Best fire pit: for cosy evenings in the garden

Find the best fire pit for your garden with our top picks of gas and wood-fired pits, as well as fire bowls and kadai-style pits

Best fire pit
(Image credit: La Hacienda)

The best fire pit is an essential purchase for keeping your garden warm, cosy, and atmospheric in the winter months. Many of the best fire pits on the market come with wood-fired designs that will allow you to enjoy all the crackling and authentic flames of a traditional campfire, in a controlled kadai bowl.

We've also included sleek and modern fire pits in our top roundup, which will be perfect on stylish patios and in more compact spaces. The best fire pit can often be available with an elevated design to keep your grass or tiles from scorching while you enjoy a roaring fire. If you want something more low-maintenance, we've included some of the best gas fire pits in this guide too, because they can be switched on and off very easily and won't give off as much smoke. 

With both warmth and light, a fire pit will stand in for the best patio heater, but with a lot more theatre. Some will even have grill inserts, which allow you to turn them into a BBQ for nibbles and late-night snacks. While we focus on gas and wood-fired fire pits in this guide, we also have a dedicated page to the best chimineas

Outdoor Brazier

(Image credit: Cox & Cox)

1. Forest and Co Steel Fire Pit

Best fire pit overall: perfect for entertaining or making a statement

Specifications

Best for: Simple style
Fuel type: Wood
Size: H34.5 x W55 x D55cm in Smal
Material: Heavy Gauge Raw Steel

Reasons to buy

+
Ages well
+
Large design
+
Low maintenance

Reasons to avoid

-
No cover

With a traditional design and sturdy cast iron construction, this fire pit is built to last. The Forest and Co Outdoor Brazier will dominate your garden, but there's a medium size for smaller homes. It leaves plenty of space for firewood and is easy enough to transport.

The Forest and Co Outdoor Brazier is made of hardy Heavy Gauge Raw Steel and will age well, although do expect some oxidization with age. It will naturally rust over time for that authentic fire pit look, and the exposed top means it's perfect for toasting marshmallows. 

Mahone Iron Propane Gas Fire Ring

(Image credit: Dakota Fields)

2. Mahone Iron Propane Gas Fire Ring

Best gas fire pit: easy to light and can be placed on a tabletop

Specifications

Best for: Gas fuelled
Fuel type: Gas
Size: H31 x W26 x D26cm
Material: Iron

Reasons to buy

+
Three colours to choose from
+
Portable
+
Safe basket
+
Easy ignition

Reasons to avoid

-
On the small side

The Mahone Iron Propane Gas Fire Ring from Dakota Fields comes in black, white and olive colours and is powered by propane. That means it's easy to ignite and can sit on the top of your table as you enjoy evenings out on the patio.

The basket design is striking and also adds a level of safety. The top is lined with sleek stones and you can increase the size of the flame by turning up the propane levels. 

It is a little on the small side, but this tabletop option is a smoke-free and portable option that's perfect for smaller spaces. 

Centurion Supports Fireology GINESSA Fire Pit

(Image credit: Centurion Supports Fireology GINESSA Fire Pit)

3. Centurion Supports Fireology GINESSA Fire Pit

Best multifunctional firepit: store as a table or use as a grill

Specifications

Best for: Multifunction
Fuel type: Wood
Size: ‎111 x 11 x 11 cm
Material: Steel and ceramic

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to store 
+
Functions as a patio table
+
Can be used as a grill
+
Perfect for entertaining

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the largest fire pit

If you want to dabble with having a fire pit but aren't sure about committing to the space requirements, how about the Centurion Supports Fireology? This fire pit is built into a mosaic patio table, with an insert that can be easily stored on the shelf below the pit itself. 

You can use this fire pit as an alternative to the best BBQs, making it great for entertaining. It's also nice and tall, so unlikely to scorch your lawn. The actual fire pit is on the small side, but as a furniture piece we think it's genius. Plus, you could even use the pit to ice your wine or put plants when it's not in use as a fire pit. 

