Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens 2023: Tested, Rated and Devoured

Whether you're cooking up a full Italian feast for la famiglia or just looking to get your picky eater to consume more homemade foods, adding one of the best outdoor pizza ovens to your backyard is a brilliant plan.

These meal-making wonders are easy to set up, compact and reach temperatures of 900 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond. That means they make mouth-watering pizzas and other goodies like fish, meat, veggies and even desserts in just minutes. But really, it's all about the pizza. Outdoor pizza ovens make even ho-hum crusts taste top-notch and fully authentic.

Better yet, the best outdoor pizza ovens are pretty affordable—often costing just a couple of hundred dollars. That's less than a few round of pizza deliveries, and the taste is so much better.

Which outdoor pizza ovens did we like best?

Each model that made this list offered scrumptious pizzas and other fire-fueled dishes, but the Ooni Karu 12G was our overall favorite thanks to its versatility. It's the only model on the market that uses wood, charcoal and propane—giving you endless options and no fear of running out of fuel.

We also called in expert tips, commentary and guidance from Sal Russo, a third-generation authentic Sicilian pizza maker at Anna's Pizza in Poquoson, Virginia to talk about using pizza ovens outdoors.

The best outdoor pizza ovens for families 2023

• Best overall: Ooni Karu 16
• Best for camping: Gozney Roccbox
• Best budget-friendly: Ooni Fyra
• Best authentic pizza shop-style: Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
• Best luxury: Gozney Dome
• Best propane: Big Horn Outdoors Gas Pizza Oven
• Best wood-burning: Edostory Two-Tier Rolling Pizza Oven
• Best pellet-fueled outdoor pizza oven: Aidpiza Pellet Pizza Stove

Best overall

Ooni Karu 16

Call the neighborhood over for a block party, because the family-friendly Ooni Karu 16 can easily feed a crowd. It's the very first outdoor pizza oven to be  ‘Recommended for Domestic Use’ by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the international authority on true Neapolitan pizza. And wow, if ever there was an award to be won for backyard pizza ovens...

It reaches 950°F (500°C) in just 15 minutes and offers multiple fuel options for unparalleled cooking versatility. Cook with wood or charcoal any day of the week, or opt into the brand's Gas Burner for Karu 16 (it's sold separately) to get a propane-based experience. The best part? The roomy interior allows you to cook up to 16-inch pies in just minutes. That means you can truly feed a crowd.

Pros

• Large interior fits pies up to 16-inches
• Cooks with wood, charcoal or gas
• Easy to set up
• Reaches 950°F (500°C)
• Stylish design anyone would be proud to show off on their patio
• A clever hinged oven door design with ViewFlame technology that boosts visibility

Cons

• Pricey, but worth it

Best for camping

Gozney Roccbox

Whether you're camping with a baby or a whole crew of scouts, the Gozney Roccbox is a brilliant and portable outdoor pizza oven you'll come to love using. This premium, portable pizza maker reaches 932ºF and beyond with ease. Thin, puffy crusts with just the right crispness and hint of char are within reach in a minute or less.

A built-in thermometer, retractable legs and detachable dual-fuel burners make it a winning choice with thousands of five-star reviews. It's also quick to set up and runs on either propane gas or wood—the choice is yours. Top-notch insulation and an outer silicone layer also make it safe and family-friendlier than other models on the market.

Seriously—all-metal exteriors can burn kids, which is why this pizza oven's design and attention to detail is so wonderful.

Pros

• Retractable legs and lightweight design make it easy to take on the go
• Gas or wood-fueled, the choice is yours
• Built-in thermometer
• Safe-touch design and silicone exterior
• Reaches high temperatures of over 932ºF for the perfect crispy crust
• Modest price point

Cons

• More expensive than other models, though we believe the dual-fuel sourcing and portability make it worth spending more

Best budget-friendly

Ooni Fyra

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a game-changing outdoor pizza oven. The adorable Oonie Fyra is the proof. It's a wood-fired wonder that churns out 12-inch pies in a jiffy while looking sharp and sophisticated in your outdoor space. Hardwood pellet fuel offers consistently high heat and low maintenance.

This big flavor maker in a small package reaches 950°F (500°C) in just 15 minutes and is ultra-portable at just 22 pounds. Feeding a big crowd? That's alright! Pizzas cook in about a minute in this beastly baby, making it a brilliant choice for budget-minded families of all sizes and styles.

