The Ooni Volt 12 and the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo are two of the best indoor electric pizza ovens available, but they cater to very different users. The Ooni Volt 12 from Ooni is a straightforward, purpose-built pizza machine that delivers high heat and authentic results with simple manual controls. The Pizzaiolo from Breville is a high-tech "smart" oven, using advanced heating technology and intelligent presets to replicate different styles of pizza, but at a much higher price point.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which high-performance indoor pizza oven belongs on your countertop.
Ooni Volt 12
The Ooni Volt 12 is Ooni's first foray into electric, indoor pizza ovens, bringing the brand's signature high-heat performance into the kitchen. Known for its user-friendly gas and wood-fired outdoor ovens, Ooni designed the Volt 12 for simplicity and power, allowing enthusiasts to cook a Neapolitan-style pizza in just 90 seconds without stepping outside. Its clean design and focused functionality make it a popular choice for those who prioritize authentic pizza above all else.
- What it is: A countertop electric pizza oven specifically designed for making 12-inch pizzas indoors.
- Key features: Reaches 850°F (450°C) in 20 minutes, cooks pizzas in as little as 90 seconds. Features a cordierite stone baking board and two heating elements (top and bottom) with manual balance control.
- Price: $599
- Materials/Construction: Powder-coated carbon steel shell for heat retention and a borosilicate glass door. Lightweight and portable with built-in handles.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist with a compact footprint that fits well into contemporary kitchens. Comes in a clean, dark gray finish.
- Pros: Reaches extremely high temperatures quickly. Simple, intuitive dial controls for temperature and heat balance. Lighter and more portable than the Breville. Significantly more affordable.
- Cons: Highly specialized, not designed for cooking anything other than pizza or flatbreads. Lacks the smart presets and automated features of its competitor.
The Ooni Volt 12 is perfect for the pizza purist who wants a dedicated appliance for making incredible, authentic-style pizza at home and values simplicity and performance over multi-functionality.
Shop this product: ooni.com/products/ooni-volt
Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo
The Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo is a premium countertop oven engineered to replicate the three types of heat generated by a traditional brick oven: conductive, radiant, and convective. Using its proprietary Element iQ system, this "smart" oven intelligently adjusts heating elements to provide the perfect cooking environment for various pizza styles, from Neapolitan to New York to deep-dish. It's a testament to Breville's focus on combining advanced technology with high-quality construction for precise, repeatable results.
- What it is: A high-tech countertop smart oven that can cook an array of pizza styles using automated presets.
- Key features: Reaches 750°F (400°C) in about 20 minutes. The patented Element iQ system directs heat where it's needed with independent deck and top element control. Features pre-set cooking functions for "Wood Fired," New York, Pan, Thin & Crispy, and Frozen pizzas.
- Price: $999.95
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel exterior with a durable build. Features an active cordierite stone deck that moves up to perfectly position the pizza for baking.
- Style: Classic high-end Breville appliance aesthetic, with a stainless steel finish and digital display. It fits seamlessly with other modern kitchen appliances but has a larger footprint.
- Pros: Extreme versatility with presets for different pizza styles. Smart technology delivers incredibly consistent results. High-quality, durable materials. The moving "active deck" is an innovative feature.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Ooni Volt 12. Larger and heavier, taking up more counter space. The sophisticated tech can be more than what a casual user needs.
This oven is ideal for the culinary enthusiast who wants to master every type of pizza, loves cutting-edge technology, and is willing to invest in a premium, versatile appliance.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bpz820.html
Ooni Volt 12 vs. Breville Pizzaiolo Comparison
Performance & Special Features
This is where the two ovens diverge most. The Ooni Volt 12 is a beast of simplicity and raw power, reaching 850°F and relying on manual controls for temperature and top/bottom heat balance. It's built to do one thing: make high-temperature pizzas, and it does it exceptionally well. Its higher max temperature is a key selling point for those chasing the perfect Neapolitan "leopard spotting" on their crust.
The Breville Pizzaiolo, while getting slightly less hot at 750°F, compensates with intelligence. Its Element iQ system and various presets take the guesswork out of making different styles of pizza. The oven knows exactly where to apply conductive and radiant heat to create a charred "Wood Fired" crust or an evenly baked New York slice. This technical precision makes it much more versatile for those who want to experiment beyond a single pizza style.
