The Best Pizza Ovens Around $500

Written by Alex, owner of Thepizzashop.

Good homemade pizza at a fair price

Love homemade pizza? Us too. We also know that finding a good home pizza oven at a fair price isn't always easy. The good news: you don't need to spend a fortune on one that performs. Wherever you are in Canada, there are excellent options around $500, from brands we've all tried, and they'll impress your guests.

Why get a pizza oven at all?

My first home pizza oven was an impulse buy. It also turned out to be the best kitchen decision I've ever made. I traded lukewarm delivery for the fun of making my own pizza, with the toppings I actually want, and that smell drifting across the yard.

How to choose

You don't need to get lost in specs. With home pizza ovens, only a few things really matter.

Size and space

First question: where's it going? Propane and wood-fired ovens are for outdoors: a balcony, a patio, the backyard. Short on space? Go compact, like the Gozney Arc Lite, which fits on a small table and stores in the garage for winter.

Fuel

• Gas (propane): for fast, precise cooking, the Gozney Arc Lite and Ooni Koda 2 are hard to beat. There's no fire to manage: you turn it on, let it heat up for about 20 minutes (according to the manufacturers), and cook.
• Multi-fuel (wood, charcoal or gas): if you want every option, the Karu 2 is the most interesting pick because you can switch fuels. Take your time with a wood fire one night, and use propane when you're in a hurry.

The best home pizza ovens around $500

These are the four we recommend most often at this price.

1. Gozney Arc Lite (propane)

The Gozney Arc Lite is the entry point to Gozney. Light, compact and propane-fired, it bakes 12" pizzas with very little fuss. It's a good pick for beginners who want an oven that's easy to get the hang of.

2. Ooni Koda 2 (propane)

Just above that budget, the Ooni Koda 2 gives you a 14" cooking floor. Ooni says it's ready to cook in about 20 minutes on propane, which helps when the guests are hungry.

3. Ooni Karu 2 (multi-fuel)

Want to cook with wood or charcoal for the traditional experience, or with gas (burner sold separately)? The Karu 2 is the one. There's room for a 12" pizza or a cast iron pan. I've loved making pizza in it, and grilling sausages while Christiana roasted vegetables.

4. Cozze 13" (propane, rotating stone)

The Cozze 13" has a rotating stone that turns the pizza for you. You don't need to learn to rotate with a peel, and the pizza bakes evenly while you stay with your guests. It reaches the same heat as an Arc Lite or a Koda 2. Not sure rotation is for you? We wrote an article about it.

Where to find the best deals

It's true that some big-box stores sell for less. But a friend's dad bought his oven at one, and he's never used it because nobody showed him how it works. We help you before and after you buy. And if you've seen it cheaper somewhere else, we'll look at it with you under our best price policy.

Exclusive offers at Thepizzashop

Subscribers get our promos first, and our bundles (oven plus accessories) are the easiest way to get started.

Finding the right one

A home pizza oven around $500 means great pizza nights without breaking the bank. Browse all our pizza ovens and find the one that fits. We're here to help before and after you buy.

Want a second opinion? Here's the Protégez-Vous pizza oven guide (in French).