Pros

• Premium pizza oven at a more affordable price
• Reaches 950°F (500°C) in just 15 minutes
• Easy to take on the go at just 22 pounds
• Takes hardwood pellets
• Low maintenance
• Quick, easy setup

Cons

• Not the cheapest on our list, but the best overall deal on a premium outdoor pizza oven
• Interior size is for pies up to 12-inches, so it's best for small families though it can quickly churn out enough pizza for large groups

Best authentic pizza shop-style

Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven

This tinier version of an authentic pizzeria's prized oven is a popular choice for Amazon shoppers and an easy-to-use outdoor pizza oven for families of all sizes. The Camp Chef Italia oven is encased in durable stainless steel and features a built-in temperature monitor. It reaches 700°F and beyond with ease, making it perfect for pizzas and other baked dishes.

A ventilated oven door and handle promise thorough heat regulation. A total of 17,000 BTUs/hour bring this beast up to pizza perfection standards, while a built-in valve ignition promises simple flame control.

Pros

• Looks at acts just like the pizza ovens you see at Italian restaurants
• Gas-powered for precise temperature control
• Vented for safe heat regulation
• Reaches 700°F and beyond
• Simple setup
• Stainless steel encasement

Cons

• 47-pound weight makes it less portable than other models
• Must be placed on a metal or stone surface—it will melt plastic and possibly burn wood

Best luxury

Gozney Dome

The biggest, fanciest outdoor pizza oven on our list is the Gozney Dome. Truly, this is the pizza oven dreams are made of if you have the space and budget to accommodate it. Professional-grade wood-fired pizza cooling is within reach, as well as an endless supply of roasted, smoked, steamed and baked dishes. Cook fast, cook slow. It's up to you.

It's a serious investment piece that upgrades backyards and patios. Some people bring it inside, but only if they plan to use it with gas and a proper ventilation system. We like it the OG way—proudly displayed on a deck or patio is an art piece that empowers the world's most delicious dinners.

It's a big piece at 26-inches tall and nearly 29-inches wide, so be prepared to make it a focal point (but honestly, anything with pizza coming out of it is a focal point). It's also fairly heavy at 128 pounds, so you'll want to consider committing it to a dedicated pizza space. You deserve that kind of space, don't you?

Pros

• Luxurious ceramic finishes inspired by mid-century modern design
• Offered in soft beige or olive tones
• A statement piece for your outdoor space
• Wood-fired design, though a gas-powered option exists
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive, but this piece is an investment that will serve you for years (if not generations)
• Very heavy at 128 pounds, so consider leaving it in a single spot

Best propane

Big Horn Outdoors Gas Pizza Oven

The Big Horn Outdoors gas pizza oven is a portable wonder that delivers scrumptious pizza in 60 seconds. Really—it gets up to 1180°F thanks to 23,000 BTU burners that deliver fast, delish pizza in a jiffy. We like it at a more modest 700-ish, though. That's great news when you're feeding a crowd or when your kids are just generally very hungry wolves.

It's a breeze to clean, takes just a few minutes to set up and assemble and transports in a cinch. A built-in thermometer keeps your cooking game on point, two control knobs make it easy to ignite and anti-skid feet protect tabletops and ledges. This bad boy is fueled by propane to give a precise restaurant-level cooking experience that is also convenient. Backyard chefs say it's the best option if you're also working with a propane grill.

A 13-inch interior cooking area is slightly bigger than other models on the market, making this gas-powered outdoor pizza oven a family-friendly must-have. Just remember to keep propane tanks on hand with this gas-fueled oven.

Pros

• Precise propane-based cooking
• Countertop model works well on tables, ledges and patio stone
• Anti-skid feet
• Portable
• 13-inch interior cooking space
• Simple ignition

Cons

• No independent legs means it requires a table or platform for us

Best wood-burning

Edostory Two-Tier Rolling Pizza Oven

Get everything you need for a flawless backyard pizza party in one kit. The Edostory rolling pizza oven comes with a peel, slicer, multiple racks, heat-resistant gloves and plenty more. We love the clever rolling design that lets you wheel it just about anywhere you want it to go while serving up great pizzas.

Sal Russo loves that it runs on chunks of wood that remind everyone of the olden days of pizza making. You know, when crusts were crispy and charred and like little bits of Heaven fallen to the carb-loving Earth. The 12-inch pizza stone promises small to medium size pies in just five or six minutes. It also comes with a built-in thermometer.

