The worst part of a backyard fire has always been the smoke. It follows you around the circle, gets into your clothes and hair, and sends the neighbors inside to close their windows. Smokeless fire pits fix most of that with a simple idea: a double wall that draws in air at the bottom, heats it as it rises, and releases it through holes near the top of the fire, where it burns off the smoke before it escapes. Solo Stove made the design famous; Breeo is the American-made alternative that serious fire-pit owners tend to choose. The Bonfire 2.0 and the X Series 19 are the two models most people end up comparing. They are about the same size and $50 apart, but they are built for very different backyards.
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Quick Verdict
Winner for most people: the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 at $349.99. At 21.7 pounds with a stand included, it moves from the patio to the campsite to the beach, it cleans out in seconds with a removable ash pan, and it has more than 2,000 ratings at 4.8 stars.
Buy the Solo Stove if you want a fire pit you can take with you, or if you are buying a gift.
Buy the Breeo X Series 19 if it will live permanently in your backyard and you want to cook over it.
Bonfire 2.0 vs X Series 19: Specs Compared
| Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 (with stand) | Breeo X Series 19 (corten) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $399 |
| Size | 19.5 in diameter | 22.1 in |
| Height | 17.5 in with stand | 14 in |
| Weight | 21.7 lb | 47 lb |
| Material | 304 stainless steel, ceramic-coated | Corten (weathering) steel |
| Smokeless design | Double wall, secondary burn | Patented X Airflow, double wall, secondary combustion |
| Ash cleanup | Removable ash pan and base | Not specified |
| Cooking accessories | Sold separately | Compatible with Breeo live-fire cooking range |
| Portability | Carrying case, built for travel | Heavy, best left in place |
| Made in | Not specified | USA |
| Amazon rating | 4.8 (2,000+ ratings) | 4.7 (200+ ratings) |
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 — The Portable One ($349.99)
The Bonfire is the fire pit that made smokeless fire pits mainstream, and the 2.0 version is the one to buy. It is 19.5 inches across, which is big enough for a group of four to six people around it, and this bundle includes the stand that raises it off the ground. That matters more than it looks: the stand helps airflow and protects grass and decking from heat.
Its biggest advantage over the Breeo is weight. At 21.7 pounds including the stand, and with a carrying case, it is genuinely portable. You can use it on the patio on Friday, take it camping on Saturday and to the beach on Sunday, which is not something you would do with a 47-pound steel ring.
It is built from 304 stainless steel with a high-heat ceramic coating — the gunmetal finish shown here — which will not rust and keeps its look. The 2.0 design adds a removable ash pan and base, so cleaning up means tipping out a tray rather than turning the whole pit upside down. That small change is one of the main reasons owners prefer the 2.0 over the original Bonfire.
The trade-off is that it is designed primarily for fire, not food. Solo Stove sells cooking accessories separately, but Breeo’s cooking range is more developed.
Pros
- 21.7 pounds with stand and carrying case — truly portable
- Removable ash pan and base make cleanup easy
- 304 stainless steel with a high-heat ceramic coating
- Stand included, protecting the ground underneath
- 4.8 stars from more than 2,000 ratings
- $50 cheaper than the Breeo
Cons
- Smaller fire area than the Breeo
- Lighter steel than the Breeo’s heavy corten
- Cooking accessories are an extra purchase
Breeo X Series 19 — The Backyard Centerpiece ($399)
The Breeo X Series 19 is a heavier, more permanent fire pit. It measures 22.1 inches across, a little wider than the Bonfire, and it weighs 47 pounds — more than twice as much. That weight comes from thick corten steel, and it is why the Breeo is built to stay outside year-round.
Corten is a weathering steel. Instead of being painted or coated, it develops a stable layer of rust on the surface that protects the steel underneath and gives the pit its deep orange-brown color. It looks fantastic in a garden, but it does mean the pit can leave rust marks on pale pavers or decking, so place it on gravel, stone or a heat-resistant pad.
Breeo’s smokeless design uses its patented X Airflow system, which feeds oxygen to the fire so it lights quickly and burns efficiently, combined with a double wall and secondary combustion holes. The result is a fire that burns cleanly with very little smoke once it is going.
The biggest reason to choose a Breeo is cooking. The X Series works with Breeo’s range of live-fire cooking accessories, including grill grates and cooking surfaces that sit over the fire, turning the pit into an outdoor cooking station. And it is made in the USA, which matters to many buyers.
