The 6 Best Fire Pits of 2026

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Our quick picks

Ranked by what each one is best at, not by a score we made up. Ratings are what the product showed on Amazon when we last checked — how we rank.

The rest of this page is the reasoning, the relevant specifications and the drawbacks.

“Smokeless” is the word that sells fire pits now, and it describes a real technology rather than a marketing claim — though it overstates the result. A double-walled fire pit draws air up between the walls, preheats it, and injects it back over the fire through a ring of holes near the top. That secondary combustion burns the volatile gases that would otherwise leave as smoke, which produces dramatically less smoke and a cleaner flame.

It also depends entirely on your firewood. Secondary combustion needs the fire hot, and wet or unseasoned wood cannot get hot enough — it spends its energy boiling water out of itself. A smokeless fire pit burning damp wood smokes like any other. If you buy one, buy properly seasoned hardwood or kiln-dried wood, and the technology works as advertised.

The other decision is wood or propane. Wood gives you the crackle, the smell, and the ritual, along with ash to dispose of and smoke to move away from. Propane lights instantly, goes out instantly, produces no ash and no embers, and is often permitted where wood burning is restricted — which in fire-prone regions and many municipalities is a real consideration.

This guide covers six fire pits worth buying in 2026, across smokeless, traditional, and propane. We do not publish prices; fire pits discount sharply at the end of summer and each product links to its Amazon listing.

Safety and Placement

This is a summary of standard fire safety guidance. Check your local fire ordinances and any HOA rules before buying, because in some areas open wood fires are restricted or seasonally banned.

• Keep it well away from structures. Fire departments commonly recommend at least 10 to 25 feet from buildings, fences, and anything that burns. Never under a roof overhang, a pergola, a tree canopy, or an awning.
• Do not put a wood-burning pit directly on a wooden deck. Radiant heat scorches and can ignite decking. Use a purpose-made heat shield or deck protector, or place it on stone, gravel, or bare earth.
• Never use lighter fluid, gasoline, or accelerants. Use a fire starter, kindling, and patience. Accelerants flare unpredictably and cause most fire pit injuries.
• Keep water or a fire extinguisher within reach. A garden hose that reaches is the simplest version.
• Never leave a fire unattended, and never leave children or pets alone near one. The rim of a fire pit stays hot enough to cause serious burns long after the flames are out.
• Embers stay hot for a day or more. Do not empty ash into a plastic or paper bag or a garbage bin. Douse thoroughly with water, stir, douse again, and store ash in a metal container with a lid, away from the house.
• Watch the wind. Do not burn on windy days — embers travel much further than people expect, and this is how yard fires start.
• Propane pits still burn. Check the hose and regulator for damage each season, store the cylinder outdoors and upright, and never store a cylinder indoors or in a garage.

What got a product on this list

Five criteria, weighted toward how the pit actually behaves in a backyard:

• Whether the smokeless design is real. Genuine secondary combustion needs a double wall and a properly placed upper air ring. We favored designs that state the mechanism rather than claiming the outcome.
• Size against the group. A 19-inch pit suits four people around it; 24 to 30 inches suits five to eight. Bigger burns more wood and throws more heat, and needs more clearance.
• Material and how it ages. Stainless steel resists rust and is what the smokeless pits use. Painted carbon steel is cheaper and will rust where the coating fails, particularly at the rim and the fire ring. Either way, a cover matters.
• Portability. Some of these go camping, to a beach, or into a car. Others are backyard furniture. Weight and whether a carry case is offered decide which.
• Fuel type matched to your rules and your preference. Wood for atmosphere, propane for instant on and off and for places where open wood fires are restricted.

The 6 Best Fire Pits of 2026

1. Solo Stove Bonfire — Best Overall

Solo Stove made smokeless fire pits mainstream and the Bonfire is the model that did it. At about 4.8 stars it has the highest owner rating in this guide, and the design is the reason: a 19.5-inch double-walled stainless drum with a 360-degree airflow system that produces genuine secondary combustion rather than a marketing claim.

In practice that means you can sit around it without rotating seats to escape the smoke, and your clothes do not smell of woodsmoke the next morning — which is the actual benefit people buy it for. It is light enough to carry to a campsite or a beach, and the removable base plate and ash pan mean cleaning it out takes a minute rather than a project.

