Can the best countertop pizza ovens deliver the same baking quality and capabilities as outdoor portable ovens? You will be surprised to discover that there are some absolutely impressive countertop ovens that will bake absolutely delicious pizza.
However, I must admit that even if we’re using the best indoor pizza ovens, we will need some awesome accessories to ensure that our baking competes with what outdoor models are capable of delivering.
I’m mostly talking about pizza stones or baking steels. Or maybe an awesome pizza pan that can replace baking stones. Since these accessories are so important, we’ll also cover some of them. You don’t have to buy them together with your chosen indoor oven from the beginning. But it is something to keep in mind if you feel like there is room for improvement in the future.
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Best Countertop Pizza Ovens Reviews
Although there are plenty of models on the market, I will tell you that the number of those which can be reviewed as the best countertop pizza ovens is not that big.
Unfortunately, indoor pizza ovens don’t get the same attention as their outdoors counterparts. The market is definitely geared towards those who have at least a small patio outdoors for their baking. I think it’s unfair but that’s the situation we have to deal with.
Maybe you will be able to discover some more options on your own. For now, I will review those which really meet a lot of criteria in order to actually be called the best.
One more thing: if you already own a home oven, you don’t actually need a separate best countertop pizza oven. Just get a really good pan or a baking stone or a baking steel and you’re all set. If you are in this category, just check out the accessories that I recommend just below. They will give you a nice idea of where to start.
1. Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven: Cheap Countertop Pizza Oven
The Presto Pizzazz definitely doesn’t look like what we would expect a classic best countertop pizza oven to look like. But it definitely works really great.
It bakes fresh homemade pizza as well as frozen pizza. Most people use it to bake frozen pizzas and I can see why. When I’m really tired all I want to do is to pop a frozen pizza in the oven and just enjoy a quiet evening. But it can definitely handle the fresh type, too.
It doesn’t matter which one you prefer, this unconventional model will handle it all really well.
Even more, this is one the cheapest options that you could shop for. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but want an appliance that has people praising it even after 8-10 years of use, you should give the Presto a try. It might surprise you in only the best ways.
How does it work?
It has a rotating action that ensures even baking. The tray rotates until you’re satisfied with how the crust and toppings look.
Obviously, there are top and bottom heating elements, just like in any other oven.
Moreover, the heating elements can be separately controlled. If you want it more crispy on the bottom but don’t want the top to burn, just switch off the top when the baking is done on that side.
There are 3 buttons for that: lower, dual, upper.
There’s also a timer. You can leave it to its rotating action, set the time, and go take care of other chores or just relax for a bit until it’s time to enjoy your delicious baking.
It can bake 7 to 12 inches pizzas. That’s a good enough size, really nice. The manufacturer has definitely thought of everything.
Just like any oven, you can definitely use it to bake more dishes, as long as their height doesn’t interfere with the top heating element.
The advantages
What might convince you that this rotating oven might be the best countertop pizza oven for your household might not be the cheap price but the fact that it saves as much as 60% energy as compared to a conventional oven.
Even so, it’s a powerful 1,235 watts countertop oven that can make pizzas in half the time required by a conventional model.
It doesn’t require preheating.
The pan is also nonstick and it can be easily removed for storage. If you store that baking pan, you are left with a really small oven that doesn’t occupy more space than a coffee maker. That’s another important advantage, indeed.
It only weighs 7.6 pounds so, you can easily put it away if you want to declutter your cooking space.
Plus, it already has a baking tray. You just buy the Presto Pizzazz and that’s it, there’s no need to consider other accessories.
2. Wisco 421 Pizza Oven: Overall Best Countertop Pizza Oven
Wisco doesn’t look like much, it’s not actually one of the prettiest countertop pizza ovens but it is one of the best, at the top of the list actually.
Top features
It’s also very compact, it only measures 7.75 inches in height.
Actually, the fact that it’s so narrow is, in my opinion, what enables Wisco to bake awesome pies, even though the temperature only reaches 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). Our usual home ovens reach 550 degrees Fahrenheit (290 degrees C) so, there is a bit of a difference.
