While it does seem like there’s not a lot to them, getting good value for money in a fire pit for less than $100 can be difficult. This is because the best fire pits under $100 are mixed in with a couple of bad choices, and in some cases, it can be tricky to tell them apart.
That said, you can educate yourself on the fire pit features to look out for. One of these features is the fuel type. It would be best if you chose a fuel type that’s easily accessible to you. Next, the fire pit should be built to last, and thus it makes sense to check out the construction of various models. Also, find out what accessories will be provided with the fire pit. Ask yourself if these accessories come with any tangible benefits. You can even look at the dimensions and weight. After all, the device won’t work for you if it doesn’t fit in your backyard. Lastly, we’ve curated below a list of eight of the best fire pits under $100 that you can consider for purchase with the Zeny 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit as our Editor’s Choice.
More features: rust-resistant, multipurpose, safety mesh cover
The Zeny 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit is one of four square-top fire pits to make it onto the list and suffices as our editor’s choice product. As you would expect of any high-caliber fire pit, this tool is designed for the outdoors.
The tool features metal construction, which is then coated to protect it against rust and heat. That said, if you don’t make full use of the provided rain cover, the lifespan of your purchase will be reduced.
Additionally, the square table-top has ornamental faux stone lines, which make looking at it a bit more pleasing. Notably, the fire pit is also relatively portable. As such, you can experiment with a few positions in your backyard before deciding on a permanent home.
Another thing to note about the fire pit is that it comes with a BBQ shelf. Consequently, you can use the tool to grill some burgers or make a meal as you chill near the fire pit. In addition to the BBQ grill, other accessories include a fire grate, mesh lid, and a poker for tending the fire.
The mesh lid is especially important as it keeps sparks in the fire pit. This, in turn, makes your experience safer, and you don’t have to worry about embers from the fire hurting you. When hot, you should avoid touching the mesh lid. Instead, you can use the poker to remove the lid whenever you need to stoke the fire.
Also, remember that this is a wood fire pit. As such, if you don’t have a constant supply of firewood or a suitable alternative, you should avoid it.
More features: 10,000 BTU stainless steel burner, hidden control panel, electronic ignition, black fire glass
The Endless Summer GLT1343SP Gas Fireplace fire pit is another option you could look into getting. The fire pit uses LP gas as its source of fuel, and as such, it needs a propane tank to function. Something to remember is that the propane tank is not included in the purchase. As such, setting aside some money for its purchase seems like a good idea if you choose this fire pit.
This fire pit offers electronic ignition, and consequently, you won’t need to worry about using a lighter or a matchbox. It also helps to avoid the waste that is associated with the latter. However, when looking at the device from the outside, you won’t see the control panel or any propane tank connections. This is because they are well hidden inside the fire pit.
At its maximum heat setting, the device should provide 10,000 BTUs of heat, which is impressive for a gas fire pit. This heat comes from the stainless steel burner. Lastly, the black fire glass should be positioned above the burner to give your flame a more natural campfire outlook.
More features: 3-in-1, easy-to-clean, protective fire screen lid
Shape and design-wise, the Vnewone 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit is remarkably similar to the Zeny 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit. The pit’s weight and dimensions are not too different either. If you are hosting in your backyard on a cool evening, this option can add warmth to the setting and improve the ambiance.
The parts of the fire pit, including the legs, table-top, and the bowl, are all made from powder-coated steel. Also, this coating provides a relatively high degree of protection from rust. The fire pit is also easy to clean after an evening of use.
Like the editor’s choice, you also get a mesh screen with your purchase of the Vnewone 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit. That said, you should be careful with your handling of the mesh pit as it gets hot. You can use gloves or even the poker to remove the mesh lid from the fire if you want to add wood.
More features: foldable and collapsible, high-temperature paint, comes with basic accessories
The Fire Sense Folding Fire Pit comes fully assembled, which reduces the workload for you. Notably, the purchase is foldable and collapsible. In addition to that, it comes with a bag so you can easily transport or store it whenever you need to. It might also help that the fire pit only weighs seven pounds making it ideal for camping trips.
