What’s The Best Weber Genesis for 2024?
Finding the best Weber Genesis model for 2024 can be a tad confusing. That’s why we put this article and video together. The simple and easy answer would be to tell you the Genesis SPX-435 is the best model. It has the most features and is the largest grill in the Genesis lineup for 2024. That clearly makes it the best.
But that doesn’t mean it’s the best model for everyone reading this. In this article we’ll dissect key features that differentiate between the 14 models in the 2024 Genesis line which will allow you to answer the question: what’s the best Weber Genesis for 2024? At the bottom of this article we will provide three recommendations of models that the team at Just Grillin Outdoor Living prefers in the 2024 lineup.
Genesis 2024 Lineup Overview
Weber reduced the number of grills offered in the Genesis line for 2024 to 14 models. This is one less model than what was previously available in 2023. Weber totally redesigned the appearance of the Genesis grills in 2022. They did not make any appearance updates to the style in 2024. The bulk of the Genesis line consists of three-burner grills (9/14 models) while there are five four-burner grills available.
The graphic above shows all 14 models that are available. ACE Hardware does have their only specially made grill that is not shown because it is not available for the majority of Weber retailers. The ‘E’ models stand for enameled, ‘S’ for stainless, ‘SP’ for special edition and ‘SX’ for smart grills and ‘SPX’ for premium smart grills.
How To Pick The Best Weber Genesis For You
Now that we have outlined the grill lineup for the Weber Genesis 2024 models it’s time to guide you through the different features. To make things easier, we’ll quickly list out the features that you need to pay attention to and the features you don’t need to worry about when choosing a model. After that we’ll dive deeper into each differentiating feature.
What To Pay Attention To
- Cooking Grates
- Sear Zone Burner
- Weber Crafted System
- Additional Side Storage Cabinet
- Weber Connect Technology
- Expanded Top Warming Rack
- LP Tank Scale
- Right Side Shelf Size
- Grill Size
- Side Burner
- Interior Grill Lighting
- Lighted Control Knobs
- Color of Grill Body
What Not To Pay Attention To
- Burner Type
- Flavorizer Bars
- Double Door Grill Cabinet
- Locking Caster Wheels
Cooking Grates
Weber offers three types of cooking grates: porcelain-enameled cast iron, 7mm stainless steel and 9mm stainless steel. This feature is usually the most important to narrow down your list of models to consider.
Models with Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grates
- E-315
- E-325
- E-330
- E-335
- E-415
- E-435
Models with 7mm Stainless Steel Grates
- S-315
- S-335
- S-415
- S-435
- SX-335
- SPX-435
Models with 9mm Stainless Steel Grates
- SP-S-325 (Special Edition)
- SP-E-335 (Special Edition)
If you review the above list of grills with each specific grate type, you can identify a pattern that will help you easily remember which grates come with each model. All stainless body grills come with 7mm stainless steel grates with the exception of one Special Edition model. Most black enameled body grills come with the porcelain-enameled cast iron with the exception of one Special Edition model.
Sear Zone
In the previous two years Weber made the Sear Zone Burner a standard feature on all grills. For 2024, you will need to make sure you pick a model that comes with it. Of the 14 models available, 10 of the Genesis grills come with the Sear Zone Burner.
The Sear Zone is an additional 12,000 BTU burner sandwiched between the two burners closest to the right side of the grill head. This allows for extra heat to give steaks a high-quality crust or other foods that you want to flash sear for a crust and better grill marks.
Crafted System
The Weber Crafted System is a new take on the Gourmet BBQ System. The Crafted System allows you to do more with your Genesis Grill using a wide variety of new cooking accessories that fit in the grill using a specially designed frame kit. This frame kit comes with select models or can be purchased separately after the fact. All Genesis grills 2016 and newer are able to use the Crafted System.
The pictured accessories do not come included with the grills. Each accessory can be purchased separately based on your cooking interests. Weber is introducing a carbon steel flat top, dual-sided sear grate, glazed baking stone, roasting basket, rotisserie skewers and a rotisserie basket.
Grill Locker Side Storage Cabinet
The Grill Locker Side Storage Cabinet is linked to the Weber Crafted system. The grills that come with the Crafted Frame Kit will also have the grill locker.
You cannot purchase the extra grill locker as an add-on later. This is a decision you have to make before purchasing a Genesis Grill. If you do not care about the having the Crafted System but want the extra side storage cabinet, you will have to purchase a model that comes with the Crafted Frame Kit.
Almost Two-thirds of the Genesis models (8/14) listed above come with the mentioned features included. While the Crafted Frame Kit can be purchased afterwards, the Grill Locker cannot.
Nightvision LED Handle Light
This has been a very popular feature since introduced in 2022. Weber integrated a lighting system into the handle of the grill providing top-down lighting in the evening.
The button is activated with the push of a button. The lights are motion activated. The lights will turn on and off when opening and closing the lid. There are only two models in the lineup that come with this feature. You cannot purchase this style of handle light for the grill separately.
