Napoleon has grown from an underdog brand to one of the top names in home grilling.
Founded in Canada in the late 1970s,
Napoleon is now sold throughout North America and international markets.
The company is known for its premium grills, although it does produce models at the higher end of the midrange, and these compete directly with Weber.
Weber is another company with a rich history.
It developed its classic kettle grill in the early 1950s.
Today, the company produces a range of charcoal, gas, and even electric grills.
Weber is known for its excellent warranty coverage and reliability.
If you’re interested in a Napoleon, you’ve probably asked the question: are Napoleon grills as good as Weber?
Let’s take a look at some important points and find out.
Features
Comparing grills is a difficult task. Most of the big grill brands offer plenty of features, but they are rarely consistent with the competition.
You could find grills in the same price range that offer unique features.
Most of the time it comes down to which feature you want the most.
In terms of basic features, both manufacturers come close.
Napoleon and Weber both offer grills with side burners, and most have a similar number of main burners around the same price point.
One area where Napoleon does stand out is with innovative features, like the infrared searing stations that are featured on some of its grills.
Features vary from brand to brand and model to model.
On this point, we have to call it a tie, as both manufacturers offer similar things for similar prices.
Construction Quality
Weber is well-known for its construction quality, as is Napoleon.
While most Weber grills use a combination of coated steel and stainless steel, Napoleon traditionally uses much more stainless steel in its designs.
This can add durability and for many people, it improves the overall look and feel.
In terms of fit, finish, and materials, these two brands are very similar.
Napoleon sometimes has the edge at the higher end of the price range.
Innovations
Grill manufacturers are fond of adding features with unique names.
Weber, for example, adds flavorizer bars to its grills.
These are designed to heat and vaporize juices from food to add more flavor.
Some manufacturers call these heat spreaders.
Napoleon calls them sear plates.
Weber also markets its GS-4 ignition system, which is essentially a combination of the ignition, the burners, the flavorizer bars, and a grease management system.
Napoleon has all of these features on its grills, too.
Although it doesn’t market them as a single system.
In terms of real innovation, both manufacturers are on par.
Weber puts more into its marketing, but most general innovations and features are similar to what can be found on other grills.
Napoleon is arguably more innovative because it puts more time into developing infrared heating systems to allow for rapid searing of meats and vegetables.
Warranty Support
A standard Napoleon warranty for Prestige and Pro models covers:
- Exterior Housing: Limited Lifetime
- Grids: Limited Lifetime
- Burners: 10 Years.
- Flame Tamers: 5 Years
- Ignition: 2 years
- Valves: 2 Years
Weber Offers up to 10 years on most components.
The Bottom Line IS – Are Napoleon Grills as Good as WEBER?
The biggest advantage Weber has is its reputation and its excellent warranty coverage.
Napoleon matches it in all areas except for some aspects of the warranty.
Generally, both brands make grills to last and owners have few problems.
Napoleon is easily as good as Weber with all things considered.
If you’re looking for a comparable alternative to a Weber grill, Napoleon is the best brand to consider.
This beautiful stainless steel grill includes a large cabinet, soft-touch controls, infrared burners, a rotisserie system, and heavy-duty construction at a reasonable price.
The burners are also made from stainless steel, which will allow them to easily last for several years, and even longer if you keep the grill stored or covered in a dry place.
By using stainless steel, it shows that Napoleon has a strong commitment to quality,
This Napoleon is not a budget grill, and it’s not quite in the high-end price range.
However, the quality of construction and the materials go beyond what you would expect from its price.
In this price range, you can reasonably expect something that will last for several years, and that includes a large cooking surface with several highly reliable burners.
If you’re considering a Napoleon, the Prestige 500 is a good-looking grill that is reliable and will provide you with versatility for many seasons to come.