The best smokeless fire pits for 2025 create a cozy ambiance without stinking up your clothes and stinging your eyes. (Amazon)
Fire pits are a surefire way to get more use out of your outdoor space, whether you're looking to warm things up during colder seasons or gather around a “campfire” on summer nights. They create a cozy ambiance, give off light and let you cook up s’mores and other fun bites over a roaring flame. Thanks to innovative materials and designs, the best smokeless fire pits for 2025 do all that while keeping the air clearer. Use them right, and experts say you shouldn’t have to worry about inhaling a ton of smoke — or smelling like a chiminea.
Have we sparked your interest? To help you choose the best smokeless fire pit for your landscape and lifestyle, we asked designers, camping pros and pit masters (including a bona fide "BBQ king") for the sizzling-hot models they recommend and use on the job, at home or on the road.
By far, Solo Stove came up the most in our conversations, but we also have some picks from other brands, plus tips on what to consider when shopping. If you don't find something you like, check our comprehensive fire pit guide for even more options. (And while you’re at it, consider a shiny new grill or a high-tech speaker to really get the party going!)
Update, July 8, 2025: We’ve confirmed current pricing and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick remains unchanged.
Size: 19.49"D x 17.52"H | Weight: 21.75 lbs. | Material: Stainless steel and silver, plus four color-coated options | Fuel type: Wood
Solo Stove came up over and over again when we talked to the pros. The company's smokeless, streamlined, user-friendly designs have helped make fire pits accessible for nearly every kind of homeowner.
The fire pits are designed to take in air at the bottom, then move it through a double-walled chamber before forcing it back out near the top, explains Sara Bendrick, a landscape contractor and owner of Sarita Landscapes in San Diego. “The air is hotter when it exits, allowing for a cleaner and hotter burn. Excess smoke is unburnt particles, which happens less when you have an efficient system like this.”
Though it's hard to choose the best Solo Stove, she's a fan of the Bonfire for its sturdy and sizable — yet still fairly lightweight — construction. “If you want to bring it to the beach, desert, or just move it around your yard, this is a great option," she says.
It's made of durable stainless steel and comes with a removable ash pan for easy maintenance. We also like how the 2.0 version includes a stand for creating more of a barrier between the pit and ground. Bonus: It's available in silver, as well as four color-coated options (two shades of green, plus red and navy), for customizing the look to your space.
Adds Bendrick, "You can also use this for a permanent backyard feature, but I would upgrade to the 27- or 30-inch in that case.”
Size: 17"D x 15"H | Weight: 15 lbs. | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel type: Wood
For something a bit more budget-friendly (and compact), Carolin Fuller, director of partnerships at the online camping resource and directory Campspot, says the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is where it's at.
“My husband and I enjoy camping and exploring the wilderness in spots off the beaten path, so the size and portability of a fire pit are important to us,” she explains. "The Ranger 2.0 is small enough to fit with the rest of our gear but big enough to throw off plenty of heat during cold nights in camp."
She also points out that this model comes with a convenient carrying case and a removable ash pan for easy cleanups. "And the smokeless design means we don’t have to play musical chairs to avoid stinging eyes.”
Like the Bonfire 2.0 above, the 2.0 version of the Ranger comes with a stand for better protecting your patio or deck (though you can purchase the original Ranger for about $50 less).
Fuller notes that many of her Campspot colleagues — and fellow nature lovers — also appreciate Solo Stove's accessories, like "a removable shield to minimize flying embers and a cast iron cooktop that turns your fire pit into a portable griddle — perfect for morning eggs and bacon!”
Size: 6"D x 6"H | Weight: 1.4 lbs. | Material: Stainless steel, plus eight color-coated options | Fuel type: Wood or pellets
Turn any table into a fire pit table with this shiny gizmo, which Scott Fischer, president and CEO of the online butcher shop Happy to Meat You, calls “a little ball of contained fire.”
“I use the Solo Stove Mesa for atmosphere and heat on my condo balcony," he shares. "It's small enough to sit on an outdoor patio table — even a two-seater bistro table — and robust enough to emit a warm flame on cool summer nights and cold winter nights as well.”
As a chef and former catering company owner, Fischer says he likes how versatile the Mesa is. "My wife and I take it with us when we road trip to see our daughter and grandchild in Colorado. Camping is a must with our grandchildren, who love using the Mesa to make s’mores ... with supervision, of course.”
The Mesa offers the widest color selection of any Solo Stove, including classic silver, off-white, red, navy and olive green. Fischer's also a fan of the brand's accessories, "from chunk wood and fire starters to color packs that add a vibrant multicolor flame experience — really cool!”
Dimensions: 22"D x 14.75"H | Weight: 47 lbs. | Material: Stainless steel or Corten steel | Fuel type: Wood
Breeo is another quality (read: heavy-duty) fire pit for those who want to re-create the campfire experience — or cook up a hearty meal. The brand makes a few accessories just for that purpose, including a grill grate and flat-top griddle.