Dimensions & Fit
The Ooni Volt 12 is designed to be relatively compact and countertop-friendly. Measuring about 24" x 20" x 10", it's thoughtfully sized for indoor kitchens. It also has built-in handles, making it surprisingly portable if you want to move it or even take it to a covered patio.
Breville's oven is a more permanent fixture. It's larger and heavier, with dimensions around 18" x 18" x 10". While still a countertop appliance, its substantial build and stainless steel aesthetic suggest it's meant to find a home and stay there. Make sure you have enough dedicated counter space and clearance before considering the Pizzaiolo.
Price & Value
There's a significant price gap between the two. The Ooni Volt 12 sits at $599, which is a premium price but falls into an accessible range for a dedicated hobbyist looking for top-tier performance. For that price, you get pure pizza-making power that rivals outdoor gas models.
The Breville Pizzaiolo is a luxury item at nearly $1,000. The value here comes from its advanced technology, cooking consistency, and versatility. If you plan to make many types of pizza frequently and want automated, perfect results every time, the investment could be justified. For the casual user, however, the Ooni offers better value for pure pizza performance.
Style & Aesthetic
The Ooni Volt 12 features a sleek, minimalist design with a modern, dark powder-coated finish. It looks like a specialty piece of high-tech cooking equipment, making it a statement piece in a contemporary kitchen.
The Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo follows the brand's signature design language: brushed stainless steel, digital dials, and an industrial-chic look that matches its other high-end appliances. It's less of a statement piece and more a seamless part of a complete, modern kitchen arsenal. Which you prefer depends entirely on your personal taste and existing decor.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these ovens make excellent pizza, but they are built for different home chefs.
Choose the Ooni Volt 12 if:
- Your primary, or only, goal is making incredible Neapolitan-style pizza.
- You value direct, manual control over your cooking process.
- You're working with a smaller budget of around $600.
- A more compact and portable oven is a better fit for your space.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo if:
- You're an enthusiast who wants to master different styles, from "Wood Fired" to pan pizza.
- You value smart technology and preset functions for consistency and ease of use.
- A premium price tag of $1,000 is within your budget.
- You want a durable, high-end appliance that matches other stainless steel kitchen gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Ooni Volt 12 and Breville Pizzaiolo?
The main difference is specialization versus high-tech versatility. The Ooni is a specialized high-heat oven with simple manual controls designed for authentic pizza. The Breville is a smart oven with multiple presets that uses complex heating technology to replicate different oven types for various pizza styles.
Can these ovens cook anything other than pizza?
The Ooni Volt 12 is highly specialized for pizza and flatbreads. While you could technically cook other items that benefit from high heat, it's not designed for general cooking. The Breville, while pizza-focused, can also roast vegetables or cook fish thanks to its superior heat control and presets, making it slightly more versatile.
Which oven is better for beginners?
The Breville Pizzaiolo. Its smart presets do much of the heavy lifting, intelligently adjusting heat to match the pizza style you've selected. The Ooni has a steeper learning curve as you'll need to learn how to manage the temperature and top/bottom heat balance manually for optimal results.
Can the Ooni Volt really be used outdoors?
Yes, the Ooni Volt 12 is weather resistant and suitable for outdoor use. However, it is an electric appliance, so it must be protected from direct exposure to rain and moisture and plugged into a proper outlet.
Is the Breville Pizzaiolo worth the extra money?
It depends on your priorities. If you are a pizza fanatic who will frequently make different pizza styles and leverage the smart technology, its performance and consistency can be worth the splurge. If you mainly want great Neapolitan pizza and don't need automated functions, the Ooni offers better value.
What size pizza can each oven make?
Both the Ooni Volt 12 and the Breville Pizzaiolo are designed to cook pizzas up to 12 inches in diameter.
Do I need special wiring or a dedicated circuit?
No, both ovens are designed to run on a standard 120V household outlet. However, given their high power draw, it's always recommended to plug them into an outlet on a circuit that is not heavily loaded with other major appliances.
Which oven gives a more authentic brick oven taste?
Both ovens do an exceptional job of replicating the cooking environment of a brick oven through intense heat and a stone floor. Neither can replicate the specific smoky flavor of a wood-fired oven. The choice comes down to technique - many users find the Ooni gets closer to Neapolitan char, while the Breville excels at perfecting various classic styles.
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