• About 4.8 stars, the highest owner rating in this guide
• Genuine double-wall secondary combustion, not a smokeless claim without a mechanism
• 19.5 inches — the right size for four to six people around it
• Light enough to take camping or to a beach
• Removable base plate and ash pan for quick cleaning
• Stainless steel construction that resists rust with reasonable care

The downside: smokeless depends on dry seasoned wood; damp wood smokes in any pit, including this one. It burns through wood quickly because it burns hot, so bring more than you expect. Stainless discolors to a bronze patina with use, which is normal and permanent. And a stand and a cover are separate purchases that you really want — the stand protects whatever it sits on and the cover prevents rain filling it.

See the current price and sizes on Amazon →

2. TIKI Patio 25-Inch Smokeless — Best Larger Smokeless

Twenty-five inches is a meaningful step up from the Bonfire’s 19.5, and in a fire pit that difference is about how many people fit comfortably around it and how much heat it throws — a larger fire radiates noticeably more warmth, which matters on an autumn evening.

TIKI uses 16-gauge stainless steel, which is a real specification rather than an unspecified “stainless” claim, and the smokeless design works on the same secondary combustion principle. At about 4.7 stars it is the second-highest rated here, and it typically costs less than the comparable Solo Stove size.

• 25-inch gathering size — comfortably seats a larger group and throws more heat
• 16-gauge stainless steel, a stated material specification rather than a vague claim
• Smokeless design using the same secondary combustion principle
• About 4.7 stars in owner feedback
• Generally less expensive than a comparably sized Solo Stove

What you give up: a larger pit burns considerably more wood per evening, which is an ongoing cost people underestimate. At 25 inches it is heavier and less practical to take camping. The same dry-wood requirement applies for the smokeless performance. And check whether a cover and a stand are included, because both matter and both are often extra.

Check the current price on Amazon →

3. Flame King Smokeless Propane Fire Pit — Best Propane

Propane solves a set of problems wood cannot. It lights with a knob and goes out with a knob, there are no ashes, no embers to douse, and no smoke to move away from — and critically, propane fire pits are frequently permitted where open wood burning is restricted, which in much of the western United States and in many municipalities is the difference between having a fire pit and not.

This 24-inch bowl comes as a complete package with a ten-foot pre-assembled hose and regulator, so it works out of the box with a standard propane cylinder. For a patio, a campsite with fire restrictions, or anyone who wants a fire for an hour without the setup and cleanup, this is the practical choice. At about 4.6 stars the owner record is strong.

• Instant on and instant off — a knob rather than kindling and patience
• No ash, no embers, and no smoke to sit downwind of
• Frequently permitted where open wood fires are restricted or seasonally banned
• 24-inch bowl with a 10-foot pre-assembled hose and regulator included
• Portable enough for camping where propane is allowed and wood is not
• Roughly 4.6 stars in owner feedback

The part that annoys people: propane fire is not the same experience — no crackle, no woodsmoke smell, and the flame pattern is more uniform and less mesmerizing. It throws less heat than a good wood fire for the same apparent size. You need to keep a cylinder on hand and know when it is running low. And lava rock or glass media is usually a separate purchase.

View the current price on Amazon →

4. Solo Stove Basecamp 24-Inch — Best Larger Solo Stove

This is the Bonfire’s larger sibling, and Solo Stove sizes it explicitly for five to seven people — which is the honest way to describe a fire pit, because the useful measurement is how many chairs fit around it rather than the diameter.

It uses the same patented 360-degree airflow signature flame technology and the same premium stainless construction, in a larger 24.6-inch body that throws more heat and takes larger logs. For a family that entertains, or a patio where the fire pit is the focal point rather than an occasional accessory, the larger size is the right call. About 4.5 stars.

• 24.6 inches, sized by the manufacturer for five to seven people
• Same patented 360-degree airflow secondary combustion as the Bonfire
• Takes larger logs, so less frequent feeding through an evening
• Throws noticeably more heat than the 19.5-inch model
• Premium stainless steel construction

Where it disappoints: at this size it is backyard equipment rather than something you carry to a campsite. It uses considerably more wood. At about 4.5 stars the owner rating is lower than the Bonfire’s, which in a family of very similar products usually reflects the larger size being less universally suitable rather than a quality difference. And the accessories — stand, cover, shelter — add up.

