Flame King 19" Portable Propane Fire Pit vs Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Buy the Flame King if you want instant heat, no wood, and no smoke on a campsite or patio. Buy the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 if you want a real wood fire that burns clean and looks good as a permanent backyard piece. The Flame King throws far more heat and lights with a knob, but owners report flaking paint and a cheap-feeling lid and knob. The Bonfire 2.0 is stainless steel, has a much larger review base, and reviewers call it easy to light and low-smoke, though some say it is not truly smokeless unless you keep wood below the rim.

• Choose the Flame King if you want push-button heat on a propane tank for camping, tailgates or a patio, with no wood, ash or smoke to deal with.
• Choose the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 if you want a wood-burning fire in stainless steel that doubles as a backyard centerpiece and packs down for trips.