6 Best Generators for Tailgating – Updated Reviews 2024

Everyone wants to make tailgating adventure fun! Party, lighting, music, and a cup of coffee on colder nights make this experience even more special and fun. But all these amazing add-ons are not possible without the source of electricity. And to get that power supply, we must have a generator.

No one wants to suffer from any misfortune on their fun time and to make the most of the fun you have to buy an amazing generator that can turn on a few lights, a stove, an electrical kettle, and of course a heater. But you don’t have to worry about anything as we have researched and tested some of the best tailgating generators.

These generators are properly tested and researched based on our own experience and the reviews on different websites. We will discuss these generators in detail by providing you with their specifications, features, technical details, pros and cons, and much more. To know all the details keep up with us.

6 Best Generators for Tailgating – Review

1. Westinghouse 2200 Watt Portable Inverter Generator

Westinghouse 2200 Watt Portable Inverter Generator is top on our list. This generator is one of the most portable tailgate generators. With its small size and lightweightness, it is perfect for various outings, including tailgating and RVing. The 4-stroke engine can run for up to 13 hours and has a 1,800-watt output capacity. During our testing of this powerful system, we found out that it generates only clean power with a THD of under 3%, it’s beyond our expectations. So, I can rightly say that it is ideal for use with delicate electronic devices like computers and cell phones.

It’s also simple to use to run your small refrigerator, two to three energy savers, fans, and many more appliances. The drawback is this generator that I have observed is that the line frequency increases sometimes when you activate all the appliances at the same time.

This inverter generator is almost noisy having a noise output of only 52 decibels at 25% load. It also accompanies a paralleling port which means that you can also connect another compatible inverter generator to increase the power output.

This one may be appropriate for you if you’re on a tight budget. Although it doesn’t have many features, as one can expect.

Specifications

2. Generac 7117 Gp2200I W 50St Inverter

Generac 7117 Gp2200I W 50St Inverter Portable Generator is very lightweight and weighs approximately 46.2 pounds. You can easily take this compact generator for camping, tailgating, and other activities. You can also easily place it in the truck bed or install it anywhere.

According to my experience with this generator, I can say that this is quieter than Honda, it has a 1.06-gallon fuel tank that can be used, and 1,600 operating watts is the AC-rated output. To conserve money and fuel, you can choose between Turbo, Standard, or Economy modes of operation and it is the greatest advantage of this generator. Its display is very easy to understand having start/run/stop features.

It has also the capacity to paralleling. Heavy appliances like AC or refrigerators can be powered with this configuration. The PowerBar displays the amount of available wattage that you are now consuming and how much is left to be used, rather than acting as an energy snack. Additionally, status lights will notify you if you run low on fuel or oil, as well as if overloading or other dangers may exist.

Specifications

3. Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, Solar generator

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, Solar Generator is the most cost-effective and budget-friendly generator. I can rightly say that this generator is one of the best for tailgating because it is portable and battery-operated. You can charge outdoor equipment like laptops, drones, mini-coolers, and many more appliances. Fortunately, it offers a separate solar-ready charging option that captures sunlight and converts it into electrical energy.

It has a variety of outlets, including one AC outlet, 2 USB ports, and 1 DC car port, that can be used to connect different appliances and also for paralleling. With 240 watt-hours of capacity, the battery pack can power several electronic devices.

Before you bring it along for tailgating, you should be aware of the slow charge rate it has. A gadget that draws more than 200 watts cannot be supported. You can click here to learn how a solar generator works.

Specifications

4. WEN 56380i Super Quite Portable Inverter Generator

WEN 56380i Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator is an amazing generator that can clean electricity without voltage spikes or decreases and without producing high noise. Wen 56380i is the quietest generator for tailgating. This generator has a 212cc 4-stroke air-cooled OHV engine running at a very low 57 decibels at quarter load. Because of this, it is less noisy when people are hunting, camping, tailgating, and regenerating backup power. The fuel shutdown option is another feature of it.

This minimizes maintenance while extending the life of the device by preventing the build-up and obstructions brought on by stale fuel inside the carburetor. You can power laptops, cell phones, displays, tablets, and other devices. The ultra-efficient 2.2-gallon tank delivers over 8.5 hours of half-load run time, and the lightweight design, built-in wheels, and folding handle provide simple mobility.

It accompanies a 3-prong 120V household receptacle, one 12V DC receptacle, one AC 120V 30A NEMA TT-30R receptacle, two 5V USB ports, and an accessible digital fuel gauge are all included on a fully featured panel for the tailgate power supply.

Specifications

5. Champion Power Equipment 100302 4000 watts inverter Generator

Champion Power Equipment 100302 4000-Watt Inverter Generator is an excellent generator with having very high efficiency rate. The company is known for manufacturing a variety of budget-friendly and user-friendly generators. Compared to a conventional 4000-watt generator, the Champion 4000-watt Digital Hybrid Open Frame Inverter Generator is 20% lighter and 50% quieter. That is beyond amazing.

