whether we'll see some camping accessories for the Mesa is unclear at this point). It's an excellent mini fire pit.

Prices have come down as more brands have started making smokeless fire pits. The smokeless versions are still generally more expensive than a standard fire pit, but the benefits of a smokeless fire pit are worth the added cost.

One brand that some may not have expected to offer a product in this category is Cuisinart. It may be more known for making some excellent kitchen gadgets, like food processors, but its fire pit is quite impressive. For starters, the fire pit's overall design is different from most others and looks great. The black finish compliments the stainless steel parts.

For the price, Cuisinart added some pretty nice features and accessories. It comes with a locking base, a removable ash pan, and a top fire ring. Cuisinart also makes some accessories you can purchase separately, like a cover or the cast iron griddle & grill top.

The heat produced by this fire pit was easily felt at 6-8 feet. The wood burned evenly, and there was little to no smoke once the fire got going. At 24 inches, the Cleanburn offers plenty of heat and light for an average patio. If you have a smaller space or simply prefer a smaller fire pit, then the 19-inch model might be best for you.

Before buying a fire pit and making a new addition to your backyard, you should consider material, style, fuel type, location, cost and safety. To help guide your buying decision process, take a look at the following considerations so you know you're buying a fire pit that suits all your needs and your budget.

First things first: Are you even allowed to have a fire pit? If you own a home, check with your homeowner's association or city codes to make sure you're allowed to have a fire pit, and if so, read about where it should be located and other restrictions for burning wood in your area.

If you live in a rental or apartment complex, check with your building administrators or landlords for any restrictions or regulations regarding outdoor fire pits.

There are often specific rules about placement for safety, such as setting a fire pit at least 10 feet away from buildings and fences or having a water source nearby. Some counties and states may even require an inspection by local fire officials or may regulate fuel type.

Fire pits range from small portable models to larger permanent styles. Choose a size that fits within your backyard or patio space, keeping in mind how much space you'll need for circulation and seating around the fire pit. Models can range from 24 inches to more than 58 inches in diameter, and for movement and safety, you'll want to keep your pit five to seven feet away from your home and other objects.

Fire pits can range greatly in price. You can find inexpensive, $50 models and high-performance pits that'll set you back hundreds of dollars. You can even spend $1,500 or more on a fancy propane fire pit. For custom and built-in models, you'll likely need to budget $1,000 to $5,000 or even more.

To test each fire pit, we used the same fuel, Simple Simon Premium Hardwood sourced from a local Lowe's. For a consistent amount, we selected three split log lengths roughly 15 inches long. We then stacked the logs together so at least some portion of each was touching the others.

To ignite each pit, we used Diamond Strike-a-Fire fire starters that were available at our neighborhood Kroger supermarket. One of these starter matches should be all that's required to get a fire pit's fire burning. We then logged how long it took to establish a fully sustained fire.

A good fire pit will fully ignite in five to 10 minutes. A pit with poor airflow and design will take a lot longer, or even flame out after 15 minutes no matter how well you've stacked your wood. Additionally, we made note of how much smoke escaped each pit. Ideally, a fire pit will generate a lot of flame and little smoke. A quality fire pit will also burn fuel efficiently, leaving little solid material remaining once its fire burns out naturally.

Gas fire pits are easier to test as they don't require any lighting time. The first checks we do involve safety: Are all of the gas fittings secure and in good working order? Is the hose the recommended length to ensure the propane tank doesn't get hot? These checks are the most important to keep everyone safe.

Next, we marked lines at 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 feet. We then sat three people around the firepit at those distances to gauge how comfortable the heat was from the firepit. BTU is the standard unit of measure for heat, but knowing that doesn't tell you how warm it makes you while you're sitting at it.

Like the wood-burning fire pit, we used the same fuel for each of the pits we tested. I used a two-gallon bucket filled with Traeger signature blend wood pellets as the fuel and two shot glasses of Kingsford lighter fluid as the accelerant. We then timed how long the fire took to reach full flame and how long it took from ignition to the flame going out.

Pellet fire pits will ignite much quicker than a standard log flame and will continue to burn evenly until they go out. Neither pellet nor wood was more expensive to test as the wood burns longer, but the pellet is cheaper to buy in bulk.

The Pop-Up Fire Pit is very portable but makes a lot of smoke.

Pop-Up Fire Pit: The most portable fire pit idea in this roundup is the Pop-Up Pit. Its collapsible design lets you assemble it and break it down quickly. It also uses a heat shield so it won't scorch the ground below. The pit offers a large (2-foot-square) burning surface for your fire too. Since its frame is constructed from stainless steel, the Pop-Up Pit is rust-resistant. Because the pit is so large and has low walls, it creates a lot of smoke.

