For barbecue enthusiasts, few decisions are as important as choosing the right grill. Napoleon and Lynx are two premium grill brands known for high-quality construction and excellent grilling performance.
But which is better for your backyard barbecue? Here, we’ll compare the pros, cons, features, and prices of Napoleon Vs. Lynx grills to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table Of Napoleon And Lynx Grills:
| Feature | Napoleon | Lynx |
| Price Range | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $12,000 |
| Construction | Stainless steel, cast iron | Stainless steel |
| Grates | Stainless steel or cast iron | Stainless steel |
| Burners | Stainless steel tube burners | Ceramic radiant burners |
| BTUs | Up to 75,000 | Up to 83,500 |
| Ignition | Jetfire/Direct or backlit control knobs | Electronic |
| Grill Size Options | 2-6 burners | 2-5 burners |
| Warming Rack | Yes | Yes |
| Rotisserie | Some models | Most models |
| Side Burner | Some models | Most models |
| Lighting | Some models | All models |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
Overview Of Napoleon Grills
Founded in 1976, Napoleon is a Canadian company that manufactures grills and other barbecue appliances. Napoleon grills are known for:
- High-quality stainless-steel construction
- Innovative features like infrared burners and integrated woodchip smokers
- Excellent heat distribution and temperature control
- Attractive styling with stainless steel finishes
Napoleon offers a full range of gas, charcoal, and portable grills. Gas grills make up the bulk of their lineup and come in sizes from small 2-burner models to giant 6-burner grills with over 1000 square inches of cooking space.
Their flagship grill is the Prestige PRO Series built with up to 9 burners and infrared rear and side burners.
Overview Of Lynx Grills
Lynx is an American premium grill brand owned by Middleby, a major kitchen equipment manufacturer. Lynx grills are characterized by:
- Top-quality materials like 304 stainless steel and brass burners
- Powerful turboheat burners that can reach up to 1200°F
- Excellent searing capabilities from the advanced burner design
- Large grilling surface areas, often over 1000 square inches
- Attractive cabinetry with polished highlights
The Lynx lineup comprises gas grills in a variety of sizes and configurations, including smaller cart-style and larger built-in grills. Their flagship model is the 54-inch Sedona grill with triple-layer 14-gauge stainless steel construction.
Also Read: Comparison Between Monument Grills And Nexgrill
Direct Comparison Of Features Between Napoleon And Lynx Grills
Construction Quality
Both Napoleon and Lynx use high-grade stainless steel for excellent durability and weather resistance. Lynx highlights their triple-layer 14 gauge stainless construction, while Napoleon uses a mix of 14 and 16 gauge metals. Slight edge to Lynx for thicker metals in their flagship models.
Burner Quality
Lynx’s brushless turboheat ProSear burners can generate more heat, up to 1200°F, for better searing. Napoleon’s tubular stainless steel burners are also excellent. The infrared rear and side burners on the Napoleon models provide extra versatility. Overall burner tech goes to Lynx.
Temperature Range
With their turboheat burners, Lynx grills can hit higher maximum temperatures up to 1200°F. Napoleon’s burners can reach around 900°F. So Lynx has the upper hand for searing. But both can provide the 300-600°F range needed for proper grilling.
Grilling Surface Area
Both brands offer similar maximum cooking areas, around 1000-1200 square inches on their largest models. Both provide enough spacious grilling surfaces to handle large gatherings.
Overall Cooking Performance
The advanced burners and thicker construction allow Lynx to edge out Napoleon slightly in overall cooking performance. Lynx can sear better due to the turboheat burners. But Napoleon is no slouch, and their hybrid IR burners add versatility for directly flaming or smoking.
Styling
This is subjective, but Lynx grills feature more ornate accents and polished highlights. Napoleon grill styling is more understated. Lynx has a luxury look befitting its premium price tag.
Smart Features
Napoleon grills are loaded with advanced features like integrated woodchip smoker boxes, infrared burners, and heated seat racks. Lynx focuses more on the core grilling performance than hi-tech extras.
