Solo Stove Bonfire vs Ranger: Which Should You Choose? (November 2026)

On this page (6 sections)

1. Solo Stove Bonfire vs Ranger: which size fits your space?
2. Does the Ranger use less wood than the Bonfire?
3. Which Solo Stove is easier to carry?
4. Which model is easier to store between fires?
5. What accessories help protect the area around each fire pit?
6. How do you choose between the Bonfire and Ranger?

Choose the Ranger for a compact fire pit you can move more easily, and the Bonfire for a larger gathering space. In this Solo Stove Bonfire vs Ranger comparison, portability, fuel capacity and seating needs are the useful decision points.

The Ranger takes up less room and suits smaller patios, camping setups and intimate fires. The Bonfire gives you a larger fire pit for a wider seating area, but needs more room to place and store.

Both are wood-burning Solo Stove fire pits. Match the size to where you plan to use it, how much wood you want to manage and how many people will gather around it.

Solo Stove Bonfire vs Ranger: which size fits your space?

Choose the Ranger when floor space is tight; choose the Bonfire when you can give a larger fire pit its own clear area. Measure the spot and the path around it before you settle on a model.

A compact patio may make the Ranger easier to position without crowding chairs or a walkway. The Bonfire is a better match when your seating plan has room for a larger central fire pit.

For another fire pit sizing option, see this guide to a 36-inch smokeless insert.

Think about storage too. A fire pit that fits the patio may still be awkward to store between uses, so account for the fire pit and any cover or accessories you plan to keep with it.

Our fire pits and heaters buying guide covers the space and setup questions to consider before choosing an outdoor heater or fire pit. For other patio layout choices, see how to choose outdoor patio furniture.

How much seating space do the Bonfire and Ranger need?

The Bonfire makes more sense when your seating area can spread out; the Ranger is easier to plan around in a smaller circle. Keep enough room for people to sit comfortably and move without brushing against the fire pit.

Start with the chairs you already own. Place them where you expect people to sit, then mark the fire pit's footprint at the center and check whether paths stay clear.

Don't assume the smaller Ranger lets you crowd chairs close to the fire. Follow the clearances in the manual and local fire rules for either model.

For a related safety question, see patio heater indoor use.

Does the Ranger use less wood than the Bonfire?

The Ranger's smaller fire capacity can suit shorter fires or smaller groups, while the Bonfire gives you room for a larger fire. Your fire length, wood size and how often you add fuel also affect how much wood you use.

Pick a fire pit around the kind of evening you expect to have. If you want a brief fire for a few people, a compact setup may be simpler to manage; if you host longer gatherings, the Bonfire's larger size may fit better.

Use dry, appropriately sized wood and follow the instructions for your model. Our guide to the best wood for a Solo Stove Bonfire explains how wood choice affects lighting and tending.

For more Bonfire setup tips, see how to use a Solo Stove Bonfire. Its guidance can help you plan fuel and fire management for the larger model.

Which Solo Stove is easier to carry?

The Ranger is the easier choice when portability is a priority. Its smaller size is more practical to move between a patio and a storage area or to include in a camping setup.

The Bonfire is less convenient to carry around, so it's best when you have a regular place to use it. Think about the whole route from storage to fire spot, including steps, narrow doors and uneven ground.

Let either fire pit cool completely before moving it, and follow its instructions for handling. If portability is your main concern but the Ranger still feels too large, compare it with the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Mesa XL size options.

What should you compare with the Yukon?

The Yukon is another size to consider if you're weighing a larger fire pit. Read our Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon comparison to see how that model fits a bigger outdoor setup.

Which model is easier to store between fires?

The Ranger is simpler to store when you have limited room, while the Bonfire needs a larger storage spot. Check the storage area with the pit in place, including space to lift a cover on and off.

If the fire pit stays outdoors, a fitted cover can help keep it protected between uses. The Solo Stove Ranger Shelter is described for Ranger, Bonfire and Yukon models, and has a top handle for removal.

The QH.HOME cover is sized for a Bonfire 19-inch fire pit and other round fire pits up to 21 inches in diameter. Confirm your fire pit's size before choosing a cover, and only cover it once it has cooled.

If your patio furniture also needs protection outdoors, our guide to choosing patio furniture covers can help you compare fit and care needs.

What accessories help protect the area around each fire pit?

A mat can help protect the surface beneath a fire pit from flying embers and hot grease, but it doesn't replace safe placement. Follow the fire pit's manual and the mat's instructions.

The rumlick 36-inch round mat is designed for Solo Stove Bonfire and Ranger 2.0. It's made from fiberglass with a silicone coating and is described as heat resistant up to 1050°F; keep fire sources from touching it.

See our guide to the best fire pit mat for Solo Stove for more help matching a mat to your setup.

A heat deflector may help people seated around the Ranger feel warmth that would otherwise rise upward. The Uniflasy deflector is designed for Ranger 2.0 and made from 304 stainless steel.

How do you choose between the Bonfire and Ranger?

Pick the Ranger if you need portability, a smaller fire and easier storage; pick the Bonfire if you have more space and expect larger gatherings. The right choice depends on how you'll use the fire pit most often.

Choose the Ranger for a compact patio, a smaller seating group or a setup you plan to move. Choose the Bonfire when a larger fire pit fits your regular outdoor space and your fuel plan.

If your main question is size, use the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon guide to compare the Bonfire with a larger option. If you want to plan accessories around your choice, browse Solo Stove Bonfire accessories.

For a small, portable fire and a tight storage area, choose Ranger. For more room around the fire and a larger gathering, choose Bonfire.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Solo Stove Bonfire bigger than the Ranger?

Yes, the Bonfire is the larger model, while the Ranger is the more compact option. That makes the Bonfire a better match for more room around the fire and the Ranger easier to consider when portability and limited storage matter.

Check the current model dimensions before you decide where either will sit.

Which Solo Stove is easier to take camping?

The Ranger is the more portable choice because it is smaller than the Bonfire. Consider the full trip setup, including room in your vehicle, a safe place to use the fire pit and a way to let it cool before packing.

Follow the model's instructions for moving and transport.

Which fire pit is better for a group?

The Bonfire is generally the better fit when you want a larger fire pit for a group, while the Ranger suits a more compact gathering. Seating distance, local fire rules and the space around the pit still matter.

Leave room for safe access and follow the fire pit manual.

Can I use the same cover for the Bonfire and Ranger?

Some covers are made to fit more than one Solo Stove size, but fit depends on the cover design and dimensions. The Solo Stove Ranger Shelter is described as compatible with Ranger, Bonfire and Yukon models.

Compare the cover's measurements with your exact fire pit before buying.

Do I need a mat under a Solo Stove?

A fire pit mat can help shield a deck or patio from flying embers and hot grease, but it does not make every surface safe for a fire. The Rumlick mat instructions say to keep fire sources from direct contact with it.

Follow your fire pit manual and local rules.