Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens: Gas, Electric, and Hybrid Options Tested for Ultimate Performance
Updated: Aug. 17, 2024
Through rigorous firsthand testing, we found the best outdoor pizza oven for every style, budget and backyard. You just might think you've moved to Italy!
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Make every day a homemade pizza day! Adding an outdoor pizza oven to your backyard oasis instantly upgrades parties and weeknight meals. If you’re ordering pizza more than a few times a month from different pizza places, it might be time to invest in a pizza oven instead of delivery fees.
Pizza ovens reach higher temperatures in far less time than typical ovens. It’s that high heat that lands you the crispiest crusts on easy pizza recipes that end up looking like they came straight from a pizzeria. A patio pizza oven can also make scores of other dishes from roasted veggies and bread to fish and meat and everything in between.
We’ve tested over a dozen of the most popular pizza oven models on the market, from brands like Ooni, Gozney and Solo Stove. Our top picks fit an array of fuel types, sizes and price points. Now, who’s hungry for some ‘za?
BEST OVERALL
Ooni Koda 16
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Gets up to 950°F extremely fast
- Cooks a pizza in 60 seconds
- Propane fuel
- Quick cooking and tasty charring when desired
- High-end design
- Thousands of positive user reviews
Cons:
- No included thermometer
- Upscale price point
The Ooni Koda 16 is easily one of the most popular outdoor pizza oven picks on the market, and for good reason. Our testing of the Ooni Koda 16 yielded deliciously chewy, lightly charred crusts and gooey melty cheese. The oven transforms even the most basic grocery ingredients into a restaurant-quality pie. The best part? They’re fully cooked in a matter of 60 seconds and even gourmet frozen ‘za or vegan pizza gets crispy. It’s a luxury kitchen appliance that’s worth every penny.
The Koda 16 is the larger version of the brand’s propane-powered pizza oven and features an ample 16-inch cooking area that out-measures the brand’s typical 12-inch offering (which we also tried). That means bigger pizzas and family-friendly feeding. This model allows pizzas to be cooked in a rear corner, so you can turn and rotate your pies with ease. Just make sure you pick up a pizza peel! It’s by far the most important Ooni accessory.
Temperature range: Up to 950°F | Heat source: Gas | Weight: 39 pounds | Dimensions: 25 x 23 x 15 inches
BEST DUAL-FUEL
Gozney Roccbox
Pros:
- Propane and wood-fired
- Cooks at temperatures up to 950°F
- Portable with a detachable propane gas burner
- Sleek, modern design available in multiple colors
- Restaurant-grade
- Included silicone jacket for safety
Cons:
- On the higher end of the price spectrum
- Medium-capacity (not ideal for huge pizza parties)
This restaurant-grade Gozney Roccbox pizza oven features a dual-fire design that honors propane and wood inputs for the pizza-cooking experience of your dreams. When testing the Roccbox, we were smitten with the appliance’s versatility in fuel source and use. The transportability lent by the foldable legs and carrying strap means you can take it tailgating, camping, picnicking and more.
It might be portable, but it still packs a punch. This model reaches high temperatures of over 950°F to give you the ideal deliciously crispy-thin crust with puffy, charred edges. It takes only about 60 seconds to cook a small pizza in this bad boy, and it even comes with a five-year extended warranty when you register it after purchase.
Roccbox’s safe-touch silicone jacket is safer to touch than other pizza ovens, making it an ideal model for entertaining and parties. Plus, it comes with various kitchen gadgets that make churning out restaurant-quality pizzas easier than ever. We also recommend the Gozney Arc.
Temperature range: Up to 950°F | Heat source: Gas or wood | Weight: 44 pounds | Dimensions: 16 x 21 x 19 inches
BEST SMALL
Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven
Pros:
- Runs on either wood or propane
- Large opening makes it easy to turn pizzas
- Reversible baking stone
- Cooks extremely evenly
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Can be tricky to light
- Somewhat cumbersome to store
- Accessories sold separately
In our testing of the Pi pizza oven, the wood- or dual-fueled Solo Stove appliance wowed us with its stylish design and even cooking. Solo Stove is best known for its smokeless fire pits, and its pizza ovens boast that same signature stainless-steel exterior. You can choose between a wood-fired oven or a dual-fuel oven that runs on gas, too. In our experience, both options perform extremely well, reaching temperatures over 700°F for fast cooking and crispy crusts.
What we love the most about the Pi Pizza Oven is its extra-large panoramic opening, which makes it much easier to launch and rotate pies. (Psst! There’s a less expensive model with the same impressive panoramic opening called the Solo Stove Pi Prime, which we’ve also tested.) The oven cooked pizzas in just a few minutes, and its convection-style design delivered impressively even results. Plus, after we were done, we could simply flip the baking stone over for a clean cooking surface.
