Ooni Koda 2 vs Gozney Arc Lite

Ooni Koda 2 or Gozney Arc Lite: both portable gas ovens reach 950 F. The Koda 2 takes a 14 inch pie on a thicker stone; the Arc Lite costs $100 less.

Our pick Ooni Koda 2 gas pizza oven in green on a steel outdoor table on a timber deck, burner lit
Gas pizza oven Ooni Koda 2 Gas Pizza Oven 8.2out of 10
Our verdict

We pick the Ooni Koda 2 Gas Pizza Oven

Buy the Koda 2 unless you only ever bake for two. It takes a 14 inch pizza against 12 inches, and its 0.6 in stone holds heat better than the Arc Lite's 12 mm floor, which needs a breather between bakes. That matters most when friends are waiting for the next pie. The Arc Lite costs around $399.99 against $498.95 and weighs 26.4 lb against 35.27 lb, so it is the easier oven to carry and the cheaper way in. Neither has a thermometer, so budget for an infrared gun with either.

What actually differs

  1. Pizza size

    The Koda 2 takes a 14 inch pie. The Arc Lite takes one 12 inch pie, which feeds one or two well.

  2. Pie after pie

    The Koda 2's thicker stone keeps the second and third pizzas browning like the first. The Arc Lite's 12 mm stone gives back heat faster and wants a pause.

  3. Weight and price

    The Arc Lite weighs 26.4 lb and costs about $100 less. The Koda 2 weighs 35.27 lb, still one person's carry.

How they score, category by category

The Ooni Koda 2 scores higher in 3 categories, the Gozney Arc Lite in 2 categories. One is level.

Avid Griller Score, all six categories weighted
Ooni Koda 2 8.2out of 10 Higher by 0.1
Gozney Arc Lite 8.1out of 10
  1. Heat Performance

    Counts for 25% of the score
    Ooni Koda 2 8.4 Better by 0.2
    Gozney Arc Lite 8.2
    Why the Ooni Koda 2 scores 8.4

    A 950 °F ceiling and a 0.6 in stone fed by a tapered flame; held back by no built-in way to read the floor.

    Why the Gozney Arc Lite scores 8.2

    It reaches the same 950 F as the Arc, but the 12 mm stone gives back heat faster, so back-to-back pies need a short pause.

  2. Long-term Reliability

    Counts for 20% of the score
    Ooni Koda 2 7.7
    Gozney Arc Lite 7.9 Better by 0.2
    Why the Gozney Arc Lite scores 7.9

    Five years of cover after registration is strong, yet a thin stone has less margin against cold dough and rough handling.

    Why the Ooni Koda 2 scores 7.7

    Five years of cover once registered within 60 days, but the painted carbon steel shell lives outdoors and asks for a cover.

  3. Build Quality

    Counts for 18% of the score
    Ooni Koda 2 8.2
    Gozney Arc Lite 8.4 Better by 0.2
    Why the Gozney Arc Lite scores 8.4

    The fully insulated shell stays cool to the touch and sits square on its feet, though it lacks the Arc's heavier wall packing.

    Why the Ooni Koda 2 scores 8.2

    Stainless legs and internal base with an aluminum nose and back feel solid at 35.27 lb without making it a boat anchor.

  4. Ease of Use

    Counts for 15% of the score
    Ooni Koda 2 7.6 Better by 0.5
    Gozney Arc Lite 7.1
    Why the Ooni Koda 2 scores 7.6

    Spark ignition and one dial are simple, but turning every pizza by hand through a 3.2 in mouth takes practice.

    Why the Gozney Arc Lite scores 7.1

    No dial readout means guessing stone heat without a separate infrared gun, and the 3.35 inch slot leaves little room for a wobbly peel.

  5. Value

    Counts for 12% of the score
    Ooni Koda 2 8.7
    Gozney Arc Lite 8.7

    Level: within a tenth of each other.

    Why the Ooni Koda 2 scores 8.7

    Around $499 with the regulator and hose included, and the stone upgrade costs nothing extra over the old Koda formula.

    Why the Gozney Arc Lite scores 8.7

    Around $399.99 buys Gozney's rolling flame and an insulated body at half the Arc's price, even after budgeting for a thermometer.

  6. Maintenance

    Counts for 10% of the score
    Ooni Koda 2 8.8 Better by 0.7
    Gozney Arc Lite 8.1
    Why the Ooni Koda 2 scores 8.8

    Propane leaves no ash, and a hot burn-off clears the stone; there is little else to clean.

    Why the Gozney Arc Lite scores 8.1

    A cracked floor is a cheap swap rather than a dead oven, but brushing ash from the back of so cramped a chamber takes patience.

See all six scores in one table
Category Ooni Koda 2Gozney Arc Lite
Heat Performance (25%) 8.4 Better 8.2
Long-term Reliability (20%) 7.7 7.9 Better
Build Quality (18%) 8.2 8.4 Better
Ease of Use (15%) 7.6 Better 7.1
Value (12%) 8.7 8.7
Maintenance (10%) 8.8 Better 8.1
Avid Griller Score 8.2 8.1

Both reviews are scored on the same six weighted categories, on the same 0 to 10 scale, and each reason is the one that review gave. A category is marked better only where the two differ by a tenth or more. How we score →

Where the spec sheets differ

Quoted from each maker's own specifications, as each review records them. Figures the two products publish identically are left out, so only the differences are listed.

Burner output Ooni Koda 2 15,000 BTU (retailer listing) Gozney Arc Lite Not stated by Gozney
Weight Ooni Koda 2 35.27 lb unboxed Gozney Arc Lite 26.4 lb (32.6 lb packed)

Which one is for you

Choose the Ooni Koda 2 Gas Pizza Oven

You bake for a family or friends and want a 14 inch pizza that travels.

Check price →
Choose the Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven

You bake for one or two, carry the oven often, and want to spend $100 less.

Check price →

More head-to-heads

All comparisons →

Every score and figure on this page comes from our own reviews of these two products, linked above. We have not tested them side by side in one place; the comparison is between two full reviews, each built from the maker's published specifications and documentation. Prices move, and the ones quoted are the ones each review checked on its own date.