1. WEN 56235i 2350W
8.0
/ 10
Runs the TV, speakers, and a griddle (one big appliance at a time) at 51 dBA — you'll hear the pregame show, not the generator.
Read full review
~$429 typical price
Buy on AmazonUse-case guide · 2026
Best generator for Tailgating
A modern tailgate is a small outdoor kitchen with a broadcast studio attached: TV, satellite receiver, blender, griddle, slow cookers, speakers, phone chargers. It adds up faster than people expect — and nobody wants to shout over a construction-site generator between plays.
The power requirements
Running watts
500–2,500W depending on the cooking gear
Starting surge
Blender and griddle spikes; stagger the big draws
- ▸A TV (100W) and speakers (50W) are nothing; it's the 1,200W griddle and 1,000W blender that set your size class.
- ▸Inverter-clean power protects the TV and phones; open-frame generators are the wrong tool here.
Adding more appliances? Run your full load through the sizing calculator →
Our picks
2. Westinghouse iGen4500
9.1
/ 10
3,700 running watts means the griddle, blender, TV, and slow cookers all run simultaneously with nobody managing loads between margaritas.
Read full review
~$949 typical price
Buy on Amazon
3. Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen2
8.6
/ 10
Some lots restrict fuel generators; a 2kWh battery runs the TV-and-sound side of a tailgate all day in total silence and rides home in the trunk.
Read full review
~$1,099 typical price
Buy on AmazonBefore you buy
- ▸Check your stadium's lot rules — battery stations sidestep every generator restriction.
- ▸Position exhaust away from the crowd and the food; CO and burgers don't mix.
- ▸Bring a power strip with USB ports — half the party just wants phone charging.
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need to run a TV and griddle at a tailgate?
A TV draws ~100W; a full-size electric griddle 1,200–1,500W. A 2,000W-class inverter covers both if the griddle is the only big cooking load; add a blender and slow cookers and you want the 3,500–4,500W class.
Are generators allowed in stadium parking lots?
Policies vary — many lots allow quiet inverter generators and nearly all allow battery power stations. Check your venue's tailgating rules; when in doubt, battery power is never against the rules.