9 Pizza Ovens To Help You Celebrate National Pizza Day

This article may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Privacy Policy.

For many of us, pizza is like the holy grail of food. Nothing quite fulfills your taste buds like a crispy charred crust with loads of gooey cheese and a tasty tomato sauce. But achieving that authentic pizza-parlor flavor in a conventional oven? Not so easy.

At a maximum temperature of about 500 degrees, most ovens simply can’t deliver the heat required for a pro-level pizza. That’s why so many pizza fanatics decide to invest in a dedicated oven to make their favorite food. 

Allen Bixby, head chef with No Takeout, specializes in recreating restaurant-worthy eats from home. He says, “The two major differences between your home oven and a pizza oven are, first, a heated cooking surface. Pizza ovens have a ceramic, brick or stone surface that the pizza sits on directly to cook. These materials transfer significantly more heat, faster, than just heated air in a home oven. Secondly, these ovens run much hotter, 700-900 degrees ideally.”

Of course, there’s a wide variety of pizza ovens on the market today. So how do you choose one that’s right for you? In honor of National Pizza Day (tomorrow, February 9th), we’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best pizza ovens out there.

But before we dive into our favorite picks, let’s go over a few things you should consider before deciding which pizza oven is right for you.

Our Favorite Pizza Ovens:

What to Consider When Buying a Pizza Oven

Including size, location, and fuel sources, here are some things you should think about when it comes to investing in a pizza oven.

Indoors vs. Outdoors

Pizza ovens come in both indoor and outdoor models. While you don’t have to worry about wind, rain or snow with kitchen counter ovens, they typically don’t reach high enough temperatures to deliver wood-fired flavor, which requires temperatures of around 800 degrees.

(Still, if you prefer the convenience of working with electricity, we do have a model on our list that does reach about 750 degrees.)

But if you want a truly Neapolitan flavor and a charred crust, you’re better off going with an outdoor model which can reach higher maximum temperatures. These ovens run on either propane, wood, charcoal or natural gas.

Size and Portability

While some ovens are meant to stay put in your backyard, many of today’s pizzas ovens come with collapsible legs and removable parts that make them easy to assemble and disassemble when you want to make pizza on a camping trip or even at a tailgate party.

Before you purchase, be sure to consider the weight and portability of your model and whether or not you plan to take it on the road.

Fuel-Source

Bixby adds, “There has been an explosion in home pizza ovens in the mark. Fuel choices range from wood to pellets to charcoal to gas, and these are great for outdoor use.” Some hybrids can even run on various fuel sources. Here are a few things you should know about heat sources.

Propane and Natural Gas Pizza Ovens

Because these ovens heat more quickly and cook more evenly, they are easier to use than charcoal or wood-fueled ovens that require you to constantly monitor the fire. They’re also easier to clean because of the lack of ashes.

Gas ovens require a propane tank or can be hooked up to your natural gas line by a professional if you don’t want to worry about refilling your tank all of the time. 

The one drawback is that they won’t give you that smokey flavor you get from using a wood or charcoal oven. (And, of course, they are only meant for outdoor use.)

Wood and Charcoal Pizza Ovens Ovens

If smokey flavor is what you’re after, then you may want to invest in a wood-burning pizza oven. You can even experiment with maple, hickory and mesquite for an added flavor profile. 

Of course, starting a fire with wood takes longer and requires constant monitoring to keep it at the proper temperature. You’ll also have to clean up the ashes and have a supply of wood on hand at all times.

Charcoal requires a little less time to start than wood but still requires quite a bit of cleanup and adds less smokey flavor than wood. 

But if you simply love working with fire and would do anything for smokey flavor, these outdoor-only options may be for you. 

Hybrid Pizza Ovens

If you want more flexibility, you may want to choose a hybrid oven that allows you to switch between wood and gas (but not use them at the same time). While super convenient, these models definitely cost more (and can only be used outdoors, of course).