Temperature range: Between 850°F and 900°F, depending on heat source | Heat source: Gas or wood | Weight: 31 pounds | Dimensions: 21 x 15 inches
BEST ELECTRIC
Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven
Pros:
- Fully electric
- Works indoors or outdoors
- Reaches temperature of 850°F
- Cooks pizza in just 90 seconds
- Multiple controls and preset functions
- 13-inch cooking area
- Built-in handles for easy transportation
Cons:
- Pricey, especially compared to outdoor Ooni models
- May be bulky to store indoors when not in use
- 39-pound weight may be heavy for some users
If you live in an unpredictable climate (hello, Wisconsin!), you might want to invest in a pizza oven you can use outdoors and indoors. Enter the Ooni Volt. This electric appliance is versatile, portable and easy to use whenever—and wherever—a craving strikes.
We tried the Ooni Volt and were impressed by its speed and sturdiness. Two heating elements and a plethora of temperature controls help the Volt reach temps of up to 850°F in a mere 20 minutes. And once the oven’s hot, the pizza cooks in as little as 90 seconds. Plus, there’s no need to worry about running out of propane or wood as you would with other pizza ovens. All you need is an outlet! This versatility landed the Ooni Volt on our best indoor pizza ovens list.
Temperature range: Up to 850°F | Heat source: Electricity | Weight: 39 pounds | Dimensions: 24 x 21 x 11 inches
BEST ON AMAZON
Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven Plus
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use
- Works as a propane grill and griddle
- Built-in storage for accessories
- Reaches temperatures up to 700°F
- Special front door for pizza cooking
- Affordable price
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Cooks significantly slower than other pizza ovens
If you’re new to the world of pizza cooking, you might be intimidated by high-temperature pizza ovens that cook your pie in a matter of seconds—after all, there’s often a steep learning curve. For beginners, we recommend the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven Plus, another model that we were able to test firsthand (see our full review). This multifunctional appliance serves as a pizza oven, propane grill and griddle, and it’s much easier to operate and cook with than other pizza ovens we’ve tried. Plus, who doesn’t love that speedy Amazon Prime shipping that comes with it?
This propane-powered pizza oven includes a 13-inch cordierite pizza stone, and it has a special front door that you can open to access your pie. Because it only reaches temperatures of around 700°F (note: we were able to max out the thermometer that reads up to that point), the oven does take five or more minutes to cook your pizza. However, in our experience, this reduces the chance of accidentally burning the crust or toppings. We could peek at the bubbling, cheesy masterpiece through the little drop-down door without lifting the lid and letting all the heat escape. It’s a roomy oven, too!
Plus, on those nights when you want to grill burgers or vegetables, the design has a secondary lift-up lid that lets you access the 230-square-inch cast-iron cooking grates. All the accessories are stored nicely underneath the cooking chamber, and you can’t beat this Cuisinart’s low price point, either!
Temperature range: Up to 700°F | Heat source: Gas | Weight: 45 pounds | Dimensions: 25 x 20 x 18 inches
BEST MULTIFUNCTIONAL
Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Pizza Oven
Pros:
- One of the lightest and most compact on this list
- Powered by electricity—no wood or gas needed
- Performed well and within the promised time
- Maintained temperature
- Handy presets, such as thin crust, Neapolitan and deep dish
Cons:
- Messy launching process
- Requires cleaning after each use
- Requires outdoor power
The Ninja Pizza Oven. It’s in the name! This outdoor wonder, the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Pizza Oven, has many functions beyond just baking pizzas. These include roasting, smoking, baking, broiling, dehydrating, “pizza” and more. Within the aforementioned pizza function, various presets explicitly cook deep-dish, Neapolitan, New York style, thin crust and frozen pizzas to perfection. When you select one of these pizza presets, the oven will automatically adjust to the proper temp and cook time. User-friendly? Absolutely. Bang for your buck? Even more so!
When we tested the Ninja Woodfire pizza oven, we were surprised to learn it’s powered by electricity. Although that means users need outdoor power, they don’t need to mess with wood chips and propane tanks at least. Unless, of course, you want to. The appliance’s name comes from the wood-fired flavor you can impart by adding a 1/2 cup of pellets to the machine. However, our tester found this step wasn’t necessary to achieve that brick-oven taste. The pies cooked beautifully in three minutes (after 20 minutes of preheating) and delivered bubbly, perfectly blackened slices.
Temperature range: Up to 700°F | Heat source: Electricity | Weight: 32 pounds | Dimensions: 22 x 18 x 15
BEST GAS
Blackstone Pizza Oven
Pros:
- State-of-the-art rotating stone
- Comes with extras, such as cart and pizza peel
- Cooks larger pizzas than most competitors
- No live flame within the cooking space
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Heavy and therefore largely immovable
The Blackstone Pizza Oven is unlike any others on the market. Its novelty is evident when you learn of its patented two-stone technology, the bottom of which rotates for even heating. Ask any pizza pro, and they’ll tell you that one of the hardest parts of cooking pizza at home is spinning it by hand with your peel. Blackstone’s ingenuity eliminates this hassle altogether.
