Spark Screen, Smokeless or Fold-Flat? Best Fire Pit Choices for Backyard Wood Fires

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The best fire pit for your yard depends on how you like your fire. A classic steel bowl with a mesh spark screen is cheap, simple and easy to watch. A double-wall “smokeless” drum costs more and promises a cleaner burn. And a pit that folds flat or rides in a carry bag follows you to the campsite.

We compared six wood-burning fire pits sold by Amazon.com or by the brand’s own store and listed in stock: three screened steel bowls from 22 to 36 inches and three stainless smokeless designs, one of which folds flat into a backpack. For each we quote the listing on diameter, steel, what comes in the box (screen, poker, cover), weight and the warranty field, and we flag empty or conflicting fields.

Because a wood fire is the riskiest thing most people do in the backyard, we also cover clearance from the house, why a wood deck is a bad spot, what never to pour on a fire and how to put one out completely.

Our Top Fire Pit Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Sunnydaze Crossweave 36-Inch Fire Pit: Best Overall

Sunnydaze’s Crossweave is a 36-inch round steel fire pit with a deep bowl, a wide outer ring and a domed mesh spark screen. The listing puts the fire bowl at 31 inches across and 11 inches deep, so logs sit low inside the steel, and gives the overall height as 24 inches with the screen on and 16 inches without. Sunnydaze says it seats six to eight people.

Day to day, it works like a traditional backyard bowl. A built-in log grate lifts the wood, and the crossweave cutouts around the sides are covered in mesh; Sunnydaze says they pull in air from below so fires light fast and burn with less smoke. The included poker doubles as the tool for lifting the hot screen, so you can add a log without reaching over the flames. The outer ring is the carry handle, and at a listed 23.8 pounds one person can move it.

The bowl is 24-gauge (0.6 mm) steel finished in high-temperature black paint. One detail matters for upkeep: there are no drainage holes, so Sunnydaze tells you to empty rainwater and put the included cover on after each use. Assembly is four steps, and the listing says to set the pit on stone, brick, gravel or a fire-safe pad to shield decks, patios and porches from heat.

It suits families and hosts with a stone or gravel patio who want a good-sized screened fire for evenings at home rather than a pit to haul around.

Why we like it

• Spark screen, poker and cover in one box
• Deep 31-inch bowl for full logs
• Written 1-year limited warranty

Watch out for

Rain pools in the bowl because there are no drain holes, so empty it and keep the cover on once the steel is cold.

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2. Gas One 22-Inch Fire Pit with Mesh Lid: Best Budget

Gas One’s 22-inch fire pit is a compact steel bowl on legs with a domed mesh lid and a fire picker. The listing gives the bowl as 21.5 inches across and the whole unit as 20 inches tall with the lid on, and the specs add a weight of 11.8 pounds. It’s sized for a small circle of chairs rather than a crowd.

Using it is simple. Build a small wood fire in the bowl, set the mesh lid on top, and lift it off with its circle handle when you need to add wood. Gas One says the lid “protects against fire sparkles while ensuring optimal airflow to keep the fire going.” The fire picker is for moving logs or dragging coals around, so you aren’t improvising with a stick.

Gas One describes the build as rust-resistant alloy steel with high-temperature paint and says it can handle “any weather conditions.” No steel gauge or warranty term is given, and no cover comes in the box, so plan on storing it under a roof or buying a cover. The listing names the backyard, deck, porch, camping and RV trips as places to use it; for a wood fire at home, stick to stone, pavers or bare ground well away from the house.

Buyers on a tight budget, renters with a permitted yard, and anyone trying out backyard fires for the first time will get the essentials here.

Why we like it

• Low price tier with a screen included
• Light enough to carry with one hand
• Amazon.com handles shipping and returns

Watch out for

At 21.5 inches it holds short, split logs only, and there’s no warranty term or cover listed.

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3. Fire Beauty 22-Inch Fire Pit with Spark Screen: Best Small Fire Pit with Spark Screen

Fire Beauty’s 22-inch pit is a round carbon steel bowl on four legs with a mesh spark screen on top. The specs list it at 22 x 22 x 17 inches and 9.6 pounds, so it’s a small, light pit you can move around the yard or toss in the car.

