If you’re looking to invest in a new gas grill, chances are you’re trying to decide between the Weber Spirit or Weber Genesis lines.
In this guide, we’ll take you through both the Spirit and Genesis Weber grill lines, explain the main differences and run through the latest updates from 2024.
We’ll go through all the models to consider, but if you are in a rush we think the Weber Spirit II E-310 is the best value gas grill you can get if you want Weber quality without a lot of bells and whistles,
If you can stretch your budget, then the Genesis E-335 hits the sweet spot between price, size, and functionality.
Read on for more in-depth comparisons between these two grill lines.
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Pros: - Large searing zone
- Side burner
- Excellent storage
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Pros: - Excellent heat control
- Easy to clean
- Large side tables
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Cons: - Basic grill cart
- Lots of plastic
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Best Overall
Pros:
- Large searing zone
- Side burner
- Excellent storage
Best Budget
Pros:
- Excellent heat control
- Easy to clean
- Large side tables
Cons:
- Basic grill cart
- Lots of plastic
Weber Spirit vs. Genesis – What’s the Big Difference?
The Spirit and Genesis are the two most popular gas grill lines that Weber sells.
The Spirit II line is Weber‘s entry-level range of gas grills designed for people who prioritize value for money over extra features.
My entry level Spirit II E-310 gets used almost every day
The Genesis is made for grilling enthusiasts willing to pay more for higher quality and extra functionality.
The Genesis lineup gets an update every couple of years. While it’s often just a minor facelift, every few years, they overhaul the entire build and add lots of new features.
The top-of-the-line Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill
You can head over to our full review of the latest Weber Genesis.
Key differences between Spirit and Genesis grills:
- Spirit grills are simpler and are generally cheaper
- New Genesis models include a 13,000 BTU searing burner when you upgrade to the Weber CRAFTED kit
- All Genesis models come with an enclosed cart and more prep areas
- Genesis range includes more burners and higher BTU numbers
- Genesis grills have the option to add Weber CONNECT Smart Technology for food monitoring and gas lighting to illuminate the grilling surface and knobs.
The Genesis and Spirit share the same 10-year warranty on the burner tubes, cooking grates, and flavorizer bars, while the Genesis offers 12 years on the cook box and lid.
Note that this does not cover normal wear and tear, which might be obtained with regular use.
Weber Spirit Overview
It’s a little bit unfair to call the Spirit II a “starter grill,” but when you compare it to the Genesis, that’s definitely what Weber is going for.
The two main Spirit grills we’ll be looking at are the two-burner Spirit II E-210 and the three-burner E-310 models, which I own.
Both models come in various colors and let you choose between liquid propane or natural gas.
These are capable and affordable grills that provide good value for money. The Spirit scored highly in our guide to the best gas grills under $500. The main difference between these two is their areas of cooking space and the latter model’s ability to reverse some of its grates.
If you want a small grill that’s also highly portable, you may also want to consider the Weber Traveler, which comes with a collapsible cart.
Weber Spirit II E-210
This grill is a bit smaller than several of the Genesis grills, but it still has plenty of room. When you account for the warming rack and the main cooking surface, you get 450 square inches of cooking space.
Both of these areas are warmed by two burners that can emit 26,500 BTUs of heat combined.
The E-210 uses the GS4 grilling upgrades like with the rest of the Spirit and Genesis models.
The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron.
There’s also an easy-to-read fuel gauge that you can use to never be caught off guard when it’s time to refuel. The fuel tank is mounted outside the grill, too, so replacing it only takes a few seconds and lets you get back to the cooking quickly.
Another great feature is the addition of six integrated hooks on each side table, which let you easily store any of your grilling tools as you switch between them. You can fold the left side table down if you’re pressed for space.
An open-cart design gives you some nice storage space.
Despite its size, you can still implement the Grill 3 thermometer and mount it right on the side for easy internal temperature monitoring.
The grill is equipped with two wheels to allow for easy transportation, and they are constructed to be used on multiple terrain types.
Weber Spirit II E-310
The biggest difference stepping up to the E-310 is the three stainless steel burners instead of two.
The combined heat output from these burners can equal 30,000 BTUs. When you consider the 529 square inches of cooking space between the main area and the warming rack, this is enough heat and space to serve a larger family of between 5 and 7 people.
Unless you are really short on space, I would always recommend going for the larger E-310. Even if you don’t need to cook for a lot of people, you’ll appreciate having the space when you do need it, and you can always set it up with a grill and griddle combo, like I did in the photo above.
Weber Genesis Overview
The Genesis lineup gives you more models to choose from, although, unlike the Spirit II, there are no two-burner models.
You start with the basic three-burner E-315 and go up from there.
The Genesis Lineup had a big update in Spring 2022 with a range of new features, including:
- Extra-large searing zone on all models
- Expandable top cook grate
- Extra large prep tables
- Extra large grill locker
- New pull-out grease tray
Weber also has a new version of the Gourmet BBQ accessory System (GBS) that began with the Weber Kettle. Now going by the Crafted Outdoor Kitchen Collection (Weber Crafted for short), you have the option to add several accessories including a 16 x 16-inch flat top griddle, pizza stone, and cast iron sear grate to take advantage of the new searing zone.
The Weber Crafted system allows you to expand your cooking capabilities with a number of accessories
The ability to add extra features to your grill is a nice touch, although each accessory will set you back.
