The New York Times - Picks we get a kick out of

A group of sports fans tailgating in a field in front of a sports stadium.

Photo: Ruth Peterkin / iStock

Whether you love the game, love the snacks, or just love the person who loves the game (stay strong), football season is upon us. While all you really need to enjoy it is the game and some good company, the right gear can level up the experience. Maybe this is the year you start making chili for the whole gang?

‌

We chatted with Jason Starrett, seasoned tailgater and deputy managing editor for The Athletic. After 30 years of attending tailgates, he has some advice for the rookie and pro alike.

‌

What an expert brings to a tailgate→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Game day essentials

A television with a parrot on display is pictured on a credenza.

The best TVs

We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing TVs to find the best choices for any budget and room.

A person sits on a white couch with his feet up. He is on a laptop. A black dog is laying next to him.

A great sofa

You’re going to clock some hours on this thing. It’s worth getting one you love.

Our pick for best soundbar on a budget, the Yamaha SR-C30A, next to its subwoofer and remote control.

An immersive soundbar

A soundbar is the easiest, most affordable way to get a cinematic surround-sound experience at home. The crowd goes wild.

For snack breaks

Our three air fryer picks lined up behind a small bowl of fries. A slice of pizza is nestled in the instant mini's basket.

The best air fryer

Whip up fries, chicken tenders, or mozzarella sticks with ease using our top-pick air fryer.

Several boxes of frozen pepperoni pizza, some standing and some laying flat, along with a few warmed pepperoni pizzas resting on platters.

Pop a pizza in the oven

We taste-tested 12 widely available frozen pepperoni pizzas. Here are our favorites.

A few of our picks for best Countertop Ice Maker surrounded by ice-filled beverages.

Hustle on the ice

If you’re going to play bartender for the whole party, you might benefit from a countertop ice maker.

Our favorite fantasy sports app

A cartoon of people playing football on top of a phone screen

Illustration: Yann Bastard

Fantasy sports take the impulse to armchair-manage your favorite team and turn it into a dare: You think you’re such a tactical genius? Okay, then draft the players, choose who plays each week, and see how you do. You may not have a better game plan than Bill Belichick, but you might at least have a better sense of sports than your friends.

The best entry app for most people→

And if you’re likely to spend game days simply hiding out in a room nearby, might we suggest noise-cancelling headphones?

‌

You can reach the Wirecutter newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You are receiving this email because you signed up for

Wirecutter’s Newsletter.

Getting too many emails from us?

To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, manage your email preferences.

Wirecutter, Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018  

Privacy Policy | California Notices | Terms of Service | Contact Us

The New York Times - Picks we get a kick out of

Older messages

50 picks to glow up your bathroom

How to organize your pantry

“What am I, a salt miner?”

Friday Briefing: A G20 preview

Make packing lunch fun

You Might Also Like

The Resistance Is Dead. Long Live the Resistance?

What A Day: Aloha, Vladimir!

Why Spotify is struggling to copy YouTube's playbook

Friday Sales: Winter Puffers and Stocking Stuffers

Choo choo

Going Nuclear

The Populist Paradox Of Matt Gaetz

AI Grannies Assemble, 2024 Hero Dog Award, and Vintage Casserole Recipes

Coolest EVs at the Seattle Auto Show | Zillow names new COO

☕ Weed the people