Best Overall Portable Fire Pit
Snow Peak Takibi Fire Pit & Grill
Best Overall Portable Fire Pit
Snow Peak Takibi Fire Pit & Grill
Pros
- Easy to set up and pack down
- Packs into a slim travel case
- Grill attachments are a great touch
- Sturdy when in use
You can buy this as just the fire pit… But the joy of a fire pit, we think, is everything else you can do with it. So, we will always say spring for the full Takibi grill with your Snow Peak fire pit. (It’s only $100 extra.) You can go beyond the usual hotdogs on a stick and cook steaks, whole fish, and vegetables.
And strictly as a fire pit, this one really is superior to the rest. The triangular shape helps it pack flat into the included canvas bag, but the shape also helps the fire pit accommodate more wood with a smaller footprint. It’s easy to set up, easy to pack away, and it’s nice and sturdy when in use.
Weight32 lbs Dimensions17.7″ x 17.9″ x 12″Item Dimensions LxWxH21.42 x 21.61 x 5.24 InchesEasily Packable Fire Pit
Campfire Defender Pop-Up Fire Pit
Easily Packable Fire Pit
Campfire Defender Pop-Up Fire Pit
Pros
- Our favorite size and shape when packed
- Steel mesh allows plenty of air flow
- Heat shield keeps ground beneath cool and safe
Cons
- A bit flimsier than other models
Campfire Defender’s fire pit is the best combination of size and packability. The aluminum fire pit weighs under eight pounds, and it makes up neatly into the provided carry case.
Set up takes a bit longer than on some of the other models, and because it’s so lightweight it can be a bit flimsy. But the walls of the pit are a nice size, and the steel mesh the wood sits on provides your coals with plenty of air, kicking up the heat of your fire. So long as you have even ground to set up on, you won’t have any issues.
Weight7.2 lbsDimensions 24″ x 24″ x 15Best Smokeless Fire Pit
Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 with Stand
Best Smokeless Fire Pit
Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 with Stand
Pros
- Easy to pack and move
- Really good at redirecting smoke
- A ton of available attachments
Cons
- Doesn’t put out a ton of heat
If you want something smokeless, it’s got to be a Solo Stove. The brand makes hands-down, the best smokeless fire pits out there. They look good, and they’re incredible at redirecting smoke.
The Ranger is the smaller of the brand’s midsized models, just a bit smaller than the Bonfire. The Bonfire is the ideal size for a backyard, but for a car camping or overlanding trip, The Ranger is easier to transport, pack, and move around.
Weight15 lbsDimensions15″ x 16.25″Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Easiest to Use Fire Pit
Inno Stage Wood Pellet Smokeless Fire Pit
Easiest to Use Fire Pit
Inno Stage Wood Pellet Smokeless Fire Pit
Now 11% Off
Pros
- Smokeless
- Puts out a decent amount of heat
- Easy to store and move
Cons
- Wood pellets aren’t as fun, burning with no crackle or embers
Wood pellets are the answer for when proper firewood is a bit too difficult to come by. If you’re on a long trip and in a part of the country that doesn’t allow burning found wood, packing enough firewood for a few days isn’t really that feasible. Wood pellets pack down neater, and make a decent flame.
As far as pellet-burning fire pits go, Inno Stage makes the best we could find. The pit is affordable, easy to carry, and smokeless. It puts out plenty of heat, but the metal cools down relatively quickly, so you can dispose of the ashes and go. A surprisingly good fire pit all around.
Weight16 lbsDimensions7″ x 15″ x 12.5″Best for Backpacking
Solo Stove Lite & Pot 900 Combo
Best for Backpacking
Solo Stove Lite & Pot 900 Combo
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Incredible lightweight
- Nests well, space-saving
- As reliable as a gas-powered backpacking stove
- Removes the need to pack heavy fuel canisters
Cons
- More of a tool, not a proper fire pit
At backpacking size you kind of lose the benefits of a fire pit, but technically… this is a fire pit. You don’t get serious heat output, but this little Solo Stove burns real wood, so if you’re you near it you get the benefit.
We’d suggest this as an easier alternative to a traditional backpacking stove. If you’re in an area where found wood is plentiful, you don’t have to worry about packing fuel. But thanks to Solo Stove’s clever design, you get plenty of airflow and the same consistency of a gas-powered backpacking stove.
Weight9 oz.Dimensions4.25″ x 5.7″Best Electric Portable Fire Pit
BioLite FirePit+
Best Electric Portable Fire Pit
BioLite FirePit+
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Does a great job with wood or charcoal, great for fire restriction season
- Simple ignition
- Electric fan controls temperature and flame
Cons
- Pricey, and a bit gimmicky with a partner app
If you’re in a part of the country where there are always going to be fire restriction seasons, you’ll want a fire pit that can also burn charcoal. BioLite’s FirePit+ was our favorite for that purpose.
Ignition is electric and incredibly simple, and once a flame is going an internal fan keeps air flowing onto the coals. The battery can last for up to 30 hours of run time, and it all makes the FirePit+ adapt at pumping out heat with wood or charcoal. There’s a grill attachment for easy meals, and the mesh sides allow the heat to disperse straight to you.
This thing is an investment, but because of its versatility, we think it’s a worthy one.
Weight19.8 lbsDimensions27″ x 13″ x 15.8″Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best for Backyards
Amazon Basics Stone Square Fire Pit
Best for Backyards
Amazon Basics Stone Square Fire Pit
Pros
- Good looking
- Drinks lip all the way around was very convenient
- Lightweight, incredibly easy to move
- Spark screen is a nice touch
Cons
- Not portable in the traveling sense
For some people “portable” means “I can move it around the backyard with ease.” And for that purpose, Amazon makes a great standing fire pit.
First, we were pleasantly surprised by the design, as this thing looks a lot nicer than the price would suggest. Second, we loved the lip all the way around the pit. It makes for a nice place to set drinks, feet, and whatever else. And lastly, at only about 27 pounds, it’s lightweight enough for one person to move.
Weight26.7 lbsDimensions31.9″ x 31.9″ x 23.2″EsquireEsquire Lettermark logo
Luke Guillory
Associate Commerce Editor
Luke Guillory is the Associate Commerce Editor at Esquire.
