The best fire pits for summer 2024

Fire pits are a great way to add ambiance to summer nights spent outside with friends and family. Those who have never purchased a fireplace before may feel confused and overwhelmed about how to select the right option for their home. But don't worry, the shopping experts at CBS Essentials researched product features and scoured customer reviews to select the best fireplaces for your terrace.

When shopping for a fireplace, consider your preference for wood, propane, or natural gas heating options. Wood-burning fireplaces offer the traditional charm of a campfire with its sounds and scents. Propane and natural gas options, on the other hand, are more convenient in that you don't need to get logs or deal with cleaning up the ashes. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, which emit significant smoke, propane and natural gas fireplaces can be used safely on an open porch with a roof above. Before purchasing a fireplace, we recommend checking local city and county rules regarding fireplaces and wood burning.

The best fire pits for summer 2024

Best wood fireplace: Howland Cast Iron Wood Fireplace

This round cast iron fire pit is available in two sizes (the larger one is pictured). Find this black wood burning fireplace at AllModern.

“[We] I love this fire pit,” said one reviewer. “We had our first backyard fire pit gathering this weekend and no complaints. It can hold about five logs at a time and is low enough to the ground that you can really feel the heat coming off it.”

You can find this fireplace on sale at AllModern for $290.

What we like about the Howland cast iron wood fireplace:

The most affordable fireplace: Better Homes & Gardens Copper Wood Fireplace

Find this beautiful copper wood burning fireplace at Walmart. It comes with a spark-proof cap, mesh lid, wooden grill, protective cover and lid lifter.

The Better Homes & Gardens wood burning fireplace has a 4.4 star rating on Walmart. One reviewer wrote: “Had several fires all day and evenings of fun…This is a great fire pit.” It seems sturdy and well built. I am very happy with this purchase!

What We Like About the Better Homes & Gardens Copper Wood Fireplace:

Best smoke-free fireplace: SoloStove Yukon 2.0 fireplace

The SoloStove Yukon 2.0 is a smoke-free fire pit, designed for outdoor family or group gatherings. Everyone can stay warm outside without coughing from the smoke. It measures 27 inches in diameter.

“Solo Stove fireplaces are hands down the best bang for your buck,” says one reviewer. “I owned the 1.0 and upgraded to the 2.0 thanks to the removable dust bin for easier cleaning. This allows me to enjoy fires again knowing I can clean up the ashes quickly.”

The SoloStove Yukon 2.0 is now on sale for $450, down from $500. Smaller (15-inch diameter) Solo pan options are available starting at $199.

What we like about the SoloStove Yukon 2.0 fireplace:

Best natural gas fireplace: Latitude Concrete Natural Gas Outdoor Fire Pit Table

This minimalist fire pit table accommodates both propane and natural gas. It comes in a charcoal finish that measures 16″ (height) x 42″ (width) x 20″ (depth). It is made of weather-resistant concrete and comes with a lava stone fill.

“This painting looks exactly like the photo,” says one reviewer. “A very stylish modern design and easy to light once you get the hang of it. This makes our outdoor space a warm and welcoming space for guests.”

What we like about the Latitude Concrete Natural Gas Fire Pit Table:

Best propane fireplace: Orren Ellis Belle Concrete Outdoor Propane Fire Pit Table

This outdoor fireplace transforms any backyard into a luxurious paradise. It's constructed of lightweight concrete and includes a low-profile matching propane tank rack.

The Orren Ellis Belle Concrete Propane Outdoor Fire Pit Table has a 4.5-star rating on Wayfair. One reviewer wrote: “We love it! We've had it for almost a year now. We cover it when not in use and have had no issues with fading, discoloration or damage. chipping. It’s perfect!”

What We Like About the Orren Ellis Belle Concrete Outdoor Propane Fire Pit Table:

The most elegant fire pit: Field floral focus

It's not often that you find a home that can also serve as a a piece of exterior decoration, but we found exactly that at Anthropologie. The fire bowl is made of sturdy steel and the floral design has been laser cut. This cannot be used on wooden decks, nor near trees, shrubs, bushes or walls. This option is therefore best for those who have large outdoor spaces and minimalist landscaping.

Buy it now and you can get 26% off your purchase at Anthropologie.

What we like about the Terrain floral fireplace:

Best fire pit with storage: Terrain Weathering Steel Rolling Fireplace

This Terrain fireplace is a discreet game changer with its integrated storage space and wheels. With the Weathering Steel Rolling Fire Pit, gone are the days of lugging heavy logs into the pit every time you want to enjoy a summer bonfire.

And if you frequently experience bad weather or just want to make sure your fire pit lasts as long as possible, you can easily transport it indoors. With its small pit, this Terrain model is more suited to ambiance than heat.

What we like about the Terrain floral fireplace:

• It sits on a cart, making it easy to move indoors when needed.
• It comes with a storage compartment for logs.
• It is constructed of steel.