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.

The verdict

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

The scorecard, side by side

Both reviews are scored on the same six weighted categories, each bar on the same 0–10 scale, and every cell carries the reason that review gave. A row is marked won only where the two differ by a tenth or more. How we score →

Weber Genesis E-315 Gas GrillWeber Spirit E-425 Gas Grill
Heat Performance 25% of the score
8.0

Even heat is the whole claim, but 39,000 BTU over 513 square inches is not a dense fire.

8.8 won

Same two Boost Burners the E-325 gets, now asked to serve 68 more square inches of primary grate.

Long-term Reliability 20% of the score
9.5 won

Twelve years on cookbox and lid, ten on everything sitting in the fire, five under the rest, better cover than rivals at this price.

8.0

Four burner tubes carry ten years here, but paint and everything unlisted still fall off cover at two.

Build Quality 18% of the score
9.0

Porcelain-enameled lid and cast iron grates, stainless Flavorizer bars, painted steel doors, 162 pounds of cart.

9.0

Cast iron, stainless bars and a closed cabinet, holding 103 pounds steady across a 51.80 inch frame.

Ease of Use 15% of the score
8.5

Electronic ignition, six tool hooks and two fixed side tables, against an assembly job and 162 pounds.

9.0 won

Four Snap-Jet knobs light one at a time, so the red pair sets a sear side in seconds.

Value 12% of the score
7.5 won

The listed $899.00 buys area and warranty years, while the Crafted grillware that widens its range is charged separately.

7.3

Stepping from $549.00 to $629.00 adds a burner and grate, but not a third Boost Burner.

Maintenance 10% of the score
7.5

The grease tray pulls straight out, but chipped enamel corrodes and paint carries only two years.

7.5

The grease tray slides clear in one motion, yet 428 square inches of enamel all have to stay unchipped.

Avid Griller Score the six, weighted
8.4
8.4

Published figures that differ

Quoted from each maker's own specifications, as each review records them. Figures the two products publish identically are left out — only the differences are listed.

Burner output 39,000 BTU per hour, three stainless burners 35,000 BTU per hour, four stainless burners
Cooking area 513 sq in primary, 640.5 sq in total 428 sq in primary, 533 sq in total
Size and weight 48.1 x 57.7 x 27 in with the lid down, 162 lb 46.20 x 51.80 x 26.60 in, 103 lb
Warranty 12 years on cookbox and lid, rust-through only 10 years on cookbox, lid and burner tubes

Which one is for you

Take the Weber Genesis E-315 Gas Grill

You cook big, even loads, want the longest written cover, and would rather make your own cool side.

Check price →
Take the Weber Spirit E-425 Gas Grill

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

All comparisons →

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.