Grill Insert Pizza Ovens

If you already have a gas grill and don’t want to invest in a separate pizza oven, there are kits that allow you to cook a pizza on top of your grill. They usually include a pizza stone and a double-walled roof to keep the heat in and cook the pizza evenly on top.

While much less expensive, their temperature range will depend on your gas grill, and they won’t deliver on smokey flavor.

Now that you know a little more about pizza ovens, let’s go over our favorite picks in each category.

Our Favorite Propane-Fueled Pizza Ovens (Outdoors Only)

Easy to heat and clean, these models offer convenience with pro-level pizza results.

1. Ooni Koda 12 Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven

Maximum Pizza Size: 13 inches

Weight: 29 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 950 degrees

From one of the most reputable brands in pizza ovens, this propane-powered model requires no assembly. Just fold out the legs, heat it up (which requires about 12 to 15 minutes), and you’re ready to start churning out the pies.

Cooking time is only about a minute, but you may need to add another 30 seconds or so for a heavily garnished pizza. And while this oven is known for cooking fairly evenly, you will still need to rotate the pizza every 20 seconds to prevent burning. Using a smaller pizza peel will definitely help to learn the technique if you’re a pizza making neophyte.

Because of its size, this oven is also extremely portable and also comes with a stone baking board and a three-year warranty if you buy it directly from Ooni.

Just be aware that this oven is not fully weatherproof and will need to be protected from extreme conditions.

But if you’re looking for an outdoor oven that cooks well and is easy to use and move around, the Ooni 12 is a winner. 

Pros: Easy to set up, portable, quick cooking time

Cons: Turning the pizza in this oven requires some practice 

Related: The 15 Best Cocktail Smokers For Entertaining In 2023

2. Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven, Griddle and Grill

Maximum Pizza Size: 13 inches

Weight: 45 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 700 degrees

If you want a pizza oven that does it all for a reasonable price, you may want to consider this multi-use oven from Cuisinart that not only makes great pies but can also be used as a grill and griddle.

The oven includes a 13-inch pizza stone and heats up in about 15 to 20 minutes. Fans of this grill also say that it makes it easy to turn the pizzas and that the oven cooks very evenly. 

If you’re not cooking pizza, a few adjustments of the oven will give you 260 square inches for cooking or 233 square inches of griddle space. Of course, all that flexibility does make this grill a little more complicated to set up at first. But once assembled, it’s quite easy to use.

All in all, this is a great option for backyard cooking of all types for a reasonable price. 

Pros: Multi-use oven and grill, cooks pizzas evenly

Cons: Set up is a bit complicated, not as light as some of the other ovens on our list

Our Favorite Hybrid Pizza Ovens (Outdoors Only)

If you want the flexibility of working with either wood or gas, these models let you do it all. 

3. Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven 

Maximum Pizza Size: 12 inches

Weight: 31 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 850 degrees

Already well known for its camping stoves and fire pits, the outdoor brand Solo has recently entered the pizza oven category with a portable pizza oven that can be used with either wood or gas and is super simple to set up. 

If you’re going for that wood-fired taste, all you have to do is place the oven on an even surface, insert the pizza stone and start the fire to get that charred crust you love. If you decide to use it in gas mode, you will have to purchase Solo Stove Gas Burner separately. 

This oven heats and cooks quickly but tends to cook more evenly in gas mode. The wood mode will give you great flavor, but as the heat tends to build up more toward the back, you’ll have to turn the pizza frequently to avoid burning – although that’s pretty common among pizza ovens anyway.

The other thing to be aware of is that this oven has no front door, which makes it susceptible to wind blasts during certain conditions. However, it builds plenty of heat to cook a pizza with no problem.

Overall, this is a great working pizza oven that will stand up to the outdoors and only needs to be wiped clean. 

