I’ve had a lot of grills roll through my backyard over the years — cheap box-store units that warped in two summers, mid-range grills that did fine until the igniter died, and a handful of true premium machines that made me understand why people spend real money on a gas grill. The Napoleon Prestige 665 sits firmly in that last category, and after running one through everything from Tuesday-night burgers to a full rotisserie chicken dinner, I’ve got strong opinions on who should — and shouldn’t — buy it.
This is a big, feature-loaded, five-burner gas grill with an infrared searing station, a rear rotisserie burner, and enough cooking space to feed a backyard full of people without breaking a sweat. It sits in Napoleon’s Prestige lineup, right below the Prestige PRO series, and it’s built for people who’ve outgrown their starter grill and want something that’ll still be searing steaks a decade from now.
The real question isn’t whether the Prestige 665 is a good grill — it clearly is. The question is whether you need what it offers, or whether you’d be paying for capability you’ll never use. Let’s dig into that.
What we’ll cover: cooking performance, the SIZZLE ZONE infrared burner, the full feature set (including a few things most reviews skip), the Connected smart version, propane vs. natural gas, how it stacks up against the Prestige PRO 665 and the Weber Summit 670, accessories, long-term ownership, and my final take on value.
Rating: 4.4 / 5
| Best for | Large families, frequent entertainers, and anyone who wants steakhouse-level searing at home |
| Not ideal for | Small households, occasional grillers, or tight patios |
| Biggest strength | The infrared SIZZLE ZONE burner — genuinely restaurant-quality sears |
| Biggest weakness | Size and price — this is more grill (and more money) than most people need |
Ready to see current pricing and configurations? Check the latest Napoleon Prestige 665 price →
Here’s the quick-reference spec sheet before we get into the details.
| Feature | Napoleon Prestige 665 |
|---|---|
| Grill type | Premium 5-burner gas grill |
| Main burners | 5 stainless steel tube burners, 60,000 BTU |
| Primary cooking area | 665 sq. in. |
| Total cooking area (with warming rack) | ~1,000 sq. in. — room for roughly 40 burgers at once |
| Infrared SIZZLE ZONE side burner | 16,000 BTU, reaches up to 1,800°F |
| Rear infrared rotisserie burner | 18,000 BTU |
| Rotisserie kit | Included |
| Ignition | Instant JETFIRE™ battery-free ignition |
| Control knobs | LED NIGHT LIGHT™ knobs with SafetyGlow |
| Cooking grids | Stainless steel WAVE™ grids |
| Fuel options | Propane or natural gas |
| Connected version | Available (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth smart monitoring) |
| Warranty | Napoleon President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| Best for | Large-family cooking and regular entertaining |
Prices and exact included accessories shift by retailer and season, so I’d always recommend pulling up current pricing before you decide — I’ll point you to that at the end.
This is the section I wish more reviews led with, because a grill this capable isn’t automatically the right grill for you.
If you fall into that second list, that’s not a knock on you — it just means a grill like the Napoleon Rogue or a mid-tier Weber will serve you better for less money. I’d rather tell you that now than have you regret the upsell later.
This is where a grill either earns its price tag or doesn’t, so I spent the most time here.
Really well. Between the five main burners putting out 60,000 BTU across the primary cooking area and the dedicated SIZZLE ZONE side burner hitting 1,800°F, you’ve got two different ways to get a hard, dark crust on a steak. I ran a couple of thick-cut ribeyes on the SIZZLE ZONE and got a crust in under two minutes per side — the kind of char you normally only get from a commercial broiler. Recovery after adding cold meat is quick too; the burners don’t sag in temperature the way cheaper grills do when you drop a cold steak on hot grates.
Five independently controlled burners let you build real heat zones — hot on one side for searing, cooler on the other for finishing chicken thighs or holding food warm. The WAVE cooking grids and staggered sear plates underneath do a good job spreading heat and catching drippings before they cause flare-ups, which was one of my biggest complaints with my old grill.
A five-burner infrared grill isn’t going to replace a dedicated smoker, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But if you kill the burners on one side and run the others low, you can absolutely hold indirect temperatures in the 225–275°F range for ribs, pork shoulder, or a low-and-slow turkey. Toss a foil packet of wood chips over a lit burner and you’ll pick up a light smoke flavor. It’s a legitimate roasting/smoking-style option — just don’t expect the same smoke ring you’d get from an offset.
