Comparison Guide: Napoleon Prestige Connected VS. Weber Genesis Tech Smart Grills

It's amazing how technology has evolved and has completely changed how we navigate through life.  With the help of technology, we can do virtually anything with the click of a button–start our car from the house, pay for products without a physical card, turn on/off lighting in our house without having to flip the switch and now, modern technology is making its way into the culinary world with smart grilling. Many popular grill brands like Weber and Napoleon have started to launch ‘Smart Grills’ that incorporate the use of Wifi and bluetooth into their grills to add convenience, precision and simplicity. The addition of smart technology allows you to access information from your grill without actually having to be at the grill, completely changing your cooking experience. 

In this guide, we are taking a look at smart grill models from Napoleon, the newly upgraded Prestige Connected gas grill and Weber, the Genesis Tech gas grill.  If you were wondering what sets these two grills apart and the difference in smart features, you're in the right place. We’re going to provide you with all the information you need to know about these smart grills, breaking down its features so you can decide which one is the best for you.  

Napoleon Prestige

Napoleon grills are made in Canada and known for their high-quality construction, durability and performance. With the Napoleon Prestige, you get the most bang for your buck with the inclusion of high-end features at a more affordable price.  Napoleon’s line of smart grills are a part of their Prestige Series–Prestige Connected.  There are three models and two different sizes–the Prestige 665 and 500 and the limited edition Phantom 500. Below we are focusing on the 665 and 500 models due to the fact that the only thing that sets the Phantom 500 apart from the Prestige 500 is that it includes cast stainless cooking grates, comes in a matte black finish, and comes with a special edition warming rack.

Similarities

The Prestige Connected series of grills are all constructed with durable 304 stainless steel with a powder coat trim, manufactured with high quality materials that provides superior heat retention, an analog thermometer on the hood and has a Life Ease roll top lid that provides leverage to easily lift the hood.  The hood also contains a grease management system to control drippings and helps reduce the risk of grease fires. The cart contains industrial locking caster wheels that are rugged, durable and easy to move and the grills storage cabinet is spacious enough for all your accessories and feature reinforced doors with an improved water bezel that provides greater durability and rust resistance.  The large side shelves on the cart provide more space for food prep and each shelf includes a variety of features.  The shelf on the right features a 5” LCD display screen integrated into the shelf to monitor the grill's temperature at a glance and also contains 6 integrated hooks to hang your grilling tools.  The shelf on the left contains an infrared sizzle zone, a side burner/sear station, that heats up to 1800 degrees F with Napoleon's patented wave cooking grid for distinctive sear marks and also includes a wind guard that sits around the burner that deflects wind when the burner is in use.  Also integrated into the shelf on the left, is a bottle opener so you can easily pop open a beverage while you're cooking at the grill.  

The Prestige connected series uses Jetfire 2.0 ignition, enhanced one spark technology for reliable quick and easy ignition that reignites itself if a burner is taken out by wind.  It features Safetyglow control knobs backlit with blue LEDs that change to red when the gas is on, making it easier and safer to grill when it's dark.  While there is no interior lighting within the grill, Napoleon offers lighting solutions with a variety of barbecue accessories that you can attach to the handle on the hood to bring light to your grill.  This series comes standard with a rear rotisserie burner, rotisserie kit (motor spit and forks) and a stainless steel warming rack that flips up and out of the way when it's not in use.  Inside the fire box is Napoleon's patented 8.5mm wave stainless steel cooking grids that provide enhanced durability, heat retention, even cooking and superior performance.  Below the cooking grids are staggered sear plates, or flame tamers, that allow heat to move more efficiently and evenly, reduces flare ups and improves vaporization of drippings which will enhance the flavor of your food.  Sitting beneath the sear plates are Napoleon’s patented 16-gauge 304 stainless steel tube burner with dual gas ports on the top and sides of each burner to provide even heating, reduce flare ups and are cross lighting so if a burner goes out or fails to light the cross-lighting brackets automatically ignite the adjacent burners.  These burners were designed with proven longevity, performance and optimum efficiency backed by an incredible warranty.

