Tabletop fire pits, also called tabletop fireplaces, provide the cozy aesthetic and charm of a crackling fire but in a small and portable footprint. These compact fire pits are designed to sit atop of a table as an eye-catching centerpiece. Not only do they add a bit of light and warmth, a decorative fire pit can add a sense of grandeur to a patio or dining room table. With indoor and outdoor options, a tabletop fire pit can be the creative spark your space needs. Create a cozy and inviting lounging or dining area with one of the best tabletop fire pits.
- BEST OVERALL: TerraFlame Wave Fire Bowl Table Top
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Danya B Indoor/Outdoor Portable Tabletop Fire Pit
- BEST STYLE: Orren Ellis Craddock Bio-Ethanol Tabletop Fireplace
- BEST RECTANGULAR: Northwest Metal Outdoor Tabletop Fireplace
- BEST COLUMN: UniFlame Endless Summer LP Gas Outdoor Fire Column
- BEST FOR PATIO TABLES: Bond Manufacturing 50856N Table Fire Bowl
- EASIEST TO USE: Colsen Portable Tabletop Round Fire Pit
- ALSO CONSIDER: TerraFlame Geo Fire Bowl Table Top
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Tabletop Fire Pit
Tabletop fire pits offer the coziness and flickering glow of a fireplace but in a portable package. Designed to function like a miniature fire pit, they’re decorative, warm, and safe to use. Tabletop fire pits aren’t intended to be a significant source of light or heat, but rather they help to create an enchanting ambiance. When shopping for the best tabletop fire pits, consider the fire pit’s intended location, size, burn time, fuel type, and safety features.
Location
Shoppers can choose from both indoor and outdoor firepits. For those looking for flexibility, many options can be used either indoors or outdoors.
Of course, choose the appropriate tabletop fireplace for its intended use. If shoppers are looking to host cozy indoor winter dinner parties, an indoor fire pit for the dining room is an elegant choice. For balmy summer nights, the best outdoor tabletop fire pit options can help create a charming and comfortable patio lounging space. When it comes to location, a tabletop fire pit should always be used as instructed, especially since some outdoor tabletop fire pits aren’t safe to use indoors (and vice versa).
Size and Burn Time
Tabletop fire pits come in a range of sizes, from portable mini burners to grand, striking pieces on par with some of the best gas fire pit or best smokeless fire pit options. Choose a size that suits the intended table, keeping in mind that there should be enough space for guests to sit around the table while maintaining a safe distance from the fire pit.
When it comes to tabletop fire pits, burn time refers to how long the fire pit can stay lit without needing to refill the fuel source. Burn time generally ranges from 1 to 5 hours. A longer burn time means less time spent dealing with the fuel.
While tabletop fire pits aren’t usually a significant source of heat, most can emit enough heat to warm up cold fingers and create a cozier seating space. Heat output is measured in British thermal units (BTUs). Many tabletop fire pits emit between 1,000 and 10,000 BTUs, but some large options can emit up to an impressive 50,000 BTUs. In comparison, many standard 1,500-watt space heaters emit around 5,100 BTUs
Fuel Type
Tabletop fire pits use either a liquid or gel fuel. Since they’re designed to sit so closely to seated people, the best tabletop fire pit will use a clean-burning fuel source that creates minimal smoke or soot. Fuel types can include propane, isopropyl alcohol, bioethanol, ethanol-free fuels, and alcohol-based fireplace fuel gels. For both safety and performance purposes, it’s important to only use the fuel type specified in the fire pit owner’s manual.
When choosing a fuel type, consider ease of use, including accessibility to the fuel type and how difficult it is to change the fuel. For example, switching out a propane tank takes longer than simply pouring a cup of rubbing alcohol into the fuel reservoir. Also consider portability; a propane-fueled fire pit will always need a nearby propane tank, whereas fuel gels and liquids are almost always contained within the fire pit.
Safety
While tabletop fireplaces are safe to use, they do have an open flame, which comes with its own inherent risks. Some tabletop fire pits have safety features to lower the chance of mishaps. To start, it’s always important to use the tabletop fire pit exactly as instructed. Make sure to use the correct fuel source to ensure the fire pit burns clean.
A good tabletop fire pit should be made of materials that won’t get too hot to the touch to prevent burns if someone accidentally touches the bowl. To lower the chance of someone coming in direct contact with the flame, some tabletop fire pits also have a glass shield.
