It is often easy to know exactly what you should pack if you are an avid tailgater. Good food, a few drinks, and some little entertainment might be all it really takes to kick off a tailgating party for most people.
However, to really make the tailgating party stand out, you are probably going to need a decent power source that will keep the party going. A portable generator ought to do the trick, but simply picking any portable generator you come across won't quite cut it.
You would need to invest in a generator that is great for tailgating if you want a tailgating party that will be vibrant and memorable, and that's where we come in. This article reviews the best generators for tailgating so that you won't have to start your search from scratch.
For starters, reviews can be misleading in some cases. Just because a particular portable generator has thousands of reviews on Amazon does not necessarily mean it is the generator you should get. This is because different generators serve different needs, and it would be pointless to spend lots of cash on a portable generator that is too overkill.
As such, we considered a few factors, such as use cases, power, noise levels at different loads, and even runtime, when selecting these best generators for tailgating. In this way, you can filter out generators not solely on the number of reviews it has but on how useful it will be to you and your tailgating needs.
Reviews of the Top Generators for Tailgating
Below are the best portable generators that you can buy today for your tailgating needs. Feel free to jump to any that fancies you.
1. WEN 56200i
It's easy to compare the WEN 56200i to plenty of other portable generators on this list and conclude that it is simply a mid-range inverter generator. Well, that may be partly true since it has a much smaller engine size, but the entire narrative will change once you know how much it costs.
Features:
The WEN 56200i is a neat and impressive portable generator that many people may disregard because of its engine size or even rated power. True, a 79.7cc 4-stroke engine may struggle to power some power-intensive devices. However, if you need it for an average tailgating party, the 56200i can be the right generator for the task.
It has a 1-gallon fuel tank capacity which can give you about 6 hours of runtime when connected to a 50% load. Like the Honda EU2200i, it also has pretty low noise levels of between 50 to 55 dB at 25% to 50% load.
The WEN 56200i is also versatile since it is parallel capable. This means you can get even more power if you need it, but to do so, you will need a separate kit (WEN 56421) to make that happen. Either way, since the generator weighs a mere 48 pounds and comes with an ergonomic handle, there's no reason why you shouldn't get this affordable portable generator.
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2. Westinghouse iGen2500
With 2200W of rated power, the Westinghouse iGen2500 is an inverter generator unlike many others. It has a modest 98cc 4-stroke engine that can keep running for up to 10 hours at ¼ of the load, but there are more than plenty reasons why it can be the missing link for an amazing tailgating party.
Features:
The first thing we noticed about the iGen2500 was its relatively small engine capacity. Compared to a generator like the Honda EU2200i or even the DuroStar DS4000s, it is easy to conclude that the iGen2500 won't power as many devices. Nevertheless, since it has a small engine capacity and a higher power rating, you can expect the iGen2500 to last much longer.
You can get up to 10 hours of runtime at 25% load from this generator, and this can be more than enough time to further extend your tailgating party in case you all get carried away. The generator has a 1-gallon fuel tank which is satisfactory for most common use cases. However, if you plan to connect big loads to this generator, then it might be a good idea to carry some extra fuel.
The noise levels from the iGen2500 are also low since 52 dB will hardly interfere with any tailgating party.
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3. Champion 4000W Dual Fuel
The Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Inverter is among the few generators on the list that can rival the DuroStar DS4000s. As a dual fuel inverter generator, it gives you the convenience that other kinds of generators cannot simply provide. What's more is that it has one of the best runtimes we've seen, but there's a catch.
Features:
With a power rating of over 3000W, you can tell that the Champion 3400W is a power house. Since it can take in either gasoline or natural gas, you also get to enjoy the convenience that few other generators offer. The great part about it all is that the generator also comes with a fairly large engine size – a 192cc 4-stroke air-cooled engine.
In terms of runtime, you can expect the Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Inverter to take you for about 7 hours while using gasoline and with a 25% load. However, if you'll be using natural gas, the generator can last for almost 14 hours when connected to ¼ load. That can be amazing especially if you wanted to host the tailgating party a little longer.
The only downside is that for you to get such a runtime, you would need a steady supply of LPG in the first place. If you're thinking about LPG cylinders, you should know that it's very easy to deplete a cylinder especially if your load is big.
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4. Generac GP2200i
It is not "just another" Generac inverter generator if you look closely. The Generac GP2200i is far different from the iQ2000 even though they are both from Generac. Fitted with a 1.2-gallon fuel tank, the GP2200i has a runtime of up to 10 hours at 25% load which is more than what the iQ2000 had to offer.
