The Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected wins on three reviewer-measured strengths that no grill near its price matches at once: searing, build, and convertibility. David Gafford of The Barbecue Lab measured the dedicated infrared Sizzle Zone side burner reaching 1,800F, which delivers a 60-second-per-side steakhouse crust without turning the main chamber into an inferno. Trevor at Embers Fireplaces praised the same burner as the reason serious cooks splurge on this line, alongside an integrated 18,000 BTU rear rotisserie that most competitors charge extra for.
Versatility is the second pillar. Gafford demonstrated that the Prestige accepts optional drop-in trays that convert half the grill into a charcoal cooker or a flat-top griddle on demand. Trevor calls the larger Pro 665 sibling a 'mini outdoor kitchen' for exactly this reason — and the 500 Connected inherits the same chassis architecture for almost $4,000 less. The 24-burger physical capacity Gafford confirmed in instrumented testing handles full-yard gatherings without crowding.
Build quality is where Napoleon's North American manufacturing earns its premium. Trevor pointed out the fully seamless, welded cast aluminum firebox prevents the grease leaks and rust that plague bolted-tub competitors, and the 200+ lb mass holds heat evenly without thermal warp. The lifetime bumper-to-bumper warranty is the longest in this comparison group — Weber Spirit gives you 10 years on the cookbox, Camp Chef gives you 3 on parts, and Masterbuilt gives you 3 total.
What It Won't Do
The smart features aren't ready for primetime. Trevor needed four pairing attempts to activate the Wi-Fi controls, had to consult the manual, and watched the grill silently kick back into manual mode every time the burner knobs weren't cranked to maximum. The $2,329 sticker is also a real barrier — buyers who don't care about searing or convertibility can save thousands on a basic gas grill that holds 300F just as well. And if your only goal is brisket-style low-and-slow smoking, Gafford is explicit that this isn't the grill for you — buy a pellet smoker instead.
The Weber Spirit E-210 wins Best Value not because it's the best grill in this group — it scores lowest overall at 61.0 — but because it's the best $449 you can spend on a gas grill that won't disintegrate in three years. David Gafford crowned it the overall winner of his under-$400 shootout for one decisive reason: the thickest cast aluminum cookbox of any budget grill he measured with digital calipers. That cookbox is what carries Weber's 10-year warranty, the longest in the budget tier.
Low-temperature stability is where the Spirit punches above its weight. In Gafford's instrumented testing with ThermoWorks probes, the Spirit held a steady 300F across its grates while the wind-test fan blew at 8 mph — better than competitors twice its size. That stability is exactly what you want for slow-roasting chicken breasts, bratwursts, and ribs without splitting casings or burning skin.
Cleanup earned a perfect 10/10 from Gafford. The disposable aluminum grease liner system slides out from the front, and the porcelain-coated grates wipe clean. Consumer Betterment singled out the same slide-out grease management as a reason to choose the Spirit over flashier budget competitors. The Spirit also fit 16 quarter-pound burgers despite its compact 360 sq in footprint — outclassing wider grills in Gafford's physical capacity test.
What It Won't Do
The Spirit cannot sear. Gafford measured a max of 560F after a 15-minute preheat — the weakest in his budget group, and roughly 1,200F below the Napoleon's infrared zone. There's no side burner, no sear zone, no rotisserie — it's a bare-bones two-burner gas cooker by design. Tom Horsman called Weber's required 3D BILT assembly app a 'royal pain in the butt' with vague instructions and misaligned parts. And the two-wheels-plus-two-static-legs design forces you to lift one end every time you move the grill across the patio.
Who Should Buy Which
Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected
A welded-aluminum gas grill with a 1,800F infrared sear zone and rear rotisserie that converts to charcoal or griddle on demand
- You have a permanent patio or outdoor kitchen and a budget that comfortably absorbs a $2,329 grill
- You sear steaks more than once a month and want true steakhouse-quality results at home
- You want rotisserie capability built-in instead of as a $400 accessory
- You value North American manufacturing and a lifetime bumper-to-bumper warranty
- You entertain crowds — the 24-burger capacity handles a full backyard party
Weber Spirit E-210
A bare-bones two-burner gas grill with the thickest cookbox in its class and the most stable low-temp control of any budget grill tested
- You grill weeknight burgers, dogs, and chicken — not steakhouse-grade steaks
- You're working with a small patio, balcony, or compact yard
- You want Weber's reputation and 10-year cookbox warranty at a $449 entry price
- You prefer a bare-bones cooker over a feature-loaded grill you'll never fully use
- You care about easy cleanup and don't want to maintain a complicated fuel or smoke system