A restaurant kitchen judges an oven by its floor. When the deck is hot enough, a flatbread puffs and blisters in a minute or two, the underside goes crisp and spotted, and the toppings cook through before the dough dries out. That holds for a Neapolitan pizza and for any thin flatbread: it wants a very hot surface below and strong heat from above. A home oven tops out far below that, which is why so many cooks end up with an outdoor pizza oven.
This guide covers seven outdoor ovens from Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove and Ninja, running on propane, wood, charcoal, a mix, or electric heat. For each we list the fuel, the maximum temperature and heat-up time the maker states, the pizza size, weight, stone and warranty. Where a maker does not give a number, we say so rather than guess. If you want to cook indoors on a plug, our best electric pizza oven guide covers the countertop models.
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Quick verdict: which pizza oven to buy
For most backyards, the best pizza oven is the Ooni Koda 2: a propane oven that Ooni rates to 950°F, with a 14-inch stone, a thicker 15 mm cordierite floor and a weight of about 35 pounds, so it moves easily. If you want to cook with wood or charcoal, choose the Ooni Karu 2. For two pizzas at once on a 24-inch stone, the Ooni Koda 2 Max; for the thickest stone and most insulation among the 14-inch ovens, the Gozney Arc; and for one big 16-inch pizza, the Gozney Arc XL.
The table compares the five picks we would steer most cooks toward, one for each kind of buyer. All seven ovens are reviewed in full after it.
Five outdoor pizza ovens compared
Fuel, stated top temperature, pizza size and heat-up time for our five standout picks, as each maker or Amazon listing gives them.
| Pizza oven | Best for | Fuel & max temp | Pizza size & heat-up | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ooni Koda 2 Propane Pizza Oven, 14-inchBest overall
|
Most backyards; first pizza oven | Propane; 950°F | 14-inch; heat-up not stated | View on Amazon |
Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven, 12-inchBest for wood and charcoal
|
Cooking over live wood or charcoal | Wood, charcoal; gas burner extra; 950°F | 12-inch; about 15 minutes (Ooni) | View on Amazon |
Ooni Koda 2 Max Propane Pizza Oven, 24-inchBest for big batches
|
Crowds; two pizzas at once | Propane; 950°F | Two 12-inch or one 20-inch; heat-up not stated | View on Amazon |
Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven, 14-inchBest premium gas oven
|
Serious cooks who bake often | Propane; 950°F | 14-inch; heat-up not stated | View on Amazon |
Gozney Arc XL Propane Pizza Oven, 16-inchBest for 16-inch pizzas
|
One big pizza for a family | Propane; 950°F | 16-inch; heat-up not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker, a retailer spec page or the Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best pizza oven
These seven ovens cover gas, wood, charcoal and outdoor electric, pizzas from 12 inches up to 20, and weights from about 30 pounds to 95. Each review says who the oven suits, what the numbers are, and one honest reason to pass on it.
1. Ooni Koda 2 Propane Pizza Oven, 14-inch – Thick Stone, Easy to Carry
The Koda 2 is Ooni’s second-generation gas oven, and it is the one we would point most people toward first. The listing calls it propane only: it comes with a 28 mbar regulator and hose for a propane bottle and is not compatible with natural gas. Ooni rates it to 950°F, and the listing gives a working range of 375°F to 950°F, so it can also run cooler for a pan of roasted chiles or a thicker crust.
What matters most in a small oven is how quickly the floor recovers between pizzas. Ooni says the Koda 2’s thicker stone holds heat better and cuts reheat time between back-to-back cooks; its own page lists the stone as cordierite, 0.6 inch (15 mm) thick. On top of that, Ooni’s patent-pending tapered-flame burner, which it calls G2 Gas Technology, is meant to spread heat more evenly across the oven so the back of the pizza does not race ahead of the front.
The stone takes a 14-inch pizza, which leaves room to turn a 12-inch pie or a large flatbread with a peel. Ooni lists the oven at 35.27 pounds unboxed, with a powder-coated carbon steel body, stainless steel base and legs, so it sets up on a sturdy table and goes back in the garage after dinner.
Ooni does not state a heat-up time for this model on its page or the listing, so we leave that blank. The warranty is one year as standard, and the listing says Ooni extends it by five years when you register within 60 days.
