Napoleon vs Weber: Best Gas Grills Comparison [2024]

On the market today, several grilling brands have attained legendary status for us grilling enthusiasts.

Among these, brands have dedicated fans, and for me, two of my favorites are Weber and Napoleon Grills. 

In a rush? Here are the winners:

Travel Size: Weber Q2200 vs. Napoleon TravelQ 285

Mid Size: Weber Spirit II E-310 vs. Napoleon Triumph

Full Size: Weber Genesis II S-435 vs. Napoleon LEX485RSIBNSS-1

Of the two, Weber is clearly the oldest having been established in 1893, but having an almost 100-year jump on its competition doesn’t mean that Weber’s necessarily leaps and bounds the winner.

Napoleon Grills, which began in 1976, has some excellent models to consider. 

So, who wins the battle in Napoleon vs Weber?

In this guide, I’m going to present each brand with several of its most competitive models.

I’m going to break the competition down based on small portable grills, medium-sized grills, and full-sized grills so that you have an idea of how they compete with each other.

In this article, we’re going to review the following gas grills:

Napoleon Grills:

• Travel Size: Napoleon TravelQ 285
• Mid Size: Napoleon T325SBNK Triumph
• Full Size: Napoleon LEX485RSIBNSS-1

Weber:

• Travel Size: Weber Q2200
• Mid Size: Weber Spirit II E-310
• Full Size: Weber Genesis II S-435

Presenting Napoleon Grills

Travel Size – Product One: Napoleon Grills TravelQ 285 Portable Gas Grill

The first thing that I noticed about this portable propane grill is the hot red coloration. While it’s not everything, it’s cool. Here are a few pros and cons at a glance:

Pros

• It has a 12,000-BTU performance.
• For a compact grill, it has 286 inches of cooking space.
• The temperature is easy to read.

Cons

• The grill may take a while to assemble.
• It’s a bit heavy.
• It’s a bit pricey.

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Mid Size – Product Two: Napoleon T325SBNK Triumph Natural Gas Grill

This is a three-burner grill that has an impressive 34,200-BTU heating profile. It also has more than enough cooking space. Here are a few pros and cons:

• Much of the grill is constructed of stainless steel.
• It has wheels for mobility.
• The shelves are sizable.

Cons

• It can feel flimsy.
• The wheels get jammed easily.
• The side shelves have a limited weight capacity.

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Full Size – Product Three: Napoleon Grills LEX485RSIBNSS-1 With Infrared Side & Rear Burners Natural Gas Grill

The final Napoleon grill, which is the Napoleon Grills LEX485RSIBNSS-1, has a lot going for it when considering size, sturdiness, and cooking space. Here’s a pro and con breakdown:

Pros

• It has 74,000 BTU’s.
• There are six dedicate burners.
• The JetFire system provides a very easy lighting profile.

Cons

• The grill cabinet is poorly designed.
• It’s prone to rust.
• Since the grill is open in the rear, water can get in when it rains.

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Presenting Weber Grills

Travel Size – Product One: Weber Q2200

This is a very portable model of Weber, and the company supports it with a few variations, even a more substantial variation with a cart and a few extra BTU’s. Still, this is a model that’s designed for portability, and here are its pluses and minuses:

Pros

• The work tables are foldable.
• The grates are porcelain-enameled.
• The thermometer is accurate.

Cons

• It’s a bit heavy at almost 43 pounds.
• The burner can be unreliable.
• The flame holes are hard to keep clean.

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Read our full review of this grill here.

Mid Size – Product Two: Weber Spirit II E-310 (3-Burner)

The first thing I notice about this grill is its open storage design, which some grillers prefer. It has three burners and a good level of output. Here’s how it stacks up:

Pros

• It has 529 inches of cooking space.
• Both the grate and flavorizer bars are porcelain-enameled.
• It has a 10-year guarantee from Weber.

Cons

• It’s tough to put together.
• It could get hotter.
• It’s hard to move, despite having wheels.

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Full Size – Product Three: Weber Genesis II S-435 (4-Burner)

Usually, a four-burner grill with 48,000 BTU’s means that you’ll get a fairly even heat across the grate surface, and that’s where this Weber grill stands out. It also has a built-in sear station that lets you crust to your heart’s content. Here are a few pros and cons:

Pros

• It’s iGrill 3 compatible.
• The side burner is excellent.
• The grate is porcelain-enameled.

Cons

• Small animals can get in through the large opening in the sides.
• The grates can pop out of place.
• The frame isn’t stainless steel.

Check Price on Amazon

Features and Benefits – Napoleon

Napoleon is known for having a reasonably wide product offering when it comes to grills, and their lines include the LEX Series, the Rogue Series, the Prestige Series, and the TravelQ Series of portable grills. Napoleon stands out because they don’t have many options for charcoal grills, which makes them a bit more specialized than Weber. In this section, I’m going to take a look at the three grills that I covered in the “Presenting” sections in a more in-depth manner.

