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The short answer
For most people who want real wood-fired pizza at home, the Ooni Karu 12 is the best place to start: it burns wood or charcoal, Ooni rates it to 950°F, and it weighs about 26.5 lb, so it’s genuinely portable. If you want 16-inch pies, step up to the Ooni Karu 2 Pro. For the easiest wood-flavored option, the pellet-fed Ooni Fyra 12 is the cheapest way in, and the Gozney Dome Gen 2 is the premium pick for a permanent backyard setup.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Fuel | Pizza size | Max temp (rated) | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Ooni Karu 12 | Wood, charcoal (gas burner optional) | 12″ | 950°F | First wood-fired oven | Amazon |
| Best for 16″ pizzas | Ooni Karu 2 Pro | Wood, charcoal (gas burner optional) | 16″ | 950°F | Families, parties | Amazon |
| Best budget | Ooni Fyra 12 | Hardwood pellets | 12″ | 950°F | Wood flavor, low cost, portability | Amazon |
| Best premium | Gozney Dome Gen 2 | Wood, charcoal, propane | Two 12″ pies at once | Check listing | Permanent backyard oven | Amazon |
| Best gas-first with wood option | Gozney Roccbox | Propane; wood burner sold separately | 12″ | 950°F | Mostly gas, sometimes wood | Amazon |
Temperatures are manufacturer ratings. Wood ovens need active fire management to stay there.
How we picked
We compared manufacturer specifications from Ooni and Gozney, owner reviews and published reviews. We weighted how easily each oven reaches and holds Neapolitan temperatures on wood, how portable it is, how big a pizza it takes, and whether it can switch to gas on nights when you don’t want to tend a fire.
Wood-fired vs. gas: what you actually get
Wood gives you a rolling flame across the dome, a light smoky aroma, and the experience of cooking over a live fire. The trade-off is effort: you have to build the fire, feed small splits every few minutes, and manage ash. Gas ovens get you most of the char and leopard spotting with a dial. If you’re unsure, a multi-fuel oven like the Karu lets you buy a gas burner later.
1. Ooni Karu 12 — Best overall
The Karu 12 is the oven a lot of people learn wood-fired pizza on. Ooni rates it to 950°F, and says it reaches its ideal baking temperature of about 850°F in around 15 minutes. It burns small hardwood splits or lump charcoal, fits 12-inch pizzas and Ooni’s Detroit-style pans, and weighs about 26.5 lb unboxed. An optional gas burner turns it into a dual-fuel oven.
Good to know: the 12-inch mouth is small, so launching takes practice, and you’ll need to add wood every few minutes to keep the flame rolling.
Choose it if: you want authentic wood-fired pizza for 2–4 people without spending a lot or giving up portability.
Check the Ooni Karu 12 on Amazon →
2. Ooni Karu 2 Pro — Best for 16-inch pizzas
The Karu 2 Pro is Ooni’s large multi-fuel oven. Ooni lists a 17-inch cooking surface that fits pizzas up to 16 inches, a 5.7-inch internal height for roasting in cast iron, and about 15 minutes to reach 950°F. It runs on wood or charcoal out of the box, with a separate gas burner available. At about 62.6 lb, it’s movable but not something you’ll take camping.
Good to know: a bigger oven burns more wood and needs a sturdy, heat-proof table or stand.
Choose it if: you feed a crowd, want full-size pies, and plan to cook more than pizza.
Check the Ooni Karu 2 Pro on Amazon →
3. Ooni Fyra 12 — Best budget wood-fired oven
The Fyra 12 burns hardwood pellets from a gravity hopper, so you get wood-fired flavor without splitting logs. It’s rated to 950°F, takes 12-inch pizzas, and weighs about 22 lb. Published reviews say it turns out charred Neapolitan-style pies in about 90 seconds and performs well above its price.
Good to know: it’s wood only, the small cavity isn’t great for bread or large roasts, and you have to keep the hopper fed. Reviewers note it’s easy to burn a pie if you look away.
Choose it if: you want wood flavor on a budget, or a light oven for camping and tailgates.
Check the Ooni Fyra 12 on Amazon →
4. Gozney Dome Gen 2 — Best premium
The Dome is a large, heavy, hybrid-fuel oven that runs on wood, charcoal or propane. Gozney’s second-generation Dome adds a digital console showing air and stone temperature, a built-in timer and twin meat probes. It arrives fully assembled and Gozney says more than 25 parts can be serviced at home, including the stone. The Gen 2 fits two 12-inch pizzas; the Dome XL fits three. Expect pricing above $2,000.
Good to know: this is a backyard centerpiece, not a portable oven. Budget for a stand, a cover and Gozney’s optional Wood-Fire Control Kit if you’ll burn mostly wood.
Choose it if: you want a semi-permanent oven that also handles roasting and baking.
Check the Gozney Dome on Amazon →
5. Gozney Roccbox — Best gas oven with a wood option
The Roccbox ships with a propane burner and accepts a detachable wood burner sold separately. Gozney rates it to 950°F for 12-inch pizzas, and it has a thick stone floor, a built-in thermometer, folding legs and a silicone jacket that stays cooler to the touch. Reviews call it an excellent starter oven.
Good to know: if you’ll mostly burn wood, a purpose-built wood oven like the Karu is a better fit.
Check the Gozney Roccbox on Amazon →
Check the Roccbox wood burner on Amazon →
Choosing the right wood
- Use kiln-dried hardwood. Oak, ash, beech and maple burn hot and clean. Look for small splits about 5–6 inches long for portable ovens.
- Avoid softwoods and treated lumber. Pine and fir throw soot and resin; treated or painted wood is toxic.
- Pellet ovens need food-grade hardwood pellets. Not heating pellets.
- Charcoal for the base. Lump charcoal builds a hot bed quickly; add wood for the flame.
Buying checklist
- Pizza size: 12-inch ovens are lighter and cheaper; 16-inch ovens are easier to launch into and feed more people.
- Multi-fuel option: a gas burner add-on means you can cook on busy weeknights.
- Weight and setup: under about 30 lb is portable; 60 lb and up needs a permanent spot.
- Stand or table: it must be non-combustible and stable.
- Thermometer: buy an infrared thermometer to read the stone. See IR thermometers on Amazon.
- Safety: use wood-fired ovens outdoors only, clear of overhangs, fences and dry vegetation. Check local burn rules.
FAQ
Is a wood-fired pizza oven better than gas?
Wood adds a light smoky aroma and a rolling flame, but it takes more effort to manage. Gas is easier and more consistent. Multi-fuel ovens like the Ooni Karu let you use both.
How hot does a wood-fired pizza oven get?
Popular portable models like the Ooni Karu 12, Karu 2 Pro and Fyra 12 are rated to 950°F. Neapolitan pizza usually goes in with the stone around 750°F or higher.
What wood should I use in a pizza oven?
Kiln-dried hardwood such as oak, ash, beech or maple, cut into small splits. Avoid softwood and any treated or painted wood.
How long does a wood-fired pizza take to cook?
Around 60 to 90 seconds once the oven is fully heated, turning the pizza several times.
Can you use a wood pizza oven on a wooden deck?
Only on a stable, non-combustible base with plenty of clearance, and only if the manufacturer allows it. A stone or concrete patio is safer. Check local fire rules.