Otherwise, safety features are rather sparse in tabletop fire pits. Due to their simple design, many tabletop fire pits don’t have auto shutoff or other safety features, so supervision is a must when the fire pit is lit.
Our Top Picks
Few table decorations are as visually striking as a tabletop fire pit. Read on for the best tabletop fire pits to spruce up your patio or dining table.
Photo: amazon.com
With beautiful, versatile design and a charming crackling fire, the TerraFlame Wave Fire Bowl Table Top is the best tabletop fireplace for contemporary homes. This portable fireplace is hand cast from organic concrete (which won’t get hot to the touch) and features a subtle, waved design inspired by the slope of ocean waves. It comes in various finishes, and the simplistic aesthetic gives this fire bowl a modern touch that will suit many indoor and outdoor spaces.
This tabletop fireplace is safe to use both inside and outside, and its relatively modest footprint means it can be used on most tables. It uses a gel fuel canister (three are included), which doesn’t just light up the bowl but also features a crackling sound to mimic the ambiance of a campfire. Each clean-burning fuel canister offers up to 3 hours of burn time to brighten up a seating area or roast marshmallows for s’mores.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or outdoor
- Fuel type: Gel fuel
- Dimensions: 10.625 inches in diameter by 5.125 inches tall
Pros
- Stunning design
- Bowl won’t get hot to the touch
- Includes 3 gel canisters that produce a crackling flame
Cons
Get the TerraFlame Wave tabletop fire pit at Amazon, Wayfair, or TerraFlame.
Photo: wayfair.com
Tabletop fire pits look luxurious, but that doesn’t mean they need to have a luxury price tag. Affordable options are plentiful, and the best budget-friendly pick is the Danya B Indoor/Outdoor Portable Tabletop Fire Pit. Measuring 8.25 inches in diameter and 11.38 inches tall, this small and economical fire pit is a stylish choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
This tabletop fire pit runs on bioethanol fuel (not included). It comes with decorative rocks, a snuffer, and reusable fiberglass for use with ethanol fuel. The fire pit features a sleek black metal base and a cylindrical glass body, which guards the flame and adds a modern touch to this elegant mini fire pit.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or outdoor
- Fuel type: Bioethanol
- Dimensions: 8.25 inches in diameter by 11.38 inches tall
Pros
- Affordable
- Small footprint
- Glass flame guard
Cons
Get the Danya B tabletop fire pit at Wayfair, Overstock, or Danya B.
Photo: wayfair.com
With a stunning design and a variety of color options, the Orren Ellis Craddock Bio-Ethanol Tabletop Fireplace is the best tabletop fire pit for those looking to make a statement. Measuring 19.5 inches long by 8 inches wide by 9.5 inches tall, this large centerpiece will be the star of a coffee table or dining room table with its eye-catching modern style.
Its distinctive oval shape provides plenty of space for its long flame feature, and the high-gloss finish is available in beige, black, blue, red, or stainless steel. A glass flame guard helps protect passersby from accidentally touching the flame while also giving this fire pit an elevated look.
One liter of bioethanol will power this tabletop fireplace for up to 5 hours (fuel is not included). This tabletop fire pit is safe for both indoor and outdoor use, although it’s best to store it indoors to protect its glossy finish.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or outdoor
- Fuel type: Bioethanol
- Dimensions: 19.5 inches long by 8 inches wide by 9.5 inches tall
Pros
- Striking contemporary design
- Various finish options
- Large, eye-catching flame
- Glass flame guard
Cons
Get the Orren Ellis tabletop fire pit on Wayfair.
Photo: wayfair.com
A rectangular tabletop fireplace is a popular choice for rectangular tables. Since the Northwest Metal Outdoor Tabletop Fireplace is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, it’s a great choice for a rectangular dining or patio table. It measures 14 inches long by 7.25 inches wide by 8 inches tall, so it will fit comfortably on four- to eight-seat rectangular tables. Although it’s ideal for rectangular tables, it can absolutely be used on round tables as well. The long rectangular shape offers enough space for a substantial, flickering flame, perfect for casting a glow over a dinner party or cocktails with friends.
