The best pizza oven can turn your outdoor space into your very own slice of Italy. Pizza ovens make way better pizza than a standard oven, giving you that stone-baked finish and an authentic taste.
Believe us, when you taste the first pizza from your very own pizza oven, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one. For those who’ve never cooked pizza in a pizza oven before, it’s super simple and difficult to go wrong really, but we do have a guide on how to cook pizza at home so you can get the best results every single time.
Pizza ovens are a fun way to get the whole family together to eat outdoors, so if you’re looking for something a little different to the best barbecues and best smokers, a pizza oven is a great alternative.
Now we’ve got your taste buds tingling, let's take a look at the best pizza ovens that 2024 has to offer…
Best pizza ovens of 2024
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There are several reasons why this stealthy gas-fired 14-inch pizza oven from Italian celebrity chef and presenter Gino D’Acampo is our new number one choice. Firstly, it’s a lovely looker from every angle but more than that, it’s just a brilliantly designed and very efficient domestic pizza oven that’s light enough to carry a short distance and small enough to easily store away. It also happens to make excellent pizzas with minimum fuss. Just follow Gino’s ingenious tip which is to turn off the oven just before launching the pizza and turning the gas on again to low after turning the pizza for the first time. This sage advice applies to all gas-fired pizza ovens and it may just revolutionise your pizza baking.
While the narrow gap to the oven makes it a bit trickier to launch and turn a pizza, it also prevents too much cool ambient air from mixing with the hot stuff and that means the 14-inch edge-to-edge cordierite stone can reach optimum temperature (between 420˚C and 450˚C) in just 15 minutes – possibly quicker on a very hot day. The smaller mouth also ensures that the heat stays in for subsequent pizzas.
The Gino is available in three luscious liveries – the faux carbon-fibre Carbonio we received plus two matt black models, one bedecked in Italian flag racing stripe – and it’s not as expensive to buy as you’d think when looking at it. The four sturdy fold-out legs, meanwhile, ensure that the oven remains rock steady when placed on a suitable table, though a stand is also available for those who wish to spend more dosh. And it comes with the longest propane pipe in the industry.
There are many superb domestic pizza ovens in this guide – especially the Ooni Volt 12, Witt ETNA Rotate and Sage Pizzaiolo – but for design, size, weight, functionality and price, this one takes the chequered flag. At least for the time being.
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The Gozney Arc is the best pizza oven in terms of design and capacity, which is why it won Best Outdoor Cooking Appliance at the T3 Awards 2024. With its classic dome design (which features below in this guide), it has an impressive size and power, and can fit a huge amount of food inside, including 14-inch pizzas.
The fancy stand, weather cover and shiny accessories means you'll be an expert pizza maker and aficionado... although it might hurt your bank balance a little. Its gas power and controls makes it easy to set up and use, and it's incredible versatile s you can cook a bunch of BBQ classics and skillet-based meals, too.
Compared to its other Gozney siblings, the Gozney Arc is our favourite by far. The brand is also so reliable, trustworthy and high quality, so we couldn't recommend it more. Read our full Gozney Arc review.
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The16-inch Witt ETNA Rotante is one of the first outdoor pizza ovens to feature a revolving stone. And that means you won’t need to turn the pizza mid-way through the bake while singeing the hair on your hand in the process. I believe the Rotante is also the world’s first gas-fired pizza oven to feature a second burner under the stone for both consistently even top-and-bottom baking and speedier start-up times.
The Rotante is one of the easiest gas-fired pizza ovens you’ll ever use. As long as both burners are running and you give it 20 minutes or so for the stone to reach a temperature of around 400˚C – a laser thermometer is essential to keep tabs on stone temperatures – you will produce pizzas up to 16 inches in diameter that will knock the socks off your guests. What’s more, those very same guests will positively drool over the design and build quality of this oven, which is available in four tantalising colours.
The Witt ETNA Rotante is designed for table-top use and comes with four very sturdy flip-out legs. However, I should add that it is 63.3cm wide and 76.1cm in depth and it weighs 40 kilos, so it is pretty much impossible to lift safely on your own.
If you’re in the market for a feature-packed gas-powered 16-inch pizza oven that blows most of the opposition out of the water while not costing as much, the Witt ETNA Rotante is the best all-round option money can buy. It may even change your pizza-baking life.
Now read our full review of the Witt ETNA Rotante
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It comes to something when one of the very best home pizza ovens turns out to be electric and for indoor use (or outdoors on a sunny day). But stay with me. I’ve been using this amazing piece of tech for the past three years and not once have I had a disaster – every pizza I’ve thrown into its maw has come out with miraculous results and I haven’t burned my hand once. Admittedly I have been using some top-quality pre-made dough balls – which you can read about in our How To Cook Pizza At Home guide – but most of my successes have been down to this machine.