Additionally, you get all the accessories that you might need to use alongside the fire pit. These include a mesh screen, a poker/screen lift tool, and a wood grate. Lastly, the fire pit’s construction is covered with high-temperature paint.
More features: steel mesh screen, heat-resistant finish, versatile design, multipurpose
The Best Choice Products 22-inch Outdoor Fire Pit also has impressive attributes that need to be mentioned. First is the tempered steel body with a heat-resistant finish. Next is an easy-to-assemble design.
Also, the steel mesh screen has not been left out of this purchase either. Some might say the fire pit’s compactness is an asset, especially if you plan on moving the device around after assembly.
Lastly, you have a dual purpose poker in that it can stoke the fire and remove the mesh screen from the setup when hot.
More features: extra reinforcement with crossing support, antique patina vintage finish
An option with amazing aesthetics is the SuperHandy California Bear Christmas/X-Mas Tree Fire Pit. As shown above, the fire pit has cutout designs of a bear, paws, antelopes, and Christmas trees.
The 14-gauge carbon steel construction deserves praise as well. This material is thick, durable, and if well-taken care of, you won’t need to replace the fire pit for quite a while. Also, this might explain why the fire pit is so heavy in comparison to the other options.
As for the extra reinforcement and the crossing support, these features allow the device to bear the heat and weight of the burning wood easily. Also, the components of this fire pit can easily be put together or taken apart. This might make transportation easier, despite the heavy weight of the overall device.
Lastly, since this product is meant to improve its patina finish the more you use it, you can scrap deterioration due to rust from your list of worries.
More features: black heat-resistant coating, multiple uses, rustproof
Next, we have the Kingso 22-Inch Fire Pit, which uses wood as its primary fuel source. As you can see, the tool doesn’t have many components. The ones that are there include the legs and an outer rim. As such, putting this fire pit together should be a cinch. Also, taking it apart so you can take it with you during camping trips should be an easy matter.
Another significant component is the spark screen. As you will be using wood with this fire pit, it is expected that there will be sparks and embers flying out of the device. In rare cases, there could also be debris. However, as long as you have the spark screen over the fire, you’ll be safe.
The construction of the fire pit includes alloy steel for the legs as well as the bowl that holds the wood. Notably, the load-bearing capabilities of the leg and bowl are quite commendable. These elements are also covered with a heat-resistant coating. The last accessory in this purchase is a wood-handled poker for tending to your fires.
The manufacturer also recommends that you put out the fire and store the fire pit indoors after use.
More features: celestial pattern cutout, protective fire screen lid
Next, we have the Vnewone Outdoor Fire Pit with its cylindrical shape. Like the Vnewone 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit, the fuel type of choice is wood. Notably, you should cut the wood into small pieces to fit into the pit’s 24” diameter.
Given the fire pit’s simple design, it should prove a relatively easy affair to assemble the purchase. Of course, once you are done with the assembly, you can appreciate the fire pit’s aesthetics. The celestial pattern cutout is very impressive in this regard.
You can also add barbeque capabilities to the list of things the purchase can do. However, a BBQ shelf is not included in the purchase, and thus you’ll have to buy it separately. What is included are the legs, a fire bowl, and a spark screen.
Just so we ensure you get good value for your money, we have included a buying guide below. With this, you’ll no doubt have an easier time selecting one backyard accessory from the eight fire pit options listed above.
Admittedly, the fire pits you get for a budget of under $100 are not top of the line purchases. However, they are functional, well-built, and often light enough to take with you on camping trips. Additionally, most of them come with heat resistant finishes.
We would recommend that you store these fire pits indoors once you are done with them. This will ensure they don’t come into contact with the rain and moisture, which then protects them from rust. Also, some of them come with various accessories, including fire pits, pokers, and barbeque shelves.
Notably, there are some high-quality fire pits in this price range if you know where and how to look for them. We do recommend that you make the purchase after considering what features the fire pit comes with. This is because the features listed will dictate how you use the fire pit. Also, the list of features you might find as you review fire pits priced at below $100 is given below. Use it as a reference point, and it will keep you from forgetting anything.
