What Makes the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite Better Than the Weber Summit Smart FS38X?

When serious grill buyers narrow their list to the $5,000+ tier, two names come up consistently: the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite and the Weber Summit Smart FS38X. Both are built for people who take outdoor cooking seriously. Both include smart technology. Both cost enough that you want to get the decision right.

But they are not the same grill, and the differences matter. This guide breaks down exactly how the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite , Napoleon's new 2026 flagship cart model with Smart Technology , compares to the Weber Summit Smart FS38X across cooking performance, smart features, accessories, build quality, and price.

How They Compare: At a Glance

Cooking Performance

Total BTUs

Napoleon delivers 94,000 total BTUs. Weber breaks its output into categories: 65,000 BTU across the main burners, 12,000 BTU on the side burner, and 16,000 BTU from the top-down infrared broiler. The numbers favor Napoleon, but the more important difference is where the heat comes from.

Infrared Side Burner

Napoleon's SIZZLE ZONE infrared side burner hits 1,800°F in under 30 seconds. That's steakhouse-level searing that a conventional side burner can't replicate. Weber's 12,000 BTU side burner is useful for sauces and sides, but it's doing something different.

High-Heat Searing

Napoleon includes an infrared rear burner paired with the rotisserie kit for slow roasting. Weber's answer is a top-down infrared broiler that sears from above. Both approaches work, but Napoleon's rear infrared setup is more versatile when rotisserie cooking is part of the rotation.

Cooking Grates

Napoleon's 9.5mm WAVE stainless steel grids are thicker than Weber's 9mm rod grates, which means better heat retention and the brand's signature sear marks on everything you cook. The difference isn't dramatic on paper, but you notice it in practice.

Heat Retention

Napoleon's HeatBoost Reflector technology automatically compensates when the lid opens by reflecting heat back up to maintain consistent cooking temperatures. Small feature, real impact on longer cooks.

Cooking Performance Head-to-Head

Smart Features

Both grills connect to a smartphone app for remote temperature monitoring and alerts. The difference is in how the smart layer works day to day.

App Control

Napoleon uses SmartSwitch to toggle between Traditional Mode and Smart Mode. Traditional Mode works exactly like any other premium grill, no app, no setup, just turn the knobs and cook. Smart Mode gives you hands-free precision temperature control through the app.

Weber's SmartControl is accessible via a touchscreen on the grill or through the Weber Connect app, which includes step-by-step guided recipes with alerts for flipping, resting, and serving. If you want coaching through the cook, Weber does that better.

Probes

Napoleon includes five probes (three wired, two wireless), allowing you to monitor multiple proteins simultaneously from the app. Weber includes two smart probes.

Ignition

Napoleon's JETFIRE 2.0 is a battery-free ignition system that lights burners instantly with a jet of flame. Weber's ignition is touchscreen-activated and requires batteries.

Guided Cooking

Weber Connect offers step-by-step guided recipes and alerts for flipping, resting, and serving. Napoleon's app provides precise temperature monitoring, real-time alerts, and automatic gas shut-off if the flame goes out.

Standard Features: What's Included

At $5,699, the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite arrives loaded with features that other grills charge extra for or don't offer at all. The built-in electric smoker box lets you add wood chips without opening the lid, the soft-close drawers keep tools organized and accessible, and the built-in spice drawer, ice bucket, and bottle opener make it the most complete out-of-the-box grilling setup in this price range.

The Weber Summit Smart FS38X ($5,299) covers the basics well, including a stainless steel smoker box and a rotisserie kit with a convenient fold-away motor, as well as a propane tank gauge that makes it easy to track remaining fuel. It's a strong package, but thinner on standard extras than the Napoleon.

Build Quality & Warranty

Both grills are built from premium stainless steel and designed to live outside year-round, but a few details separate them.

Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite

Backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty covering the grill for as long as you own it. That level of coverage is rare at any price point. Napoleon's 9.5mm WAVE stainless grids are thicker than Weber's 9mm rod grates, retain heat more aggressively, and are built specifically for long-term outdoor use.

Weber Summit Smart FS38X

Weber's tiered warranty covers 15 years on the cookbox and lid, 10 years on burners, grates, and Flavorizer bars, 5 years on remaining parts, and 3 years on WeberConnect components. Still a solid warranty, just not a lifetime one. Weber's cast aluminum firebox is durable, and the 9mm rod grates perform well, but they don't match the thickness or heat retention of Napoleon's grids.

Who Should Choose Which Grill

The Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite is the better grill for serious backyard cooks who want more raw cooking power, a more complete out-of-the-box setup, and a warranty that doesn't have an expiration date. The Weber Summit Smart FS38X is a strong competitor, but it gives up too much on the details that separate a good grill from a great one.

Ready to make the upgrade? Shop the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite at BBQ Authority, where most Napoleon models ship directly from our own warehouse with free shipping on orders over $49. Every order over $50 also includes a free BBQ sauce or rub, and our team of grill specialists from this veteran-owned business is ready to help you find the right configuration.

Shop Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite | Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite worth the extra cost over the Weber Summit Smart?

For most serious grillers, yes. The Napoleon costs $400 more than the Weber Summit Smart FS38X, but it includes significantly more out of the box: five probes versus two, a built-in electric smoker box, soft-close drawers, an ice bucket, a spice drawer, and a Lifetime Limited Warranty .

Buyers who want to negotiate on price can also request a quote from BBQ Authority, a veteran-owned Napoleon specialist that offers competitive pricing and ships most models directly from their own warehouse in 24 to 48 hours with free shipping on orders over $49.

Does the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite work without the app?

Yes. The grill ships in Traditional Mode and works exactly like a conventional premium grill right out of the box, no app required. When you're ready to explore Smart Mode, simply flip the SmartSwitch to unlock precise, hands-free temperature control via the mobile app . It's a genuinely flexible setup that doesn't force you into the technology if you'd rather just fire it up and cook.

Where is the best place to buy the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite?

BBQ Authority is the go-to source for the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Elite for buyers across the continental US. As a veteran-owned, family-operated Napoleon specialist, BBQ Authority stocks most Napoleon models in their own warehouse for fast shipping, offers free shipping on orders over $49, includes a free BBQ sauce or rub with every order over $50, and provides warranty support and expert customer service after the sale.

Unlike Weber's website, which lists propane and natural gas as separate models, BBQ Authority's product listing lets you select your preferred fuel type on a single page. You can add the grill directly to your cart or request a quote for competitive pricing.