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If you’ve been around grills before, or if you’ve done any shopping for a new grill you’ve most likely come across the Weber brand. They’re a staple in the grilling community and have been one of the most recognizable brands in the world for quite some time now.
Two of Weber’s most popular lines of grills are the Weber Spirit Series and the Weber Genesis Series.
Each series has been around for a few decades and has seen improvements to their features and quality over the course of time. Today, both the Spirit and Genesis grills are some of the best overall gas grills on the market.
In this post, we’ll do a complete comparison of the Weber Spirit vs Genesis from the perspective of each series as a whole. That includes everything from features, to grill construction, to pricing, and much more! After that, we’ll compare some of the most popular individual models from both the Spirit and Genesis series.
I should also point out that nowadays each series is on their second generation, so technically we are comparing Weber Spirit II vs Genesis II. We wouldn’t recommend purchasing grills from the older generations as they are outdated by now.
Here’s A Quick Look At Our Favorite Genesis II and Spirit II Grills:
Weber Spirit vs Genesis Overview
What Does Spirit and Genesis Mean Exactly?
It’s important to note at the onset that the Spirit and Genesis are both series of grills. Each series features dozens of individual grills that are suited for different needs. When comparing the Weber Spirit vs Genesis series, we’re going to look first at the high level differences.
The high level difference between the two series is that Weber Spirit grills are designed to be more of a “bare bones” grill, whereas the Genesis series grills are more advanced and loaded with extra features.
That’s not to say that a beginner can’t operate a Weber Genesis – quite the opposite. It’s just that you might be paying for features you won’t use at first when you’re just learning how to grill.
That’s also not to say that the Weber Spirit series isn’t full of high quality grills. Just because there aren’t a bunch of bells and whistles doesn’t mean they aren’t high quality, reliable cookers.
If you’re the type of griller who uses a grill once every other week, the Spirit might be a better suited design for you. It has everything you need to get the job done. If you’re an intermediate or advanced griller, or you’re looking to take your grilling game to the next level, the Genesis series might be better.
Similarities
There are quite a few things that come standard on both of these lines of grills.
Warranty
Both types of grill are backed by Weber’s industry leading 10 year warranty. I always think the presence of a solid warranty is a good indicator for quality of the product. Weber stands by their grills with a decade long warranty, which gives customers lots of confidence.
Weber Specific Features
Each line of grill comes kitted with Weber’s G4S Grilling System. The G4S grilling system is the result of years of accumulated knowledge. It includes:
- Infinity Ignition: Which is an easy, quick ignite system that virtually never fails and will work in any kind of weather conditions.
- Flavorizer Bars: These are triangular shaped bars that lay over the flames and under the cooking surface. These bars serve a couple of purposes. First, they prevent flare ups by catching and deflecting grease drippings. The second purpose they serve is adding flavor back to your food. The bars catch drippings which smoke and rise back into the food.
- Advanced Grease Management: Whichever drippings aren’t caught by the flavorizer bars or vaporized will make their way down to a grease collection pan. This pan is super easy to clean and takes away a lot of the headache typically associated with clean up.
- Upgraded Burners: These allow for consistent and even temperatures across your entire cooking area, which is a HUGE help when it comes to grilling delicious foods.
All Weber grills come with the ability to utilize iGrill 3 technology. This tech embeds in the side of your grill and allows you to monitor many aspects of your grill from the convenience of your phone. Everything from temperature management, internal food temperatures, and timers can be managed on Weber’s phone app.
Color Options
Each individual type of grill comes with more or less the same color options: black and stainless steel are offered on all models. Red, smoke, copper, and even sapphire are color choices on some of the smaller grills. Each grill also comes with the option for either natural gas or propane connections.
Differences
We alluded to this a little bit already, but the main difference in the Weber Spirit vs Genesis comes in extra/custom features and heat output capabilities. Here are the main differences between the two series:
Price Point
Across the board, Spirit grills are cheaper than Genesis grills when you compare grills with similar primary cooking areas.
Features & Performance
Genesis II models typically include extra features such as enclosed carts, sear stations, extra burners, and other attachments.
