"Hot Picks! The Best Pizza Ovens of 2025 for Every Budget"

 "Hot Picks! The Best Pizza Ovens of 2025 for Every Budget"

Pizza ovens are booming in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. Brands like Ooni have made it possible to craft restaurant-quality pies at home by offering ovens that reach the high temperatures needed for a variety of styles. Some models burn wood, others run on gas, and a few can even handle both with the right attachments. I’ve put together a guide on what to look for when buying a pizza oven, along with my top picks across different categories. Prefer to stay inside? I’ve included excellent indoor options too — plus a peek at some upcoming reviews!

Best Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven: Ooni Karu 16

If you're ready to invest in a serious outdoor pizza oven, the Ooni Karu 16 is a standout. It’s Ooni’s largest multi-fuel model, giving you the flexibility to cook with wood, charcoal, or gas (with burners sold separately). Featuring a hinged glass door for easy monitoring and a built-in digital thermometer, it’s designed for convenience. Its roomy interior isn’t just for bigger pizzas — it also accommodates pans and cast iron for baking, roasting, and searing. With its versatility and user-friendly design, the Karu 16 easily claims the top spot.

Best Outdoor Pizza Oven for Most People: Solo Stove Pi Prime

While Ooni sets the bar high, Solo Stove’s Pi Prime is an excellent alternative, especially for ease of use. This gas-powered oven offers a wide, curved opening that makes rotating pizzas effortless. The Pi Prime retains the signature dome shape seen in Solo Stove’s fire pits and features front-mounted controls for simple heat adjustments. Capable of reaching 950°F, it’s perfect for Neapolitan-style pies that cook in just 90 seconds — all without the hassle of tending a wood fire.

Best Compact Outdoor Pizza Oven: Ooni Fyra 12

The Ooni Fyra 12 was my introduction to outdoor pizza ovens, and it remains a favorite. Weighing just 22 pounds, it’s compact enough for easy storage but still powerful enough to reach 950°F. Instead of burning wood chunks, it runs on wood pellets, simplifying the process: just keep the pellet chute filled from the top. With minimal fire management needed, you can focus on crafting delicious pizzas quickly and easily.

Best Indoor Pizza Ovens for 2025

Before diving into dedicated indoor pizza ovens, it’s worth noting that your existing kitchen oven or a multifunction countertop unit can make great pizzas, especially with the right accessories. For instance, my Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer adjusts cook times automatically based on pizza size, oven temp, and whether the pie is fresh or frozen. Keep in mind, though, that countertop pizza ovens are typically large — about the size of a microwave — so they’ll need plenty of counter space.

Best Indoor Pizza Oven: Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven

Ooni ventured indoors with the Volt 12, its first electric pizza oven. Built with weather-resistant materials, it’s equally at home outside. The Volt 12 heats up to 850°F in just 20 minutes, turning out Neapolitan-style pizzas in about 90 seconds. Front-facing controls allow you to adjust the top and bottom heating elements independently, while cooking presets and a Boost function quickly reheat the stone between pizzas. Its 13-inch square stone is ideal for Detroit-style pizzas and more.

What to Look for in a Pizza Oven

When choosing a home pizza oven, first think about the type of pizza you want to make. Most portable outdoor ovens, like those from Ooni and Solo Stove, are geared toward Neapolitan-style pizzas, requiring extremely high temps (up to 900°F). Though you can cook other styles at lower temps, these ovens perform best running at full blast.


You should also think about fuel options. Gas burners make it much easier to control temperature by simply turning a knob, and they’re worth the extra investment (usually around $100) if your oven supports dual-fuel use. If you want the easiest setup, look for models built specifically for gas.


Another key consideration: size. Most ovens accommodate 12-inch pizzas — perfect for individual servings and pizza parties where everyone can customize their own. If you plan to make larger pizzas or bake other dishes, look for models with more spacious interiors. Always check the oven’s interior dimensions or stone size before purchasing.

Tips for Outdoor Pizza Cooking

Creating great pizza at home also means setting up your workspace smartly. You’ll need ample counter or table space to stretch dough, arrange toppings, and load pizzas onto a peel. While you can work in a small kitchen, having extra room makes the whole process much smoother.


Ideally, set up your pizza-making station close to your oven. In my early days, I sprinted back and forth between the kitchen and patio — not ideal when managing a wood fire. A patio table with a large cutting board can serve as a perfect pizza station and keep your oven accessible.


Brands like Ooni and Solo Stove sell dedicated stands with shelves and storage, but you can also use any sturdy table — preferably one made of stainless steel or metal to handle any heat. Even though most ovens are well-insulated, it’s better to play it safe with heat-resistant surfaces.


Since pizzas bake quickly at high temperatures (often under two minutes), keeping everything within arm’s reach will save you a lot of stress — and keep your pies from burning while you dash back inside.