Best Overall
Outland Living Mega Fire Pit
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Design5/5
- Smoke Control5/5
- Durability4.8/5
- There wasn’t any ash residue to clean up and we liked that you can control the heat and flame.
There wasn’t any ash residue to clean up and we liked that you can control the heat and flame.
- It doesn’t produce a massive flame, and the propane connector hose is not long enough to keep the tank far enough away to be completely out of sight.
It doesn’t produce a massive flame, and the propane connector hose is not long enough to keep the tank far enough away to be completely out of sight.
As our top pick, the Outland Living Firebowl 883 Mega Outdoor Propane Gas Fire Pit is super easy to use. The unit took us just five minutes to set up as it came pretty much assembled—the only thing we needed to add was the lava rocks that came with it, and then hook it up to a propane tank.
The fire started in less than a couple of minutes, and the pit gave off a good amount of heat but no smoke whatsoever. Since it was burning on propane (which was a breeze to connect and disconnect each time), not having to deal with any ash cleanup was an extra perk. After using it, there was only some very slight residue left on the inside of the pit from the rocks.
We appreciated that you can control the heat/flame easily with a knob, which was helpful when roasting marshmallows. No matter how we adjusted the flame or even when there was a breeze, there was still no sign of any smoke.
When sitting about 3-4 feet from the unit, we could still feel the warmth on our faces, and this heat was consistent around the entire circumference of the fire pit. Though the unit understandably got a little heavier when we put the rocks in, it was still easy to move when we needed to transport it.
This smokeless fire pit came with a durable and high-quality UV- and weather-resistant cover, which was also helpful for keeping the rocks all in one place when transporting or storing the fire pit between uses.
Although we liked the unit overall, we would have preferred that the propane connector hose was a little longer so that the tank could be out of sight. However, this was not a deal breaker.
Product Details: Dimensions: 24 x 13 x 24 inches | Weight: 34 pounds | Material: Alloy steel, stainless steel | Fuel: Propane
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHY FALLONE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHY FALLONE
Best Budget
Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit
- Setup4.5/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Design4.5/5
- Smoke Control5/5
- Durability5/5
- The small unit is easily portable, so you can easily move it or even take it on a camping trip.
The small unit is easily portable, so you can easily move it or even take it on a camping trip.
- You can’t really feel the heat unless you’re around 2 feet away, and the max line for refilling pellets was a little hard to see at night.
You can’t really feel the heat unless you’re around 2 feet away, and the max line for refilling pellets was a little hard to see at night.
We recommend the Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit for those looking for a less expensive option. The unit is offered in three sizes (small, medium, and large), but we tried the 15-inch medium at home.
Setting up the small unit, including pouring the pellets in and getting the fire started, took around 20 minutes. Assembling the fire pit was a breeze; all we had to do was slot the two pieces together. The instructions were clear as well, so we knew exactly where to put the pellets.
We were blown away that we could not see nor smell any smoke whatsoever. With the entire bowl lit on the medium unit, you can feel the warmth when standing approximately two feet away from the pit. To feel it when seated, you’d have to be sitting pretty close, so it’s likely best to use it in smaller groups.
The unit is fairly lightweight, so moving it around wasn’t an issue. Plus, the compact unit takes up minimal storage space, which is ideal especially if you’re packing it up for a camping trip. The fire pit comes with a thick, black carrying-slash-storage case with handles, which we thought would come in handy.
During testing, adding extra pellets when the fire was going was easy, although you have to be careful not to add too many if the fire is starting to go out. Otherwise, you may suffocate the existing embers and have to start the fire over again. We appreciated that the unit has a line in the pit indicating where to pour the pellets, but it became difficult to see this when refilling at night so we had to use a torch when the fire was waning.
Product Details: Dimensions: 15 x 12.5 x 15 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Material: Metal | Fuel: Pellet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MARY HONEYMAN-SPEICHINGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MARY HONEYMAN-SPEICHINGER
Best Splurge
Hampton Bay Crossridge Antique Brass Fire Pit
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Design5/5
- Smoke Control5/5
- Durability4/5
- It looks like a decorative piece of furniture and is very easy to use.
It looks like a decorative piece of furniture and is very easy to use.
- It could easily dent and the safety sticker that came on it was very hard to remove.
It could easily dent and the safety sticker that came on it was very hard to remove.
Although it’s a little more expensive than some of the other smokeless fire pits on our list, the price of the Hampton Bay Crossridge Antique Bronze Gas Fire Pit is worth the investment. The unit also serves as an outdoor coffee table that you can rest food and drinks on and makes a lovely centerpiece to gather around.