Pros

• Runs on robust chunks of firewood
• Detachable storage space for carbon ash
• Hot enough to cook in 10 minutes or less
• Pizzas done in 5 to 7 minutes
• Oven shelving below to store additional wood
• Comes with plenty of gear and attachments like a pizza peel to help turn your pizza making dreams into reality

Cons

• Doesn't get quite as hot as some of the other ovens on our list (up to 550°F)
• Bulky, though it has wheels to easily transport around your yard, patio or other nearby areas

Best pellet-fueled outdoor pizza oven

 Aidpiza Pellet Pizza Stove

If you've got a small family and love the taste of wood-fired pizza, the affordable Aidpizza oven is for you. This wood pellet outdoor pizza maker bakes 12-inch pies that can be eaten on their own or sliced to share with the family. Hardwood pellet fuel offers just the type of balanced, reliable burn-to-smoke ratio that Russo recommends. The best part? There's just a hint of smokey flavor that lingers in the mouth.

You don't need to use an infrared thermometer with this model either, because the oven temperature hits 662℉ (350℃) when you can start cooking pizza or any other mouth-watering meal. It's also mobile thanks to folding legs and a medium-weight body that makes it simple to take it from your backyard to a neighbor's cookout.

Pros

• Authentic wood-fired flavor that runs on hardwood pellets
• Foldable legs for easy portability
• Cooks perfect individual pizzas
• Reliable burn-to-smoke ratio
• 662℉ cooking temperature
• Affordable price point

Cons

• If you have a large family, this model will likely be too small for you
• Single fuel source, though pellets are among the top-rated options on the market

How we tested the best pizza ovens

We followed the instruction manuals on assembly, cooking, cooling, storage and perhaps most important of all—ignition. In an effort to get the full experience, we used the peels and tools that came with each device rather than our own. We also tested more than just pizza in each oven. Sure, typical pizza dough went in (as well as the gluten-free kind), but we also cooked up garlic oil mixed veggies, salmon, steaks and Nutella-filled calzones. Mmmmm.

But let's be real—families don't always have time to whip up their own dough or stretch it out like a vintage pizzeria scene. So yeah, we also tried store-bought crusts and frozen pizzas in each of these options.

Only outdoor pizza ovens that took less than 20 minutes to assemble and set up were included in this list because we strongly believe you shouldn't need an engineering degree to make a fantastic pizza at home.

What to look for when buying a pizza oven

Type of fuel

Price aside, choosing your fuel source is the biggest consideration when buying an outdoor pizza oven. These patio beauties can be heated by propane, charcoal or wood pellets, although all-electric models also exist.

"Personally, I prefer a wood-fired oven as the taste and ambiance around the oven are superior to other types of ovens," says Russo. "The high temperatures you can achieve with this style of oven allow for a deliciously light and crispy pizza. With a wood-fired pizza oven, there is more work up front. A gas oven is usually just a flip of a switch."

Propane-fueled pizza ovens are certainly easier to control and offer precision cooking, through the wood pellet ovens turned out the best possible flavor. Charcoal pizza ovens also earn high marks thanks to authentic smokey flavor that throws your mouth into instant Italian vacation mode.

Each style of pizza oven has an interior pizza stone that when heated, gets extraordinarily hot, giving your pies and other dishes a tasty bottom char and crispy exterior that feels and tastes professional grade. This is especially important if you're the type of pizza eater who asks for "well done" and "charred bottom" pies when you call in take-out and delivery orders.

Size and capacity

"Choose an oven that fits your expected usage. If you only need the oven for the occasional pizza craving, a small one is fine. If you plan to entertain regularly or plan to cook often, a larger outdoor pizza oven would suit you better. Have a budget in mind, because the options are endless and models can range from very affordable all the way up to incredibly expensive."

How to clean an outdoor pizza oven

"Clean the inside of your oven after each use or as ashes and burnt food matter build-up," says Russo. "The high heat that these outdoor pizza ovens produce kill off bacteria, so no cleaning products are necessary. Water should never be used as this can damage the oven's components."

Adding that, "All you have to do is sweep out any ashes or food that has built up and you're done! Inspect and clean the flue and cap annually to make sure everything is safe to use. The dome of your oven might also need a waterproof sealant applied annually to ensure the oven is watertight."

Tips from a pizza pro on making the best pizzas at home

• Never leave your pizza oven unattended. Russo says this is dangerous, but can also result in overdone pizza.
• Always use a peel. Some outdoor pizza oven kits come with their own peels. If yours doesn't consider one with a long handle like this Ooni model. "A peel with a longer handle is useful in helping to avoid accidental burns on your arms," he explains.
• Use insulated gloves. "If your oven is portable, always wear insulated gloves when handling the oven after using it—even if you think it's cooled down."
• Secure your gas lines. Obviously, this tip is just for gas-powered pizza ovens, but it's important for safety.