Napoleon Prestige 500
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First Published
Napoleon doesn't have Weber's name recognition in the US, but in the grilling community, the Prestige 500 is spoken about with genuine reverence. This is the grill for people who've done their research and want the best gas grill money can reasonably buy.
What We Love
- +Infrared SIZZLE ZONE side burner is phenomenal
- +Rear infrared rotisserie burner included
- +Iconic WAVE cast iron cooking grids
- +Integrated ice bucket and cutting board
- +Night-light control knobs
- +Incredible build quality and fit/finish
Watch Out For
- −Premium price point at $1,499
- −Heavy — needs two people to move
- −Some assembly complexity
- −Replacement parts are pricier than Weber
Specifications
BTUs
80,000 (total)
Cooking Area
900 sq in (total)
Burners
4 main + IR side + IR rear
Fuel
Propane/Natural Gas
Weight
195 lbs
Dimensions
69" x 27" x 50"
Warranty
Limited lifetime
The Full Review
The Napoleon Prestige 500 is the grill that made me question my Weber loyalty — and I say that as someone who's been a Weber household since childhood in Australia.
Let's talk about the SIZZLE ZONE. This infrared side burner puts out an absurd amount of concentrated heat. I'm talking 1,800°F at the grate surface. Steaks get a crust that rivals the best steakhouses. It's not a marketing gimmick — it's genuinely transformative.
The rear infrared rotisserie burner is the other standout. I've done whole chickens, pork loins, and a leg of lamb on the rotisserie and every single one came out with perfectly rendered skin and juicy interiors. The even infrared heat means no hot spots and no babysitting.
Build quality is exceptional. The WAVE reversible cast iron grids are heavy, retain heat beautifully, and the wave pattern creates gorgeous sear marks. The stainless steel construction feels premium throughout — no flex, no rattle, every panel aligned.
I ran this through a Minnesota winter and the double-lined lid held heat remarkably well even at -20°F. The illuminated control knobs are a surprisingly useful feature for winter evening grilling.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest gas grill rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napoleon Prestige 500 (this) | 4.8 | $1,499 | The premium alternative grill nerds obsess over. |
| Bull Steer Premium 4-Burner | 4.6 | $1,499 | California-built built-in grill at a fraction of Lynx or DCS prices. |
| Weber Genesis SPX-435 | 4.9 | $1,599 | Weber's flagship gas grill. |
Who Is It For?
Experienced grillers who want the best gas grill available without going custom/built-in. Anyone who takes rotisserie cooking seriously. Cooks who want infrared searing capability integrated into their main grill.
Final Verdict
The Napoleon Prestige 500 is the best gas grill I've ever used. Full stop. If your budget allows $1,499, this is where your money should go. The infrared burners, rotisserie system, and build quality are in a different league.
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