Pros: Easy set up, heats quickly, works with wood and propane, wipes clean easily

Cons: No front door, a bit expensive, the gas attachment has to be purchased separately 

4. Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven

Maximum Pizza Size: 12 inches

Weight: 26.4 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 950 degrees

Another great choice if you want the flexibility of working with coal, wood or gas is this multi-fuel model from Ooni. If it’s wood fired flavor that you’re after, the maximum cooking temperature of 950 degrees will help you achieve the perfect char in about a minute. 

And you can even play around with other wood fired flavors by adding hickory, maple wood or mesquite. Set up for this oven is very easy, and the fold down legs also make it simple to move. It also features a chimney baffle which allows you to adjust it for high heat or low and slow cooking (which is great for when you’re grilling something other than pizza).

Like most pizza ovens, you’ll need to turn the pizza every 15 seconds or so to keep it from burning, which is a bit of a learning curve at first. And if you want to use it in gas mode, you will have to purchase the gas burner separately.

But overall, this is a great, flexible pizza maker that will allow you to use your creativity and serve up pies just the way you like them. 

Pros: Works with charcoal, wood and gas; cooks pizza quickly; features a chimney baffle that allows you to adjust cooking time; has a 3-year warranty if you buy directly from Ooni

Cons: Can take a little extra time to preheat, burns through fuel quickly

Related: Are You A Home Cook? Or A Home Chef? What Is The Difference?

5. Gozney Dome Pizza Oven

Maximum Pizza Size: 16 inches

Weight: 128 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 950 degrees

Although most outdoor pizza ovens can also be used to grill meats, veggies and more, if you want to make a more serious investment in your backyard equipment, the Gozney Pizza Dome is a heavyweight contender in premium priced ovens.

This oven comes in two models: one that runs on wood and propane and another that runs on wood or natural gas. The big advantage to this grill is that it has a larger door which allows you to fire up bigger pizzas and can cook a thin crust in about 30 seconds. It also features two probe thermometers which are handy for grilling and roasting. 

When we said heavyweight contender, we meant it literally—this oven weighs 128 pounds, so you won’t be taking it on the road. But to make it a little more mobile, you can buy the stand separately from Gozney, which does feature wheels.

Yes, this is definitely a splurge when it comes to pizza ovens, and it does take longer to heat up. But if you want to invest in a serious, stay-put oven without the hassle of building one in your backyard, the Dome works well for both pizzas and grilling. 

Pros: Dual fuel options, larger front door, comes with probe thermometers

Cons: Heavy, expensive, takes longer to heat up

Our Favorite Wood Pellet Burning Oven (Outdoors Only)

Can’t get enough of smoky flavor? This oven delivers it fast!

6. Ooni Fyra 12 Portable Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven

Maximum Pizza Size: 12 inches

Weight: 22 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 950 degrees

If you’re familiar with cooking with wood pellets, you already know that they heat and burn quickly. So if you want that wood-fired flavor and you want it now, the Ooni Fyra 12 can reach a scorching 850 degrees in just 15 minutes. 

It’s also lightweight and easy to assemble, although the chimney does make it slightly more awkward to move around. The biggest challenge with this oven, however, is that you have to constantly monitor the fire and top off the pellets as they burn very quickly.

But if you’re crazy for charred crust and like working with fire, this reasonably priced oven may be just what you’re looking for.

Pros: Easy to assemble, lightweight, heats quickly, makes a beautifully charred crust, 3-year warranty when purchased from Ooni

Cons: Monitoring the pellet-fueled flames take a little extra work

Our Favorite Grill Top Pizza Oven (Outdoors Only)

Looking for an affordable option to use on your existing grill? Check this one out!

7. Onlyfire Universal Stainless Steel Pizza Oven Kit

Maximum Pizza Size: 14 inches

Weight: 10 pounds

Temperature Range: Dependent upon your gas grill

For pizza lovers who already have a gas grill and don’t want to invest in yet another appliance, this stainless steel kit from Onlyfire makes a great alternative. It comes with a 14-inch pizza stone and has a double-walled roof to ensure the top of your pizza is cooked as well as the bottom – something difficult to achieve when you just throw a pie on top of the grill.

