There is a reason why pizza is the menu choice of picky preschoolers, hungry teens, and discerning foodies. With enough cheese, tomato sauce and arugula, homemade pizzas are a complete meal. They are irresistible, easy to prepare and customizable for a wide range of dietary preferences.
Until recently, a budding pizza maker had no choice but to crank up their kitchen oven to the standard 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, the best outdoor pizza ovens can heat up to 900 degrees, the perfect temperature to whip up crispy Neapolitan pizza in minutes. Over the past few years, I’ve memorized recipes, perfected my dough tossing technique, and made hundreds of pizzas. You don’t have to limit yourself to pizza either; I have seared steaks and seared broccoli there. Here are my favorites and those around my waistline. For those with limited access to outdoor spaces, I’ve included an indoor option and an oven that fits on a small deck, balcony, or patio.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the best portable grills, the best grills, and the best camping stoves.
Updated June 2023: We’ve added the Ooni Volt and Yoder Smoker Oven, added an honorable mentions slide, and added a few toppings we love.
Special offer for Gear readers: get a One year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you wish). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