This is where the Prestige 665 separates itself from mid-range grills. With roughly 1,000 square inches of total cooking space, here’s what fits comfortably at once:
| Food | Approximate capacity |
|---|---|
| Burgers | ~40 patties |
| Bone-in chicken thighs | 16–20 pieces |
| Baby back rib racks | 4–5 racks |
| Steaks (1-inch cut) | 10–12 |
| Vegetables (sheet pan style) | 2–3 full trays alongside protein |
That’s enough to run a full backyard party off one grill without staging food in batches — which, if you’ve ever hosted a cookout on a smaller grill, you know is a real quality-of-life upgrade.
Want to see current configurations and pricing before you commit to a grill this size? See today’s price →
Most side burners on gas grills are just a smaller version of the main burners — fine for warming sauce, not great for searing. Napoleon’s SIZZLE ZONE is different: it’s an infrared burner, which heats a ceramic or metal plate that radiates heat directly at the food instead of just heating the air around it. That’s why it can hit 1,800°F in under 30 seconds, versus a conventional burner that tops out a few hundred degrees cooler and takes longer to get there.
Practically, that means faster, more even searing with less flare-up, since you’re not relying on an open flame licking the food.
For steaks, absolutely — this is the single feature that made me a believer in this grill. Burgers get a great crust too, though I’d caution against leaving thinner patties on it too long; infrared heat is aggressive and can overcook a thin burger fast. Shrimp and scallops sear beautifully in under a minute per side. Chicken breasts do well if you’re finishing them off direct heat after cooking through on a cooler zone. Vegetables can char a little too aggressively if you’re not paying attention — I’d stick to the main burners for those.
| SIZZLE ZONE (Infrared) | Standard Gas Burner | |
|---|---|---|
| Max heat | Up to 1,800°F | ~500–600°F |
| Time to full heat | Under 30 seconds | 8–10 minutes |
| Best for | Searing steaks, seafood | General grilling, sauces |
| Flare-up risk | Lower (radiant heat) | Higher (open flame) |
| Learning curve | Moderate — easy to overcook thin cuts | Low |
Five stainless steel tube burners, independently controlled, sit under thick WAVE-pattern cooking grids designed to hold heat and leave real sear marks — not the faint stripes you get from thin grates. Dual-level stainless steel sear plates sit between the burners and grates, spreading heat evenly and vaporizing drippings before they cause flare-ups.
This is a feature that doesn’t show up in most reviews but matters every single time you use the grill: JETFIRE ignition lights each burner individually with a continuous jet of flame, no battery required. I’ve owned grills where a dead igniter battery meant fumbling with a lighter in the rain — this system has never failed to light on the first try in my testing. It’s a small thing until you’re the one standing outside in February trying to get dinner started.
The LED control knobs glow when a burner is active — a genuinely useful safety feature that tells you at a glance if you left a burner on, plus it looks great for evening cookouts. Small detail, but it’s the kind of thoughtful engineering that separates a premium grill from a budget one.
Covered above in detail — worth reiterating here that it’s more useful than a typical side burner because of the infrared searing capability, not just a spot to simmer sauce.
An 18,000 BTU infrared burner runs along the back of the grill, dedicated to powering the included rotisserie kit. It provides even, all-around heat for spit-roasted meats — whole chickens, pork loins, even a small turkey — without drying out the exterior before the inside is done.
The rotisserie kit ships included, which is a nice value add compared to competitors who charge extra for it. It handles a standard chicken with room to spare, and I successfully spit-roasted a 12-pound turkey for a fall gathering without any issues. If you’ve never tried rotisserie cooking, this is genuinely one of the best reasons to consider this grill — the texture difference versus oven-roasting is noticeable.
Stainless steel WAVE grids, thick enough to hold serious heat and durable enough to handle a wire brush without warping. They clean up easily if you hit them while they’re still warm — my usual routine, and one I’d recommend regardless of what grill you own.
The LIFT EASE roll-top lid opens smoothly and retains heat well thanks to its dual-layer construction, which matters for indirect cooking and rotisserie work. An integrated temperature gauge on the hood gives you a general read, though I’d still recommend a separate probe thermometer for anything beyond a quick eyeball check — built-in hood thermometers are notoriously a guideline, not gospel, on any grill.
For a grill in this price range, the warranty matters as much as the spec sheet — and it’s genuinely one of the Prestige 665’s strongest selling points. Napoleon backs the Prestige series with its President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, which covers major components like the main burners, stainless steel lid, and cast aluminum firebox for as long as you own the grill, with other parts covered on a tiered schedule (typically several years, depending on the component).
