Fire Pits
Best Fire Pits for Backyard Entertaining (2025)
A good fire pit turns your backyard into the place everyone wants to be. Here are the five best options across every budget and style — from smokeless wood burners to no-fuss propane.
There's something about a backyard fire that makes people put their phones down. Conversations get longer, drinks get refilled, and nobody wants to go inside. If you don't have a fire pit yet, you're leaving the best part of your backyard on the table.
I've spent time with all five of these pits — either personally or through close friends and family — and I'm giving you the honest rundown on each one. No fluff, just what you actually need to know before you buy.
Quick Picks
- 🏆 Best OverallSolo Stove Bonfire 2.0 — Homeowners who want a premium, low-smoke experience
- 💰 Best BudgetYaheetech 32" Outdoor Fire Pit — First-time fire pit buyers or renters with a patio
- 🔥 Best SmokelessBreeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit — Serious entertainers who want a permanent backyard centerpiece
- ⚡ Best PropaneOutland Living Series 401 Propane Fire Pit — HOA neighborhoods, apartments with patios, or anyone who hates cleanup
- 🌟 Best for Small PatiosTiki Brand 25" Fire Pit — Smaller patios or decks where space is limited
1. Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Best for: Homeowners who want a premium, low-smoke experience
Pros
- ✓ Virtually smokeless thanks to double-wall airflow design
- ✓ Stunning 360° view of the flames
- ✓ Stainless steel — built to last decades
- ✓ Portable with a carrying case
Cons
- ✗ Wood-burning only
- ✗ Premium price point
- ✗ Gets very hot — needs clearance from furniture
Our take: If you've ever sat around a fire pit and spent half the night dodging smoke, the Solo Stove is a revelation. My neighbors got one two summers ago and I've been jealous ever since. The smokeless design is real — it works. Worth every penny if you entertain regularly.
2. Yaheetech 32" Outdoor Fire Pit
Best for: First-time fire pit buyers or renters with a patio
Pros
- ✓ Under $70 delivered
- ✓ Includes spark screen and poker
- ✓ Decent size for small gatherings
- ✓ Easy assembly
Cons
- ✗ Steel will rust over time without a cover
- ✗ Produces normal smoke levels
- ✗ Not as sturdy as premium options
Our take: Look, not everyone needs to spend $350 on a fire pit. If you want to enjoy a backyard fire on a budget, this one does the job. Buy a cover with it and it'll last you several seasons. Great starter pit.
3. Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
Best for: Serious entertainers who want a permanent backyard centerpiece
Pros
- ✓ Virtually smokeless with patented secondary burn
- ✓ Can cook over it with optional outpost grill
- ✓ Weathering steel develops beautiful patina over time
- ✓ Extremely heavy-duty and permanent-feeling
Cons
- ✗ Very heavy — not portable
- ✗ Highest price on this list
- ✗ Weathering steel look isn't for everyone
Our take: If the Solo Stove is the BMW of fire pits, the Breeo is the Land Rover. Heavier, more rugged, and honestly gorgeous as it weathers over the seasons. The ability to cook over it makes it a true backyard hub. This is a buy-once-cry-once situation.
4. Outland Living Series 401 Propane Fire Pit
Best for: HOA neighborhoods, apartments with patios, or anyone who hates cleanup
Pros
- ✓ No wood, no ash, no cleanup
- ✓ Turns on and off like a stove burner
- ✓ Safe for most HOA communities
- ✓ Consistent flame regardless of weather
Cons
- ✗ Propane tank not included
- ✗ Less "campfire" ambiance than wood
- ✗ Ongoing fuel cost
Our take: My brother-in-law lives in a neighborhood with strict fire rules and this is what he uses. Flip a knob and you have fire in 10 seconds. No hauling wood, no ash to clean up, no sparks flying into the bushes. For low-maintenance entertaining, propane is hard to beat.
5. Tiki Brand 25" Fire Pit
Best for: Smaller patios or decks where space is limited
Pros
- ✓ Compact footprint fits tight spaces
- ✓ Low-smoke wood-burning design
- ✓ Attractive cedar wood base
- ✓ Includes carry bag
Cons
- ✗ Smaller fire than full-size pits
- ✗ Cedar base needs protection from moisture
Our take: Don't let a small patio stop you from having a fire pit. The Tiki is sized right for a 10x10 deck or patio — it won't overwhelm the space but still creates a real gathering point. The low-smoke design is a bonus for close-quarters entertaining.
What to Know Before You Buy
Wood vs. propane: Wood gives you the authentic campfire experience — crackling sounds, real flames, that smell. Propane gives you convenience and HOA compliance. Neither is wrong, it just depends on how you entertain.
Smokeless vs. standard: Smokeless fire pits (like the Solo Stove and Breeo) use a double-wall design that burns wood more completely, dramatically reducing smoke. They cost more but are worth it if you plan to sit close to the fire.
Size matters: A 24–30" diameter pit is right for most backyards and gatherings of 4–8 people. Go larger only if you have a big open space — oversized pits in small yards feel overwhelming.
Always buy a cover: Whatever pit you choose, add a fitted cover to your cart. It extends the life of your fire pit dramatically, especially through wet seasons.
Check local rules: Some municipalities and HOAs restrict wood-burning fire pits. Check before you buy — propane is almost always permitted where wood isn't.