Travel Size – Product One: Napoleon Grills TravelQ 285 Portable Gas Grill

Dual Adjustable Burners with JetFire

This is a portable grill that still manages to incorporate precision burner adjusters, so it’s a great option for those that want to play around with temperature. Because of this, it stands out as being a bit more controllable than its nearest competitor, the Weber 54060001 Q2200. Internally, the burners use a dual stainless steel design that provides a good level of heat. I like that Napoleon opted to utilize their JetFire Ignition system; it’s a system that allows you to fire each burner by itself. This means that you can even create a convection effect by cooking food over the opposite burner.

A Svelte Design

Outside of its red coloration, this is a nice-looking and well-designed grill. When you’re grilling, wind can be a real problem, especially when you’re trying to keep it open. This product is designed to deflect this wind so that you can grill with the lid open at any time. Additionally, it’s relatively easy to see the lid-mounted temperature gauge. This lid is also lockable for when you’re traveling.

A Good Performance Output

The grill has 12,000 BTU’s when it comes to performance. This means that each burner has a 6,000-BTU output. In execution, this grill produces the right level of heat for most applications, and the heat has a proper, even dispersal so that you won’t get cool or hot spots. In fact, I suspect that most people won’t ever need the maximum output of this product, but having the extra power that this grill provides can be very useful.

Mid Size – Product Two: Napoleon T325SBNK Triumph Natural Gas Grill

A Good Amount of Power

When you’re going mid-sized, you don’t have to go mid-power. The Triumph series is a good natural gas grill that does a pretty good job of providing the griller with heat intensity options. This grill has two main burners and is capable of outputting 34,200 BTU’s of grilling power. This means that each burner can output 17,100 BTU’s of heat, which means that you’ll be able to easily set the required heat for just about any food.

It’s Fairly Compact and Portable

Since this is a mid-sized grill, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this is designed to be able to fit into smaller spaces. To facilitate this, Napoleon created the two side tables to fold down when needed, and they also built the grill atop four reliable caster-style wheels. For me, all of these features are very useful because they let you store the grill very quickly when it’s not in use. Also, the four-wheel design makes this a bit more portable and easier to shift around than its competitor product, the Weber 49010001 Spirit II E-310.

Even Cooking

Porcelain coating goes a long way when you’re trying to get an excellent, even cook, and the Triumph uses this material to ensure that you’ll yield some great grilling results. Across the 435 square inches of cooking space, each burner will utilize the porcelain to ensure that there are no hot or cold spots. Do you intend to make sauces or sauté some veggies? If so, the range side burner can really open up the options on the Triumph.

Full Size – Product Three: Napoleon Grills LEX485RSIBNSS-1 with Infrared Side & Rear Burners Natural Gas Grill

Value

Our final product has a lot of inherent value; not only is it priced at a reasonably affordable price point for its output, but it also grants a ton of cooking versatility. With six burners and an output of 74,000 BTU’s, your grate should easily be able to attain a nice and even heat. I love having a wide cooktop to work with, and this Napoleon grill provides 805 square inches of grate space. This means that you can experiment with zones and convection cook with ease. This is also a grill that isn’t that much of a chore to assemble; one person can put it all together in about five hours. 

Extra Features

In addition to its impressive output, Napoleon designed this to be a well-rounded grill when it comes to features. Not only does this grill have a shelf that houses an extra burner that you can use for preparing food that can’t be prepared on the grates, but on the other side is an icebox that can keep drinks cold. The side burner is also an infrared model, so there’ll be no shortage of heat. The knobs are also designed to utilize Napoleon’s I-Glow tech, which makes them backlit during the night.

Features and Benefits – Weber

Despite only becoming synonymous with grilling in the 1950s, Weber is still one of the most well-known grilling brands in the world. Most people understand that to buy a Weber product is to purchase a product that will be reliable. Weber grills are also well-known for their warranties, which are very comprehensive. Here’s a breakdown of each of the grills that I covered in the “Presenting” section.

Travel Size – Product One: Weber Q2200

Prep Space

When comparing this product to its nearest Napoleon competitor, one thing is clear: Weber has remembered to provide prep space. The Q2200 series grill has side tables that fold out so that you can have a prep surface to work with. The fact that these fold-out makes the product relatively compact and portable, and I think this was a great addition for those grillers that want to take their show on the road.

Quality Surfaces

As I’ve mentioned a couple of times, porcelain is a great tool for even cooking, and Weber opted to utilize this type of enamel on their cooking grates. This means that you’ll almost always have a very even cook without any raw or undercooked spots. Also, I like the pattern on the grates; it’s easy to get that lined look that most appreciate on their grilled food. There’s also a convenient catch pan that will help you keep your grilling area nice and clean.

Easy Temperature Management

One of the problems with the TQ285 is that it can be hard to see the thermometer when the lid is up because it’s at the top. The thermometer on the Q2200, on the other hand, is much more forward-facing, so you should be able to see the temperature of your food, even when you’re cooking with the grill open.

Mid Size – Product Two: Weber Spirit II E-310 (3-Burner)

Entry Level Design and Performance

One of the most exciting features of this mid-sized Weber grill is the fact that it’s designed to be entry-level. The price point is also very budget-friendly so that newer grillers can earn their stripes on a fully-featured product without spending everything. Still, the grill provides 529 square inches of cook space and 30,000 BTU’s.

