Best outdoor ovens and Ninja Woodfire grills for 2026 Review

Outdoor cooking has moved on from basic charcoal barbecues. If you want stone‑baked pizza, woodfired flavour and precise temperature control with far less hassle, a modern outdoor oven or electric grill is the way to go.

This guide rounds up the best outdoor ovens and Ninja Woodfire grills for 2026, based on real customer ratings and overall value. Whether you’re after a dedicated pizza oven for Friday nights or a flexible grill and smoker for year‑round use, we’ve narrowed the choice down to a handful of stand‑out options.

Each pick has its own strengths, from portability to sheer cooking capacity, and there are trade‑offs around price and size. The aim is to help you quickly find the model that fits your space, your cooking style and your budget.

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Why you can trust our picks

These recommendations are built on real‑world data, not guesswork. We look closely at customer ratings, how many people have reviewed each product and how consistently they perform, rather than focusing on one or two glowing comments.

We also weigh up price, usability and versatility. A feature‑packed outdoor oven is no good if it’s awkward to live with, and a cheap grill isn’t a bargain if it disappoints after a few uses. By comparing similar models side by side, we prioritise appliances that offer strong performance and good value for most households.

Finally, we keep the list deliberately short. Instead of dozens of near‑identical options, you get a focused set of highly rated ovens and grills that cover different needs, from compact city balconies to big family gardens.

How we chose these outdoor ovens and grills

To pick the best outdoor ovens and grills, we started with models that have strong customer feedback. High review scores backed up by a solid number of reviews carry more weight than early ratings from just a handful of buyers, as they’re more likely to reflect long‑term reliability and real‑world use.

We then considered price, making sure every model justifies its cost with performance, build quality or extra flexibility. That means you’ll see a mix of compact, more affordable options and larger, feature‑rich grills, but nothing that looks overpriced for what it offers.

Versatility was another key factor. Outdoor ovens that can handle more than just pizza, and grills that also smoke and roast, are better suited to modern gardens where space is at a premium. The final shortlist is designed so there’s a clear reason to choose each model, rather than several doing exactly the same job.

Our top outdoor oven and grill picks

Below you’ll find our favourite outdoor ovens and Ninja Woodfire grills, ordered from the top all‑rounder down to the best options for specific needs. Some focus on authentic pizza, others on flexible barbecuing and smoking.

Use the badges and summaries to home in on what matters most to you, whether that’s compact size, maximum cooking space or smart features. Any of these models will elevate your outdoor cooking; the right one just depends on how and where you plan to use it.

Our top pick:

Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven, Suitable For Outdoor

Best overall outdoor pizza oven
Typically around £329 at the time of writing, sitting in the mid to upper range for outdoor pizza ovens.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 49 customer reviews, an exceptional score for an outdoor pizza oven.

A top‑rated electric pizza oven that brings woodfired flavour to your garden with minimal effort. Ideal if you want authentic results without the faff of managing a flame.

Pros

With a perfect 5.0 rating from owners, this Ninja Woodfire pizza oven clearly delivers on its promise of crisp bases and bubbling toppings with very little learning curve. Being electric, it heats quickly and keeps a stable temperature, so you can focus on stretching dough and choosing toppings rather than nursing a flame. The Woodfire element adds that desirable smoked flavour, giving you a taste much closer to a traditional pizza oven than a standard kitchen appliance. Because it’s designed specifically for outdoor use, it’s a reassuring choice for patios and gardens where safety and reliability are key.

Cons

This is one of the pricier pizza ovens in Ninja’s line‑up, so it may be overkill if you only make pizza occasionally. As a focused pizza oven, it’s less flexible than a full grill and smoker, so you might still want another solution for barbecues.

Ideal for...

Ideal if you’re serious about pizza nights and want authentic, woodfired results without mastering a traditional oven or managing gas. It suits small to medium households who love the idea of a dedicated pizza station in the garden. If you entertain regularly and want a reliable way to impress guests with restaurant‑style pizza, this is a very strong choice.

