Our top pick is the Hampton Bay Piedmont Steel Fire Pit, which offers superior durability and features a 2-in-1 design for heating and grilling. Ahead, find the best fire pits to warm up your backyard. Not only can this fire pit roast marshmallows and warm your hands but it also comes with a cooking grate that allows you to grill your favorite foods right over the flame. You can place the grid directly over the fire or mount it on the included pole, which allows it to be removed from the heat, as needed. Additionally, this model comes with a mesh cover to protect your guests from stray sparks, as well as a poker to tend the logs inside. The one downside of this fire pit is the material can rust if left outdoors and exposed. To keep the product in good shape, store it indoors when not in use or cover it. Price at time of publish: $115 This fire pit’s bowl isn’t as large as other options, but it can still hold up to 120 pounds, allowing you to pile it high with wood. It’s ideal for cooking s’mores or just sitting around on a summer night. The manufacturer recommends storing it in a covered location to prevent rusting. Thanks to its 11 pounds, it is extremely easy to move it indoors. Price at time of publish: $47 Propane fuels this luxurious fire pit, and the included 10-foot commercial-grade connector hose allows you to keep the fuel tank separate. The manufacturer offers a matching propane tank cover, sold separately, that resembles a stump. Alternatively, you can convert this fire pit to natural gas, but the conversion kit is also sold separately. When using this fire pit, you can choose between two heat settings, and at the end of the night, you can simply toss the included cover over the pit to protect it. Price at time of publish: $1,700 This fire pit offers adjustable heat, although it can be somewhat tricky to access those controls, located inside the base. It comes with white fire glass you can use to fill the bowl on top of the table. The wide rim around the 35-inch top is ideal for holding beverages or plates. Plus, the covered pit can function as a side table when it’s not in use. Price at time of publish: $499 The TIKI Fire Pit is just under 25 inches wide, but the bowl is on the smaller side, measuring just 16 inches deep and across. A slide-out ash tray at the bottom makes the pit incredibly easy to clean, and the included weatherproof cover enables you to store it outdoors. It’s a bit pricey for its size, but an excellent low-smoke option. Price at time of publish: $395 This fire pit table has a brushed stainless steel burner tray, and while the product includes clear glass rock beads, you likely need more glass to fill up the center. The table has an automatic starter button that runs on AAA batteries, and you can adjust the intensity of the flame. The lid covers up the burner tray when not in use, and the package includes a natural gas conversion kit. The manufacturer also offers a glass guard, sold separately. Price at time of publish: $1,500 This particular Solo Stove is 19.5 inches in diameter, and it weighs just 20 pounds when empty, making it easy to travel with. In fact, we brought it camping and noted that setting up or taking it down only took about a minute each! A variety of accessories ranges from stands you can use on wooden decks, to grilling and cooking tools. While this product includes a carrying case, a true weatherproof cover for the fire pit is sold separately. Price at time of publish: $300 You can set up this pop-up fire pit in less than a minute, needing no tools, and it has a weight capacity of 125 pounds. The fire pit’s screened bottom helps increase airflow for less smoke, and included Leave No Trace Heat Shield allows you to start a fire on almost any surface without damaging the ground. You can even use the pan to burn charcoal for grilling, making it a must-have accessory for avid hikers and campers. Price at time of publish: $120 This fire pit is crafted from solid steel, with a high-temperature coating, and three legs support its fairly simple design. Handles on either side make the grill compact and light enough to bring with you camping, or to move to a covered location for storage, as the manufacturer recommends. Price at time of publish: $400
Burn Type
A fire pit’s burn type is wood-burning or propane-each has its advantages and disadvantages. With wood-burning picks, you have a supply of dry wood handy, as well as deal with any soot and ash. However, those fire pits give you the traditional look and feel of a crackling fire. When it comes to propane, you have to be mindful of gas lines and filling the propane tank. On the other hand, those types of fire pits have a cleaner burn and are much easier to clean since they don’t produce ash and soot.
Additional Features
In addition to the pit, several options offer additional accessories to elevate your experience such as spark screens, fire pokers, and/or grates. Though you can purchase most separately, having them included makes it easier to enjoy your pit sooner.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester who has contributed to The Spruce since 2017. She owns the Solo Stove Bonfire, which serves as the perfect focal point on her backyard patio. For this roundup, she considered dozens of models of fire pits, evaluating each on its size, materials, versatility, and design aesthetic. Additional input was provided by Joe Raboine, Director of Residential Hardscapes at Belgard.