Esschert Design fire pit

(Image credit: Esschert Design)

4. Esschert Design Fallen Fruits Oxidised Woodland Fire Globe

Best globe fire pit: we can't get enough of this woodland design

Specifications

Best for: Natural construction
Fuel type: Wood
Size: 60.5 x 60.5 x 49.5 cm
Material: Oxidised metal

Reasons to buy

+
In touch with nature
+
Casts beautiful shadows
+
The globe design is safer than most 
+
Easy to assemble

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest 
-
The oxidised look isn't for everyone 

Painting a beautiful woodland scene, the Esschert Design Fallen Fruits Oxidised Woodland Fire Globe is a total showstopper of a fire pit. The globe design will cast beautiful shadows on your garden and will also act as a shield for any spitting or exposed flames. 

The globe comes pre-oxidised, which we think completes the rustic and natural look. If you want something sleeker though, this isn't the best fire pit for you. If you did want to opt for something more exposed, the globe top can be removed from the stand for it to act as a traditional open fire pit. 

La Hacienda fire pit

(Image credit: Argos)

5. La Hacienda Steel Firepit

Best budget fire pit: cheap and cheerful

Specifications

Best for: Budget
Fuel type: Wood
Size: H23 x D54cm
Material: Steel

Reasons to buy

+
Portable
+
Comes with a stand
+
A decent size
+
Amazingly affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks the style 

If you want a cheap fire pit, look no further than the La Hacienda Steel Firepit. It's made of 100% steel and comes with a stand which boosts its modest size. This fire pit runs on fire wood and you can buy a grill to make it more multi-functional.

The deep design will contain plenty of fuel, and the rim will make sure it doesn't spill. We also like the black paint on the La Hacienda Steel Firepit which gives is a sleek finish, although if you want this to last, don't leave it out in the rain.  

All Things Brighton Beautiful Fibre Clay Fire Pit

(Image credit: All Things Brighton Beautiful)

6. Fibre Clay Fire Pit

Best modern-looking fire pit: a classy focal point

Specifications

Best for: Modern style
Fuel type: Wood
Size: H38 x D54.5cm
Material: Powder Coated Steel and Fibre Clay

Reasons to buy

+
Modern design
+
Simple two-part construction
+
Will look good when rusted
+
Plastic stoppers on feet

Reasons to avoid

-
At 11kg it will be tricky to move

We've zoned in on the circular design, but the Fibre Clay Fire Pit also comes in square. The grate is fine enough to protect those sitting around it, while still letting you enjoy the view of the fire. 

Because the base is fibre clay, the Fibre Clay Fire Pit is a very durable fire pit. The metal topper is designed to rust, so don't be surprised when it does, but you can cover it up when not in use to keep it save when not in use. 

What is the best fire pit? 

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

We think the Cox & Cox Fire Pit Bowl is the best fire pit you can buy. It has a classic construction and the iron sheet design is built to last. Ensure you get the best price by using one of our Cox & Cox discount codes.

If you want something a little cheaper, the La Hacienda Steel Firepit is a brilliant budget fire pit that packs in plenty of style for its price. 

What to know before buying a fire pit

Can I stop a fire pit from rusting? 

Fire pits are prone to rust, often coming in hardy metal designs that can withstand high temperatures. You can buy high heat Rustoleum to coat the fire pit even in high heats, but many people actually like the rusty look of a traditional fire pit. If you don't, consider buying one with a powder coated finish. 

Should I buy a fire pit or a chiminea? 

A chiminea is very similar to a fire pit in that it's designed to add light and heat to your outdoor space, but unlike fire pits they have a chimney-style design that directs smoke upwards and contains the fire to a greater extent. We've covered the best chimineas you can buy in a separate guide.

If you want to enjoy the open flames or toast marshmallows, a fire pit will give you that authentic campfire experience. Chimineas are preferable to those with smaller gardens because they're not as exposed and often are easier to store. 

Can I put a fire pit on a wood deck? 

Usually the answer is no, but check the specifications of your specific fire pit. Some fire pits come with high enough stands that they're unlikely to scorch or burn your deck, but it's definitely better to err on the side of caution if the guidance doesn't explicitly say a fire pit is safe for use on a wood deck. 

Millie Fender
Head of Reviews

Millie joined the Real Homes team in 2021 after working at TopTenReviews as a Staff Writer. Formerly our Small Appliance Editor, she is now Head of Reviews and is constantly making sure that we are reviewing the latest and greatest products for our readers. 

Millie passed our five-step certification process to become a verified customer advisor on coffee machines. As a baking enthusiast, Millie’s job at Real Homes is the perfect excuse to cook up an endless supply of snacks. When she’s not in the kitchen though, she loves knitting and exploring London's top food markets. 

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