Which Ooni pizza oven should you buy? We put the Fyra, Koda and Karu to the test

March 2, 2023

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Tucking into a pizza is an unparalleled delight. That’s why it’s no surprise that demand grows every year for pizza ovens at home, with consumers wondering how they can replicate this Italian classic in their own back gardens.

What’s more, as the sun starts to shine, one of the best pizza ovens is also a way to bring the whole family together outside, with a delectable end result to tuck into as a reward for manning the fire.

Whether it’s a pizza party in the garden you have in mind or an oven you can transport to the beach, Ooni is one of (if not the) top-rated pizza brands out there in terms of quality. If you’re shopping early enough to find them all in stock, the only tricky thing is choosing which model, with five currently to choose from.

To get you one step closer to a homemade Margherita, we’ll be breaking down which Ooni will suit you and why based on our experience with the options we’ve tried and loved here at Ideal Home.

Are Ooni pizza ovens worth it?

Before we compare, it’s worth taking a look at why Ooni is such a major player in the pizza oven game. Ooni aims to elevate pizza at home from a frozen food into a fun outdoor activity, but not one that’s too technical at the same time. It’s a hard ask, especially given the British weather that all of us are working with.

(Image credit: Future PLC)

The way Ooni do that is to create ovens that can reach ultra-high temperatures and stay there. Our top-rated pizza oven, the Ooni Karu, reached 500°C in 15 minutes during our tests and was then capable of cooking a pizza in 60 seconds (provided the base was thin enough -it’s a learning curve).

500°C is, apparently, the number you need on the temperature gauge if you want a pizza that’s crispy on the outside but perfectly cooked in the middle.

Millie Fender

Millie is the Head of Reviews for Ideal Home, working to ensure that the products we feature have been thoroughly tested before we recommend them to you. Previously Small Appliance and Cookware Editor, she remains our go-to expert for all things cooking related. She’s tested five pizza ovens in her time at Ideal Home, including models from Ooni, Gozney and Sage.

Our Head of Reviews Millie Fender is a signed-up Ooni fan, saying ‘I rate them more than other pizza ovens, as in my experience they heat up and maintain their heat better than competitors. It means they’re more efficient, and you spend less money on fuel in the long run.

‘You also don’t have to wait long periods for your oven to get to the optimum temperature again, so your pizza party can go on undisturbed’.

Beyond the ability to make you into a perfect pizza maker, Ooni also has a great range, with prices starting at £299. Yes, their highest-end option does come in at £699, which is a little eye-watering, but at least you know that Ooni is good enough to cater to newbies and pizzaiolos alike.

The brand uses durable materials to craft the ovens, and offers a reassuring three-year warranty if you buy through the site, should anything go wrong, as well as a wealth of recipes and help on the Ooni website (opens in new tab).

Image of Ooni Koda pizza oven during testing at home

(Image credit: Future)

After testing Ooni ovens for ourselves at Ideal Home, our stand-out benefit is just how much you can do with these ovens. Our reviewers have tried everything from fajitas to potatoes in these ovens, with results that can genuinely rival the best BBQs.

We know versatility is super important when it comes to big-ticket purchases so that you can get your money’s worth, which is why the ability to try so many recipes earns a big tick from us.

It is worth noting that, on the downside, Ooni pizza ovens don’t come fully equipped with everything you need from the offset. You’ll need a pizza peel to pop your dough into the oven and remove it successfully, which you can buy separately (and a bit cheaper on Amazon (opens in new tab)). Ooni ovens also don’t have heat-safe exteriors, so always take care while using them and afterwards, as it gets seriously hot.

Which Ooni pizza oven should you buy?

Let’s start with the basics, which are the budget, space and skillset you’re working with.

If you’re just getting started, and tend to find an overcomplicated set-up an immediate deterrent, then a gas-powered option (the Koda) will probably suit you, as these ovens take the least time to get you from unboxing to a perfectly cooked Haiiwian (controversially).

If you’re an aficionado of the pizza game already, then why not upgrade when it comes to size and fuel type, and give yourself every possible option available, so that your next pizza party goes down in the history books? You can do that best with the Karu, which has a viewing window and door to keep it at an optimum temperature too.

Ooni Karu 16 & Ooni Karu 12 side by side on a garden table

(Image credit: Future PLC)

The Karu and Koda both come in 12 and 16-inch size options, so there’s really a model to suit everyone regardless of how you want to fuel your oven, and how big your garden is. It’s best illustrated in this size comparison chart (opens in new tab), from Ooni, which outlines all of the key metrics you need as you choose.

How do the Ooni Karu, Koda and Fyra compare?

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Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven

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Ooni Koda 12 Gas Powered Pizza Oven

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Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven

So, which Ooni pizza oven is best?

Our reviews of Ooni pizza ovens have never scored less than 4.5 stars out of five, so you’re in safe hands regardless of your final choice.

The one that we rank as the absolute unbeatable, tell-your-friends best? The Karu, which will keep a pizza enthusiast busy for years to come, with extras like the in-built temperature gauge and viewing window which make the mega price tag hurt a little less.

But as you already know by now, the objectively best choice is not necessarily the oven for you. The more affordable options from the brand, like the Fyra at half the price, is a compact, portable, easy to use and clean buy too, and was almost impossible to fault in our at-home tests.

With all that said and done, all that’s left to do is start perfecting your dough-making skills for when your Ooni arrives at your door.

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