The best backyard pizza ovens, according to Consumer Reports

An outdoor pizza oven needs to trap serious heat to crisp a crust properly, and a flimsy door or an undersized opening can undo that even with a roaring fire underneath. Gas, charcoal and wood-fired models each bring their own tradeoffs in convenience, portability and control.

Consumer Reports tested outdoor pizza ovens for build quality, heat control and cooking results, so backyard cooks can find one worth firing up.

Credit: Solo Stove

The Solo Stove Pi Dual Fuel Pizza Oven costs $499.99 and earned Consumer Reports' top overall pick in this lineup, marking the brand's first entry into outdoor ovens. CR found it straightforward to fire up on either gas or charcoal, with an easy switch between fuel modes by installing the gas burner, and testers consistently got crisp, evenly cooked pizza with gas controls that mimic a standard grill or stovetop. The circular shape suits pizza-making better than the cylindrical or oblong designs common on other ovens, and CR noted the opening strikes a good balance, small enough to hold in heat but wide enough to slide in or turn a pie easily. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, longer coverage than the one-year terms CR has seen on many competing ovens, some of which only extend to five or 10 years with registration.

Credit: Ooni

The Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven costs $498 and earned Consumer Reports' pick as the top gas-only option in this lineup. CR found the fit and finish stellar, with folding legs that simplify storage and transport, though at nearly 40 pounds it's harder to carry to a cookout than lighter models in this lineup. Testers praised the opening size for trapping heat while still allowing easy access to slide in or rotate a pizza, and found a single burner knob made temperature adjustments simple, producing consistently good results pie after pie. CR noted Ooni's accessory lineup as a standout, offering everything from pizza peels and covers to infrared thermometers and topping stations designed to match its ovens.

Credit: Ooni

The Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven costs $249 and earned Consumer Reports' pick as the top charcoal- and wood-burning option in this lineup. CR found it sturdier than many smaller pizza ovens tested, weighing just over 26 pounds, light enough for camping or tailgating yet solid enough to feel stable during actual cooking, with folding legs that aid portability. Testers got consistently tasty results, and unlike other ovens in this lineup, this one includes a damper that lets cooks open it fully for a hotter fire or restrict airflow for lower cooking temperatures, backed by a well-built door that helps retain heat. Like the Koda, CR noted this oven has a wide range of compatible accessories available for purchase.

Credit: WPPO

The WPPO Le Peppe Portable Wood-Fired Pizza Oven costs $179.99, priced lower than every other oven in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' pick as the budget charcoal- and wood-burning option. CR found the pizza results just as tasty as those from the pricier Ooni models, though the fuel basket ranked smaller than other ovens tested, meaning cooks need to refill it often when making multiple pizzas in one session, and the fuel chute fits standard charcoal briquettes but not larger lump charcoal or big pieces of hardwood. Unlike the Ooni Karu, this oven lacks a chimney damper, so once the fire burns too hot, cooks need to let the flames settle before sliding in a pizza. CR also found the thinner oven door does little to retain heat evenly, causing the back of the oven to run hotter than the front and requiring frequent rotation during cooking.