Compare that to most competitors, where you’ll find lifetime coverage on the cookbox but only five or ten years on burners — Napoleon’s coverage on wear components tends to run longer across the board. If you’re spending this kind of money, that warranty is worth factoring into your decision as much as any feature on the spec sheet.
Nobody talks about this enough either, and it’s a real friction point for a grill this size. The Prestige 665 ships in a heavy crate — expect the grill itself to weigh well over 200 pounds once assembled with the cart. Plan for two to three hours of assembly time, and I’d strongly recommend having a second person around, especially for lifting the cooking box onto the cart frame. A cordless drill will save you real time over hand tools. If you’re not confident with assembly, many dealers offer white-glove delivery and setup for an added fee — worth considering if a few hundred dollars buys back your Saturday.
The Connected version adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the standard Prestige 665, along with an integrated LCD display, wired temperature probes, and (on propane models) a digital tank scale so you’re not guessing when you’re running low mid-cook. It also bumps up the total burner count and cooking area over the standard model in its current configuration.
Here’s my honest take: it doesn’t change the fundamental cooking performance — the burners and SIZZLE ZONE work identically to the standard model. What it adds is convenience. You get real-time temperature monitoring on your phone, high-temp alerts if something’s about to burn, and cook-progress notifications through the Napoleon Home App. For a long rotisserie cook or a low-and-slow session where you don’t want to babysit the grill, that’s genuinely handy. It doesn’t replace good grilling instincts, but it removes some of the guesswork for newer grillers.
Best for: tech-focused grillers, people who host frequently and want to step away from the grill without losing track of the cook, and anyone who values remote temperature monitoring.
Skip it if: you prefer straightforward manual grilling and don’t want to pay extra for an app you might use twice.
If you already have a gas line to your patio, natural gas is hard to beat — you never run out mid-cook, and it’s typically cheaper per BTU over time. The tradeoff is installation: you’ll need a professional to run and connect the line if one isn’t already in place, and the grill isn’t portable once it’s hooked up.
Propane models trade a little bit of BTU efficiency for total flexibility. You can move the grill, take it to a new house, or use it somewhere without a gas line at all. The downside is obvious — you can run out of propane mid-cookout, so keep a backup tank on hand if you’re hosting.
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Have a permanent gas line at your grilling spot | Natural gas |
| Need to move the grill or your home in the near future | Propane |
| Rent, or aren’t sure you’ll stay put long-term | Propane |
| Want zero risk of running out mid-cook at a fixed location | Natural gas |
This is the comparison I get asked about most, because the price jump between them is significant and the feature overlap can make the difference hard to see on paper.
| Feature | Prestige 665 | Prestige PRO 665 |
|---|---|---|
| Main burners | 5 (60,000 BTU) | 5 (part of an 8-burner, ~99,000 BTU system) |
| Total cooking area | ~1,000 sq. in. | ~1,140 sq. in. |
| Cooking grids | 8.5mm stainless WAVE | 9.5mm stainless WAVE (thicker, more heat retention) |
| Smoker tray | Not included | Integrated smoker tray with dedicated burner |
| Control knobs | LED NIGHT LIGHT with SafetyGlow | RGB Spectrum NIGHT LIGHT with SafetyGlow |
| Rotisserie | Included | Included, commercial-grade kit |
| Warranty | President’s Limited Lifetime | President’s Limited Lifetime |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Value-focused premium buyer | Buyer who wants built-in smoking capability and the thickest grates Napoleon makes |
You may also see the Prestige PRO 665 Elite, which is Napoleon’s most recent refresh of the PRO line — it adds a seamless aluminum firebox, an electric smoker box, and both wired and wireless probe support. Think of “Elite” as the current top trim of the PRO series rather than a separate product line. If you’re shopping and see “Elite” or “Legacy” in a listing, that’s a model-year distinction, not a different grill — always check the current spec sheet for the exact configuration before buying.
Mainly: a built-in smoker tray with its own burner (genuinely useful if you want light smoke flavor without a separate smoker), slightly thicker cooking grids, and a bit more total cooking area. The core cooking experience — the SIZZLE ZONE, the rear rotisserie burner, the general build quality — carries over from the standard Prestige 665.