Why we like it
- Rated to 950°F, with a 375°F to 950°F range (listing)
- Thicker 15 mm cordierite stone for faster recovery (Ooni)
- Tapered-flame burner for more even heat (listing)
- About 35 pounds, with folding legs (Ooni)
Key specifications
| Model | UU-P2D100 |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane only; 28 mbar regulator and hose included |
| Max temp (stated) | 950°F |
| Pizza size | Up to 14 inches |
| Heat-up (stated) | Not stated |
| Weight | 35.27 lb unboxed (Ooni) |
| Stone | Cordierite, 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Warranty | 1 year; extended 5 years if registered within 60 days (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that wants restaurant-hot pizza without learning to manage a fire: turn the dial, wait for the stone, launch. The 14-inch floor is roomy for its weight, and the thicker stone helps when you are cooking several pizzas for a party.
Skip it if you want to cook with wood or charcoal, or you plan to run it on a natural gas line; the listing says it is propane only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high stated top temperature
- Thick stone for back-to-back pizzas
- Light enough to carry
- Wide temperature range for other cooking
Cons
- Propane only
- Heat-up time not stated
- Needs a sturdy table or stand
2. Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven, 12-inch – Real Wood or Charcoal Fire
If the point of a pizza oven for you is the fire itself, the Karu 2 is the one to look at. It burns wood or charcoal in an extra-large fuel tray straight out of the box, and Ooni sells a gas burner separately that the listing says uses 36% less gas than its previous models. That gives you a wood-fired oven for weekends and a gas option for weeknights.
The listing says it reaches cooking temperature in as little as 15 minutes and has a top temperature of 950°F; Ooni’s page puts that as 850°F in as little as 15 minutes. It cooks 12-inch pizzas on a 15 mm cordierite stone, and Ooni lists it at about 33.6 pounds unboxed.
A wood fire takes more attention than a gas dial. You add small pieces of hardwood to keep the flame rolling over the roof, and the heat drifts as the fire burns down. The Karu 2 helps with a built-in thermometer and a borosilicate glass door, which Ooni calls ClearView, so you can watch the pizza without opening it and losing heat.
For a kitchen used to charcoal, this is also the most flexible oven here for flatbreads and charred vegetables, since a charcoal bed holds a steady, dry heat. Ooni’s warranty terms are the same as for its other ovens: one year standard, extended by five years with registration.
Why we like it
- Burns wood or charcoal out of the box (listing)
- Gas burner available separately (listing)
- Glass door and built-in thermometer (listing)
- Rated to 950°F (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | UU-P30300 (Karu 2) |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Wood or charcoal; propane with burner sold separately |
| Max temp (stated) | 950°F |
| Pizza size | 12 inches |
| Heat-up (stated) | About 15 minutes (listing); 850°F in 15 minutes (Ooni) |
| Weight | 33.6 lb unboxed (Ooni) |
| Stone | Cordierite, 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Warranty | 1 year; extended 5 years if registered within 60 days (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants wood-fired flavor and enjoys tending a fire, with the option of adding gas later. The glass door and thermometer make it easier to learn than an open-mouthed wood oven.
Skip it if you want pizza on a weeknight with no fuss; a wood fire needs feeding, and the gas burner is an extra purchase.
Pros and cons
Pros
- True wood or charcoal fire
- Glass door to watch the bake
- Built-in thermometer
- Light for a wood oven
Cons
- Gas burner sold separately
- Fire needs tending
- 12-inch pizza limit
3. Ooni Koda 2 Max Propane Pizza Oven, 24-inch – Two Pizzas at Once
The Koda 2 Max is Ooni’s largest gas oven, and its floor is the reason to buy it. The listing gives the stone as 24 by 21 inches, enough for two 12-inch pizzas side by side or a single pie up to 20 inches. For a party, or a stack of large flatbreads, that roughly doubles what a 12- or 14-inch oven can turn out.
It has two gas burners that you control separately, which the listing calls dual-zone cooking: one side can run hotter for pizza while the other stays gentler for a pan of vegetables or meat. Like the Koda 2, it uses Ooni’s patent-pending tapered-flame G2 burners, which the listing says spread heat more evenly across the stone. It also comes with Ooni Connect, a digital temperature hub with two food probes, so you know when the oven is ready and when the food is done.
