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11 Best Fire Pits That You'll Use All Summer Long
It's time to prep the s'mores.
Summer may be hot, but it's never too hot to sit around a campfire roasting marshmallows, clinking wine glasses, or sharing stories, so we rounded up the best fire pits on the market that are equal parts cozy and elegant. What's more, we consulted not one but two interior designers, Marea Clark and Heather Hilliard, for their expert opinions on which types are worth the investment, which aren't, and what to look for when buying one for your outdoor space.
"We often use built-in fire tables that run directly to a gas line, requiring much less effort than wood-burning fire pits," Clark says. "You could do a fire table in a loggia or screened porch." Rest assured we have included a few beautiful fire tables in our list below.
When it comes to the configuration and power source, Hilliard says it's all about safety. "For a household without children or with older responsible children, the electronic ignition via a remote or wall switch is very convenient. These will be configured with an electrical shutoff wall switch or breaker for additional safety," she explains. Otherwise, you can always go the classic wood-burning route for something that feels rugged in all the right ways.
You should also consider fire safety when deciding the best place to put your fire pit. "Keep the fire pit a minimum of 12 inches away from any other structures—further if you have the room," Hilliard advises. "Avoid low-hanging trees, as there should be nothing overhead. Select a clearing for your fire pit position, ideally one out of the wind and located on a nonflammable surface." These may seem like extreme precautions, but when dealing with real fire safety definitely comes first.
Now, on to the fun part, shall we? Peep our list of the 11 best fire pits that will get you in the summer spirit in a big way.
Solo Stove Yukon 2.0
Pros
- No "post-fire" smell
- Portable, only around 41 pounds
Cons
- Lack of smoke may not repel bugs
If you want a sleek, stylish, and seamless fire experience, we 10/10 recommend Solo Stove. It's the most popular smokeless fire pit around, and thanks to its patented removable base plate and ash pan nature lovers can just pick up the plate by the integrated finger holes and throw the ashes away after using it.
"I think what it really comes down to, is the experience you are able to have around a smokeless fire pit," brand representative Ty Hancock tells House Beautiful. "Solo Stove creates the most efficient burn with our 360-degree Airflow Technology, which means you're not getting smoke in your clothes, in your eyes, and are not having to constantly move your chair around the fire."
Materials: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 27" D x 17" H
Weight: 41.6 pounds
Fuel: Wood
SINGLYFIRE Small Wood Burning Fire Pit
Pros
- Durable, heavy-duty steel
- Great value
Cons
- Some customers feel it's flimsy
If the smell and tears from the smoke don't bother you and you're mostly here for something fast, simple, and cheap, go with this Amazon's Choice wood-burning fire pit. At its smallest size, it can be yours for as little as $50. One reviewer says, "I didn't think that a fire pit at this excellent price range would be worth it. I was definitely wrong as it was fairly easy to put together and handle some serious heat from decent size fires. I would definitely recommend this for a first time user."
Materials: Alloy steel
Dimensions: 27" D x 17" H
Weight: 11 pounds
Fuel: Wood
Outer Fire Pit Table Cooking Set
Outer Fire Pit Table Cooking Set
Pros
- Multifunctional piece
- Innovative design
Cons
- Heavy to reposition once it's installed
On the flip side, Outer's fire pit collection is for readers in their forever home who want to go all out. It'll make your backyard feel extremely luxurious, but note that professional installation and a slate or concrete patio are recommended. As soon as it's set up, you'll be able to have warm hangouts year-round. Also: Nothing beats the included cast iron griddle.
Bonus: Outer also offers a three-year limited warranty.
Materials: Glassfibre with reinforced concrete cement, ceramic stone spheres, cast-iron griddle
Dimensions: 251.7" L x 33.7" W x 14" H
Weight: 165 pounds
Fuel: Propane or natural gas
| Materials | Glassfibre with reinforced concrete cement, ceramic stone spheres, cast-iron griddle |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 51.7" L x 33.7" W x 14" H |
| Weight | 165 pounds |
Greyleigh Tuscola Steel Wood Burning Fire Pit
Greyleigh Tuscola Steel Wood Burning Fire Pit
Pros
- Weather resistant
- Includes spark screen
- Free two-day delivery
Cons
- May be smaller than it appears online
Next up is a wood-burning fire pit featuring an elegant, round steel frame. For less than $200, it comes with a log grate, spark screen, and fire poker. It's an excellent deal you shouldn't miss out on. One of the thousands of five-star reviews says, "This is a great portable pit. Whether we have a dozen people or a couple friends over, sitting around the fire pit is great. Seems well made, and holding up well in our Caribbean location. Which is saying a lot!" We want to focus on the portable part of that review. This fire pit has two handles, which make lifting and transporting this 25-pound unit super easy.