A basic but contemporary design, featuring a black steel finish and two protective panels, can fit in with a variety of decors. It runs on bioethanol (not included) and comes with a wool-wick bioethanol burner for lighting and a snuffer to put out the flame safely.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or outdoor
- Fuel type: Bioethanol
- Dimensions: 14 inches long by 7.25 inches wide by 8 inches tall
Pros
- Sleek black stainless steel finish
- Substantial flame
- Includes a snuffer
Cons
- Relatively short burn time (around 1 hour)
- Does not come with fuel
Get the Northwest tabletop fire pit on Wayfair or Overstock.
Photo: amazon.com
A large size and stately design make the UniFlame Endless Summer LP Gas Outdoor Fire Column an excellent choice for those looking for a large tabletop fire pit. Measuring 11 inches long by 11 inches wide by 15 inches tall, this fire pit features a column-style design that makes it suitable for use on a dining or patio table as a striking tabletop fireplace, or placed on the ground as a small stand-alone fire pit.
Powered by a propane tank (not included), this fire column is intended for outdoor use only. It features a rustic faux stone finish with a large decorative base that conceals a spot for a 1-pound propane tank inside. Because of its larger size, this fire pit puts out a pretty significant amount of heat. It has a 10,000 BTU stainless steel burner, so it can double as an outdoor heat source.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
- Fuel type: Propane
- Dimensions: 11 inches long by 11 inches wide by 15 inches tall
Pros
- Large column design
- Provides decent amount of heat
- Hidden propane-tank compartment
- Can be used as a freestanding fire pit
Cons
- Can be difficult to change the propane tank
Get the UniFlame tabletop fire pit at Amazon, Wayfair, or Endless Summer.
Photo: amazon.com
Looking for a more permanent propane fireplace for a patio table? This tabletop fire bowl from Bond Manufacturing installs right into a patio table umbrella hole to create a sturdy and beautiful centerpiece. The fire pit is compatible with a standard umbrella hole in wood, glass, metal, wicker, and composite patio tables. Made of long-lasting steel with a weathered bronze finish, this is the best propane tabletop fire pit for busy backyards.
Installing via the umbrella hole doesn’t only ensure this fire bowl won’t tip over; it also helps to hide the propane tank, which sits beneath the table. This tabletop fire pit is powered by a 1-pound propane tank (not included) to provide a pleasant flickering light and 10,000 BTUs of warmth.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
- Fuel type: Propane
- Dimensions: 10 inches in diameter by 5.9 inches high
Pros
- Installs into standard umbrella hole
- Long-lasting steel construction
- Safe and impossible to topple over once installed
Cons
- Need to crawl under the table to change the propane tank
Get the Bond Manufacturing tabletop fire pit on Amazon or at Lowe’s.
Photo: amazon.com
If dealing with bioethanol fuels or propane tanks sounds like too much work, the Colsen Portable Tabletop Round Fire Pit should be your fire pit of choice. All this little fire pit needs to run is a bit of 70 percent or 91 percent isopropyl alcohol. Its design couldn’t be simpler; made of concrete, it has a small central reservoir that users fill with alcohol and light aflame. The alcohol slowly burns off, providing around 40 minutes of flickering fire, perfect for setting the mood or roasting a few marshmallows.
Suited for both indoor and outdoor use, this mini fire pit measures 5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, making it an ultraportable option. However, due to its open fuel reservoir and lightweight design, users will need to take extra care not to knock it over.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or outdoor
- Fuel type: Isopropyl alcohol
- Dimensions: 5 inches in diameter by 3.5 inches tall
Pros
- Small and portable
- Very simple to use
- Uses easy-to-find isopropyl alcohol for fuel
Cons
- Flame is easily extinguished in the wind
- Open fuel reservoir requires close attention to prevent fuel spills
Get the Colsen tabletop fire pit on Amazon or Wayfair.
Photo: amazon.com
The TerraFlame Geo Fire Bowl Table Top features a modern geometric design that adds character to indoor or outdoor tables. This tabletop fire bowl comes in several finishes and is crafted from organic concrete to create a contemporary-style fire bowl. Not only does the thick concrete look nice, it’s also sturdy and doesn’t get hot to the touch.
This fire pit measures 10.625 inches in diameter by 5.125 inches tall, so it’s a suitable small fire pit for almost any tabletop. It’s powered by gel fuel and comes with three fuel canisters. Once the canister is lit, the flame makes a lovely crackling sound and provides up to 3 hours of warmth and light.