The individual grill names within the lineup can get confusing, so here is how the naming convention works:
- E – Enamel (usually black)
- S – Stainless steel (for the hood, cabinet doors and cooking grate)
- X – Smart Grill (with Weber Connect smart grilling technology)
Most models are available in natural gas or liquid propane.
The first number following the letter tells you how many burners there are, while the second number refers to features.
To make things more confusing, Weber also puts their grills into the Classic, Deluxe and Tech categories.
We will discuss the main differences as you go through the lineup.
Genesis II E-315 – Basic model
The E-315 is the most basic model in the new Genesis lineup.
You get three burners with 39,000 BTU input but no dedicated sear-zone burner.
For grill real est ate you have 513 square inches of primary cooking area with 127.5 extra via the top grate.
The warming rack can be tucked away and extended depending on your cooking needs, which is a bit of versatility we really like.
The cooking grates are porcelain-enameled and cast-iron for good heat diffusion and durability.
The price isn’t that far off the Spirit II, and for a few hundred extra you get better build quality, a nicer cart, and access to the Weber Crafted system of accessories. Although it’s a bit of a false economy, because I’m pretty sure you’re going to want to spend even more to go up to the next model in the lineup…
Genesis E-325 – Adds Sear Zone
Weber knew that the sear zone was a killer feature, so they make you pay for it by stepping up to the E-325.
Like the E-315 this is still classified as a 3 burner grill, although you can now activate an extra sear zone burner.
Like the 315, this grill is also available in stainless steel for a small price bump.
Genesis E-330 – Adds a storage locker
Continuning in the “3” series, we go from the 330 to the 335, and this is one of the smallest feature bumps.
The E-330 is identical to the E-325 in every way except now you get the grill locker, which is an extra storage area to the side for storing your grilling tools.
Grill locker designed to hold Weber Crafted accessories
If you plan on picking up a few Weber CRAFTED accessories then it’s nice to have, but it’s not a huge step up.
Genesis E-335 – Adds a side burner
The E-335 is the last number increase in this series, but it’s still not the top of the range. You get a side burner added to the left side table.
You access the burner by lifting a metal flap which seamlessly covers the burner, so you can still use it as a side table when not in use.
The burner has 12,000 BTUs and is perfectly capable of warming sauces or preparing side dishes like boiled corn or veggies.
It’s another ‘nice to have’ feature that will come down to your personal preference on whether it’s worth paying extra for.
Genesis EX-335 – Adds smart grill features
The tip top of the 3* range is the EX-335. If you remember from earlier the “X” refers to the fact this is part of Weber‘s Smart range.
This is all part of the Weber Connect system, a series of smart technology that gives you real-time food temperature alerts.
The built in thermometer is a nice touch, but there’s a little bit of marketing exaggerating involved.
You can get a similar experience with accessories like the Meater 2 Pro. Some would also argue that the smart features take away some of the fun of grilling.
Genesis E-415 – Adds a fourth burner
In previous generations of Genesis, stepping up to the four-burner model meant you automatically got features like the side burner, storage cupboard and searzone included, but that’s not the case anymore.
You lose all of those features that we just went through, so you’re gaining an extra burner and bumping up to a combined grilling area of 820 square inches (646 primary and 174 warming).
To make the choice really difficult, the base model 4 burner will cost you the same as the E-335, and it’s actually less money than the smart EX-335. You’re going to have to really decide what is more important to you.
Unless you want to start stepping up in budget even more…
Genesis E-435 – Top of the line
Excluding the smart and stainless version, the E-435 is the top of the Genesis line of grills. Weber mercifully decided not to go through all of the individual upgrades and model numbers that they did with the 3 burners.
It’s basically identical to the E-335 in that you now get the side burner, the sear burner and the extra storage locker.
If it was me, this is the grill I would save for and I don’t think I’m the only one. At the time of writing the E-435 had 1,884 reviews on the Weber website. The only other model that comes close is the 3 burner version the E-335 with 1570.
Alternative Option – Weber Summit
The Summit is Weber‘s high-end grill line that is aimed at people who want even more quality and versatility.
These grills start at $3,899.00, so if you’re trying to decide between a Spirit and a Genesis they are likely way outside your (and my) budget.
There are some very cool features like a top-down infrared broiler for steakhouse style searing, a smoker box, integrated rotisserie plus 5 burners.
iGrill compatible
Now that both the Genesis and Spirit come with smart grill models, Weber has stopped marketing their grills as “iGrill compatible”.
This is something they used to make a big deal about.
iGrill is Weber‘s own brand of Bluetooth meat thermometer.
This is a mounted thermometer that can be placed at the side of your grill. This can be connected to your smartphone via an app, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of up to four different meat pieces.
The app will alert you when grilling is done and it’s time to eat. This lets you step away from your grill and mingle with your guests or tend to other food that needs your attention.
Should you buy the Weber Spirit or Genesis?
So, which grill line is for you: the Spirit or the Genesis?
That greatly depends on your overall budget and how many people you are planning to feed during your next cookout.
The Spirit line is more affordable, and its models are generally smaller, making them easier to store. The Genesis line is packed with the latest features from Weber and has grills that are usually larger, allowing you to cook for more people, for slightly higher prices.
I hope this guide helped you answer your questions about the Spirit and Genesis, and you’re now ready to decide.
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