Price
Lynx commands a premium price, with grills starting around $3000-5000. Napoleon grills cost notably less, with prices from $500 for entry-level models up to $3000 or so for pro-grade fuel grills. You pay more for Lynx’s quality and performance.
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Pros And Cons Of Napoleon And Lynx Grills
Pros of Napoleon Grills
Innovative Features – Napoleon grills boast cool innovations like infrared rear and side burners, integrated smoker boxes, and creative cabinet storage solutions.
Better Value – You get excellent construction and performance at a more affordable price point versus premium brands like Lynx.
Sleek Styling – The stainless steel builds and signature wave grates look attractive in any backyard.
Great Warranties – Napoleon covers parts with a lifetime warranty and the grill body for 15 years.
Canadian Craftsmanship – The Canadian-made quality and materials from Napoleon are impressive for the price.
Cons of Napoleon Grills
Can’t Achieve Max Temps of Lynx – Napoleon’s burners max out around 900°F, while Lynx can hit 1200°F for superior searing.
More Basic Styling Than Lynx – If you want ornate accent pieces and polished highlights, Lynx is more luxurious.
Pricier than Entry-Level Brands – Napoleon costs considerably more than cheaper gas grill brands like Char-Broil.
Spotty Quality Control – There are some complaints of parts failures or sloppy manufacturing in select Napoleon grills.
Padding on Burner Output – Napoleon tends to rate burner BTUs higher than actual performance.
Let’s watch what people are talking about it.
Pros of Lynx Grills
Exceptional Searing Power – The turboheat ProSear burners can reach an astounding 1200°F for perfect steaks and chops.
High-End Construction – The triple-layer stainless and polished highlights are truly luxury-grade.
Beautiful Styling – Lynx grills look like pieces of barbecue art for your patio or outdoor kitchen.
Brand Reputation – There’s cachet that comes with owning “the world’s #1 professional grill brand.”
Great Durability – Lynx grills are built to last years even with heavy usage. The quality shines through.
Cons of Lynx Grills
Very Expensive – These are some of the priciest grills on the market, starting around $3000.
Overkill for Casual Grilling – You don’t need commercial-level quality for basic burgers and dogs.
Very Heavy – The larger built-in Lynx grills often weigh 500+ pounds and are a bear to maneuver.
Underwhelming Warranties – Lynx only provides coverage for one year, despite the high prices.
Some Quality Control Issues – Minor flaws in materials or performance occasionally slip through.
Also Read: You Should Choose Between Char-Broil And Monument Grills
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Napoleon and Lynx Grills
Yes, Napoleon absolutely makes quality grilling equipment. They offer excellent materials, construction, burners, and cooking performance at reasonable prices. Napoleon might not match premium brands for extremes like maximum heat output. But for the vast majority of home grilling, their products work wonderfully.
The main competitors to Lynx in the luxury outdoor kitchen market are premium brands like Hestan, Kalamazoo, Twin Eagles, and Alfresco. Middle-tier brands like Napoleon and Broil King also compete to an extent on performance and features, if not prestige.
Lynx commands premium pricing because their grills truly are commercial grade. The top-notch materials, triple-layer steel construction, and commercial-quality ProSear burners result in exceptional performance and durability. You pay for the quality that can last decades.
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The Bottom Line: Which Is Better Napoleon Or Weber Grill?
This depends on your budget and needs. Napoleon offers more features and accessories for less cost. But Weber’s material quality, construction, and simplicity also have advantages.
For a mix of value and technology, Napoleon wins out. But iconic Weber models like the Genesis or Summit offer unmatched reliability.
For most homeowners, Napoleon offers the best blend of quality materials, innovative features, and affordability. Lynx certainly holds the edge for maximum searing temperatures and luxury polished styling.
But the high prices and overkill construction make them harder to justify for casual use.
Napoleon provides about 80-90% of the performance at often half the cost or less. Unless you need commercial-grade durability or plan to sear steaks daily, Napoleon is likely the better backyard grill brand for your budget.
Their unique advantages like infrared burners make grilling an absolute pleasure.
