Weber Summit or Napoleon Prestige PRO: Battle of the Best Grills

When we speak about the ultimate quality and performance of grilling, there are always two names that come to our mind; Weber and Napoleon. Both brands are known for unbeatable cooking opportunities and technological revolutions they make in the grilling field.

However, since such quality costs a lot, many customers worry about the right model choice. Users and experts are unanimous in calling Weber Summit and Napoleon Prestige PRO very balanced series that satisfy all chefs’ needs. So, let’s take a closer look at the four best-selling Summit and Prestige grills:

What is the most multi-functional option? Which model can offer the best price-performance correlation? What is the most affordable grill to pick up? All the answers are below!

Comparison Table

Main Differences Between the Models

But before we start the main description and comparison part, let us briefly list the most important differences between the models that may influence your choice. So, please mind that:

1. Weber 7170001 Summit S-470 4-Burner Grill

When it comes to gas grills, Weber is never stingy concerning the cooking space and grilling variations. Its Summit S-470 model is capable of feeding 8-10 people at one turn and offers as many as four burner options.

Users can apply the main sear station burners, try the smoky effect with the help of a smoker burner, make an exquisite rotisserie dish with a tuck-away rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner. If even such a capacity doesn’t provide you with enough space, a hidden side burner installed in the left table is at your service.

Each burner is controlled with its own LED valve and is activated by a one-push ignition button.

By the way, all monitoring is at the highest level. We note a built-in thermometer and a LED fuel gauge for gas level control. You can cook even at night thanks to a light set into a lid handle. Once the lid is open, it illuminates the working area.

Traditionally, the manufacturer cannot leave its grill without a convenient warming rack, patented protective flavorizer bars, and grease management system.

The main cooking surface is complemented by integrated storage space. There are two side tables with 6 tool hooks and a closed cart for bulkier items. The cart itself features four wheels with safety locks. Thus, despite the grill’s great weight, its transportation is a piece of cake.

2. Weber 7470001 Summit S-670 6-Burner Grill

Though the previous model is huge, some users may need even more space. That’s when Weber Summit S-670 enters the stage.

With this grill, you can cook 24 burgers at once and feed over 15 people. Increased dimensions require more heat, so the unit offers more burner tubes and as many as 6 burners.

Engineers widened the sear burner. Other options between Summit S-470 and Summit S-670 stayed the same. As usual for this line, you can additionally enjoy a smoker burner, a rotisserie burner, and a side burner.

Two lid handle lights are the final improvement here.

Everything from a design point of view makes sense in the Summit S-670.

Externally, the grill becomes bigger and heavier, but we can still enjoy easy transportation thanks to the wheels. All storage surfaces we love so much stay with us, too; welcome the closed cart with two side tables and six hooks.

3. Napoleon PRO500RSIBPSS-3 Prestige PRO 500 RSIB Grill

When we compare Weber vs Napoleon, the Prestige PRO series turns out to be virtually identical in specifications to the Summit S-470 except for some crucial peculiarities. Moreover, the prices are very close too.

Here, Napoleon also offers 4 burners. Surprisingly, but with the same number of tubes, the unit is much hotter. Apart from the main grilling surface, there are also an infrared rear rotisserie burner and a side burner.

Space is enough for over 30 burgers. A warming rack for food heating and sear plates (the analogs of the Weber flavorizer bars) are traditionally included. So is the grease management system. This top-level brand provides us with a drip pan and a grease tray to catch grease drippings.

Each burner comes with its valve. The knobs are LED and ensure numerous color options.

As we know, dual side tables can be used as a storage and cooking space. However, the left table also boasts an integrated shelf that can be turned into an ice bucket station for drinks.

Tables are equipped with four hooks and additional bars to hang cloths or tissues. The grilling unit comes with a closed cart with four locking wheels. However, the cart has no gauge for fuel level monitoring.

Any self-respecting grill brand equips its products with thermometers, so we have one here. Also, under the lid, there is an interior halogen light to illuminate the cooking surface for night-time grilling.

When speaking about drawbacks, we noted that the cart is made of quite thin metal sheets and is not as durable and water-resistant as one expects. There also may be issues with the proper door closing. The assembly process is challenging, especially minding unclear manual instructions.

