Checklist · 13 picks · 6 categories

tailgate checklist

Edited by Zach · updated Oct 30, 2026 · How I pick

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Grill in the lot Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill Best for charcoal flavor in the parking lot$50-100Shop on Amazon
Roll the drinks Coleman Xtreme 50 Quart Wheeled Cooler Best for game-day drinks on a budget$50-100Shop on Amazon
Pregame seat ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair Best for bigger folks who want a sturdier chair$50-100Shop on Amazon

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A good tailgate comes down to three things: hot food, cold drinks and somewhere to sit before kickoff.

That means a portable grill you can actually lift into the trunk, a cooler with wheels so you're not hauling ice across the lot, and camp chairs that hold up through a whole pregame. Charcoal or propane is your call: charcoal tastes great but takes longer to get going. After that it's the fun stuff: a folding table for food, a cornhole set for the downtime and a speaker for the hype playlist. Picks come from OutdoorGearLab's grill, chair, cooler and table reviews, What Hi-Fi?, BestReviews and This Old House, with budget and splurge options, and each card shows the drawback the reviewers called out.

Who this is not for. Skip this if you're grilling in your own backyard; the Grilling Starter Kit has the full charcoal setup.

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Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.

My budget

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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.

The must-haves

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01 Grill

the first pick is the one I would start with

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill	budget	$50-100	charcoal flavor in the parking lot	1 outlet
Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Portable Propane Grill	mid	$150-200	feeding a crowd without charcoal	1 outlet
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill	splurge	$300-500	every home game of the season	1 outlet

Best portable grill

budget pick · 140 sq in

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

Best for charcoal flavor in the parking lot

OutdoorGearLab's Top Pick for best charcoal grill: a light charcoal grill with a deep basin for spreading coals, easy to carry to the lot.

Heads up. The tight metal vents need heat-resistant gloves, you manage the coals by hand, and the small grill limits how much you can cook, per OutdoorGearLab

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab top Pick: best charcoal grill.

$50-100

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mid pick · 275 sq in

Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Portable Propane Grill

Best for feeding a crowd without charcoal

OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy for best value portable grill: a two-burner stainless steel tabletop propane grill with a big cooking area.

Heads up. The folding legs are flimsy, the shape is awkward to carry, and the grease trap can spill in transit, per OutdoorGearLab

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Buy: best value portable grill.

$150-200

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splurge pick · 390 sq in

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Best for every home game of the season

OutdoorGearLab's Editors' Choice for best overall portable grill: a propane grill on a folding cart that sets up with one hand.

Heads up. It weighs 49 lbs and takes up a lot of trunk space when folded, per OutdoorGearLab

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab editors' Choice: best overall portable grill.

$300-500

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02 Seating

Best camp chair

mid pick · Large

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

Best for bigger folks who want a sturdier chair

OutdoorGearLab's editors' choice for best overall camping chair: a robust chair that makes lounging simple and comfortable.

Heads up. Big and heavy

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab editors' Choice: best overall camping chair.

$50-100

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budget pick · 15 in seat height

Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair

Best for firm back support on a budget

OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy for best budget chair for firm support: easy to get in and out of, and very supportive.

Heads up. Not overly durable, stains easily and is very long when packed, per OutdoorGearLab

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Buy: best budget chair for firm support.

$25-50

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03 Drinks

Best cooler

budget pick · Large

Coleman Xtreme 50 Quart Wheeled Cooler

Best for game-day drinks on a budget

OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy for incredible portability and value: for day trips on a budget, the testers call it the pinnacle of value.

Heads up. Hard to open, the handle is flimsy, and it's not watertight, per OutdoorGearLab

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Buy: incredible portability and value.

$50-100

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splurge pick · Large

Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

Best for long game days where ice has to last

OutdoorGearLab's editors' choice for best overall wheeled cooler: an all-around winner with top-performing insulation, but it comes at a price.

Heads up. Very expensive

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best wheeled cooler.

$300-500

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04 Setup

Best folding table

budget pick · 27.5 x 27.5 in top

Portal Outdoor Lightweight Aluminum Folding Table

Best for a light table for snacks and drinks

OutdoorGearLab's top pick as a convenient, lightweight campsite basic: rigorous daily use isn't its gig, but it holds its own in basic situations.

Heads up. The X-frame leaves no room for your knees, and long-term durability is a question, per OutdoorGearLab

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab top Pick: a convenient, lightweight campsite basic.

$50-100

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mid pick · 48 x 24 in top

Lifetime 4-Foot Fold-In-Half Adjustable Table

Best for a grill-side prep and food table

OutdoorGearLab's editors' choice for best overall camping table: a sturdy, spacious folding table that can give years of use at everything from BBQs to camping.

Heads up. Heavy, and it packs up large

1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab editors' Choice: best overall camping table.

$50-100

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05 Games

Best cornhole set

budget pick · Collapsible

Himal Lightweight Collapsible Cornhole Set

Best for throwing cornhole in the trunk every week

BestReviews' best bang for the buck: a portable design with hours of fun at about half the price of competitors.

Heads up. The bags are small, though BestReviews says that helps portability

1 outlet. BestReviews best bang for the buck cornhole set.

$25-50

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mid pick · 2 boards, 8 bags

GoSports Classic Cornhole Set

Best for classic-looking boards for casual games

This Old House's best traditional cornhole board: an attractive bargain option for casual games.

Heads up. It's weather-resistant but not meant to be left out, and it's heavy for how durable it is, per This Old House

1 outlet. This Old House best traditional cornhole board.

$50-100

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06 Music

Best speaker

mid pick · Portable

JBL Flip 7

Best for pregame music that fits in a bag

What Hi-Fi?'s best portable Bluetooth speaker: a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner 2026, refined, portable and tough to beat at this price.

Heads up. Can be critical of recording and source quality

1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best portable Bluetooth speaker.

$100-150

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splurge pick · Durable

JBL Charge 6

Best for one speaker that does it all

What Hi-Fi?'s best Bluetooth speaker overall: a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner 2026 and an excellent all-round performer that has all the bases covered.

Heads up. More affordable JBL models are available

1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best Bluetooth speaker overall.

$150-200

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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me

Questions people ask

What do I need for a tailgate?

A portable grill, a cooler for drinks and food, and chairs cover the basics. A folding table for food prep, a cornhole set and a portable speaker make it a party.

Charcoal or propane for tailgating?

Propane lights fast and gives you easier heat control, which helps when you're short on time before kickoff. Charcoal takes more prep but gives you that smoky flavor. Check your stadium's rules too, since some lots limit open flames or require you to dispose of hot coals in specific bins.

Do I need a wheeled cooler?

If you park far from your spot, yes. A cooler full of ice and drinks gets heavy fast, and wheels let you roll it across the lot instead of carrying it.

tailgate checklist

plan my budget pick an amount ↓

The must-haves