15 Clever Gadgets to Elevate Your Tailgate Setup

Do you wait all year for college football season to roll around? In preparation, we’ve been stocking up on stadium-approved accessories and drooling over SEC-inspired cake designs, and now we’re looking to set you up for your best tailgating season yet. After asking friends, colleagues, and scouring reviews, we’ve rounded up 15 smart products to help you streamline your next tailgate!

15 Clever Gadgets to Elevate Your Tailgate Setup

Collapsible Tailgating Table with Cooler

There’s nothing like a piece of equipment that loves to multitask. This collapsible table features four drink holders and a food basket that’s perfect for bowls of snacks, or for storing supplies like paper towels, plastic cups, cutlery, and more. Tucked under the food basket, you’ll find a five-quart insulated cooler vessel. When collapsed, the table slides into a convenient over-the-shoulder carrying case like the ones used for folding camp chairs. Get it HERE for $44.99.

Lounge Wagon

Another fabulous piece of multi-purpose equipment is the Lounge Wagon, which doubles as a rolling storage cart and a roomy bench seat that can easily seat two adults or three children — perfect for toting all of your tailgating equipment, and then taking a load off once you’re all set up. It even comes with an umbrella for shade and heavy-duty wheels for navigating tricky terrain. However, the wagon weighs 43 pounds and is too large to fit in the trunk of many small vehicles, so if you don’t have an SUV or truck, we recommend taking measurements before ordering. The Lounge Wagon is available HERE for $349.95.

All-Terrain Rolling Cooler

If refreshments are your main concern, we recommend loading your precious cargo into this 70-quart Trailmate Cooler from Igloo. It features all-terrain smooth-ride wheels, a telescoping handle, bottle openers, extra storage compartments for small items like keys and sunscreen, plus a butler tray that’s stored inside the lid and attaches to the cooler’s handle, providing a handy extra surface when you need it. Order yours from Igloo for $249.99. (Currently marked down from $279.99!)

Chilled Condiment Tray

Prep your toppings, condiments, and garnishes ahead of time, then store, serve, and keep them cool with a single product. This five-compartment caddy includes a lid to keep debris and insects at bay, an ice tray for cooling, and a variety of serving utensils. We can imagine plenty of uses for this bad boy, well beyond toppings for burgers and hot dogs — Bloody Mary garnishes, chili toppings, and even a lineup of chilled cocktail snacks like pickles, olives, and cheese cubes. The tray is available HERE for $29.99.

Neck Fan

The first few games of the season can be brutal — stay cool with one of these highly-rated hands-free neck fans! This one is rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about replacing the batteries, and the design is bladeless, so there’s no danger of your hair getting stuck. It’s available in the green shade pictured here, plus fun blue, gray, and pink shades. Get yours HERE for $31.99.

Portable Cast Iron Kickoff Grill

Admittedly, this may be the opposite of a “gadget” but if you love cast iron cooking, you’ll love this easily portable grill from Lodge. Thanks to the reliable heat retention and distribution of cast iron, charcoal is ready in a hurry, and you’ll get an even char on all of your meat and veggies. Plus, it will arrive pre-seasoned and ready to roll! The grill is available HERE for a special Willams Sonoma price of $103.96.

Fly Repelling Food Fans

Tabletop fans like these have gained popularity along with grazing boards, which are crowd-pleasing but don’t offer much staying power in outdoor settings. Fly-repelling fans not only keep pests away, but they offer a bit of additional airflow around the table. These are available in a set of two from Amazon for $27.99.

Trio Beverage Cooler

Can coolers are getting more and more sophisticated, and we’re here for it. This triple threat from Brümate can accommodate both tall and short cans, thanks to a freezable insert. Or, if you’re sipping a draught beer, cocktail, or even iced coffee on game day, this cooler also comes with a tight-seal lid, transforming it into an insulated pint glass. It’s available from Brümate in a wide variety of colors for $29.99.

Burger Master

This nonstick burger press simplifies burger prep in a BIG way. To use it, simply spread your seasoned ground meat into the well. When you seal the lid, it will cut the burgers into perfectly-portioned patties. From there, you can easily store and transport them on game day, or even stash them in the freezer to use for the rest of the season! The Burger Master is available on Amazon for $22.86.

270-Degree SUV Canopy

A reliable canopy is a must for tailgating season, and while there are a wide variety of options available at different price points, this unique design from Rhino Rack offers a whopping 69 square feet of coverage. Thanks to its large coverage area, easy storage, and durable material, it was rated the best 270-degree canopy by Gear Junkie. (But, do note that it will likely require two sets of hands for easy setup.) Get this canopy on Amazon for $690.78.

Telescopic Stool with Phone Charger

This stool is ideal for crowded events and long lines! A lightweight disc — complete with a carrying handle — easily expands into a sturdy stool with a capacity of up to 400 pounds. This is great for older fans, folks with mobility issues, or even tired kiddos. The best part? The stool has a device charger built right in, so you can charge your phone while you sit. (Just be sure to charge your stool before the game!) Order yours for $36.99 on Amazon.

Collapsible Beer Pong Table with Cup Holes

Whether you partake or not, you must admit — beer pong is a classic tailgating pastime. This lightweight table folds into a compact carrying case for easy transport and setup. It also boasts cutouts for the cups, making for a regulation game, but also preventing cups from flying. Plus, the surface is made up of a dry-erase material so you can easily keep score or decorate in team colors! Order one on Amazon for $109.99.

Eco-Friendly Plates

Bamboo and palm leaf plates are a chic and environmentally friendly option for disposable serveware. They instantly elevate the appearance of any buffet table, their neutral hue goes with any pairing of team colors, and they’re compostable to boot. Snag a 50-pack that includes 25 dinner plates and 25 dessert plates HERE for $35.

Collapsible Garbage Bag Holder

No more tying garbage bags to car door handles and tree branches, and no more end-of-day spills! This collapsible plastic trash bag holder (complete with an easy-open lid!) will keep your tailgating turf tidy, and its simple black design won’t be an eyesore. Get one HERE for $15.07.

Lightweight Folding Cook Station

If half the joy of tailgate fare is prepping on-site, a folding cook station like this one will instantly up your game. This particular table offers a variety of surfaces for prep, storage, and serving. The shelves even have several beverage holders, including spots for holding your stemware! When it’s time to pack up and go home, the lightweight table folds into a compact configuration that is easily carried and stored in your vehicle. Get it HERE for $79.99.

Cheers to an unforgettable season!

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For creative dishes to complement your tailgate and watch party menus, check out our Recipes archive!