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There’s nothing like the satisfaction of making your own pizza at home for a fraction of what it costs to have one delivered, especially when it's cooked to perfection in a high-quality pizza oven. With the right pizza oven, you can customize your pie with your favorite cheeses and toppings, skip the tipping math and even save major dough in the long run.
- Best Pizza Ovens for 2025
- Best pizza ovens for 2025
- Best overall pizza oven
- Runner up for best overall pizza oven
- Best pizza oven under $300
- Easiest pizza oven to use
- Best large-capacity pizza oven
- Other pizza ovens we tested
- How we test pizza ovens
- What to consider when buying a pizza oven
- Best pizza oven FAQs
The Ooni Koda 12 is CNET's top pick for a pizza oven.
OoniBut with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one? The choices can be overwhelming -- and, frankly, a little grating.
Don’t get crusty about it -- we’ve got you covered.
CNET’s experts tested seven of the top-rated outdoor pizza ovens from trusted brands like Ooni and Gozney to help you find the perfect fit, whether it’s for your own kitchen or the pizza lover in your life. Our top pick is the Ooni Koda 12, which has been praised for its quick cook times and responsive temperature control. But that’s not all -- we’ve rounded up more great models, each offering unique features, including the power to create the gooey, cheesy goodness of a Chicago-style deep dish.
These outdoor pizza ovens are easy to set up and use. They cook pies in as little as two minutes with their high heat, and they're easier to clean than a traditional grill. To get your oven going, all you need is your dough, sauce, toppings and olive oil. Here are our top picks for the best pizza ovens of 2025, ranging from a budget-friendly pie maker that's less than $300 to splurge-worthy models that rival professional setups.
Read more: The secret ingredient for making instant pizza dough may surprise you
Our shopping experts have found all of the best appliance deals across every Memorial Day Sale, so you can spend less time shopping and enjoy tariff-proof savings.
Best pizza ovens for 2025
Pros
- Heats up in under five minutes
- Easy to set up and operate
- Lightweight at under 30 pounds
Cons
- Precise temperature control can be difficult
- Requires practice and attention to get pizza right
Why I like it: The versatile gas-powered Koda is portable, weighing in at just 20 pounds. It's also easy to operate, igniting in seconds and reaches the coveted 900 degrees Fahrenheit -- the optimal temperature for cooking killer pizzas -- in less than 15 minutes.
Though you can often find the smaller model on sale for around $300 and the larger Koda 16 for a bit more, stick to the cheaper Koda 12. Smaller pizzas typically net better results, particularly for first-timers. The smaller cooking chamber delivers fast results: This oven turns out crispy, thin pizzas in under 2 minutes.
Ooni's Koda is simple to set up and a pleasure to use. The temperature controls are responsive and accurate, and the gas fixture takes just a few seconds to screw in and out.
Who it's good for: Because of its ease of use, this is a great option for beginners. It is also pretty affordable in comparison to the many pizza ovens on the market.
Who it's not good for: Someone who wants to make large pizzas. However, we recommend making smaller pizzas for the best, and tastiest, results.
Pros
- Reaches extremely hot temps
- Really solid build
- Choice of gas or wood fuel
- Available in fun colors
Cons
- Weighs 50 pounds and is less portable
- On the expensive side
Why I like it: The Roccbox made a flurry of excellent pizzas in under two minutes per pie. The rotund Roccbox is easy to set up, and it reached 900 degrees Fahrenheit in under 13 minutes. It runs on gas as default, but a wood burner attachment can be purchased as an extra (we only tested it using gas).
The Roccbox has a very sturdy build and is wrapped in a safe-touch silicone jacket, making it a good pick for homes with curious young hands. At 60 pounds, this oven is more than twice as heavy as the Ooni Koda or Ooni Fyra and takes two people to move around. It's also roughly $100 more than our top pick. The oven comes standard with a pizza peel valued at $85.
Who it's good for: Someone who wants both a gas and wood pizza oven.
Who it's not good for: This is one of the more pricey options on our list, so it might not be the best choice for someone on a strict budget. Because of its weight, it also isn't the best choice for someone who may struggle to set it up or move it around when needed. Instead, you'll want to stick to our top choice, the Ooni Koda 12.
Pros
- Solid performance for the price
- Emits a pleasant smell of burning wood
Cons
- Heavier than the Ooni Koda
- Takes longer to heat up than gas pizza ovens
- Built-in chimney makes it more difficult to store
Why I like it: Wood pellet pizza ovens tend to be a bit cheaper than gas-powered ones, but they also require a bit more manual labor. The Karu 12 retails for $299 but can often be found on sale for less than $280 or less, making it the most budget-friendly model on our list.
While the Koda (our top pick) is the easiest, most turnkey oven, effortlessly switching on and heating up in seconds via natural gas or propane, the Karu runs on wood pellets that take longer to preheat and burns less evenly, although it eventually gets just as hot as its gas counterparts.
