ION Audio Tailgater Plus Review

We purchased ION Audio Tailgater Plus so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

Ready for the next big hit for your summer party, cookout, or sporting event? Look no further than the ION Tailgater Plus for hard-hitting sound you can take with you on the go.

We recently tested this model to see how it stacks up to the competition. We evaluated setup, sound quality, battery life, and weight to see how it sounds and how it performs on the go.

Design: Slick and rugged

Ion delivers superior audio in a well-crafted, compact portable speaker that's perfect for outdoor activities and on-the-go sound. Unboxed, this Bluetooth speaker stands a little over a foot tall and is about half the length of your average drink cooler. It's coated in a durable, matte black material that makes it great for outdoor use. The Tailgater Plus is the modern man's boombox, offering with it a range of options for playing and boosting sound. Its front-angled control panel sports seven buttons and two adjustment knobs for audio and mic control.

Setup Process: Just plug and play

Setup of the ION Tailgater Plus is easy and takes just minutes. Inside the box you’ll find a simple instruction manual, charging cable, Tailgater Plus, and wired microphone. Plug in your Tailgater to begin charging the battery, connect the mic, adjust the volume, and you're ready to go. 

Performance: Big sound in a small package

The Tailgater Plus lets you connect your music via Bluetooth or older devices easily with the help of the built in ⅛-inch audio input. It works with any standard device you can connect via aux and any Bluetooth streaming feature on your phone or tablet. 

Although the Tailgater Plus is relatively small, it delivers a surprising punch of sound by way of a 50 Watt amplifier and two-way speaker with a built in 6.5-inch subwoofer. Tap the “Bass Booster” button during any halftime show to really crank the bass, or turn down the sound and turn up the microphone for announcements during games.

Connectivity: Impressive Bluetooth support

Pair your Bluetooth device to this speaker and experience crystal clear audio up to 100 feet away from the unit. We recently tested this model in our apartment and got superior sound quality around the entire circumference of the room. The best thing about this speaker is that you can control the audio remotely or plug a device into the USB port to stay charged and adjust music settings from the front facing control panel. We like a model with options.

Microphone Quality: Crystal clear

The ION Tailgater Plus comes equipped with one standard microphone that plugs directly into the unit. Although this speaker is not exclusively a karaoke machine, the mic delivers pitch-perfect audio and the ability to adjust audio on the fly.

Price: Solid value

The ION Tailgater plus retails for about $120 and offers quite the punch. Its minimal, rugged design, Bluetooth connectivity, hours of battery life, and superior sound quality make it a value for any sports fan or outdoor enthusiast.

Ion Tailgater PLUS vs ION Audio Tailgater Flash

If you're looking for additional features beyond outstanding Bluetooth connectivity and hard-hitting sound, consider the ION Audio Tailgater Flash. This model, much like the Plus, offers great sound but also pumps out an impressive light show. It combines the functions of the ION Tailgater Plus with those of your modern karaoke machine. 

If additional bells and whistles aren't for you, stick with the ION Tailgater Plus. The biggest difference between these two models is the addition of an LED light display, but the Flash costs $180 more than the Plus. The Plus is a much better value for anyone who primarily values sound and durability.