If smoking flavor matters to you and you’re comfortable spending more, the PRO 665 is worth it. But if you’re mainly after searing performance, big cooking capacity, and rotisserie cooking, the standard Prestige 665 gets you 90% of the experience for meaningfully less money. That’s genuinely where I’d point most buyers.
Not sure which tier makes sense for your budget? Compare current Prestige 665 and Prestige PRO 665 pricing →
Weber’s Summit S-670 is the obvious cross-shop here — it’s the other grill people compare against the Prestige 665 in this price bracket, and for good reason.
| Category | Napoleon Prestige 665 | Weber Summit S-670 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary cooking area | 665 sq. in. | 624 sq. in. |
| Total cooking area | ~1,000 sq. in. | 769 sq. in. |
| Main burners | 5 (60,000 BTU) | 6 (60,000 BTU) |
| Sear burner | SIZZLE ZONE infrared, 16,000 BTU, up to 1,800°F | Sear Station, 10,600 BTU |
| Cooking grids | 8.5mm stainless WAVE | 9mm stainless rod grates with Flavorizer bars |
| Rear rotisserie burner | 18,000 BTU infrared | 10,600 BTU infrared |
| Smoker capability | Foil-packet or wood chips over a burner | Integrated smoker box + dedicated 6,800 BTU burner |
| Ignition | Instant JETFIRE (battery-free) | Snap-Jet individual burner ignition |
| Warranty | President’s Limited Lifetime on major components | Shorter tiered warranty, typically several years on key parts |
| Best for | Buyers who prioritize searing power and total cooking space | Buyers who want Weber’s ecosystem and integrated smoking out of the box |
Napoleon, and it’s not close. The SIZZLE ZONE’s 16,000 BTU and 1,800°F ceiling significantly outpaces Weber’s 10,600 BTU Sear Station. If steak night is the priority, this is where the Prestige 665 wins the comparison outright.
Weber has the edge here in one specific way — its integrated smoker box with a dedicated burner gives you real smoking capability without improvising with foil packets. Napoleon counters with more total cooking space and a hotter searing station. It’s a genuine trade-off depending on whether searing or smoking matters more to you.
Napoleon’s JETFIRE battery-free ignition and longer warranty coverage give it an edge for long-term ownership. Weber’s Snap-Jet ignition is reliable too, but Napoleon’s warranty terms on major components generally run longer.
Napoleon gives you more raw cooking capacity and a noticeably more powerful sear for similar money. Weber gives you brand ecosystem, resale value, and built-in smoking. Neither is a bad choice — it comes down to what you’ll actually use.
For buyers focused on searing performance, total capacity, and long-term warranty coverage, the Napoleon Prestige 665 comes out ahead. If integrated smoking and Weber’s broader accessory ecosystem matter more to you, the Summit 670 is a legitimate alternative worth cross-shopping.
Want to see both side by side with current pricing? Compare prices and features →
The Prestige 665 is primarily sold as a freestanding, cart-mounted unit, but Napoleon’s platform also supports built-in configurations for outdoor kitchen setups.
Freestanding gives you flexibility — you can reposition it, take it with you if you move, and it’s the simpler install of the two. It’s also the more budget-friendly path since you’re not paying for custom cabinetry or a cutout.
Built-in requires a properly ventilated enclosure built to the manufacturer’s clearance specs, but it delivers a more finished, permanent outdoor kitchen look. It’s a bigger upfront project — and a bigger commitment, since you’re not moving it once it’s installed.
If you’re still figuring out your outdoor space or might move in the next several years, go freestanding. If you’re building a dedicated outdoor kitchen and know exactly where this grill is living long-term, the built-in route is worth the extra planning.
Branded cleaning chemicals and specialty utensil sets are usually overpriced versions of things you can buy generically for less. Save your money there and put it toward the cover and a good thermometer instead.
Realistically, plan for an additional $150–$300 on top of the grill itself if you want a cover, a solid probe thermometer, and a griddle insert. That’s a modest addition relative to the grill’s overall price, and it meaningfully improves the day-to-day experience.
See the latest Napoleon Prestige 665 accessories and prices →
Over years of regular use, the parts most likely to need attention are the burners, igniter components, cooking grates, and grease management trays — completely normal for any gas grill, and all standard replacement parts through Napoleon’s dealer network.
With regular cleaning, a good cover, and reasonably attentive maintenance, a well-built stainless grill like this should easily deliver a decade or more of solid performance — and Napoleon’s warranty coverage on core components reflects that expectation. Weather exposure, especially in humid or coastal climates, is the biggest factor working against you, so covering it when it’s not in use matters more than people think.