Ooni rates it to 950°F, with a range down to 210°F, and lists the stone as cordierite, 0.8 inch (20 mm) thick. This listing is the propane model, with a 28 mbar regulator and hose included; Ooni sells a separate natural-gas version. The size has a cost: Ooni lists the oven at 95 pounds unboxed and about 31 by 28 by 17 inches, so it needs a sturdy table or stand and is not one to carry around. Ooni does not give a heat-up time.
The warranty is one year standard, extended by five years when you register within 60 days.
Why we like it
- 24 x 21-inch stone fits two 12-inch pizzas (listing)
- Two separately controlled burners (listing)
- Temperature hub with two food probes (listing)
- Rated to 950°F (Ooni)
Key specifications
| Model | Koda 2 Max (UU-P2B100) |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane only; 28 mbar regulator and hose included |
| Max temp (stated) | 950°F (range 210°F to 950°F, Ooni) |
| Pizza size | Two 12-inch pizzas, or one up to 20 inches |
| Heat-up (stated) | Not stated |
| Weight | 95 lb unboxed (Ooni) |
| Stone | Cordierite, 24 x 21 in, 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Warranty | 1 year; extended 5 years if registered within 60 days (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits families and anyone who cooks for a crowd. Two pizzas at a time halves the wait at a party, and the two burners let you cook pizza and a side at the same time.
Skip it if you want to move the oven often or mostly cook one 12-inch pizza at a time; at 95 pounds it stays put, and a smaller oven heats less stone.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest cooking floor here
- Dual-zone burners
- Probes and temperature hub included
- Propane setup included
Cons
- Heaviest oven on the list
- Needs a large, sturdy stand
- Heat-up time not stated
4. Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven, 14-inch – Thick Floor, Dense Insulation
The Arc is Gozney’s mid-size gas oven, and on paper it has the most heat-holding mass of the 14-inch ovens here. Gozney lists a removable cordierite floor 0.8 inch (20 mm) thick, and the listing describes dense two-layer insulation that lets the oven reach higher temperatures faster and stay hot through several bakes.
Gozney rates it to 950°F and says it is designed to reach and hold that heat pizza after pizza. The burner is what Gozney calls a lateral rolling flame: the listing says it replicates a traditional wood-fired oven and spreads heat evenly for a 14-inch pizza. A digital display and gas control give fine adjustment.
Inside, Gozney gives the cooking chamber as 14.8 inches wide and 18.1 inches deep, which is roomy for the outside footprint of about 18.9 by 22.2 inches. The trade-off is weight: Gozney lists the oven at 47.5 pounds, the heaviest of the portable ovens here. Gozney does not give a heat-up time for this model.
The warranty is one year standard, extended to five years when you register within 60 days.
Why we like it
- 20 mm removable cordierite floor (Gozney)
- Two-layer insulation (listing)
- Lateral rolling flame for even heat (listing)
- Rated to 950°F (Gozney)
Key specifications
| Model | GAPOBUS1425 |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane |
| Max temp (stated) | 950°F |
| Pizza size | Up to 14 inches |
| Heat-up (stated) | Not stated |
| Weight | 47.5 lb (Gozney) |
| Stone | Cordierite, 20 mm (0.8 in), removable |
| Warranty | 1 year; 5 years if registered within 60 days (Gozney) |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who bakes pizza and flatbreads often and wants a heavy floor that does not crash after the first two pies. For a cook who thinks in terms of a restaurant deck, this is the closest of the gas ovens here.
Skip it if you need to carry the oven far; at 47.5 pounds it is better left on a stand or table.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Thickest stone of the 14-inch ovens
- Well insulated (listing)
- Roomy chamber for its size
- Fine gas control with display
Cons
- Heavy for a portable oven
- Heat-up time not stated
- Propane only
5. Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven, 12-inch – Stainless Steel, Wide Opening
Solo Stove’s Pi Prime is a round, propane-only version of its Pi oven, built from 304 stainless steel. Its signature is the wide opening: retailers list it at 13 inches across and 3.5 inches high, which makes it easy to see and turn a pizza.
