Ooni Karu 2 Pro vs Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven
Updated · Price Drop Radar
Bottom line
These are two different kinds of outdoor oven. The Ooni Karu 2 Pro is a dedicated pizza oven that burns wood or charcoal, with an optional gas burner. It makes 16-inch pizzas in about a minute, and Homes & Gardens called it the best pizza oven it has tested. The Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven is electric, bakes pizzas up to 12 inches in 5 to 7 minutes, and also roasts, bakes and smokes. Tom's Guide found it easy and a crowd-pleaser, but not as hot as dedicated pizza ovens. Pick the Ooni if pizza is the point and you have the space and budget. Pick the Ninja if you want one easy plug-in oven that also smokes.
Ooni Karu 2 Pro
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven
Side by side
| Spec | Ooni Karu 2 Pro | Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel [1][2][3] | Wood and charcoal; optional gas burner | Electric, with an optional pellet smoke box |
| Largest pizza [1][2] | 16 in, on a 17 in stone | 12 in |
| Top heat [1][2] | About 500 C (932 F), per T3 | 700 F; Tom's Guide says dedicated ovens reach 900 F |
| Heat-up [1][3] | 15 to 20 minutes to Neapolitan temperature | 10 to 20 minutes, longest for pizza |
| Cook time, fresh pizza [1][3] | A little over a minute for cheese pizza | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Viewing [1][2] | Large glass door | No window; you can't watch the pizza |
| Other cooking [1][2][3] | Chicken, flatbread, calzone, vegetables; app and two probes | Roasts, bakes and smokes; five pizza presets |
| Size and weight [1][2][3] | About 81 x 51 cm and just under 28 kg (T3); 82 lb boxed (Homes & Gardens) | 21.5 x 8 x 15.1 in, 32.4 lb |
| Portions [1][3] | One pizza at a time | One item per course, per Tom's Guide |
| Power [1][2] | None needed | Plug in; the cord is about 4.5 ft |
| Price [1][3] | $799 for the basic wood-fired version | $399 list |
Ooni Karu 2 Pro
- Fast, very hot, and cooks pizza in about a minute
- Large glass door and a two-probe app thermometer
- Homes & Gardens: aced seven pizzas, flatbread, calzone and chicken
- Large, heavy and $799 before extras
- Wood and charcoal take more tending than gas, per T3
- Peels, gas burner and a thermometer gun cost extra
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven
- Plug in and go, with easy setup
- Pizza, roasting, baking and smoking in one
- Tom's Guide: stays cool to stand next to and cooks pies evenly
- Not as hot as dedicated pizza ovens
- 12 in pizzas, one item per course
- Short cord, and no window
Which one is right for you
| If you are | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly pizza, and want the best result | Ooni Karu 2 Pro | Faster and hotter, with 16 in capacity |
| Want one plug-in oven that also smokes and roasts | Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven | Eight functions and no fire to tend |
| Tight budget | Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven | $399 list vs $799 |
| Cooking for a crowd | Ooni Karu 2 Pro | Bigger pizzas, one a minute |
| New to outdoor cooking | Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven | Presets and electric heat, per Tom's Guide |
What to look for
How much you'll make pizza
Why it matters: A dedicated oven's heat makes crusts blister in seconds, and an all-in-one makes good pizza more slowly.
How to check: Count how many pizzas you'll bake a month.
Watch out: Homes & Gardens' cheese pizzas took a little over a minute in the Ooni. Tom's Guide's fresh pies took 5 to 7 minutes in the Ninja.
Fuel and effort
Why it matters: Wood and charcoal give flame and flavor but need tending. Electric needs only an outlet.
How to check: Decide if you want to manage a fire.
Watch out: T3 says wood and charcoal baking is more volatile than gas, and the Karu 2 Pro's gas burner is an optional add-on.
Pizza size
Why it matters: A bigger stone fits larger pies and other foods.
How to check: Decide if 12 inches is enough for your household.
Watch out: Ninja's pizzas top out at 12 inches. The Karu 2 Pro handles up to 16 inches.
Space
Why it matters: The Karu 2 Pro is big, and the Ninja still needs an outlet.
How to check: Measure your spot and how far it is from power.
Watch out: T3 says the Karu is too heavy for easy beach trips. Tom's Guide says the Ninja's 4.5 ft cord may not reach in every yard.
Extras
Why it matters: Accessories add to the price.
How to check: Add the peel, cover and any burner to your total.
Watch out: Homes & Gardens' test kit included peels, a gas conversion kit and a thermometer gun that aren't standard. The Ninja includes a pizza stone, pan and roast rack, but Tom's Guide says a peel is a must for non-pan pizzas.
Traps and timing
- The Karu 2 Pro comes in bundles. The basic version burns wood and charcoal, and the gas burner is an add-on. Check which one the Amazon listing includes.
- The Ninja's 'Woodfire' flavor comes from an optional pellet smoke box in an electric oven. It isn't a wood fire.
- Tom's Guide lists the Ninja at $399, so the $288 shown here may be a sale price.
- Reviews measure preheat differently. T3 and Homes & Gardens tested the Ooni, and Tom's Guide tested the Ninja, so the numbers above come from different testers.
- Ooni's gas burner pricing varies by region. T3 lists it at 99 pounds in the UK.
Before you check out
- Decide how many pizzas you'll bake and how big.
- Decide between a fire (wood or charcoal) and a plug.
- Measure the spot, and where the outlet is.
- Add up peels, a cover and any burner.
- Check the live Amazon price.
How we put this together
We don't test outdoor ovens in a lab. We compared the makers' published specs, the Amazon listings and independent reviews, all listed under Sources, and where they disagree we say so. Prices come from Amazon and are refreshed by our system throughout the day.
Price Drop Radar earns a commission on qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. That never decides which product we recommend.
Quick answers
Which is better for pizza?
The Ooni Karu 2 Pro. Homes & Gardens called it the best pizza oven it has tested. Tom's Guide says the Ninja can't match dedicated ovens that reach 900 F.
Is the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven only for pizza?
No. It also bakes, roasts and smokes, up to 700 F on electric power, per Tom's Guide.
Does the Ooni Karu 2 Pro run on gas?
It can, with Ooni's optional gas burner. It also burns wood and charcoal.
How big a pizza fits?
Up to 16 inches in the Karu 2 Pro and up to 12 inches in the Ninja.
Which is easier to set up?
The Ninja. Tom's Guide called it one of the easiest outdoor appliances to set up. The Karu 2 Pro took Homes & Gardens 28 minutes with the app.
Sources
- Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven review, Tom's Guide
- Ooni Karu 2 Pro review, T3
- Ooni Karu 2 Pro review, Homes & Gardens