4. Napoleon PRO665RSIBPSS-3 Prestige PRO 665 RSIB Grill

The final model of our Weber Summit vs Napoleon Prestige comparison, the Prestige PRO 665 grill, is the ultimate cooking beast that can contain as many as 41 (!) burgers at one turn. Almost no other model can bit this. People do buy the unit to feed an army.

Functionally, the product shares lots of similarities with the previous Napoleon Prestige cooker. We see the same kit of warming rack, LED control knobs, ignition, thermometer, sear plates, grease collection, etc. as well as familiar storage space.

However, not only did the manufacturer increased the number of burners (we have 5 now), but it also complemented the Prestige PRO 665 with a wood chips smoker burner and tray. It means that now users get all cooking opportunities presented in Weber grills. Your chef experiments are literally limitless.

Though it’s not very functional, many love another interactive addition; a proximity lighting display that shines a Napoleon logo light on the ground when you approach your grill.

Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 is the largest gas grill of the review with all cooking options. Consequently, the performance makes us keep up in terms of the cost.

Model Options

As you may notice, we’ve discussed the Liquid Propane modifications only. Indeed, both Webers and Napoleon grills require Liquid Propane gas tanks that are sold separately.

However, if you have Natural Gas connected in your backyard, any of these grills will suit you, too. No matter what model you liked the most, the manufacturers allow you to purchase Natural Gas options.

attention

Attention! Please pay attention that you will not be able to use Natural Gas grills if you don’t have the necessary plumbing. Choose the Liquid Propane models in such a case.

Design and Dimensions

Since all our grills are stationary and provide huge cooking areas, it’s logical to expect rather bulky dimensions. Below, we listed the main measurements. Dimensions are presented in L x W x H order:

Napoleon grills turn out to be bigger options, which is important to mind when choosing a grill. But in general, length, width, and height don’t differ that much. Weight is what draws the greatest attention.

As all products are extremely heavy, wheeled carts seem to be a blessing. Moreover, all carts come with swivel locking carters. That means you’ll have to pay minimum effort to move/transport these mountains. At the same time, you can be sure of 100% safety since with casters locked, a red-hot grill will never accidentally move.

When it comes to materials, both brands use the same top-quality alloys. Well, such expensive models must comply. The body consists of stainless steel and cast aluminum parts, which are the best for heat retention, durability, and weather resistance. Among more than 500 users’ reviews, we didn’t find a single complaint on corrosion. But please mind that metal sheets are quite thin, and dents are possible.

Externally, gas grills are made in light stainless steel color. This shade looks neat and stylish in all backyard landscapes and backyard designs.

Fuel Type

For this comparison, we took the most popular Liquid Propane modifications. The gas is quite popular for cooking works. It’s stored in tanks (or cylinders).

Weber and Napoleon’s models are equipped with special tank storage areas inside the carts with the hosing necessary. So, you don’t even see it, and it cannot disturb your cooking or spoil the appearance.

Moreover, the Weber Summits also boast an integrated LED fuel gauge for easier fuel level control. Napoleons lack it.

Let us remind you one more time that all four products described here are available in Natural Gas modifications. Then no tanks and gauges are needed; just connect the plumbing.

attention

Attention! Regardless of the gas type you use, please remember that gas is an extremely poisonous, explosive, inflammable substance. Make sure you follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturers during connection and application. Never allow children to come to the grills. Take care of yourself and your beloved ones.

Cooking Area

Weber Summit series features 9 millimeter diameter stainless steel cooking grates with a classic straight grid pattern.

Napoleon Prestige PRO generation boasts of slightly thicker 9.5 millimeter grates made of the same stainless steel. Their iconic wave curves are one of Napoleon’s main distinguishing features.

The cooking area differs very much in the models. But in all cases, we deal with the so-called primary or main area that is directly used for food grilling and with the total area. Its square consists of the primary zone and the warming rack.

Warming Rack System

It’s difficult to overestimate the benefit of a warming rack that forms the second element of the total cooking area. These additional grates are set above the main grill and use its heat to keep food warm. Thus, you don’t take space on the main surface and overheat your prepared dishes. If you don’t need the tool, you can just remove it or push it away.

Both Webers offer 112 and 145 square inches for warming. It’s enough to locate 6-8 burgers or a batch of vegetables.

Though the Napoleon grills are not significantly bigger in the main cooking area, engineers gave themselves free rein in warming rack construction. The models boast 260 and 335 square inches.

Burners and BTU

Varying cooking area inevitably means a different number of burner tubes. They’re covered with numerous small holes, inside which gas is distributed for even heating.