Nevertheless, since the heating elements are so close to what’s baking, the fact that the temperature doesn’t reach any impressive heights won’t deter your experience.
Moreover, the heating elements will kick in just as the temperature reaches 490 degrees F to bring it back to full levels. It ensures even baking.
Do you need a baking stone?
You can use it without and see how it turns out. Or you can get a really nice pan. Some users have stated that they bake on a 12-inch or 13-inch baking stone. You won’t have room for a bigger one.
When you’re buying a baking steel or stone, it’s very important to actually measure the inside dimensions of your oven.
3. Ninja SP201 Digital Air Fry Pro Countertop 8-in-1 Oven
This Ninja SP201 is a complex product. While I definitely love it as a top pick for the best countertop pizza oven, I also love it for everything else it can do.
The price is not exactly cheap but it’s still pretty affordable compared to many other models. We get our money’s worth and more. I love it.
I also love the design. It looks amazing, it redefines the classic design of a countertop oven and makes it so much better. It resembles the Ninja ST101 Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster in a bigger, full oven capacity.
It’s perfect whether you prefer baking frozen pizzas or you want to make your own from scratch.
A buyer mentions that the fresh pizza baked on the sear plate is as good as the ones they used to bake on their pizza stone in the oven. That’s the highest praise we can give any countertop oven and it also indicates that we absolutely don’t have to buy a pizza stone for the Ninja SP201 Digital Air Fry Pro Countertop 8-in-1 Oven.
8-in-1 oven
This 8-in-1 thing means that we get a bunch of functions that can make and bake everything we need.
We get the following touch buttons:
- air fry
- toast
- broil
- bagel
- air roast
- reheat
- bake
- dehydrate
We also get buttons for time, mode, and temp and a knob to control these three functions, to set the temp and the time.
There’s also a light button.
Thus, the Ninja SP201 can be an awesome pick as the best countertop pizza oven but it’s also a fantastic pick for those who want an air fryer at the same time. It’s truly convenient since we can have so many functions in the same oven.
Features
What I like a lot is that this Ninja is not very tall so our pizzas will be baked perfectly, well done on the bottom and on the top. Uniform baking is also a feature you can expect.
While it’s not really high, it still manages to offer sufficient space for cooking a wide variety of dishes, whether we’re using the bake or air fry function.
It fits a full 2 pounds roast.
We can air fry and roast up to 4 pounds of ingredients.
And we can bake a 13 inch pizza.
Or toast up to 9 slices of bread.
The Ninja SP201 Digital Air Fry Pro Countertop 8-in-1 Oven is certainly perfect for big families.
4. Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo: Pricey Countertop Pizza Oven
Is the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo worth it? Absolutely not, unless you have a lot of money at your disposal and your only thought is “I should spend all this money on the best countertop pizza oven”.
Well, I don’t have a problem only with the price, it’s not the only reason. Although, that’s a considerable motive because we could buy a stand mixer, a bread machine, one of the above models or a portable outdoor pizza oven, a Dutch oven and still have plenty left to spend on other kitchen tools.
What bothers me the most is actually the fact that there are some considerable cons against it. A few users reported that the pizza stone cracked in two.
The good news is that the manufacturer promptly responds and resolves the problems.
What it offers
It has the capacity to bake 12-inch pizza, having the following dimensions: 18.1 x 18.5 x 10.6 inches. It will fit even in smaller kitchens, which is a nice touch.
What I really love about the Breville Pizzaiolo is that the temperature can go as high as 750 degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees Celsius). That’s one of the most impressive achievements that I’ve heard of and, as far as I’m aware, it belongs only to this model.
It comes with a cordierite stone.
Moreover, it even manages to bake with the right amount of char. You’ll get the wood-fired oven without the wood on your countertop.
There are a few preset cooking functions: wood fired, New York, thin & crispy, pan, frozen.