Check the current price on Amazon →

5. Sunnydaze Crossweave 30-Inch — Best Traditional Wood Fire Pit

Not everyone wants smokeless. A traditional open steel fire pit gives you a bigger, more open fire, room for larger logs, and the classic backyard bonfire look — and it costs a fraction of what a smokeless stainless drum does.

At 30 inches this is built for gatherings rather than for two people, and the crossweave pattern in the bowl is not only decorative: the openings improve airflow to the fire from the sides, which helps it burn cleanly. It includes a spark screen, which is the accessory that matters most on an open pit. About 4.5 stars.

• 30 inches — a genuine gathering size with room for full-size logs
• Crossweave bowl pattern that improves side airflow to the fire
• Spark screen included, which is the essential accessory on an open pit
• The classic open backyard fire look and experience
• Costs a fraction of a comparable smokeless stainless pit

The drawbacks: it is not smokeless, so you will move your chair as the wind shifts and your clothes will smell of woodsmoke — which for many people is the point. Painted carbon steel rusts where the coating fails, particularly at the rim and around the fire ring, so a cover is not optional. And 30 inches of open fire needs proportionally more clearance from structures.

See the current price on Amazon →

6. Amazon Basics 27-Inch Lattice Fire Pit — Best Budget

If you want a fire in the backyard a handful of times a year and do not want to spend much finding out whether you will use it more, this is the sensible entry. A 27-inch steel bowl with a lattice pattern, straightforward assembly, and both a spark screen and a fire poker included in the box.

Including the spark screen matters, because on an open fire pit it is the safety accessory rather than an upgrade, and budget pits frequently omit it. At about 4.5 stars the owner record holds up well, and Amazon’s returns process is the simplest here if it is not what you wanted.

• 27-inch steel bowl at a fraction of the cost of the smokeless pits
• Spark screen and fire poker included rather than sold separately
• Straightforward assembly with no specialist tools
• Good size for a small gathering without dominating a patio
• About 4.5 stars, with the simplest returns process here

The catch: budget steel pits rust, and this one will if left uncovered in the weather — a cover and storing it dry over winter roughly double its life. The steel is thinner than the premium pits, so it can warp with very hot fires over time. There is no smokeless design. And assembly quality varies, so check the bolts are properly tightened before the first fire.

View the current price on Amazon →

How to Choose a Fire Pit

Check your local rules first

This is the step that can invalidate the whole purchase. Many municipalities restrict open wood burning, some ban it seasonally during fire weather, and plenty of HOAs and rental agreements prohibit wood fires while permitting propane. Fire pits on apartment balconies are almost universally prohibited. A five-minute check of your city fire department’s page and your HOA rules before buying tells you whether you are shopping for wood or propane.

Understand what smokeless actually means

A smokeless pit has two walls. Air is drawn in at the bottom, rises between the walls where it is preheated, and is injected back over the fire through holes near the rim. That hot secondary air burns the volatile gases that would otherwise leave as visible smoke. It works well and it is not magic: the fire has to be hot for secondary combustion to start, so there is smoke while it gets going, and wet wood never gets hot enough. Expect dramatically less smoke, not none.

Wood or propane

Wood gives you crackle, woodsmoke smell, more radiant heat, and ritual, at the cost of sourcing and storing wood, ash disposal, and smoke. Propane gives you a fire in five seconds, no ash, no embers, no smoke, and legality where wood is restricted, at the cost of atmosphere and a cylinder to keep filled. Many households find propane gets used far more often simply because the barrier to lighting it is nearly zero.

Buy dry wood, and it matters more than you think

Seasoned hardwood or kiln-dried wood burns hot, clean, and with little smoke. Green or damp wood spends its energy evaporating water, burns cool and smoky, and defeats a smokeless pit entirely. Seasoned wood is lighter than it looks, has cracks radiating from the end grain, and sounds hollow when two pieces are knocked together. Store it off the ground and covered on top with the sides open. This single factor affects your experience more than which pit you buy.

Size it to the group and the clearance you have

Roughly: 19 to 22 inches for four people, 24 to 28 for five to eight, 30 inches and up for a larger gathering. Bigger throws more heat and burns more wood, and needs more clearance from structures. Measure the space you have, then subtract the clearance the fire department recommends from buildings and overhangs — if what is left will not hold the pit and a ring of chairs, a smaller pit is the right answer.

