If you are in the market for a high quality gas grill but are hesitant to cough up the cash for a Weber then you should do a Napoleon grills vs Weber comparison.Â
Napoleons are built to last, have decent warranties and get pretty nice reviews. Napoleon offers you pretty much everything you need without the inflated prices of Weber.
If you are unfamiliar with the Napoleon brand his is a wonderful video showing how these grills are made in their Canadian manufacturing facility.
Let’s look at the features on three different Napoleons (Triumph, LEX and Prestige Pro) and see how they stack up against their Weber counterparts.
Napoleon Triumph 325 Overview
The Napoleon Triumph 325 is an attractive grill that straddles the line between the Weber Spirit and Genesis series.
Napoleon Triumph 325 Specifications
- Burners: Two primary burners with a combined heat output of 27,000 BTU/hr
- Side Burner: Yes, rated at 7,000 BTU/hr
- Primary Grilling Area: 325 square inches
- Grilling Power: 83 BTU/hr per square inch of grilling space
- Grates: Porcelain enameled cast iron
- Warranty: 10 years for the body, 5 years for grates, burners and sear plates
Both side tables can fold down if you are short on space. It is also worth noting that all Napoleon grills have “wave shaped” cooking grates.
The distinctive wave grate is a concern for some people because it prevents them from putting the classic diamond hatch grill marks onto steaks. It’s just a personal preference.
Overall the Triumph 325 is a solid, two burner stainless steel grill with a side burner.
Weber has three grills that can be compared to the Triumph 325: Spirit II 210, Genesis II 210 and Genesis II LX 240.
Head to Head with the Spirit 210
- Spirit 210: Slightly larger grilling surface (360 vs 325 square inches)
- Spirit 210: Better warranty (10 years on all components)
- Spirit 210: Lower cost
- Triumph 325: Has a Side Burner
- Triumph 325: Greater heating capacity (83 vs 74 BTU/hr per square inch of grilling surface)
Based upon what features you want and your budget it is a bit of a toss up between the Triumph and the Spirit 210. Based on warranty and cost I would go with the Weber Spirit.
Head to Head with the Genesis II 210
- Genesis 210: Larger grilling surface (380 vs 325 square inches)
- Genesis 210: Better warranty (10 years on all components)
- Genesis 210: Lower cost
- Triumph 325: Has a Side Burner
- Triumph 325: Greater heating capacity (83 vs 63 BTU/hr per square inch of grilling surface)
I never saw any reason to buy the Genesis II 210 and that isn’t changing now. The Spirit is just as good, just about the same size and less expensive. Skip the Genesis II 210 and either get the Spirit II 210 or the Triumph 325.
Head to Head with the Genesis II LX S 240
- Genesis II LX S 240: Larger grilling surface (380 vs 325 square inches)
- Genesis II LX S 240:: Better warranty (10 years on all components)
- Triumph 325: Significantly lower cost
- Triumph 325: Greater heating capacity (83 vs 76 BTU/hr per square inch of grilling surface)
When it comes to the Triumph vs the Genesis 240 there is a clear and obvious winner. There are a LOT of people who want a two burner stainless steel grill that has a side burner. The only Weber product that matches that description is the Genesis II LX 240 which costs almost TWICE as much as the Triumph 325.
There is absolutely no way to justify the price difference between the Triumph 325 and Genesis II LX 240. If you want a two burner stainless steel grill that has a side burner then buy the Napoleon.
Napoleon LEX 485 Overview
Napoleon’s LEX series is in the sweet spot for me and is at the crossing point between Weber’s Genesis and Summit series. Here is a great video walk through of this grill by YouTube legend, PitmasterX.
Napoleon LEX 485 Specifications
- Burners: Four primary burners with a combined heat output of 48,000 BTU/hr
- Side Burner: Infrared Sear Burner (12,500 BTU/hr)
- Dedicated Rotisserie Burner: Infrared burner (13,500 BTU/hr)
- Primary Grilling Area: 460 square inches
- Grilling Power: 104 BTU/hr per square inch of grilling space
- Grates: Stainless steel wave rods
- Warranty: 15 years for the body and grates. 10 years for primary burners.
It is worth pointing out that while the LEX series grills have a dedicated rotisserie burner it does NOT come with a rotisserie assembly. The rotisserie assembly must be purchased separately.
Another cute feature on the LEX is that one of the side tables can be used as a beer cooler.
I am going to stick the LEX 485 head to head against Weber’s four burner grills in the Genesis and Summit series. The infrared side sear burner is a MAJOR selling point for the LEX over the wimpy standard side burner on the Weber grills.