Solo Stove Ranger: Squat, cylindrical, compact and made from stainless steel, the Solo Stove Ranger appears simple at first glance. Tucked away inside this pit is the same sophisticated airflow system that its larger sibling, the Solo Stove Yukon, has. The system is designed to enable fire in the pit to burn hotter and consume more of its wood fuel.

We can confirm that the Ranger delivers on these promises. It starts fast, with its logs aflame in just 5 minutes and burns for hours. The fires we started in the Ranger also burned with incredible ferocity. The flames inside the pit focused into an impressive rolling vortex. Despite the conflagration, the Ranger emitted very little smoke.

The Ranger does have a few drawbacks. Its compact size means it can't accept standard 15-inch firewood logs. It's also not the best for large groups or families. More than two people roasting marshmallows at once quickly become a crowd.

The Kingso 22-inch fire pit is small and has poor airflow.

Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit (22-inch): Although it's a bestseller on Amazon, we don't recommend purchasing the Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit. Its small size (22 inches in diameter) feels cramped, and since airflow throughout the small fire pit unit is poor, we consistently had difficulty both starting fires and keeping them lit inside this pit. It doesn't come with a protective cover either.

The Hampton Bay Windgate 40-inch Dia Fire Pit is massive and built from heavy steel. Unfortunately, it suffers from poor airflow so its flames often die out.

Hampton Bay Windgate (40-inch) fire pit: The Hampton Bay Windgate is by far the largest fire pit in this group. It has a massive 40-inch-diameter fire bowl, roomy enough for big groups to gather around. As the pit weighs in at a substantial 60 pounds and is constructed from heavy-duty steel, it takes a lot of effort to set up the pit where you want it. Unfortunately, the Windgate steel fire pit suffers from poor ventilation. As a result, fires we started in the pit consistently died out in 15 to 20 minutes. That makes it difficult to recommend this wood-burning pit model.

A good fire pit will ignite in minutes and stay lit for hours.

The type of fire pit you should purchase depends on two main considerations. First is how much money you plan to spend. For instance, inexpensive pits are almost always basic cast-iron models that lack fancy smokeless airflow systems. The second factor to think about is how you'd like to use your pit. Simple pits provide the heat, sights and sounds of a crackling fire. They're also fine for making s'mores and the odd hot dog. For more advanced cooking capabilities you'll have to spend more for a pit also designed to operate as a true outdoor grill.

All fire pits generate heat, but some tend to create more than others. Ordinary pits, which are also the cheapest, can put out a good amount of heat. Unfortunately, they typically create a lot of smoke as well. Smokeless fire pits do reach higher temperatures since they're designed to foster a high degree of airflow as they burn. In my experience, Solo Stove fire pits channel much of their heat upward. Breeo pits, on the other hand, tend to push more heat outward so you often feel their warmth more.

From a pure smokeless performance standpoint, Solo Stove fire pits are the best. They're the easiest to start and keep lit. They also produce the least amount of smoke and generate the most intense, eye-catching flames. Since Solo Stove pits push much of their heat upward, they're not ideal for keeping seated groups comfortable on cold winter nights. They're not designed for cooking elaborate outdoor meals either.

Yes, you can put a fire pit on grass but you need to take a few precautions. For one, you'll want to make sure the grassy area you choose is level, so the pit doesn't tip over. You'll also want to avoid damaging your grass: The high temperatures coming from a fire pit cause heat stress to your grass, which can discolor or kill it. The best way to protect your grass from damage is to put a barrier between the fire pit and the grass. You can simply put some patio slabs underneath the fire pit, or buy a heat shield or a fire-resistant mat. Whatever solution you go with, you should make sure to move the fire pit around frequently, so as not to damage grass in one location.

Fire pit ignition systems range from simple ones using a match to complex ones using electronics and an app. At one end of the spectrum are match-lit fire pits, with which you start the gas and light a match to get it started, and that's it. The next step up is a spark ignition system, which features a battery-operated sparker, so you just push a button to get the flame going. Moving up another notch is a flame-sensing fire pit, which has a spark ignition but also a flame sensor that can stop gas flow once flames die down for extra safety. At the far end of the spectrum are electronic ignition kits, which also are flame-sensing and have an automated ignition process that can be controlled with a timer, a switch, a remote or a phone app. These are the most expensive and often require you to have electricity at your fire pit.

Cooking on a gas fire pit that isn't specifically built for cooking is not recommended, the only exception being toasting marshmallows, since they only touch the flame and not the pit itself. Some fire pits have optional accessories that you can add for safe cooking and others are designed with cooking in mind.