Besides, we’ve already briefly mentioned four types of burner zones presented in the models. So, before the detailed grills’ description, let’s scrutinize each type.

Side Burner

Side burners are unique improvements of the top-level grill brands. They’re installed on the tables and provide an additional cooking surface.

Thanks to them, you can grill meat on the main grates and stew/boil vegetables in the frying pan/saucepan or even use this area for small cooking tasks when the whole grill is unnecessary.

attention

Please pay attention that Weber’s side burners are set on the left table and work with gas. Currently, there is no official information on their size.

The Napoleon’s options are infrared and take the right tables. We get 140 in² of additional cooking area.

Smoker Burner

The final burner ensures that famous delicious smoky taste and flavor to any dish. Fill the burner with wood chips and place your food over the tray. Smokers are usually located on the side not to take too much space when not in use.

When it comes to cooking zones and heat, Weber Summit S-470 and Weber Summit S-670 are identical. They have six stainless-steel burner tubes. The models boast all burner types discussed above.

The sear burner produces 10600 BTU, a rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner gives 10600 BTU, a side burner produces 12000 BTU, and a smoker burner produces 6800 BTU. The general output is the only difference.

Napoleons are not different that much, but we highlight a couple of significant changes.

Burner Valves and Temperature Control

All grills come with front-mounted burner valves (also called knobs), the amount of which corresponds to the number of burner tubes presented in the modification. Thus, users can control each unit separately – adjust the flame and heat, turn on all of them, choose certain burners or just one for the current cooking needs. We can also use direct or indirect heat and activate various burner zones.

Moreover, all knobs are LED lighted. Thus, cooking and especially accurate temperature setting are possible in all lighting conditions, even in the dark.

On the one hand, it becomes an excellent entertainment and design tip for evening parties. Thanks to the motion sensors, lights are on when you come close to the grill and shine like polar lights. But at the same time, the function is a much more useful safety measure as you can program the LEDs to glow red when the gas is left on.

Thermometer and Temperature Control

Once you set your grill knobs on Low, Medium, or Start/High heat and it warmed, the built-in thermometers will start to display temperature inside.

Ignition

Both brands offer very similar automatic ignition systems that vary in names only.

Automatic ignition doesn’t require any matches and the like. Besides, it’s considered to be the safest and quickest method. These easy to use ignition systems shoot a jet of flame to light each gas burner individually for quick start-ups. All you need is to press one button. Ignition knobs are located in the same rank as burner knobs and work from batteries.

Flavorizer Bars

Meat juices often cause burner tubes clogging. To prevent such incidents, manufacturers equipped the grills with protective V-shaped plates.

Those drops that stayed go along the slopes and come to the grease management system.

Catch Pan

Thanks to grease management, users can forget about tedious cleaning and messy grease spots on the backyard ground.

Both brands use similar technologies that partly include burner bars and a catch pan. The latter is set directly under the grill (top of the cart). All grease drops fall here. All you need to do is to pour out the liquid collected after each cooking session.

Storage Space (Tables + Cart)

The storage space of our grills consists of two side tables and a closed cart. All as made of durable stainless steel and can withstand great loads. However, despite the basic similarity, we note several interesting distinguishing features.

verdict

All in all, the systems are out of any competition. But in our opinion, Napoleon grills are more storage beneficial.

Lighting

Not only knob lighting helps you cook at any time. All our top-level grills boast integrated grill surface illumination.

The Summits come with handle-set LED lights. Lights are flexible, so when you open the lid, you can slide them along the handle and turn under various angles to provide the optimal illumination of the area you need. While the S-470 has one light, its improved S-670 brother uses two lights.

The Prestige PRO grills are equipped with halogen lights. Besides, the units are installed directly under the lid. Lights are quite bright and efficient, but you cannot change their position for spot illumination. And the direct impact of heat may destroy your lighting faster.

Buyer’s Guide; How to Choose the Best Gas Grill?

If you decided to purchase a gas grill, experts recommend answering the following simple questions:

Conclusion

Here we are, folks. Grills’ comparison is over, and it’s time to answer our first questions about the most multi-functional, most affordable options and grills with the best price-performance correlation.

If you’d like to get all cooking opportunities, pick up any Weber Summit or Napoleon Prestige PRO grill. All our four participants are perfect for avid barbecue fans who are going to use them frequently.