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Best backyard fire pit for wood and gas: picks on Amazon

A backyard fire pit creates a focal point for outdoor gatherings. Wood-burning pits provide the campfire experience with smoke and crackle while gas fire pits offer clean-burning flames with a turn-of-the-valve ignition and no ash cleanup.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

The Solo Stove Bonfire at $250 is the best wood-burning fire pit for most backyards: the double-wall airflow design produces significantly less smoke than standard fire bowls by creating a secondary burn of smoke gases, and the stainless steel construction requires no painting or rust treatment over multiple outdoor seasons.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Fire pits are evaluated by fuel type (wood vs propane vs natural gas), burn area diameter (inches), material (stainless steel, cast iron, steel), smoke reduction mechanism, BTU output for gas models, spark screen inclusion, ash pan, portability and price. Manufacturer specs from brand and Amazon product pages consulted. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best fire pit overall
Solo Stove Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Brand: Solo Stove

Best for

Wood-burning fire pit buyers who want significantly less smoke than standard fire bowls without switching to gas, and who want a portable stainless steel fire pit that can be stored or moved between outdoor spaces.

Skip if

Low ash cleanup is desired. The Solo Stove Bonfire burns wood more completely than standard fire pits but still produces ash that collects in the ash pan and requires disposal. If no ash cleanup is acceptable, a propane fire pit like the Outland Firebowl eliminates ash entirely.

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The Solo Stove Bonfire uses a double-wall design with bottom vents that draw air under the fire and top vents that introduce preheated air from the wall cavity into the top of the flame. This secondary airflow creates a second combustion zone where smoke particles burn rather than escaping as smoke, reducing visible smoke significantly compared to a standard fire bowl.

The 19.5-inch burn diameter accommodates medium-sized log pieces. The removable ash pan at the bottom collects ash for easy disposal. The 304 stainless steel resists rust without painting.

At $250, the Solo Stove Bonfire is the smokeless wood-burning fire pit for buyers who want the campfire experience with less smoke.

What buyers say

Wood-burning fire pit buyers who want significantly less smoke than standard fire bowls without switching to gas say Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where low ash cleanup is desired say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
FuelWood burning
Diameter19.5 inches
Material304 stainless steel
Price$250

Specs from Solo Stove, Bonfire product page

02
Best propane fire pit
Outland Living Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe

Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe

Brand: Outland Living

Best for

Buyers who want no-smoke, no-ash outdoor fire from a propane fire pit that connects to a standard 20-lb propane tank, with a simulated lava rock or river rock base for a decorative flame appearance.

Skip if

Natural wood fire with real crackle is the desired experience. Propane fire pits produce a clean, consistent flame without smoke or wood scent. If the sensory experience of a real wood fire is important, the Solo Stove Bonfire or Breeo provide wood-burning fires. Propane fire pits are for buyers who prioritize convenience over the campfire experience.

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The Outland Firebowl 893 uses a CSA-approved burner that runs from a standard 20-pound propane tank connected via a 10-foot hose. The adjustable flame control dial varies the flame height from a low ambient level to a full 58,000 BTU output for warmth in cool evenings.

The decorative lava rock fill covers the burner and creates a natural-looking flame base. No wood, ash, or smoke is produced. The CSA certification means the propane connections and burner have been safety-tested to national standards.

At $160, the Outland Firebowl 893 is the propane fire pit for buyers who want zero smoke and zero cleanup.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of buyers who want no-smoke report Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when natural wood fire with real crackle is the desired experience.

Specifications

Specifications for Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe
FuelPropane (20-lb tank)
BTU58,000 BTU
Diameter21 inches
Price$160

Specs from Outland Living, Firebowl 893 Amazon search

03
Best budget fire pit
BALI OUTDOORS BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit

BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit

Brand: BALI OUTDOORS

Best for

Budget buyers who want a basic wood-burning fire pit at the lowest available price, for occasional use where smokeless technology and premium materials are not required.

Skip if

Smoke reduction is important. The BALI OUTDOORS is a standard fire bowl without the double-wall airflow design of the Solo Stove. Standard fire pits produce full smoke output from the wood. For neighbors close by or in areas with air quality restrictions, the smokeless Solo Stove Bonfire or propane Outland Firebowl are more appropriate.

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The BALI OUTDOORS fire pit uses a painted steel construction with a mesh spark screen that reduces the risk of sparks landing on combustible surfaces around the fire pit. The poker tool allows adjusting logs without reaching into the fire.

The basic bowl design is appropriate for occasional campfire-style use where smokeless performance is not the priority. The lower price covers the cost of a fire pit with standard features.