With the Prestige Connected you receive the integrated smart technology into the grill that connects to the Accu-Probe cook assist with your smartphone via wifi or bluetooth. The Accu-Probe cook assist allows you to easily program your food type, target temperature and cooking time using your smart device with the Napoleon Home App. Other smart features include, 3 meat probes to monitor your meat, the ability to measure propane levels from your phone, notifications to your phone when it's time to flip food, high temperature warning and remote temperature monitoring.  Napoleon offers a limited lifetime warranty on hood, stainless steel lid, aluminum castings, porcelain enamel lid, stainless steel cooking grid and stainless steel tube burners.

Differences

The main differences between the models within the Prestige Connected comes down to size of the grill, size of the cooking space and number of burners.

The Prestige connected 500 has 6 burners (4 main burners, side burner and infrared rotisserie burner) and emits a total of 80,000 BTUs–4 burners 48,000 BTUs, Side burner 14,000 BTUs, Rotisserie burner 18,000.  It contains a total cooking area of 883 sq. in. (main cooking area 28 x 17.75 in) and can cook up to 31 burgers.

The Prestige connected 665 is a premium model.  It has 7 burners (5 main burners, side burner and infrared rotisserie burner) and emits a total of 92,000 BTUs–5 burners 60,000 BTUs, Side burner 14,000 BTUs, Rotisserie burner 18,000.  It contains a total cooking area of 1,065 sq. in. (main cooking area 37 x 18 in) and can cook up to 41 burners.

Weber Genesis Tech

Weber Grills are made in the USA and use only the best U.S. and globally sourced components. Weber aims to reinvent and transform the outdoor cooking experience by creating products that are durable, high quality and innovative.  Weber's line of smart grills are a part of their Genesis line–Weber Genesis Tech.  The Genesis line offers higher quality and upgraded features, being the middle ground model between the Spirit (basic) and Summit (premium). Weber Genesis Tech grills come in 4 different models and 3 sizes–The SX325s, EX335, SX335 and SPX435.

Similarities

Weber Genesis Tech grills offer a variety of options, feature smart technology and top of the line finishes.  All the models in the Genesis line contain metal locking castor wheels that swivel, making it easy to move around and cabinet storage beneath the grill to store additional accessories.  The extra large shelves are designed to provide more space for food prep and each shelf includes a variety of features. The shelf on the right contains an LED display panel with a meat probe integrated into the shelf that is paired with the smart technology, where you can monitor the temperature of the grill.  The shelf on the left can also be used to keep platters and seasonings, contains integrated hooks to keep accessories and tools handy and will hold the side burner. (only available on EX335, SX335, and SPX 435)

The Weber Genesis Tech uses infinity ignition, the electronic ignition system designed to reliably ignite the burners everytime. Weber Genesis Tech grills all contain a cast aluminum cook box that provides even heat and longevity of the grill, contain either cast iron or stainless steel cooking grates (depending on the model) and utilize stainless steel flavorizer bars which catch drippings and impart more flavor into your food.  The grease management system works in tandem with the flavorizer bars, funneling away drippings that aren't vaporized away from the burners into the drip tray to help reduce the risk of grease fires.  Beneath the flavorizer bars are the high performance Weber Pure blu burners designed to produce the most efficient even flame for consistent, precise heat and reliable ignition. Weber Genesis Tech grills also feature an extra large sear station within the grill, that emits 13,000 BTUs, and creates a zone on the grill that gets the grates hot enough to sear much faster with the sear grate accessory.  The expandable top cooking grate can be folded and stored out of the way when it's not in use or you can fold it out when you need a secondary cooking surface or need to keep food items warm. 