The Sage Pizzaiolo runs on electricity instead of charcoal, wood, pellets or gas. Now I’m the first to admit that the most authentic pizzas are arguably baked in a wood-fired oven but I’m also the first to admit that in a blind test I might not be able to tell the difference. All I know is that the Sage Pizzaiolo delivers the goods every time, and with an evenly browned light-as-a-feather crust replete with obligatory leopard spots and perfectly cooked ingredients to boot.
The Pizzaiolo has a number of automatic settings – 160˚C, defrost, pan, thick crust, thin & crispy, wood fired and 400˚C – but I just bung it on the howlingly hot ‘wood fired’ setting which bakes the pizza to perfection every time. You often don’t even need to turn the pizza halfway through because the simple circular oven rings above and below the pizza stone do a sterling job of ensuring the entire top and bottom are properly cooked.
Of all the pizza ovens I’ve tested, this model is still the easiest one to use. And, what’s more, because it’s essentially designed for indoor use, it’s the only model on this page that can be used all-year round, come rain or shine.For even more information on this stupendous pizza oven, read our Sage The Smart Oven Pizzaiolo review. And, to compare it to another top competitor be sure to check out T3's Sage The Smart Oven Pizzaiolo vs Ooni Koda 12 comparison feature.
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The electric Ooni Volt 12 is huge (57cm in depth, 51cm in width and 27cm in height) so make sure you have enough worktop space to accommodate its ample proportions. That said, this particular electric oven is also suitable for outdoor use, and the big bonus here is that it has a hinged front door fitted with triple-paned borosilicate glass which will keep the heat in even when ambient temperatures are very low. It also has an LED lamp inside so you can see how the pizza’s going without having to open the door.
This oven’s nearest competitor is the equally excellent Sage Pizzaiolo we review below. Both models make exceptional pizza but this model just pips the Sage to the post by dint of its aforementioned LED light and a full-width 13-inch stone that is more practical than the Sage’s circular 12-inch stone.
Although the Volt 12’s interface at first seems less intuitive than the Sage, once you’ve got a handle on setting the temperatures of the top and bottom heating elements, it’s pretty much plain sailing. Personally, I can’t tell the difference in bake between the two – they both excel at making most types of pizza, from New York to Neapolitan.
If you’re in the market for a premium, albeit large, pizza oven that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use – weather permitting, of course – the Ooni Volt 12 is a sterling choice. Want to know more? Read our full review of the Ooni Volt 12 electric pizza oven
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If you can stretch your dough a long way and hanker after one of the most handsome 16-inch pizza ovens on the market, put the Gozney Dome on your wish list. This behemoth weighs a monstrous 58kgs and can be placed on a strong table or, better still, the optional stand which is strong enough to support a house.
No question, the dome is a thing of beauty but it’s also massive in size (660mm H x 630mm D x 732mm W), so make sure you have a patio large enough to accommodate it. Aside from the gorgeous exterior, the superb insulation, the kindling storage area and the built-in digital thermometer, the very best thing about this oven is that it can run on gas or wood and without adding any extra parts.
I tested it using the gas method and it’s as easy as pizza pie to operate but not as easy as the Witt (reviewed above) to gain the same results. Like all wood fired pizza ovens and indeed most outdoor domestic models, the flames from the gas lick over the ceiling of the oven which ensures toppings are properly cooked.
However, you really need to keep an eye on things and turn the pizza regularly or the crust nearest the seat of the flame will burn very quickly – as in seconds. Also, be sure to let the temperature climb to as close as 500˚C or the 16-inch cordierite stone may not be hot enough to properly bake the base as well as the toppings (this happened on my first attempt at 440˚C). The optional oven-style rope door is a great help in this respect, especially in lower ambient temperatures. Also be sure to use a laser thermometer to check the temperature of the stone itself because the oven thermometer only gives the overall interior temperature.
Available in olive green or bone white – and also available as a wood-only option – the Gozney Dome is a stunning pizza oven on every level, from the materials used, build quality and design to its undeniably attractive aesthetics. No question, it bakes pizzas superbly well but there is still a steep learning curve involved which simply doesn’t apply to the Sage, Gino or Witt. Read our full Gozney Dome review.
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The Roccbox is a top sub-£400 choice for those who like the idea of being able to bake pizzas using either gas or wood kindling (Gozney provides two different clip-on assemblies). It’s a heavyweight beast, mind, so it’s not something you’d want to take on a picnic, despite the inclusion of a heavy-duty carrying strap.
This model is so well insulated you can place a whole hand on its rubberised outer surface and you won’t need to pay a visit to A&E; a handy innovation for those with inquisitive kids or cats that like to jump on things.
We tested it using both gas and wood and gas was definitely best because it allowed for easier temperature control and we didn’t have to keep filling the hopper with wood. That said, both methods produced excellent results even though we couldn’t taste any difference between the two power sources.
