Honorable Mentions
We've tried a lot of pizza ovens. Here are a few that we liked that didn't quite make the cut.
Photograph: Adrienne So
Ooni Karu, First Edition for $349: Ooni is still selling the previous generation oven of WIRED's top pick, the Karu 2, for about $100 less. Like other Ooni pizza ovens, O.G. Karu is an excellent oven—light, portable, and easy to clean—and WIRED reviewer Adrienne So couldn't stop using the thing after first testing it. Nonetheless the newer Karu 2 heats more evenly, and holds more fuel than the first-generation oven.
Ooni Koda 12 for $399: The original Ooni Koda 12 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a mere 21 pounds, making it the most light and portable Koda. Its thin, powder-coated steel shell insulates well enough that it remains cool to the touch, even when the fire is burning. Just slide in the baking stone, screw on the propane tank, and you're ready to go. The door fits 12-inch pizza peels and 10-inch cast-iron skillets. However, you should not store it outside.
Gozney Roccbox for $499: When Adrienne So first reviewed the dual-fuel Gozney Roccbox (5/10, WIRED Review), she praised the fast recovery time that has made the Roccbox popular among pizza pop-up chefs, allowing her to make 10 pies in less than 30 minutes when cooking pizza with propane. That said, few home pizza makers need such throughput, and the 44-pound device is heavier than other competitors. The optional woodbox was oppressively difficult to use, for those who want the ability to cook with fire. But the Gozney's price, previously among the most expensive entrants, now seems pretty reasonable.
Ninja Wood-Fired Oven for $300: If you're looking for a remarkably sturdy and versatile outdoor oven, this is a pretty good pick with a top temperature of 700 degrees. The door is a little sticky which makes baking pizza at high heat a little tricky, but if you want one device that can do everything from smoke a pork shoulder to make muffins to bake a pizza pie, this is your pick.
The Piezano for $99: This TikTok-popular oven is affordable, small, and convenient. It looks a little like a waffle iron, and comes with handy double paddles for easier placement. Astonishingly, its claims of heating the top and bottom elements to 800 degrees Fahrenheit are accurate, and it takes about 15 minutes, which allows for short cook times. But note the heating element at the top doesn't cover the whole surface area, so you have to rotate your pies pretty frequently. Also, opening the top like a waffle maker means that it doesn't retain heat very well. It dropped by 100 to 200 degrees between pies and requires a bit of recovery time.
Also Tested
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
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