The 8 Best Portable Fire Pits For Your Campsite

A fire is a staple of any good campsite, whether you’re holed-up in the mountains or sleeping on a tropical beach. Unfortunately, not every venue has pre-established pits or is conducive to building a fire from scratch. Luckily, there is still a solution in portable fire pits.

Whether they’re compact, folding, flat-packed, or some combination of all three, portable fire pits are the best way to ensure you can coax light and heat no matter where you are camping. And, better still, they’re often safer, make camp cooking a bit easier, and can be used again and again. So, how do you know which one on which you should spend your hard earned coin? Well, you could scour the web and take a trip to your local sporting goods store. Or you could rely on our expertise and make your pick from the following list of the best portable fire pits.

Size/Weight: All of the options in this guide will be relatively lightweight and easy to stow when venturing into the woods. However, depending on how many people you have and what you’ll be using it for, we suggest taking into consideration the actual size of the fire pit itself. If you’re simply looking for a spot to roast marshmallows, you might only need a tabletop unit. But if you’re seeking warmth on colder nights, you’ll want a larger fire pit.

Functionality: Many adventurers or backyard campers will only need a fire pit to serve as a fire pit. However, for others, you may want to look for units that can do more than one thing. The most common dual-purpose fire pit can double as a grill. 

Flame Size: As long as it stays within reason and local safety regulations, there’s nothing wrong with having a large flame coming out of your fire pit, whether for ambiance or for warming up larger groups. That said, if your fire pit doubles as a cooking grill, you’ll likely want to opt for a unit that can keep the flames at a minimum.

Smokeless: It would make sense for you to want the full campfire experience when choosing a fire pit for your next trip, from the dancing flames to the classic aroma. However, smokeless options can be beneficial for windy days or being within close proximity of other campsites. Nowadays, a lot of smokeless options are available, but just know that you’ll likely pay a little more for them.

Solo Stove Ranger 2.0

Best Overall: If you’re researching for the best portable fire pits — or fire pits in general — chances are you’ve been hearing the name Solo Stove mentioned quite a bit. The Texas-based company isn’t just known for its wide and versatile range of bonfires, pizza ovens, and actual stoves but also for its proprietary Signature 360° Airflow smokeless tech which essentially uses preemptive heat to burn the smoke before it even reaches you. Built from stainless steel and accommodating plenty of the brand’s cooking add-ons, the Ranger is Solo’s second-smallest fire pit model, right above the tabletop Mesa and right below the slightly larger Bonfire. And while the Bonfire may be better as a more permanent unit for, say, your backyard, the Ranger will serve you better on camping and road trips. While sacrificing just 4.5″ in diameter, you’ll save $100 and over 8lbs of weight, which can help when situating the unit at your campsite.

BioLite FirePit+

Best Runner-Up: Where most options on this list feature cylindrical profiles, the FirePit+ from BioLite is lateral like a hibachi, which might be optimal if you’re camping solo and can be beneficial if you’re wanting to grill food as well. Launched via Kickstarter in 2017, this fire pit is evidence of the influx in quality options in just the past few years. Upgrading the rechargeable battery to 12,800mAh to power the series of 50 air vents for a longer burn time, the FirePit+ allows you to use wood or charcoal for burning the flames, which you can see via the X-ray mesh — which is also great for feeling the fire’s heat and experiencing the classic campfire smell despite the unit falling in line with the recent trend/necessity of smokeless bonfires. 

FIRESIDE OUTDOOR Trailblazer Fire Pit and Grill

Best Budget Pick: Most quality fire pits will cost you a few hundred dollars. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice a few bonus features, there will still be some budget options left that won’t make you feel like you’re settling. For campers who want something akin to a high-end unit without paying high-end prices, FIRESIDE’s Trailblazer is your best bet. While it’s not smokeless, its patented fire mesh system still ensures 80% less smoke than the competition. Doubling as a grill with a 12” x 12” cooking area, the aluminum and stainless steel housing weighs 3lbs and packs down well enough to fit inside a backpack — even if it’s not quite as compact as other backpacking options. 

UCO Flatpack Regular Portable Fire Pit

Best for Backpacking: Although it’s slightly heavier than its fellow backpacking units at 3.3lbs, the Flatpack from UCO still manages to rise above the competition. Packing down to just 1.5” thick and setting up in just 30 seconds, the rust-resistant frame is much sturdier on the ground and capable of holding more pellets for a longer burn time compared to the brand’s smaller-sized fire pit. This regular version handles its versatility well, featuring a 13” x 10” cooking grill. While it’s likely to last you for years to come, the $50 price tag lets you take this thing for a ride worry-free.

Solo Stove Mesa

Best Tabletop Fire Pit: If you love Solo’s flagship Ranger or Bonfire models but want something a little more compact and spontaneous, then opt for the Mesa, a tabletop fire pit that uses the brand’s Signature 360° Airflow smokeless tech and weighs just 1.4lbs. While it won’t necessarily make for a great backpacking fire pit since it doesn’t fold and stow as easily, this unit is great for people camping with their whole family and provides a fun way to roast marshmallows and make s’mores at the end of a long day hiking. 

Ignik FireCan

Best Gas Fire Pit: Gas-based fire pits may be undesirable for some campers because of the added hassle of buying and remembering an external fuel tank. However, propane options might be better for others simply for the fact that they essentially obviate the chances of a forest fire occurring; before you hit the sack, you can ensure that your fire is completely dead with the turn of a switch. One name that’s been getting a lot of buzz lately is Ignik. The brand’s FireCan is a popular choice among adventurers for its lightweight 11.3-pound frame, easy packing and setup, and simple flame adjustment dial. Likewise, the stainless steel mesh on the side lets you feel the heat without all the smoke.

Camco Little Red Campfire

Best Runner-Up Gas Fire Pit: Besides having a cute name that harkens back to the wagons we had when we were kids, this portable fire pit kit is one of the simplest and most effective burners out there. It comes with an 8-foot hose, compatible with standard LP gas cylinders, and a sturdy latched lid that doubles as a carrying container for simple and quick transport. It also features an elevated fire tray to keep your flames off the ground. As far as gas-burning campfires are concerned, this no-nonsense unit is one of the best.

Snow Peak Jikaro Firering Set

Best for Groups: The Jikaro Firering Set won’t come cheap, but if you have the money to spend, we highly recommend you make the jump. The bundle packs the Jikaro table ring with the five-piece Takibi Fire & Grill set, which also comes with a 3.5-foot bamboo table attachment for s’mores setup or cooking prep. Elevated above the ground with three adjustable height options, the pit itself can pack away to 25” x 22” x 6”. Don’t let the overall weight scare you off; the 64.8lbs refers to the combination of all the separate pieces.

The Best Camping Stoves for Your Next Adventure

If you’re looking to elevate your cooking skills while out in the wild, check out our guide to the best camping stoves.