Head to Head with the Genesis II E 410
- Genesis II E 410: Much larger grill (646 vs 460 square inches)
- Genesis II E 410: Less expensive
- LEX 485: Higher heating capacity (103 vs 74 BTU/he per square inch)
- LEX 485: Infrared Side Sear Burner
- LEX 485: Infrared Dedicated Rotisserie Burner
The Genesis II E 410 is a significantly larger grill than the LEX 485. The Weber is also less expensive. The LEX brings a heck of a lot more heat to the game and will kick the Weber’s butt when it comes time to put a sear on a steak. It is a toss up…do you want Size or Sear?
Head to Head with the Genesis II LX S 440
- Genesis II LX 440: Much larger grill (646 vs 460 square inches)
- LEX 485: Less expensive
- LEX 485: Higher heating capacity (103 vs 83 BTU/he per square inch)
- LEX 485: Infrared Side Sear Burner vs Standard Side burner on the Genesis
- LEX 485: Infrared Dedicated Rotisserie Burner
The Genesis LX S 440 is the same size of the Genesis II 410 but has a standard side burner and a few extra lights. I would pass on the Genesis 440 and either get the Genesis II 410 (if you want a HUGE grill) or the LEX 485 (if you want serious SEARING power).
Head to Head with the Summit S 470
- Summit S 470: Built in rotisserie assembly
- Summit S 470: Smoker box and dedicated smoker box burner
- Summit S 470: Larger grill (538 vs 460 square inches)
- LEX 485: Much less expensive
- LEX 485: Infrared Side Sear Burner vs Standard Side burner on the Summit
Even though the LEX 485 doesn’t come with a rotisserie you can buy one separately and still spend a lot less than you will on the comparably equipped Summit. The grills are about even on heating capacity, build quality and warranty. I like the looks of the Summit better than the LEX but prefer the LEX’s price tag.
Napoleon Prestige Pro 500 Overview
The Prestige Pro Series is a direct challenge to the Weber Summit series. The Prestige Pros are wonderful grills but that are high end upgrades of the Napoleon LEX series.
Here is another video by PitmasterX walking you through the details of this beauty.
Napoleon Prestige Pro 500 Specifications
- Burners: Four primary burners with a combined heat output of 48,000 BTU/hr
- Side Burner: Infrared Sear Burner (14,000 BTU/hr)
- Dedicated Rotisserie Burner: Infrared burner (18,000 BTU/hr)
- Primary Grilling Area: 500 square inches
- Grilling Power: 96 BTU/hr per square inch of grilling space
- Grates: Stainless steel wave rods
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
The meaningful upgrades on the Prestige Pro 500 over the LEX 485 include:
- Slightly larger grilling surface
- Rotisserie is included
- Infrared rotisserie burner is upgraded to stainless steel instead of ceramic
- Grill lights inside the grill
- Improved warranty
- Just prettier in every single way.
The only Weber grill to compare the Prestige Pro 500 against is the Weber Summit S 470.
Here is a video walk through of the Summit S 470 for comparison. Give it a quick watch and I think you will notice something…
That thing I thought you might notice? The video is old and a bit outdated in terms of quality.
It was a great video when it came out but the world has moved on! I am not picking on the awesome folks over at BBQGuys.com….that video is just how I feel about the Weber Summit S 470.
The Summit S 470 was great when it first came out all of those years ago but now it feels old and dated. Other players have caught up and it is time for Weber to do a redesign on the Summit series. It is embarrassing that the top of the line Weber gas grill does not have an infrared sear burner for steaks.
If you are looking for a high end gas grill then skip the Summit and get the Prestige Pro 500.
I have owned both a prestige pro natural gas and weber summit 470 propane. The cast iron sear station was great for 1 big steak. If you had 2 big steaks it did not perform as well. My cast iron grate rusted out within a year but I live by the ocean so it’s expected.
My weber 470 does not sear near as well for one big steak but better for 2 big steaks. Love the smoker box and use it all the time for a hint of smoke. This will not replace your pellet grill by any means.
You can’t miss with either one as the quality is very evident in both.
Thanks, Kevin! Greatly appreciate the real world feedback!
Apparently, you folks never check Consumer Reports, which consistently finds that infrared sear stations are a waste of time and energy. Likewise, they understand the physics of heating and the fact that the simple number of BTUs mean little. Napoleon comes in quite a ways down the Consumer Reports ratings with all Webers above it. Unlike most rating articles on the web, Consumer Reports doesn’t sell grills and therefore has much greater credibility than those who do sell, or in some cases, simply own, a competitor. I own neither brand, but I can say that I read reviews regularly, and I’ve never seen another one that rated every Napoleon above every Weber.
I stopped paying attention to Consumer reports after they recommended the 18 inch Weber kettle over the Big Green Egg. Glad I gave you something different to read 🙂
Dude. Consumer reports are useless. Searing is very important to seal in the flavour so not sure why you would be against it.