Gozney Arc Lite Review: Proving The Big Backyard Requirement Is Finally Dead
The Gozney Arc Lite is a $399 propane pizza oven that measures just 430mm by 481mm — small enough for a balcony. It hits 950°F, cooks a Neapolitan pizza in 60 seconds, and weighs only 12kg. No wood, no tools for setup, no nonsense. It lacks a built-in thermometer and door, which stings a little at this price. But the “big backyard” excuse? Dead. The full breakdown below explains why.
Gozney has a knack for making people spend money they probably shouldn’t. The Arc Lite, launched February 2026 at $399 in the US and £349 in the UK, is their latest attempt to separate wallets from back pockets. And honestly, it might be their most convincing argument yet. Because this thing was built for people who don’t have a big backyard. Or any backyard at all.
The external footprint sits at roughly 430mm by 481mm. That’s small enough for a balcony. A tiny patio. The corner of a cramped apartment terrace where someone keeps dying herbs. Internal dimensions of 325mm by 355mm fit a 12-inch pizza, which is the only size that matters anyway. The whole oven weighs 12kg. That’s 26.4 pounds. One person can carry it. Even a 5’2″ person, apparently. Toss it in a car boot, bring it camping, haul it to a friend’s rooftop. Portability is the entire pitch here.
Performance-wise, the Arc Lite hits 950°F max. It reaches 850°F in about 36 minutes and 900°F in 47. Gozney claims it’s ready to cook in 15 minutes, though “ready” and “screaming hot” are different things. The signature lateral rolling flame keeps the cordierite stone heated evenly, and that 12mm stone delivers crisp, airy bases. A 12-inch Neapolitan pizza cooks in 60 seconds. Steaks, vegetables, prawns — all fair game. That 500 degrees Celsius ceiling blows past the roughly 250 degrees Celsius maximum that standard home ovens can reach.
It runs on propane only. No wood. No romance. Just a front dial, push to ignite, twist for intensity. The red zone on the dial is where Neapolitan pizzas and searing happen. Setup requires no tools. Fixed gas hose, plug and play.
There are some notable absences. No built-in thermometer. No door. No flue stack. Only one color — Off Black. The body is fully insulated ceramic fibre, which handles heat retention without those extras. It works, but thermometer lovers will need to buy separately.
At $399, the Arc Lite costs $300 less than the standard Arc. A 1-year warranty comes standard, extendable to five years with registration. Bundles are available in Basic and Vital tiers. Returns are accepted within 30 days as long as the item is new, unused, and in its original packaging. The big backyard requirement? Dead.
