Most gas grills make the same promise.
Easy. Fast. Convenient. Done.
And for the most part, they deliver — right up until you notice the thin grates, the uneven heat, the burners that start rusting after two seasons, and the sear on your steak that's closer to “acceptable” than impressive.
That's the ceiling of the average gas grill. And it's exactly the problem Napoleon was built to solve.
Napoleon is the premium gas grill that most people haven't considered — and probably should.
The question, of course, is the same one we ask about everything around here:
Is it actually worth it?
Let's take a look.
Quick Verdict
Is the Napoleon Grill worth it?
Yes — if you want gas-grill convenience with genuinely premium performance and a searing capability that most backyard grills can't match.
Looking to achieve total backyard bliss this year? Don't miss our latest resource.
→ Ultimate Backyard Set Up Guide
The Prestige 500 is the right call for most Bougie Dad households. The Prestige Pro 500 is for buyers who want the full luxury experience — lighting, smart tech, and a grill that anchors an outdoor kitchen setup.
Skip it if you mainly want charcoal flavor, have limited patio space, or want the safest, most familiar brand choice. Weber Genesis handles all of that reliably.
The Problem With Most Gas Grills
Gas grills are easy to justify.
Fast startup. Simple cleanup. Dinner on the table in twenty minutes. No charcoal management, no pellets, no learning curve.
The problem is that most gas grills stop there.
Thin stainless grates that warp after a season. Burners that heat unevenly. Temperature gauges that lie. A sear zone that produces a decent crust on a good day and a grey, steamed burger on a bad one.
Entry-level and mid-range gas grills are built to a price point. And after a few years of weekend cooking, that price point shows.
Napoleon's argument is simple: you don't have to give up gas convenience to get a grill that actually performs. You just have to spend more on the right one.
Looking for a classic charcoal option instead?
->Is the Weber Kettle Worth It?
How the Napoleon Actually Works
Napoleon's edge over standard gas grills comes down to a few specific engineering decisions.
The SIZZLE ZONE infrared side burner is the headline feature. Infrared burners generate intense, direct radiant heat — significantly hotter than a standard gas burner — which produces a genuine steakhouse-quality sear on proteins. It gets extremely hot extremely fast, and it works in a way that a conventional gas burner simply doesn't replicate.
The infrared rear burner powers rotisserie cooking, circulating heat evenly around the protein for results that a standard grill setup can't achieve.
The WAVE stainless steel cooking grids are heavier and more durable than what you'll find on most competitors at this price point, retaining heat better and producing cleaner sear marks.
The Prestige 500 packages all of this into a four-burner, roughly 500 square inch primary cooking surface with propane or natural gas options and a construction quality that AmazingRibs awarded a Best Value Medal against Weber Summit and other premium stainless competitors.
The Prestige Pro 500 takes the same platform and adds backlit control knobs, interior lighting, smart technology connectivity, upgraded fit and finish, and a total cooking area approaching 895 square inches. At current MSRP around $3,849, it's a serious investment — but it's built to anchor a serious outdoor kitchen.
What We Like About the Napoleon
1. The searing capability is a genuine differentiator
This is what separates Napoleon from every standard gas grill in your neighbor's backyard.
The SIZZLE ZONE infrared burner produces the kind of high-heat sear that gas grillers typically can't achieve. Steak, chops, burgers, salmon — anything that benefits from fast, intense direct heat comes off the Napoleon noticeably better than off a conventional gas grill.
One Prestige Pro owner described the infrared burner as “out of control hot” — and meant it as a compliment.
2. It looks and feels premium
Napoleon grills are built with the outdoor kitchen aesthetic in mind.
Heavy stainless construction, clean lines, backlit knobs on the Pro models, and a substantial presence on the patio. This is not a grill that looks like it came from a big-box store clearance rack. For households where the backyard is an extension of the home, that matters.
3. The feature density is hard to beat at this price
Compared with what you get from Weber Genesis or most mid-range competitors, Napoleon packs significantly more into the Prestige 500:
Infrared side burner, rear rotisserie burner, heavy stainless grates, ACCU-PROBE temperature gauge, JETFIRE ignition, and natural gas compatibility — all at a price point that sits below the true luxury outdoor kitchen brands like Lynx and DCS.