“The fire pit is not only beautiful but durable," says Michael Scheinman, CEO of the campsite directory Campspot. "I like how the thick walls guard it from excess wind and weather. My only word of caution is you will want all of the accessories, which will turn you into a grill master, as well!”
Bendrick is also a fan: "It's a beautiful fire pit that has a refined look and works with rustic, Mediterranean or modern aesthetics," she says. She likes the Series 19 and the Series 24 ($799) for a small or medium-size yard; if you have a bigger group of six or more she recommends upgrading to the Series 30, which is about 35 inches, ($1,599) or the Series 42, which is 46 inches ($3,000).
Of course, if you're planning to cook, the bigger models will accommodate more food. They're pricey, but in theory, could take the place of a grill.
Size: 30"D x 19"H | Weight: 55 lbs. | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel type: Wood
Solo Stove's largest fire pit is a favorite of interior designer India Blow, co-founder of I & I Design. "While it does emit some smoke, the amount is considerably less than old school fire pits, including our chiminea at home," she explains. "Our best friends have this fire pit and enjoy it as close to year-round as possible living in New York City."
She suggests using kiln-dried wood as fuel: "The aroma will be more distinct — and in many cases, you'll get a cleaner, brighter fire," she says.
For a slightly smaller but still roomy option, Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen, a virtual landscape and outdoor design company, recommends the Solo Stove Yukon. At 27 inches, it works for six or more people. "It's a great size and emits good heat," he says. "It also really does produce much less smoke the other wood-burning options." And there you have it!
Dimensions: 39"D x 18"H | Weight: Unknown | Material: Concrete, in pewter or natural | Fuel type: Propane
If a smokeless fire is what you're after, Lenhart says to consider propane options, which he says burn cleaner than wood fire pits. And this sculptural fire table from McGee & Co. is his top pick. "Although it's on the pricier side, it's beautiful, built to last, and will serve as an anchoring focal point in any yard."
The fire table (this style is also referred to as a bowl) is compatible with a regular propane tank and has a burn time of up to 20 hours. If you leave it on the highest settings, you'll get a blaze that lasts about six hours. It measures 39 inches, so it's large enough to warm up a crowd.
It's also water- and frost-proof, though the brand recommends covering or storing the pit during inclement weather. (See here for more of the best fire pit tables across different price points.)
Before you shop for a smokeless fire pit, put some real thought into where and how you’ll actually use it. Larger (often heavier) fire pits are ideal for bigger spaces and larger groups, whereas compact, lighter fire pits are optimal for smaller spaces and traveling. Also consider these factors:
Fuel type: Even if they're considered smokeless, wood-fueled fire pits will have a scent (and may give food a slightly smokey flavor). But they require more maintenance, including arranging the wood and kindling and tending to it as the fire burns. Gas-fueled fire pits are typically easier to use and less smoky, but they require a propane source, whether a tank or a natural gas line.
Safety and space: Regardless of the fuel type, fire pits should be reserved for open, outdoor areas, ideally with a perimeter of at least two feet. Don't toss foreign materials into the flame and always make sure the fire pit is properly secured and guarded when not in use, taking extra precautions around kids and pets.
We researched top-selling smokeless fire pits, sorting through hundreds of customer reviews, and interviewed landscape architects, interior designers, professional chefs and camping pros for insight and personal recommendations. We also relied on our experiences as longtime home editors and included fire pits that we've owned and/or tested.
The National Association of Realtors recommends traditional fire pits be placed at least 10 feet away from your house, shed, deck and any vehicles, and you should also steer clear of low-hanging branches and other potentially flammable landscaping elements. In some towns you need to keep a distance of 25 feet, so check your local guidelines. We suggest opting for more compact, tabletop fire pits (such as the Solo Mesa) for tight spaces, and checking with local authorities if you're not sure what's allowed in your area. Once the fire pit is in place, sit at least a few feet away from the live flame and don't leave it unattended. Always keep an eye on kids or pets in the vicinity.
A fire pit can be an investment — permanent options can hit the thousand-dollar range — but a worthwhile one. Some landscape experts suggest a quality fire pit enhanced by a well-designed landscape can increase the value of your home. It’s easy to see how adding structures and features to a property could make it more appealing to potential buyers. But, just as with installing a pool or planting trees, this is an instance where the beauty (or at least the practicality) is in the eye of the beholder.
Fires give off smoke if they don't have enough oxygen, heat or fuel. Smokeless fire pits are often designed with extra vents and double walls to help solve those issues. Using dry wood can also help, as the moisture in wet wood creates the perfect environment for an (unwanted) smoke show.
Our research suggests that there’s some concern around fire pits drawing bugs, mostly attracted by firewood (think: termites, carpenter ants and other wood-destroying insects) and/or food, if you use your fire pit as a grill. Outdoor pests typically come with the territory (after all, nature is their home too), but there are several things you can do: Opt for a wood-burning fire pit with a mesh covering for added protection, invest in some bug sprays or pest-repelling bracelets, and be sure to put firewood and food away in a contained space when you’re through.