Materials: Steel with high-temp paint finish
Dimensions: 24" H x 30" W x 30" D
Weight: 25 pounds
Fuel: Wood
Flame King Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit
Flame King Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit
Pros
- Doesn't require assembly
- Self-igniting lighter
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons
- Not ideal for extra-large groups
Are you big on camping or, better yet, glamping? No outing is complete without roasted marshmallows, and this portable fire pit that can be set up in minutes is exactly what you should have on your packing list. It's UV- and water-resistant and even has a strap for easy transport. Then again, if you want to opt for something a bit more permanent, it also comes in bigger sizes. "This is our new s'more pit - it is wonderful and everybody loves it. (We also bought the sign on Amazon). We nestled it into our very old out door fireplace and hid the propane tank behind it," one reviewer says. "It has great flame, and plenty of lava rock. Easy company to deal with. Good BUY!"
Materials: Steel
Dimensions: 19" D x 19" W x 11" H
Weight: 18 pounds
Fuel: Propane
Yardbird Langdon Fire Pit Table Set
Pros
- Modular, customizable design
- Sunbrella fabric with up to 10-year warranty
- Includes seating
Cons
- Takes up to two weeks to ship
Do you want to take care of all your outdoor furniture needs in one single order? Click through Yardbird's fire pit sets complete with brown wicker modular seating that can be reconfigured however you want. If you're on the hunt for family-friendly ways to make memories, this is it. One of the many five-star reviews says, "Our Langdon is on a screened porch and the cushions did fine over the winter without covers. Only a few times did they feel slightly damp. It’s very comfortable for napping or sitting. Some chocolate got on one cushion and came right off with water. Working out very well."
Materials: Wicker with rustproof aluminum
Dimensions: 61" L x 32" W x 24.5" H
Fuel: Propane
Fire Sense Palermo Copper Fire Pit
Fire Sense Palermo Copper Fire Pit
Pros
- Includes metal stand
- Spark screen has easy-to-use handle
- Rustproof and easy to clean ash off body
Cons
- May be smaller than it appears online
On deck is an eye-catching wood-burning copper fire pit. It's only 26 inches in diameter, making it perfect for smaller decks, patios, or balconies. Additionally, it comes with a stand, spark screen, fire tool, and weather cover. All in all, it's a solid deal! "I'm very happy I decided on this firepit. I purchased a firepit 2 years ago for $120 and the cover was poor quality, ripped almost immediately and so it did nothing to protect the firepit from getting rusty. I knew I wanted to replace it with a firepit that had a copper bowl that wouldn't rust and this one was priced right," a reviewer says. "Very easy to assemble and very sturdy. I was really impressed with the quality."
Materials: Metal
Dimensions: 29" L x 29" W x 21" H
Weight: 27 pounds
Fuel: Wood
Frontgate Bryndle Root Propane Fire Pit
Frontgate Bryndle Root Propane Fire Pit
Pros
- Includes lava rocks and protective cover
- Battery-operated ignition
Cons
- Doesn't come with propane tank
For a high-end propane pick, look no further than Frontgate's rustic fire pit. It's designed using cement and fiberglass composite to mimic a natural tree stump, and if you want to hide the propane tank, just purchase the matching tank cover. Place it in your backyard, and it'll blend in with ease! One happy customer says, "This is the best fire pit we own! Very life like, and we love that it comes with a cover!"
Materials: Cement and fiberglass
Dimensions: 42.5" W x 39.5" D x 13" H
Weight: 93 pounds
Fuel: Propane or natural gas
West Elm Round Fire Table
Pros
- Durable and stain resistant
- White-glove delivery included
- Yields a clean flame with the push of button
- Weather-resistant sealant keeps it protected
Cons
- Expensive
When we think of a minimalistic, sturdy fire pit, something like this luxurious West Elm find comes to mind. It's made of a glass fiber reinforced concrete, making it just as durable as the latter without being so heavy. The best part? It's finished with a water-based, industrial-grade sealant, so you don't have to worry about soot-colored stains. Plus, it's super easy to use: Just push a little button on the side of the frame, and controlled flames spring up from the cut lava rocks.