The Karu is similar in size to the Koda but weighs about 6 pounds more due to a smoke chimney -- a necessary feature, as pellet-powered ovens produce more smoke than gas-fired models. The chimney helps to corral it and keep it out of your face. The results were comparable to what we got from Ooni's gas model.
Who it's good for: Thanks to its affordable price tag, this is a great option for anyone on a budget.
Who it's not good for: Because pellet ovens such as the Karu take a little longer to heat up and the temperature control is less precise, this is not the oven for someone who wants speedy pies or complete accuracy when it comes to the temperature.
Pros
- Liftable lid allows for easy access
- Rotating stone means no need for manual turning
- Stone can be cleaned without needing removal
Cons
- Long preheat time
- At more than 40 pounds, it's heavier than most on our list
- On the expensive side
Why I like it: At $500 retail, the Halo Versa is more expensive than Ooni's top ovens, but it has two advantages that make it worth the cost. First, the rotating pizza stone eliminates the need to manually adjust your pies. Second, the unique liftable lid provides unparalleled access for cooking and cleaning up after.
The hot stone in the oven is heavy and needs at least 15 minutes of preheating time before you slide your pies in. Once it's ready, a homemade pie takes just five to six minutes to cook to perfection. When it's cooked you can lift the lid and easily remove the pizza. The open top also allows you to clean the stone more regularly without removing it from the oven.
The Halo Versa oven is on the heavy side at 44 pounds, but it's fairly compact -- just 25 inches across and 25 inches in height.
Who it's good for: This is another great choice for beginners or anyone who wants delicious pizza with less work. The rotating pizza stone makes creating homemade pizzas even easier.
Who it's not good for: Someone who may struggle lifting the pizza oven since it is heavier than other options.
Pros
- Feels like a professional pizza oven
- Heats and cooks evenly
- Makes pizzas in about 90 seconds
- Large mouth and cavity make it easier to maneuver pies
Cons
- Too heavy to move regularly
- The most expensive on our list
Why I like it: Alpha's smallest oven, the Nano, is larger and heavier than any of the other ovens on this list. It's beautiful and sturdy, can accommodate larger pies and makes excellent, evenly-cooked pizzas in just a few minutes.
As with other gas pizza ovens we tested, the Nano attaches to a standard propane tank with a few twists, ignites immediately, and heats up in about 10 minutes. It is large enough to make 19-inch pies, and there's an oven door to help keep the precious heat inside.
The Nano's larger internal capacity makes it easier to see and rotate a pizza. You can also cook quite a bit more than just pizza or a tray of vegetables. Simply turn the heat down a few cranks and you can make a whole roasted chicken or a slab of roast beef. None of the other ovens on this list has enough space for that.
The heavy Nano can be stationed on a table, or you can purchase a dedicated cart for $499 from Kickass Grills. You can also buy a standard grill cart for much less than will almost certainly work fine. The Alpha Nano requires some simple assembly that takes less than 10 minutes. Alpha makes a wood-fueled version of the Nano that can be had for $1,399.
Who it's good for: Anyone who wants something a bit more professional than the portable ovens on our list. It's also good for those who want to use their pizza oven to cook more than delicious pies.
Who it's not good for: Someone with limited space, since this is the largest option on our list, or someone who is on a budget, since this is also the most expensive option by far.
Solo Pi Pizza Oven (Update: Product unavailable): Another solid pizza oven that's sturdily built and fast to cook, but at the time of review was more expensive than the Ooni Koda.
Ooni Fyra: Ooni's multifuel pizza runs on wood pellets similar to the Karu. It's housed in a sleek carbon-steel hull, making it about 6 pounds lighter than the Karu. It's also $50 more expensive, with a sticker price of $350.
PizzaCraft Pronto: This budget-friendly pizza oven churned out pies in just a few minutes, but the build felt a little cheap to us and the design isn't appealing.
The Ooni Koda 12 is the best overall pizza oven for the price.
OoniWe hand-tested all of the ovens on this list over the course of several months, assessing build quality and how easy they were to set up and connect to a fuel source.
A picturesque pie pulled from the hot chamber of the Alpha Nano.
David Watsky/CNETMaking pizzas
How the pizza turned out was the most important test for each oven.
Chris Wedel/CNETWe cooked a minimum of three pizzas in each, following the manufacturers' guidance on time, temperature, and technique. Ovens were scored on their ability to produce crispy crust and toppings that were fully cooked and cheese that was evenly melted. We also took notes on how long each oven took to cook a pizza. Spoiler alert: None of these ovens took more than five minutes to bake a pie, even a larger one.
We also evaluated the ease with which the ovens attached to their fuel source and how intuitive the dials and controls were. Finally, we looked out for any ovens that were particularly difficult to break down or clean after use.
Time to preheat
We timed how long each pizza oven took to preheat to its highest temperature using a thermocouple and a basic stopwatch.
Safety considerations
We looked for dangerous exposed elements or hazardous design flaws.
Chris Wedel/CNETBecause pizza ovens reach scorching hot temperatures, it's important that they are safe to use. We evaluated each pizza oven for any unnecessary and dangerous exposed elements that could result in accidents or burns.
