The 12 Best Portable Fire Pits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed By Nathan Allen Nathan Allen Outdoor Gear Editor University of Missouri-Columbia Lindenwood University Nathan Allen is the Outdoor Gear Editor for TripSavvy. Nathan loves many outdoor activities but makes it a priority to run or bike on singletrack every day. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 11/28/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Solo Stove TripSavvy's Picks Solo Stove’s two popular portable fire pits—the Ranger 2.0 and Bonfire 2.0—were two of our testers’ favorite fire pits for their ease of use, sleek design, and smokeless burns. UCO’s Flatpack Portable Grill and Fire Pit was our favorite budget pick, and at just over 3 pounds, one of the lightest and most portable we tested. Portable fire pits are an excellent way to safely take a cozy blaze with camping, RVing, or hosting friends and family in your backyard. The technology of smokeless and easy-to-ignite burn pits has surged with brands like Solo Stove and Breeo launching in the past decade. There are plenty of portable fire pit options on the market, to be sure. Some come with grills for cooking. Others require propane. Some work with traditional wood, while others take charcoal briquettes. To help you narrow your purchase, we tested 26 of the best fire pits for their assembly, design, heating performance, portability, and overall value. We took the pits from our backyards to the beach, campsites, and friends’ homes. We cooked veggies, marshmallows, burgers, and fish. Behold our favorite portable fire pits currently available. The Rundown Best Overall: Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-Up: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: UCO Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Inno Stage Portable Smokeless Fire Pit at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Grilling: Snow Peak Takibi Fire and Grill at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Camping: Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Backpacking: Solo Stove Lite Gear Kit at Solostove.com Jump to Review Best Tabletop: Project 62 Round Metal Outdoor LP Tabletop Fire Pit at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Patio Season: KingSo Outdoor Fire Pit at Walmart Jump to Review Easiest to Use: Heininger Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit at Amazon Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks Other Pits We Tested How We Tested What to Look For FAQ Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Dick's What We Like Carrying case, relatively lightweight, and easy to move Very easy to create and sustain a warm burn Sleek and attractive design What We Don't Like It’s not totally smokeless, but close Austin-based Solo Stove launched in 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular portable fire pit makers. And one of its most popular models is the recently updated Bonfire 2.0. The update? A new removable base plate and ash pan for easier cleaning. While testers did dig the base plate and ash pan, Bonfire’s classic performance pushed this fire pit to the top of our list. The cylinder stainless steel fire pit requires its own fuel, and while the design may look basic, it efficiently creates and sustains a warm (and mostly smokeless) burn thanks to the 360-degree Airflow technology, which recycles and super-heats the air to burn off smoke at the rim of the pit. “This is definitely good to travel with, as there are only two pieces,” our tester noted. The Ranger also has its own carrying case to help keep track of the minimal pieces. “If you are looking for a nice small fire at a tailgate or to take camping, I don't think you can get any simpler and easier to move,” our tester added. Bonus: At 15 pounds, it’s lighter than similar competitors. Dimensions: 15 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Best Overall, Runner-Up Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Amazon View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Solostove.com What We Like Sleek design A bit heavy but still portable, thanks to the carrying case Easy assembly and fire building What We Don't Like Expensive, and no accessories are included As its name suggests, the Bonfire 2.0 is the larger version of the Ranger 2.0. So for those looking for the same quality as the Ranger 2.0 but on a bigger scale, go with the Bonfire. We also recommend the Bonfire for the campfire newbies as there’s virtually no assembly, and the Airflow technology is basically a fire creation cheat code. We love that the Bonfire has a carrying case for easier transportation. And like the Ranger, it also includes the ash tray and base plate for easy clean-up. Our testers were impressed with how evenly the logs of wood burned and how they burned down to ash. Or, as our tester’s 77-year-old father succinctly put it, “this is incredible.” Indeed. Dimensions: 19.5 x 14 inches | Weight: 23.3 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Best Budget UCO Flatpack Mini Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On L.L.Bean View On Backcountrygear.com What We Like One of the most portable options we tested, weighing just over 3 pounds and fitting into a backpack Excellent performance