Product Specs
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or outdoor
- Fuel type: Gel fuel
- Dimensions: 10.625 inches in diameter by 5.125 inches tall
Pros
- Chic geometric style
- Durable cement construction
- Includes 3 fuel canisters that crackle like a fireplace
Cons
- Refill crackling gel fuel canisters are pricey
Get the TerraFlame Geo tabletop fire pit on Amazon, Wayfair, or TerraFlame.
Our Verdict
The TerraFlame Wave tabletop fire pit boasts a stunning modern design, is safe for indoor or outdoor use, and includes three crackling gel fuel canisters so you can get a fire up and going right away. For an equally stylish, smaller, and more affordable option, consider the Danya B tabletop fire pit, which is an economical and sleek mini indoor/outdoor fire pit.
How to Make a DIY Tabletop Fire Pit
Making a simple DIY tabletop fire pit is an easy project with the right materials. All it takes is a fire-resistant vessel, filler, and a fire gel fuel canister.
Start with a sturdy and relatively heavy fire-resistant vessel. Large planters or flower pots are the best choice; they are durable, difficult to tip over, and suitable for outdoor use. Fire-resistant material options include concrete, stone, terracotta, or glazed ceramic garden pots.
Next, choose a fire-resistant filling material. Landscaping rocks, lava rocks, gravel, sand, and glass pebbles are all suitable and attractive options. Lastly, you’ll need a fire gel fuel canister, which will provide a safe fuel source.
Putting together the tabletop fire pit is simple. Place the gel fuel canister in the center of the planter or pot and fill the surrounding area with your chosen filler. Do not cover the top of the gel fuel canister. To fill the fire pit higher than the top of the fuel canister, create a barrier around the canister using chicken wire. Depending on how deep the bowl is, you may choose to place some filler before placing the gel fuel canister to give the flame a bit more height.
Place the finished fire pit on the table, light it, and voilà! A beautiful, warm, flickering centerpiece.
How We Chose the Best Tabletop Fire Pits
The best tabletop fire pits are attractive, easy to set up, and safe to use. Through product research and examining customer reviews, we kept these three main criteria in mind.
The main function of a tabletop fireplace is decorative, so it’s important that it looks nice. Since style is subjective, we chose tabletop fire pits in a range of designs, making sure to include various shapes, sizes, materials, and colors to suit different decor styles. We prioritized fire pits with various finishes, which makes it easier to match the fire pit to existing decor.
While style is important, safety and ease of use are even more crucial. We looked for tabletop fire pits that are straightforward to use (not only does it make use more pleasant, but fewer steps means it’s easier to follow directions). We prioritized fire pits made of materials that won’t get too hot and feature a sturdy and bottom-heavy design. These design features reduce the risks of burns and make it difficult to tip the fire pit.
FAQs
Tabletop fire pits are often chosen as the focal point for a patio or dining table because of their striking aesthetic. But with their open flame, they require more thought and care than a typical centerpiece. Wondering if a tabletop fire pit is a safe and suitable option for your home? Read on for the answers to some frequently asked questions on using and maintaining a tabletop fire pit.
Q. Are tabletop fire pits safe?
Since they have an open flame, tabletop fire pits come with an inherent risk of fire or burns. However, if you’re mindful of use and safety directions, tabletop fire pits are safe.
Q. Are tabletop fire pits warm?
While tabletop fire pits aren’t intended to be heaters, they do emit a bit of heat.
Q. Is the fire in a tabletop fire pit real?
Yes, the fire in a tabletop fire pit is a real fire.
Q. What type of fuel do tabletop fire pits use?
It depends on the tabletop fire pit. Tabletop fire pits most commonly use bioethanol liquid fuel, propane tanks, or alcohol-based gel fuels. Fuel sources are not interchangeable, so make sure to use only the fuel type specified in the owner’s manual.
Q. Can I use my tabletop fire pit outdoors?
It depends. Follow the manufacturer’s directions, which should specify if the tabletop fire pit is suitable for indoor or outdoor use (or both).
Q. How do I clean and store my tabletop fire pit?
Only handle the tabletop fire pit when it is extinguished and fully cooled. Dispose of the fuel appropriately. Tabletop fireplaces burn pretty clean, so there should be very little residue in the unit. A damp cloth should do the trick to remove any dust or leftover residue. For tabletop fire pits with a protective shield, follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning the glass (a gas fireplace glass cleaner is usually suitable). Once clean and dry, the fire pit can be stored in its original container or another box to prevent dust buildup.
