Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner vs Weber Q 1200
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Quick take: The Weber Q 1200 costs $21 less; the Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner offers more cooking space (435 vs 189 sq in); the Weber Q 1200 reaches a higher max temp (NaN vs NaN°F).
| Spec | Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner | Weber Q 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$300 | ~$279 |
| Rating | 4.1★ (6,769) | 4.6★ (7,712) |
| Type | Gas Grill | Gas Grill |
| Cooking Area | 435 sq in | 189 sq in |
| Max Temp | 550°F | 500F°F |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane (1 lb canister, 20 lb tank with adapter hose) |
| Build Material | Stainless Steel | Cast aluminum body and lid, glass-reinforced nylon frame |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 4 | 1 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | Yes | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 51 x 23 x 46 in | 40.9 x 16.5 x 15.5 in |
| Weight | 97 lbs | 31 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner
- ✓At around $380 it delivers four main burners plus a side burner, far more grill for the money than a Weber
- ✓The stainless-look finish and lid give it a more upscale appearance than the budget price suggests
- ✓Four independently controlled burners plus 435 sq in handle big family cookouts and lots of burgers at once
- ✓The integrated side burner is genuinely handy for sides and sauces at this price point
- ✓Porcelain-coated grates clean up easily and resist rust reasonably well for the cost
- ✓Electronic push-button ignition lights quickly and the swing-away warming rack adds usable space
- ✓It's lightweight at ~97 lbs and assembles faster than heavier premium grills
- ✓A 5-year warranty is generous for an entry-level grill and beats many rivals in the price class
- ✗Build quality is thin - the lid, firebox, and cart are lightweight steel that can rust and warp within a few seasons
- ✗Heat distribution is uneven, with noticeable hot and cold spots across the cooking surface
- ✗There's no dedicated sear zone, so high-heat steak searing is mediocre
- ✗Long-term durability is the main knock - many owners replace it in 3-5 years versus a decade-plus for Weber
- ✗The burners and ignition can corrode or fail earlier than premium grills, requiring part swaps
- ✗It's all-manual with no probe, app, or smart features
- ✗Side tables and shelving feel flimsy and the cart can wobble when loaded
- ✗Flare-ups are more common since there's no effective grease-vaporizing system like Weber's Flavorizer bars
Weber Q 1200
- ✓Heavy cast aluminum construction retains heat far better than thin portable rivals
- ✓Porcelain cast iron grates produce genuine sear marks
- ✓One of the most-reviewed and highest-rated portables on the market
- ✓Fold-out side tables and electronic ignition are rare at this size
- ✓5-year warranty and decades of parts availability
- ✓Compact enough for balconies where full-size grills are banned
- ✗Single burner rules out two-zone or indirect cooking
- ✗189 sq in maxes out around four people
- ✗Burns through 1 lb canisters fast - the tank adapter hose is a near-mandatory extra
- ✗Regulator low-flow lockout after canister swaps is a common owner annoyance
- ✗At $279 it costs more than some full-size 4-burner grills