The listing says it preheats in 15 minutes and cooks a pizza in as little as 90 seconds. The stated maximum varies by source: the listing title says it heats to 950°F, while one of its bullets says up to 900°F in 15 minutes. We show both rather than pick one. Heat comes from what Solo Stove calls demi-dome heating, and a front-facing control adjusts the flame.
The floor is a cordierite stone, 13 mm thick according to the retailer Abt, and Abt lists the oven for pizzas up to 12 inches and at about 30 pounds. The listing describes the warranty as covering manufacturing defects on genuine Solo Stove products from authorized retailers; Abt describes it as a lifetime warranty.
Because the opening is wide, you can see the whole pizza as it bakes, which helps when you are learning when to turn it. The round body and single control keep the setup simple.
Why we like it
- 304 stainless steel body (listing)
- Preheats in 15 minutes (listing)
- Wide 13-inch opening (Abt)
- Cordierite stone (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | Pi Prime (PIZZA-OVEN-PRIME) |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane |
| Max temp (stated) | 950°F (title); 900°F in one bullet |
| Pizza size | Up to 12 inches (Abt) |
| Heat-up (stated) | 15 minutes (listing) |
| Weight | About 30 lb (Abt) |
| Stone | Cordierite, 13 mm (Abt) |
| Warranty | Defects covered (listing); lifetime per Abt |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants a sturdy, simple propane oven with a wide view of the pizza, and who likes stainless steel that can sit outside under a cover.
Skip it if you want a precise top temperature to plan around; the listing gives two different figures.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stainless steel body
- Wide, easy-to-use opening
- Stated 15-minute preheat
- Simple single control
Cons
- Conflicting max temperature figures
- 12-inch pizzas only
- Opening lets heat escape faster than a narrow mouth
6. Gozney Arc XL Propane Pizza Oven, 16-inch – Room for a Full 16-inch Pizza
The Arc XL is the bigger sibling of the Gozney Arc above, built around one large pizza instead of a 14-inch one. The listing gives a 16-inch pizza in about 60 seconds, and Gozney’s lateral rolling flame runs along one side of the oven to imitate a wood-fired oven. You still turn the pizza with a peel, as you do in most of these ovens.
The listing says it reaches and holds 950°F, helped by a removable 20 mm stone floor and dense two-layer insulation, the same floor thickness as the smaller Arc. Precision burner controls and a digital display come with it. The maker does not state a heat-up time in the listing, so we leave that as not stated.
Retailers list it at about 26.5 kg, or roughly 58 pounds, with an inside floor of about 16.8 by 20.3 inches. That is a heavy oven to carry, and the stand, cover and peels are sold separately. Retailers give a one-year warranty, extended to five years if you register within 60 days.
The wide floor also leaves room for a small cast iron pan of vegetables or a large flatbread beside the pizza.
Why we like it
- Fits a 16-inch pizza (listing)
- Reaches and holds 950°F (listing)
- Removable 20 mm stone floor (listing)
- Dense two-layer insulation (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | GAPBNUS1624 |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane |
| Max temp (stated) | 950°F (listing) |
| Pizza size | 16 inches |
| Heat-up (stated) | Not stated |
| Weight | About 58 lb (retailers) |
| Stone | Cordierite, 20 mm, removable |
| Warranty | 1 year; 5 years with registration in 60 days (retailers) |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who feed a family and want one big pizza at a time, with room to turn it inside the oven.
Skip it if you plan to carry the oven around; the smaller Ooni Koda 2 is much lighter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large 16-inch floor
- Thick, removable stone
- Dense insulation
Cons
- Heavy
- Takes up a lot of table
- Stand and cover sold separately
7. Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven OO101 – Electric Heat, Wood-Pellet Flavor
The Woodfire is the one oven here with no flame to manage. Ninja heats it electrically, from 105°F up to 700°F according to the listing, so you plug it in on the patio instead of connecting a tank or lighting a fire. A half cup of wood pellets in its smoker box adds wood-smoke flavor at any temperature, the listing says.
For pizza, Ninja lists five settings, Neapolitan, thin crust, pan, New York and frozen, and says a pizza bakes in about three minutes at 700°F without turning, after a 25-minute preheat. It takes a 12-inch pizza on the included pizza stone. That top temperature is well below the 950°F the gas ovens here are rated to, so expect a slower bake and a less leopard-spotted crust than a Neapolitan purist wants.
