Fire pits are a great way to stay warm while still enjoying the outdoors, regardless of the season. They’re a fun addition to summer bonfires and cookouts, and even better for cozy outdoor hangouts in the fall and winter. Plus, there are many types of fire pits, which suit different preferences, whether you live in a climate that gets heavy snow (and want the extra warmth) or one that only requires a light jacket and pair of gloves.
Since there are so many factors that go into shopping for a fire pit, I spoke with home appliance experts for their guidance. Below, I compiled some of the best fire pit options to shop as cold weather settles in, all of which I chose based on the experts’ input. Plus, I spoke to the experts to learn more about safety precautions.
How we picked the best fire pits
Fire pits come in multiple sizes and configurations, from small and portable to larger single units and table-style chairs. They also have various fuel options: natural gas, wood and propane. But before investing in a fire pit, consider where you’ll place it and how you’ll use it. Will you be cooking marshmallows or simply sitting nearby to keep warm? Do you want to take it on the road, or will it stay in the backyard?
To help you decide, we consulted experts who recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
- Fuel Type: Fire pits use three main types of fuel: natural gas, wood (including charcoal) or propane. “Wood is the traditional choice, offering a crackling flame and the feel of a true campfire, but it produces the most smoke and ash,” according to Brian Shaunfield, a store manager at Lowe’s. Additionally, “gas and propane are among the most popular options because they ignite instantly, burn cleanly and are easy to control,” according to Shaunfield. Overall, natural gas is also the most affordable option, but it often requires professional installation, according to Shaunfield. Below, we included natural gas, propane and wood fire pit options.
- Materials: All of the experts we spoke to recommend buying the best quality fire pit you can afford as they can get hot and crack. With that said, Heather Hilliard of Heather Hilliard Design recommends looking for fire pits made of steel, concrete or stone material that will stay comfortable to the touch. She also recommends fire pits with a broad lip to set the fire further from those gathered around it. Whichever one you choose, make sure it can withstand extremely high temperatures and inclement weather throughout the year to prevent damage, according to Shaunfield.
Best fire pits to shop in 2025
Using recommendations from experts in outdoor landscape and design, along with other top-rated options, we rounded up the best fire pits to shop for your next backyard campfire.
Best overall fire pit
This gas-powered fire pit table has plenty of room for drinks, food and more, and provides up to 50,000 BTU (British thermal units) of heat to keep you warm, according to the brand. It’s also easy to use — just connect a propane tank to the hidden compartment inside of the table. Aside from its simplicity, this pit is sleekly designed with lava rocks in the middle, and a silver control knob for maintaining the heat levels and flame. This fire pit is available in 32- and 42-inch models.
Best smokeless fire pit
This Breeo pit is perfect for anyone with a sensitivity to campfire smoke — it’s made from heavy-duty steel and can achieve a smokeless burn, thanks to the double-walled design and secondary combustion holes, according to the brand. As the wood burn grows, the walls heat up, causing pressurized hot air to rise and mix with the smoke, resulting in the smoke reburning without escaping the pit and potentially causing eye irritation, according to the brand. It’s also available in multiple finishes and sizes.
Best fire pit for a small crowd
At under $150, this fire pit is one of the most affordable options on the market. It includes a cooking grate for grilling, a mesh screen and a poker for safety, according to the brand. It’s also made of durable steel, and has a safety ring and rotating cooking grid for barbequing.
Best portable fire pit
Solo Stove fire pits are built for ease and portability, and this smokeless option is a bestseller. It’s made from stainless steel, and comes with a removable ash pan and a carrying case for easy transport. It’s also smokeless, thanks to airflow technology that makes it easier to start and maintain your fire.
Best splurge-worthy fire pit
The Outdoor Greatroom Company offers a variety of eye-catching fire pit designs, and this table-style pit is no exception. It’s made of a powder-coated aluminum frame with a mesh base and composite top, and also comes with a matching composite burner cover, according to the brand. It’s easy to move around your space, comes with a standard manual, battery-operated ignition sparker, and is also quite versatile — though initially set up for liquid propane, the pit can be converted to natural gas fueling using an included kit.
Best fire pit for camping
Sunnydaze makes a range of outdoor products, including hammocks, fountains and patio umbrellas.The brand’s wood-burning fire pit has a relatively simple set up and is easy to move if you change your mind about where it should be. At 36 inches in diameter, it’s large enough for family and friends to gather around and comes with a metal, built-in wood-burning grate and poker. This fire pit comes in both Black and Bronze.
Best affordable fire pit
This fire pit comes with two adjustable grill plates for grilling food with aluminum foil, and they are safe to use simultaneously. The middle of the fire pit collapses so that it can be used as a flat table to hold food, drink and supplies. It also comes with a cover to protect it when you aren’t using it or when there’s inclement weather.
How to shop for a fire pit
Below, we compiled expert advice on factors to consider, including fuel type, location, and safety precautions.
Choose a fuel type: Gas, wood or propane
- The first thing you’ll need to think about is your preferred fuel type. Options generally include natural gas, propane and wood. According to Hilliard, the most popular fuel sources are natural gas and propane. Propane tanks are portable, inexpensive and easy to install — plus, they burn clean.
- If you go with a plumbed gas fire pit, which many of Hilliard’s clients choose for ecological and aesthetic reasons, make sure a gas line can be piped and plumbed to the desired location by a professional.
- The singular advantage of a wood fire pit is being able to create a fun and inclusive fire-starting experience. Anyone can get involved by helping to collect wood and twigs from the yard.
Decide on a style and material
This means deciding between a fire pit table, a covered fire pit or a portable fire pit. These will usually be steel or stone. You should also decide if you want a smokeless fire pit (which aren’t always entirely smoke-free, according to Shaunfield), which has a lot less smoke than other types, especially wood fire pits.
Where do fire pits belong?
Location is one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a fire pit, says Hilliard. Here’s how to best determine your fire pit’s prime real estate:
- Keep the fire pit a minimum of 12 feet away from a structure — “further if you have the room,” she adds.
- Avoid low-hanging trees — “there should be nothing overhead.”
- Select a clearing for your fire pit position — “ideally one out of the wind, and located on non-flammable surfaces.”
- Seating distance is another thing to consider.
How does your fire pit ignite?
Some models come with electronic ignition — others you light with a match or lighter, especially if using wood or pellets. Gas fire pits are the easiest because they ignite instantly, according to Shaunfield.
What are safety precautions for fire pits?
Choose the right area
“Fires can spread from sparks, embers, or being too close to something flammable, and gas or propane bring their own risks,” says Shaunfield. “That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to where you start a fire.” Both Hilliard and Shaunfield recommend placing it at least 10 to 12 feet away from a home.
Always have a fire extinguisher and water close
As with any fire, it’s important to have a fire extinguisher that you are familiar with using, especially if a fire becomes unexpectedly out of control.
Be sure it’s out when done
“When you’re done, make sure it’s completely out — no glowing embers left,” says Shaunfield. “The best way is to dump water over it and stir the ashes with a stick until the smoke and embers are totally gone.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Brian Shaunfield is a store manager at Lowe’s. *Any inclusion of products from Lowe’s was made independently of Shaunfield.
- Heather Hilliard is the owner and principal designer of Heather Hilliard Design.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bridget Shirvell is a former contributor at NBC Select. For this article, she spoke to outdoor landscape experts about the best fire pits, including tips on how to shop for them. She also researched and compiled other top-rated fire pits.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select. He contributed additional reporting.
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