Other great options:

Ninja Woodfire Portable Barbecue Grill & Smoker

Best portable grill & smoker
Usually about £256, making it one of the better‑value ways to get a quality grill and smoker combo.
Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 393 customer reviews, showing consistently strong satisfaction.

A hugely popular portable barbecue grill and smoker that delivers real wood smoke flavour in a compact, easy‑to‑use form. Great for balconies, patios and camping trips.

Pros

The Ninja Woodfire Portable Barbecue Grill & Smoker is one of the most popular outdoor cookers on the market, with an outstanding 4.9 out of 5 rating from nearly 400 reviews. Owners love how easy it is to switch between grilling, smoking and more everyday cooking, making it far more versatile than a typical compact barbecue. Its portable design means you can move it around the garden, pop it in the car for a weekend away or tuck it into a shed when not in use. Being electric, it’s far cleaner and more controllable than charcoal, while the Woodfire system still delivers that smoky barbecue flavour people expect.

Cons

The cooking area is more limited than the XL models, so it can feel cramped if you’re feeding a large group at once. While portable, it still needs mains power, so you’ll need an outdoor socket or suitable extension lead.

Ideal for...

Best suited to anyone who wants a compact, easy‑to‑live‑with outdoor cooker that can handle midweek dinners as well as weekend barbecues. It’s a great fit for smaller gardens, patios and balconies, and for people who like the idea of taking their grill on trips. If you want one versatile unit instead of separate barbecue and smoker, this is a standout option.

Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven

Best value pizza oven
Generally around £249, positioning it as a more affordable route into serious outdoor pizza making.
Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 38 customer reviews, indicating excellent feedback at its price.

A more affordable outdoor pizza oven that still earns excellent feedback, perfect if you want crisp, restaurant‑style pizza at home without paying top‑end prices.

Pros

The Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven combines a strong 4.9 out of 5 rating with a keener price, making it a smart way into serious pizza making at home. It’s tailored to deliver crisp, evenly cooked pizzas, so you can get results that feel far more upmarket than the price tag suggests. At this price level, it’s an appealing option for anyone who loves takeaway pizza and wants to recreate it in the garden without over‑investing. Customer feedback suggests it performs consistently well, which should give you confidence if this is your first specialist outdoor oven.

Cons

It doesn’t have the all‑round versatility of a grill and smoker, so it’s mainly about pizza and oven‑style cooking rather than full barbecues. The slightly lower price still isn’t “cheap”, so it’s worth making sure you’ll use it regularly.

Ideal for...

A great pick if you’re on a tighter budget but still want a dedicated pizza oven that feels like a real upgrade over the kitchen oven. It’s perfect for couples, young families and keen home cooks who want to experiment with dough and toppings without going for the most premium model. If pizza is your main focus rather than all‑round grilling, it hits a very nice sweet spot.

Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Barbecue Grill & Smoker

Best XL grill for families
Commonly priced near £349, reflecting its larger XL size and extra cooking capacity.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 52 customer reviews, very strong for a large outdoor grill.

An XL electric grill and smoker designed for bigger households and regular entertaining, giving you loads of cooking space and the trademark Woodfire taste.

Pros

The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Grill & Smoker is built for bigger cooks, with an XL size that gives you far more room for burgers, sausages, chicken and veg in one go. Its 4.8 rating shows that owners are very happy with its performance, especially considering it also functions as a smoker for low‑and‑slow favourites. The electric design makes it easy to get repeatable results for large family meals, without worrying about hot spots or a fading charcoal bed. If you regularly host friends or cook for a big household, that extra space and flexibility can quickly justify the higher outlay.

Cons

The XL size makes it bulkier and heavier than the portable model, so you’ll need more space to store and use it. It also costs more than smaller grills, so it’s less appealing if you only cook outdoors a few times a year.

Ideal for...

