We’ve been long-time fans of the Weber Spirit line, so when the 2025 models were announced, we were eager to see if the upgrades lived up to the hype. After weeks of cooking on the new E-325, it’s safe to say—this might be the best Spirit yet.

I’ve owned a Weber Spirit for over five years and fire it up multiple times a week, so I know exactly how this line should perform.

With a new sear zone, upgraded ignition system, and improved design touches, it’s now going head-to-head with the best gas grills under $500.

Check out our full hands-on video below or read on for the complete review.

Weber sent me this grill for free in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Assembly & First Impressions

As expected from Weber, the grill arrived well-packed with everything neatly organized.

One nice touch during assembly was how the cast aluminum cookbox simply clicks into place. You build everything else around that core. Assembly should take around an hour if you actually follow the instructions.

I’ll admit our crew got ahead of themselves and had to backtrack, but even with that hiccup we had it fully built in about 90 minutes.

The E-325 weighs 98 pounds, which gives it a solid feel without making it difficult to move.

The only part of the build that felt a bit cheap was the plastic wagon wheels. I would’ve liked to see something more durable, like heavy-duty rubber.

But let’s be honest: Most people buying this grill are going to park it in one spot and never move it, so I understand Weber‘s decision to cheap out here. If you’re looking for something more portable, the Weber Traveller or even the Weber Q2800N+ would be better options.

Build Quality & Features

The new E-325 looks similar to the old Spirit II, but with some welcome upgrades.

You now get a sturdy metal lid handle instead of plastic, and the lid feels a little more substantial overall.

Both side shelves fold down and include two tool hooks each. Weber’s obviously noticed the success of Traeger’s “Pock and Lock” system, they’ve added their own snap-on accessory system. So you can deck it out with extras like a beverage holder, spice rack, or additional tool storage.

Inside, you’re working with 360 square inches of primary cooking space plus 90 square inches on the warming rack. The porcelain-enameled cast iron grates are reversible. Flat on one side, pointy on the other, and I prefer the pointy side for getting great grill marks.

One big change is that the cart is now enclosed and has room to store your propane tank on the right and some barbecue tools or small accessories on the left.

There’s also a new removable grease tray and drip pan system that makes cleanup a whole lot easier than past models, which required scraping into a narrow catch basin.

Lighting & Heat Performance

The new Snap-Jet ignition system fires up with confidence. It delivers a strong burst of flame that lights the burners quickly and evenly.

I always do a full burnoff before first use, running all burners on high for 15–20 minutes to clear out any manufacturing residue. During that process, the grill hit 500°F with ease.

The big upgrade here is the sear zone. By combining the two right burners, you get a 40% increase in heat in that section of the grill. With the sear zone engaged, I was able to hit 700°F no problem.

The flavorizer bars over that zone glowed red-hot—exactly what you want for steakhouse-level searing.

Grilling Tests

I ran a full set of tests on this grill—steaks, burgers, pork chops, chicken wings, and even hot dogs. The E-325 handled everything with reliable performance and solid heat distribution.

Steaks in the sear zone cooked fast, with excellent grill marks. I did adjust my cook times after overdoing some New York strips at eight minutes—the ribeyes came out perfect at six. That extra heat output definitely shortens your cook window, so keep an eye on things.

Pork chops cooked on high heat without the sear zone were good, but didn’t have quite the same crust. In hindsight, I should’ve used the sear zone there too.

For indirect grilling, I set the left burner to high and left the other two on low. After about 15 minutes, the grill settled around 400°F—perfect for finishing wings with a little char. Heat was impressively consistent across the grates, with only minor rotation needed to keep things even.

Cleanup

This is one area where the new Spirit really shines. The redesigned grease management system includes a removable drip tray that slides out easily.

It’s simple to scrape down and pop back in for the next cook. So much better than having to pull all the grill grates and burners out and scrape all that disgusting grease and charred food out.

As always, I recommend cleaning the sidewalls and cook box every few sessions to keep everything running safely and efficiently.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, Weber also offers a version of the Spirit EP-325 (they added a P) with a digital thermometer read-out and locking casters for $100 more.

You could also step up to the 4-burner E-435 which also gives you a side burner for warming up sauces or making sides.

From there, you could upgrade to the Genesis line of grills. Now that the Spirit has the sear zone and better build, the gap isn’t quite as big, though. We’ll save the more in-depth comparison for another article.

Another grill we’ve tested in the same price bracket is the Monument Mesa 415BZ. It gives you more cooking space, a sear zone, and a side burner, but it doesn’t feel as solidly built as the Weber. You’re trading off durability for size and features.

Final Verdict

After spending time with the E-325, I’m genuinely impressed. The new sear zone brings serious heat, the ignition system is rock solid, and the new grease tray makes cleanup way easier. Aside from the cheap plastic wheels, there’s not much to complain about.

The Spirit hits a great middle ground. If you’re single, a couple, or a small family, the cooking space is more than enough for everyday grilling. It’s compact without feeling cramped, and the sear zone gives you serious versatility.

If you’re hosting big backyard parties every weekend, you might want to step up in size. But for most people, this is a great all-around grill that balances performance and footprint.

If you’re looking for a dependable gas grill under $500 with real searing capability and thoughtful upgrades, the Weber Spirit E-325 should be at the top of your list.