After every cook: brush the grates while they’re still warm, and empty the drip tray if it’s getting full.
Weekly or monthly (in-season): wipe down the exterior, check the burner ports for blockages, and clean out the grease management system fully.
Seasonal deep clean: remove and scrub the grates and sear plates, inspect burners for corrosion, check the igniter system, and give the interior a full wipe-down before storing for winter or a long stretch of inactivity.
Pros
Cons
A smaller Prestige model like the Prestige 500 gives you the same core feature set — SIZZLE ZONE, rotisserie, JETFIRE ignition — in a more compact, less expensive package if the full 665 is more grill than you need.
The Prestige PRO 665, if built-in smoking capability and slightly thicker grates are worth the extra spend to you.
The Weber Summit S-670, especially if you value Weber’s brand ecosystem and integrated smoker box.
Look at a compact 3- or 4-burner freestanding grill rather than forcing a 665-class grill into a tight patio — you’ll be happier with something proportioned to your space.
Not sure which grill is right for you? Check out our full Best Gas Grills buying guide for a complete breakdown by budget and household size.
Is the Napoleon Prestige 665 a good grill? Yes. It’s a well-built, feature-rich premium gas grill with genuinely excellent searing performance and strong long-term warranty coverage.
Is the Napoleon Prestige 665 worth the money? For large households and frequent entertainers, yes — the cooking capacity and SIZZLE ZONE searing justify the price. For occasional or small-household grilling, a smaller grill will serve you better for less.
What’s the difference between the Napoleon Prestige 665 and Pro 665? The PRO 665 adds an integrated smoker tray with a dedicated burner, slightly thicker cooking grids, and marginally more total cooking area, at a higher price.
Is the Napoleon Prestige 665 available in natural gas? Yes, it’s available in both natural gas and propane configurations.
Is the Napoleon Prestige 665 available in propane? Yes, propane is available alongside natural gas.
Does the Napoleon Prestige 665 have a SIZZLE ZONE? Yes — a 16,000 BTU infrared side burner that reaches up to 1,800°F for high-heat searing.
Is the Napoleon Prestige 665 Connected worth it? It’s worth it if you value remote temperature monitoring and app-based alerts. The core cooking performance is the same as the standard model, so it’s a convenience upgrade, not a performance one.
What accessories do I need for the Napoleon Prestige 665? At minimum, a quality grill cover and a probe thermometer. A griddle insert is a great optional add for versatility.
Are Napoleon Prestige 665 parts easy to find? Yes, through Napoleon’s authorized dealer network, and the grill is backed by the President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty on major components.
How does the Napoleon Prestige 665 compare with the Weber Summit 670? The Napoleon has a hotter, more powerful sear burner and more total cooking space; the Weber has an integrated smoker box built in. Both are strong premium grills — the right pick depends on whether searing or smoking matters more to you.
How long does a Napoleon Prestige 665 last? With regular cleaning and a cover, a decade or more of solid performance is a realistic expectation, backed by Napoleon’s lifetime coverage on core components.
Is the Prestige 665 good for large families? Yes — this is exactly the use case it’s built for, with enough cooking area to handle a full family gathering in one pass.
If you regularly cook for a crowd, care about real searing performance, and want a grill built to last well beyond the typical box-store replacement cycle, the Napoleon Prestige 665 earns its price tag. The SIZZLE ZONE alone is worth the upgrade if you’re serious about steak night, and the included rotisserie kit, strong warranty, and battery-free ignition round out a genuinely well-engineered grill.
Best reason to buy: the infrared SIZZLE ZONE delivers searing performance you’d otherwise need a commercial setup to match.
Biggest drawback: the size and price put it out of reach for casual or small-household grillers — this isn’t a grill to buy just because it’s impressive on paper.
Best alternative: if you want more built-in smoking capability and don’t mind paying more, look at the Prestige PRO 665. If you’d rather stay in Weber’s ecosystem, the Summit S-670 is a legitimate competitor.
Who should choose the Connected model: grillers who want remote monitoring and app alerts for long cooks or when they’re stepping away from the grill during a party.
Who should upgrade to the Pro 665: anyone who wants integrated wood-smoke flavor without a separate smoker, and who values Napoleon’s thickest cooking grids.
If everything above sounds like your kind of cooking, this is a grill you can buy once and keep for a long time.
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