Product Review · Pizza Ovens · #3 Ranked
Ooni Karu 2
Multi-fuel 12-inch (wood / charcoal / optional gas) · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 28 2026
Why it scored a 87
The replacement for the Karu 12G (Ooni's old product page now redirects here), and Tom's Guide and PizzaOvenReview call it the best-value entry into real wood-fired flavor, with a glass ClearView door, built-in thermometer and a 45% larger fuel tray. Quality and Features tie at 90. The trade-offs are a live-fire learning curve, ash cleanup, 12-inch-only capacity and a gas burner that is a separate $100–130 purchase on top of $449 ($349 on Prime Day), so Value is the softest at 82; the 1-year warranty extends to 5 with registration.
What you're getting
- Wood or charcoal out of the box; optional propane burner swaps in under 60 s (sold separately)
- Max 950°F (500°C); about 15 min heat-up; 60-second Neapolitan pizza
- 13.3-inch cordierite stone, 15 mm (0.6 in) thick; fits 12-inch pizzas
- Borosilicate glass ClearView door with anti-soot design; built-in analog thermometer
- 45% larger solid-fuel tray than the Karu 12
- 28.3 x 16.5 x 30.3 in with chimney; 33.6 lb (15.3 kg); 45.8 lb boxed
- Powder-coated carbon steel shell, stainless steel interior and foldable legs
- 1-year warranty, extends to 5 years with registration; gas burner about $100-130 extra
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- Wood or charcoal; optional gas burner swaps in under 60 s
- Up to 950°F; about 15 min heat-up; 60-second Neapolitan pizza
- 13.3-inch cordierite stone, 15 mm thick; 33.6 lb
- Price$448.95
- TierMulti-fuel 12-inch (wood / charcoal / optional gas)
- Category rank#3 of 10
Should you buy the Ooni Karu 2?
The Karu 2 is for the cook who wants wood-fired flavor without giving up the option of gas. It's Ooni's multi-fuel 12-inch oven: it burns wood or charcoal out of the box and takes an optional gas burner attachment, so you can choose speed or smoke depending on the night. It's the highest-scoring wood-capable oven in our pizza-oven rankings.
Where it earns its score
- Real multi-fuel. Wood and charcoal are native; propane is a bolt-on. That flexibility is the whole reason to buy a Karu over a gas-only Koda.
- Reaches 950°F. Ooni rates it for full Neapolitan temperature and a roughly 15-minute heat-up on wood, which is quick for a solid-fuel oven.
- Second-generation improvements. Compared to the original Karu 12, the Karu 2 has a redesigned fuel tray and hatch for easier feeding mid-cook and a more stable flame, the things owners complained about most on the first model.
- Compact and light for what it does. It's a 12-inch oven with folding legs and a removable chimney, so it travels better than most wood-burners.
What to know first
- Wood takes attention. Small fuel loads burn fast; you'll be feeding it every few minutes. If you don't enjoy tending a fire, buy the gas burner or a gas oven.
- The gas burner is extra. Budget for the attachment if you want the convenient mode; it pushes the total cost past the Roccbox.
- 12-inch class. Same size limit as the Koda 12 and Roccbox.
Our verdict
The Karu 2 scores 87 and ranks #3 because it's the most flexible oven in the group. If you know you want wood flavor at least some of the time, it's the pick; if you'll realistically always reach for gas, save the money and buy a Pi Prime or Roccbox.
Gozney Roccbox
Questions buyers ask
Can the Ooni Karu 2 use gas?
Yes, with Ooni's optional gas burner attachment. Out of the box it burns wood or charcoal.
Is wood-fired pizza noticeably different from gas?
Slightly: you get a light smoke note and more char variation. Most people can taste it side by side, but the crust and cook speed are driven by temperature, which both fuels reach.
How is the Karu 2 different from the original Karu 12?
The main changes are a redesigned fuel hatch and tray for easier feeding and a steadier flame, addressing the most common complaints about the first model.
Ready to check it out?
Ooni Karu 2 · ViperScore 87 · Strong Buy · $448.95
How the other 9 pizza ovens scored
88Gozney Roccbox
87Solo Stove Pi Prime
85Gozney Arc Lite
84Ooni Koda 12
84Gozney Arc XL
83HALO Versa 16
83Ooni Volt 2
80Ninja Artisan 5-in-1 Portable Pizza Oven (electric, MO201)
78Bertello SimulFIRE 16" Rotating Pizza Oven
Get the ViperScore on this week's Amazon deals
One short email a week: the best-scoring products that are actually on sale, and nothing else. No spam. Unsubscribe any time.