The best fire pits
Pull up a chair and stay out after dark: fire pits that throw out real warmth, whether it's two of you on the patio or a crowd on bonfire night.
A fire pit turns a patio into somewhere to spend the evening, long after the sun has gone down and well into autumn. Mesh sides show off the flames and spread the heat, a solid bowl holds more logs, and a double-walled steel drum like the Solo Stove burns with far less smoke.
Burn dry, seasoned wood: it lights more easily and smokes much less. Keep the fire well away from fences, sheds and overhanging branches, never leave it burning unattended, and use a spark guard on breezy nights. Keep children and pets back, as the bowl stays hot long after the flames have died down.
What matters
- Size: how many people will sit round it, and how long your logs are.
- A mesh spark guard for breezy nights and wooden decking.
- Steel is lighter to move; cast iron is heavy and built to last.
- Extras: a grill for cooking, or an ash pan for easy emptying.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit with Stand
£249.99 RRP
Its double-walled steel drum draws air in low down and feeds it back over the top of the fire, so the logs burn hot and clean with very little smoke, and nobody goes to bed smelling of bonfire. The stand keeps the heat off decking and grass. Solo Stove was started by two brothers, Jeff and Spencer Jan, with a small wood-burning camping stove.
What owners say: Owners say there's hardly any smoke, it gives off lots of heat, and it looks smart and feels built to last, in the garden or on a camping trip.
A closer look: Solo Stove suggests starting it with three or four dry logs; a little smoke at first is normal and clears once the fire gets going. Once it's cold, lift out the base plate and empty the ash pan, and it's ready for next time.
- Low-smoke double-wall design
- 304 stainless steel
- Removable ash pan
- Stand and carry case included
- No assembly
Best for: Less smoke, more flame
- Size
- 49.5cm across, 36.2cm high (plus 7.1cm stand)
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Spark guard
- No
- Cooking grill
- No
#2 of 5
Runner-up
VonHaus Geo Fire Pit with Mesh Lid and Poker
£59.99 RRP
Mesh sides show the flames from every seat, and the geometric bronze-look frame is a good-looking thing to have on the patio even when it isn't lit. At 4.1kg, it's easy to carry to wherever the chairs are.
What owners say: Owners love watching the flames through the mesh sides, find it easy to put together and sturdy, and say it gives off a good heat.
Heads up: VonHaus says never to stand it on decking or anything else that could burn, and to keep it under a cover between fires.
A closer look: The mesh lid stays on while it burns to keep sparks in; lift it off with the poker when it needs more wood. VonHaus's own favourite use for the poker is toasting marshmallows.
- Wood or charcoal
- Mesh spark lid included
- Fire poker included
- Carry handles, 4.1kg
- 55cm high, 54.5cm across
Best for: Watching the flames
- Size
- 55cm high, 54.5cm across
- Material
- Steel, bronze-look finish
- Spark guard
- Yes
- Cooking grill
- No
#3 of 5
Best for all-round heat
Yaheetech Hexagon Fire Pit with Spark Screen and Poker (60.5cm)
£50–£75 Price range
Six mesh walls let the fire breathe and throw heat out all round, and raised bars under the logs stop ash choking the air holes, so the fire keeps drawing well through the evening.
What owners say: Owners say it's an attractive centrepiece that's easy to assemble, holds a decent load of logs and gives lovely warmth all round.
A closer look: The 51cm poker lifts the spark screen off from a safe distance when it's time for more logs. Yaheetech says to use it on stone, concrete or sand, never on the lawn or a wooden deck.
- Six mesh sides
- Spark screen
- 51cm fire poker
- Charcoal or logs
- 60.5 × 60.5 × 62cm
Best for: Warmth for everyone round it
- Size
- 60.5 × 60.5 × 62cm
- Material
- Black painted metal
- Spark guard
- Yes
- Cooking grill
- No
#4 of 5
Best for big gatherings
Harbour Housewares Large Cast Iron Fire Bowl (100cm)
£100–£150 Price range
A metre-wide cast-iron bowl on a low tripod, big enough for a crowd to gather round at a party or on bonfire night. Heavy cast iron radiates the heat well and stands up to years of use.
What owners say: Owners say it's sturdy and built to last for years, goes together in about ten minutes, and is great value for the size.
A closer look: It's heavy, so choose its spot before the first fire; the legs come off when it's time to store it for winter. Some owners cook over it too, though a grill rack isn't included.
- 100cm cast-iron bowl
- Tripod base with side handles
- Legs detach for storage
- Wood or charcoal
- Fittings and hex key included
Best for: Parties and big gardens
- Size
- 100cm bowl, 42cm high
- Material
- Cast iron
- Spark guard
- No
- Cooking grill
- No
#5 of 5
Best budget
Vivo Square Fire Pit with BBQ Grill, Mesh Lid and Poker
£20–£30 Price range
Fire pit and barbecue in one: the grill sits over the coals for burgers and sausages, then comes off so the mesh lid can go on for an evening round the fire. At 46cm square, it's sized for a small garden.
What owners say: Owners say it's just right for a small garden, easy to put together and use, and gives off plenty of heat.
A closer look: For cooking, use charcoal and wait until the coals have turned grey before the food goes on, then add logs afterwards for a fire to sit round. Stand it on level paving, well away from fences and sheds.
- Grill for cooking, 43 × 43cm
- Mesh spark lid
- Fire poker included
- Wood or charcoal
- No tools to assemble
Best for: Barbecues in a small garden
- Size
- 46 × 46 × 33cm
- Material
- Powder-coated iron
- Spark guard
- Yes
- Cooking grill
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 | #2VonHaus Geo | #3Yaheetech hexagon | #4Harbour 100cm cast iron | #5Vivo square |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Runner-up | Best for all-round heat | Best for big gatherings | Best budget | |
| Picked Rating | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Price | £249.99 RRP | £59.99 RRP | £50–£75 Price range | £100–£150 Price range | £20–£30 Price range |
| Size | 49.5cm across, 36.2cm high (plus 7.1cm stand) | 55cm high, 54.5cm across | 60.5 × 60.5 × 62cm | 100cm bowl, 42cm high | 46 × 46 × 33cm |
| Material | Stainless steel | Steel, bronze-look finish | Black painted metal | Cast iron | Powder-coated iron |
| Spark guard | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cooking grill | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Best for | Less smoke, more flame | Watching the flames | Warmth for everyone round it | Parties and big gardens | Barbecues in a small garden |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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