Is the Ooni Karu 2 Pro Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jul 2025). How we score
Save $600Depends. Ooni Karu 12 for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 30, 2:51 AM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen rated the Karu 2 Pro Highly Recommended: "This large multifuel oven was easy to set up and a pleasure to use," and "it made gorgeous pizza with perfectly distributed char spots and tender interiors." Its tall interior fit 15-inch pizzas and even a roast chicken. The downsides are its 60-pound weight and the extra work of wood fires. Ooni's own Karu 12 scored the same in ATK's test, burns the same fuels and costs a fraction as much, but fits only 12-inch pizzas. ATK's winning outdoor oven, the gas-only Ooni Koda 2, fits 12- and 13-inch pizzas and scored higher for ease of use. Splurge if you want 15-inch pizzas and room to roast; save if 12- or 13-inch pizzas are enough.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Ooni Karu 2 Pro
Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
Rated Highly Recommended by America's Test Kitchen, with the same scores as the Karu 2 Pro (3 of 3 for performance, 2.5 for ease of use). "This fairly compact oven fits 12-inch pizzas and is a good choice for people who like the flexibility of cooking with wood, charcoal, or gas." "Pizzas had nicely melted and bubbly cheese on top while the sides and bottom of the crusts had good char and spotting." Like the Karu 2 Pro, it needs the gas burner bought separately, and wood fires take vigilance. ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Ooni Karu 2 Pro | Ooni Karu 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens (updated July 16, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens (updated July 16, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Koda 2 Propane Gas Pizza Oven, 14-inch
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's winning outdoor pizza oven, with full marks for performance and ease of use (the Karu 2 Pro scored 2.5 for ease). "The Ooni Koda 2 is a breeze to set up and has a 14-inch stone, providing welcome wiggle room for making 12- and 13-inch pizzas." Its gas burner "made attractive, spotty-browned, tender pizzas in just 2 minutes." It runs on propane only, with no wood option, and weighs about 30 pounds. ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Ooni Karu 2 Pro | Ooni Koda 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens (updated July 16, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens (updated July 16, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Is the Ooni Karu 2 Pro worth it?
If you want 15-inch pizzas and a wood-fired option, yes: America's Test Kitchen rated it Highly Recommended. The Ooni Karu 12 scored the same for a fraction of the price but fits only 12-inch pizzas; ATK's winner, the gas-only Koda 2, was easier to use.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens (updated July 16, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
