Weber Genesis E-315 vs Spirit E-425
Genesis E-315: 39,000 BTU over 513 sq in, no sear zone, $899. Spirit E-425: 35,000 BTU over 428 sq in with two Boost Burners, $629. Where the $270 goes.
We pick the Weber Spirit E-425 Gas Grill
Buy the Spirit E-425 unless warranty years are what you are paying for. It costs $270 less, has one more burner, and puts more fire behind each square inch. It also carries a marked Sear Zone, which the E-315 lacks entirely. The Genesis answers with 85 more square inches, a four-caster cart and longer cover on every tier but the burner tubes. Our reviews score the two 0.05 apart, so the price decides it.
What actually differs
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Three equal burners against four unequal ones
The E-315 splits 39,000 BTU across three matching tubes, about 13,000 each, with none boosted. The Spirit has four knobs, and two are Boost Burners. More knobs means more zones, and two of them are already the hot ones.
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Four swivel casters against two wheels
All four Genesis wheels turn, so 162 pounds can be walked sideways through a gate. The Spirit's 103 pounds lifts at one end and rolls on two. One is lighter; the other steers.
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The $270 buys years and inches, not fire
Longer cover on the cookbox, the grates and the remaining parts, plus 85 more square inches. Behind each of those inches sits less fire: 76 BTU against the Spirit's 82.
How they score, category by category
The Weber Genesis E-315 scores higher in 2 categories, the Spirit E-425 in 2 categories. 2 are level.
Level overall: within a tenth of each other.
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Heat Performance
Counts for 25% of the scoreWeber Genesis E-315 8.0Spirit E-425 8.8 Better by 0.8Why the Spirit E-425 scores 8.8Same two Boost Burners the E-325 gets, now asked to serve 68 more square inches of primary grate.
Why the Weber Genesis E-315 scores 8.0
Even heat is the whole claim, but 39,000 BTU over 513 square inches is not a dense fire.
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Long-term Reliability
Counts for 20% of the scoreWeber Genesis E-315 9.5 Better by 1.5Spirit E-425 8.0Why the Weber Genesis E-315 scores 9.5Twelve years on cookbox and lid, ten on everything sitting in the fire, five under the rest, better cover than rivals at this price.
Why the Spirit E-425 scores 8.0
Four burner tubes carry ten years here, but paint and everything unlisted still fall off cover at two.
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Build Quality
Counts for 18% of the scoreWeber Genesis E-315 9.0Spirit E-425 9.0Level: within a tenth of each other.
Why the Weber Genesis E-315 scores 9.0Porcelain-enameled lid and cast iron grates, stainless Flavorizer bars, painted steel doors, 162 pounds of cart.
Why the Spirit E-425 scores 9.0Cast iron, stainless bars and a closed cabinet, holding 103 pounds steady across a 51.80 inch frame.
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Ease of Use
Counts for 15% of the scoreWeber Genesis E-315 8.5Spirit E-425 9.0 Better by 0.5Why the Spirit E-425 scores 9.0Four Snap-Jet knobs light one at a time, so the red pair sets a sear side in seconds.
Why the Weber Genesis E-315 scores 8.5
Electronic ignition, six tool hooks and two fixed side tables, against an assembly job and 162 pounds.
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Value
Counts for 12% of the scoreWeber Genesis E-315 7.5 Better by 0.2Spirit E-425 7.3Why the Weber Genesis E-315 scores 7.5The listed $899.00 buys area and warranty years, while the Crafted grillware that widens its range is charged separately.
Why the Spirit E-425 scores 7.3
Stepping from $549.00 to $629.00 adds a burner and grate, but not a third Boost Burner.
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Maintenance
Counts for 10% of the scoreWeber Genesis E-315 7.5Spirit E-425 7.5Level: within a tenth of each other.
Why the Weber Genesis E-315 scores 7.5The grease tray pulls straight out, but chipped enamel corrodes and paint carries only two years.
Why the Spirit E-425 scores 7.5The grease tray slides clear in one motion, yet 428 square inches of enamel all have to stay unchipped.
See all six scores in one table
| Category | Weber Genesis E-315 | Spirit E-425 |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Performance (25%) | 8.0 | 8.8 Better |
| Long-term Reliability (20%) | 9.5 Better | 8.0 |
| Build Quality (18%) | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Ease of Use (15%) | 8.5 | 9.0 Better |
| Value (12%) | 7.5 Better | 7.3 |
| Maintenance (10%) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Avid Griller Score | 8.4 | 8.4 |
Both reviews are scored on the same six weighted categories, on the same 0 to 10 scale, and each reason is the one that review gave. A category is marked better only where the two differ by a tenth or more. How we score →
Where the spec sheets differ
Quoted from each maker's own specifications, as each review records them. Figures the two products publish identically are left out, so only the differences are listed.
Which one is for you
You cook big, even loads, want the longest written cover, and would rather make your own cool side.
Check price →You want a marked sear side and four zones for $270 less, and 428 sq in feeds your household.
Check price →More head-to-heads
Every score and figure on this page comes from our own reviews of these two products, linked above. We have not tested them side by side in one place; the comparison is between two full reviews, each built from the maker's published specifications and documentation. Prices move, and the ones quoted are the ones each review checked on its own date.