In addition to being 20% lighter and 50% quieter than a typical Champion 3300-watt generator, the Champion Economy Mode function also conserves fuel and prolongs engine life. It is made especially for RVs, tailgating, and home backup.

It can have Up to 17 hours of continuous use at 4000 starting watts and 3300 running watts on gasoline. It also accompanies an RV Two 120V 20A household outlets with clean power (less than 3% THD), a 120V 30A RV adapter, and a 12V DC outlet with dual USB adapters. With the optional Parallel Kit, you may connect up to two inverters or digital hybrids of 2800 watts or more to increase your power output.

It accompanies a 3-year limited warranty as well as lifelong technical assistance from qualified professionals.

Specifications

6. Honda Power Equipment EB2800i Inverter Gas generator

Honda Power Equipment EB2800i Inverter Portable Gas Generator is a well-known tailgate gas generator. Everyone knows that Honda is one of the most efficient and highly demanded generators. The company is known for manufacturing efficient, dependable, and durable generators and they want to incorporate all of that into an open-frame inverter solution. The Honda EB2800i is light enough to be lifted onto the back of your pickup by one person, weighing only 67 lbs.

The innovative inverter technology used by Honda, which provides dependable and “clean” power to your equipment and appliances, is also present in the EB2800i. Since the EB2800i’s power is as steady as the power that comes from your AC outlets at home thanks to the inversion process, Honda assures us that you won’t need to worry about your appliances or electronics getting damaged.

Because of its substantial exhaust system and inverter technology, the Honda EB2800i performs within a decibel range of 62 – 67 dB(A). This is substantially louder than the 57 dB(A) of Honda’s EU2200i, yet it is still quieter than the majority of generators.

Specifications

Things to Consider while Purchasing Generator for Tailgating – Expert Opinion

What characteristics should the perfect tailgating generator have? Convenience and reliable operation will be key. Let’s examine all the attributes you need to think about before making your pick.

Power Output

Knowing how much power a generator has is arguably the most crucial consideration when choosing one. The power output of generators is sold in watts. You can run a blender, a microwave, a TV, and other appliances simultaneously depending on how much electricity they produce.

the function of all the appliances is dependent on the caliber and reliability of the power. Although 5,000 watts is a reasonable rule of thumb, it might be too powerful for a tailgate party.

Then total the wattages of all the appliances is the first thing you need to know. For instance, a portable heater will need 1,500 watts, while lights can use anywhere between 60 and 600 watts, and refrigerators can use up to 600 watts. You can read here how big a generator you need to know that exact estimate.

Fuel capacity and duration

The size of the fuel tank and its runtime are important considerations when choosing a generator. It is very significant to know your requirements and your generator fuel capacity. The runtime also varies significantly between the same generator’s full load and 25% load statistics, depending on how much power you consume from it.

The shortest runtime that we advise is six hours. Some of the items on our list have less than that, but most have more.

Noise level

Depending on your generator’s noise output, you’ll either be able to unwind and enjoy the game or the music, or you’ll have to endure an obnoxious machine hum. Nearly every machine on our list is quite quiet, largely because inverter generators are far quieter than conventional ones. You likely won’t even be aware that it is there, powering your devices, as none of them is louder than a typical conversation.

Safety

Make sure the model you choose has plenty of safety features, regardless of the design. It can rapidly turn dangerous when you start adding items like petrol and oil to the mix. Because of this, features like overload protection and low-oil shutdown are crucial. Your generator should switch off if the oil level drops below safe limits to protect the engine. Making ensuring your generator isn’t overloaded is overload prevention. This happens when you have more plugged-in appliances than your generator can handle, which causes the system to overheat.

Portability

You’ll probably have to carry your generator at some point as you’ll be hauling it tailgating. Generators can be very loud. You should choose a generator that is on the lighter end of the range because they can be pretty substantial. Find one with handles if possible as well.

Techniques

Always situate your device outdoors in a protected enclosure so that enough air may pass through for cooling and ventilation needs. Always make sure it’s on a level surface that’s neither combustible nor conducts electricity. For the long life of a generator, its maintenance is compulsory and for detailed study,  you can read this article on how to clean a generator.

Best Generators for Tailgating – FAQs

Conclusion

We hope that our post was helpful to you and that you choose the best option for you. The Yamaha, Honda, Generac, and Westinghouse were among our top picks. Our favorite choice was the Westinghouse 2200-watt generator because of its overall safe, quiet, and fuel-efficient functioning, as well as its stylish look and affordable price. We adored the Honda power equipment for its lightweight, quiet operation, and clean energy production. The Champion generator also boasts a long runtime, a user-friendly design, and is quite quiet.