Genesis II grills feature more burners and higher BTU output capacity. There are 2 burner grill models in the Spirit II series but none in the Genesis II series. The Genesis models all have 3 or more burners.
Weber Spirit vs Genesis – Grill Reviews
In this section, we’ll quickly go over some individual grills across both the Spirit II and Genesis II to help you decide between the Weber Spirit vs Genesis series.
Weber Genesis II E-435 4-Burner Grill
- 69,000 total BTUs heat output
- 844 sq. in. cooking surface area
- Backed by 10 year warranty
Our favorite all around grill in the Weber Spirit vs Genesis lines is the Weber Genesis II E-435 4- Burner Grill, which is offered with both propane and natural gas connections. This grill is absolutely loaded with features and capable of handling any of your grilling needs.
First things first, there’s 646 square inches of primary cooking area and an additional 198 square inches of swing away warming rack. The 4 primary burners have a BTU output capability of 48,000 BTU’s. Stainless steel is the material of choice for the cooking grates, and a built in sear zone makes adding grill marks and crust to your meats a breeze.
In addition to all of that, there’s a side burner built in which is ideal for making sides or sauces. You can also add on a rotisserie kit to this grill at an extra cost, which adds extra versatility to your grill. There’s plenty of cabinet space to store your accessories, and the grill comes loaded with the G4S grilling technology we outlined above.
Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Grill
- Available in Propane or Natural Gas
- 529 sq. in. of cooking surface area
- 10 year limited warranty
If you think the Spirit II line is more your speed, the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Grill is one of the best all around grills you can find on the market, period. Similar to all other Weber grills, you can purchase the Spirit II E-310 in a variety of colors that’s fueled by either natural gas or propane.
It comes with all of the basic features you’ve come to expect from Weber, including their G4S grilling system. That means infinity ignition, burners, porcelain-enameled glamorizer bars, and a grease management system. Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates are used on the 529 square inch main cooking area. The three burners are capable of a 30,000 BTU output which is more than enough to get the job done.
One thing I personally like about the E-310 is the open cart design. It’s easy to move around, looks good, and features 6 tool hooks and 2 large wheels for maximum convenience. At 52 x 26 x 57 inches, this unit will fit into many patios or decks without taking up too much space.
Weber Genesis II E-310 Grill
- 3 powerful burners put out 39,000 BTUs heat
- 669 sq. in. of cooking surface area
- Flavorizer bars, easy ignition, and porcelain enameled finish
If you want the features of a Genesis but a smaller profile 3 burner gas grill, the Weber Genesis II E-310 Grill is another great option. It comes with the option for either a natural gas or propane connection, and you can choose between a black or stainless steel exterior.
It’s iGrill 3 compatible, has the G4S grilling system built in, and comes with Weber’s signature 10 year warranty. The 3 burners have the capability to reach temperatures up to around 550 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can definitely sear steaks with this grill. There’s 513 square inches of primary cooking area, enough for about 20 burgers.
The Genesis II E-310 features an open cart design that makes storage of tools and equipment incredibly easy. On propane fueled models, there’s also a fuel gauge that lets you see how much fuel you have in your tank and when it’s time for a refill.
Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Grill
The Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Gas Grill has actually made another appearance on our list of the best 2 burner gas grills, so it’s one that we hold in high regard for a lot of reasons. In the context of the Weber Spirit vs Genesis comparison, it’s the only 2 burner grill offered between the two series, and it’s also the best price.
And just because it’s basically the cheapest Weber gas grill you can buy doesn’t mean the quality isn’t great. Everything you’ve come to know about Weber grills is included on the E-210. That includes GS4 grilling, iGrill 3 compatibility, and porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates.
The primary cooking area is 360 square inches with an additional 90 square inches of warming rack, which is more than enough to get the job done for a family or group of friends. Heat output wise, the burners can achieve 26,500 BTUs – more than enough to sear steaks or handle just about any of your needs.
If you’re buying your first grill, and want something that’s nice but won’t break the bank, the Spirit II E-210 is one of the best recommendations we can give.