Expanded Features
Weber introduced these next three features in 2022. At the time, these were standard on all Genesis grills. For 2024, only four of the 14 models will come with these features. The first feature is the expandable top cooking rack. This is double the size of the standard rack available on the other 10 models. The rack easily folds in half if you don’t need all of the space and it can also fold flat against the wall of the grill.
Larger Right Side Shelf
The right side is about 4 inches wider on the models that come with the expanded features. While this might not seem like a large amount of space, it does make a big difference.
LP Tank Scale
This feature is only available on liquid propane models. The tank scale has two components to give you a good idea of how much fuel you have left in your tank. There is a red indicator level on the front leftside of the cabinet that is visible without needing to open the cabinet. The tank hanger inside the cabinet also has yellow indicator graphics.
Smart Grills
Weber introduced Smart Grills into their Genesis lineup in 2021 with three models. Weber doubled down on the category with six Smart Grill models for 2022 and 2023. In 2024, Weber has reduced this to two options.
The term “smart grill’ refers to the grill connecting with your mobile phone or tablet via WiFi or Bluetooth to monitor food and grill temperatures via an app. Smart Grills come with onboard Weber Connect Technology built into the grill. Weber Connect is a digital thermometer that monitors temperatures via probes that you can monitor and get alerts through the Weber Connect app.
Here at Just Grillin Outdoor Living, we actually like that Weber simplified the lineup of Smart Grills. With too many options, it was confusing for consumers to make a choice. With two options, it’s easier to focus on these models and understand them better.
The Weber Connect app is free for Apple and Android users. It does much more than monitor grill and food temperatures. It can also walk you through a recipe step-by-step providing you with clear directions of when to flip and pull food for the perfect doneness. This is a feature our team likes particularly if you’re learning to grill or need some help. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Between these two models, there is only two differences in features. The SPX-435 comes with backlit knobs and the integrated handle light. The SX-335 does not come with these two features.
Special Edition Grills
Special Edition Grills are separate from Smart Grills and not as well advertised as the rest of the Genesis lineup. These are also models you won’t find in big box stores. Weber designed these grills for their independent retailers. For 2024, there are two Special Edition models.
The two models are: SP-S-325and SP-E-335. The difference between the SP-S-325 and SP-E-335 is the latter includes a side burner, extra side storage cabinet and Weber Crafted Frame Kit.
The 9mm stainless steel grates are very thick and the most durable grates in the entire lineup. We suggest going to see them at your local Weber retailer to feel the quality of the grates.
Side Burner
The side burner is a 12,000 BTU burner great at preparing small side dishes and heating small pots of sauce. While the strength of the side burner has not changed over the years, Weber did move it from the right side shelf to the left side shelf in 2022. Half of the Genesis line comes with a side burner.
Grill Size
Weber offers Genesis Grills in two sizes: three burner and four burner. The majority of the Genesis line is available in three-burner grills. There are half as many four-burner grills in the Genesis lineup for 2024.
Three Burner Models
- E-315
- E-325
- S-315
- SP-S-325
- E-330
- E-335
- S-335
- SP-E-335 (Special Edition)
- SX-335
Four Burner Models
Just Grillin Outdoor Living’s Recommended Models
Our Experts Top Pick
Genesis SP-E-335 Gas Grill
Why We Like This Model: When you look at all of the features available on Genesis grills for 2022, the Genesis SP-E-335 gas grill checks off pretty much every box possible. This model comes with the premium 9mm stainless steel cooking grates, integrated handle light, Crafted Frame Kit, extra side storage cabinet and side burner. Factor in those features and the price point of this grill compared to the rest of the Genesis lineup, it’s our experts top pick. We like this model for a well-seasoned griller that plans to use all of the features and purchase additional accessories to unlock the versatility of this grill.
Option #2
Genesis S-435 Gas Grill
Why We Like This Model: The Genesis S-435 is another great option that our team likes for the size and features of the grill. Our team recommends this model for the griller that wants something with plenty of space, enjoys having mostly upgraded features and wants to maximize the grills potential. This model comes with the 7mm stainless steel cooking grates and is Crafted ready. You can actually fit a second Crafted Frame Kit in this grill if you wanted to. There is plenty of space. This model also comes with the larger right side shelf, expandable top cooking rack and LP tank scale.
Option #3
Genesis SX-335 Gas Grill
Why We Like This Model: The Genesis SP-S-325 is a model that is well built with a few premium features. The interest in a side burner is usually 50/50 with our clients and this model does not have one. If you compare the price of the entry-level Genesis model to the price of this grill, it’s a nominal difference for a grill with a stainless hood and doors and the 9mm stainless steel grates.
It’s Time To Find The Best Genesis Model
We have covered a lot in this article. We laid the article out in a way we saw best fit to navigate through the different features of the models. All of the Genesis grills are available in LP (liquid propane) or natural gas.
We do not mention pricing in our videos or posts because that information tends to change too often. We want our information to be accurate.
If you have further questions and need additional help picking a Weber Genesis model, the Just Grillin Outdoor Living team is here to help. Feel free to send us a message here or come visit us in our Tampa showroom to see some of these models in person and get our experts help. Make sure you check us out and subscribe to our YouTube channel for our premium content.
