A tailgate party is a celebratory gathering around a vehicle’s open tailgate in a stadium or arena parking lot before an event. These lively pre-game festivities typically feature barbecuing, drinking, music, games, and camaraderie to kick off the day’s excitement. The focus centers on the tailgate itself, which serves as both buffet table and bar for grilled foods and alcoholic beverages. Portable generators and power stations come in handy for powering the party’s various energy needs.
What is the meaning of a tailgate party?
Tailgating is a beloved tradition in the United States and Canada, where sports fans gather to socialize and cheer on their favorite teams before a big event like a football game or concert. People park their trucks and cars in the parking lot, then set up food and drinks near their vehicles to host impromptu parties. From small gatherings between friends to entire parking lots filled with revelry, tailgating allows people to enjoy good food, drinks, and camaraderie as they get excited about the main event. With the right supplies, like portable power stations, you’ll be ready to host a fantastic tailgate bash!
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus offers the ideal portable power solution for outdoor adventures like camping, road trips, and tailgating.
Upgraded with safer, longer-lasting LiFePO4 batteries, this model provides a massive 1264Wh capacity and 2000W power output, which should be enough to easily run appliances like portable fridges for keeping food and drinks cold at your next tailgate party.
With multiple output ports to simultaneously charge all your devices, the Explorer 1000 Plus lets you stay powered up on the go. Just be sure to keep it dry and well-maintained, as the unit itself isn’t waterproof.
Thanks to its reliable battery management system, with proper care, you can enjoy this tailgating powerhouse for years of outdoor parties.
Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core Portable Power Station
Ideal for tailgating and off-grid adventures, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core power station keeps appliances and devices powered up with its 983Wh lithium battery capacity and pure sine wave inverter.
This durable, portable station can run a fridge, electric grill, TV, and mobile devices using the 10 versatile charging ports.
The advanced battery management system ensures safe, optimized battery performance, while the rugged aluminum construction withstands outdoor use.
Whether at home or on the go, the Yeti 1000 Core is a reliable power source for small appliances and electronics. However, it seems like the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is only exclusively available on Amazon (paid link) right now, although that might change in the future, but when I do not know.
Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station
The versatile Anker SOLIX C1000 portable power station packs a robust 1056Wh LiFePO4 battery that delivers up to 1800 watts of power. This ample capacity runs a portable fridge for hours at a tailgate party without issue. You can even grill up burgers on an electric grill for almost an hour.
With its lightweight, compact design, the SOLIX C1000 is ideal for outdoor adventures away from outlets. The durable LFP battery withstands over 3000 cycles and lasts up to 10 years. Recharging the SOLIX C1000 takes just 2 hours via 600W solar inputs or 1 hour with the UltraFast AC mode.
With 11 ports, the SOLIX C1000 powers everything from projectors to coffee makers in emergencies or off-grid camping. In short, the SOLIX C1000 strikes an outstanding balance between price, performance and portability to keep you powered up at tailgating events.
Which is the best power station for tailgate parties?
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core stands out for its durable anodized aluminum enclosure and separate sealed battery unit. In contrast, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus and Anker SOLIX C1000 have hard plastic enclosures.
Notably, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core uses a lithium-ion battery pack rather than the LiFePO4 batteries in the other two models. While both battery types are reliable for portable power stations, LiFePO4 batteries tend to have a longer lifespan, increased safety, and better thermal stability.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station provides the most battery capacity at 1264Wh. In comparison, the Yeti 1000 Core offers 983Wh and the SOLIX C1000 provides 1056Wh. While the differences are minor, the Jackery’s additional capacity stands out.
Moreover, the Explorer 1000 Plus uniquely supports connecting up to three extra battery packs, expanding its capacity exponentially to 5056Wh. Neither the Yeti 1000 Core nor SOLIX C1000 allow adding more batteries. The immense power may exceed a tailgate party’s needs, but it’s an advantage to consider. However, the Jackery costs slightly more than the other two models, so the increased price should factor into any purchasing decision.
At the end of the day, any of these three 1000Wh portable power stations could suit a tailgate party since that capacity balances power and portability well. Smaller capacities may lack staying power for an entire event, while larger power stations become heavy and cumbersome. However, you need to calculate your specific power needs, as running high-drain appliances like fridges or grills may require more battery capacity, or even a 2000-watt portable inverter generator.
In summary, while I cannot definitively recommend one power station for tailgating, the examples and factors discussed here can guide your purchasing decision. Nonetheless, considering the current popularity of Jackery portable power stations, my initial inclination would be to examine the Explorer 1000 Plus for providing portable power at a tailgate party. You may view current pricing and details for the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus on Amazon (paid link).
Photo by Christopher Luther on Unsplash.