It comes with a grill What We Don't Like Nothing yet UCO’s Flatpack Portable Grill and Fire Pit is a fan-favorite on Amazon, earning thousands of highly-rated reviews. We get it. This compact, portable, and lightweight fire pit can easily fit into a backpack, unfolds quickly, and features a durable stainless steel build. Our testers were impressed with the performance of the fire pit—they cooked burgers for friends at a picnic in a park—especially considering its size. “I would recommend this product to anyone wanting to burn some coals without packing too much or using a simple fire fit to comply with fire rules in some parks and public land,” our tester said. Dimensions: 13.5 x 10 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Best Value Inno Stage Portable Smokeless Fire Pit 5 Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Smokeless design It comes with a carrying case Compact and easy to carry or stow What We Don't Like Requires wood pellets, which are not included If you like the idea of Solo Stove’s fire pits but don’t like the idea of spending a couple hundred on a fire pit, go with the INNO STAGE Smokeless Fire Pit. It employs the same airflow technology that superheats the air, removing smoke and sparks at the pit's rim. “I really like the simplicity of this fire pit,” our tester said. “The modern design looks more expensive than it is, and because it's only two pieces, it's super easy to set up and pack away.” Once packed away, it’s also easy to transport or stow as it comes with a carrying case. One nitpick: The fire pit requires wood pellets to start the burn, which our tester had issues igniting. They used a fire starter, and the fire stayed consistent and warm once the burn was going. Dimensions: 15 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Materials: Metal Best for Grilling Snow Peak Takibi Fire and Grill 4.7 Back Country View On Amazon View On REI What We Like Multiple levels of grill placement above the flame The base plate is excellent and offers protection Easy to assemble, light, and keep fire going What We Don't Like It’s expensive and heavy Takibi is Japanese for bonfire, and Japanese-inspired Snow Peak takes Takibi Time to the next level with its Takibi Fire and Grill portable fire pit. For those looking to purchase a fire pit knowing they’ll want to cook on it, the Takibi is an excellent choice. The stylish stainless steel design includes the actual Pack & Carry Fireplace and additional pieces like the base plate, grill net, grill bridge, and carrying case. The Takibi is a cool and sleek fire pit you can easily pack up and place in a car to carry to the beach, campsite, or park. But where it really excels is grilling. The bridge allows you to set the grill net at different levels above the blaze, and we found it large enough to cook easily for a group simultaneously. Sure, it’s a bit expensive and one of this list's heaviest fire pits and grills. But you’re getting a high-quality item that will last years, and the additional grill accessories make it heavier than other fire pits on this list. Dimensions: 12 x 17.7 x 17.9 inches | Weight: 32 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Best for Camping Fireside Outdoor 24-inch Pop-up Fire Pit 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot What We Like Folds up small into a carrying case Very sturdy Heat blows through the bottom and top What We Don't Like A bit messy to clean This lightweight, highly compact, and “sturdy as hell” portable fire pit is the perfect car camping companion. Fireside Outdoor’s Pop-Up Fire Pit is just that—a pop-up fire pit that folds down small into a carrying case similar to a tent. It weighs a meager 8 pounds, but our testers reported it gave ample heat both at the top where the flames are and underneath, helping warm cold toes and feet. Our testers said it was a bit messy while packing up but reiterated that’s part of the campfire experience. “It’s the ideal thing to take with you when you’re camping or going for a long drive, and you want to eat outdoors without using those disgusting grills you find in parks,” our tester noted. “It's not fancy. It's not a showpiece by any means. For that, you want the Solo Stove, which is gorgeous. But this cannot be beaten if you're camping or hiking and want a great fire pit to make smores or grill hot dogs.” Dimensions: 15 x 24 x 24 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Best for Backpacking Solo Stove Lite Gear Kit 4.3 Solo Stove View On Solostove.com What We Like Minimal and lightweight Gear kit comes with a fire starter, and alcohol burning option Can also heat water for dehydrated food What We Don't Like Won’t put off the heat for a big group Looking to impress your friends with a contained backcountry fire and alternative way to heat water? Solo Stove has you covered with its Lite Gear Kit, including a portable fire pit, cooking pot, windscreen, alcohol burner, fire starter, and tinder on a rope. Want to have your mind blown? It all weighs less than a pound. So even the dork gram-counters will be pleased. This fire pit won’t release a ton of heat since it’s so small. But it will be enough to boil water for dehydrated meals, coffee or tea, or water purification. Bonus: This is a more environmentally