Do you love spending time outdoors? Do you love the smell of a campfire? Do you love staying at home instead of going on grand adventures every weekend? You may be under the impression that you can only enjoy a campfire when you’re actually camping, but that’s not the case!
And that’s because of fire pits. Fire pits can bring all the joy of the outside air and marshmallow-roasting fun right to your backyard. They meet all the rules and regulations for backyard fires in cities, and some of them are super portable so you can take them to the cottage or a friend’s house. They’re really easy to use and do great staying outside all year round. What’s not to love?
If you agree that a fire pit is the next best thing for your backyard, we don’t blame you! And we’re here to help you choose the right one. Decision-making can be tricky—fire pits will vary in price, portability, fuel type, durability, and so much more. And since you’ll probably be using it at least a few times a week, you’ll want to really love it.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best fire pits in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit has a lot going for it. First of all, it doesn’t need any assembly. At all. Just put some firewood in it and light it. Quick and easy. It weighs just over 20 pounds and comes with a carry case, so it’s a perfect choice if you enjoy camping trips or days (and nights) out at the beach. You’ll have no trouble packing it up and hitting the road.
This 2.0 version has one major upgrade from the original—a removable base plate and ashtray. Since this fire pit burns incredibly efficiently, all you’ll need to do to clean up is take off the base plate and dump the ashes. Then, it’s ready for the next fire. Speaking of efficient burning, the double wall design and 360-degree airflow nearly eliminate smoke production and burn every piece of wood down to ash. How’s that for efficiency?
It was nearly impossible to find something to throw in the cons section for this one. Honestly, our biggest issue is that you’ll need to use smaller pieces of wood for this one than your average wood-burning fire pit. That’s it. That’s the biggest thing wrong with it. Not much of an issue, right?
Reviewers are very impressed by the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit. They are blown away by how much the unique airflow design reduces smoke—it’s more comfortable to be around and easier to cook on. Many people use it as a permanent neighbourhood gathering spot, but many also travel with it quite frequently. Clean up is super easy too. They have nothing bad to say about this one.
Pros:
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit is an exceptional choice for stay-at-homers and serial travellers. Whether you’re hopping from campsite to campsite all summer or you’re entertaining the neighbours year-round, you’ll love everything about it.
The Outdoor Living Lake County Propane Fire Pit has a lot going for it. In the gas fire pit world, it’s got one of the best BTU ratings you can find—60,000 BTU/hr means an entire group of people will stay warm even in the colder months. It’s that good. You’ll also be able to start using it right away, which we love for you. The hose comes pre-attached and everything, so you have no assembly to do.
We’re really happy with the extras that come with the fire pit. Not only do you get a lid, but you also get to enjoy a set of natural lava rocks that will elevate the aesthetic to a whole new level. Ambiance is everything, right? Since the fire pit comes in four stunning colours, you’ll be able to match any existing backyard setup and choose what makes your heart the happiest.
The only potentially negative thing we can say about this option is that it requires a manual start. There’s no push-button ignition system with this one. But it still takes only a few minutes to get it started, so it’s not much of an inconvenience. Just something we want you to be aware of.
Reviewers have lots of great things to say about the Outdoor Living Lake County Propane Fire Pit. It’s large enough to seat many people around it, and since it’s low to the ground, their entire body gets warmed up. They loved how easy it was to set up, and some people use it as an ottoman with the lid in its off hours. They have no complaints.
Dimensions: 24” x 24” x 10”
Weight: 36.6 lbs
Fuel Type: Propane
Heat Output: 60,000 BTU/hr
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Comes with a lid and natural lava rock set
Hose comes pre-attached for minimal setup
Comes in four stunning colours to suit your aesthetic
Exceptional heat output
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Outdoor Living Lake County Propane Fire Pit is a pretty flawless option. Aside from the minor inconvenience of it not having an automatic ignition, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s perfect for a permanent setup in your backyard, but it’ll also make a great travel companion.
We are big fans of the Outland Living Series 403 Fire Table. What’s not to love about a fire pit that doubles as a table? Right? Not only do you have the benefit of a tabletop, but you also have interior storage—it’ll fit the propane tank and any extras you want to keep outside, like a cover. The entire table is weather-proof and super durable, so longevity won’t be a concern with this one.
One of our favourite features is the push-button ignition system. That’s right, no manual lighting is needed here! Just push a button and adjust for your ideal flame height, and you’re off to the races. We also really love that you get a decorative glass rock set—it brings a ton of elegance and really rounds out the aesthetic of this table. You’ll love it.
We don’t have many negative things to say about this fire table. The higher price tag might not thrill everyone, but we promise, it’s definitely worth the extra money. You’ll get a ton of value (and a ton of years!) in return. Otherwise, our only possible red flag is the very limited portability—it’s large and heavy. Two no-nos for portability. But if you don’t plan on travelling with a fire pit, then it’s not a problem!
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Outland Living Series 403 Fire Table. They absolutely love how convenient it is—fuel is inexpensive, and it takes only seconds to ignite and get heat going. It’s a real time saver. It’s also really durable, and the decorative rocks were a really thoughtful touch. They love it more than they thought they would, and they all went in with high expectations.