It’s absolutely clear the Breville Pizzaiolo was designed by people who were committed to offering the ultimate experience to amateur bakers in the form of a compact appliance.
If you want a cheaper deal, check out the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and pair it with a good pizza stone. It will work out really nicely and it’s about 3 times cheaper.
5. Cuisinart TOB-260N1 Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven
Would you have expected to have a convection toaster oven as one of the best countertop pizza ovens? That was not my expectation at all. Actually, I came across this Cuisinart when I was researching my recommendations for the best countertop oven for baking cakes.
It comes with a 13-inch round pizza stone
What truly impressed my about it and made me seriously want to review it here is the fact that the Cuisinart TOB-260N1 comes with a 13-inch round pizza stone. I love that.
You won’t have to go shopping for a stone because it’s already included in the package. Plus, this model is quite affordable.
Giving that you’re buying a small oven that can be placed anywhere you have free space and that can handle a wide array of dishes thanks to its many baking functions, the price is quite worth it.
Baking functions
It has 11 cooking functions: toast, bagel, waffle, dual cook, bake, broil, roast, pizza, sandwich, keep warm, leftover.
As you can clearly see, you can use it to make a lot of dishes. That’s an impressive versatility.
Moreover, you can also turn the convection feature on and off as you’d like.
Features
It comes with: 2 oven racks, baking/drip pan, broiling pan, round pizza stone, and crumb tray.
Dimensions: 20.87 x 16.93 x 11.42 inches. It’s just a bit larger than the Breville.
It will be able to fit in 12-cup muffin pans, 9 x 13 inches cake pans or a quarter sheet pan. That’s quite spacious. It can also bake a 7 pounds turkey breast, a 5 pounds chicken, and 4 pounds of ribs.
6. Hamilton Beach 6-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven
What if you’re searching for the best countertop pizza oven that’s really cheap but also offers all the versatility that a home oven can?
In that case, check out this short review for the Hamilton Beach.
Dimensions
This is a really small oven. It’s absolutely perfect for a small family or for those cooking just for themselves. I’m pretty sure that it will make you want to bake more and experiment with all sorts of recipes from pizzas to breads to meats to roasted vegetables to desserts.
Dimensions: 15.24 x 18.74 x 9.41 inches.
It only weighs 11.4 pounds.
Components & features
It comes with: baking/broiling pan, oven rack, crumb tray.
I would definitely recommend getting a 12-inch pizza stone or even a 10-inch stone for this model. With the aid of a baking stone, you will be able to make homemade fresh pizza that tastes so good that you won’t want to eat anything else.
Baking functions: bake, broil & and toast functions.
Its temperature range is between 150 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
That’s not a lot but, if you preheat a baking stone for at least 30 minutes, it won’t matter that the temperature won’t exceed 450F. The result will rival those expensive models that I’ve reviewed above.
7. Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker
I guess we’re coming full circle because I reviewed the Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven as my top recommendation for the best countertop pizza oven.
And now, I’m ending my reviews with another cheap option, the Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker.
In fact the Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker is the cheapest model we could buy as the best countertop pizza oven. If your budget is under $50, you might be interested to check it out.
However, I want to make it clear that my top pick remains the Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven.
This one from Betty Crocker is very popular but it’s not as popular nor as highly rated as the oven from Presto. And that’s why Presto is my favorite pizza oven for those on a budget slightly under $100.
Features
It looks like a very big pancake maker. We can use it to make homemade pizzas or frozen pizzas.
The Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker has two cooking nonstick plates.
It can also be used as a sandwich maker, griddle press, tortilla press, crepe maker, omelet maker, quesadilla maker, panini maker, etc.
We definitely can’t deny that it’s versatile.
The nonstick plates are also easy to clean.
It’s also quite powerful at 1440W.
However, what concerns me is that there’s no temperature dial. I also came across the same thing when I was researching the best waffle cone makers and I was not pleased then and I’m not pleased now.
