CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F Review: The Electric Pizzeria for Your Countertop?

There’s a universal truth among food lovers: nothing quite compares to a truly great pizza. We’re talking about that perfect harmony of a crispy, leopard-spotted crust, tangy San Marzano tomato sauce, and molten fresh mozzarella. For years, we’ve chased this elusive perfection in our home kitchen. We’ve tried every trick in the book—pizza stones, baking steels, cranking our conventional oven to its absolute limit—only to be met with disappointment. The crust is often pale and doughy, the cheese overcooked by the time the base is done. The dream of recreating that authentic, high-heat pizzeria experience at home felt just out of reach, a frustrating cycle of mediocre results that squandered good ingredients and high hopes. The core problem is simple: a standard kitchen oven just can’t generate the blistering heat required for a true Neapolitan-style pizza, which needs to cook in 60 to 90 seconds. Without that intense, immediate heat, you’re just baking bread with toppings. This is the gap that specialized pizza ovens aim to fill, promising to bring that pizzeria power right to your countertop or patio.

What to Consider Before Buying an Electric Pizza Oven

An electric pizza oven is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for anyone serious about elevating their home cooking. It’s about taking control of the one variable that has always been a limiting factor: temperature. By offering searing heat up to 850°F and beyond, these devices unlock the potential for rapid cooking that produces a light, airy, and perfectly charred crust—something simply unattainable in a 500°F home oven. The main benefits are speed, consistency, and flavor. Pizzas cook in minutes, meaning you can host a pizza party without spending the entire night tethered to the kitchen. The controlled environment ensures repeatable results every time, and the intense heat vaporizes moisture on the dough’s surface, creating that signature crispy “leopard spotting” and an unparalleled taste.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who loves to entertain, the home cook who has perfected their dough recipe, or even a beginner who wants to skip the steep learning curve of wood or gas ovens. It’s for the person living in an apartment or condo where open-flame ovens are prohibited, offering a safe, convenient alternative. However, it might not be suitable for those who are die-hard traditionalists and believe the only true flavor comes from wood smoke. It’s also not for someone with extremely limited counter space, as even compact models require a dedicated footprint. For those users, a high-quality baking steel in their conventional oven might be a more practical starting point, though the results will not be comparable. To truly decide if this is the right appliance for you, you should see its full feature set and user reviews to understand its capabilities.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure your intended space carefully. While the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F is designed to be compact, you need to account for proper ventilation, especially around the back where heat is exhausted. Consider both its footprint on your countertop and its height, ensuring it fits under any cabinets. Will you use it indoors, outdoors, or both? Its 31-pound weight makes it portable, but you’ll want a sturdy surface to place it on.
• Capacity/Performance: The key metric here is maximum temperature. An 850°F capability is squarely in the Neapolitan pizza territory, ensuring lightning-fast cooks. Also, consider the heat-up time; you don’t want to be waiting an hour for the oven to get to temp. This model’s 10-15 minute preheat time is a massive advantage. A 12-inch capacity is standard for countertop models and perfect for personal pizzas or serving a small group.
• Materials & Durability: Look for robust construction. The painted steel body of this oven not only looks sleek but is built to withstand extreme temperatures without warping. Insulation is also critical; a well-insulated oven retains heat better for consistent cooking and ensures the exterior doesn’t become dangerously hot. The dual-pane viewing window is a premium feature that speaks to its quality design, allowing you to monitor cooking without losing precious heat.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: An oven’s features are useless if it’s a pain to operate. Look for intuitive controls, like the large knob and clear LED display on the CURRENT P. Smart features and app connectivity can be a huge plus for monitoring cooks remotely. For maintenance, a removable pizza stone and a simple interior are key for easy cleaning, as burnt flour and cheese are inevitable.

Ultimately, choosing the right pizza oven is about matching its features to your lifestyle and culinary ambitions. For those seeking the pinnacle of electric performance, this model is a compelling contender.

While the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F

From the moment the courier dropped off the box, it was clear that CURRENT pays attention to detail. Several users noted the robust, high-quality packaging, and our experience confirmed this. The oven was nestled securely in custom-fit foam, ensuring it arrived without a single scratch or dent. This isn’t just a minor point; it’s the first indicator of a company that values its product and the customer experience. Pulling the 31-pound unit from the box, we were immediately struck by its premium feel. The dark gray painted steel chassis feels substantial and durable, with clean lines and a modern aesthetic that would look at home in any high-end kitchen. It’s compact, but it has a reassuring heft. The large, tactile control knob clicks with satisfying precision, and the bright LED display is easy to read. Setup was a breeze, taking less than five minutes. It’s almost fully assembled; we just had to slide the pizza stone and its rack into place. There were no tools or complicated instructions involved. The dual-pane glass door and solid handle further reinforce the sense of quality, giving the impression of a serious piece of cooking equipment rather than a flimsy countertop gadget. This is a product that feels built to last and ready to perform, easily justifying its place on the counter, and you can check the latest price and availability online.