friendly—and safer—way to create wilderness campfires and meals. Dimensions: 4.25 x 5.7 inches | Weight: 9 ounces | Materials: Stainless steel Best Tabletop Project 62 Round Metal Outdoor LP Tabletop Fire Pit 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target What We Like Easy assembly Good value Sleek design and excellent portability What We Don't Like Requires propane Project 62’s outdoor fire pit is the perfect option if you’re looking for a tabletop fire pit to boost your backyard or patio dining ambiance. Weighing just about 6 pounds and having a compact size, our tester raved about this fire pit's portability. It was easy to assemble, has a sleek design, and while it could take some time to get to the desired temperature, it did eventually get there. Our tester noted that the fire pit's lightness came with some drawbacks. For example, it moved easily in light wind. But that didn’t sway our tester from believing that this fire pit is an excellent value for the cost. Dimensions: 4.5 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 5.94 pounds | Materials: Steel Best for Patio Season KingSo 22-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit 4.9 Walmart View On Walmart What We Like Backyard patio look but still excellent portability Comes with a screen to help contain ashes, embers, and smoke Excellent value What We Don't Like Some parts needed a screwdriver during assembly KingSo’s Outdoor Fire Pit has hundreds of stellar online reviews from customers. And our testers found out why, as this is a high-performing and very portable fire pit for an extremely reasonable price. After an initial assembly snafu where a screwdriver was necessary to connect the bottom of the pit to its legs, our testers were off and roasting mallows for smores. We put this as our best portable fire pit for patios because of its traditional fire pit look, but our testers thought it was also highly portable, weighing just about 12 pounds. So it could definitely go with you on camping trips or day trips to the park or beach. An included screen to block embers and flying ash is a bonus. Dimensions: 20 x 22 x 22 inches | Weight: 12.27 pounds | Materials: Alloy steel Easiest to Use Heininger Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot What We Like Effortless assembly Propane creates quick heat and instant ambiance boost Looks good What We Don't Like Requires propane Just pour the rocks into the fire pit, connect to your propane tank, and start heating. Our testers had their fire roaring in less than five minutes, making the Heininger Portable Fire Pit one of the quickest pits from unpacking to burning. Our testers also liked that this pit was lighter than expected and could easily move it around their yard and patio space. And, of course, no wood means no smoke—another bonus our testers mentioned. The heat did tend to move directly upward, forcing our testers to get closer to the pit than expected. The included propane cord was long enough that our testers could keep the propane tank away from the actual fire pit. But, overall, our testers highly recommended this fire pit. Dimensions: 10 x 19 x 19 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Materials: Steel Best Propane Bond Manufacturing Aurora Portable Steel Propane Gas Fire Pit 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair What We Like Locking lid Very easy to start Long propane cord and overall easy to move What We Don't Like Some customers reported poor-quality rocks One of the best things about propane fire pits is the simplicity of assembly and getting quickly to your fire. That was a highlight for our testers while trying the Bond Manufacturing Aurora Fire Pit. Our testers also enjoyed the size of the fire pit, noting it is “super cute and easy to bring along places.” A huge bonus for this one—especially if you have dogs or kids—is a locking lid, which keeps the fire safely in place. The propane cord is long enough to keep the propane tank away from the fire pit. This fire pit has thousands of excellent customer reviews on Amazon, where it’s 30 percent off at the time of publication. Dimensions: 14.7 x 18.5 x 18.5 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Best Splurge Breeo Y Series 4.2 Home Depot View On Breeo.co View On Home Depot What We Like Super cool grilling function High-quality stainless steel Excellent look and smokeless function What We Don't Like Heavy and bulky to carry around While Solo Stove stakes claim to the most popular smokeless portable fire pit, Breeo claims the original portable smokeless fire pit. The Ohio-based brand launched in 2011—five years before Solo Stove—and recently released the Y Series smokeless fire pit, which we loved, especially for cooking. Let’s get the nitpicks out of the way first. This fire pit is expensive, heavy, and bulky. But it’s incredibly high-quality and should last you years, if not decades. In particular, we dig the grilling function, which attaches to an iron rod. That hovering grill base allows you to move the grill base up and down or over and off the flame. (Just remember that it will be incredibly hot, so use proper protection.) You can also cook on the rim of the fire pit if you don’t feel like buying the add-on. Dimensions: 15 x 21 