6 Best Tabletop Fire Pits of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Tested by Kamron Sanders

A tabletop fire pit is an easy way to up the ambiance and coziness of your outdoor space. Unlike traditional fire pits that are bulky and expensive, tabletop fire pits are inexpensive and compact, yet they still offer the same charm. Some tabletop fire pit options even put out a surprising amount of heat, meaning you can warm your hands and roast marshmallows without even leaving the table.

From in-ground fire pits to smokeless fire pits to backyard bonfires, we've built our fair share of fires. However, nothing is quite as easy as lighting up a tabletop fire pit. While we skipped liquid-burning fire pit options for this test due to the recent Consumer Alert Warning regarding liquid-burning fire pits, the options of gel fuel, pellets, wood, and propane allow for plenty of flexibility and different user experiences. Below, we've provided our top tabletop fire pit picks so you can choose the best one for your outdoor space.

How We Tested

To find the best tabletop fire pit, we tested 12 different models from popular brands and online retailers like Amazon, Solo Stove, Lowe's and more. After identifying highly rated options, we unboxed them, assembled them according to the manufacturer's instructions and noted how straightforward the process was.

Once assembled, we put each tabletop fire pit through a meticulous testing process, testing the different fuel options, the flame size, burn time, warmth output, and noting how easy cleanup and storage were after use. We also considered the design of each model and how it might influence your existing aesthetic.

During testing, we specifically tested a few important things:

Fuel Test: To test a variety of fuel options, we chose tabletop fire pits fueled by wood/pellets, gel fuel and propane, then compared them to their respective fuel types and the test group as a whole. Each fuel type had its perks, as well as its own set of disadvantages. For example, the wood-burning stoves offered the most enjoyable experience among the different fuel sources, gel was the easiest to light and propane was the easiest to clean up. On the other hand, the wood and pellets made for the biggest mess, the gel produced the least enjoyable flame and the propane options lacked the cozy feel of a real wood fire.

Flame Test: To test each tabletop fire pit's flame, we lit them as specified by the manufacturer's instructions, then inspected and measured the flame produced. The flames were vastly different between the different fuel options, as the wood-burning fire pits produced tall, intense flames, the gel options produced smaller, efficient flames, and the propane options produced even, controlled flames.

Warmth Test: To test each tabletop fire pit's level of warmth, we simply lit them up in the center of the table and took a seat, noting the level of heat each fire pit emitted. As you may expect, the intense flames of the wood-burning stoves produced immensely more heat than both the gel fire pits and the propane fire pits, though every option was sufficiently hot for roasting marshmallows.

Burn Time Test: To test each tabletop fire pit's burn time, we loaded them with fuel as specified by the manufacturer's instructions, ignited them, started a timer and noted when they stopped burning.

We also considered how much cleanup each product required. In general, gel cans required nothing more than discarding and replacing the can once it was empty, and similarly, propane just required you to swap out the tank. The wood-burning stoves required more cleanup, as you must discard the ash after use, which tends to get on everything, no matter how hard you try to prevent that. Additionally, you'll want to occasionally wipe down the soot to prevent buildup.

What to Consider When Buying a Tabletop Fire Pit

Fuel Type: Fuel type is the most crucial thing you should consider when buying a tabletop fire pit, as it directly affects how much you'll spend on fuel, the fire pit experience, cleanup, heat-production and more.

Size and Burn Time: Choosing the right size tabletop fire pit is mostly about balance. You want to choose something that will maximize your experience without taking up too much space or producing too large a flame for your space. With wood-burning fire pits, the size often parallels the burn time, as the larger the vessel, the more room for fuel. With propane, a larger burner will use more propane, which will technically reduce the burn time, but you're rarely using entire tanks of propane in one sitting, so it doesn't affect the user experience. With gel, most gel cans are the same size regardless of the fire pit's size, so burn time isn't affected.

Location of Use: While many tabletop fire pits can be used both inside and outside, some should only ever be used outside. If you have any doubt, thoroughly read the instruction manual before attempting to use a tabletop fire pit on an indoor table. For the most part, the only type of fuel that can be used indoors is gel fuel, but we recommend consulting the specific manufacturer's instructions for your product. Additionally, check to make sure your fire pit of choice can be used on your intended surface, as some models may get too hot for delicate surfaces like plastic.

Purpose of Use: Before buying a tabletop fire pit, ask yourself how you intend to use it and the experience you want out of it. If you want as much heat production as possible, wood-burning tabletop fire pits are your best bet. If you're after ambiance that you can conveniently light at a moment's notice, propane is the way to go. If you want a no-fuss option that creates a beautiful flame perfect for back porch s'mores, you can't go wrong with a gel-burning fire pit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tabletop fire pits safe?

Yes, assuming you're using them correctly, tabletop fire pits are safe. Naturally, 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. Note: This test intentionally excluded tabletop fire pits that use liquid fuel, as the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has issued a Consumer Safety Alert against such products.

Can you use tabletop fire pits indoors?

Not every type of tabletop fire pit is safe for use indoors, but the gel-burning models we tested were. For best results, always consult your manufacturer's instructions before attempting to use a tabletop fire pit indoors, and follow the directions for safe use.

Do tabletop fire pits keep you warm?

While some of the wood-burning tabletop fire pits we tested did put off a surprising amount of heat, you'll be disappointed if you're relying on them to keep you warm. However, if you're just looking to warm your hands, they've got you covered.

Can you roast marshmallows on a tabletop fire pit?

Yes. Every tabletop fire pit we tested would be useful for roasting marshmallows, as long as you're using fuel that is safe for cooking. Out of the different fuel offerings, the wood-burning tabletop fire pits are the best for marshmallows, especially if more than one person is doing so, as they have the biggest flame and most heat.

Other Tabletop Fire Pits We Tested

We really loved the durability and performance of the Cuisinart Cleanburn Smokeless Tabletop Fire Pit; we just liked some of the other wood-burning options more. That said, when they say "Cleanburn," they mean it. This fire pit burned so efficiently that the flames would nearly disappear at times, though it was still burning. While the efficiency was impressive, the occasional lack of a visual flame at times stole from the desired ambiance.

The Amazon Basics Round Tabletop Propane Fire Pit was promising, but the flame it produced seemed too small for the size of the unit, which took up valuable table real estate.

Alongside the Solo Stove TerraFlame Wave, we tested two more TerraFlame options, the Geo and the Element. Both performed equally well; we simply liked the looks of the Wave the most.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

This article was written by Kamron Sanders, a freelance home improvement writer and professional product tester with over 15 years of experience with DIYs, remodeling, construction and woodworking. He has tested a wide range of products, from cordless drills to espresso machines and everything in between. For this article, Kamron put 12 popular tabletop fire pit models from various brands to the test to uncover which tabletop fire pit is the best.

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.