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Quick answer: Both gas pizza ovens hit 900°F and make genuinely great Neapolitan pizza, so the choice is size versus value. The Ooni Koda 16 (~$599) fits a 16-inch pizza and its L-shaped burner (flames along the back and left) means you only turn the pizza once — the easiest oven to get a perfect cook on your first try. The Solo Stove Pi Prime (~$349) fits a 12-inch pizza, costs about $250 less, and many owners find it cooks evenly with crusts that are a little more forgiving. Buy the Ooni Koda 16 for bigger pizzas and the most foolproof results; buy the Solo Stove Pi Prime for excellent pizza at the best value.
The Core Difference: Size & Ease vs. Value
These two are the popular entry point into backyard pizza, and both are propane-fueled ovens that reach pizzeria temperatures. The real decision is how big your pizzas are and how much you want to spend. The Ooni Koda 16 buys you a larger cooking surface and a burner layout that makes turning easier; the Solo Stove Pi Prime delivers nearly the same result on a 12-inch pizza for meaningfully less money.
Pizza Size and Cooking Surface
This is the clearest split. The Ooni Koda 16 fits a full 16-inch pizza, so you can make large, family-sized pies — or slide a 12-inch pizza in with room to spare, which makes launching and turning far less fiddly. The Solo Stove Pi Prime tops out at a 12-inch pizza. If you regularly feed a crowd or want the elbow room, the Ooni’s larger opening is a real, daily advantage. If you’re cooking personal-to-medium pizzas, 12 inches is plenty.
Burner Design and Cooking
The Ooni Koda 16’s standout feature is its L-shaped burner: instead of flames only at the back, it runs fire along the back and left side, so you only have to turn the pizza once for an even bake. That’s what makes it so beginner-friendly. The Solo Stove Pi Prime uses a rear gas flame; interestingly, some owners report it cooks evenly and its crusts don’t burn quite as easily, which can make it more forgiving while you learn to manage the heat.
Temperature and Performance
Both reach up to 900°F, hot enough to bake a true Neapolitan pizza in 60–90 seconds. At that temperature, technique matters more than the oven — dough hydration, launch, and turning make the difference. Both are capable of restaurant-quality results; the Ooni just gets you there with a little less practice thanks to its burner layout, while the Pi Prime rewards a slightly gentler learning curve.
Price and Value
The gap is about $250: roughly $599 for the Ooni Koda 16 versus $349 for the Solo Stove Pi Prime. That’s a lot for a first pizza oven, and the Pi Prime works “just as well” for most home cooks on 12-inch pizzas — which is why it’s the value pick. The Ooni earns its premium with the larger 16-inch capacity and the foolproof L-shaped burner. Prices shift with sales and bundles, so check the current price on both before buying.
Head-to-Head Spec Comparison
| Feature | Ooni Koda 16 | Solo Stove Pi Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | ~$599 | ~$349 |
| Max pizza size | 16 inches | 12 inches |
| Max temperature | ~900°F | ~900°F |
| Fuel | Propane gas | Propane gas |
| Burner | L-shaped (back + left), turn once | Rear flame, forgiving bake |
| Best for | Bigger pizzas, foolproof results | Best value, personal-to-medium pizzas |
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Ooni Koda 16 if you want to make full 16-inch, family-sized pizzas and you value the L-shaped burner that gets you a perfect, even cook with the least practice. It’s the easiest path to restaurant-quality results.
Check Ooni Koda 16 Price on Amazon →
Buy the Solo Stove Pi Prime if you want excellent 12-inch pizzas for about $250 less, and you don’t mind a slightly gentler learning curve. It delivers nearly the same result at the best value.
Check Solo Stove Pi Prime Price on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Which makes better pizza?
Both reach 900°F and make genuinely great Neapolitan pizza. The Ooni Koda 16 is easier to master thanks to its L-shaped burner; the Solo Stove Pi Prime is a bit more forgiving on burning. Technique matters more than the oven.
Is the Ooni worth the extra $250?
If you want 16-inch family-sized pizzas and the most foolproof results, yes. For personal-to-medium 12-inch pizzas, the Solo Stove Pi Prime performs nearly as well for less.
Do both run on gas?
Yes, both are propane-fueled, so they heat up fast (about 15–20 minutes) with no wood-fire learning curve. That’s what makes both good first pizza ovens.