There’s nothing like sitting around a fire pit with friends and family. Whether it’s a good old wood fire pit that you had to collect wood for, or a more luxurious fire pit with glass stones and a smokeless flame to create the perfect ambiance, a fire pit is a great addition to any backyard or gathering.
We have selected the best options for fireplaces that are smokeless, have a top, double as a grill and much more.
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with an adjustable cooking grid
- Cheap
- It needs a cover, otherwise it is prone to rust
Feature: Cooking grate | 29.33 x 19.21 inches | 22 pounds
The Hampton Bay Piedmont Fire Pit is the quintessential round steel fire pit, which is why it’s our top pick overall. It’s compact enough at 22 pounds, 29.33 inches wide, and 19.21 inches tall to fit in any backyard, and it even comes with an adjustable cooking grate that lets you cook burgers or veggies over a fire.
The basin is a foot deep so you can pile up a good amount of wood to burn. Spark mesh cover, fire jacket and wooden grate are included; you will still need to buy a fire pit cover as it is still prone to rusting if exposed to the elements.
- Screen and poker included
- Least expensive option
- A mesh screen, fire poker and wooden grate are included
- Complaints of wobbly legs
Feature: 11 pounds | Fire Poker and Mesh Screen | 22 x 20 inches
An even more budget-friendly option from our overall pick is the SINGLYFIRE 22-inch Fire Pit for just $45.99. It also comes with a spark shield and fire poker, but you’ll need to purchase a cover separately to protect it, especially if you plan to store it outdoors.
A built-in log grate in the bottom of the pool makes it easy to stack wood and clean it up after a fire. It’s also only 11 lbs, which is great for taking with you on a camping trip. It’s on the smaller side at 22 inches, though, so it’s probably best for a two-three person fire.
- Produces less smoke
- A cure
- It doesn’t give off that campfire smoke smell
- It does not come with a spark screen; you have to buy it separately
- It doesn’t give off as much heat, so it’s not ideal for colder nights
Feature: Carrying Bag | 19.5 x 14 inches | 20 pounds
If you’re a fan of bonfires but hate smelling them afterward, the Solo Stove Bonfire Pit is an excellent smoke-free and odor-free option. What’s great about this fire pit is that it still uses wood but doesn’t produce as much smoke because its bottom vents allow oxygen to feed the fire from below while directing oxygen up between the stove walls and back into the fire.
Small particles that would be smoke are burned off the top vents, creating a more complete burn, which means no more half-burnt logs. Plus, it’s only 20 lbs and comes with a carrying case so you can take your smokeless fire to your family’s next backyard hangout.
- It can start a fire wherever you are
- Smokeless and odorless flame
- Lasts less than an hour
- More about atmosphere than warmth
Feature: 5 x 3.5 inches | Concrete body | The flame lasts 40-50 minutes
Not everyone has the luxury of a large backyard to sit and enjoy the fire. City dwellers who only have a balcony as an outdoor space will appreciate the Colsen Tabletop Fire Pit for its compact size that still creates the atmosphere of a real flame fire.
Made of concrete, it is alcohol powered for indoor and outdoor use and is smoke and odor free. Just make sure you only use 70-91% or more isopropyl alcohol as fuel. It will give you a flame for about 40-50 minutes.
- Adjustable flame
- Table design
- Comes with lava stones and mesh screen
- Some problems with autostart — if this happens, use a lighter and fire by hand
- It doesn’t give off much heat
Feature: Heats up to 40 square feet | Natural Lava Rocks | 30 x 25 inches
The Hampton Bay Crossridge gas fire not only produces a smokeless flame, it also doubles as a place to place your glass of wine while you relax by the fire. It uses propane to heat up to 40 square feet to give off heat without the smoke or smell of a wood burning pit.
You can adjust the flame to make it bigger or smaller, and its natural slate top makes it an easy place to set up your s’more station. This fire pit comes with natural lava rocks used to shelter the fire and a mesh spark screen.
In our opinion, the best fire pit is the Hampton Bay Piedmont Fire Pit, as it is a classic fire pit design that also comes with a grilling crate.
However, if you’re looking for a smokeless option, the Solo Stove Bonfire Pit is an excellent choice and is probably our second favorite fire pit on this list. But if price, fuel type, and size mean more to you, here’s a breakdown of each of our picks.
|
Hearth |
Price |
Fuel type |
Dimensions (W x H) |
|
Hampton Bay Piedmont Fire Pit |
$115 |
tree |
29.33 x 19.21 inches |
|
SINGLYFIRE hearth |
$40 |
tree |
22 x 20 inches |
|
Freestanding stove Fire pit |
280 dollars |
tree |
19.5 x 14 inches |
|
Colsen Tabletop Fire Pit |
$40 |
Rubbing alcohol |
5 x 3.5 inches |
|
Hampton Bay Crossridge Gas Fire Pit |
$279 |
Propane |
30 x 25 inches |
When shopping for a new fire pit, you should consider what type of fuel it will use, as well as cost, how big the fire pit is, and whether or not it can produce a smokeless flame. Many budget fire pits use wood as their primary fuel source, which is great for fires that are easy on the wallet, but not so good for anyone who wants a smokeless flame. Higher end and compact models use liquid propane gas (like your outdoor grill) or regular alcohol.
These types of fire pits are great for anyone who doesn’t have easy access to firewood as a fuel source, as well as anyone who needs a smokeless flame: for densely populated neighborhoods or anyone looking for a more environmentally friendly fire pit.
|
Buy this hearth… |
If you need… |
|
Hampton Bay Piedmont Outcrop |
A well-rounded and decorative fire pit for your yard or patio |
|
SINGLYFIRE hearth |
A budget fire pit for your outdoor entertaining spaces |
|
Hearth for a solo stove |
Smokeless fireplace for residential areas |
|
Colsen table hearth |
Compact hearth for smaller spaces |
|
Hampton Bay Crossridge Fire Pit |
A hearth that can also serve as a table when not in use |
We know there are many fire pits to choose from, so we’ve scoured popular sites, reading reviews and noting the top rated fire pits for different categories/needs. We took price, size and well-known and trusted brands into account when making our final selection.
It really depends on what you’re looking for in a fireplace whether wood burning or gas is better. Wood fireplaces give off more heat than propane or natural gas because they burn hotter. However, they also come with that burning smell that can stink up your clothes and hair, sometimes for days.
Gas fires are smoke and odor free, so they’re perfect if you just need the heat-free environment and cleanup of a wood-burning pit.
Depending on whether your fire pit is wood or gas, you will need to buy wood or gas to start the fire. A log starter is a great way to get a fire going quickly if it’s a wood fire. It’s also probably a good idea to get a fire pit mat if it’s wood burning, as the embers and ashes can ruin your lawn.
Although most fire pits come with them, mesh spark covers and fire pits are also handy for wood burning pits.
And no matter what kind of fire pit you have, it’s always a good idea to get a waterproof fire pit cover so it doesn’t rust over time. They sell hoods in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll be able to find one for your hearth.
Here are some other worthy options to consider:
https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/yard-outdoors/best-fire-pits/#ftag=RSSbaffb68