If you’re concerned about surface heat and fancy the choice of both gas and wood, then consider plonking this one on the patio table. Just don’t think of taking it on a picnic or your arm may fall off!
See our full Gozney Roccbox review for all the details.
8. Ooni Koda 12
Our expert review:
Specifications
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The gas-fired Ooni Koda 12 wins a raft of points for design, low weight and portability. Simply unfold its three legs, stick it on a table, connect it to a standard propane gas bottle and bake.
The Koda doesn't come with a built-in thermometer so you may wish to purchase Ooni’s optional infrared thermometer with integral laser beam for accurate stone temperature readings. Once the temperature has reached 400°C and above, it's time to load the stone. However, you will need to turn the pizza a few times during its 90- second cooking sequence and keep an eye on the crust at the rear where the flame is at its hottest.
If you don't fancy splashing out on a product you might use only a few times a year, then this is the one get. It makes exceptional pizzas with little fuss and is one of the easiest models on this page to store away or take on holiday.
9. Revolve Pizza Oven
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When Witt came out with the winning Etna Rotante reviewed above, its battery-powered revolving pizza stone represented a major shift towards ease of use and therefore better pizza-baking results for inexperienced users. Well here comes a smaller, lighter and cheaper option with the same type of revolving function that ensures even cooking of ingredients without much need for interjection.
At 18.6kgs, the gas-fired Revolve is just about light enough for one person to move it around the patio though I would recommend using the supplied cover with integral carry straps if hauling it a longer distance.
Tested in tandem with the Witt Rotante, this reviewer was extremely impressed with the Revolve’s performance even though it took 10 minutes longer than the Witt to achieve the 400˚C temperature I was looking for. This is because its straight rear-mounted gas burner doesn’t arc around the edges like the Witt and, unlike the Witt, there is no secondary burner beneath the stone. Nevertheless, the results ticked all the right boxes with good crisp on the base, well cooked ingredients and an excellent outer crust with customary leopard spots.
I was also impressed by the method used to turn the stone. Unlike the Witt which has a hidden AA battery housing, this model comes with a separate battery and motor housing that attaches to the base of the unit using magnetism. This makes it easier to change batteries and, if ever necessary, a new motor should it ever malfunction due to excessive heat.
The Revolve currently retails for a smidge under £500 and comes with a 13-inch pizza stone which is a little larger than the 12-inch average. It also ships with three crescent-shaped boundary stones – one spare in case of breakages – the aforementioned cover, a digital infrared thermometer and a high-quality perforated pizza peel. When you figure in these extras – worth around £95 – along with the revolving stone tech, it doesn’t take a degree in math to come to the conclusion that this is arguably the best-value outdoor gas-fired pizza oven on the market right now. Highly recommended.
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This great-value gas-fired stainless steel pizza oven from outdoor fire-pit specialist Solo Stove bakes 12-inch pizzas to near perfection – but only when its split stone is enough. And that could take up to 45 minutes on a cool wintery day.
Although slow heat-up times affect most outdoor gas-fired pizza ovens, in this case the Pi Prime’s larger-than-average oven mouth can be accused of letting in more ambient air when heating up and that arguably means higher gas consumption when used in winter or during windy periods. But on the plus side, the Pi Prime’s 13 x 3.5-inch opening provides excellent access to the oven area when launching, turning and removing pizzas. Swings and roundabouts spring to mind.
Cast mostly from stainless steel, the Pi Prime is light enough to carry a short distance and it’s very easy to use, too. In our test, it produced an excellent pizza first time out though the base could have done with an extra 30 seconds or so on the stone. In hindsight, I should have waited another 10 to 15 minutes – 60 minutes in total – to allow the stone to heat up to nearer 400˚C before launching the first pizza but truth is I was getting hungry.
There are a lot of very good pizza ovens on this page and this one most definitely deserves a spot on the list mostly because it’s very keenly priced, easy to use, light enough to carry and, when the stone is hot enough, it works as well as any other pizza oven on the page. Read our full Solo Stove Pi Prime review for more.
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Many people are put off buying pizza ovens because they don't eat as much pizza as expected. But the beauty of pizza ovens is that they can cook so many dishes, outside of pizzas, flatbreads and calzones. But if you'd prefer a cooking appliance that does it all while having a pizza oven-inspired design, the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven is what we'd recommend.
Ninja makes some of the best small appliances, including air fryers and multi-cookers, so the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven acts in a similar way as it has many different functions to choose from. Aside from pizza cooking, the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven has eight settings, including max roast, gourmet roast, top heat, bake, smoker, dehydrate and keep warm.
With a stylish design and easy controls, the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven is super versatile and affordable. It also comes with Woodfire pellets to add extra flavour. Read our full Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven review for more.
