This Gozney Arc vs Ooni Koda 2 comparison breaks down the key differences so you can decide with confidence.
The Gozney Arc and the Ooni Koda 2 are the two ovens most people end up choosing between. Both are gas-powered, both cook 12-inch pizzas, both sit in the £300 to £350 range, and both are made by the two brands that dominate the portable pizza oven market. On paper they look almost identical. In practice they feel quite different to cook on.
This comparison is based on our hands-on experience with both ovens. If you want the full picture on either one, read our Gozney Arc review and our Ooni Koda 2 review in full.
Specs at a glance
| Gozney Arc / Arc Lite | Ooni Koda 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~£350 | ~£299 |
| Max pizza size | 14 inch | 12 inch |
| Fuel | Gas only | Gas only |
| Max temperature | 500°C | 500°C |
| Preheat time | 30-45 mins | 20-30 mins |
| Weight | 12.8 kg | 9.25 kg |
| Flame type | Lateral rolling flame | Dual-zone L-shaped flame |
| Stone | 20mm cordierite | 15mm cordierite |
| Built-in thermometer | Yes (stone temp) | No |
Price
The Koda 2 wins on price — it typically sits around £299 while the Arc runs closer to £350. That £50 difference is not nothing, especially when both ovens do essentially the same job. If budget is tight, the Koda 2 is the more sensible starting point.
Flame design and heat distribution
This is where the two ovens differ most meaningfully. The Arc uses a lateral rolling flame that wraps around the inside of the oven from the back. It creates a very even heat distribution and is forgiving if you don’t rotate the pizza perfectly on time — the rolling flame catches all sides relatively evenly.
The Koda 2 uses Ooni’s dual-zone L-shaped flame, which runs along the back and one side. It’s an improvement over the original single-burner Koda 16 design and gives more even coverage than older Ooni models, but you still need to rotate the pizza regularly or the back will overcook before the front catches up.
For beginners, the Arc’s rolling flame is noticeably more forgiving. For experienced cooks who are comfortable with rotation, the difference matters less.
Pizza size
The Arc can fit a 14-inch pizza; the Koda 2 tops out at 12 inches. For Neapolitan-style pizzas, 12 inches is absolutely standard and most people never feel limited by it. If you want to make bigger New York-style or Roman-style pizzas, the Arc’s extra space is genuinely useful.
Built-in thermometer
The Arc has a built-in stone thermometer on the front panel — you can see the stone temperature without opening the oven. It’s a small thing but it removes one of the most common beginner mistakes: launching a pizza before the stone is hot enough.
The Koda 2 has no built-in thermometer. You’ll need a separate infrared thermometer to check stone temperature, which adds about £20-30 to the cost. It’s worth buying either way, but with the Arc you get it built in.
Weight and portability
The Koda 2 is noticeably lighter at 9.25kg versus the Arc’s 12.8kg. If you plan to move your oven around frequently — take it to a friend’s garden, pack it for a trip — the Koda 2 is the easier oven to carry. Both fit in a car boot without drama, but the Koda 2 is the one you’ll actually want to move regularly.
Build quality and design
Both ovens are well-made. Gozney leans into a premium aesthetic — the Arc has a clean, purposeful design with a wide mouth opening that makes launches easier. Ooni’s Koda 2 is similarly solid, with a slightly more utilitarian look.
The Arc’s wider opening (around 14 inches across) makes it easier to manoeuvre a pizza peel inside the oven, particularly useful for beginners who haven’t yet nailed their launch technique. The Koda 2’s opening is narrower and requires a cleaner launch action.
Ease of use
The Arc is the easier oven to learn on. The rolling flame, wider mouth, built-in thermometer, and forgiving heat distribution all point in the same direction: this oven is designed to make your first few cooks go well. If you’re buying your first pizza oven and want results quickly without a steep learning curve, the Arc is the better pick.
That’s not to say the Koda 2 is difficult — it isn’t. Ooni is a mature, well-documented product with a huge community and plenty of guides. But it does reward the extra attention that comes with a bit more experience.
Which should you buy?
| If you… | Buy the… |
|---|---|
| Want the best value for money | Ooni Koda 2 |
| Are a complete beginner | Gozney Arc |
| Want to make larger pizzas | Gozney Arc |
| Plan to move the oven regularly | Ooni Koda 2 |
| Want the most forgiving flame | Gozney Arc |
| Already own an infrared thermometer | Either — but slight edge to Koda 2 |
Both are excellent ovens. The Arc is more polished and more beginner-friendly; the Koda 2 gives you slightly more oven for slightly less money and is easier to move around. Neither choice is wrong — it comes down to whether you prioritise ease of learning or value.
Also worth considering: if you want multi-fuel capability (wood, charcoal, and gas), neither of these is the right oven — look at the Ooni Karu 2 instead. Or if you want the definitive gas oven with the most cooking space, the Ooni Koda 16 is worth a look.
Whatever you go for, pair it with a good pizza oven table and the right accessories and you’ll be making great pizza from the first cook.