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Materials: Stainless steel Other Portable Fire Pits We Tested Blue Sky Outdoor Living Smokeless Fire Pit, Cast Master Bon 2000 Dual Purpose Bonfire Pit, BioLite Firepit+, Tiki Low-Smoke Portable Fire Pit, Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit, Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio, Primus Kamoto Portable Fire Pit, Odoland Folding Campfire Grill, Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit, Sunnydaze Round Cosmic Fire Pit, Blue Sky The Ridge Smokeless Portable Fire Pit, Outland Living Firebowl Fire Pit, Camp Chef Redwood Portable Fire Pit How We Tested Once we decided on a list of fire pits to test, we sent those fire pits to testers across the country. Testers rated the portable fire pits on a five-point scale for the following attributes: assembly, heating performance, portability, design, and overall value. First, we asked testers to unpackage and assemble their portable fire pits. Then we asked testers to carry around the fire pit, put it in their vehicles if applicable, and take the fire pits to a park or beach to test portability. Lastly, we asked testers to use the fire pits as much as possible for fires and cooking. Testers had dozens for campfires and meals, cooking everything from smores to salmon. Once the testers gave each attribute a rating on the five-point scale, we averaged those ratings, giving each product an overall score. What to Look for in Portable Fire Pits Size and Weight Most fire pits included in this roundup are compact and lightweight. (We were testing for portable fire pits.) But some are more compact and smaller than others. So consider what you’ll use your fire pit for and the implications that will have on your preferred weight and size. Are you looking for more of an ambiance-boosting fire pit? A smaller tabletop fire pit might be best. Or are you looking to use a fire pit for actual warmth for family and friends? Get a larger one that will give off a bigger blaze. Likewise, the weight won't matter as much if you leave your fire pit in the same place on your patio or backyard. But if your goal is to take your fire pit to the park, camping, or beach, consider a lighter fire pit. Also, consider one of the compact or folding fire pits, which will more easily fit into a backpack, gear trunk, or car trunk. Fuel Type Most portable fire pits use propane or wood. And some will use pellets or charcoal briquettes. Regardless, picking a portable fire pit that will use your preferred fuel is important. First, consider smoke. Even with the smokeless fire pits, we’ve found that some smoke will escape. If you live in a neighborhood or area where houses are close together, be considerate of the smoke and your neighbors. Also, consider how accessible the type of fuel is to you. Is it easier to gather wood? Or get your propane tank refilled? Pick the fuel with the lowest resistance when it comes to making sure you have enough. Cooking Capability and Other Accessories Lastly, consider other features and accessories. Do you plan on cooking with your fire pit? Look for fire pits that include cooking accessories or at least cooking accessories that you can purchase separately. Do you want a cover to help contain flying ash and embers? Again, look for fire pits with a cover or the ability to purchase a cover separately. Frequently Asked Questions How do you care for and clean your portable fire pit? Cleaning your portable fire pit is relatively straightforward. Once your fire pit cools, have a designated place to dump your ash and coals. And then, we recommend spraying and wiping your pit before storing it. It’s a good practice to clean your fire pit after each use to help the fire pit’s longevity. How do I safely use a portable fire pit? Portable fire pits are generally safe and made with newbie fire makers in mind. That said, it’s still a fire, which can be dangerous. First, consider your surroundings. If you live in a dry area, ensure plenty of space and protection from particularly flammable materials. For example, I did all of this testing in southern California in August and September (read: peak wildfire season in a fire-prone area). I kept our hose and nozzle nearby and turned it on in case a wandering ember got out of control.If you have a propane fire pit, this is less of a concern as there are no embers or ash. But the area around the fire pit can still get hot, so be aware. Also, make sure small children and dogs keep their distance from the flame. Is it safe to cook on a portable fire pit? Yes, it’s safe to cook on a portable fire pit. Even propane pits are fine, although you’ll want to leave plenty of space between your food and the flame. Why Trust TripSavvy Nathan Allen is TripSavvy’s Outdoor Gear Editor. He comes from a family that heated their house exclusively with fireplaces (yes, two) during colder months. While he now avoids winter, living in southern California full-time, he still appreciates a backyard fire with friends and family. Nathan currently uses the Snow Peak Takibi, Breeo Y Series, and Solo Stove Lite Gear Kit most. All items in this document were thoroughly tested and are continued to be tested. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 12 below. Continue to 9 of 12 below.