Best Generators For Tailgating Reviewed

Most tailgaters do not need more than 2000W at once; therefore, a good generator for tailgating does not need to be over 20 inches in any dimension or over 50 pounds. However, you should have a rough calculation of the power (W, watts) you will need before assessing which generator you want. Look at stats of your devices—if only voltage (V, volts) and current (A, amps) are given, multiply these to get the power, or use a wattage meter.

All of the tailgate gas generators reviewed below take unleaded, 87 (or higher) octane, 10% (or lower) ethanol-gasoline—regular automobile fuel. Ethanol makes gasoline more prone to getting stale, so unless you use ethanol-free fuel, empty the tank after use or use a fuel stabilizer or fuel treatment.

This is a mechanism that keeps hot vapors from escaping the engine and igniting anything nearby. Spark arresters are obligatory in engines operated on publically controlled land. Most of the best generators for tailgaters have this feature. The USFS (United States Forest Service)—an agency of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)—and the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) uphold spark arrester standards.

The best tailgater generators have multiple safety features. Aside from the spark arrester mentioned above, most have overload protection and low-oil shutdown. All give the option to ground the unit (usually with copper wire), which is recommended. Some even come with insulated connection cords or plug covers.

The WEN 56200i is the altogether best generator for tailgating. For most people, the 1600 running watts is sufficient but still allows the unit to be portable. As an inverter, this unit provides very clean power—1.2% THD at full-load. Therefore, this is a perfect choice if charging smaller, more sensitive devices is a priority.

The 56200i has two 120-V AC receptacles, a 12-V DC receptacle, and a 5-V DC USB charging port. There is an Eco-Mode switch to keep the engine from running faster than needed for the load. To nearly double the rated power and to add outlets for RV and twist-lock plugs—connect two of these units in parallel using the WEN 56421 Parallel Connection Kit.

The portability and reliability of this generator make it great for boaters. However, you still need to prepare the unit for the marine environment. We recommend a spray-on shield for electrical parts, rust-resistant spray paint for metal hardware, and high-heat spray paint for the muffler.

While this unit does not have a spark arrester, it does have necessary safety features—overload protection and low-oil shutdown. Users agree it really is quiet—only 55 dB at a ¾ load, at 22 ft. away. Most users also find it straightforward to use, and when it is not, WEN's customer service is attentive.

The best quiet tailgate generator is the Honda EU2200i. This beautifully built inverter generator is the quietest you can get—ranging from 48 dB to a maximum of 57 dB at full load. It can keep going for 3.2 hours with a full load (8.1 hours with a quarter load), which is more than enough power for most tailgaters.

The Honda GXR120 engine can ramp up fast to power a 15000-BTU air conditioner, but also provides power cleanly enough for small sensitive devices. The EU2200i has a pair of normal 120-V receptacles and a 12-V DC charger receptacle. There is no USB outlet, but mostly this is not a problem—most smart devices come with a suitable 120-V outlet-to-USB adapter.

The EU2200i is also great for camping—it has a spark arrester. Furthermore, it has an eco-throttle switch to keep fuel consumption and noise to only what is needed. It also has overload protection, low-oil shutdown, and the option to ground the unit. If you would like to nearly double the power and get RV/twist-lock plug connections, consider pairing a EU2200i with the Honda EU2200i Companion. However, if doubling the power is all you want, you can simply connect 2 EU2200i’s using appropriate cables.

A perusal of recent reviews shows serious complaints about a fuel leak recall, but this appears to have been quickly resolved. Even those who bought flawed units and waited for repairs/replacements were later satisfied. Honda is known for the quietest-running, highest quality generators, and the EU2200i is the best Honda generator for tailgating.

The Atima AY2000i is the best small generator for tailgating—mostly because it keeps running on one tank of gas longer than similar-sized generators—4.2 hours on full load. Also, there is some falsehood in its relatively higher dB rating: Atima uses a more stringent standard than most companies when testing loudness. In fact, most users are very impressed by how quiet it is.