4. It's built for the long haul
BBQGuys notes that the Prestige 500 carries a lifetime warranty on most components.
For a grill at this price point, that warranty backing matters. Napoleon builds to keep, not to replace.
Here's another option to consider:
->Is the Traeger Worth It?
Napoleon vs. The Competition
| Grill | Best For | Price Range | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napoleon Prestige 500 | Premium gas grill buyers | ~$1,500–$1,700+ | Best infrared searing in class, premium build, strong feature density |
| Napoleon Prestige Pro 500 | Luxury outdoor kitchen buyers | ~$3,849–$3,899 | Full luxury finish, smart tech, lighting, ultimate gas grill experience |
| Weber Genesis | Mainstream premium buyers | ~$900–$1,400 | Broadest retail availability, excellent brand trust, even heat performance |
| Broil King | Value-focused premium buyers | ~$700–$1,200 | Strong BTU output and cooking performance at a competitive price |
| Lynx Professional | Custom outdoor kitchen builds | $3,000–$8,000+ | True luxury outdoor kitchen prestige and materials |
The most important comparison for most buyers is Napoleon Prestige 500 vs. Weber Genesis.
Weber Genesis is the safer, more familiar choice — broader availability, excellent parts support, and a proven ownership experience. Napoleon wins on searing performance, feature density, and premium styling.
If you want the best gas grill experience available without building a full outdoor kitchen, Napoleon is the more exciting pick. Weber is the more practical one.
Buy It? Bougie Says: Scorecard
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Build Quality | 9/10 | Heavy stainless construction with lifetime warranty on most components |
| Daily Use Value | 8/10 | Excellent for frequent grillers and weekend entertainers |
| Design Longevity | 9/10 | Premium stainless aesthetic holds up and fits any serious outdoor kitchen |
| Upgrade Impact | 9/10 | A dramatic step up from standard gas grills, especially on searing performance |
| Price-to-Value | 8/10 | Prestige 500 punches above its price class; Prestige Pro requires real commitment |
Bougie Dad Score: 8.6 / 10
When the Napoleon Is Worth It
The Napoleon earns its place if you:
- Cook outdoors multiple times per week
- Entertain regularly and want a grill that performs under pressure
- Care about steakhouse-quality searing on proteins
- Want premium stainless construction that holds up for years
- Are ready to step meaningfully above entry-level and mid-range gas grills
- Want natural gas capability for a permanent backyard setup
For households that treat the backyard as an extension of the home, this is the gas grill that belongs there.
When You Should Skip It
Pass on the Napoleon if:
- Charcoal or wood-fired flavor is what you're really after
- You want the lowest-risk, most familiar brand choice
- Patio space is limited — these are substantial grills
- You're not willing to maintain stainless steel properly
- The Prestige Pro's luxury features don't justify the price for your use case
For buyers who want reliable gas grilling without the premium investment, Weber Genesis handles the job exceptionally well.
Final Verdict
Napoleon built a grill for the buyer who refuses to settle for average gas grilling.
The searing power is real. The build quality is real. The premium outdoor kitchen aesthetic is real. And for a household that grills often, entertains regularly, and wants a backyard setup that reflects how seriously they take it — the Napoleon Prestige 500 is one of the most compelling premium gas grills available.
Less compromise. More performance. And around here, that's exactly what we're after.
Buy It? Bougie Says: Yes — if premium gas grilling is what you're after and you're ready to invest in the best version of it.
Where to Buy
- Napoleon — Best for the complete product lineup, natural gas configurations, replacement parts, and dealer support.
- BBQGuys — An authorized dealer with an excellent selection of Prestige models, accessories, and knowledgeable customer support.
- Amazon — Our go-to for select Napoleon grills, accessories, fast shipping, and easy returns. Start shopping here.
Quick head's up: Bougie Dad is a for-profit lifestyle brand. From time to time we may receive modest compensation for products recommended on this site. In all cases, these are products we would happily use in our own homes — often with our own families.
