The Best Cheap Fire Pits That Are Totally Worth the Money 

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If you have an empty space on an existing patio or are designing a new outdoor living area to spend time with family, friends, or neighbors, you might be considering a fire pit. These rings or baskets add an easy and safe place to circle around to warm up, roast marshmallows, and simply relax while enjoying each other’s company. As with all products, though, fire pits are available in a wide range of materials, styles, and price points.

We understand that not everyone has a massive budget for outdoor upgrades, but hunting for an affordable option shouldn’t mean settling for poor quality. For this guide, “cheap” simply means a price point on the lower end of the scale—specifically between $60 and $200 (barring two exceptions we made for value-packed, premium-tier options that are “cheap” compared to competitors of their caliber). We found this to be the sweet spot for durable materials and versatile designs. To find the options that truly rose above the rest, we spent hours comparing models across multiple retailers, filtering out the flimsy builds to focus strictly on only the best cheap affordable fire pits: safe, functional, and built to last.

Our Top Picks

We chose these fire pits because they hold burning logs safely, add a bit of style, and offer lasting durability—plus, they fit into our prescribed price range. There’s something for almost every patio and backyard listed below.

When it comes to combining style, versatility, and affordability, the Hampton Bay Piedmont 30-inch steel fire pit checks all of the boxes. Made from heavy-duty steel coated with high-temperature paint, this pit is designed to retain both its beauty and structural integrity for years to come. It features a 12-inch-deep mesh bowl with a 360-degree checkered pattern that allows everyone around the structure to enjoy the fire. It measures in at 23 inches tall by 30 inches wide when assembled. 

Users can take advantage of the two-in-one design by attaching a grid that clamps to the fire pit and adjusting its height to grill meats and veggies. A ring wraps around the entire bowl for safety, and it also serves as a handle (only grab it when the fire pit is cool, of course) for easy carrying. The Piedmont fire pit also comes with a mesh lid to serve as a spark arrester as well as a fire poker for adjusting logs safely. Just keep in mind that, due to its relatively low height, it can be harder to escape its smoke on windy days.

If you want the efficient performance of a smokeless fire pit without the premium price tag, the Blue Sky Ridge is the ultimate compromise. As the cheapest pit on our list, this alloy steel powerhouse punches way above its weight. Equipped with a detachable base that fits inside the firebox, it also comes with a carrying case with a shoulder strap for easy transporting. That means you can bring it tailgating or transport it into the backyard and back into the shed after you’re done without breaking a sweat.

In testing, we were impressed that this budget pick delivered a comparable performance to pricier models like the Inno Stage smokeless fire pit, except the pellets burned up faster and cleaner. 

What truly sets it apart from other budget options is its dual-fuel versatility. It can burn standard firewood logs just fine, but it thrives when burning wood pellets, which help it produce a roaring hot fire with high flames (and remember, it’s smokeless) in just minutes.

What our tester says: “During testing, 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.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

When lightweight packability is of the essence, the Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up fire pit is the solution, weighing just 7.6 pounds and folding into a soft-sided carry case. Its 24-inch square platform can hold a surprising amount of firewood: up to 125 pounds. And despite its portability, it can make a fire big enough to satisfy a crowd of 8 to 10 people. The kit includes an aluminum base and stainless steel fire mesh that takes only a minute to set up.

As for durability, neither the mesh nor the frame showed signs of stress or fatigue after a dozen cycles, even with marginal care. Testing the model with the optional heat shield—which adds only 4 ounces—was worthwhile. It allowed us to set up on fire-sensitive surfaces like wooden decks or grass, making it a great choice for bonfires on the go.

What our tester says: “Although it has an unconventional design and is not effectively smokeless, I liked the ‘naked’ fire with clearly visible firewood and embers, as it would appear in an old-fashioned rock ring.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

If you’re willing to splurge on a high-quality pit that might never need to be replaced, consider Ohio Flame’s Liberty pit. Think of it like a long-term investment: while it is more expensive than many of its competitors, it’s only marginally so; meanwhile, it’ll last many times longer than most of those cheaper alternatives, which usually rust out after just a few seasons. The tank of fire pits, this beast is handcrafted from thick, industrial-grade American steel. Offered in various sizes, even its smallest model weighs a hefty 50 pounds.

Because it features an entirely structural design with zero moving parts, screws, or delicate joints, there is absolutely nothing to break or wear down over time. This also means there’s no installation necessary; it arrives fully welded and ready to use. We like that its raw steel finish lets you leave it outside year-round. Doing so will cause it to develop a deep patina, but we personally find these patinas on high-quality metals charming. Another point in the Liberty pit’s favor is that it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Adding a little supplemental heat to outdoor gatherings need not be expensive. The wood-burning Bali Outdoors chiminea combines a traditional fire pit and a chiminea at an attractive price point.  

