Head-to-head · Best Gas Grills

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet vs Weber Spirit II E-310

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Weber Spirit II E-310 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about First-time gas-grill buyers cooking weeknight dinners for a family of two to four who want a single cooker that lasts a decade. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Gas Grills

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet

4.2

$469

The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet is the value pick that earns its place by doing things the more expensive Webers don't. The TRU-Infrared cooking technology eliminates flare-ups and produces noticeably juicier burgers and chicken — a real, repeatable advantage on the cooking surface. AmazingRibs gave the TRU-Infrared Commercial 4-Burner predecessor 4 stars / Gold Medal, calling it 'capable of high enough heat for searing, and low enough for smoking.' The trade-off is shorter warranty and lighter-gauge construction than Weber, but for a sub-$500 grill the cooking surface punches above its weight. Replace the porcelain-coated cast-iron grates with stainless rod grates after three years and the grill itself can run a decade.

Strengths

— TRU-Infrared cooking technology eliminates flare-ups and 'cooks up to 50% juicier food' per Char-Broil's testing — uniquely useful on fatty chicken thighs and burgers
— 10,000 BTU lidded side burner for sauces, sides, and reheating — a feature the comparably priced Weber Spirit II E-310 doesn't include
— 420 sq in primary plus 130 sq in warming rack and enclosed cabinet storage at under $500 — strongest dollar-per-square-inch in this lineup

Watch-outs

— Porcelain-coated cast iron grates corrode and chip over time — owners frequently upgrade to stainless steel replacement grates by year three
— 1-year burner / 2-year firebox warranty is shorter than every Weber and Napoleon in this comparison
— Cabinet sheet metal is thinner than Weber's, which several reviewers describe as feeling 'lightweight' or 'flimsy'

$469 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Gas Grills

Weber Spirit II E-310

4.6

$549

The Spirit II E-310 is the gas grill almost every editorial outlet hands the 'best for most people' badge. Three 10,000 BTU burners cover 424 square inches with even, repeatable heat; Bob Vila gave it 9/10 and AmazingRibs awarded its Platinum Medal. At under $600 it sits in the price range most first-time buyers actually consider, and Weber's 10-year warranty plus the GS4 platform mean it cooks like a grill twice its price and survives like one. It's the safe choice — and after looking at every competitor in this category, that's also the smart choice for a household of two to four.

Strengths

— Three 10,000 BTU stainless steel burners deliver the evenly heated 424 sq in primary surface that earned it 9/10 from Bob Vila and a Platinum Medal from AmazingRibs
— GS4 grilling system bundles Snap-Jet ignition, Flavorizer bars, and the improved grease tray — the platform Weber, Wirecutter, Cook's Illustrated, and Serious Eats all called best-in-class at the price
— Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates hit 500°F in ten minutes and hold sear marks comparable to grills three times the price

Watch-outs

— No side burner — the Spirit II E-315 (added side burner) is the closest 'plus' option but adds $130
— Open-cart design leaves the propane tank visible from the front, which looks utilitarian against the cabinet-style Char-Broil and Napoleon competitors
— 30,000 total BTU caps maximum sear temperature below Genesis's dedicated sear zone — fine for burgers, less ideal for thick-cut steaks

$549 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet

The most affordable grill in this lineup at less than a third the price of the Weber Genesis E-435 and less than a seventh the price of the Weber Summit FS38 S. It cooks four burners' worth of food just like the Weber Spirit II E-310 does with three, adds a side burner the Spirit lacks, and uses infrared technology no Weber in this comparison offers — but builds the cookbox from thinner stainless and runs a shorter warranty. Versus the Napoleon Prestige 500, Char-Broil loses every build-quality comparison but wins on price for buyers who want infrared cooking without the $1,500 premium.

Weber Spirit II E-310

Sits one tier below the Weber Genesis E-435 on burner count, total cooking area, and warranty length, and costs about a third as much. Versus the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet, the Spirit gives up infrared flare-up control and a side burner but wins on grate material, warranty, and resale value. For buyers who want all five burners and a top-down infrared broiler instead, the Weber Summit FS38 S is the same Weber pedigree with seven times the price tag.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet	Weber Spirit II E-310
Burners	4 main + 1 side	3 main
Total BTU	45,000 BTU/hr (35,000 main + 10,000 side)	30,000 BTU/hr
Primary Cooking Area	420 sq in	424 sq in
Total Cooking Area	550 sq in	529 sq in
Grate Material	Porcelain-coated cast iron	Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Ignition	Electronic (1 AAA battery)	Snap-Jet (battery)
Fuel Type	Liquid Propane	Liquid Propane
Warranty	5-year burner, 2-year firebox, 1-year remaining parts	10-year limited (cookbox, lid, burners, Flavorizer bars)
Weight	90 lbs	—

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