The 7 Best Smokeless Fire Pits We Tested (and Yes, They Produced Hardly Any Smoke)

After trying out the Breeo X Series 24 for several months, test editor Brad Ford loved it. According to Ford, “One of the coolest details of the X Series 24 is its Corten finish. (It is also available in a stainless-steel finish.) Corten is a structural steel alloy you often see used for bridges or power line towers. It’s designed to oxidize, or rust, creating a natural finish that protects the steel rather than continuing to degrade it. This eliminates the frustration I’ve had with some stainless-steel fire pits that discolor after a couple uses.”

Beyond this, Ford also liked, “that Breeo intended for their smokeless fire pits to be used for cooking from the get-go, which means they’ve got accessories for the X 24 that work very well. And most of their cooking accessories are compatible with all their fire pits. Top this all off with the fact that the X 24 is made right in Lancaster PA, USA, unlike most other popular brands.”

The Breeo X 24 weighs more than twice as much as the other models we’ve tested, which means it’s not exactly portable—but it's long-lasting.

As the largest pick of the lot, the X Series was easy to load with wood and start a fire. We fit 18- to 20-inch logs into it, laying them across the raised X in the bottom of the pit. This patented design keeps the logs high, allowing air to flow in and feed the fire from the bottom.

Cleanup required scooping ash out, as the unit is too heavy to dump out easily—Breeo sells a shovel designed to ease this process. The brand also offers several accessories for cooking over the fire, which make the X Series as much a grill as it is a fire pit.

Key Specs

This hefty, all-black fire pit is a great-value addition to an outdoor setup. Its wide diameter gives you plenty of room to build a substantial fire, and the shape and airflow make for a good, largely smokeless burn. It takes both wood and pellets right out of the box, no adapter or switch-up required. And the lift-out ash catch has two handles, making it one of the easiest models to empty. (You still have to reach into the drum to lift it out, though, so wear gloves.)

The black coating is practical, too: Unlike stainless steel, it doesn’t show every fire mark. Once in place, it blends nicely with patio furniture, particularly setups with black metal legs. While it does scratch more easily than others we tested, you can touch it up with high-heat spray paint, just like you would a grill.

Some things to bear in mind: At 35 pounds, it’s heavier than many of the models we tested, so you’re unlikely to move it around much once it’s situated. The price doesn’t include a cover, which you’ll definitely want if it’s going to live outside for the season.

Because the ash catch sits inside the main body, with no separate base beneath it, we’d also place this one on a fireproof mat to be extra safe. And this may be petty, but the branding is the most prominent of any pit we tested: you’ll be looking at the words “Blue Sky” on the base every time you sit down.

Key Specs

The substance of this fire pit starts with the box: One of the largest and heaviest we had to maneuver into location for testing (only the Breeo was heavier), moving it really requires two people or a dolly. Some of that initial box weight comes from the generous bag of wood pellets packed inside, but the pit itself, at 45 pounds with nothing in it, is hardly lightweight.

Assembly is a little less impressive. Attaching the legs required a drill, as, while an Allen key and screws were included, some of the holes weren’t perfectly aligned, making the process more fiddly than it should have been. It does, however, come with spare screws.

Once assembled, though, this thing is a very good-looking workhorse. The large bag of wood pellets kept going for about 35 minutes before burning down to embers; produced virtually no smoke; and the heat output was surprisingly high.

Simply by flipping the inside container, you can also fire up 14-inch logs inside. The exterior frame stayed remarkably cool and, given it’s black, didn’t discolor the way the stainless steel ones did. While the inside picked up some black streaks from the flames, they looked more like evidence of a real fire than damage, which we actually liked.

The ash disposal is a true highlight. You don’t have to lift, twist, or tip the pit to empty it: An ash pan slides out from the side, shovel-style, so you can dump the refuse without moving the fire pit at all. It also comes with a perfectly fitted cover, which is particularly useful given how difficult this one would be to haul away when not in use.

Key Specs

This seriously smart, compact fire pit is made for small spaces and taking on the road. It’s lightweight, straightforward to assemble, and comes with six pieces: a pit and ash can that sit on top of one another; two pieces that twist together to form a fire poker (a little tight to sync up, but ultimately quite a useful piece); and a spark screen with a screw-in knob to lift it (also a very nice extra).

Truly, the whole kit is quite remarkable, given the price. The ash catch is also cleverly designed to fit inside the fire pit for storage, so there’s nothing extra to haul around when not in use. The black finish looks sharp and has the added benefit of hiding burn marks better than lighter finishes. (The downside is, it scratches easily.)

The whole thing packs into a carrying bag with a shoulder strap and drawstring closure. It’s also lighter than any other model we tested, making it an excellent choice for beach parties, camping trips, or anywhere you need to carry your fire pit more than a few feet.

There is one important caveat: Because the pit is so compact, you’ll mostly be limited to twigs, which burn quickly. Use wood pellets instead, for a longer, more consistent fire. The carrying bag also feels flimsy, like it could break down quickly with repeat use, but, for the price, that may not matter.

Key Specs

This one looks like a saucer and comes with just three pieces: a main body that locks securely into the ash holder base and a wind guard that twists onto the rim. It’s also one of the roomier pits we tested, with a wider, more-open design that accommodates both more and larger pieces of wood than many others. The manufacturer says it handles logs up to one pound. We’d have preferred a measurement in inches, but went with 16 inches, which it handled better than the Tiki. You can also add a griddle attachment to turn it into a cooker.

This one really does produce a roaring fire that can warm four people comfortably. The wide, funnel-like shape seems to encourage a bigger, more expansive flame; sitting around it felt more like a bonfire than simply burning wood in a container. After 25 minutes, we still had a substantial fire going. Its lower stature kept our feet warm too.

The biggest downside is ash removal. The pan in the base is relatively shallow, and the wide fire pit is awkward to twist and lift off for cleaning. You’ll want long arms—or a second person—to do it comfortably. The stainless-steel finish also turned a light bronze after just one use. A cover costs extra.

Key Specs