12. Alfa Moderno Portable
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Alfa is a prestigious Italian pizza oven brand favoured by discerning pizzaiolos, many restauranteurs and even some pop-up pizza bars. All Alfa pizza ovens are handmade in southern Italy and encased in very high-end materials for maximum insulation against ambient temperature. That’s certainly the case with the handsome gas-fired Alfa Moderno Portable which is constructed using ceramic fibre insulation, a 'refractory brick base’, an inner wall made from ‘titanium-impregnated stainless steel’ and an outer shell made from a sheet of powder-coated steel with no riveting. Needless to say, you pay through the nose for this level of build quality and attention to detail, but if you have the available funds, the Alfa Moderna Portable might just be what you’re looking for.
Mind, at 35kgs, the Moderna Portable is exceptionally heavy and impossible to lift by one person – thankfully it ships with a cover with integrated carrying straps on either side so two people could feasibly manage a trip from car to beach on foot with several rests along the way.
The Alfa Moderna is available in ‘Ardesia Grey’ and ‘Antique Red’ and it comes with a removable oven door which is essential for keeping the heat in if used in cool or windy conditions. The square pizza stone, meanwhile, measures just shy of 15 inches so there’s plenty of space for those stretched pizza bases that turn out to be slightly larger than the 12-inch norm. However, the Moderna Portable doesn’t ship with a gas regulator and hose so be sure to order a set from an online or bricks-and-mortar supplier.
Having seen the Alfa Moderna in operation, I can tell you that it produces very good pizzas. But then again every pizza oven on this page produces very good pizzas. For me the quality of the dough is the key element – as long as the stone and oven interior is hot enough – above 400˚C – the pizza will come out perfectly with a crispy base, leopard spots and a mountainous edge. This oven will do all of that exceptionally well – and hold its internal temperature better than thinner-walled models while using less gas in the process. The question is whether you’re prepared to fork out roughly twice the price of other ovens on this page for the privilege of having a hand-built and exceedingly well insulated oven that will likely go on delivering stupendous pizzas on a regular basis for years to come.
13. Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven
Our expert review:
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If you're looking for a cheaper, more portable and casual pizza oven to rustle up the odd pizza outdoors then the Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven is a great choice.
Its price is markedly lower than many pizza ovens on the market, but despite this is delivers a simple yet stylish stainless steel pizza oven that is capable of cooking 12-inch pizza using wood pellets.
Only one pizza can be cooked at once in this oven, but considering it can reach a maximum temperature of 460˚C, that its pizza stone can reach cooking temperature in about 20 minutes, and then can cook pizzas in up to 90 seconds, capacity here isn't really a problem.
This oven is also very portable as it weighs in at only 12.6kg and features folding legs. This means it is easy to store and bring out when needed. The Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven is powered by wood pellets, which are fed into its burn box by a rear-top-mounted hatch. As such, if you already have a wood pellet grill then this would be a great companion, as you could use the same fuel.
Overall, if you don't want to spend too much on your pizza oven and just will need to cook one or two pizzas during most usage periods then this is a great option.
Why you need a proper pizza oven
Forget using your home oven because its maximum temperature is usually just 250˚C and you need between 350˚C and 500˚C to properly bake a pizza like the pros. All of the pizza ovens reviewed here are easily capable of reaching the magic 400˚C and they’re all equipped with cordierite baking stones, which not only retain and emit intense heat but also absorb the moisture from the dough, turning it perfectly crispy and with a nicely blackened bottom to boot.
Best pizza ovens: gas or wood or even electric?
Wood is arguably the best bet if you want an authentic restaurant-type pizza. The downside is that wood-fired ovens take longer to heat up (sometimes hours) and require constant nurturing to keep the fire going. For that reason, many domestic oven manufacturers are now erring towards the use of propane gas as a fuel.
Some people may not even be able to tell the difference between a pizza cooked in the best wood-fired pizza oven and one cooked in the best gas-fired pizza oven. However, as with barbecues, one thing is for certain: gas pizza ovens heat up way more quickly – usually within 30 minutes or so – and the heat they emit is much more easily controlled.
And that leaves one more heat source to consider – electricity. An electric model like the excellent Sage The Smart Oven Pizzaiolo bakes exquisite pizzas with the least fuss of all. Naturally you can’t take it outside in inclement weather but being electric means it can be used indoors – and all year round.
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Derek (aka Delbert, Delvis, Delphinium, Delboy etc) specialises in home and outdoor wares, from coffee machines, white appliances and vacs to drones, garden gear and BBQs. He has been writing for more years than anyone can remember, starting at the legendary Time Out magazine – the original, London version – on a typewriter! He now writes for T3 between playing drums with his bandmates in Red Box (redboxmusic).
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