Weber Genesis E-410 Grill
- 844 sq. in. of cooking surface area
- Porcelain enameled lid and stainless steel cooking grates
- Compatible with add ons like rotisserie kit and Weber iGrill
So I have to admit, this review comes with a generous helping of bias. The Weber Genesis E-435 Grill is the first gas grill I ever got (I have a natural gas one but it’s available in propane too), and boy do I love it.
The 4 burner grill really gives you a ton of space to get to work. There’s 646 square inches of primary cooking area along with a 198 square inch swing away warming rack. That makes a total of 844 square inches of cooking space – enough to feed a small army!
This grill heats quickly, evenly, and consistently, with a porcelain-enameled lid and stainless steel cooking grates providing superior heat retention. The 4 burner set up allows for maximum versatility. It’s possible to sear, roast, rotisserie, and cook with indirect cooking all on the same gas grill.
Weber Spirit E330 Gas Grill
If you find yourself looking for something a little in between a Weber Spirit and a Genesis, the Weber Spirit E330 Gas Grill is in the Spirit line of grills but comes with a couple of nice upgraded features.
There’s a built in sear station which creates an intense heat zone, which makes it possible to quickly and easily sear meats. A side burner is also built in to make sides or sauces while the main course cooks on the grill.
With 529 square inches of total cooking area (includes main cooking area and warming rack), you’re sure to have enough space for most grilling duties that you could come across at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between a Weber Spirit and Genesis?
Weber are a well-respected and popular brand in the grilling community and have been producing high-quality, recognizable products for some time. Two of their most popular lines of grill are the Weber Spirit Series and the Weber Genesis Series.
Before taking a look at some of the main differences between the two, it’s worth noting that each series is on their second generation. So, effectively it’s a comparison between Weber Spirit II and Weber Genesis II.
While the earlier models still provide excellent quality, we’d recommend against purchasing one of these grills as some of their features will be outdated by now.
The main difference between the Spirit and Genesis comes in the features provided by the two grills. The Spirit is more of a basic, “bare bones” type of grill, whereas Genesis grills are equipped with a significant amount of extra features such as sear stations, enclosed carts, and extra burners. As a result, Spirit grills are typically cheaper than their Genesis counterparts.
Another notable point of difference between the two are the heat output capabilities. As mentioned above, Genesis II models feature more burners, as well as a higher British Thermal Unit (BTU) output capacity. The Genesis grills all have three or more burners.
Is the Weber Genesis Worth the Money? (Using the Genesis II E-435 as Reference)
The Weber Genesis II is more expensive than the Spirit II, but provides good value with a host of additional features and an excellent performance that can handle all of your grilling needs with ease. Moreover, the grill comes loaded with high-end G4S grilling technology.
In terms of grate size, the Genesis II has an impressive 646 square inches of primary cooking area as well as an additional 198 square inches of swing away warming rack. The cooking grates are made of stainless steel, while the four primary burners have a BTU output capacity of around 48,000 BTU’s.
In addition to its large cooking area and excellent heat output, the Genesis also comes equipped with a built-in side burner which is ideal for making sides and sauces. If you wish to add extra versatility to your grill, you can add a rotisserie kit at no extra cost.
We’ve written on whether Weber grills are worth the money compared to the competition too. You can check out that resource right here.
Is Weber Spirit a Good Grill? (Using the Spirit II E-310 as Reference)
While the Weber Spirit may not have as many features as the Genesis, it’s still one of the best all-round grills on the market. Similar to all Weber grills, the Spirit can be purchased in a variety of colors that are fueled by either natural gas or propane, and also equipped with G4S grilling technology.
The main cooking area is 529 square inches, while the three burners can produce an output of 30,000 BTU, which should be more than enough to cover your grilling needs.
Wrap Up
There you have it! To reiterate, the big difference between the Weber Spirit vs Genesis families of grills is the sophistication of the grills. The Spirit line has everything you need to get the job done, without a doubt. But if you’re looking for a few extra features to take your grilling game to the next level, the Genesis II line might be best for you.
And if you’re looking for a step up even from the Genesis – check out our comparison of Weber Genesis and Summit grills next. We’ve also done another breakdown of the difference between Weber E-210 and E-310 grills here.
Which one did you end up going with? We want to hear about it in the comments section below.