Protect it, or it will rust

Every fire pit that lives outdoors needs a cover, and stainless is not exempt — rain that collects in an uncovered pit sits against the base and accelerates corrosion. A cover and a stand or heat shield are the two accessories worth buying with the pit rather than later. For painted carbon steel pits, touching up chipped paint before winter and storing them dry roughly doubles their useful life.

Mistakes that cost money

• Buying before checking local burn rules. Wood fires are restricted or banned in more places than people expect.
• Burning wet or unseasoned wood. It smokes heavily and defeats a smokeless pit entirely.
• Using lighter fluid. Flares unpredictably and causes most fire pit injuries. Fire starter and kindling.
• Putting a wood pit on a wooden deck without a shield. Radiant heat scorches and can ignite decking.
• Emptying ash into a plastic bin or bag. Embers stay hot for a day or more. Douse, stir, douse, then a lidded metal container.
• Burning on a windy day. Embers travel far further than people expect. This is how yard fires start.
• Leaving it uncovered year round. Standing water is what rusts fire pits, including stainless ones.
• Burning treated lumber, pallets, or painted wood. It releases toxic fumes. Clean untreated firewood only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless?

They produce dramatically less smoke, not none. The double-wall secondary combustion needs a hot fire to work, so there is smoke during the first few minutes while it comes up to temperature, and there will be smoke any time you add a large log until it catches properly. With dry seasoned wood and a hot fire, the difference from a conventional pit is large and obvious — you can sit around it without moving chairs, and your clothes do not reek afterward.

Can I use a fire pit on a wooden deck?

Not directly. Radiant heat from the base scorches decking and can ignite it. Use a purpose-made deck protector or heat shield, plus the stand the manufacturer offers, and check that your deck material and your local rules allow it at all — many HOAs and rental agreements prohibit open flame on decks entirely. A propane pit with a proper base is generally the safer route on a deck, though the same rules apply.

How far from the house does it need to be?

Fire safety guidance commonly recommends at least 10 feet, and many fire departments specify more — up to 25 feet from structures, fences, and overhanging branches. Never under a roof, a pergola, an awning, or a tree canopy. Check your local fire code, because the specific distance is often written into it and is what an insurer would refer to after an incident.

What wood should I burn?

Seasoned hardwood — oak, ash, maple, hickory — or kiln-dried firewood. Hardwood burns longer and hotter than softwood. Avoid pine and other resinous softwoods for anything but kindling, because they pop and throw sparks. Never burn treated lumber, pallets, plywood, painted or stained wood, or driftwood from saltwater, all of which release actually toxic fumes.

How do I put it out and dispose of the ash?

Let the fire burn down rather than dousing a roaring fire, which warps metal. Then spread the embers, pour water over them slowly, stir with a metal poker, and pour more water until there is no hissing and no steam. Ash stays hot for 24 hours or more, so store it in a metal container with a lid, on concrete or earth away from the house, for several days before disposal. Ash in a plastic bin or a paper bag is a common cause of house fires.

Will it rust?

Stainless steel resists rust and will discolor to a bronze or golden patina with heat, which is normal and cosmetic. Painted carbon steel will rust where the coating chips or burns off, especially at the rim and fire ring. In both cases, a cover is what extends life — standing rainwater is the main culprit. Emptying ash promptly also helps, because wet ash is alkaline and corrosive.

Can you cook on a fire pit?

On wood-burning pits, yes, and most manufacturers sell grill grates and cooking accessories. Cook over embers rather than flames, which is both more controllable and avoids soot. On propane pits, generally no — they are not designed as cooking appliances, drips into the burner cause problems, and lava rock is not a cooking surface. Check the manufacturer’s guidance before cooking on any of them.

Our call

For most backyards the Solo Stove Bonfire is the right fire pit: real secondary combustion that cuts the smoke, the right size for a typical group, light enough to take with you, and the best owner rating in this guide. If you want the same technology at a larger gathering size for less, the TIKI 25-inch is the alternative and states its material properly.

If wood fires are restricted where you live, or you want a fire in five seconds with no cleanup, the Flame King propane pit is the practical answer and comes complete with hose and regulator. For a bigger Solo Stove that stays in the yard, the Basecamp is sized for five to seven. If you want a big open traditional fire and do not mind the smoke, the Sunnydaze 30-inch gives you that for far less, with a spark screen included. And if you are not yet sure you will use one, the Amazon Basics pit finds out cheaply.

Whichever you buy, check your local burn rules first and buy properly dry firewood. Those two things determine more about your experience than the pit does.

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