Do you have anything like this? Your neighbors have the best fire pits, but you don't have the space or budget for a fire pit yourself Or maybe you just want something small to decorate your patio, and a tabletop fire pit like the Solo Stove Mesa or Solo Stove Mesa XL may be the answer These tabletop fire pits, which use wood or pellets, won't keep you warm on a cold night, but they make a nice addition to outdoor entertaining

Solo Stove offers tabletop smokeless fire pits in two sizes: the Mesa and the Mesa XL I have tried both models and have a clear favorite: the Mesa XL

But the $80 and $100 price tags aren't so hot Should I run out of money for this fire pit? Read the rest of my Solo Stove Mesa XL review

The Mesa was first released in the summer of 2022 and comes in the same traditional stainless steel finish as Solo Stove's other fire pits It is also available in the same traditional stainless steel finish as Solo Stove's other fire pits, but in a variety of colors, including blue, black, red, green, and white If it's something you're going to put on a table, an accent color is recommended Regardless of the color, the price is $79

Mesa XL was first released in February 2023 It too is available in the same colors as the smaller Mesa, but is priced at $109

The Solo Stove Mesa is widely available, but as of this writing, the Mesa XL appears to be limited to the Solo Stove website

Both the Mesa and Mesa XL appear to be mini versions of the Solo full-size fire pit Proportionally, the Mesa is a bit taller and narrower than Solo's larger fire pits

The mesa is about the same size as a large 35-ounce can of tomatoes sold at the grocery store, and the Mesa XL is about the width of a roll of paper towels

Like the full-size pit, the mesa has several removable components The top ring regulates airflow, and a small stand lifts the mesa off the table The Mesa has a pellet adapter that fits inside the stove, and the Mesa XL has a dual fuel grate for both pellets and hardwood

Both the Mesa and Mesa XL produced flames as nice and big as I have seen on the best fire pits The flames rose 3-4 inches above the edge of the mesa and had to be kept away from the nearby folding umbrella

Note: My daughter and her friend tried to roast marshmallows on Mesa XL and the gooey treats quickly caught on fire Therefore, you will want to wait until the fire is out or keep a healthy distance from the fire pit

But don't assume that the Mesa or Mesa XL will serve as the tabletop version of the best patio heaters just because the flames are bigger

Both stoves can use wood or pellets, but we have found that wood is not practical for the smaller Mesa You have to find wood less than 3 inches long that will fit inside, which is not easy As a result, I used wood pellets However, Mesa uses up the pellets quickly, so I had to sprinkle a handful every five minutes It gets messy, and if I forget, I have to light the fire again

The large MesaXL can hold up to 5 inches of firewood Not only was it easier to find the right wood for the stove, but wood burns longer than pellets, so I only have to add new wood every 15 minutes or so, which makes for a more relaxing experience

I found both models easy to clean For one thing, both burn fuel so efficiently that there is often very little ash left behind Cleaning them is simply a matter of removing the internal components and turning them over

While it won't keep you warm through the winter nights, the Solo Stove Mesa makes a fun, table-top decorative accessory for roasting marshmallows If you do buy one, get a little excited and buy the Mesa XL It is more expensive but easier to ignite than the smaller Mesa Definitely the one I plan to use the most when enjoying a nice evening outdoors with family and friends