The 8 Best Smokeless Fire Pits, Tested and Reviewed
A smokeless fire pit creates an inviting campfire vibe that extends enjoying a backyard space well into the evening. But traditional fire pits can produce a significant amount of unpleasant smoke and ash, which can cause coughing and leave a strong smell on clothing and hair. We tested smokeless outdoor fire pits in our backyards to see how well their double-wall design could create warmth and flickering flames without producing smoke (though depending on fuel, some might produce ash and embers).
Depending on the type, these fire pits can burn gas, wood, pellets, and even biomass (a fuel source from renewable organic material derived from plants and animals). The best smokeless fire pits range in size from small portable appliances weighing less than 20 pounds to full-size versions as wide as 30 inches in diameter.
We tested several popular low-smoke models to find out if they really improved the backyard fire pit experience and to see how durable they are. We also reached out to experts Leroy Hite, CEO of Cutting Edge Firewood in Atlanta, Georgie; and Leah Nanaa, head of content at System Pavers, an outdoor remodeling company in Santa Ana, California. To see how the products below fared, read our test results on some of the top units on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Smokeless Fire Pit
- RUNNER-UP: Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Blue Sky Outdoor Living The Ridge Smokeless Fire Pit
- BEST PELLET: Inno Stage Smokeless Wood Pellet Fire Pit
- BEST PROPANE: Outland Living Mega Smokeless Fire Pit
- BEST DESIGN: Tiki Brand Smokeless Patio Fire Pit
- BEST TECH: BioLite FirePit+ Wood & Charcoal Burning Fire Pit
- BEST TABLETOP: Solo Stove Mesa XL Tabletop Fire Pit
How We Tested the Best Smokeless Fire Pits
We determined that the most important factors in choosing a smokeless fire pit included high-quality construction, ease of transportation and assembly, long burn time, low smoke, and less ash than with a traditional fire pit. With the exception of the gas model, the testing process was virtually the same: Assemble the appliance, light the fire, fill the burn chamber to capacity, and then observe the flame quality, burn-down time, and ash volume.
In terms of materials and construction, stainless steel scored best for overall durability, while other types of steel coated with high-temperature paint offer an affordable alternative. When it came to portability, the top performers were smaller and lighter, included carrying cases, and burned a wider range of materials.
To create smokeless fire, these pits have a dual-wall design and outstanding fuel ventilation with unobstructed airflow through the wall and beneath the fuel source, which is integral to top performance. These features also lead to the signature bright flame and reduced ash associated with smokeless fire pits. The best performers achieved the bright secondary burn quickly, sustained it longer, and thus produced less smoke and ash.
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 8
- Hours spent testing: 32
- Tests performed: 5
- Average price: $262.88
Our Top Picks
We tested some of the best smokeless fire pits categorized by size and fuel type. Read on to learn more about their construction and how each one performed.
Best Overall
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Smokeless Fire Pit
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Lack of Smoke 4.75/5; Quality 5/5; Portability 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Material(s): Stainless steel
- Size: 19.5-inch diameter
- Fuel source: Wood
What We Like
- Double-walled design delivers excellent flame quality, heat, and smoke control
- Produces almost no ash for easy cleanup after use
- Lightweight 23.3-pound construction; carrying case is included
What We Don’t Like
- No ash drawer, which means users will want to wait for the entire pit to cool before cleanup
This Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is large enough to warm a backyard living space yet lightweight enough to transport to a campground or tailgating event. The double-wall design pulls in outside air through holes in the base and releases inside the top rim to provide oxygen for a secondary burn that minimizes smoke output.
Solo Stove products receive lots of attention, and after testing the Bonfire 2.0, we’ve got to say that this one lives up to the hype. After a quick, easy start using natural tinder and a few pieces of kindling, we loaded the burn chamber with firewood pieces about 12 inches long. There was a small amount of smoke while the walls heated up, but the smoke quickly dissipated once the large firewood was well lit. Within about 10 minutes, the secondary burn kicked in for a bright, cheerful display.
The burn down lasted about 2 hours after we’d added the last piece of wood. After about 3 hours, almost no material (coals or ash) was left inside the burn chamber. Overall, the visual flame quality, warming heat (especially with the heat deflector installed), and smoke control were excellent, though the heat deflector somewhat inhibits sightlines. Burn length was good, but fuel goes quickly because of the highly oxygenated burn chamber.
Read our full review: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Smokeless Fire Pit
Get the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 smokeless fire pit at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Solo Stove.
Runner-Up
Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Lack of Smoke 4.75/5; Quality 5/5; Portability 3.5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Material(s): Stainless steel and corten steel
- Size: 27.5-inch diameter
- Fuel source: Wood
What We Like
- Heavy-duty construction of 304 stainless and corten steel for extreme durability
- Through-the-floor ventilation maximizes airflow through the fire for improved efficiency
- Dual-wall design facilitates the secondary combustion that eliminates smoke
- Numerous cooking accessories sold separately to enhance this model’s functionality
What We Don’t Like
- At 62 pounds, it’s one of the heaviest we tested; not easily portable
- Price point is significantly higher than some similarly designed models
The Breeo uses a dual-wall design to eliminate would-be smoke as it exits the top of the appliance, creating a bright, warm, and pleasant atmosphere for an evening around the fire. One big difference between the Breeo X series and the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is the focus on durability versus portability. The Solo Stove incorporates thinner steel for an easy-to-carry build that weighs about 20 pounds, but the marginally larger Breeo X Series 24 doubles down on heavy-duty construction. It burns 16- to 18-inch logs and can reside outdoors year-round.