Dimensions: 44” x 32” x 24”
Weight: 96 lbs
Fuel Type: Propane
Heat Output: 50,000 BTU/hr
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Doubles as a table (with interior propane tank storage)
Push-button ignition system (with adjustable flame height) is quick and easy
Comes with a decorative glass rock set
Durable and weather-proof
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Outland Living Series 403 Fire Table is a pretty outstanding choice. It’s built to last and it has an automatic ignition system and out-of-sight tank storage inside the table (oh right, it’s also a table).
Wood-burning fire pits don’t get much better than the Amazon Basics 23.5-Inch Steel Lattice Fire Pit. One of the things we love most about it is how easy it is to assemble. It shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes, so you’ll be able to start building your fire right away instead of fighting with assembly instructions. You’ll get a fire poker and a spark screen included with your purchase for even more value.
The circular design of this fire pit, along with its 360-degree view of the fire, makes it a perfect choice for families and friend groups. You’ll be able to seat a bunch of people around this fire pit and they’ll all get to enjoy the same warmth and crackly bliss. Since it’s lightweight and has two carry handles, it’s a pretty good option for travelling, too.
We only have one major concern with this fire pit, and that’s its durability. Although it’s made of solid steel that protects it against dents and nicks, it doesn’t have a rust-resistant coating. As a result, the main body and the mesh screen will rust pretty quickly if left exposed to the elements. We strongly recommend protecting it with a cover or shed storage.
Reviewers have mostly good things to say about the Amazon Basics 23.5-Inch Steel Lattice Fire Pit. It’s really easy to assemble, and it’s large enough to get a great fire going without taking up too much space—it works well even in small yards because of that. People have noticed that it rusts pretty easily, but that’s not an unexpected turn of events for most of them.
Pros:
Comes with a spark screen and a fire poker
Has two carry handles for easier transport
360-degree view of the fire is perfect for groups
Assembly only takes a few minutes
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the Amazon Basics 23.5-Inch Steel Lattice Fire Pit is one of the best budget-friendly wood-burning options around. It will rust if left outdoors (where it belongs), which isn’t ideal, but you’ll get to enjoy a lot of great fires with it, nonetheless.
We like a lot of things about the Outland Living Smokeless Fire Pit. It’s a really great choice for people who want to spend as little money as possible for a quality option, and for people who like to travel. Since this little fire pit is lightweight and comes with a carry kit, it’s super portable. Plus, it also comes with a cover to protect it against rain and wind.
That’s not all you get, though. You’ll also get 4.4 pounds of natural lava rocks to boost the aesthetic. How fun. The flame is adjustable with the simple twist of a knob, and it can radiate heat as far as three feet even when the flame is low. That’s quality right there. Since it’s made of high-quality steel and has an enamel coating, you’ll be able to enjoy this fire pit for years.
We only have a couple of minor critiques to make about this option. First of all, this fire pit is fairly small, so you won’t be able to seat a ton of people around it. Four is a pretty comfortable number, but it’s not ideal for larger gatherings. Also, the propane draw does create a hissing noise, so if that’ll bother you, this one won’t be a good fit.
Reviewers are very happy with the Outland Living Smokeless Fire Pit. For its smaller size, it produces a great amount of heat even when the flame is you. Everyone had an easy time lighting it, and it packs up easily for storage in the winter or travel to new destinations. They really like the aesthetic of the natural lava rocks too. The only issue they have with it is the hissing noise it produces because of the propane.
Dimensions: 19” x 19” x 11”
Weight: 23.3 lbs
Fuel Type: Propane
Heat Output: 58,000 BTU/hr
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Comes with a cover, a carry kit, and 4.4 pounds of natural lava rocks
Durable steel with an enamel finish guarantees longevity
Very portable—perfect for camping, RV trips, beach trips, etc.
Flame height is adjustable
Cons:
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Outland Living Smokeless Fire Pit is our favourite budget-friendly propane option right now. It performs well even in cold weather, and since it’s so lightweight (and comes with a carry kit!), you can take it with you anywhere you go. We love that for you.
Some fire pits will be priced at less than $200, but others will cost upwards of $600. In general, more expensive fire pits will be larger and more durable/weatherproof. Fuel type doesn’t really play into the price—both fuel types can be found at all price points.
Since tons of people like to travel with their fire pit (to cottages, campsites, beaches, other people’s houses, etc.), portability is something to prioritize. For the easiest time, you’ll want to look at fire pits that are under 30 pounds, 24 inches or less in diameter, and ideally have some type of carrying system in place, whether that’s handles, straps, or an entire bag.
Fire pits can run on either wood or propane. Wood-burning fire pits will let you experience an authentic campfire with crackling wood and the natural smoke smell we all love, but they’re also more costly to run (wood is more expensive than propane usually), and require more user input to start the fire and maintain it. Propane fire pits are much more user-friendly, smokeless, and have adjustable flames, but you’ll also miss out on the natural fire experience.
Heat output is a feature to consider with propane fire pits. It’s measured in BTU/hr and tends to range between 50,000 and 60,000. A higher BTU rating means more heat output, so if you’re using your fire pit in cold weather or trying to keep a lot of people warm, you’ll want to look for at least 55,000 BTU/hr.
Fire pits spend a lot of time outside, so durability is something to pay attention to. You’ll want to look for rust-resistant and strong materials. Some fire pits will come with a cover to protect them from the elements, and it’s never a bad idea to buy one separately if that’s not the case.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