It’s highly important to have some sort of temperature control with any electric appliance, whether it’s a pizza maker or a waffle maker or whatever.
The manufacturer mentions that it includes a self-regulated thermostat.
However, as one user reviews mentions, for them, the Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker hasn’t worked properly yet. This buyer has tried 2 frozen pizzas. One never got done on top. The same happened with the second, even if one was thick crust and the other was thin crust.
Overall, the negative user reviews for the Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker truly warn us that even though the price might be tempting and the idea could be wonderful, there are still some aspects that the manufacturer needs to work on.
Maybe an improved version could truly be considered a wonderful pick for the best countertop pizza oven.
Best Countertop Pizza Oven Buying Guide
First thing first, you must establish a budget. I’m pretty sure that not a lot of people can actually afford the Breville Pizzaiolo. So, that one would be out of the question for a lot of us.
If you have a budget that’s well under $100, you can with the Presto Pizzazz. Or the Hamilton Beach if you want a cheap oven that can bake all the dishes a home oven can, as long as they fit inside.
They both have withstood the test of time, that’s a big plus. Moreover, they’re really good even for making fresh homemade pizza. But they both work quickly for the frozen kind, too.
The Presto Pizzazz and the Hamilton Beach also fit very well another category of people: those who have really limited space.
If you have limited space but you have a seriously more generous budget, then you can consider the Cuisinart TOB-260N1, which also comes with a 13-inch round stone.
If the lack of space is what worries you and you already own a home oven, I just advise you to buy a pizza stone or an awesome pan and make use of what’s already in your house.
Last but not least, the Wisco 421 is truly one of the best countertop pizza ovens. It’s a bit pricey but not outrageously so. For amateur bakers who are truly passionate, this oven will fulfill a lot of their expectations. And it will give them freedom to experiment with all sorts of recipes.
Best Countertop Pizza Ovens: Accessories You Might Want
As I mentioned in the beginning, we can use the best countertop pizza ovens as they come and see how that turns out.
Or we can buy an awesome pizza bakeware and truly make our baking as close to perfect as we can get, for those models that already don’t come with one.
Moreover, the Presto Pizzazz doesn’t need any additional bakeware and the Breville and Cuisinart already come well-equipped. But if you buy any other model or you decide to just use your home oven, knowing about these kinds of accessories will come in handy.
1. Outset Pizza Grill Stone, 13 Inch
This 13 inch pizza stone from Outset can be perfect for smaller best countertop pizza ovens or for baking in your home oven. If you need a bigger model that’s really good and durable, check out the Heritage Pizza Stone 15 Inch.
The price for the Outset is quite affordable.
This is the classic cordierite stone that will last a very long time, as long as you handle it with care and pay attention to cleaning it. To be honest, if you want to avoid any cleaning, then just use parchment paper.
You can also use it to bake breads.
It is safe up to 1450 degrees F, there’s no need to worry about that. You can use it safely on the grill, too.
The 0.39-inch thickness is nothing impressive but it’s good enough. It will store enough heat and you won’t have to preheat it for too long.
2. Geebobo Pizza Stone for Oven and Grill, 12 inch
The Geebobo is really good as a baking stone for bread and pizza. However, the main reason for which I chose to recommend is because this is a 12-inch round stone.
There is also a 10-inch model from the same manufacturer.
If you’re buying an oven like the Hamilton Beach, 12 inch or 10 inch are the sizes you should go for.
It’s made of cordierite and it has a 0.35 inches thickness.
The thickness is not much but it’s well suited to this smaller size. Moreover, you’ll be able to preheat it in 30 minutes, even at 450 degrees F.
The Geebobo is a wonderful choice as one of the best baking stones for bread. But that’s not the reason for which I decided to recommend it.
You can use it in ovens, on the grill or on the stovetop.
3. Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron Griddle, 10.5 Inch
My last recommendation is this: if you own a home oven and you don’t want to buy any other accessory, like a stone or a pan, you can just use your cast iron skillet or you can use something like this Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron Griddle.
