Best Infrared Grills in 2026: Napoleon, Char-Broil and Solaire Compared

The Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB is the best infrared grill for 2026 if you want searing and rotisserie cooking on a full-size gas grill. If your budget is tighter, the Char-Broil Performance Series Amplifire 4-Burner brings infrared cooking to the whole grate for far less, and the Solaire Anywhere is the pick for a portable that actually sears.

Infrared grills have kept growing in popularity as more brands add infrared side burners and infrared-heated grates, and the category now spans a 15 lb camping grill to a rotisserie-ready patio centerpiece. This list was researched and compared on manufacturer specs, burner design, and owner feedback, and every pick was checked against live Amazon listings for availability.

Quick Picks

• Best Overall: Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB, with infrared side and rear burners and thick wave-shaped grids
• Best Mid-Range: Napoleon Rogue PRO 525, with an infrared Sizzle Zone side burner rated up to 1,800°F
• Best Budget: Char-Broil Performance Series Amplifire 4-Burner, with 435 sq in and infrared heat across the grate
• Best Portable: Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Anywhere, with a 14,000 BTU infrared burner and a carrying bag

Buying Guide: What Infrared Actually Means

Infrared grills fall into three designs, and they behave very differently. Knowing which one you are buying matters more than any spec line.

Infrared Burner Zones

Napoleon’s Prestige and Rogue PRO grills use a dedicated infrared burner: a ceramic plate heated by gas that reaches roughly 1,800°F on the Rogue PRO’s side burner. You use it for a fast steak crust, then move the meat to the regular burners to finish. A rear infrared burner, like the Prestige 500’s, is built for rotisserie cooking rather than direct searing.

Infrared-Heated Grates

Char-Broil’s Amplifire (the newer name for TRU-Infrared) places an emitter surface between the burners and the food. The goal is not a blistering sear but even heat and fewer flare-ups, since grease hits the emitter and vaporizes. It is the easiest infrared system to live with, because you cook as you would on any gas grill.

All-Infrared Portables

Solaire’s Anywhere and Everywhere models run a single ceramic and stainless infrared burner under the whole 140 sq in grate. They cook fast, so plan on shorter times than you are used to. The related Char-Broil X200 Grill2Go, covered in our portable tailgate grill guide, takes the same approach at a lower cost.

Materials and Grates

Cast iron wave grates, like the Napoleon ones, hold heat after the lid is opened. Porcelain-coated steel is lighter and cheaper but loses heat faster. In all cases, clean grates after each cook and keep a cover on the grill; our grill cover roundup covers sizes for each type.

Fuel Type

Propane suits most backyards. Napoleon also sells natural gas versions of the Rogue PRO, which makes sense only if you have a gas line to your patio. Check the listing carefully, since propane and natural gas versions are separate pages.

Size, Weight and Assembly

Full-size cart grills like the Napoleon models are heavy and are easiest to assemble with a second person. The Char-Broil weighs 72 lbs assembled. The Solaire portables arrive nearly ready to use. If you are comparing against gas models without infrared, see our best gas grills of 2026.

Weather Resistance and Warranty

Stainless steel and porcelain-coated parts resist rust, but none of these grills should sit uncovered through winter. Napoleon lists a limited lifetime warranty on the Prestige line and a long-term warranty on the Rogue PRO. Solaire and Char-Broil warranties vary by listing, so read them before buying.

Best Time to Buy

Grill prices tend to soften in the fall and again around the major November shopping events. Use the buttons to see current pricing rather than relying on a number in a guide.

Detailed Reviews

1. Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB Propane Gas Grill

Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB Propane Gas Grill

9.4

Best OverallCheck current price on Amazon

cooking_area500 sq in primary

infraredSide burner plus rear rotisserie burner

fuelPropane

grates7.5 mm wave-shaped cooking grids

lightingInterior grill lights

warrantyNapoleon President's Limited Lifetime Warranty

✓ Infrared on two sides: a side burner for searing and a rear burner for rotisserie cooking

✓ Thick 7.5 mm wave-shaped grids hold heat and leave defined sear marks

✓ Interior lights make evening cooking easier to read at a glance

✓ Napoleon backs the line with a limited lifetime warranty

✗ It sits at the premium end of the category, well above the Char-Broil

✗ The cart-style body is large, so measure your deck before ordering

✗ Heavy cart build is easier to assemble with a second person

Check Price on Amazon →

The Prestige 500 RSIB has two infrared burners: a side burner for high-heat searing and a rear burner for the rotisserie. Add 500 sq in of primary cooking space and 7.5 mm wave-shaped grids, and you get a grill that can sear a steak, roast a chicken on a spit, and handle a full set of burgers in one session.