We loved the corten-steel fire bowl’s sturdy build and rustic style. Corten is a high-strength steel that weathers to an earthy iron-oxide finish. The oxidized surface seals off the material beneath, protecting it like paint so that it remains structurally sound. The stainless steel legs made a nice contrast, and both materials are equally durable. The X series is alternatively available with a brushed stainless steel fire bowl for those who prefer the sleek, shiny look.
In action, the Breeo performed exceptionally well. The fire bowl is well oxygenated thanks to 64 air-vent holes in a raised “X” pattern in the bottom, which helps the wood burn fast. We burned through two bundles of firewood in a little more than 4 hours our first time using it. There was no smoke as long as the wood was well seasoned, dry, and did not stick out above the rim. Poor-quality firewood (wet, green, or partially rotten) and overstuffing the firebox led to a higher likelihood of smoke.
This is an excellent heavy-duty product for those who appreciate attention to detail. All of the welds were clean and smooth. The legs sat squarely on a hard flat surface, with no wobble before or after burning, no warping, and no unnecessary moving parts.
Read our full review: Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit
Get the Breeo smokeless fire pit at Ace Hardware (stainless steel), The Home Depot, or Breeo.
Best Bang for the Buck
Blue Sky Outdoor Living The Ridge Smokeless Fire Pit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Lack of Smoke 5/5; Quality 4/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.75/5
Product Specs
- Material(s): Alloy steel
- Size: 11.6-inch diameter
- Fuel source: Wood or wood pellets
What We Like
- Value price, but with excellent smoke control and warmth
- Detachable base fits inside firebox, which then fits inside included carrying case
- Lightweight (14.8 pounds) for fantastic portability
What We Don’t Like
- Padding or cover required under unit as it can damage underlying surfaces
- Burns through pellets faster than the competition
This Blue Sky is lightweight but large enough to warm a backyard get-together or a tailgating event. Its base detaches from the firebox and fits inside it, and it also comes with a carrying case that has a shoulder strap. The Blue Sky logo surrounding the base doubles as a vent to supply airflow to the firebox. It doesn’t have the stainless steel construction of other more expensive models, but it’s more affordable thanks to its black alloy-steel construction.
In testing, we were impressed that this budget pick delivered a comparable performance to the Inno Stage, except the pellets burned up faster and cleaner. Construction is similar as well, but this fire pit for outdoors has more airflow coming through the pellet base grid, resulting in a faster, cleaner burn and higher flames. Burn-down time was about 35 minutes, and all material was burned up within 1 hour. It gave us outstanding visual flame quality with excellent smoke control and warmth, but this pit will need more pellets on hand to keep up with some of the best pellet burners.
Get the Blue Sky Outdoor Living smokeless fire pit at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., Walmart, or Blue Sky Outdoor Living.
Best Pellet
Inno Stage Smokeless Wood Pellet Fire Pit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Lack of Smoke 5/5; Quality 4/5; Portability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Material(s): Stainless steel
- Size: 15-inch diameter
- Fuel source: Wood pellets
What We Like
- Multiple sizes available to accommodate various outdoor spaces
- Lightweight, portable design includes built-in handles and a carrying case
- Built-in grate supports air circulation and maximum flame production
What We Don’t Like
- Loses flame before all pellets are fully burned
- Metal became discolored after the first burn and might rust over time
A solid build, attractive finish, and versatile size make this smokeless wood fire pit from Inno Stage one of the best pellet-fueled options around. At 15 inches in diameter (other sizes are available), the Inno Stage is large enough for a backyard hangout while still remaining portable thanks to its side handles and carrying case.
Geometric designs in the vents and a stainless steel finish add to its aesthetics as well as its durability. A grate on the bottom and holes on all of its sides promote airflow for the heating chamber while eliminating smoke through secondary combustion.
Pellet models were new to our testing team, so we were happily surprised at their ease of use. We loaded the Inno Stage with a 2-inch layer of wood pellets, applied an ounce or so of charcoal lighter fluid, and lit the pellets in several places. Within a minute or so, the surface was covered with flame, and a few minutes later, the flames reached about 18 inches above the pit, and the secondary burn began.
The burn down lasted about 40 minutes, and a thin layer of glowing pellet embers was left smoldering. Within an hour, virtually all of the material in the chamber had burned up. The visual flame quality and smoke control were excellent, and the warmth was good. With its compact size and mess-free pellet fuel, this could make a convenient choice for urban dwellers and those with smaller patio spaces.
Get the Inno Stage smokeless fire pit at Amazon.
Best Propane
Outland Living Mega Smokeless Fire Pit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Lack of Smoke 5/5; Quality 4.5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Material(s): Alloy and stainless steel
- Size: 24-inch diameter
- Fuel source: Propane
What We Like
- Output of 58,000 British thermal units (BTUs) sufficient to warm large spaces like campsites
- 4 pounds of lava rock included, plus an ultraviolet (UV)- and weather-resistant cover
- 10-foot hose keeps propane tank out of sight
- Large control knob makes it easy to adjust flame size
What We Don’t Like
- Gas hose could be a tripping hazard if not placed properly
- Large size, long hose, and need for propane make it less convenient to transport
With an easy-to-light design and no mess to clean up afterward, the Outland Living is a breeze to maintain. Boasting a powerful burner, this large smokeless fire pit is ideal for warming up a chilly backyard or camp