Ditch Traditional Fire Pits: There's An Amazon Find That Takes Up Half The Space & Makes No Smoke

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A fire pit conjures up thoughts of cozy evenings with friends and family gathered around its warmth — there's just something magical about their inviting glow. If you're short on space, not up for DIYing a fire pit in your yard, or don't love how traditional fire pits make you smell like smoke, you might think they're out of reach. Fortunately, there's an Amazon find that requires much less space and offers a smoke-free experience — the Solo Stove Mesa XL — that can turn your outdoor living space into the perfect oasis.

Retailing for just under $100, this tiny tabletop fire pit is a fairly affordable addition to consider. While even the smallest traditional fire pits are usually at least 24 inches in diameter, the Solo Stove Mesa XL is a petite 7 inches in diameter and 8.6 inches high. Despite its compact size, it offers a heat radius of 2 to 3 feet, making it a viable option for staying warm on chilly evenings. It's designed to be compatible with wood or pellets. The XL bundle comes with a small stand, as well as a carrying bag for easy storage and transportation. This stove is designed to be smokeless, relying on its signature airflow design and dual layers of durable stainless steel to minimize smoke.

This little stove has earned a 4.6-star average rating on Amazon from over 3,700 reviews. While a few customers said it was too small for their liking, or that it wasn't totally smokeless, most reviews are positive. Some reviewers complained that the stove required refueling too frequently, while others appreciated that the shorter burn time meant less waiting around for the fire to go out.

While the Solo Stove Mesa XL may be too small to place in the yard and pull up lawn chairs around, it is a good size for cozy intimate gathering. Positioning it on a patio table, for example, provides you with a spot for making s'mores on the weekend. One Amazon reviewer wrote, "This is a really nice addition to a picnic or patio table! It adds just enough ambience, light, and lack of annoying smoke to a small gathering." Its lightweight, portable size can also be an asset for people with limited outdoor space, or even no yard at all — the Mesa XL won't take up much room on a porch or balcony, and it's easy to pack away when you're done. Though the Mesa XL's stand elevates it above whatever surface it's burning on, it still heats up underneath when lit, so do not use it on heat-sensitive or combustible surfaces.

If you're the camping type, this small fire pit can be a practical way to do some compact cooking, without having to deal with the lengthy process of building — and putting out — a fire. Simply bring the Mesa XL with you, load it up with wood pieces, and you'll quickly be able to boil water for coffee or tea, or roast some hot dogs over the open flame. Looking for something more sizable? These 11 DIY ideas for a cozy fire pit on a budget could help you get started.