From TVs to coolers, here are 10 products you need for football season

The NFL 2023 season is finally back. The first game of this season being held today, Thursday, September 7th, where the underdog Detroit Lions will face off against the Superbowl LVII champion team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Before the season heats up, you’ve still got time to get your shopping in order to make sure you have all your game-day necessities ready to go.

If you're not sure where to start, don't sweat it—the experts here at Reviewed are bringing you our favorite products that we've put to the test for football season. From coolers and tumblers that keep beverages and snacks chilled to soundbars that enhance your watching experience, here are 10 must-have items you can get your hands on before game day.

1. A dependable 4K TV that won't break the bank

If you’re looking to watch football on the big screen but don’t want to break the bank to do so, we recommend catching the action on our budget pick for the best TV, the Hisense U8K.

2. A streaming device for easy access to a variety of sports channels

After you have your TV, you’ll want a streaming device to watch the game. We've tested plenty of major players in the streaming device competition like Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K and Google Chromecast, but none have impressed us as much as the latest Roku Ultra did.

The Roku Ultra features a smart, intuitive remote that other brands just don't have—it features built-in app shortcuts that can also be programmed to your personal liking, along with voice control for a more modern way of controlling your TV. You'll also get access to an easy-to-use interface where you can scroll through all the Roku channels and apps.

3. A streaming service to watch the game

After you've secured your crystal-clear 4K TV and streaming stick, there's still one more step to take before you're watching the game in high-definition—a streaming subscription. One of the best streaming services to check out if you're a sports fan is Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video features Thursday Night Football along with sports-related videos like interviews and the NFL's first-ever comedy show, The Pile On. If that wasn't reason enough to get Prime Video, you should know that it’s bundled with an Amazon Prime account so if you have one, you have the other.

Sign up for Amazon Prime Video

4. A tumbler to keep your beverages ice cold

No matter if you’re sipping beverages on the couch or at a fall tailgate, a quality tumbler, or travel mug, is a must-have. When we tested a variety of travel mugs, we found the Zojirushi SM-KHE48 to come out on top thanks to its excellent temperature retention and ease of carrying.

5. A soft cooler for stowing your beverages and snacks to tailgates

While keeping your current beverage of choice ice cold is essential, you'll want to make sure the rest of your drinks, your snacks and any ice you've packed stay just as cold. Out of all the lunch coolers we've tested, we were impressed with the Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag the most as an adult lunch box. We love the Daytrip Lunch Bag for its durability and attractive design. Plus, there are multiple ways to seal the lunch box.

6. An air fryer for crispy, delicious appetizers and meals

The air fryer has rapidly become a staple among kitchens everywhere as an alternative to deep-frying and convection oven cooking, producing delectably crispy and crunchy foods in just a matter of minutes. When the weekly game calls for all manners of snacks and meals to enjoy while watching, having an air fryer as your sidekick makes cooking delicious food easier than ever.

At Reviewed, we've tirelessly tested several brands and models of air fryers to find the best ones on the market—and we found that the Ninja Speedi is the best one you can buy. This air fryer is one of the most user-friendly we’ve tested, as it’s simple to switch between the appliance’s air fryer and rapid cooker modes, and it’s intuitive to use its control panel. Beyond the controls, we, of course, love the Ninja Speedi because it fries especially fast.

7. A quality soundbar for phenomenal gametime narration

What's good picture quality for your TV without great sound to match it? Immerse yourself in the game from the comfort of your home with a top-rated soundbar. Don't think a soundbar needs to be a hefty investment—there are plenty of quality soundbars you can get for under $200, including the Vizio V21-H8, one of our top choices for an affordable soundbar.

This Vizio soundbar features great bass, which is a pleasant surprise, given it’s something that other entry-level soundbars struggle with. It also boasts several connection options via WiFi, Bluetooth, and HDMI.

8. A cast iron skillet for crowd-pleasing, delectable dips

Cast iron skillets: these kitchen staples are just about as classic in American culture as football is. As an incredibly versatile and long-lasting tool that can be passed down to future generations, cast iron skillets are great for searing meat, deep-frying crispy chicken, simmering chili, or even baking a sweet skillet cookie.

We've intensively tested plenty of cast iron skillets at Reviewed, with the Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch scoring our number one spot for its non-stick capabilities and easy-to-handle design. While most traditional cast iron skillets are on the heavier side, the Lodge Chef Collection skillet is surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to cook with and pack away for tailgates or game day parties at other households. For cooking up a delicious dip or classic baked cornbread, this cast iron skillet is a must.

9. A meat subscription service for game day chicken wings and ribs

Having all the right kitchen on tools doesn't mean much if you don't have quality food to cook with it. Quintessential appetizers and meals include home grilled burgers, savory chicken wings, loaded nachos, or even a rack of juicy ribs. Instead of visiting a packed grocery store every week for the game, we'd recommend trying out a meat subscription service like Crowd Cow, which brings quality, sustainable, hormone-, and antibiotic-free meat from independent ranchers and farmers right to your door.

We put the popular meat subscription service to the test by ordering a pound of ground beef, a 16 oz. bone-in ribeye steak, and an 8 oz. sirloin steak. While the food comes frozen at your doorstep, make no mistake that the meat still retains its freshness and taste—all of the meats were deliciously juicy and of great quality. With plenty of cuts to choose from (whether through their subscription service or ordering à la carte), fast shipping, and sustainable packaging, Crowd Cow is the crowd-pleasing solution for all your game day grub. Try the organic free-range or pasture-raised chicken, or maybe the St. Louis spareribs for the perfect Sunday night meal.

Shop Crowd Cow

10. Merch to show your team spirit

Thanks to the NFL Shop, you don't have to go to the stadium to rock your favorite team's swag. You can show your love for the game right at home with merch delivered to your door. From jerseys to hats, the NFL Shop has everything you could ever want to express your team pride, including customizable apparel with your name on it. The site even offers collectibles like helmet cases and signed footballs.

Shop the NFL Shop