The brand is clear about what it’s for: warmth, toasting marshmallows and ambiance. There’s no cooking grate, and the listing says so. In use, you build a small fire in the bowl and set the mesh screen on it; Fire Beauty says the screen “blocks flying sparks and hot embers” and helps protect children, elders and pets from accidental burns. Flames stay visible through the mesh, which is a big part of the appeal on a cool evening.

Fire Beauty lists heavy-duty carbon steel and a 600-degree high-temperature, rust-resistant paint, and says assembly takes one screwdriver. No poker or cover is included, so a long-handled poker and a fabric cover for cold storage are worth adding. The listing mentions patio, deck or lawn use; on a wood deck, a fire of any size is a risk, so keep it on stone or bare ground.

It suits small households, couples and anyone who wants the most basic screened wood fire without lifting a heavy bowl.

Why we like it

• Under 10 pounds
• Spark screen in the box
• Strong Fire Pits rank

Watch out for

No poker comes with it, so you’ll need a tool to lift a hot screen, and the warranty field is blank.

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4. Grovellis 27-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit: Best Smokeless Fire Pit

Grovellis builds this as a 27-inch stainless steel smokeless fire pit: a double-walled drum with an internal airflow system that the brand says gives a clean, low-smoke flame. The specs list it at 27 x 27 x 18.7 inches and 40.7 pounds, and Grovellis pitches it for groups of 7 to 11 people.

In daily use you load wood (or pellets, which the listing also allows) into the inner chamber and let the airflow do the work. Grovellis says the design gives “a fast and efficient burn” and an ultra-hot flame. Cleanup is the part owners of plain bowls will appreciate: lift the fire pit off its base, pull out the ash tray and empty it once everything is cold. The brand says it assembles in seconds without tools.

A waterproof cover and a fire poker come in the box, and Grovellis says replacement parts are available. The listing is also unusually direct about placement: keep children and pets more than 0.5 meters away, and “do not use this on grass or wooden floors,” keeping it away from flammable things and furniture. No spark screen is listed, so sparks from popping wood can still escape the top.

It suits hosts who are tired of smoke in their eyes and have a stone or paver patio big enough for a 27-inch stainless drum.

Why we like it

• Low-smoke double-wall design, per Grovellis
• Cover and poker included
• Pull-out ash tray

Watch out for

At 40.7 pounds it isn’t a grab-and-go pit, and you’ll need to add your own spark screen if sparks are a worry.

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5. GOLABS FP1 Smokeless Portable Fire Pit: Best Portable Fire Pit

GOLABS’ FP1 is a 19.5-inch double-wall smokeless fire pit in stainless steel, sized to fit in a car trunk or RV storage bay. The specs list it at 19.5 x 19.5 x 13 inches and 13.67 pounds; the bullets round the weight to 13.3 pounds. A carry bag, a removable ash pan and three fire pokers come with it.

The double wall is the main feature. GOLABS says it “boosts oxygen flow for a cleaner, hotter burn” and claims airflow increases circulation by 300 percent, giving 360-degree heat with less smoke and ash. In practice that means a compact fire you can sit close to at a campsite. The pit also takes charcoal or pellets, so you can switch fuel depending on where you are and what’s allowed.

The build is listed as 304 stainless steel with a high-temperature ceramic coating, and cleaning is a matter of lifting out the ash pan once it’s cold and rinsing the base with water. GOLABS backs it with what it calls a one-year manufacturer protection, and the warranty field reads “1-Year Limited Warranty.” No spark screen is listed.

It suits campers, tailgaters and small households who want a low-smoke fire that packs away in a bag between trips.

Why we like it

• Packs into its own bag
• Three fuel options
• Amazon.com seller and a written warranty

Watch out for

Logs must be cut to fit a 19.5-inch chamber, and there’s no top screen to stop sparks from popping wood.