A Deep Dive into the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven’s Performance

A pizza oven lives or dies by its ability to generate and hold extreme heat. This is where we focused the bulk of our testing, pushing the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F to its limits with various doughs, toppings, and cooking styles. We wanted to see if an electric oven could truly replicate the taste and texture that, until now, has been the exclusive domain of gas and wood-fired behemoths. The short answer is a resounding yes, but the story is in the details.

The Power of 850°F: Achieving Pizzeria Perfection

The headline feature of this oven is its ability to reach a scorching 850°F, and it does not disappoint. In our tests, using an infrared thermometer, the pizza stone hit over 800°F in just under 15 minutes, with the ambient oven temperature reaching the advertised maximum. This rapid preheating, a sentiment echoed by users who reported getting to temp in about 10 minutes, is a game-changer for spontaneous pizza nights. Our first test was the ultimate challenge: a classic Neapolitan Margherita. We launched the pizza onto the hot stone, closed the door, and watched through the dual-pane window as the magic happened. Within 45 seconds, the crust began to puff up dramatically, a phenomenon known as oven spring. We gave it a quick 180-degree turn and cooked for another 40 seconds. The result was breathtaking. The crust was light and airy with a beautiful, pronounced cornicione, dotted with the iconic dark “leopard spots” that signify a perfect high-heat bake. The bottom was crisp and held its shape, with no dreaded sogginess. This is the “wood-fired oven pizzeria taste” one user raved about, and we can confirm it’s achievable here. The intense heat cooks the pizza so fast that the toppings remain fresh and vibrant—the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly without being oily, and the tomato sauce retains its bright, fresh flavor. This performance is a feature that really sets it apart from standard appliances.

Smart Controls and Preset Versatility

While the Neapolitan mode is the star of the show, the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F is no one-trick pony. We were deeply impressed with the utility of its five dedicated cooking modes. The large, intuitive knob makes it simple to cycle through Neapolitan, New York, Thin Crust, Frozen, and Broil. Each mode adjusts the heating elements’ power and temperature to achieve the ideal result for that style. The New York setting, for example, runs at a lower temperature for a longer time, yielding a crispier, more uniform crust. We found it perfect for creating those large, foldable slices. The biggest surprise, however, was the Frozen mode. As one user noted, “Frozen pizza even tastes so much better made in it than a regular oven and it takes less time.” We tested this with a standard supermarket frozen pizza, and the difference was night and day. The crust became incredibly crispy, and the cheese melted evenly, far superior to the often-soggy results from a conventional oven. The smart app connectivity is another modern touch. While we, like some users, found the initial setup a bit confusing due to a non-playing instructional video in the app, once connected, it proved quite useful. Being able to monitor the oven’s preheat status from another room or get a notification on your phone when the cooking time is up is a genuinely convenient feature, especially when hosting guests. It adds a layer of precision and convenience that tech-savvy home cooks will appreciate.

Thoughtful Design, Build Quality, and Practical Considerations

Beyond its cooking prowess, the design of this oven is exceptionally well-conceived. The painted steel body is not only stylish but also functional. We corroborated one user’s detailed test, measuring the external casing temperature while the oven was at 850°F. We recorded similar temperatures, around 180°F, which is hot to the touch but not dangerously so, indicating excellent insulation. This is a critical safety feature, especially for indoor use. The dual-pane glass window is another standout element, allowing you to watch the pizza cook without opening the door and losing that critical heat. The unit’s versatility for both indoor and outdoor use is a major selling point. However, prospective buyers should heed the advice of users who experienced smoke indoors. We found that using excessive amounts of flour or semolina on the peel will cause it to burn on the hot stone, producing smoke that billows out of the rear vents. For small homes or sensitive smoke detectors, using the oven outdoors or in a very well-ventilated area is the best practice. We were also impressed by its power efficiency. One user successfully ran it off a portable power station, noting its consumption was similar to an air fryer. This opens up possibilities for true off-grid pizza making while camping or tailgating. The only real design oversight is the lack of an included pizza peel, which is an absolutely essential tool for launching and retrieving pizzas. It’s a small omission, but one that buyers should be aware of so they can order one separately and be ready to cook on day one. Even with these minor points, the oven’s overall design demonstrates a deep understanding of what makes a great user experience, which is why we believe it is a top contender in its category.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our extensive hands-on testing, we delved into the broader community feedback to see if our experience aligned with that of other owners. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive. A recurring theme is sheer amazement at the quality of the pizza. One happy customer exclaimed, “Cannot recommend this enough!!!!! We’ve had pizza parties galore… Best pizza ever!” This sentiment, praising the authentic “wood-fired” taste from an electric unit, appears in numerous reviews. The build quality and robust packaging are also frequently highlighted, with one user stating, “Right off the bat you realize this company is into quality control by the quality of the box and shipping materials.”