Easy Cleaning

It’s also easier to clean than previous Spirit versions. This is because the firebox is crafted from a single piece of aluminum, so when it’s time to clean, there are no smaller components to fret over. It also has a small grease tray that is easy to slide out and in; you can even purchase foil liners to make the process even easier.

A Unique Grate Design

I also love the fact that the cast-iron grates, which are porcelain-enameled, are reversible, and both sides have different bar thicknesses, which will allow you to create thinner sear marks for items like shrimp and thicker ones for steak.

Full Size – Product Three: Weber Genesis II S-435 (4-Burner)

Durability

Now, this thing is robust! Weber manufactured this gas grill primarily out of stainless steel, and it feels very sturdy. When you’re working with this grill, it’s easy to note its build; the side tables are strong, the body doesn’t wobble, and the wheels are reliably-constructed. While I do have an issue with some of the frame components being made of weaker materials, when the grill is built, they are very unnoticeable.

Reliable and Unique Features

This product is designed with a 48,000-BTU performance that is split between the four burners; you’ll easily be able to attain that near-mythical 100-BTU per-square-inch output. Like its competitor product, the Napoleon Grills LEX485RSIBNSS-1, this grill also has a great side burner, and with it, preparing sauces and boiling food is made very easy. While its other side shelf isn’t quite as unique as the other grill’s, it still is an excellent food prep area that utilizes the same level of stability that can be found throughout the grill’s construction.

This is also a grill that utilizes Weber’s iGrill 3 system. This is a Bluetooth-enabled system that will beam grilling updates right to your smartphone. I’m a big tech fan, so adding the ability to track temperatures, grilling times, and find out ideal cooking times for meats is very attractive to me. It’s just important to note that you will have to purchase an external tool to use iGrill 3.

Great Storage

Unlike the previous Weber product, this grill has an enclosed storage system that lets you store your utensils and accessories. This area is fairly large and will protect these items from the direct elements.

Napoleon vs Weber: Social Proof

I have taken the time to see what people are saying in the Napoleon vs Weber debate, and the general consensus is that both companies have dedicated communities of die-hard fans. One of the significant differences in the brands is that fans agree that Weber’s impressive warranties are a significant selling point for the brand.

General Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying a Weber or Napoleon Grill

When you’re on the market for one of these grills, one of the first aspects that you’ll have to consider is whether you’re going to be purchasing a natural gas grill or a propane cylinder gas grill. Both of these can provide a very even cook, but in general, it comes down to portability.

With a propane cylinder grill, the product uses liquid gas, which comes in a canister that you can refill. These provide the right level of convenience because you can move the grill around since there are no external connections outside of the one connecting the canister. With a natural gas grill, you’ll need a line that connects to a gas system in your home.

As a result, you’re not going to be able to move your grill around much. Also, natural gas lines cost a bit more to connect to a grilling system. As a result, many natural gas grill owners opt to create an outdoor kitchen setup so that they can have a permanent place where they can grill.

On the other hand, natural gas can also be a significant budget-friendly option despite the initial cost. This is because the price of purchasing a canister and refilling it when you want to grill can be somewhat cost-prohibitive. In our guide, I’ll provide you with both types, but you’ll notice that I primarily will review the most portable models as propane grills.

Once you’ve decided on the type of gas grill you’ll want to purchase, here are a few more considerations to take into account:

• The Square Inches of the Grate: How much are you going to be grilling? If there’ll be a lot, then a large grill space can help you prepare a sizeable portion. Also, if you’re a grill zones fan, then this will let you use convection on certain foods on the grill and direct heat on others.
• The BTU’s: BTU stands for British Thermal Units, and these measure the heat output on a grill. Ideally, you’ll want each burner to put out the right amount of heat at the top end. A common belief is that a 100 BTU’s per square inch is an ideal heating capacity for a grill.
• The Sturdiness: A grill shouldn’t feel flimsy when you’re cooking on it. I’ve experienced some grills that swayed a bit when I was moving meat from side to side; and trust me, this didn’t instill confidence.

Before we move into the features and benefits, let’s take a look at some of the products in the travel-size, mid-size, and full-size categories for both brands.

Napoleon vs Weber: Final Thoughts

In the end, in my opinion, these grills have a lot to offer, but if I were to pick a clear winner, it would be Weber because of their ironclad warranties. That being said, despite the fact that Napoleon has a slightly less robust warranty setup, their grills definitely stand out as being VERY comparable to Weber, which is an impressive feat considering that the company has been in the grill business for 20+ years less than Weber (Weber didn’t really become a grill company until the 50s). Whichever you pick, rest assured that the grill will provide you with great cooking experiences.

You can check Weber grills on Amazon by clicking the links below:

• Travel Size: Weber Q2200
• Mid Size: Weber Spirit II E-310
• Full Size: Weber Genesis II S-435

Or you can go back and check Napoleon Grills by clicking here.

Weber compared to other brands:

• Traeger vs. Weber
• Char-Broil vs. Weber
• Nexgrill vs. Weber
• Broil King vs. Weber