Weber vs Napoleon gas BBQs

Spirit E-310 and Freestyle 4 compared

These two sit in a similar place in each range: mid-sized cart grills for a family garden. Figures come from the product listings; where a listing does not state a figure, the table says so.

Cooking space and heat

The Freestyle 4's 60 x 45 cm grate works out at about 2,700 cm², so it gives more room than the Spirit E-310's 2,326 cm². Four burners also make it easier to set up two clear zones, with two burners on high and two off for indirect cooking. Our two-zone cooking guide shows how.

The Spirit E-310 uses Weber's Flavorizer bars above the burners. They catch drips, vaporise them for flavour and shield the burners from fat, which also helps limit flare-ups. Napoleon grills use their own heat shields over the burners for the same purpose. Both models have a lid thermometer, and both grates hold heat well for searing.

Build, ignition and parts

Weber is known for wide UK dealer coverage and long parts availability; the Spirit E-310 listing states spare parts for 10 years in the EU. Igniters, Flavorizer bars and burners are standard replacement items, and our Weber igniter fix covers the most common fault.

Napoleon's Jetfire ignition shoots a jet of gas towards the igniter to light each burner, and the brand also sells replacement burners and grids through UK stockists. Napoleon tends to list total kW clearly, which makes comparing burner power easier. Check the warranty terms on each maker's UK site before you buy, as they differ by part and series.

Brand ranges in brief

Weber's gas line runs from the portable Q range through the Spirit to the larger Genesis, with griddle versions such as the Spirit E-425 Mix Griddle. Our Weber gas BBQs compared guide maps the whole range. Napoleon's line runs from the Freestyle and Rogue up to the Prestige, with infrared side burners and rear rotisserie burners on higher models.

In short, Weber leans towards compact, tidy designs with a large accessory ecosystem. Napoleon often gives more burners or features at a similar size and has a strong following for its infrared sear options.

Note:Have a Gas Safe registered engineer check any fixed gas supply. For bottled gas BBQs, use the regulator the maker specifies, check connections with soapy water and never use a gas BBQ indoors or under a closed roof.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Weber Spirit E-310 if you want a compact three-burner with a proven design, long parts support and easy-to-find accessories. Choose the Napoleon Freestyle 4 if you want four burners, a bigger cast iron grate and a clearly stated 13.6 kW for cooking for more people.

Our best gas BBQs guide ranks both against Campingaz, Megamaster and the Weber Genesis, and Spirit vs Genesis helps if you are torn within Weber's range.

See the best gas BBQs →

Frequently asked questions

Is Napoleon better than Weber? Neither is better across the board. Napoleon often offers more burners or grate area at a similar size; Weber offers a compact design and a very wide accessory and parts network.

Which gas bottle do Weber and Napoleon BBQs use in the UK? Most run on propane with the correct regulator. Check the manual and our gas bottle guide.

Do both brands sell spare parts in the UK? Yes, both sell parts through UK stockists. The Spirit E-310 listing states 10 years of EU spare part availability.

Which is easier to clean? Both have removable grease trays. Weber's Flavorizer bars and Napoleon's heat shields both need occasional scraping.