Last Updated
First Published
Once you cross the $1,500 threshold in gas grills, the field narrows fast. Weber's Summit and Napoleon's Prestige 500 are the two cross-shopped most often. Both are premium. Both have rotisseries. Both look great. Here's where they actually diverge.
Quick Verdict
The Weber Summit S-470 ($1,599) wins on warranty, parts availability, and long-term durability. The Napoleon Prestige 500 ($1,699) wins on burner count, infrared sear performance, and night-grilling features. Buy Weber for 'forever' grills; buy Napoleon for feature density.
The Contenders
Weber Summit S-470
$1,599
Buyers who prioritize Weber's warranty, parts network, and bulletproof reliability
Check PriceNapoleon Prestige 500 RSIB
$1,699
Feature-focused buyers who want infrared sear, side burner, and lit knobs
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Sear Performance
Winner: NapoleonNapoleon wins with its rear-mounted infrared sear burner that hits true 1000°F+. The Summit's stainless burners and grates produce excellent sear, but Napoleon's infrared is genuinely a different experience — restaurant-grade crusts in seconds.
Build & Warranty
Winner: SummitWeber wins. The Summit's lifetime warranty on cookbox and burners, plus Weber's legendary parts availability, means a 15-year-old Summit can still be repaired with overnight shipping. Napoleon's warranty is also strong, but parts availability is meaningfully harder.
Cooking Space
Winner: NapoleonNapoleon edges ahead with 760 sq in total vs Summit's 580 + 200 warming. If you regularly cook for crowds, the Napoleon's larger primary grate is meaningful. For families of 4-6, both are plenty.
Night & Side Features
Winner: NapoleonNapoleon wins with lit knobs, interior grill light, and a side burner integrated into the cart. The Summit has interior lighting too but skips the lit knobs. For after-dark cooks, Napoleon's details matter more than they sound.
Resale & Reputation
Winner: SummitWeber wins. Used Summits hold value remarkably well and there's deep cultural trust in the brand. Napoleons depreciate faster despite being excellent grills. If you might sell or trade up in 5 years, Weber protects your investment better.
Final Verdict
Buy the Weber Summit if you want the longest-lived gas grill at this price and value parts/warranty above all else. Buy the Napoleon Prestige 500 if you want maximum features per dollar and are confident the infrared sear is a tool you'll use weekly.
Buying Advice
Touch both in person if you can. The Summit feels like a tank built to last a generation. The Napoleon feels like a feature-loaded modern appliance. Both feelings are accurate — pick the one that matches how you think about long-term ownership.
