Choosing the right grill can be a daunting task, especially with the wide array of options available, from entry-level models to high-end luxury grills. This review pits several leading contenders against each other, offering a comprehensive comparison of features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision. We’ll examine grills known for their quality and innovation, comparing their strengths and weaknesses to determine which best suits your needs and budget.This showdown features a diverse lineup, including the iconic Weber Summit, the smart-grill leader Broil King IQ, the versatile Napoleon Prestige Pro, the durable Blaze LTE Plus, and the customer-service champion, True Flame. We'll delve into their key features – from burner technology and cooking space to smart capabilities and construction materials – to help you decide whether premium features justify the higher price tag or if a more budget-friendly option will suffice. Ultimately, our aim is to illuminate the best choice for your outdoor cooking aspirations.
Pros And Cons
- All stainless steel construction
- Fully welded stainless firebox
- Spring-assisted hood
- All stainless cooking grates
- Flame tamers and heat separator zones
- Beefier cast stainless burners offering heat retention of cast iron and durability of stainless steel
- Rotisserie burner included
- More cooking space than Weber Summit
- Better exterior lighting
- Better knob controls
- Built-in smoker tray
- Motion-sensored floor lighting
- Soft-closed storage drawers with under-cabinet lighting
- Infrared side burner (up to 1800°)
- Available as a built-in option (without side burner)
- Rotisserie kit
- Interior lighting
- Thick 9mm cooking grates
- Even heat distribution using flame tamers (no ceramic briquettes)
- Connected burners
- Made in Canada
- Lifetime warranty
- Best smart grill with burner control from a smart device (not just monitoring)
- Infrared side burner
- Interior and exterior lighting control
- Meat probe settings
- Rotisserie included
- Five main burners
- Stainless steel cooking grates
- Made in Canada
- Good warranty
- Not conducive for an outdoor kitchen, more of a built-in grill
- Fully welded seamless aluminum firebox promoting even heat and preventing grease dripping
- Weber Crafted series inserts for various cooking styles
- Interior lighting in handles (battery-powered)
- Backlit knobs
- Infrared burner on the roof acting as a broiler
- Rotisserie kit
- Chintzy side burner considered useless
- High price ($4000) compared to other grills offering more value
Read more: 10 Best Commercial Charcoal Grills: A Buyer's Guide
Weber Summit: The High-End Contender
The Weber Summit often tops the list when people think of high-end grills. It boasts a fully welded, seamless aluminum firebox promoting even heat distribution and excellent temperature retention. This design eliminates grease dripping issues common with welded seams. However, despite its impressive features, the Weber Summit isn't without its drawbacks.
Weber also offers its Crafted series inserts, providing versatility with various grilling options. Added interior lighting and backlit knobs enhance nighttime grilling convenience. The Summit's infrared burner functions as a broiler, adding to its functionality. These features certainly elevate the grilling experience.
But for a price around $4000, some features feel underwhelming. The side burner is widely considered subpar and practically useless. While a rotisserie kit is included, the overall value proposition at this price point feels less competitive.
Broil King IQ: The Smart Grill Choice
The Broil King IQ stands out as the best smart grill on the market, offering true burner control via a smart device. Unlike other 'smart' grills that only monitor temperature, the Broil King allows you to adjust the heat output remotely. This feature is a significant advantage.
This grill isn't ideal for built-in outdoor kitchens; it's more suited as a standalone unit. However, its powerful infrared side burner reaching temperatures around 1800°F makes it highly efficient. Other noteworthy features include interior and exterior lighting, meat probe settings, and a standard rotisserie.
While not as visually striking as some other options, the Broil King's functionality and smart capabilities make it a strong contender. Its Canadian manufacturing and robust warranty contribute to its overall value. If smart grilling features are a priority, the Broil King stands above the rest in the gas grill category.
Napoleon Prestige Pro 665: A Feature-Rich Option
The Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 series is a direct competitor to the Weber Summit in terms of price and features. It offers more cooking space, superior exterior lighting, enhanced knob controls, and a built-in smoker tray. This model includes motion-sensor floor lighting and soft-close storage drawers.
Like the Broil King, it features a powerful 1800°F infrared side burner perfect for searing steaks. This model is available in both cart-style and built-in configurations, though the built-in model omits the side burner. Other features include standard rotisserie, thick cooking grates, and efficient flame tamers.
The Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 provides a complete grilling experience with many high-quality features. It's a very strong contender for an outdoor kitchen setup due to its robust build and impressive feature set. The option of a slightly smaller Pro 500 model also provides cost savings.
Blaze LTE Plus: All-Stainless Steel Excellence
The Blaze LTE series, specifically the LTE Plus model, stands out with its all-stainless steel construction. Unlike other grills with aluminum or plastic components, the Blaze LTE Plus offers superior durability and aesthetics, making it well-suited for outdoor kitchen installations.
Key features include a spring-assisted hood, all-stainless steel cooking grates, flame tamers, and heat separator zones. The high-BTU cast stainless steel burners offer excellent heat retention and durability, combining the benefits of cast iron and stainless steel.
Blaze offers a range of models, including the LTE Pro, but the LTE Plus model provides an excellent balance of features and price. It's a reliable choice for a versatile outdoor kitchen setup.
True Flame: The Top Contender
True Flame emerges as the top choice in this quality grill review. Designed to compete directly with Blaze, it shares many similarities in construction but with subtle cosmetic improvements. A cleaner design, improved tension-assist hood system, and enhanced belly bar are some notable upgrades.
Beyond its aesthetics, True Flame excels in customer service. The manufacturer provides superior support, which translates to a better experience for the end-user, especially regarding repairs and warranty claims.
The True Flame grill possesses all the essential features for an outdoor kitchen, including a wide range of accessories and a focus on quality. Its superior build and customer service make it the standout choice in the quality grill segment.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Grill
This review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of several quality grills, ranging from the well-known Weber Summit to the up-and-coming True Flame. The Weber Summit, while possessing excellent features, falls short in value for its price. The Broil King IQ offers unique smart features, but its design limits its suitability for outdoor kitchens.
Napoleon Prestige Pro provides a strong feature set and is a very capable model suitable for both cart and built-in applications. The Blaze LTE Plus stands out with its all-stainless steel construction and high-performance burners. Ultimately, the True Flame wins with its robust features, superior customer service and clean aesthetics.
The best grill depends on your priorities and budget. If you prioritize smart features, Broil King is the winner. For an all-around quality option with excellent customer support, True Flame is the standout choice. Consider your budget, desired features (smart features, side burner, rotisserie, etc.), and preferred style (cart, built-in) when making your final decision.