The fire pit provides a nice, controlled fire and we felt that it was very easy to use during testing. The unit needs to be assembled out of the box, but the instructions provided were concise and came with helpful illustrations. All the pieces were correctly marked, too, and we found it fairly quick to put together.
Though it felt a little flimsy at first (the material felt quite thin and would likely dent if knocked hard), we were more confident in it after it was put together and felt that it was sturdy overall. Once the unit was set up, we inserted the propane tank, turned the knob of the fire pit to the “on” position, then pushed the button to ignite the fire, the same way you’d light a gas grill.
The fire pit comes with a screen guard to help prevent sparks from escaping, but we didn’t notice any flying sparks and ended up not having to use it after the first time. It also comes with a cover that can convert the unit into a table when the fire isn’t on.
We didn’t see any smoke while using it, and there wasn’t any ash to clean up, nor any smoky smell—just a nice consistent fire that could be felt up to 3 feet away all around the unit. Once we were done using the fire pit, all we had to do was turn the unit off.
The only thing that irked us about this piece was the safety sticker right on the top of the table, which we had trouble removing and left a lot of residue. Other than that, we were left very pleased with this smokeless fire pit and highly recommend it for its ease of use, nice design, and dual functionality as both a fire pit and a table.
Product Details: Dimensions: 30 x 25 x 30 inches | Weight: 89.32 pounds | Material: Steel | Fuel: Propane
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
Best Small
Hi Flame Smokeless Fire Pit
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Design4.3/5
- Smoke Control4.3/5
- Durability4.8/5
- It’s small enough to be taken on camping trips or picnics. We also liked that it lights quickly and easily, and comes with a carrying case.
It’s small enough to be taken on camping trips or picnics. We also liked that it lights quickly and easily, and comes with a carrying case.
- The outside of the unit got very hot, so you’ll have to be extra careful if you have kids and pets.
The outside of the unit got very hot, so you’ll have to be extra careful if you have kids and pets.
If you’re the outdoorsy sort, you’ll love the Hi Flame Bonfire Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit for its compact size that makes it easy to take with you on camping trips, picnics, and beach days/nights.
Setting up the unit took about five minutes due in part to the straightforward instruction sheet that outlined how to set a fire and what precautions to take. We appreciated that the instructions also emphasized how hot the outside of the fire pit can get, which we experienced during testing. Overall, you’ll want to be careful using it with pets and kids.
It was easy to light the fire with just firewood, newspaper, and a standard long-handled lighter. To keep the fire going, we simply added one log at a time. We could feel a gentle warmth from 3-4 feet away from the unit, and the heat was consistent all around the fire pit. We can confirm that the unit was mostly smokeless in both smell and appearance, although there was some visible smoke and our clothes did have a very slight smoke smell.
Even though we tried the unit on a windy evening, nothing hazardous flew out. However, we recommend keeping the wood level lower if used in high winds so the flames stay below the rim. For its size, the unit gave off a good amount of heat, but wasn't overwhelming, and provided a nice ambiance, too.
The ash produced was around one cup per log, and cleaning out the ash was just as arduous as with any other fire pit. It’s not ideal for cooking as the flame isn’t controllable, and it’s also not the sort of fire pit you’d buy if keeping warm is a priority.
However, if you’re looking for a smokeless fire pit that is small enough to tote around if needed, we recommend this unit for its portability (it even comes with a carrying case with handles), and ease of use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 13 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel: Firewood
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RYAN SPRINGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RYAN SPRINGER
Best Smart
Biolite FirePit+
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance4.5/5
- Design5/5
- Smoke Control4.5/5
- Durability5/5
- You can control the smokeless fan function from your phone without having to get up from your deck chair.
You can control the smokeless fan function from your phone without having to get up from your deck chair.
- It’s not totally smoke-free.
It’s not totally smoke-free.
If you’re looking for something even more advanced than a smokeless fire pit, try one with smart capabilities like BioLite’s Smokeless Outdoor Wood and Charcoal Burning Fire Pit. The pit’s smokeless feature works when you turn on the fan, and this is controllable by phone app via Bluetooth, although you can manually change the fan strength on the unit as well.
The fire pit was easy to assemble and took just 10 minutes; we just had to fit a few pieces together and then attach the fan. To start the fire, we put in dry firewood and some newspaper before sparking it up with a lighter. Although the amount of smoke produced is much less than that of an average fire pit, there was still some visible smoke and a smoky smell. Turning the fan on to the highest setting really brought this down, but the fire doesn’t last as long.