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6. PACKFIRE 22-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit: Best Fold-Flat Fire Pit for Travel

PACKFIRE’s 22-inch pit is a smokeless wood-burning fire pit designed to fold flat and live in its own backpack. It stands 22.4 inches tall, and the brand says it fits standard-size firewood below the top fire ring, so you can load logs straight from the store bundle. The specs list 27.5 pounds; the listing says the pack weighs about 35 pounds.

PACKFIRE calls its airflow system ClearBurn 360: a dual-airflow design with a concave fire pan and a 6-inch fresh-air intake that the brand says increases airflow by up to 30 percent and produces visible secondary flames for a “virtually smokeless” fire. Setup is tool-free. QuickDraw legs swing out and lock, a release button separates the parts for packing, and a removable ash-dump tray handles cleanup.

The build combines stainless steel and extruded aluminum with a ceramic-coated exterior. The QuickDraw stand lifts the bowl off the ground, and PACKFIRE says to use its Surface Guard on wood decks or uneven surfaces; the Surface Guard isn’t listed as included. The bullets state a PACKFIRE Limited Lifetime Warranty, though the warranty field itself is empty.

It suits overlanders, RV travelers and campers who want a real wood fire at every stop and will pay for a pit that packs down neatly.

Why we like it

• Packs flat into a backpack
• Takes uncut store firewood
• Tool-free legs and ash tray

Watch out for

It’s the most expensive and least-ranked pit here, and the listing’s two weights don’t agree.

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How We Chose the Best Fire Pits

Every pick burns wood, is listed in stock, and is sold by Amazon.com or by the brand’s own store. We skipped propane tables and every fire pit that already appears in our fire pit grill guide, which covers cooking grates and combo tables. Then we compared what each listing actually says:

• Diameter and bowl depth: overall width, the fire bowl itself and how many people the brand says it suits.
• Material and gauge: painted carbon or alloy steel versus stainless, and any stated steel gauge (only Sunnydaze lists one).
• Smokeless claims: double-wall airflow designs, quoted as the brand’s claim rather than a tested result.
• What’s in the box: spark screen, poker, cover, carry bag and ash tray.
• Weight, warranty field and rank: listed weight (with conflicts flagged), the warranty field (flagged when empty) and Amazon sales rank.

Fire Pit Buying Guide

Best Wood Burning Fire Pit: Bowl Size and Steel

For a classic wood fire, look at the bowl, not just the outer ring. Sunnydaze lists a 36-inch ring around a 31-inch bowl that’s 11 inches deep; Gas One and Fire Beauty are about 22 inches across. A wider, deeper bowl takes longer logs and throws more heat, but it also burns more wood and needs more room around it. Painted steel bowls cost less but rely on their coating to fight rust, so a cover and dry storage matter. Sunnydaze is the only pick that states a gauge (24-gauge, 0.6 mm).

Best Smokeless Fire Pit: What “Smokeless” Means

Grovellis, GOLABS and PACKFIRE use double walls that pull air low and feed it back in near the top of the fire. Each brand claims a cleaner, hotter burn with less smoke; none of that is a tested figure, and wet or green wood will smoke in any pit. These designs usually have a removable ash tray, which makes cleanup easier, but none of the three lists a spark screen.

Best Fire Pit with Spark Screen

The U.S. Fire Administration says to use a metal screen over wood-burning fires to keep sparks from floating out. Sunnydaze, Gas One and Fire Beauty all include a mesh screen or lid; Sunnydaze and Gas One also include a poker for lifting it. If you choose a smokeless pit, or already own an unscreened bowl, our fire pit cover and spark screen guide covers mesh lids by diameter as well as fabric covers for cold storage.

Best Portable Fire Pit

Portability is a mix of weight, shape and packing. Fire Beauty is the lightest here at a listed 9.6 pounds but doesn’t pack down. GOLABS rides in an included carry bag at about 13.7 pounds, and PACKFIRE folds flat into a backpack and still takes full-length logs. Grovellis, at a listed 40.7 pounds, is a patio pit even though the brand calls it portable. Check the campsite or park rules before packing any of them.

