Weber and Napoleon are among the top brands that have been gracing outdoor barbecues and grill parties for decades. Both carry a wide range of high-quality gas, charcoal, and smoke fire grills, but which company manufactures more reliable grills that offer the features you need? We review their popular gas grills–the Weber Genesis II E-435 and the Napoleon LEX 485–so you can have a better idea of how the Weber and Napoleon stack up against each other.
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Weber vs Napoleon Gas Grill Comparison Chart
| Model | Weber Genesis II E-435 Gas Grill | Napoleon LEX 485 Gas Grill |
| Amazon product | Amazon product | |
| Price | Amazon product | Amazon product |
| Dimensions (HWD) | Lid open: 62″ X 65″ X 31″ With Lid closed: 47″ X 65″ X 29″ | Lid open: 57″ x 62″ x 27.6″ With Lid closed: 49″ x 62″ x 27.6″ |
| Fuel type | Liquid Propane (62016001), Natural Gas (67016001) | Liquid Propane (LEX485RSIBNSS-1), Natural Gas (LEX485RSIBNSS-1) |
| Burners | 4 high-performance burners, 1 side burner, 1 sear station | 4 main burners, 1 side burner, 1 rear burner |
| Total Cooking Surface | 844 sq in | 815 sq in |
| BTU | up to 69,000 | up to 74,000 |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Grilling System | GS4 High Performance with Infinity Ignition | Instant Jet Fire Ignition with iGlow knobs |
| Infrared Grill | Yes | Yes, Rotisserie-capable |
| Temperature Gauge | Yes, compatible with the iGrill 3 thermometer monitor | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 10 years | 15 years |
Design & Build
Weber grills are known to last longer than Napoleon grills, but premium Napoleon grills are equipped with 304-grade stainless steel where it matters
As the Weber Genesis II E-435 is made of stainless steel, it can withstand the elements. Most Weber grills are robust and are designed to last. Meanwhile, the Napoleon LEX 485 has more plastic components, but the grill, grates, lid burners, and essential parts are made of sturdy stainless steel as well. With that said, Napoleon grills typically require more maintenance to avoid rust and corrosion.
The Weber E-435 has a wider cooking surface than the Napoleon overall, but the 844 sq in already includes the warming rack (see left bottom photo below). If you tuck this rack away, the grilling area gets reduced to 646 sq in. As for Napoleon, the LEX 485 has a total cooking surface of 815 sq in. Their grates are made of cast-iron for fast, even heating, with Weber’s further coated in porcelain enamel.
The Weber Genesis II E-435 offers a larger cooking surface overall than the Napoleon LEX 485 gas grill
Heating Technology
Both the Weber and Napoleon gas grills heat up fast, but the Napoleon LEX 485 boasts a higher heat output
Weber and Napoleon can both get hot in under 3 minutes, especially their infrared sear station (and rotisserie for the Napoleon LEX 485). The Weber Genesis II E-435 can produce up can to 69,000 BTUs while the Napoleon LEX 485 can deliver as high as 74,000 BTUs of combined heat output. Their heating technology, albeit named differently, are always consistent and reliable. You won’t have to worry about whether your burner will start right away with either.
These gas grills are available in both liquid propane and natural gas models. To help you grill meat or vegetables to perfection, both the Weber Genesis E-435 and the Napoleon LEX 485 come with a temperature gauge. The Weber E-435 can be connected with the iGrill 3 thermometer monitor so you can check the monitor through the app.Assembly and Warranty
Weber offers a warranty of 10 years for all parts while Napoleon’s is 15 years for limited parts
Weber comes with an interactive app to guide you in the assembly of the Genesis II E-435 while video tutorials are available on Napoleon’s website if you need to see how to assemble the LEX 485 grill. These grills can last for more than a decade if proper maintenance and cleaning are done.
To prove that they are designed to last, Weber and Napoleon both offer generous warranty terms in their own ways. For the Genesis II E-435, Weber provides 10 years of warranty for all parts. As expected, that excludes normal wear and tear of certain parts.
Meanwhile, Napoleon offers an impressive 15 years of warranty for its stainless steel base and lid, porcelain enamel lid, and stainless steel cooking grid. You’ll get 10 years of warranty for the stainless steel tube burners and until the 15th year, you will get 50% off when you need to buy a replacement. As for the sear plates, cooking grids, and ceramic infrared burner, Napoleon gives a warranty good within the first five years and 50% off until the 15th year.
Verdict
Weber offers better value for your money overall, but Napoleon’s features and warranty make it worth the higher price tag
Amazon productIt’s tricky choosing between Weber and Napoleon, as you’ll get an excellent, reliable grill that will last for years, whichever you decide on getting. The Napoleon LEX 485 may not have the full stainless steel body of the Weber Genesis II E-435, but the parts that are heavily-used are made of sturdy stainless steel material. On top of that, Napoleon offers a longer warranty period for the essential parts. The higher heat output and rotisserie compatibility may make the Napoleon LEX 485 more appealing to some.
At a lower price, Weber’s Genesis II E-435 is equipped with 4 burners and 2 side burners, just like the Napoleon LEX 485. Keep in mind, however, that Weber grills are typically more expensive than Napoleon grills because of their stainless steel construction. It just happens that in the popular grills we’re comparing, the Weber Genesis II E-435 is at a more affordable price point. The Weber’s heat output is smaller than the Napoleon LEX 485 and its sear station isn’t as big, but the Weber Genesis’ features and its cooking surface are sufficient for most grillers.
FAQs
It depends on the model you’re getting, but Weber grills are known for their sturdy, high-quality build that can survive years of frequent use. Napoleon, on the other hand, has a longer warranty period than Weber, and Napoleon’s aesthetics look more modern than most Weber grills.
While Weber grills may seem expensive upfront, what you’re investing in is a reliable grill that you can use for a long time. Some Weber grill users even testify that their grill lasted them for more than a decade. With the 10-year warranty that Weber offers, you’ll be at peace that you’re investing in a superior quality grill.
While not as popular as Weber, Napoleon grills are still high-quality, and the stainless steel they use in their grills doesn’t rust as easily. Their 15-year warranty for certain parts can give users peace of mind as well. Of course, proper maintenance and cleaning is still required depending on how often you grill.
You can expect Weber grills to go on sale on the 4th of July and other big shopping holidays like Black Friday. Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, Target, Ace Hardware, and the Weber website typically offer Weber grill sales during their sales events.