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The quick answer
- Choose Ooni for value, choice and lighter ovens. It has the widest range, including multi-fuel and electric models.
- Choose Gozney for a heavier, more insulated, premium-feeling oven, and its distinctive rolling side flame.
- Best value overall: Ooni Koda 12 or Koda 2.
- Best premium compact: Gozney Arc or Arc XL.
- Both make excellent pizza. Your dough and technique matter more than the badge.
Ooni and Gozney are both British-founded brands, and between them they dominate the UK pizza oven market. They're often compared, but they take different approaches: Ooni focuses on light, affordable ovens across every fuel type, while Gozney builds heavier, more insulated ovens with a more premium feel. This comparison is based on specs, UK prices and owner feedback rather than hands-on testing.
Still deciding on fuel? Start with wood vs gas vs pellet. On a tighter budget? See our best pizza ovens under £500.
The key differences
| Ooni | Gozney | |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | From about £299 | From about £349.99 |
| Fuel options | Gas, wood/charcoal, multi-fuel, electric | Mostly gas, plus the multi-fuel Dome |
| Weight | Generally lighter | Generally heavier, more insulation |
| Flame style | Burner at the back of the oven | Rolling flame along the side (Arc range) |
| Range size | Very wide: 12" up to 24" | Smaller, more focused range |
| Feel | Practical, portable, great value | Premium, solid, design-led |
Gozney extends its warranty when you register your oven. Some retailers quote five years after registration. Ooni also offers a warranty, so check the current terms for the exact model you're buying.
The two ranges at a glance
| Model | Fuel | Pizza size | UK RRP (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ooni | |||
| Koda 12 | Gas | 12" | £299 |
| Karu 12 | Wood / charcoal (gas add-on) | 12" | £299 |
| Karu 2 | Wood / charcoal (gas add-on) | 12" | £349 |
| Koda 2 | Gas | 14" | £399 |
| Koda 16 | Gas | 16" | £499 |
| Volt 2 | Electric | 12" | £499 |
| Koda 2 Pro | Gas | 18" | £599 |
| Karu 2 Pro | Wood / charcoal (gas add-on) | 16" | £699 |
| Koda 2 Max | Gas | 24" | £899 |
| Gozney | |||
| Arc Lite | Gas | 12" | £349.99 |
| Tread | Gas | 12" | £499.99 |
| Arc | Gas | 14" | £599.99 |
| Arc XL | Gas | 16" | £799.99 |
| Dome (Gen 2) / Dome XL | Wood, gas or pellets | Multiple pizzas | Well over £1,000 |
Prices are approximate RRPs from the brands and UK retailers at the time of writing. Both brands run regular sales, so always check the current price.
Head-to-head at every budget
Around £300–£350: Ooni Koda 12 vs Gozney Arc Lite
The entry point for both brands, and where most people start.
| Ooni Koda 12 | Gozney Arc Lite |
|---|---|
| Gas, 12" pizzas, about 9kg. RRP around £299, and often on sale for less. Simple L-shaped burner, very light and easy to store. | Gas, 12" pizzas, about 12kg. Around £349.99. Gozney's rolling side flame and a front dial for heat control. |
Our take: The Koda 12 is cheaper and lighter. The Arc Lite costs a little more but brings Gozney's side-flame design, which many owners find easier to cook evenly with. Either is a brilliant first oven.
Check Ooni Koda 12 price Check Gozney Arc Lite price
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Around £400–£600: Ooni Koda 2 vs Gozney Arc / Tread
Step up here for bigger pizzas or better portability.
| Ooni Koda 2 | Gozney Arc / Tread |
|---|---|
| Gas, 14" pizzas. Around £399. Bigger cooking floor than the Koda 12 without a big jump in price. | Arc: gas, 14" pizzas, about 21.5kg, around £599.99. Tread: gas, 12", about 13.5kg, around £499.99, built to be carried. |
Our take: For a garden oven that stays put, the Koda 2 is the better value. The Arc is heavier and pricier, but more insulated. If you want to take an oven camping, the Tread is designed for exactly that.
Check Ooni Koda 2 price Check Gozney Arc / Tread price
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16-inch pizzas: Ooni Koda 16 vs Gozney Arc XL
For families and parties where you want bigger pizzas, faster.
| Ooni Koda 16 | Gozney Arc XL |
|---|---|
| Gas, 16" pizzas. RRP around £499 and regularly discounted. | Gas, 16" pizzas, about 26.5kg. Around £799.99. |
Our take: The Koda 16 does the same job for a lot less. The Arc XL is the more premium build and holds heat well, but you're paying about £300 extra for it.
Check Ooni Koda 16 price Check Gozney Arc XL price
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Real wood fire: Ooni Karu 2 vs Gozney Dome
If cooking over a live wood fire is the point, these are the two to compare.
| Ooni Karu 2 | Gozney Dome |
|---|---|
| Wood or charcoal, with an optional gas burner. 12" pizzas. Around £349. | Wood, gas or pellets. Large and heavy, and designed to cook more than just pizza. Well over £1,000. |
Our take: These are in completely different price brackets. The Karu 2 is the affordable way into wood-fired pizza. The Dome is a centrepiece oven for people who'll cook on it every week and want to roast, bake and smoke too.
Check Ooni Karu 2 price Check Gozney Dome price
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Heat, insulation and cooking style
Both brands reach the 400°C-plus temperatures you need for a Neapolitan-style pizza in 60 to 90 seconds. The differences are in how they hold that heat:
- Gozney's heavier insulation means the stone recovers well between pizzas, which helps when you're cooking for a crowd. The side flame on the Arc range also makes the oven easier to manage evenly.
- Ooni's lighter ovens heat up quickly and are easier to move and store. On the smaller models you'll turn the pizza more often, and you may need to let the stone recover between pizzas.
So which should you buy?
- First pizza oven on a budget? Ooni Koda 12. It's hard to beat for the price.
- Want a bigger oven without spending a fortune? Ooni Koda 2 or Koda 16.
- Want the most solid, premium compact oven? Gozney Arc or Arc XL.
- Want to take it camping? Gozney Tread, or a lightweight Ooni Koda 12.
- Want real wood fire? Ooni Karu 2 on a budget, Gozney Dome if money's no object.
- No gas or flame allowed? Ooni Volt 2 (electric).
Whichever you choose, budget for a peel, an infrared thermometer and a cover. Our pizza oven buying guide covers the extras.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gozney better than Ooni?
Not better, just different. Gozney ovens tend to be heavier, more insulated and more expensive. Ooni offers more choice at lower prices. Both make excellent pizza.
Which is easier for beginners?
Both brands' gas ovens are easy to use. Gozney's side flame can make it a little easier to cook evenly, while Ooni's lighter ovens are easier to move and store.
Are Ooni and Gozney British?
Both brands were founded in the UK. Ooni started in Scotland and Gozney in England.
Can I use Ooni accessories with a Gozney oven?
Generic accessories like peels, thermometers and turning peels work with any oven, as long as they fit the opening. Covers and stands are model-specific.
Home cook, keen DIYer and long-time website builder, writing practical outdoor cooking guides for UK gardens. More about me.