This quietness and energy efficiency originates with the Yamaha MZ80 inverter engine and muffler, which includes a USFS-approved spark arrester. Yamaha is known for reliable, low-maintenance small engines. Therefore, the AY2000i is great for a variety of purposes, including camping. It has the normal outlets: two 120-V and one 12-V DC. It has a small fuel gauge and basic indicator lights for output, low-oil, and overload. For even greater energy efficiency, it has an eco-throttle mechanism, as well.

Despite its relatively small size, this generator can power a small AC system; however, it is advisable to add a soft start system to the AC, such as MicroAir EasyStart, to keep the generator from overloading from the starting surge. For 3800W/3000W of power, you can connect 2 AY2000i's in parallel. For better and easier engine care, consider the Atima dipstick and oil-change funnel (which also works for a variety of similar generators of other brands/sizes).

The Westinghouse iGen4500 is the best portable generator for tailgating: The second most powerful on this review list, it is still easily portable, with a 46-inch retractable handle and a pair of wheels along the back. There are two standard household outlets and one 120-V, 30A, RV/travel trailer outlet—along with a pair of USB outlets (2.1A and 1.0A), too. As an inverter, it provides clean (under 3% THD) electric signals, suitable for smart devices. There is no 12-V DC outlet, but the unit comes with an AC/DC adapter cord.

The iGen4500i has a spark arrester and is EPA-, CARB-, and USFS-compliant—definitely camping-safe. It has an eco-mode and basic safety features. For its size, it is impressively quiet. Users find that it is easy to use and starts up smoothly.

The 3 different starting options—recoil, electric push-button, and remote key fob—could seem excessive, but it turns out that many users like these. It is easy to track usage stats and maintenance checkpoints: there is an LED screen-space on the control panel that shows (in rotation) fuel level, power output, estimated remaining runtime, voltage output, and lifetime hours.

You can join two iGen4500’s together by using the inverter parallel cord. If you would like a smaller unit, camouflage pattern, or dual-fuel options, consider the iGen4500 Dual Fuel, iGen2500, or iGen2500 Camo, all of which appear on the same Amazon listing with the iGen4500.

The Rainier R2200i is the best budget option among portable, inverter generators. The lightest on this review list, it offers comparable power reliably and smoothly. The THD is under 3%, so this is an excellent choice for the tailgater who wants to charge a smartphone along with a much larger gadget—an 11,000-BTU air conditioner, for example. The R2200i can keep going for 6 hours at full load.

Like others on this list, the R2200i is CARB- and EPA-compliant and has an eco-switch for added efficiency and quietness. It has basic indicators and safety elements, such as low-oil shutdown and overload protection. Users appreciate that its oil filling/draining mechanism is more comfortable to handle than most. However, some users complain that it is hard to know how much oil is in the tank; you can remedy this by adding a magnetic oil dipstick. Similarly, the control panel is relatively basic (which some might prefer), but if you want additional usage stats, you can hook up an NK Tech hour meter.

On the whole, with its lightness and ease of use, this is an especially great generator choice for women, older users, and beginning users. It is possible to connect two in parallel using an appropriate kit. There are the usual pair of 120-V receptacles, along with one 12-V DC receptacle.

The best rated model in this review list is the WEN 56475. It makes up for not being an inverter by being the most powerful generator on this review list. Furthermore, it is reportedly very quiet compared to other non-inverters and is CARB- and EPA- compliant. It is the largest on this list but is still quite portable—it has a pair of fold-out handles and a pair of traction-tired wheels on the opposite bottom side.

The WEN 56475 also has an electric start option, though many still prefer to use the recoil mechanism. It has hour counter (helps you know when to do maintenance checks), along with regular safety and usage features, including a spark arrester.

This is the perfect generator for the tailgater who is also a serious RV traveler. In general, users who want more power for larger appliances will prefer the WEN 56475: it has a 120-V, 30-A twist-lock receptacle, and RV receptacle, in addition to the standard pair of 120-V household outlets. Since it has an automatic voltage regulator to create clean power, it likely is safe for sensitive devices—just use the adapter included with your device.

For RV use, be sure to have a 25-foot Heavy-Duty Generator Extension Cord or a similar product. Also, a generator this size will usually go through more fuel, so consider a conveniently designed 5-gallon portable gas can. A drawback of the WEN 56476 is that some of its exterior surfaces can become dangerously hot—something to keep in mind if children or pets are around.