The pizza-baking behemoth, which comes with or without a mobile cart, hooks up (and looks) just like a propane-powered grill. Plus, it includes a pizza peel. The oven gets hot, hot, hot, so even though the pizza turns on its own, don’t stray too far. The char on the bottom happens quickly, and you wouldn’t want to ruin your otherwise perfect bubbling, sizzling masterpiece.
This is not a particularly portable option, but if you’re looking for a pizza oven that does its job well and stands watch in your backyard, this is the purchase for you.
Temperature range: Up to 900°F | Heat source: Gas | Weight: 140 pounds | Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 33 inches
What to Look for When Buying an Outdoor Pizza Oven
“Look for pizza ovens that are ready to use, or almost ready to use, and don’t require much assembly,” says Chef Laura Pauli, of Cucina Testa Rossa. “Seek out pizza ovens that are heavily insulated and built with heavy-gauge stainless steel, stone or brick.”
Choosing a fuel source like wood or charcoal imparts authentic pizza-shop flavor, but can be unpredictable and requires a bit more finesse. “Gas-fueled pizza ovens will get to 900° with a standard pound propane tank,” she says “And last about 20 hours without having to put much effort in.”
Don’t forget the best pizza-making tools (like these best pizza cutters) to elevate pizza night!
Main Considerations
- Fuel source
- Oven size
- Temperature range
- Durability
- Portability
Why You Should Trust Us
We tapped our pool of cooking pros big time for this roundup of pizza ovens. All pizza and/or outdoor cooking experts in their own right, they researched, kneaded, launched, baked, sliced and tested their way through pizza perfection (and imperfection, in some cases). Our team is very equipped to test big outdoor appliances such as pizza ovens because we’ve done so in the past with grills, smokers, griddles and the like. And their combined years of professional culinary training and experience as bakers, food stylists and recipe developers sure doesn’t hurt either.
How We Found the Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens
To find the best pizza ovens, we looked at various outdoor pizza oven styles and considered design, affordability, temperature maintenance, real customer reviews and overall capacity. On top of that, we considered each outdoor pizza oven’s fuel source because there are so many options. Some use gas, others use charcoal, and others require wood and wood-related fuel products. Heck, there are even electric models now!
We tested over a dozen models to verify that the appliances (and the pies they produced) met our standards. We assembled the ovens, hooked them up to their power sources, toyed with their settings, cooked multiple pizzas in each, and indulged in the results. And yes, some didn’t make the cut because they, say, burned the outside so quickly the interior couldn’t cook.
Ultimately, we performed these comprehensive tests so that you can click “Add to Cart” with confidence. The pizza ovens that made this list are easy to use and have a good overall value because even upscale cooking items should offer a tasty return on investment. Get your pizza cutter ready!
FAQs
Can I leave my pizza oven outside?
Leaving a pizza oven outside indefinitely depends on the type of oven you invest in. If you choose a sturdy brick oven or stone-encased model, leaving it outside through all four seasons should be fine if you’re prepared to clean it before use. For other styles, like portable outdoor pizza ovens and rolling-cart models, you’ll want to use a cover and protect it from the elements. These more fragile designs should be treated similarly to your favorite grill or BBQ setup.
Where should an outdoor pizza oven be placed?
Pizza ovens require ventilation and space because after all, they contain fire—and smoke! That means you’ll want to place your pizza oven several feet away from your home or any flammable items like patio furniture and seat cushions, and far enough away from guests that they’re not inhaling smoke and ash.
What’s the best type of outdoor pizza oven?
That depends on how you plan to use your outdoor pizza oven! Adding a grill attachment may be the most practical choice if it’s just an occasional pizza adventure. However, investing in a large-format wood-burning pizza oven probably makes the most sense if you’re the host of every family gathering and typically feed a small army.
Is it worth getting a pizza oven?
There’s no straight answer to this question, but essentially, if you want a pizza oven, then a pizza oven is worth getting. This is because not all pizza ovens are created equal or operate similarly. For instance, if you want a pizza oven but don’t want to spend much money, a $1000-plus model probably wouldn’t be worth it. However, you could check out our budget pick for less than $300, which would be. Or, if you have no backyard, a brick pizza oven certainly wouldn’t be worth it. But the electric Ooni Volt that runs on electricity alone would. You can’t go wrong with any of our top picks, though, because at the end of the day, each and every one of them produces pies you’d find at a pizzeria.
Taste of Home writers Annamarie Higley, Bryce Gruber and Camryn Rabideau contributed to this article.
Originally Published: May 10, 2022