There are currently up to four different types of fire pits with regard to the fuel types they use. The most common in this price range, as seen in the list above, is the wood-burning option. You also have the liquid propane option like the Endless Summer GLT1343SP Gas Fireplace.
The last two options are ethanol and natural-gas fire pits. Due to what some might call the unnatural flame shape from the burner, the natural gas, ethanol, and liquid propane fire pits come with accessories such as fire glass, lava rock, and more. These accessories give the flame a more realistic campfire look.
The list above also shows that varying materials have been used to make the different fire pits. As such, there are varying degrees of durability in each option. The SuperHandy California Bear Christmas/X-Mas Tree Fire Pit is particularly impressive since it uses 14-gauge steel. Another one of its impressive attributes is that it has a patina finish that will only improve over time.
While still on the matter of finishes, you should get one that is heat resistant, and it’s also a bonus if it is rust-resistant. If the finish fulfills both of these requirements, the fire pit should last you longer.
Also, since you’ll be dealing with fire, a small mishap can lead to major problems. However, since you and your family don’t want to get burned, you should check on the device’s safety. Notably, sturdier and heavier options are harder to tip over, even in cases of strong winds.
Additionally, you don’t need to get close to the pit if you have a poker to stoke the fire. This device also allows you to lift the mesh screen without touching it. If you find other features that make the fire pit safer to use, they should add to the pros of your purchase as well.
The burner types you encounter in potential fire pit purchases will also be different. This is in terms of design and shape as well as the flames they produce. Some popular designs in the market include round burners, square burners, crossfire burners, and more. Of course, for wood burning fire pits, which make up the bulk of our list above, they don’t need any burners to function.
Also, check whether the design and shape of the fire pit are in line with your needs. As shown in the above list, the two most dominant shapes for the top of the fire pit are square and circular options. However, the shape varies a lot when looking at the area between the top and bottom of the fire pit. Some are cylindrical, others are cuboids, and you get a few other shape options as well.
Additionally, the design of the body of the fire pit varies a lot. As you can see, fire pit options like the Vnewone Outdoor Fire Pit and the SuperHandy California Bear Christmas/X-Mas Tree Fire Pit feature a cutout design. Others have plain exteriors, while a few have faux stone lines with the example of the Zeny 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit. Any of these design patterns is acceptable as long as you find it attractive and a perfect fit for your backyard.
Some would say that portability is a crucial selling point for the Fire Sense Folding Fire Pit. This purchase option is light, collapsible, and is provided with a bag for easy carry. As such, if you ever need to go for a camping trip, fitting this in the trunk of your car alongside other luggage should be a cinch.
However, an option like the SuperHandy California Bear Christmas/X-Mas Tree Fire Pit may be significantly more challenging to carry thanks to the extra weight. Consequently, it might be more suited to a person who doesn’t plan on taking the fire pit out of the house.
Ensure you buy a fire pit that is perfect for your needs in this area as well.
Fire pits can also double as barbeque grills if they have the right accessories with them. An example is the Zeny 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit, which comes with a barbeque shelf making it easier to prepare meals in your backyard. Most of the other options don’t have such an accessory, although admittedly, you can get one from a third party seller.
If grilling some food in your fire pit is essential, you should look into the cooking area as well. This will allow you to know how many burger patties or sausages you can fit into it.
Ideally, your fire pit will also come with a warranty. This will ensure the backyard accessory can get repaired or replaced at no extra cost if it gets damaged within a specific time frame. This can save you some money and help you avoid some headaches post-purchase.
As evident from the fire pits list above, our top three options are the Zeny 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit, Endless Summer GLT1343SP Gas Fireplace and the Vnewone 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit.
As far as all-rounded fire pits go, the Zeny is an excellent option. A BBQ shelf is also included, even though it is omitted from most of the other offerings listed.
The Endless Summer GLT1343SP Gas Fireplace is the only gas option included. As such, it is worth purchasing if you want to avoid the smoke associated with burning wood. Also, some of you may find wood to be harder to find than propane gas.
Last in our top three fire pits is the Vnewone 32-Inch Outdoor Fire Pit. We liked this option because of the extremely attractive exterior. Also, the patina finish works well with an outdoor fire pit like this one.