At $90, the BALI OUTDOORS is the entry-level backyard fire pit for occasional use at a budget price.

What buyers say

Buyers say BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is budget buyers who want a basic wood-burning fire pit at the lowest available price, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when smoke reduction is important.

Specifications

Specifications for BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit
FuelWood burning
MaterialSteel with high-heat paint
IncludedSpark screen + poker
Price$90

Specs from BALI OUTDOORS, fire pit Amazon search

04
Best premium fire pit
Breeo Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit

Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit

Brand: Breeo

Best for

Buyers who want a premium smokeless fire pit with a built-in outer ring for cooking over the fire, built from Cor-Ten weathering steel that develops a natural patina rather than requiring paint or stainless steel upkeep.

Skip if

Cooking over the fire is not needed. The Breeo X Series at $350 includes a patina outer ring that can support a cooking grate for grilling or searing over the fire. The cooking function is the main premium feature. For buyers who only want fire without cooking, the Solo Stove Bonfire at $250 provides comparable smokeless technology at a lower cost.

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The Breeo X Series uses the same double-wall airflow smokeless technology as Solo Stove but in a wider 24-inch diameter burn area. The outer ring of the fire pit extends beyond the fire bowl and can support a Y Cooking System grate (sold separately) for cooking steaks and vegetables directly over the live fire.

Cor-Ten steel is a weathering steel alloy that intentionally develops a surface rust patina over the first few outdoor seasons. The patina layer protects the underlying steel from further corrosion without painting.

At $350, the Breeo X Series is the premium smokeless fire pit with cooking capability.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when cooking over the fire is not needed, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a premium smokeless fire pit with a built-in outer ring for cooking over the fire, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
FuelWood burning
Diameter24 inches
MaterialCor-Ten weathering steel
Price$350

Specs from Breeo, X Series 24 fire pit Amazon search

Fire pit type comparison

Type Smoke Ash Startup time Atmosphere
Smokeless wood Low Yes 10 min Campfire
Standard wood High Yes 10 min Campfire
Propane None None Instant Decorative
Natural gas None None Instant Decorative

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Solo Stove Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Outland Living Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe
Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe
BALI OUTDOORS BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit
BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit
Breeo Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
Our verdictBest fire pit overallBest propane fire pitBest budget fire pitBest premium fire pit
FuelWood burningPropane (20-lb tank)Wood burningWood burning
Diameter19.5 inches21 inchesNot listed24 inches
Material304 stainless steelNot listedSteel with high-heat paintCor-Ten weathering steel
Price$250$160$90$350
BTUNot listed58,000 BTUNot listedNot listed
IncludedNot listedNot listedSpark screen + pokerNot listed
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

Are smokeless fire pits actually smokeless?

Smokeless fire pits like Solo Stove and Breeo produce significantly less smoke than standard fire bowls by using secondary combustion to burn smoke particles before they escape the fire chamber. In practice, they are not completely smokeless: the start-up and dying-down phases of the fire produce more smoke as the secondary combustion zone is not yet fully established. At full burn with dry hardwood, they produce a visible but dramatically reduced amount of smoke compared to a standard fire bowl. The smokeless effect is most noticeable with dry, seasoned hardwood like oak or hickory. Green or wet wood produces significant smoke in any fire pit regardless of design, because the water content interrupts the secondary combustion process.

What wood should I use in a backyard fire pit?

Seasoned (dry) hardwood is the best fuel for backyard fire pits. Hardwoods like oak, ash, hickory and maple burn longer and hotter than softwoods and produce less creosote buildup than green or softwood. Seasoned wood has been split and dried for at least 6 to 12 months; it produces less smoke and sparks than freshly cut wood. Avoid burning treated lumber, plywood, particle board, railroad ties or painted wood, which release toxic gases when burned. Pine and other softwoods burn faster and produce more sparks from their sap content; they are acceptable for fire starting but not as efficient for extended burning as hardwoods. Kiln-dried firewood packaged in bags is the most convenient option and burns reliably in all fire pit types.

How far should a fire pit be from the house?

Most local fire codes require fire pits to be at least 10 feet from structures, trees and overhanging branches. A 20-foot clearance is a safer practical distance that provides adequate space for chairs around the fire pit and reduces risk of sparks reaching the house. Check your local ordinances before installing a fire pit, as some municipalities prohibit wood-burning fire pits within city limits or require permits for gas fire pits with utility connections. Apartment and condo HOA rules often prohibit any open-flame fire pits on balconies or shared spaces. Never use a fire pit under a covered pergola or porch where sparks could reach overhead combustible material.

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