I've Tested Nearly Every Popular Pizza Oven. This One Is on Another Level

We'll keep you in the know on the hottest new gear, whiskey releases, TV shows and movies, and deals everyone's talking about. select all View post: Kings Camo Is Taking Up to 45% Off Hunting Gear for Labor Day — But the Sale Ends Tomorrow I've spent two decades making pizza at home and have run roughly 1,000 pies through nearly every popular consumer pizza oven. Eventually, you reach a point where a compact 12- or 16-inch oven starts to feel limiting. I wanted more room, better heat retention, and the freedom to cook with gas, wood, or charcoal. After six months of testing, the Gozney Dome XL Gen 2 delivered all three. At 161 pounds, the Dome XL isn't going anywhere once you find a home for it, and it's overkill for someone who occasionally makes a couple of pizzas on Friday night. But for our 2026 Grilling Awards—which includes the best griddles, best portable grills, and best grill tools—I wanted the best multi-purpose pizza oven for serious outdoor cooks. The Gozney Dome XL Gen 2 stood above the rest. Why Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) Is the Best Multi-Purpose Pizza Oven of 2026 Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) Courtesy Image Gozney built its reputation by making restaurant-quality pizza accessible at home with affordable ovens like the Roccbox, but the second-generation Dome series moves firmly into the premium category. The Dome XL, in particular, reflects how far the brand has evolved, catering to enthusiasts and pros like me who've outgrown compact, entry-level ovens and want more space, power, and flexibility. After 6 months of testing, the Dome XL proved it's a serious, multi-purpose outdoor cooking appliance rather than just a pizza oven. Its expanded cooking surface addresses my primary gripe with other Gozney ovens—size—by comfortably handling large, 18-inch pies or multiple smaller ones at once. Beyond pizza, that space allows for cooking a variety of dishes simultaneously, from vegetables to meats, making it feel closer to a full outdoor oven than a single-use tool. It offers industry-leading heat performance and consistency. The thick stone and layered insulation let it reach extremely high temperatures relatively quickly for a large oven (~25 minutes to reach 850°F stone temp) and, more importantly, maintain them across multiple cooks. I regularly got the oven over 1,000°F at the stone despite freezing ambient temperatures and had to manage the temperature down rather than ever worrying it wasn't hot enough for the next pizza. Whether using gas for convenience or switching to wood or charcoal for added flavor, the oven offers a high level of control and adaptability. Versatility for cooking more than just pizza is a key part of the appeal, though it comes with some caveats. While it has the space and adjustability to handle everything from breads to steaks, it excels most at high-heat cooking and is still a pizza oven at heart. Lower-temperature baking is possible with careful management, but it's not necessarily a superior replacement for your normal oven or smoker. Ultimately, the Dome XL is best suited for dedicated outdoor cooks who take full advantage of its capabilities. Its massive size, 161-pound weight, and high cost make it impractical for casual users, but for pizza pros and those who regularly cook outside and want a centerpiece appliance that delivers both performance and flexibility, it's a (literally) massive upgrade from entry-level pizza ovens. Pros Huge cooking chamber accommodates 18-inch pizzas Can cook two 12-inch or three 10-inch pizzas simultaneously Thick 30mm cordierite stone retains heat exceptionally well Recovered quickly enough for back-to-back pizza cooks Reached more than 1,000°F at the stone during testing Excellent heat retention even in freezing weather Gas, wood, and charcoal fuel options Large chamber works for meat, vegetables, bread, and more Removable stone simplifies maintenance and replacement Restaurant-grade construction Excellent option for entertaining and cooking for crowds Far more versatile than compact pizza ovens Cons Massive 161-pound weight makes it essentially stationary Overkill for casual pizza makers Large footprint demands significant outdoor space Lower-temperature baking requires careful heat management Not a replacement for a smoker or conventional oven Premium price limits its appeal to serious outdoor cooks Is the Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) Worth Buying? Yes—but only if you're serious enough about outdoor cooking to take advantage of what you're paying for. After six months with the Gozney Dome XL Gen 2, I think it's one of the best options for experienced pizza makers who have outgrown smaller ovens and want something closer to a full outdoor cooking appliance. But this isn't the oven I'd recommend to someone who makes two pizzas once a month. At over 160 pounds, it's effectively a permanent backyard appliance, and its size and price only make sense if you'll use that capacity and versatility regularly. Lower-temperature cooking also takes more attention, so don't expect it to replace your conventional oven or smoker. If pizza is a serious hobby—or you're the person who regularly feeds a backyard full of friends—the Dome XL Gen 2 delivers the space, heat, and flexibility smaller ovens can't match. It's a substantial investment, but for the right cook, it's also a substantial upgrade. Cooking Capacity: Fits up to three 10-inch pizzas, two 12-inch pizzas, or one 18-inch pizza Fits up to three 10-inch pizzas, two 12-inch pizzas, or one 18-inch pizza Fuel Type: Hybrid: wood, charcoal, or propane Hybrid: wood, charcoal, or propane Max Temperature: Reaches up to 950°F Reaches up to 950°F Cooking Surface: 1.2-inch thick removable cordierite stone floor 1.2-inch thick removable cordierite stone floor Dimensions: 37.2 x 27.4 x 39.3-in. (external, with flue) 37.2 x 27.4 x 39.3-in. (external, with flue) Weight: 161 lbs. $2,800 at Gozney Why You Should Trust Me I've been making pizza at home for at least two decades and the first 15 of those years were spent evolving my process in a traditional electric oven. Using dedicated pizza ovens for the past 5 years, the quality of my pies has increased exponentially to the point where I've been hired to cater several events, despite not actually having a pizza catering business. I've tested nearly all of the most popular consumer-grade pizza ovens, running about 1,000 pizzas through them in total. About the author Justin Park Gear Writer, Men's Journal Justin Park has covered health, fitness, gear, and adventure for more than two decades. He currently enjoys the great outdoors from his base in Breckenridge, Colorado.