Pros
- Heavy corten steel built to stay outdoors year-round
- Wider 22.1-inch fire area
- Patented X Airflow for a fast-lighting, efficient fire
- Compatible with Breeo’s live-fire cooking accessories
- Made in the USA
- Corten develops an attractive natural patina
Cons
- 47 pounds — not practical to move often
- $50 more than the Solo Stove
- Corten can leave rust stains on patios and decking
- Far fewer reviews than the Bonfire
Head-to-Head: Which Fire Pit Wins?
Smoke: A Tie
Both use a double wall and a secondary burn near the top of the fire to burn off smoke. Neither is completely smokeless — no wood fire is, especially while it is lighting or when you add damp wood — but once they are going, both burn very cleanly. Use dry, seasoned hardwood in either and you will barely notice the smoke.
Portability: Solo Stove
21.7 pounds against 47 is the clearest difference between them. If you want to take your fire pit camping, to the beach or to a friend’s house, the Bonfire is the only real choice.
Build Quality: Breeo
The Breeo’s heavy corten construction feels more substantial and is designed to stay outside year-round. The Solo Stove’s stainless steel will not rust, but it is lighter gauge. For a fire pit that becomes a permanent part of the garden, the Breeo is the sturdier piece.
Cleanup: Solo Stove
The Bonfire 2.0’s removable ash pan and base are a genuine convenience. With most fire pits, including heavier ones, you have to scoop or tip out the ash.
Cooking: Breeo
Breeo built its brand around cooking over fire, and the X Series works with its full range of accessories. If you want to grill steaks or cook breakfast over the fire, the Breeo is the better platform.
Placement: Solo Stove
The Bonfire comes with a stand that lifts it off the ground, and its stainless steel will not stain. The Breeo’s corten can mark light-colored stone and wood, so it needs more thought about where it sits.
Value: Solo Stove
The Bonfire is $50 cheaper, includes its stand, and has an exceptional 4.8-star rating from more than 2,000 owners. The Breeo is better value only if you will use its cooking features and want a heavier, permanent pit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless?
Not entirely, but they produce far less smoke than an open fire. Their double-wall design draws air in at the bottom, heats it between the walls and releases it through holes near the top, where it burns off much of the smoke. Expect some smoke while the fire is getting going or if the wood is damp. Dry, seasoned hardwood gives the cleanest burn.
Is the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 worth it?
For most people, yes. It burns cleanly with little smoke, cleans out easily thanks to the removable ash pan, is light enough at 21.7 pounds with its stand to take camping, and has more than 2,000 ratings at 4.8 stars. It is a particularly good gift because it suits almost any backyard.
Does Breeo corten steel rust?
Yes, by design. Corten is a weathering steel that develops a stable layer of surface rust, which protects the steel underneath and gives it its orange-brown color. The pit will not rust through, but the patina can transfer rust marks to light-colored patios, pavers and decking, so place it on gravel, stone or a heat-resistant pad.
Can you cook on a Solo Stove or Breeo fire pit?
Yes. Both companies sell cooking accessories that sit over the fire, but Breeo’s range of live-fire cooking accessories is more developed, and the X Series is designed to work with it. If cooking over fire is a priority, the Breeo is the better choice.
Can I use a smokeless fire pit on a wooden deck?
Use caution. The bottom of a fire pit can get hot enough to damage or ignite wood. The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 includes a stand that raises it off the surface, which helps, but a heat-resistant deck pad is still recommended. Always check your local fire regulations and any HOA or rental rules before using a fire pit on a deck.
What size fire pit do I need?
A 19 to 22-inch pit like the Bonfire 2.0 or Breeo X Series 19 suits four to six people. For a smaller group or easier camping, the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 at 15 inches is lighter. For larger gatherings, the Breeo X Series 24 is 27.5 inches across.
Final Verdict: Solo Stove or Breeo?
Buy the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 at $349.99. For most people it is the better fire pit: lighter, portable, easier to clean, $50 cheaper, stand included, and rated 4.8 stars by more than 2,000 owners. It is also the safer choice as a gift.
Buy the Breeo X Series 19 at $399 if the fire pit will stay in one spot in your garden and you want to cook over it. Its heavy, American-made corten build and Breeo’s cooking accessories make it the better permanent backyard centerpiece.
Need a different size? The Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 ($229.99) is a lighter 15-inch model with a stand, and the Breeo X Series 24 ($599) is 27.5 inches across for larger groups.