Interior lights let you read doneness at night without a flashlight. Napoleon backs the Prestige line with a limited lifetime warranty, the strongest coverage in this roundup.

The trade-off is size and cost. It needs a deck or patio with room for a full cart, and it is the most expensive grill here. If you want infrared but not the rotisserie, the Rogue PRO below is the better value.

2. Napoleon Rogue PRO 525 Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Side Burner

Napoleon Rogue PRO 525 Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Side Burner

9.1

Best Mid-RangeCheck current price on Amazon

infraredSizzle Zone side burner, up to 1,800°F

fuelPropane

gratesPorcelainized cast iron wave grates

controlsBacklit control knobs

extrasStainless steel warming rack

warrantyNapoleon limited warranty, listed at 15 years on the grill

✓ The infrared side burner is rated up to 1,800°F, hot enough for a fast steak crust

✓ Cast iron wave grates keep their heat after you open the lid

✓ Backlit knobs show burner settings after dark

✓ Sold in propane and natural gas versions, so you can match your fuel line

✗ Infrared is on the side only, with no rear rotisserie burner on this version

✗ Propane and natural gas listings are separate, so double-check you open the right one

✗ Still costs far more than entry-level gas grills

Check Price on Amazon →

The Rogue PRO 525 gets you Napoleon’s Sizzle Zone infrared side burner at lower cost than the Prestige. The side burner is rated up to 1,800°F, which is hot enough for steakhouse-style crusts, and the porcelainized cast iron wave grates hold heat well after the lid is opened.

Backlit knobs, a stainless steel warming rack, and a bottle opener round out the cart. It also comes in a natural gas version for homes with a patio gas line, so confirm the fuel type on the listing.

The downside is that you give up the rear rotisserie burner. If you do not own a rotisserie spit, you will not miss it.

3. Char-Broil Performance Series Amplifire 4-Burner Gas Grill

Char-Broil Performance Series Amplifire 4-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner

8.4

Best BudgetCheck current price on Amazon

cooking_area435 sq in primary plus 130 sq in warming rack

infraredAmplifire infrared cooking system

fuelPropane with side burner

gratesPorcelain-coated steel

weight72 lbs

ignitionElectronic

✓ Infrared cooking across the whole grate, aimed at fewer flare-ups and even heat

✓ 435 sq in of main space plus a 130 sq in warming rack for buns and sides

✓ A side burner is included for sauces and sides

✓ Two 7-inch wheels and a 72 lb weight make it easy to roll to a new spot

✗ Porcelain-coated steel grates will not hold heat like cast iron

✗ Infrared here is for even heat, not a separate 1,800°F sear zone

✗ Fit and finish are budget-tier compared with the Napoleon grills

Check Price on Amazon →

This is the pick for readers who want infrared cooking without spending Napoleon money. The Amplifire system uses an infrared emitter to spread heat and cut flare-ups, giving even results across 435 sq in of porcelain-coated grates, with a 130 sq in warming rack above.

A side burner is included, and the 72 lb body rolls on two 7-inch wheels. Electronic ignition and a lid-mounted temperature gauge keep it simple.

Understand what you are buying: this is infrared for even heat, not a dedicated 1,800°F sear station. If hard searing is your priority, step up to the Rogue PRO.

4. Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Anywhere Portable Infrared Grill

Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Anywhere Portable Infrared Propane Grill with Warming Rack

8.7

Best PortableCheck current price on Amazon

cooking_area140 sq in

output14,000 BTU infrared burner

construction20 gauge type-304 stainless steel

weight20 lbs

fuel1 lb propane bottles, larger tanks with adapter hose

extrasWarming rack and carrying bag

✓ A real ceramic and stainless infrared burner, not a standard burner with a heat shield

✓ Type-304 stainless body in 20 gauge steel is built for repeated trips

✓ The carrying bag has pockets for three 1 lb propane bottles

✓ Push-button electronic ignition

✗ 140 sq in feeds a small group, not a backyard crowd

✗ At 20 lbs it is heavier than the Everywhere model

✗ It carries a premium price for a portable grill

Check Price on Amazon →

The Anywhere is a small grill that sears properly. Its 14,000 BTU ceramic and stainless infrared burner runs under a 140 sq in grate, all inside a 20 gauge type-304 stainless body that weighs 20 lbs.

A warming rack and carrying bag come included, with room in the bag for three 1 lb propane bottles. You can also run it from a larger tank with an adapter hose. Setup takes minutes, because there is almost nothing to assemble.

The limits are size and cost. 140 sq in feeds about four people in batches, and this is a premium portable. For a boat, RV, or balcony, it is hard to beat.

5. Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Grill

Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Propane Grill

8.3

Lightest PickCheck current price on Amazon

cooking_area140 sq in

output14,000 BTU infrared burner

constructionType-304 stainless steel

weight15 lbs

size20 in wide x 8.25 in tall x 13 in deep

fuel1 lb propane bottles, larger tanks with adapter hose

✓ At 15 lbs it is the lightest grill here, easy to carry to a boat, camp or balcony

✓ Same 140 sq in grate and 14,000 BTU infrared burner as the Anywhere

✓ Compact 20 in by 13 in footprint stores in a closet or locker

✓ Electronic push-button ignition

✗ Thinner stainless than the Anywhere, so it feels less rigid

✗ The carrying bag is listed with the Anywhere, not this model

✗ Small grate means cooking in batches for more than four people

Check Price on Amazon →

The Everywhere uses the same 14,000 BTU infrared burner and 140 sq in grate as the Anywhere in a lighter, thinner-gauge body. At 15 lbs and about 20 in by 13 in, it is the easiest to carry and store.

The difference is in the stainless, which is thinner than the Anywhere’s 20 gauge, and in the extras: the carrying bag is listed with the Anywhere, not this model. If you plan to move it often, the Anywhere is sturdier. If every pound counts, take the Everywhere.

FAQ

What is an infrared grill?

An infrared grill heats food with radiant energy from a ceramic or metal emitter instead of relying only on hot air and open flame. The result is faster searing and, on designs like Char-Broil’s Amplifire, fewer flare-ups because grease lands on the emitter instead of a bare flame.

Is infrared better than a regular gas grill?

It depends on what you cook. Infrared sear burners beat standard burners for steaks and chops, since they get much hotter. For slow or indirect cooking, a standard gas grill works just as well. Many owners use both zones on one grill.

Do infrared grills get hotter?

Dedicated infrared burners do. Napoleon rates the Rogue PRO’s Sizzle Zone side burner up to 1,800°F. Infrared-heated grates like the Amplifire do not aim for that peak; they aim for even heat.

Can I cook low and slow on an infrared grill?

Yes, on a grill with standard burners alongside the infrared zone, such as the Napoleon models. All-infrared portables like the Solaire run hot and fast, so they are weaker for long, gentle cooks.

Are infrared grills hard to clean?

Not especially. Preheat, brush the grates, and wipe the emitter or sear plate when cool. Avoid spraying cold water on a hot ceramic burner.

Do infrared grills use more propane?

Infrared burners reach temperature quickly, so total run time can be shorter. A 1 lb bottle lasts a limited time on the Solaire portables, so carry a spare or use the adapter hose with a larger tank.

Related Articles

• Best Gas Grills in 2026
• Best Portable Tailgate Grills in 2026
• Best Built-In Grills in 2026
• Best Electric Grills in 2026
• Best Grill Covers in 2026

The Bottom Line

The Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB is the best infrared grill for 2026, with infrared side and rear burners and a limited lifetime warranty. Pick the Napoleon Rogue PRO 525 for the sear burner at a lower cost, or the Char-Broil Amplifire 4-Burner if you want infrared heat on a budget.

For travel, the Solaire Anywhere is the sturdier portable and the Solaire Everywhere is the lightest.