It’s one of the cheapest and most durable things that you’re going to buy.
You can use this griddle for so much from making pizza to making flatbreads (someone called it an awesome dosa pan) to all kinds of recipes. You can sauté, sear, fry, bake, and stir fry. That’s just the complete list of what we do in a kitchen.
How do you use a cast iron griddle/skillet to make pizza?
Preheat the oven as high as it can go.
Flour your work surface and start rolling the dough until it matches the size of your griddle. If it needs more stretching, you can do that directly in the skillet or cut the excess if it’s too big on your first attempt. The easiest way to cut the excess down is with a wheel cutter.
Add the tomato sauce, the cheese and the toppings.
All you have to do now is to bake for 15 to 20 minutes, it depends on how many toppings you added and the thickness of your dough. Start checking it after 10 minutes just to be sure.
You can switch the oven to broil for the last few minutes if you want a slight char on the crust. That’s it, so easy and very cheap.
If you need even more inspiration about how awesome it is to make pizza in a cast iron skillet, check out this video, it’s mouth-watering.
Indoor Countertop Pizza Ovens FAQs
I told you that I don’t have a lot of recommendations when it comes to reviewing the best countertop pizza ovens but I truly consider those to be the top from which you should choose. Maybe you’ll be able to find an even better model than the ones I selected.
Now, let’s focus on answering some frequently asked questions, maybe you’ll discover some interesting tips to improve your baking.
1. Which oven is best for pizza at home?
If you want one of the best and most affordable options, I recommend the Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven, which will fit well in any space, no matter how small it is. Next up for indoor countertop ovens that bake beautifully, we have the Wisco 421 Pizza Oven. Or you can get the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo if your budget is extremely generous. If what you’re looking for is an outdoor portable model, there are many to choose from: the Big Horn Outdoors Wood Fired Pizza Maker has an accessible price and top-notch performance.
2. Can you use a pizza oven Indoors?
If it’s a countertop pizza oven, like the ones I reviewed above, you certainly can. That’s what they’re made for. Another option is to simply use your home oven together with a preheated baking stone/baking steel.
3. Do pizza stones really work?
The principle of using a pizza stone is simple: it stores a large amount of heat, retains it for long periods of time, and it transfers that heat to what we are baking on it. That’s the reason why they need to be preheated for 30-60 minutes, so that they can soak up a lot of heat. Moreover, pizza stones or baking steels represent one of the surest ways to imitate the capabilities of an outdoors wood- or gas-fired oven. When you learn about making fresh pizza at home, the first thing you learn is that it needs large amounts of heat. If we’re cooking indoors, we can elevate our baking by using a baking stone due to its high heat-storage capabilities. It works for baking artisan bread, too.
4. Is pizza stone better than pan?
Not if you’re using a pan like the Lodge P14P3 Cast Iron Baking Pan. But it’s definitely not cheap, it’s more expensive than many pizza stones. The advantage is that cast iron can last a lifetime and then some. Plus, it needs to be preheated for only 10 to 15 minutes, it stores up heat quite quickly.
5. How do you make homemade pizza more interesting?
My immediate answer would be: grab a fabulous cookbook, like The Elements of Pizza by Ken Forkish. But some of you might not want to do that so, let’s see what we can sum up. These are some ways to make homemade pizza more interesting: make a 48-hour pizza dough, make a vodka sauce instead of the classic tomato sauce or try adding more exciting toppings: mortadella and pistachio, zucchini blossoms, meatballs, fennel sausage and onions, spring onions, or duck breast and golden beets.
6. Why is my pizza crust soggy?
One of the causes can be that the temperature of your oven is too low, which makes me state again the importance of using a baking stone or a nice pan like the one from Lodge. A runny sauce can also cause a soggy crust. Or adding too much sauce. You might also have added too many toppings. If you’re using lots of mushrooms as toppings, which are full of water, I advise you to add them at the top and to cut them thinly. Plus, make sure to use the best countertop pizza oven, it will make baking easier and more satisfying.
