Updated on Feb. 05, 2025
Two of the hottest grill brands, but which is best? We tested both Napoleon grills and Weber grills so you can make the best decision.
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Shopping for a new grill for the backyard can be tricky with so many choices on the market. Two top options? Napoleon Grills vs. Weber. But is one better than the other?
Weber and Napoleon Grills offer a wide range of gas and charcoal grills across various styles, designs and price points. Each is constructed from durable stainless steel, making for a long-lasting investment. If the competition feels a little too hot, we’re here to help explain the differences between Napoleon Grills and Weber Grills. Our insights are based on two weeks of firsthand testing from the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
Napoleon Grills makes a wide range of styles and designs across multiple fuel types. The brand has gas grills ranging in price and size, along with multiple charcoal grills and electric and portable grills. Both the charcoal grill and gas grill models are constructed from stainless steel, which helps with durability, sturdiness and heat retention.
Weber Grills makes charcoal grills, gas grills and a wood pellet grill. The original Weber Kettle Grill, one of our top picks for the best charcoal grills, has been in production since the 1950s, continuing with its iconic dome shape. The Weber charcoal grills are constructed from steel with a porcelain coating to prevent rusting. Weber gas grills are built from steel and come in various models and sizes.
Weber and Napoleon are at the top of my mind when shopping for the best charcoal or gas grills. Weber debuted the initial charcoal kettle grill in the 1950s and has continued to be known for its iconic shape and performance. Napoleon offers a similar kettle-style design for charcoal, but you can begin grilling on their charcoal grill at a lower price point.
The gas grills offered by both brands are constructed from stainless steel for sturdiness and durability, with each model offering a different number of burners and specific features.
Napoleon grills range in price, with the baseline charcoal kettle grills starting at $199 and working up to $1700 for the larger gas grills with additional burners and accessories. Napoleon is well-known for its long-lasting build and a lifetime warranty on some grill models.
Weber grills also range in pricing, with the original kettle grill being the most-approachable at just over $200 and other models going up in price with added features such as side arm tables, additional legs and wheels, color customizations and more. Weber gas grills range widely from the test kitchen-approved three-burner Spirit II E-210 gas grill at $449 all the way up to much larger gas grills with all the bells and whistles at $5000.
When it comes to warranty, Napoleon Grills has a longer warranty with 10-and 15-year coverage, or even a lifetime warranty, depending on the grill type. Weber offers 5-, 10-and 12-year options for some models, depending on which type of grill you’re purchasing.
To test all of our grill picks, we grilled up 21 dinners to thoroughly test each pick, focusing on a rack of ribs, cuts of chicken and steaks. Apart from enjoying expertly fired dinners as a reward, we also used these tests to gather over 245 data points in the following categories:
In testing a Charcoal Pro grill from Napoleon, our test kitchen found it to be a top performer. The grill performed well and maintained temperature, but some additional coals needed to be added to keep up to the proper temperature on longer cooking sessions. Many of the Napoleon charcoal grills are designed with four legs and two wheels, so they can be moved if needed.
The gas grills receive similar high marks thanks to their sturdy construction, handy shelves and storage elements and even heat performance. It is important to note, however, that the grill grates in many Napoleon Grill models were found to be incredibly heavy during testing, making them difficult to move.
That said, the heavy-duty grate may be a bonus for some who prefer crunchy charred bits. Napoleon’s signature wavy grill grates add a little interest to the traditional grill marks and prevent smaller foods from falling into the grill as well.
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As with Napoleon, each Weber grill was assessed based on how simple it was to assemble and start, along with any special features or accessories. We performed a variety of cooking tests on each grill including searing and cooking steak, grilling a whole cut-up chicken and cooking a rack of baby back ribs low and slow. Following the cooking tests, each grill was evaluated based on how easy it was to clean. Overall, we were impressed with the performance of all the grills we tested—Weber really lives up to its good reputation!
Our test kitchen loves the Weber Genesis for its steakhouse-quality cook on steaks and chicken. The test kitchen has also tested multiple 22-inch Weber kettle grills, each offering excellent heat retention and ease of use paired with tasty char-grilled flavor on foods pulled off the grill. We tested Weber’s 22-inch kettle grills and gas grills with at least three burners. We ended up trying three charcoal kettle grills and two gas grills firsthand to assess performance.
Weber grills are constructed from coated steel, which means they’re strong and durable. If properly cared for and stored, they can last for years. Weber grills continuously receive top reviews thanks to their long-lasting construction, high heat performance and extensive warranties.
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Molly Allen has 10 years of experience as a professional writer and photographer. Her focus is on recipes, food and cooking tools and shopping guides, but she also has hand-on experience as a pizza oven tester, bakery owner and as a seasoned griller. Given all of her experience in the food industry, Molly is an excellent candidate to compare Napoleon and Weber grills.
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
Some Napoleon grills may be better for some shopper’s needs than Weber’s, but it all depends on the specific desired size, style and features. Many Napoleon gas grill designs may offer more power. Napoleon also offers a more generous warranty program.
Napoleon grills are high-quality thanks to their stainless steel construction, stability, durability and clever design components. They also come with a generous 10-year, 15-year or lifetime warranty depending on the grill type.
Weber grills have been known to last for years, many up to 10 to 15 years and beyond. The life expectancy of the grill is based on how well it is stored, kept and cleaned. A grill brush will be your best friend in keeping your Weber grill in tip-top shape.
It’s difficult to name a tried and true winner of Napoleon Grills vs. Weber because each has their strengths. Weber has long been known for its iconic design of the original charcoal kettle grill, and you can upgrade your kettle grill by choosing from various colors and accessories. Napoleon is known for excellent heat output and longevity, which can be most helpful for those looking for gas grills. Weber’s Genesis gas grill is one of our Test Kitchen’s top picks. Ultimately, it all boils down to the design, style and features you like best.
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