With the Weber Genesis Tech grills you receive the integrated smart technology that pairs to the Weber app through bluetooth or wifi so you're able to access different smart features and “how to” videos when it comes to any questions regarding the grill.  The smart features of this grill allow you to set ambient temperature and monitor the heat of the grill, check the fuel level, turn the control knob lighting on and off, receive alerts when it's time to flip, rest and serve food, check the doneness of your food without having to lift the hood using the the integrated meat probe monitor on the cart and check temperatures and check the status of your cook through the LED display. Through the Weber app you can also access various recipes and cook programs that provide real time, step-by-step instructions specific to your cook preference. Weber offers a 12 year warranty on the cookbox and lid assembly (no rust-through/burn-through) and 10 year warranty on stainless steel burner tubes, cooking grates, stainless steel flavorizer bars, and porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates. 

Differences

There are a variety of differences between the different models and sizes within the The Genesis Tech grill line.  To avoid confusion, we have broken down specific features for each. 

SX325

This grill is based on the Classic Genesis but includes the integrated technology and only available in Natural Gas.  It is the most standard grill with no additional upgraded features.   This grill is only available in stainless steel and all stainless steel models come with stainless steel cooking grates. It has 3 stainless steel burners, emits 39,000 BTUs and has 787 sq. in. of cooking space. (main cooking area is 513 sq.in.)  The SX325s does not include the extra large grill locker, there is no side burner, it does not include the Weber Crafted frame kit and there is no control knob lighting. 

EX 335 & SX335

This model is where you will see some upgrades and similar features to the Deluxe Genesis but includes integrated smart technology. The EX335 model is made of black enamel in the color black, contains Weber crafted porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grates and is only available in Natural gas.  The SX335 model is made of stainless steel, contains 7mm stainless steel cooking grates and is available in both liquid propane and natural gas.  Both the EX and SX models have 3 burners that emit 39,000 BTUs and have 787 sq. in. of cooking space. (main cooking area is 513 sq.in.) These models also both come with a side burner (12,000 BTUs), the extra large grill locker that provides additional side storage for accessories and tools and the Weber crafted inset that gives you the ability to use Weber crafted accessories (woks, griddles, pizza stones).  

SPX435

With this grill you get everything that all the other models offer plus the addition of lighting.  The SPX435 model is offered in NG or LP and includes the integrated smart technology, 7mm stainless steel cooking grates, a side burner, an extra large grill locker, the Weber crafted inset, night vision LED lighting and backlit control knobs. The interior lighting upgrade is accessed with the push of a button (integrated into the handle of the hood) that becomes automatic when you open and close the grill. This interior lighting is only available on this specific Weber model.  Both the interior lighting and backlit control knobs are for added convenience, giving you the ability to light up the entire grilling surface and knobs so you can see the grill better at night.  This model has 4 burners that emit 48,000 BTUs and have 994 sq. in. of cooking space. (main cooking area 646 sq. in.)

With so many different features, models and sizes offered, we’ve simplified the information below, breaking down key differences between each. 

Napoleon Features 

Weber Features 

With smart grills on the rise in 2025, Napoleon and Weber stay ahead of the game with their smart technology grills.  As you can see, both have a variety of offerings and ultimately your decision will come down to your personal needs.  When it comes down to the smart features, really and truly, the main difference between the smart features is that Weber’s smart technology gives you the ability to turn the control knob lighting on and off and offers a variety of recipes with step by step instructions for your cooking preferences, where Napoleon does not.  In our opinion, the addition of the infrared side burner and rotisserie kit on the Prestige model offers a lot more value and so much cooking versatility, plus the integrated technology, it's hard to beat. You can't go wrong with either one but you may find one more appealing based on your cooking needs and preferences. Regardless of which model or brand you choose, the addition of smart technology into your grill will add convenience, precision and simplicity to your cooking experience. 

We hope this guide helped give you more insight into not only smart technology in grills, but the differences between both the Napoleon and Weber models. 

To learn more about Napoleon and Weber outside of their “smart grills”, check out our in depth review of both brands. 

If you still have questions about smart grills or the Napoleon and Weber brands, we are always here to help and want to provide you with all the information you need before purchasing a new grill.  At the BBQ Depot, our team of experts are waiting to assist you with all your grilling needs.  Contact us today to learn more about our product offerings, shipping times, and product availability.