Features:
In terms of engine size, both share the same 80cc engine. However, the GP2200i has the upper hand when it comes to the power rating as it boasts 1700W. The good part about this is that the extra engine power does not come with extra noise. That's right. You only get noise levels of about 58dB at ¼ load, and this makes it one of the quietest inverter generators from Generac too.
The generator also comes with some of the features we loved in the iQ2000 such as the fact that it is parallel ready. Additionally, we were also pleased that it had useful LED indicators for alerting you in case you run low on oil or if the generator is overloaded.
In any case you don’t attend to the generator while it is running low on oil, it will automatically shut down to protect the engine from further damage. Chances of this happening during a tailgating party may be low, but at least you know the generator won't let you down.
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5. Yamaha EF2000iSv2
Confusing the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 with the Yamaha EF2000iS is easy since they practically share the same name. The differences between the two are also very minimal, but many people would prefer the EF2000iSv2 as it is a newer model and can thus offer better performance. For tailgaters though, there is no harm in picking either of them, but you can save a few bucks by choosing the EF2000iSv2.
Features:
You're probably going to like the EF2000iSv2 mostly because it also falls in the category of the lightest inverter generators on the market. Weighing in at 44 lbs., it'll be easy and painless to include this generator in your car's trunk for that tailgating party you've been hoping to make a reality.
Additionally, while it has a power rating of 1600W and an engine size of 79cc, it can still provide you with up to 10 hours of runtime at ¼ load. Even at half load, the generator is still quiet and will only average noise levels of about 51.5dB.
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Things to Consider When Choosing A Generator for Tailgating
As we had explained at the beginning, picking any portable generator you come across is not a guarantee that it will be perfect for your tailgating needs. There are thousands of different kinds of portable generators available in the market today, and that is why it is important to know a few things to look out for when going to buy a generator for tailgating.
This information will allow you to reconsider some of the things that many people take for granted when selecting a portable generator that will meet their tailgating needs.
Power Output
Generally, tailgating does not require generators with high wattage ratings. In fact, the kind of generator you require for your home is usually more powerful than what most people use for tailgating.
Tailgating parties hardly use a lot of power. As such, a generator that produces 2000W of power would be more than sufficient for most folks. Since people only hook up their laptops, smartphones, or even music systems to the portable generator, you can already see why even a 1000W generator can be ideal for tailgating.
However, this does not mean that getting a generator with a higher rating is wrong. If you will be hooking up power-hungry devices to the portable generator, then it definitely makes sense to get one with a slightly higher rating.
Fuel Type
Your choice will depend on the kind of fuel that is readily available to you. Generators can use up to three types of fuels which are:
- Natural gas
- Propane
- Diesel or Gasoline
The generators that use either propane or diesel are more ideal for tailgating than one that uses natural gas. However, most people prefer diesel generators as diesel is popular and easy to transport. Propane tanks can at times run out and can occupy large spaces in your vehicle's trunk.
Run Time
It's easy to get carried away when a tailgating party is amazing, and that's why it is important to consider the run time of the generator. Since run time is usually estimated at either ¼ of the load or ½ of the load, it will be a good idea to know how much power you might need for your tailgating party.
If you come up with a figure like 1500W, you can consider picking a 2000W portable generator to serve your needs. In addition, it is also advisable to pick an inverter generator if you won't be hooking up power-hungry devices.
Noise Level
With more power comes more noise, and especially from diesel-powered generators. You may have noticed that the noise levels of many of the portable generators we included in our list hardly go beyond 70 dB. This is simply because generators with noise levels past 65 dB are loud and can be a nuisance. While you can always place the generator further away, it is much better to consider quieter portable generators.
Portability
You shouldn't sacrifice too much space in your car's trunk for the generator. If this is the case, then a smaller and more portable generator will be far better for your tailgating needs. It will allow you to fit in more tools and supplies so that you can have a richer experience.
Final Verdict
One thing is clear after reviewing all the 10 portable generators. Portable generators serve different kinds of needs and knowing which generator can meet your specific needs is what counts the most. A portable generator like the WEN 56200i may have a lower power rating than another generator like the Champion 3400W. However, it is easy to pick the WEN 56200i if your power needs are not too demanding and leave behind the Champion 3400W for people who need the extra power.