The fire produced was impressively large (which could account for the slight smoke that was visible and smellable) and lasted a while. The fire pit comes with a grill grate and it roasted our marshmallows nicely and evenly. We had to be pretty close to the unit to feel the heat but when we were, we felt the warmth consistently around the circumference of the fire pit. The ash was minimal and was very easy to clean once it was safely cool.
The unit is lightweight, and compact making it very easy to move around—perfect for tailgates or camping. The material it’s made from is hefty enough to feel stable, but not so heavy that it was uncomfortable to transport. The legs also fold down so it becomes even easier to move and store.
This unit also has a nice design, but it might not be the best option for you if you’re not all that bothered about controlling the smokeless fan function from afar and prefer something that’s totally smokeless instead.
Product Details: Dimensions: 13 x 15 x 27 inches | Weight: 19.8 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel: Firewood or charcoal
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA ELLEFSON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA ELLEFSON
Best Design
Blue Sky Outdoor Living The Peak Smokeless Fire Pit
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Design4.8/5
- Smoke Control5/5
- Durability5/5
- It’s truly smokeless, burns efficiently, and gets remarkably hot.
It’s truly smokeless, burns efficiently, and gets remarkably hot.
- It doesn’t have handles to move it around so you have to wait till it’s completely cool before you do.
It doesn’t have handles to move it around so you have to wait till it’s completely cool before you do.
If you’re looking for an option that’ll double as decor in your outdoor space, this Blue Sky pick is one to consider. The fire pit has a sturdy build and a nice black finish with a minimal look that would work in just about any outdoor decor scheme.
The fire pit has three parts that took just two minutes to put together, and we appreciated that lighting the fire was easy as well. During testing, keeping the fire going was even easier as we didn’t have to move logs around to get a consistent burn—just toss a log into the pit and it’s good to go.
Very little smoke came from this unit and even with a smaller burn session and a smaller bundle of wood, the heat was still powerful (so much so that it was a bit uncomfortable when we got too close). It burned the wood evenly and the heat was emitted consistently and evenly around the pit. Overall, we felt it was one of the best options for larger group gatherings.
Although we noted minimal smoke during the lighting phase, once the flame was a few inches tall, the smoke virtually disappeared and stayed like that even when we added more wood. Very little ash remained, so it was simple to clean as well. There’s a removable catch pan that collects the ash, and a set of handles on the bottom grate enabling you to take it out to clean it off.
The unit was easily transportable, although handles on the unit itself would make it even easier to move around.
Product Details: Dimensions: 21 x 16 x 21 inches | Weight: 35.2 pounds | Material: Alloy steel | Fuel: Firewood
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KATIE ROUSSO
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KATIE ROUSSO
Best Tabletop
TerraFlame Wave Tabletop Fire Bowl
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Design4/5
- Smoke Control5/5
- Durability5/5
- It’s decorative and didn’t produce any ash during testing.
It’s decorative and didn’t produce any ash during testing.
- You’ll need gel canisters, which are much more expensive than other fuel types.
You’ll need gel canisters, which are much more expensive than other fuel types.
The TerraFlame Wave Tabletop Fire Bowl has a stylish and modern design, emits no visible smoke or smoky smell, and doesn’t need any cleanup. Overall, it’s the best option to use on a tabletop, gardens, patios, and even on smaller balconies and verandas.
The fuel source is a clean-burning gel canister that lights instantly, extinguishes just as swiftly, and leaves behind no residue, according to our testing. The flame at night was beautifully vibrant, giving off a soft, ambient light that we loved sitting around.
All of the pieces arrived in one box, so all we had to do was remove the fire bowl, add the included rocks around the opening for the fuel, add the gel canister, and light it with a match.
The unit comes with three canisters, each with three hours of burn time. It’s worth noting that additional replacement canisters for this pick are more expensive than other options, so you’ll want to factor that in. You’ll also need a flathead screwdriver to open the canister, so be sure to remember this if you’re taking the unit camping, on a picnic, or to the beach.
While there was no smoky smell or visible smoke, there was a mild chemical smell from the fuel gel, though it wasn't overbearing. You can only feel the heat from the fire bowl if you are right next to it, but if you are more than a foot away, don’t expect to get too toasty. Overall, this is more of an ambiance fire pit than a cooking one, so keep that in mind depending on your needs.
To put the fire out, we just put the lid on the gel canister, preserving the remaining gel for the next use. It’s easy to move around as it only weighs around 15 pounds, and it also comes with a protective cork base to keep the table safe. If design, lack of mess, and ease of use are top priorities, this just might be the right smokeless fire pit for your needs.
Product Details: Dimensions: 6 x 10.9 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Material: Concrete | Fuel: Gel
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MEGAN HECKERMAN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MEGAN HECKERMAN