Electric vs Propane Fire Pit Table: Which to Buy
The short answer: if you have a covered patio or screened porch, get electric. If you want real heat on a cold October night, get propane. The longer answer depends on your patio setup, your utility situation, and whether your local fire code allows an open flame under a structure.
Both types of fire pit tables look great and can anchor an outdoor seating area. The differences that matter are heat output, operating cost, and whether you can legally run a gas appliance in your space.
This breakdown covers six real models across both types, from a $449 electric that works on a small apartment balcony to a 50,000 BTU propane table built for entertaining a full group on a cold night.
Best Overall Electric: Real Flame Crestmore 48-Inch Electric Fire Pit Table
The Crestmore from Real Flame is the most convincing electric fire table in this price range. The LED flame effect is layered, not flat, and the 48-inch rectangular top gives you room to set drinks and snacks around a real fire-style centerpiece. It runs on a standard 120V outlet, so no special wiring or propane delivery required.
At around $699, it fits comfortably on a 12x12 covered patio or screened porch where propane is off-limits. The heat output is roughly 5,100 BTU equivalent, which takes the edge off on a cool evening but won't heat a wide-open backyard. Think of it as ambiance with warmth, not a winter heater.
Real Flame Crestmore 48-Inch Electric Fire Pit Table
$699
3,100+ reviews
The most realistic flame effect in the electric category, with a wide table surface and plug-in simplicity ideal for covered patios and screened porches.
Shop on Amazon →Best Electric for Small Spaces: Dimplex Cassidy 25-Inch Square Electric Fire Bowl
Dimplex has been making electric fireplace inserts for decades, and the Cassidy brings that expertise to a compact outdoor format. The 25-inch square base fits on a 6x8 balcony without dominating the space, and the glass media gives it a modern, finished look that holds up through multiple seasons.
It pulls about 1,500 watts at full heat, which costs roughly $12 to $15 a month if you're using it a few hours per evening. That's less than a 20-pound propane tank every two weekends. If your outdoor space is small and power access is easy, this is a clean, low-maintenance choice at around $499.
Dimplex Cassidy 25-Inch Square Outdoor Electric Fire Bowl
$499
1,800+ reviews
Compact and polished, with Dimplex's proven flame technology in a format that fits balconies and smaller covered patios without needing a propane line.
Shop on Amazon →Best Electric Under $500: Endless Summer 30-Inch Electric Fire Pit Table
Blue Rhino's Endless Summer line is better known for propane, but their electric models have gotten genuinely good over the last couple of years. The 30-inch round table version plugs into a standard outlet and has adjustable flame color and intensity through a remote control, which is a small detail that matters when you're already settled into a chair.
At $449, it's the most affordable electric fire table that still looks intentional instead of cheap. It works well centered between four chairs on a 10x10 patio. It won't heat a large space, but it creates a real focal point and the remote saves you from getting up every time you want to dial it back.
Endless Summer 30-Inch Round Electric Fire Pit Table by Blue Rhino
$449
5,400+ reviews
The most affordable electric fire table worth buying, with remote-controlled flame settings and a round profile that fits smaller patio arrangements perfectly.
Shop on Amazon →Best Overall Propane: Blue Rhino Endless Summer GAD1401G 40-Inch Propane Fire Table
The GAD1401G is a 40-inch rectangular table with 30,000 BTU output and a built-in tank enclosure that hides the propane cylinder behind louvered panels. It comes in a textured gray finish that holds up well in direct sun and doesn't show water marks the way lighter finishes tend to.
Thirty thousand BTU is genuinely warm. On a 55-degree evening with a 12x14 open patio, you'll feel the heat from six feet away. A 20-pound tank lasts about 10 to 12 hours at medium settings, which is three or four weekend sessions before you need a refill. For around $599, this is the best balance of size, heat output, and value in propane fire tables.
Blue Rhino Endless Summer GAD1401G 40-Inch Propane Fire Table
$599
7,200+ reviews
A 30,000 BTU rectangular fire table with hidden tank storage, real heat output, and a finish that holds up season after season.
Shop on Amazon →Best Propane for Heat Output: Landmann USA Barrone 26-Inch Fire Pit Table
The Barrone from Landmann USA punches harder than you'd expect for the price. It's a 26-inch square table with a 40,000 BTU stainless steel burner, which is on the high end of what you find under $600. The powder-coated steel frame is sturdy, and the included lava rock filler gives it a clean look right out of the box.