Best Fire Pit for Patio: Surface and Seating

Set any of these on stone, pavers, brick, gravel or bare ground. Sunnydaze tells buyers to use stone, brick, gravel or a fire-safe pad, and Grovellis says not to use its pit on grass or wooden floors. Plan the seating ring with enough room to step back from the heat; low, wide outdoor chairs work well, and our Adirondack chair guide compares poly and wood options. Burn dry, clean, untreated wood.

Fire Pit Safety: Clearance, Accelerants and Putting It Out

Check your city, township or county burn rules before the first fire; many places limit recreational fires, set their own distances or ban burning on dry, windy days. Then follow fire department guidance:

• At least 10 feet from the house. The U.S. Fire Administration’s outdoor fire safety page says to use fire pits outdoors at least 10 feet from your home or anything that can burn. The Albany, NY Department of Fire & Emergency Services fire pit sheet adds fences and trees to that list and says to build on a level surface.
• Not on a wood deck unless the maker allows it. None of our picks is listed as approved for a wood deck. Grovellis warns against wooden floors, and PACKFIRE points deck users to a separate Surface Guard. Stone or bare ground is the safer spot.
• Never use gasoline. The Albany sheet says never to use gasoline or kerosene to start a fire because such fuels can make it get out of control quickly; the Detroit Fire Department’s summer safety sheet also rules out lighter fluid.
• Keep water or an extinguisher at hand. Detroit says to keep a bucket of water, a garden hose or a fire extinguisher nearby, and never to leave the fire unattended. Our fire extinguisher guide explains ratings, and our fire blanket guide covers what a blanket can and can’t smother.
• Watch kids and pets. USFA says to closely watch children when the fire pit is in use; Albany suggests keeping children and pets at least 3 feet from the fire and skipping windy days.
• Put it out completely. Albany says to extinguish the fire with water, gently stir and spread the ashes, and leave only when they’re cool to the touch. The USFA heating fire safety handout says to put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 10 feet from your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fire pit for most backyards?

The Sunnydaze Crossweave 36-inch. It has a 31-inch, 11-inch-deep bowl, 24-gauge steel, and a spark screen, poker and weather cover in the box, plus a 1-year limited warranty in the warranty field. It’s sold by Sunnydaze Decor.

What is the best smokeless fire pit?

For a backyard, the Grovellis 27-inch has the best rank here (#7 in Fire Pits) and includes a cover and poker. For travel, the GOLABS FP1 packs into a bag and the PACKFIRE 22-inch folds flat. Smoke reduction is each brand’s claim, and dry wood matters as much as the design.

What is the best fire pit with a spark screen?

The Sunnydaze Crossweave, Gas One 22-inch and Fire Beauty 22-inch all include a mesh screen or lid. Gas One is the budget pick and is sold by Amazon.com; Fire Beauty is the lightest at a listed 9.6 pounds.

Can I use a fire pit on a wood deck?

Only if the maker allows it, and none of our picks is listed as approved for a wood deck. Grovellis says not to use its pit on wooden floors. USFA says to keep fire pits at least 10 feet from your home or anything that can burn, so stone, pavers or bare ground is the safer choice.

How do I put out a fire pit safely?

Let the fire burn down, pour water over it, stir and spread the ashes, and repeat until they’re cool to the touch, as Albany’s fire department advises. USFA says to store ashes in a lidded metal container outside, at least 10 feet from the house.

The Bottom Line

The Sunnydaze Crossweave 36-inch is the best fire pit for most backyards: a deep screened bowl with a poker, cover and written warranty. The Gas One 22-inch is the budget pick, and the Fire Beauty 22-inch is the lightest screened bowl. If smoke is the problem, the Grovellis 27-inch is the popular patio choice, while the GOLABS FP1 and PACKFIRE 22-inch travel best. Whichever you buy, keep it 10 feet from the house, never use gasoline, and drown it before bed. A cover or spark screen finishes the setup.

Planning a backyard fire pit? Ask your agent how it fits your homeowners policy; our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains the basics. Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or request a free coverage review.