Top pizza ovens compared
| 26 lbs. | 20 lbs. | 60 lbs. | 44 lbs. | 125 lbs. |
| 12 in. | 12 in. | 12 in. | 16 in. | 19 in. |
| 900 F | 950 F | 950 F | 950 F | 1,000 F |
| Wood pellets | Gas | Gas or wood | Gas | Gas |
| $299 | $399 | $500 | $500 | $1,088 |
| No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Fuel type: Gas vs. wood pellets
The Gozney is an excellent oven, but heavier than the average model at 60 pounds.
David Watsky/CNETOutdoor home pizza ovens mostly run on gas, wood or wood pellets.Propane gas pizza ovens can be connected quickly, ignite instantaneously and heat up in just a few minutes. They also burn clean, with less smoke and little mess to clean up. They can be hooked up to propane tanks in the same way you would a grill.
Wood and charcoalovens, in contrast, must be loaded (and sometimes reloaded) with fuel before use and take longer to heat up. Which can make a consistent temperature is trickier to maintain. They also make a bigger mess, leaving behind ash and soot. Although you may assume wood-fired pizza ovens would impart a smoky flavor, the pies are not subjected to much smoke or in the oven long enough to absorb the wood flavor. The ovens do smell nice once they're fired up.
Gozney released a large oven fueled by old-school firewood.
GozneyThere isn't a significant cost difference among the various fuel types, it's more a matter of personal preference. Wood pellets can be purchased online or at most hardware and grocery stores and are available in a range of wood varieties.
There are also electric pizza ovens, including this pricey model from Breville and this new entry from Ninja. Electric pizza ovens only reach temps of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Purists may tell you that's simply not hot enough to make truly great pizza. We plan to test a few electric pizza ovens soon, and will report back.
The Alpha Nano is the largest oven of all the models we tested, allowing you to roast whole chickens and other food that won't fit inside most home pizza ovens.
David Watsky/CNETSize and portability
The PizzaPronto was one of the smaller ovens we tested, and the build quality was just OK.
PizzaCraftIf you have a dedicated space for your oven, a larger, heavier model should work. If you'll be looking to store it away between uses or move it around regularly, a more portable oven is a better choice. At-home pizza ovens start at around 20 pounds, while semiportable and stationary pizza ovens can weigh several hundred.
Accessories
A pizza peel is the most important tool for making pies at home.
OoniOne accessory you'll definitely need for your new pizza oven is a pizza peel. This unique paddle-shaped tool allows you to safely slide a pizza in and out and rotate it for even cooking. Remember, these ovens get as hot as 950 degrees Fahrenheit, so you don't want to take any chances with a shaky spatula or tiny tongs.
The other accessory you'll likely want to invest in is a cover, especially if you plan to leave it out in the elements between uses. Some pizza ovens come with a custom cover, but many don't.
Cost and value
This sleek top-mount attachment turns a Breeo fire pit into a pizza oven.
Chris Wedel/CNETQuality at-home pizza ovens start at around $300 and go up -- way up -- from there. More expensive pizza ovens tend to feature larger, sturdier frames, more oven capacity and they reach hotter temps faster. You can find cheap pizza ovens under $250, but so far we haven't tried one that's worth the investment.
How long do pizzas take in an at-home pizza oven?
This depends on the size of the pizza and how hot you have your oven set to. Most modern at-home pizza ovens cook pizzas in less than five minutes, often as quickly as two or three.
What can you make in a pizza oven besides pizza?
You can make far more than pizza in an at-home pizza oven. Because the ovens get so hot, they'll sear steaks and burgers without overcooking the inside. You can also make crispy potatoes, roasted chicken, vegetables and fish filets in about half the time it would take in a standard oven. You can also bake bread and pastries in a pizza oven that has temperature control.
Is a pizza oven worth it?
Pizza ovens have become one of the buzziest home kitchen appliances for a reason. They work extremely well, are easy to use and turn out pizzeria-quality pies with just a little practice. A good pizza oven can also be had for as little as $250, making them a worthy investment for a pizza lover.
How hot does a pizza oven get?
Most pizza ovens crank up to a scorching 900 degrees Fahrenheit. That heat allows the pizza to cook, crisping the bottom and crust and melting the toppings without drying out the inside.
How do you clean a pizza oven?
The pizza stone is likely the part of the oven that will need cleaning regularly. Because most pizza ovens have stones that are attached, you'll have to wait until the oven cools and wipe the inside of the cooking chamber and pizza stone surface with a wet rag. Avoid the use of soap since any residue could affect the flavor of future food. For stubborn bits, Ooni makes a pizza oven grill brush for $30, but your standard grill brush will also do the trick. If the stone can be removed, wait for it to cool and run it under hot water and scrub it with soap, as needed.
The rest of the metal parts, including the inside and outside of the oven, can also be wiped with a warm, wet rag and mild soap.
Can I use a pizza oven indoors?
It is not recommended to use pizza ovens indoors. It is best to use them on a patio or deck.
