6 Best Tabletop Fire Pits of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Tested by Amy Marturana Winderl

There's nothing better than sitting around a fire on a brisk night to really turn up the cozy. Whether you're relaxing on the couch with friends or family or posting up on the patio to enjoy some fresh air and perhaps a beverage al fresco, a flickering flame can add some serious ambiance and set the mood. A tabletop fire pit makes it possible to add this special touch, even if you've got limited space and fire-starting skills.

Tabletop fire pit options have boomed in just the last couple of years. More and more brands have jumped on the bandwagon, creating products that bring some flare to your table without also adding smoke and other unwanted features that often come with traditional fire pits, like a large footprint and significant cleanup.

As ones who have had their fair share of experience with floor-sized fire pits, camp stoves and grills, we were intrigued by how a tabletop fire pit would differ. Turns out, while these petite pits don't provide the same warmth that a roaring fire can, the vibes really are spot on — and you can still cook up the s'mores of your dreams without having to rough it.

How We Tested

It's no easy feat to test and determine which tabletop fire pits out there are the very best. To get started, we researched popular brands and looked for highly rated products on Amazon and other major retailers. Once we got our hands on the fire pits, we opened each one and noted how easy the manual was to follow, and then, once we started putting them together, how simple assembly was. (The good news: Every single fire pit was very easy to put together — no tools required.) Then, we put each product to the test by adding fuel, lighting it, and observing the flame size, color, and burn time. We also took notes on clean-up as we put each one away after.

During testing, we specifically tested a few important things:

Fuel Test: We added fuel to the fire pit per the manual's instructions, noting how easy or difficult it was to do, if it spilled or otherwise made a mess and how much fuel it could hold in one go.

Flame Test: As the fires burned, we assessed how big the flame was, noting if it was on the dinky side, got a little out of control, the color, consistency and how it fared in windy conditions.

Warmth Test: Another thing we paid close attention to was whether or not the fire pits gave off significant warmth. All fire is hot, but we wanted to see if any of these fire pits actually provided an opportunity to warm up one's hands or take the chill off on a cold evening.

Burn Time Test: We observed how long each load of fuel lasted, noting which fire pits tended to burn out more quickly and which ones had some lasting power. For some of this, we did a little math. For example, the gel cans are meant to last for three hours, so instead of burning each one down for the full time, we burned for 30 minutes and then calculated to get a good estimation of how long it would burn if we let it ride the whole way.

We also considered how much cleanup each product required. In general, for gel cans, that's zero (just pop the lid back on and go); for liquid fuel, you may need to empty any excess and just wipe down the cup with a clean rag; and for wood, pellets or charcoal, there's going to be ash to get rid of and some soot to clean off.

What to Consider When Buying a Tabletop Fire Pit

Fuel Type: You've got a handful of choices when it comes to fuel. Liquid alcohol-based, gel cans (also alcohol), wood, wood pellets and charcoal were all options among the fire pits we tested. Alcohol-based fuels will give you a smokeless flame, while wood, pellets and charcoal all tend to produce some amount of smoke, though they also tend to give off more heat and are easy to add fuel to as the fire dies down. With alcohol-based fuel, you have to extinguish and let cool fully before adding more to avoid a potentially dangerous fire. Last but not least, wood gets you that crackling sound, if that's something you crave.

Size and Burn Time: Generally, the larger the fire pit or fuel cup, the longer burn you'll be able to get before having to refuel. Of course, you'll want to balance that out with a size that fits well on your table and is portable and/or easy to store, if you intend to move it around a lot and put it away when not in use.

Location of Use: Many tabletop fire pits can be used both inside and outside. Some should only ever be used outside. It's important to fully read the instruction manual and safety warnings for a fire pit before choosing the location where you'll use it. Generally, alcohol-based fuel doesn't produce dangerous smoke the way that burning organic matter (wood, pellets, charcoal) does. You should also check if there are any surfaces the manufacturer suggests avoiding — many of these fire pits do get hot underneath while in use.

Purpose of Use: Before choosing a fire pit, you'll want to decide what, exactly, you want to use it for. Good vibes only? Roasting a few marshmallows? A little extra warmth on a cool night? Different fire pits are best suited for various purposes; choosing one that fits your needs will ensure you're truly getting your money's worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tabletop fire pits safe?

Yes, assuming you're using them correctly, tabletop fire pits are safe. These products have the potential to cause a fire and serious injury, so make sure to fully read the instructions before lighting a tabletop fire pit. Another important thing to keep in mind: If the fire pit uses liquid fuel, once it is lit, you can't add more fuel while it's still hot. To extend the burn time, you need to snuff out the fire completely and let the vessel cool down before adding more fuel and relighting to avoid a flare and potentially burning yourself or lighting something near you on fire.

What do you burn in a tabletop fire pit?

Some tabletop fire pits use liquid fuel, which can be either isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) or bioethanol, a type of alcohol that's meant to burn cleaner and produce less smell and smoke. Others use gel fuel, which is a combination of isopropanol (again, rubbing alcohol) and ethanol (alcohol like what's in your vodka or gin drink) that's formulated to burn without producing smoke. There are also plenty of tabletop fire pits that burn wood or wood pellets, and even some that can use charcoal as fuel.

Do tabletop fire pits keep you warm?

Not really. All of the tabletop fire pits we tested were too small to provide significant warmth. Some will warm up your hands a bit if you put them close to the flame or are holding your hand there to roast a marshmallow. But in general, you shouldn't rely on these for heat on a cold night.

Can you roast marshmallows on a tabletop fire pit?

Yes. There's no reason that you can't use each of these fire pits to roast marshmallows, as long as you're using fuel that is safe for cooking. The different types of fuel used in these fire pits are all considered safe.

Other Tabletop Fire Pits We Tested

We liked the look of the KIZZBY Geometric Tabletop Fire Pit Bowl, another simple concrete firepit, and while its performance was comparable to similar concrete models, the finish was already getting scraped up by the stainless steel fuel bowl.

Similarly, the FLIKR Fire Personal Concrete Fireplace seemed easy to use, modern and low maintenance. However, we found that the unit got very hot to the touch, more so than similar pits. We also couldn't justify its price tag when similar options were half the price.

Cuisinart makes nice products, and we enjoyed the Cuisinart Cleanburn Tabletop Fire Pit but found it a little too lightweight to stay upright on our outdoor table. We also tested the Cuisinart Petite Tabletop Fire Bowl and found it hard to use. In particular, the wick was way too big for the fuel cup and it made it impossible to judge when we should stop pouring. It's not something we want to spill, and other models were pretty effortless to fill, so it didn't feel like this one was worth it.

Solo Stove is a major player in the fire pit game, so we tested other models, including the Cinder Tabletop Bowl, which we found to be too small for even miniature wood chunks to be nestled in properly to create a perfect flame. The others, all Terra Flame by Solo Stove models, were all very comparable: They all used the same gel fuel can, making ease of use and burn time the exact same. Ultimately, we chose the model we did solely because of looks. So if our pick isn't your vibe, you may want to check out some of their other models to find one that is.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Amy has been testing products and writing reviews for editorial publications for over a decade. She's tested everything from makeup and skincare products to fitness apparel, sneakers, gym equipment, hiking and camping equipment, and gardening tools and accessories. She has also tested products and written copy for SELF's beauty and fitness awards and Outside's gear guide. For HGTV, Amy has tested a variety of home and garden products, including garden hoses, hose reels, gardening carts and wagons, pop-up canopy tents and bath mats.

Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts

HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.