It also has a built-in thermometer so that you can check the internal temperature. Of course, it won’t heat up as fast or cook as fast as a dedicated oven. But considering it’s ready to go when you pull it out of the box, it gets high marks for ease of use and portability (weighing in at 10 pounds). It’s also very easy to clean. 

Bixby adds, “For those of us who use a kettle grill, there is a Kettlepizza pro kit that gets the temps to 700 or so with your existing kettle barbecue.”

Don’t have a gas grill? Don’t worry! There’s also a version for charcoal grills!

Pros: Lightweight, comes with a pizza stone and a thermometer, easy to clean

Cons: Temperature will depend on your grill, doesn’t cook as fast as a dedicated oven

Our Favorite Indoor Pizza Ovens

If you have no outdoor space or just want the convenience of working with electricity, these models will up your pizza game while remaining in the kitchen. 

8. Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiola Pizza Oven 

Maximum Pizza Size: 12 inches

Weight: 2.75 pounds

Temperature Range: Up to 750 degrees

In true Breville fashion, this machine will make great pizza. This oven is extremely well designed and features manual settings that you can adjust for frozen pizza, New York style, thin & crispy and wood fired depending on what kind of pie you’re cooking.

Small but mighty, this countertop model delivers on that quintessential char you get from a wood fired pizza oven at its maximum temperature. It combines both radiant heat (for a crispy crust) and convection heat (to cook the cheese and toppings), so you can have your own pizzeria.

Another plus to this oven is that the top and bottom heating elements can be controlled separately to ensure your pizza is cooked just the way you want it.

It also comes with a stainless steel pizza peel for sliding pies in and out and a carbon steel pan for thicker pizzas.

On the downside, at around $1000, you’re going to pay a hefty price tag for all that smart technology. And pizza dough tends to stick to the stainless steel pizza peel (which you may want to replace with a wood peel). 

Still, if you want to up the quality of your homemade pizza without a lot of hassle, it may just be worth it. 

Pros: Adjustable settings, delivers the char of wood fired pizza, top and bottom heating elements can be controlled separately 

Cons: Expensive, stainless steel pizza peel is a bit sticky

9. Presto Pizza Plus Rotating Oven

Maximum Pizza Size: 13 inches

Weight: 7.7 pounds

Temperature Range: Not Specified

Looking for something a little more economical? This budget pick from Presto may not turn you into a master chef, but it works surprisingly well for the price. Just pop the pizza on the non-stick tray, set the timer and the pizza will spin around on its own to prevent burning while it cooks.

The top and bottom heating elements can also be controlled separately, so your crust and toppings are done to your taste. Don’t want to wait around while your pizza cooks? No problem; the timer alert will sound when it’s ready.

Of course, this is not a high temperature pizza oven that will deliver that wood fired feel. But if you want the ease of use combined with an affordable price, this little oven delivers.

Pros: Easy to use, top and bottom heating elements can be controlled separately, timer with an alert, easy to clean non-stick tray

Cons: Because it cooks at low temperatures, you won’t get that wood fired taste

Pizza, Pizza!

There’s nothing quite as fun or tasty as having a pizza night at home. And with the right oven, you can take your crust and flavor to a whole new level without the fancy outdoor brick oven. Before you invest, be sure to consider where you want to use your oven and what fuel source will work best for you.

With a little practice and the right pizza dough recipe, you too can start turning out pies like a pro. Mangia, mangia, everyone!

You might also be interested in: What is a Connected Airfryer? [And 9 Great Picks]

The Best Pizza Ovens:

1. Ooni Koda 12 Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven
2. Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven, Griddle and Grill
3. Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven 
4. Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven
5. Gozney Dome Pizza Oven
6. Ooni Fyra 12 Portable Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven
7. Onlyfire Universal Stainless Steel Pizza Oven Kit
8. Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiola Pizza Oven 
9. Presto Pizza Plus Rotating Oven