When searching for the best backyard grill to complete your patio setup, you want something durable that gets the job done. For many grill masters, Napoleon Gas Grills have been a top pick for quite some time. This is because Napoleon Grills offer several premium features that many competing brands don’t.
In this post, you’ll learn about why a Napoleon might be the best gas grill for your patio. Plus, you’ll find a selection of the Best Napoleon Gas Grills to choose from.
Napoleon Grills are made in Canada. They come in freestanding and built-in options and various series (Prestige, Prestige PRO, Rogue, Phantom, etc.). No matter your budget or needs, you can be sure there’s a Napoleon Grill for your outdoor cooking needs. But with so many models to choose from, narrowing down the options can be difficult.
Why Should I Choose a Napoleon?
It’s a common question when choosing a grill; why should you choose one specific brand over the competition? In the battle of grills, two of the top brands are Napoleon and Weber. Both brands are recognized as great gas grills.
But Napoleon stands out because of its innovative technology and focus on premium quality grilling. They are known for quality Napoleon grills and their limitless color options. When you buy Napoleon, you know you’re getting a quality product.
High Quality Construction and Warranty
The best gas grills use 304-grade stainless steel. This is the case for Napoleon Grills. You’ll see both 304 and 400 grade stainless steel on the market.
400 grade is more common because it’s more cost-effective, but 304 stainless is more heavy-duty. Choosing a Napoleon gas grill means your grill will last for many years without corrosion or rust. If you aren’t sure whether a grill is made out of 304 stainless steel, you can test it by placing a magnet on the cart.
A magnet will stick to 400 grade but not 304. And since Napoleon Grills are built to last, they also offer a limited lifetime warranty. Napoleon guarantees their grill’s stainless steel parts for life, including the grids and burners. So when choosing a Napoleon gas grill, you can have confidence knowing you’re making a worthwhile investment.
Innovative Technology
Napoleon gas grills offer exclusive technology to make your backyard cooking experiences easier. Their ‘lift-ease’ lid is ergonomically designed for easy open and close, the foldable shelves allow for compact storage, and their Jetfire ignition system quickly lights the burners every time.
Many Napoleon grills come with infrared burners which allow you to get restaurant-quality sears. The high heat of an infrared burner cooks food more quickly and allows for beautiful grill marks. Napoleon’s signature wave design grates create those signature sear marks and are also thicker than most grill grates to distribute heat evenly.
They are designed so small pieces of food don’t fall through the grates. Napoleon’s sear plates help prevent flare-ups while vaporizing drippings that add extra smokey flavor to your food. These plates sit directly above the burners, shielding them from falling grease and debris, extending their lifespan.
Top 5 Best Napoleon Gas Grills
Napoleon offers dozens of different grills to choose from. From small and portable grills all the way up to six burner giants, there’s truly a Napoleon Grill for everyone. But for many homeowners, the Prestige 500 Series, the Rogue XT series, and the Freestyle series are top picks because of their size, features, and price.
They offer top-rated quality at mid-level price points. If you’re looking to narrow your Napoleon search, consider choosing one of the models listed below. Be sure to see if a propane gas grill or a natural gas grill is right for you and your needs.
1. Napoleon Phantom Prestige 500 Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Rear Burner, Infrared Side Burner, & Rotisserie Kit
The Napoleon Phantom Prestige 500 Propane Grill comes fully equipped with every feature you could need. The infrared rear and side burner will have you creating restaurant-worthy sears in no time. You’ll also be able to grill a whole chicken (or even a prime rib) perfectly on the built-in rotisserie. The spacious grilling surface is made from 9.5mm stainless steel cooking grids that provide even heat and excellent grill marks.
One of the reasons the Phantom Prestige is a top-rated option is because of its limited-edition color option. The sleek matte black finish is perfect for those who want something stylish and high quality. If the price is right for you, then this grill is highly recommended.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Burners | 4 |
| Cooking Surface | 500 Square Inches |
| BTUs | 48,000 |
| Infrared Burners | Yes, Rear and Side |
| Rotisserie | Yes |
2. Napoleon Prestige 500 Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Rear Burner and Infrared Side Burner and Rotisserie Kit
With its rear infrared burner and commercial-grade rotisserie, the Napoleon Prestige 500 is a grill master’s dream. The cooking area is large enough for everyday meals but also spacious enough to grill an entire meal for parties or special occasions. Like the Napoleon Phantom Prestige 500, this grill features heavy-duty 9.5mm stainless steel cooking grids. The included rotisserie kit is made from high-quality stainless steel as well.
