Not so long ago, having a pizza oven seemed like an enormous indulgence — the sort of thing you would anticipate finding in an upmarket garden or at a restaurant. These devices were extraordinarily expensive and often required considerable expertise to operate correctly. However, things have shifted in recent years. Thanks to brands such as Gozney, pizza ovens are now much more attainable and widespread, with more people investing in outdoor cooking.
While pizza ovens still occupy the premium side of outdoor cooking, they are no longer a niche product. They have evolved into a realistic enhancement for anyone who enjoys cooking, entertaining, or simply loves a restaurant-quality pizza at home. I have tested several pizza ovens over the past few years, but my latest acquisition has elevated things to a new level — the Gozney Arc XL.
What Is the Gozney Arc XL?
Fundamentally, the Gozney Arc XL is a gas-powered pizza oven engineered to deliver exceptionally high temperatures rapidly and reliably. It can hit approximately 500°C and cook pizzas in around a minute. That speed is not merely impressive — it is what produces the classic pizza texture: a crisp, lightly charred base with an airy, light crust.
The oven maintains heat effectively thanks to its insulation and substantial stone floor, meaning you can cook several pizzas consecutively without lengthy waits for the oven to reach temperature.
At roughly £800, it is clearly a premium product — but it also aims to justify that price tag through performance, ease of use, and build quality.
Innovative Design Features
One particularly impressive design feature is the lateral-rolling-flame system. Rather than heat radiating from a single fixed point, the flame travels across the oven ceiling, creating a more consistent cooking environment. This ensures the pizza cooks more evenly from top to bottom, and while you will still need to turn it while cooking, the process feels more forgiving than with many conventional gas ovens. It is a feature that brings its performance closer to that of a traditional wood-fired oven, while offering greater convenience.
There is a digital thermometer positioned at the front to track the oven's internal temperature. The ideal temperature varies depending on the style of pizza or whatever else you are preparing. For instance, a thin-crust Neapolitan-style pizza will be cooked at a higher temperature for a shorter time than a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. I discovered my pizzas cook perfectly at approximately 400°C.
Size-wise, the Arc XL is considerably more spacious than smaller variants. It can comfortably accommodate up to 16-inch pizzas, making it far better suited for families or anyone catering to groups. It is also brilliant for entertaining and impresses guests every single time; they can even try it themselves. The additional space inside the oven also makes it simpler to launch, rotate, and retrieve pizzas without feeling restricted. This is one of those design distinctions that does not seem essential at first, but becomes important once you start using it regularly.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is one of its greatest assets. Being gas-powered means it warms up rapidly, ignites with minimum fuss, and offers you precise flame control. There is no requirement to handle firewood, fiddle with coals, or continuously battle temperature fluctuations. For most people, this makes getting to grips with the pizza oven far simpler than with wood-fired alternatives, while still producing outstanding results.
One of the first things that struck me was how straightforward it was to get started. The assembly was uncomplicated, and getting everything prepared — including buying and connecting the gas — was simple and stress-free. The controls and general design are highly intuitive, so there was not much of a learning curve. It felt like something I could operate confidently right away, without having to plough through complicated instructions or spend hours watching tutorials.
From the very first go, it won us over. We succeeded in making delicious pizzas on our first attempt, and they genuinely tasted incredible — crispy bases, perfectly cooked toppings, and that classic, slightly charred crust you would expect from a proper pizza oven. We were immediately impressed with the outcome, which made the experience all the more enjoyable and motivated us to keep using it.
Versatility Beyond Pizza
Since that point, I have used the Arc XL numerous times, and it has rapidly become more than simply a pizza oven in my household. I have even used it to prepare a full English breakfast, which turned out brilliantly, and it handled everything remarkably well. That really demonstrated just how versatile it is beyond pizza alone. It is far from a one-trick appliance — it can genuinely handle a variety of high-heat cooking, provided you have the correct tools to hand.
A range of additional accessories and attachments is also available to further elevate the experience. Several of these have been purchased, including the stand, which is absolutely worth it as it makes the entire setup far more practical and comfortable. The Gozney cookbook, a pizza peel, a pizza turner, and a pizza cutter have also proved useful additions. While these accessories sit on the pricier side, they feel solidly constructed and genuinely enhance the cooking process, making them a worthwhile investment.
Gozney offers an Arc-specific wheeled stand featuring space for a gas canister, fold-out wooden shelves, and utensil hooks for £249.99, which proved an essential purchase. It made the entire cooking experience considerably smoother, and having the tools within easy reach was a real bonus. This can also be bought as part of a bundle including the oven, stand and a pizza peel for £1,129.97, though it is currently out of stock.
Drawbacks to Consider
There are, however, some drawbacks worth considering. The Arc XL sits firmly in the premium category of pizza ovens with a price tag of around £800, making it a significant investment. Some reviews echoed this sentiment, with one reading: "The quality is great, but I do think it's overpriced; hopefully, my friends can buy it on discount." A second wrote: "I'm a huge fan of Gozney, but it's just too expensive." It is also gas-only, so you lose out on the smoky flavour and ceremony of wood-fired cooking. While it is straightforward to operate, it does demand a degree of skill — especially when turning pizzas mid-cook to prevent patchy charring. And given its size and heft, it is not the sort of thing you will be shifting about regularly. That said, the stand makes this remarkably straightforward as it features wheels.
One review said: "The Gozney Arc XL Pizza Oven is nothing short of exceptional — a true game-changer for anyone serious about outdoor cooking. From the moment you unbox it, the build quality stands out. It feels premium, solid, and thoughtfully engineered, clearly designed to last." Another read: "A fantastic pizza oven. Never made pizza in an oven previously, and I made six for my first go. We loved them, and so did the family. We are planning a weekly pizza family get-together now."
Price and Availability
The Arc XL is available to buy directly from Gozney for £799, and it is offered in two colours: a lovely cream or black. Both shades are also available at John Lewis for the same price.
How It Compares to Competitors
With countless pizza ovens flooding the market, settling on which model to go for can prove tricky. The Ooni Koda 16 is frequently regarded as the Arc XL's main competitor. It is a gas-fuelled oven that similarly reaches exceptionally high temperatures (approximately 500°C) and can handle substantial 16-inch pizzas. It is renowned for its somewhat simpler, pared-back design, with a heavy emphasis on portability and rapid assembly. Compared to the Arc XL, the Koda 16 is widely regarded as more straightforward, though with a slightly less sophisticated heat distribution system. It still delivers outstanding results, though it demands a touch more attention when turning pizzas owing to its directional-flame design. On its own, it retails for £499.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly pizza oven, DeliVita's Diavolo Gas-Fired Pizza Oven is a fantastic entry-level option. Simple to assemble, quick to heat up, and incredibly easy to operate, it has become a firm favourite amongst first-time buyers. The oven can be snapped up for just £199, making it considerably more wallet-friendly than rival brands.
Overall, the Gozney Arc XL is a premium pizza oven that delivers exceptional performance and versatility for families and outdoor cooking enthusiasts. While the price may be a barrier for some, its build quality, ease of use, and delicious results make it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritise quality.