During testing, we liked its open-mesh cage because we could see the flames from any angle. However, the cage’s open weave does not protect the flames from breezes, so we had difficulty lighting the wood when the wind was blowing. Still, it generates a lot of heat in all directions—we were able to feel it anytime we stood within 5 feet of the chiminea. That’s likely thanks to both the ample size of the bowl, which accommodates lots of wood, and the open-mesh design, which lets in plenty of air so the wood burns fast and hot.

The steel-and-cast-iron construction is durable but relatively easy to move at 40 pounds. Assembly took longer than others (about 30 minutes), but for the price, you can’t beat the ambience.

There’s no replacing the cozy ambience a fire provides for outdoor entertaining. For aesthetics alone, propane, gel, or alcohol burners are quick and easy, but nothing compares to the primal appeal of a real wood fire. That being said, if you lack the space or you just want more of a bite-size fire pit, the Solo Stove Mesa XL is a great choice. It features an ultra-compact tabletop size ideal for making s’mores or adding some warmth and cozy flames to an outdoor table. 

Like larger Solo Stoves, this scaled-down version uses dual-wall construction and 360-degree airflow inside the burn chamber to produce an attractive flame with minimal smoke. Unlike its larger siblings, this one comes ready to burn wood pellets or firewood and is equipped with a folding stand and drawstring carry case. For a more personalized aesthetic, choose from among the basic stainless steel finish or five different color finishes.

What our tester says: “The compact size was perfect for use on an outdoor coffee table, where it was easy to add a few scoops of pellets or chunks of firewood every 15 minutes or so. For the longest burn time without constant feeding, I found that chunky pieces of firewood about 2 inches thick and 6 to 7 inches long worked best.”—Debbie Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Read our full review: Solo Stove Mesa Xl Tabletop Fire Pit Review

Many fire enthusiasts believe there is no substitute for a wood fire, but they could do without the smoke. The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is a great solution. This upgraded, smokeless wood-burning model features a removable fire grate and ash pan that makes cleaning a breeze.

The key to its smokelessness is dual-wall construction. Ventilation holes around the base of the outer wall allow a constant influx of fresh air that rapidly heats as it moves upward through the wall space. As the super-heated oxygen-rich air escapes through vent holes around the top of the inner wall (just below the rim), it ignites smoke particles exiting the fire. In our tests, it started instantly with just one match. It took about 10 minutes before it was smokeless.

The only times that we experienced a smoky fire were when using poor-quality firewood—wet, green, or partially rotted—or when we added wood above the rim. For best results, we used 12-inch logs and avoided overloading the burn chamber. Do note that, like other dual-wall fire pits we’ve tested, the Bonfire 2.0 burns wood at a faster rate than traditional fire rings or pits.

What our tester says: “Solo Stove is one of the more aggressively marketed brands, and in my tests, the Bonfire 2.0 lived up to the hype.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Fire pit tables are handy at home, but their warm glow can also make camping trips more enjoyable. Smaller options are less of a hassle to transport and tend to be less expensive, which is where the R.W.Flame 28-inch table comes in.  

The propane fire pit table was one of the easiest to assemble, taking only 20 minutes with a partner’s help. While its metal construction felt durable, it came with a 3-inch scratch on the tabletop, which was disappointing. Despite the scratch, this table still looked well worth its price.  

We set it on my back patio, connected a standard 20-pound propane tank, and used the electronic ignition to start a fire and adjust the flame level. The table produced a tall flame that kept me warm throughout the evening. We let the tabletop fire pit run for 20 minutes on high to gauge its propane use, which came out to 0.8 pounds. Overall, this is a great bang for the buck, but be aware that the metal construction is prone to scratches.

FAQs

While we’ve highlighted some of the best cheap fire pits on the market today, you might still have some burning questions that need to be answered. Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about cheap fire pits ahead. 

Q. How much should I spend on a fire pit?

It all depends on budget and available space. For shoppers building a patio space around a fire pit, it might be worth spending a few thousand dollars on a dream fire pit. But, for those simply adding a fire pit to an existing space, a good-quality fire pit will cost between $90 and $200.

Q. Is a propane or wood fire pit cheaper?

Wood-burning fire pits are almost always cheaper than propane fire pits (except for very high-end options). These fire pits are typically simple, portable, and don’t require propane tanks, regulators, or any other accessories like propane pits do. 

Q. Will having a fire pit increase my insurance?

No, in most situations. Permanent fire pits may increase homeowners’ insurance rates. However, portable fire pits, like those in this guide, are usually considered personal belongings and won’t increase an insurance rate in most cases.

The post The Best Cheap Fire Pits That Are Totally Worth the Money  appeared first on Bob Vila.

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