The Prestige series grills come with illuminated control knobs. That means you can still easily grill at night because the control knobs emit an attractive glow. The cabinet space on the Napoleon Prestige 500 is ample. This is the best grill to choose if you like a stainless steel grill that’s durable, high performing, and easy to use.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Burners | 4 |
| Cooking Surface | 500 Square Inches |
| BTUs | 48,000 |
| Infrared Burners | Yes, Rear and Side |
| Rotisserie | Yes |
3. Napoleon Prestige 500 Built-in Natural Gas Grill with Infrared Rear Burner and Rotisserie Kit
This Napoleon Grill is the best option if you’re looking for a grill to include in an outdoor kitchen. With a seamless design and high-quality features, the Prestige 500 Built-In Natural Gas grill offers high-end outdoor cooking for a mid-level price point. You can get professional-level sear marks on this grill thanks to its thick 9.5mm stainless steel wave cooking grids and sear plates. This model includes an infrared rear burner but doesn’t have a side burner, which helps keep the overall cost lower.
Another great feature of the Prestige 500 Built-in is its safety glow feature. Just like the freestanding model, the control knobs on this model illuminate for ease of use at night. However, this grill takes it a step further.
The control knobs glow red when a burner is ignited to help prevent accidents. If you’re looking to upgrade your backyard to an outdoor kitchen, this is the best option for a built-in natural gas grill.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Burners | 4 |
| Cooking Surface | 500 Square Inches |
| BTUs | 48,000 |
| Infrared Burners | Yes, Rear Only |
| Rotisserie | Yes |
4. Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 RSIB Propane Gas with Infrared Rear & Side Burners
This grill features almost every bell and whistle you can imagine on a propane grill. It boasts five main burners, one infrared side burner, and one infrared rear burner. You get a generous 665 square inches of primary grilling surface, which makes this one of the best options for big families or those who enjoy hosting. Along with the 9.5 mm thick wave design grates, it comes equipped with two stainless steel sear plates, a heavy-duty rotisserie kit, and an integrated wood chip smoker tray.
Napoleon Grills includes those sear plates for a reason. Sear plates protect the burners and add a smoky flavor. The Prestige PRO 500 also has two interior lights that automatically turn on when the lid is opened, as well as two halogen lights under the control knobs for added illumination. It even comes with a bottle opener and an ice bucket to top off the long list of added perks. With these added features, it’s one of the most practical gas grills to choose from.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Burners | 5 |
| Cooking Surface | 665 Square Inches |
| BTUs | 58,000 |
| Infrared Burners | Yes, Rear and Side |
| Rotisserie | Yes |
5. Napoleon Freestyle 425 Freestanding 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Although the Napoleon Freestyle series is Napoleon’s entry-level line, these grills come with most of the premium features you expect to find with other Napoleon Grills. For homeowners that don’t want or need the extra bells and whistles, the Napoleon Freestyle series is a great pick.
You get the iconic wave design grids made from 7 mm stainless steel. And the durable porcelainized steel sear plates ensure you’ll get plenty of flavor with even heat. You don’t get an infrared burner or the illuminated control knobs found in the more premium series.
But what you do get is quality, value, and excellent cooking power for your backyard. And although this grill doesn’t have an integrated rotisserie, you can purchase one separately. The Napoleon Freestyle is a great barbecue grill for the price.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Burners | 4 |
| Cooking Surface | 425 Square Inches |
| BTUs | 36,000 |
| Infrared Burners | No |
| Rotisserie | Optional |
FAQs about Best Napoleon Gas Grills
Is Napoleon as good as Weber?
Napoleon Grills and Weber Grills are two of the top brands for grilling. Each has similar features but Napoleon is typically considered slightly more luxurious with extra high-quality features at a competitive price. Their stainless steel is also slightly more high-end than Weber Grills, meaning it will likely be more resistant to corrosion.
This could make Napoleon grills last a little bit longer.
Are Napoleon grills high quality?
Yes. Napoleon Grills are widely recognized as some of the best grills you can buy. Their stainless steel construction, innovative technology, heavy-duty burners and grates, and generous warranty ensure your grill will be providing years of high-quality service.
What’s the difference between Napoleon Rogue and Freestyle?
Napoleon’s Freestyle series and their Rogue series come with the heavy-duty burners and high-quality sear plates that Napoleon is known for. Both offer the same warranty. You’ll get 7mm stainless steel grids on the Freestyle grills versus 9mm stainless steel grates on the Rogue XT models.
Also, some Rogue models (including the Rogue SE) come standard with an infrared side burner whereas the Freestyle models do not.
What is the difference between Napoleon Rogue and Rogue XT?
The differences between the Rogue and the Rogue XT are minor. You get heavier-duty cooking grids with the Rogue XT, an extra burner in most cases, and extra bells and whistles like integrated towel bars, lights under control knobs, and ice buckets.
Conclusion
Choosing a backyard grill is a major decision that can quickly become overwhelming. The charcoal tray is a perfect added perk for Napoleon owners, and there are so many more features to appreciate. So with that being said, Napoleon Grills should always be on your list.
But because there are so many great options, it can be difficult to make your final choice. Start your search with this guide, keeping in mind that these are just five of the best Napoleon Gas Grills.