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Everything you need to host a Super Bowl party
America's biggest day for sports fans is this Sunday, and whether you're rooting for the San Franciso 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs (or Taylor Swift), the big game is a chance to gather with friends, eat good food, and watch some good ol' fashioned football.
Also: How to watch Super Bowl 2024: All your best streaming options
The Super Bowl is consistently one of the most watched events, and last year, about 115 million people watched it live. If you're planning on hosting a gathering of friends and family to watch the big game this weekend, you'll need some backup. ZDNET rounded up everything you need to host a Super Bowl party so that your guests can watch, hear, and enjoy the big game to the fullest.
A TV
Historically, one of the best times to buy a new TV is right before the Super Bowl, since many retailers offer TV deals during this time. Whether you are looking to upgrade your TV's display or sound, or just get a bigger TV to watch the game, we've rounded up the best TVs we've tested and recommend.
To watch the big game, you'll need a big TV, and this Samsung Neo QLED TV is 85 inches so you won't miss a play. This TV's upscaled 4K display as well as its 120Hz refresh rate means better detailing and smoother motion. The screen is also Pantone-validated for exceptional color accuracy and more lifelike images.
It works with both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology to provide immersive, virtual surround sound that follows the on-screen action of the game.
A soundbar
If you don't want or need to upgrade your TV but are still looking for a little more oomph while watching the game, a soundbar is a great addition to a setup, bringing the game to life with heavy bass and clear details. The best soundbars have features like included subwoofers, Bluetooth connectivity, sound customizations, and more. Here are some of our top picks.
This soundbar from Hisense is the best soundbar for most people at just $350. It has everything you need for the best listening experience, including a subwoofer and two wireless, surround-sound speakers. And, the soundbar itself has a whopping nine speakers built into it.
The specs speak for themselves: 5.1.2 Surround with 500W max audio power, Dolby Atmos, seven preset EQ modes, Roku TV ready, and more.
A TV wall mount
Raise up your TV for the big game with a TV wall mount for better viewing angles. The best TV wall mounts offer flexible range of motions so that everyone in the room will be able to watch the game. We've listed our top picks that swivel, tilt, and resist glare.
This motorized TV mount from Vivo is an almost-perfect solution for finding the right spot for your TV. It mounts to your ceiling joists, which frees up wall and floor space and gives you plenty of placement options; which is great for smaller spaces like bedrooms or apartments.
It's compatible with a wide variety of mounting configurations, and can accommodate TVs up to 85-inches and up to 110 pounds.
Smart kitchen appliances
Aside from watching football, the Super Bowl is known for good food. From dips and sliders to wings and chili, you'll need the best kitchen appliances to help you out in the kitchen. And thanks to built-in technology in smart kitchen gadgets, cooking is more accessible and more customizable, so you can actually have time to enjoy the game.
An Instant Pot is a staple in every modern kitchen, and it will help you be able to make virtually any meal for the big game. The device can serve the typical role of a pressure or slow cooker, but there are also exclusive functions like sous vide, yogurt maker, and more. You can use your phone to control the unit and use Wi-Fi to connect to the Instant Brands Connect app.
Also: The best Instant Pots
The app has over 2,000 smart recipes that you can click on, and the Instant Pot will start heating up to the proper heat and setting.
You might also need...
There are a few other devices that could be useful to add to your Super Bowl party lineup so you don't run into any fumbles. Here are some other recommendations.
When is the Super Bowl?
The 2024 Super Bowl takes place on Sunday, Feb. 11 starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
How can I watch the Super Bowl?
There are a few different ways you can watch the big game this year.
- Cable: The Super Bowl will be live on CBS. Nickelodeon will host a "slime-filled, family-friendly" version of the game, and Univision will air the game in Spanish.
- Streaming services: Paramount+, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, and YouTube TV will be streaming the game. Paramlount+ is by far the cheapest option, at just $6 a month.
- 4K: For the best display quality, FuboTV's Elite Plan offers 4K. In addition, YouTube TV, does as well but you'll pay an extra $10 for 4K.
Also: How to watch Super Bowl 2024: All your best streaming options
Who is playing the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
R&B legend Usher will be performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show this year. You might have previously remembered him performing with the Black Eyed Peas at the 2011 Super Bowl.