Ooni Karu 12 vs. Karu 2 vs. Karu 2 Pro: Which Should You Buy?
Disclosure: This post isn't sponsored by Ooni. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I own and cook on the Karu 12; I haven't cooked on the Karu 2 or Karu 2 Pro, and I say so where it matters.
Ooni now sells three multi-fuel Karu ovens: the original Karu 12 (now called 1st Generation), the Karu 2, and the Karu 2 Pro. I've cooked on my Karu 12 since Christmas 2024, so here's how I'd choose between them.
The Quick Answer
Best value: Karu 12 (1st Gen), if you can buy it on sale from Ooni.
Best upgrade at 12 inches: Karu 2, for the glass door and bigger fuel tray.
Best for bigger pizzas: Karu 2 Pro, for 16-inch pizzas.
Side-by-Side (per Ooni's US site, September 2026)
Karu 12 (1st Gen): 12-inch pizzas, 26.5 lb, $249 on sale ($349 regular).
Karu 2 (2nd Gen): 12-inch pizzas, glass door with ClearView, bigger fuel tray, just under 34 lb, $449.
Karu 2 Pro (2nd Gen): 16-inch pizzas, 17-inch cooking area, glass door, Bluetooth temperature hub, $849.
All three burn wood or charcoal, with a gas burner sold separately. Prices change often, so check before you buy.
Choose the Karu 12 If…
You want the cheapest way into a multi-fuel Ooni and you're fine without a glass door. After almost two years, mine still heats in about 15 minutes and bakes pizzas in 60 to 90 seconds. It's also the lightest, which matters if you move it around. As of October 2026 it's unavailable on Amazon, so Ooni's own site is the place to buy it.
Choose the Karu 2 If…
You want 12-inch pizzas but would like to watch them cook through the glass door, and a bigger fuel tray means fewer top-ups. It costs about $200 more than the Karu 12 on sale and is heavier. It's also the closest in-stock option on Amazon.
Choose the Karu 2 Pro If…
You want bigger 16-inch pizzas or more room for things like roast chicken and steaks, and you like the idea of temperature readings on your phone. It's the priciest by a wide margin.
What Matters More Than the Model
Whichever Karu you buy, two accessories made the biggest difference for me: an infrared thermometer to check the stone, and a lightweight perforated peel for turning pizzas. The learning curve is in launching and turning, not in the oven itself.
FAQ
Is the Ooni Karu 12 discontinued?
No. As of September 2026, Ooni still sells it as the Karu 12 1st Generation. It's currently unavailable on Amazon.
Is the Karu 2 worth $200 more than the Karu 12?
Only if the glass door and bigger fuel tray matter to you. Both make 12-inch pizzas at the same 950°F max.
For my full long-term experience, read my Ooni Karu 12 review.
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