Last updated: August 12, 2026
Last updated: August 2026. This post contains affiliate links — if you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.
We have cooked on both the Arc and Arc XL. In our experience the size difference matters more than the spec sheet suggests.
We’ve used both the Arc and the Arc XL across multiple sessions and this comparison comes from hands-on cooking rather than spec sheets. Here’s the honest difference between them.
We’ve used both the Arc and the Arc XL and this comparison comes from hands-on cooking rather than spec sheets. Here’s the honest difference between them.
This Gozney Arc vs Arc XL comparison breaks down the key differences so you can decide with confidence.
The Gozney Arc and Arc XL are two versions of the same oven – a sleek, high-performance gas pizza oven designed for serious home cooks. The Arc is Gozney’s entry into the more affordable end of the market, while the Arc XL increases cooking capacity and adds features. Here’s how they compare.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Gozney Arc if: you cook for 1-3 people, want a compact, easy-to-store gas oven, and don’t need to cook larger than 13-inch pizzas.
Buy the Gozney Arc XL if: you cook for larger groups, want a 16-inch cooking capacity, and want Gozney’s enhanced flame management system.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gozney Arc | Gozney Arc XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Max pizza size | 13 inches | 16 inches |
| Fuel | Gas only | Gas only |
| Max temperature | 930°F | 930°F |
| Stone size | 33 x 33cm | 40 x 40cm |
| Weight | Around 18kg | Around 23kg |
| Built-in thermometer | Yes | Yes |
Design and Build
Both Arc ovens share the same distinctive design language – a low-profile, powder-coated steel shell with Gozney’s characteristic rounded form. They look notably different from the more industrial aesthetic of comparable Ooni ovens, and are available in a range of colors.
Both include a built-in analogue thermometer in the door, which is a useful feature that Ooni doesn’t include on most of their ovens. You don’t need a separate infrared thermometer to monitor ambient temperature, though an infrared thermometer reading the stone surface directly remains the most accurate approach.
Cooking Capacity
The most significant practical difference is the cooking surface. The Arc’s 33 x 33cm stone fits up to a 13-inch pizza, which is a genuinely useful size – larger than the Koda 12’s 12-inch capacity. The Arc XL’s 40 x 40cm stone fits a 16-inch pizza, which is closer to what you’d get in a pizzeria.
For cooking for 4+ people, the XL’s larger stone makes the process noticeably more efficient. A 16-inch pizza feeds 3-4 people comfortably, meaning you can feed a table of four with two pizzas rather than needing to cook three or four 12-inch pizzas in succession.
Flame and Heat
The Arc XL features Gozney’s improved flame management compared to the standard Arc. The burner has a wider spread that more evenly heats the larger stone, and the enhanced insulation means the XL holds temperature better between cooks. If you’re cooking multiple pizzas in a row – particularly on a cooler day – the XL’s heat retention is noticeably superior.
Both ovens reach 930°F on the stone surface and preheat in 20-25 minutes. Gas performance is consistent and controllable, making either Arc much easier to manage than wood-fired alternatives for everyday use.
How They Compare to the Gozney Dome
The Arc and Arc XL sit below the Gozney Dome in Gozney’s range. The Dome adds multi-fuel capability (wood and gas), a larger cooking chamber, and more substantial build quality. If budget allows and you want wood-firing capability, the Dome is worth the additional investment. The Arc ovens are gas-only but offer excellent performance at a lower price point.
How They Compare to Ooni
The Arc competes most directly with the Ooni Koda 16 at the XL size level. The Koda 16 is gas-only, cooks 16-inch pizzas, and is similarly priced to the Arc XL. The main differences come down to design preference and L-shaped vs. curved burner design. Both are excellent ovens.
Price and Value
The Arc is more affordable than the Arc XL, and both represent good value in the context of Gozney’s range. Check current prices:
Which Should You Buy?
The Arc is the right choice if you’re cooking for a small household, want a more compact footprint, and value a lower price. The 13-inch cooking capacity is genuinely capable and the oven delivers everything you need for excellent pizza at home.
The Arc XL is the right choice if you regularly cook for 4 or more people, want the option to cook larger-format pizzas, or want the better heat retention for cooking multiple pizzas in quick succession. The larger stone and improved flame management are meaningful upgrades that you’ll notice every time you use it.
Gozney Arc at gozney.com → | Gozney Arc XL at gozney.com →
Which Should You Buy?
The choice between the Arc and the Arc XL comes down to one main question: how many people are you regularly cooking for? If it’s typically two to four people and you’re happy cooking two or three pizzas in succession, the standard Arc covers the bases well. It heats quickly, performs brilliantly, and its compact footprint is a genuine advantage if space is limited.
If you’re regularly cooking for five or more, or if you want to avoid the inevitable bottleneck of cooking in batches while guests wait, the Arc XL is the smarter investment. The larger stone means you can rotate pizzas more freely and cook bigger bases – and at busy pizza nights, the extra capacity is immediately noticeable.
On price, the gap between the two isn’t enormous in the context of what you’re buying, and many people who start with the Arc later wish they’d stretched to the XL. If budget genuinely is the deciding factor, the standard Arc is still a superb oven. Browse our full wood-fired oven comparison if you’d like to see how the Arc range stacks up against ovens from Ooni and others before you decide.
About Ian Armstrong
I'm Ian Armstrong, a home cook and pizza oven obsessive based in the UK. Over the past four years I've owned and cooked on a Gozney Roccbox, Ooni Karu, Ooni Koda, and Gozney Arc — putting each one through real-world use in my back garden across all seasons, not just ideal summer conditions. I test dough hydration, preheat times, fuel efficiency, and how each oven handles everything from Neapolitan pizza to sourdough bread and Sunday roasts. Everything on Wood Fired Pizza Gear comes from hands-on experience. No sponsored placements, no guesswork — just honest assessments from someone who's burned a lot of dough getting it wrong so you don't have to.