It's a better fit for an open patio than a small balcony, since 40,000 BTU means real radiant heat that spreads across a wide seating area. If you're hosting 8 to 10 people around a large sectional on a cool fall night, this produces enough warmth that people stop mentioning the temperature. It runs around $529 and consistently earns strong reviews from people who use it year-round.
Landmann USA Barrone 26-Inch Propane Fire Pit Table
$529
2,600+ reviews
A 40,000 BTU propane fire table that delivers serious heat for the price, with a compact footprint and a stainless burner built to last multiple seasons.
Shop on Amazon →Best Propane Investment Under $1,200: Bond Manufacturing Pismo 40-Inch Fire Table
The Pismo from Bond Manufacturing is the step-up option if you want something that looks more custom and less off-the-shelf. The 40-inch rectangular design has a concrete-look top with a steel frame, and it runs 50,000 BTU through a black powder-coated burner. The proportions work especially well with larger sectionals and L-shaped arrangements on a 14x16 or bigger patio.
At around $999, it's a real investment, but it's the kind of fire table you'll keep for eight to ten years. The concrete-look top doesn't fade, and Bond doesn't have the marketing footprint of some competitors, which means the quality-to-price ratio is better than it would be from a more heavily advertised brand. People who bought it a few seasons ago are still happy with it.
Bond Manufacturing Pismo 40-Inch Propane Fire Table
$999
1,400+ reviews
A 50,000 BTU fire table with a concrete-look top and steel frame, built for long-term use and sized to anchor larger outdoor seating arrangements.
Shop on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a propane fire pit table on a covered patio?
Most fire codes and HOA rules prohibit propane fire tables under permanent covered structures. Even where local code allows it, manufacturer warranties often require open-air installation with specific clearances above and around the unit. For covered patios, an electric fire table is the safer and usually the code-compliant choice.
How much does it cost to run a propane fire pit table?
A 20-pound propane tank costs $20 to $25 to refill and lasts approximately 10 to 12 hours at medium heat settings. At full output on a 40,000 to 60,000 BTU burner, you'll burn through a tank in 6 to 8 hours. Budget around $2 per hour as a baseline for propane operating costs.
Are electric fire pit tables worth it?
Yes, for the right situation. They're safe for covered patios and screened porches, require no propane deliveries, and produce zero CO emissions. The trade-off is lower heat output, which typically tops out around 5,000 to 6,000 BTU. They're excellent for ambiance and mild-weather warmth.
What fire pit table works best on a small balcony?
An electric model is almost always the right answer for a balcony. The Dimplex Cassidy at 25 inches square fits comfortably on a 6x8 balcony, plugs into a standard outlet, and requires no propane storage. Most apartment leases and building codes prohibit propane on balconies.
How many BTUs do I need for an outdoor fire pit table?
For a 10x12 open patio with seating for 4 to 6 people, 30,000 BTU is enough to feel real warmth on a 50-degree evening. For a larger space or colder climate, look for 40,000 to 60,000 BTU. For covered or enclosed spaces, skip the BTU question entirely and go electric.
Quick Tips for Choosing Between Electric and Propane
- Check your local fire code before buying anything. Many municipalities and HOAs prohibit open-flame appliances on covered patios or balconies. Electric fire tables are almost always permitted where propane is not.
- Factor in propane costs before you commit. A 20-pound tank costs $20 to $25 to refill and lasts 10 to 12 hours at medium heat. That works out to roughly $2 per hour, which adds up over a full season of use.
- Electric does not mean instant warmth. Electric fire tables take 5 to 10 minutes to heat up and work best as close-range radiant warmth, not whole-patio heating. They're excellent for ambiance and mild-weather comfort.
- Both types need a cover. A weather-resistant table cover extends the life of gas components, table surfaces, and electrical connections. It's a $30 investment that protects a $500 to $1,000 purchase.
- Size the BTU output to your space. For an open patio, you generally need at least 30,000 BTU to feel meaningful warmth on a cool evening. For a covered or enclosed space, electric is safer and the heat concentrates better in that environment.
- Keep a backup propane tank on hand. Running out of propane mid-evening when guests are over is memorable for the wrong reasons. A full second tank stored nearby solves it completely and only costs you $25.