What it gives back is range. The same oven roasts, broils, bakes, dehydrates, keeps food warm and smokes low and slow, fitting two racks of ribs or a 9-pound pork shoulder by Ninja’s figures, which makes it as useful for carnitas or a smoked brisket as for pizza. Ninja says it is built to be weather resistant and recommends its cover if you store it outside. The listing gives a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Why we like it
- No gas or fire to tend (listing)
- Five pizza settings, no turning (Ninja)
- Smokes, roasts and bakes as well
- 105°F to 700°F temperature range (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | OO101 |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Electric; wood pellets for smoke flavor only |
| Max temp (stated) | 700°F |
| Pizza size | 12 inches |
| Heat-up (stated) | 25-minute preheat (listing) |
| Weight | Not stated on the U.S. listing |
| Stone | Pizza stone included; material and thickness not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants pizza and backyard barbecue from one machine and would rather press a button than manage a flame, with an outdoor outlet nearby.
Skip it if Neapolitan pizza is the goal: at a stated 700°F it runs well below the gas ovens here, and it needs power, so it will not go camping.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Push-button electric heat
- Smoker and roaster built in
- No pizza turning needed (Ninja)
Cons
- Lower top temperature
- Needs an outdoor outlet
- Long 25-minute preheat
How to choose an outdoor pizza oven
From a kitchen’s point of view, these are the factors that decide whether an oven makes good pizza and good flatbreads at home.
Fuel: gas, wood or both
Propane is the easy choice: turn a dial, wait for the stone, cook. Wood and charcoal give a live flame and a little smoke, but they need feeding and the heat moves as the fire burns down. Multi-fuel ovens like the Ooni Karu 2 let you start with wood and add a gas burner later. Note that the Ooni Koda models here are listed as propane only and are not made for a natural gas line.
Floor size and the opening
The stone sets the largest pizza you can bake, and the opening sets how easily you can get it in and turn it. A 12-inch oven is fine for one or two people. For family-size pizzas, or a large tlayuda-style tortilla, look at a 14- or 16-inch floor, or the Koda 2 Max’s 24-inch stone for two pizzas at once. A wider floor also leaves room for a cast iron pan of vegetables beside the pizza.
Stone thickness and recovery
A thicker stone holds more heat, so the second and third pizzas bake as well as the first. Among our picks, the stated floor thickness runs from 13 mm on the Solo Stove Pi Prime (per the retailer Abt) to 20 mm on the Gozney Arc and Ooni Koda 2 Max. When a maker does not give a figure, as with the Ninja Woodfire, we say so.
Stated temperature and heat-up time
Most of these ovens are rated to 950°F, so the top number alone will not separate them; the electric Ninja, at 700°F, is the exception. Heat-up time and how the heat spreads matter more. We only list times a maker or listing states; several do not give one.
Weight and where it lives
Among the portable gas and wood ovens, stated weights run from about 30 pounds for the Pi Prime to 47.5 pounds for the Arc; the Koda 2 Max, at 95 pounds, is built to stay on a stand. If the oven will sit on a table or stand all season, weight hardly matters. If you plan to carry it to the car, choose one of the lighter models.
Warranty
Ooni and Gozney both give one year as standard and extend it to five years if you register within 60 days, according to their listings and pages. Register as soon as you unbox it.
How we picked these seven ovens
We started from what a restaurant kitchen wants from a hot oven: a floor that gets very hot and stays hot, heat from above to cook the top, room to work with a peel, and controls you can learn quickly. We then looked at outdoor pizza ovens from established makers sold on Amazon in the United States and kept only those showing as in stock when we checked.
Specifications come from the makers’ own pages where we could read them (Ooni for the Koda 2, Koda 2 Max and Karu 2; Gozney for the Arc), from the retailer Abt for the Solo Stove Pi Prime, and otherwise from the Amazon listings. Where sources disagree, as with the Pi Prime’s top temperature, we show both figures. We left out ovens from unbranded sellers, a pellet oven whose listing says it can be used indoors, and models that were showing low stock or a future availability date, including Cuisinart’s outdoor oven, Ninja’s newer 5-in-1 Woodfire pizza oven and Gozney’s Tread and Roccbox.