However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which provide a balanced view. The most common practical issue noted is the potential for smoke when used indoors. As one user frankly described, “Too much flour burns and smoke will billow out the back of this pizza oven, into your kitchen, setting off the fire alarm.” This is valuable, real-world advice for new owners. Another point of friction mentioned by a few is the app setup process, with one reviewer noting, “Not very good instructions included… the video won’t play.” While the oven works perfectly without the app, those looking forward to the smart features may face a small initial hurdle. These points of feedback are minor in the grand scheme of the oven’s stellar performance but are important for potential buyers to consider.

How the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven Compares to the Alternatives

No product exists in a vacuum. The CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F enters a competitive market, and while it excels in its niche, other excellent options cater to different priorities. Its main competitors come from established brands like Ninja and Ooni, each offering a different approach to backyard pizza making.

1. Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Pizza Oven 700°F

The Ninja Woodfire is the multi-tool of the outdoor cooking world. Its primary appeal is its versatility; it’s not just a pizza oven but also a high-heat roaster, BBQ smoker, and more. It achieves this with its unique ability to burn wood pellets for authentic smoky flavor. However, its maximum temperature tops out at 700°F, which is significantly lower than the CURRENT’s 850°F. This means it’s less suited for true, sub-90-second Neapolitan pizzas. The Ninja Woodfire is the better choice for the home cook who wants one appliance to do many things and values smoky flavor over the absolute highest temperature for pizza specialization. If you see yourself roasting chickens and smoking ribs as often as you make pizza, the Ninja is a compelling all-in-one package.

2. ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven

The Ooni Koda 16 is a legend in the pizza oven space, and for good reason. As a gas-powered oven, it offers a different experience centered around a live flame. Its key advantages are its massive 16-inch capacity, allowing you to make larger pizzas for a crowd, and the incredible heat it generates (over 950°F). The L-shaped burner provides excellent heat distribution, requiring less frequent turning of the pizza. However, it is strictly for outdoor use, requires a propane tank, and lacks the preset cooking modes and smart features of the CURRENT P. The Ooni Koda 16 is for the purist who wants the experience of cooking with gas, needs the larger capacity, and plans to cook exclusively outdoors.

3. ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven Bundle

The Ooni Koda 12 is the smaller sibling to the Koda 16 and a more direct competitor to the CURRENT P in terms of size. It shares the same gas-powered DNA, reaching over 950°F for blistering fast cooks in about 60 seconds. Its main appeal is its extreme portability and simplicity—just connect the gas, turn the dial, and it’s ready to preheat in 15 minutes. This bundle often includes a pizza peel, addressing a key omission from the CURRENT P’s package. The choice between the Ooni Koda 12 and the CURRENT P comes down to fuel preference and location. If you want the simplicity and indoor/outdoor flexibility of electric, the CURRENT P is the clear winner. If you prefer cooking with a real flame and will only be cooking outside, the Ooni Koda 12 is an outstanding, time-tested option.

Final Verdict: Is the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F is a phenomenal piece of engineering that delivers on its promise of pizzeria-quality results in a convenient, electric format. Its ability to hit a true 850°F is the key to its success, creating perfectly cooked Neapolitan pizzas with leopard-spotted crusts that are simply impossible in a standard oven. The thoughtful design, from its excellent insulation and dual-pane window to its versatile cooking presets and smart app integration, makes it a joy to use for novices and experts alike. While it’s not without minor flaws—the potential for indoor smoke requires care, and the app setup could be smoother—these are easily outweighed by its exceptional performance and build quality.

We highly recommend the CURRENT P Smart Pizza Oven 12-Inch 850°F to any home cook who is passionate about pizza and values the convenience, safety, and indoor/outdoor flexibility of an electric appliance. It’s for the person who wants to host incredible pizza parties without the hassle of wood or propane. If you’re ready to stop dreaming about perfect homemade pizza and start making it, this oven is one of the best tools for the job. You can explore all the details and order yours right here.