This XL grill is aimed at larger families and enthusiastic hosts who regularly cook for a crowd. If you want space to lay out burgers, kebabs and veg at once, or to smoke bigger joints of meat, it will feel much less cramped than a compact portable grill. It’s also a strong option if you like to batch cook outdoors and reheat during the week.

Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Barbecue Grill & Smoker

Best smart outdoor grill
Often about £399, at the premium end of this line‑up thanks to its XL size and smart features.
Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 58 customer reviews, a solid rating for a premium smart grill.

A premium XL Woodfire grill with added connected and smart features, ideal for tech‑savvy cooks who want maximum control over outdoor barbecuing and smoking.

Pros

The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Grill & Smoker takes the XL concept and adds connected features, giving you more control and guidance over your cooks. With a 4.7 rating from a healthy number of reviews, it clearly delivers for most buyers despite being the most expensive option here. The smart connectivity can make it easier to monitor temperature and timings, a real help if you’re juggling guests or side dishes indoors. As with other Woodfire models, you still get the hallmark mix of electric convenience and real smoke flavour, just with a more tech‑driven experience.

Cons

This is the most expensive grill in this line‑up, so you’re paying a clear premium for the connected features. If you’re not interested in app control or smart guidance, you may find the standard Pro XL offers better value.

Ideal for...

Best for tech‑savvy cooks who want the reassurance of connected control and guidance while they barbecue and smoke. If you enjoy using apps, timers and clever presets to get consistent results, this is the logical top‑end choice. It’s also well suited to keen entertainers who want maximum cooking space and the ability to monitor their cook while mingling with guests.

FAQs

Are electric outdoor ovens and grills as good as gas or charcoal?

Modern electric outdoor ovens and grills can match gas and charcoal for heat and versatility, especially when they use wood pellets or smoke chips for flavour. They heat up quickly, hold temperature well and are far easier to control. Purists may still prefer charcoal, but if you want consistent results with minimal faff, electric outdoor cooking is a very strong choice.
Think about how many people you usually cook for. Compact pizza ovens and portable grills are ideal for couples and small families, typically handling one pizza or a few burgers at a time. Larger XL grills give you much more cooking area for big family gatherings, batch cooking or entertaining, but they’ll take up more space on the patio or balcony.
Electric outdoor ovens and grills are often better suited to balconies and small patios than traditional barbecues because there’s no open flame and less smoke. However, you still need to follow your building’s rules, ensure there’s plenty of ventilation and place the appliance on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from railings and walls.
Despite the name, outdoor pizza ovens are surprisingly flexible. As well as stone-baked pizzas, many models can handle flatbreads, roasted veg, meats, fish and even desserts, thanks to their high, even heat. If you like relaxed outdoor cooking, you can treat them almost like a compact, super-hot oven rather than a single-purpose gadget.
Precise temperature control makes outdoor cooking much easier and more repeatable. Electric ovens and grills let you dial in the heat you want, which is great for everything from Neapolitan-style pizza to low-and-slow smoking. It also helps avoid burnt edges and undercooked centres, so you get more consistent results even if you’re not an expert.
Running costs depend on how often and how long you cook, but electric grills and ovens are typically efficient because they heat up fast and hold their temperature well. You avoid the ongoing cost of gas bottles or bags of charcoal, and you only pay for the electricity you actually use. For occasional use, most people find the running cost very reasonable.
Choose a portable grill if you want something easy to move, store and potentially take to campsites or friends’ houses. They’re perfect for smaller households and casual use. XL models are better if you regularly cook for a crowd, want space for several types of food at once or like to batch cook for the week. The trade-off is size, weight and usually a higher price.
Always place your oven or grill on a flat, stable and heat-resistant surface, well away from anything flammable. Keep children and pets at a safe distance, use proper heatproof gloves and tools, and never leave it unattended while it’s on. After cooking, let it cool completely before moving or covering it, and store it under a cover or indoors to protect it from the weather.

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