Materials: Glass fiber reinforced concrete
Dimensions: 34" D x 15" H
Weight: 115 pounds
Fuel: Propane or natural gas
Colsen Tabletop Fire Pit
Pros
- Flame lasts up to 50 minutes
- Light and portable
- Indoor and outdoor use
Cons
- May chip easily
Live in an apartment or want a fire pit that can be used inside and out? Snag this adorable, Amazon-approved tabletop fire pit that'll burn for nearly an hour and is light enough to move anywhere you want it to be. Oh, and it's 60 percent off for a limited time! "We love it. Clean burning, visually appealing, small but not too small. Perfect for a fire any time, any where. Wife would have it going at all hours of the day if she could," a reviewer says. "Something to mention, it can crumble and leave a bit of dust, however. We don't mind due to the fact that it is concrete and that is expected."
Materials: Concrete
Dimensions: 5" D x 5" W x 3.5" H
Weight: 4.7 pounds
Fuel: Ethanol
Terrain Weathering Steel Round Bowl Fire
Pros
- Affordable
- Made of durable steel that ages
Cons
- Use only untreated wood and logs
Crafted from durable steel that's designed to become weathered, this bowl-shaped fire pit makes for a practical addition to just about any backyard—especially if it's in a place that tends to get chilly at night. Though it's super easy to use (just toss in a few dried wood planks and set them aflame), we do have one word of advice: Do not use this on wood decks or near flammable materials because the flames aren't exactly contained. Plus, because it's made of metal, the bowl will get hot (we mean hot), so even after the fire is extinguished, you may want to avoid touching the basin.
Materials: Steel
Dimensions: 31" D x 9.5" H
Fuel: Wood
Things to Know When Buying a Fire Pit
There are a few factors to consider when buying an outdoor fire pit that can make or break your experience, so before snagging one you like, be sure to think about the below.
Size: The size you choose is totally up to you. A small portable fire pit is no better or worse than a large permanent one. Just think about your space and what would work best. "We look for an area large enough to accommodate more circulation space than we would if there were a coffee table in the center," Clark explains. "People like to be able to draw seating closer or push back to regulate their own comfort level."
Fuel: Personally, we love the vibe of a wood-burning fire pit, but those tend to require a bit more attention and effort from you to stay lit than propane or natural gas burning ones do. Clark says, "For ecological and aesthetic reasons, our clients typically choose plumbed gas fire pits, so we need to be sure that a gas line can be piped and plumbed to the desired location by a professional."
Safety: As much as we love a wood-burning fire pit, they're not the safest—especially if you have children. So if you want to err on the side of caution, opt for a fire pit with controlled flames.
What Type of Fire Pit Gives Off Most Heat
The natural process of wood-burning fire pits allows them to give off the most heat. On the other hand, gas burners can be turned on and off quickly, leaving you with more controlled flames that won't get as hot.
Do Fire Pits Keep Bugs Away?
"Typically, the aspect of a fire pit that keeps bugs away is the smoke," Solo Stove's Hancock confirms. To get rid of pesky mosquitos even more efficiently, burn redwood or cedar and toss in herbs such as sage, mint, thyme, or lavender, which are known to repel bugs. Your backyard will smell amazing in the process.
Why You Should Trust Us
Marea Clark and Heather Hilliard are the founders and principal designers of their eponymous firms in San Francisco. Since they spend much of their time outfitting warm-weather projects, they know a thing or two about choosing the best outdoor accessories and decor.
House Beautiful's shopping editors also know plenty about the best fire pits from covering the outdoor furniture market for years. We're constantly researching the best finds for your backyard, from outdoor sectionals to complete patio sets. We test furniture and equipment as often as we can, and we read countless user reviews to get first-hand accounts of the products we include.
Isis Briones is House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, she’ll find the best items for your home at every price point. She also loves to travel, so don’t be surprised if she hooks you up with some travel deals. Find more of her work published in Complex, Architectural Digest, Teen Vogue, and more.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s associate shopping editor and knows where to find the best high-low pieces for any room.
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