We have not cooked on these ovens for this guide, and we did not draw on outside equipment reviews; everything here comes from the makers, the listings and our kitchen’s view of what an oven needs to do.
Using a pizza oven safely outdoors
Read the manual for your oven first: clearances, gas connection steps and where the oven may sit differ by model. The U.S. Fire Administration’s outdoor fire safety guidance is written for grills and fire pits, and the same fuels burn in a pizza oven. Its basics:
- Use propane, charcoal and wood pellet grills only outside; the USFA warns that indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Place the grill well away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep a 3-foot safe zone around it to keep children and pets safe.
- Do not walk away while it is lit.
- Do not store or use a grill on a porch or balcony.
- Once coals have cooled, put them in a metal can with a lid.
For a wood or charcoal oven, the USFA also says to use chimneys, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits at least 10 feet from your home or anything that can burn. The outside of these ovens gets very hot, so set them on a heat-safe, stable surface as the maker directs.
What else a pizza oven can cook
A pizza oven is a small deck oven, and a Mexican kitchen finds plenty for it to do.
- Flatbreads and tlayudas: a large, thin tortilla spread with beans and cheese crisps quickly on a hot stone. Tlayudas come from Oaxaca; our regional Mexican cuisines guide explains where they fit.
- Charred vegetables: chiles, onions and tomatoes for salsa blister fast in a cast iron pan near the flame. Our best cast iron skillet picks will take the heat.
- Thin steak and chicken: a hot pan in a hot oven sears fast; use a thermometer to check doneness, since the oven cooks quickly.
If you already own a grill, a pizza oven complements it rather than replaces it. Our best gas grill, best pellet grill and best outdoor griddle guides cover the rest of the backyard.
Pizza oven questions, answered
What is the best oven for pizza at home?
For the crisp, spotted crust of a pizzeria, an outdoor oven that reaches the high temperatures these makers state is the most direct route; the Ooni Koda 2 is our pick for most people. If you would rather use your kitchen oven, a preheated steel or stone helps a lot; our best oven pizza pan guide covers those.
Are gas or wood pizza ovens better for home cooks?
Gas is easier and more predictable, which suits most households. Wood and charcoal add flame and a little smoke but need attention. A multi-fuel oven such as the Ooni Karu 2 lets you try both.
What size pizza oven should I buy?
A 12-inch oven feeds one or two people and is the easiest to carry. Choose a 14-inch floor for more room to turn a pizza, and a 16-inch floor for large pizzas. For a crowd, a 24-inch floor such as the Ooni Koda 2 Max bakes two 12-inch pizzas at once.
Can I use an outdoor pizza oven indoors or in a garage?
No. These ovens burn propane, wood or charcoal, and the USFA warns that using such fuels indoors can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Even the electric Ninja Woodfire burns wood pellets for flavor and is sold as an outdoor oven. For indoor pizza, look at a countertop electric oven instead.
Are Ooni and Gozney the only good pizza oven brands?
No, but they publish the fullest specifications and back their ovens with five-year warranties after registration. Solo Stove and Ninja make well-specified ovens too; Ninja’s electric heat is a real difference.
What do Wirecutter, Serious Eats and America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
We did not consult their reviews for this guide, so we cannot speak for them. Everything here comes from maker specifications and Amazon listings, read from a restaurant kitchen’s point of view.
Our final pick for the backyard
Buy the Ooni Koda 2 if you want an easy propane oven with a thick 14-inch stone that you can carry. Choose the Ooni Karu 2 for wood or charcoal, the Ooni Koda 2 Max for two pizzas at once, the Gozney Arc for the thickest floor and most insulation among the 14-inch ovens, the Gozney Arc XL for a full 16-inch pizza, and the Ninja Woodfire if you want electric heat and a smoker in one.
Kitting out a new oven? See our guide to the best pizza oven accessories.
Shopping on a budget? See our guide to the best value outdoor pizza ovens.
Need somewhere to put it? See our guide to the best outdoor pizza oven tables.
Cooking with wood? See our guide to the best wood-fired pizza ovens.
Related guide: Best pizza cookbook.
Related guide: Pizza oven alternative.
Cooking indoors instead? Our best electric pizza oven guide covers countertop ovens, from Breville to Ooni’s own electric model. Or let us do the cooking: see the menu or call to order.