To borrow a phrase from The Dude, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 “really ties the room together.” Or in this case, patio. A fire is an instant upgrade, and a smokeless pit is always a good idea. The Solo Stove is efficient and burns heat fast. It’s also portable and easy to move around (you may want to venture into the backyard to take extra precautions). There’s also an Amazon Essentials bundle that includes a lid, a base plate, a bonfire stand, a carrying case, and a few other worthwhile upgrades. If you really want to get nuts, the Surround Table Top is great for hosting, but you’re already getting close to budget here.

An outdoor pizza oven is a hosting essential, and there are a ton of budget-friendly options these days. Ooni makes some of our favorite devices, and this one’s currently on sale for under $250. It makes a 12-inch pizza in about a minute and weighs under 30 lbs. I’d suggest getting a small table for it, though. Making pizza on your belly isn’t ideal, especially at this size.

Gas grilling is easy, but it’s not as fun. I love getting a nice smoky finish when I cook my meats, and this inexpensive pellet grill from one of our favorite brands, Pit Boss, is a fantastic option. I have one of their more expensive hybrid models, and I can now see why people go the old school route. This is all you really need if you’re shopping on a budget. It has a two-tier surface with 518 square inches of cooking space. There’s also ample storage room underneath. If there’s one thing to upgrade, your grill is always a good choice.

If I am going the gas-powered route, flat top is the way to go; they’re a little more versatile. I’m a big breakfast guy, and this is a great way to cook a bunch of it at once. Char-Broil has been around for decades, and it’s as reliable as ever. The griddle’s 450-square-inch flat top can make 25 smashburgers at a clip, and the ultra-durable cold-rolled steel surface offers even heat distribution for each cook. This 2-burner option is on sale and under $200, so supplementing your pellet grill isn’t off the table, either. That’s less than $500, all-in, and you’re only halfway to budget.

Smoking meats is sort of a rite of passage for a 33-year-old man like myself. It’s a little intimidating at first, but you don’t have to get a commercial-grade device off the rip. This Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is a great entry-level option, and it’s less than $200 on Amazon. It’s pretty space-saving, too, but it still fits three chickens, two turkeys, or three racks of ribs at once.

I didn’t realize how useful outdoor string lights were until I finally got a set. Grilling in the dark isn’t fun, but these also instantly elevate your patio aesthetically. Two birds with one stone, they say. These come highly recommended from our editors, and they’re now nearly 25 percent off. They’re weatherproof, shatterproof, and surprisingly long-lasting. I’d call them an instant upgrade.

Yeti Coolers are legit, but you don’t have to spend that much to get a high-capacity hardside cooler. This 70-quart Coleman cooler, for example, is an awesome alternative, and it’s under $100. You’re looking at something close to $500 all-in if you go the Yeti route. This is a classic cooler that does the trick, and it’s held up well in our testing when compared against higher-ticket options. I’m a huge fan of Coleman’s space-saving collapsible cooler. It’s great for me, considering I live in a smaller space, but that will cost you a few more bucks.

Speaking of space saving, what if I told you it’s possible to store your beverages in your furniture? Sounds crazy, but not so much when you consider some of Keter’s innovative patio essentials. This 3-in-1 table can also serve as a cooler or conspicuous storage option in a pinch. It really does it all equally well. I have Keter’s beverage cart (which, unsurprisingly, is not in stock), and it’s been a game-changer when I have people over. This table, though, is just $50, and I’m just as surprised as you are.

I’m really trying to hone in on things that you can get plenty of different uses out of, and again, Keter does not disappoint. My colleague and fellow editor, Danny Perez, swears by this deck box, and he gets plenty of use out of his. The 150-gallon storage capacity is the headliner here. It’s an easy way to save some money on patio furniture, to say the least. It’s pretty big, but it doubles as a bench, saving you some money on patio furniture (and space) in the process.

I was torn between including some legitimate patio furniture on this list, but then I remembered my favorite chair. I have a pricey Adirondack, but I still find myself lounging in my hammock camp chair 90 percent of the time. I typically keep it set up, but it’s really easy to fold up and take it on the go; you can even bring it straight from your patio to the beach. It’s on sale right now, and for $80, I promise it’s worth the investment.