As anxiety about a Covid-19 resurgence soars, we turn to baked goods to comfort ourselves. No, I’m not talking about sourdough starters—I’m hoarding yeast and flour for another reason. With enough cheese, tomato sauce, and arugula, homemade pizzas are a complete meal. They’re irresistible, easy to make, and customizable for a wide range of dietary preferences. Who needs burgers, anyway?
Until recently, an aspiring pizzaiolo had no choice but to crank up their kitchen oven to the standard 450 degrees. Now, portable pizza ovens can heat up as high as 900 degrees—the perfect temperature for making a crisp, Neapolitan-style pizza in minutes. For the past two years, I’ve memorized recipes, perfected my dough-tossing technique, and made hundreds of pizzas. For those of you quarantining with limited access to a large outdoor space, I’ve included an indoor option and an oven that fits on a small deck, balcony, or patio. Here are my—and my waistline’s—favorites.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including our Best Portable Grills and Work From Home Gear guides.
Updated October 2020: We’ve added the Ooni Fyra, tweaked pricing, and removed the Pizzeria Pronto.