If you choose to build your own emergency kit, it may save you money but you will have to put effort into organizing a long list of supplies. Opting for a ready-made emergency kit, on the other hand, will prevent the need to replace items like canned goods every couple of years, as the included emergency food has a longer shelf life. Moreover, considering the increasing occurrence of extreme weather-related disasters, investing in a pre-made emergency kit is a wise decision that will provide you with peace of mind.
With a variety of kits available on the market for emergencies and other critical situations, it is likely that you will find one that caters to your requirements. In case you cannot find a suitable kit, there are customizable options similar to those used by EMTs, or you can assemble a comprehensive kit by selecting individual components. However, the abundance of choices can be overwhelming, which is why we have researched and identified the top-quality emergency kits that provide excellent value for your money.
Before you shop, continue reading for our top recommendations and advice on the key factors to consider.
The Best Emergency Kits
What to Consider
The initial step is to determine the kind of kit or kits required, as well as the potential number of users. Various options are available, such as basic and premium first-aid kits. Additionally, there are comprehensive kits that not only feature first aid supplies but also enough food, water, and other essentials to sustain one, two, or four individuals for 72 hours, which is considered adequate for most emergency scenarios. However, it is advisable to have a two-week stockpile to cover each member of your household, including pets if applicable.
There are kits available with basic necessities like first aid supplies, rations, and water purification tablets, as well as more advanced kits that include additional items such as comfort food entrees and playing cards. Additionally, there are kits specifically designed for activities like camping and boating, as well as for specific situations like hurricanes or car breakdowns.
1. BEST OVERALL
Sustain Supply Co. Emergency Survival Kit
This all-in-one emergency kit has many great features, including comfort food options like mac and cheese and pasta with chicken. Additionally, it includes a portable stove, a lantern, a first-aid kit fully equipped with supplies, and survival straw water filtration systems.
The rugged and attractive backpack contains all 72 pieces, equipped with padded shoulders straps and a mesh back to provide coolness. It includes sufficient supplies for three days, intended to cover the essentials of two adults.
2. BEST VALUE
Ready America 72-Hour Emergency Kit
With calorie-dense food bars in place of entrees, and lacking a portable stove or lantern, this emergency kit is a cost-effective option that provides the basic necessities for four people for a duration of three days.
The 107-piece kit contains survival blankets, rain ponchos, leather work gloves, and light sticks. It also has a well-organized first-aid kit stored in a bright orange zip case. Additionally, there are food and water supplies provided, which can be stored for up to 5 years.
3. BEST PREMIUM FIRST-AID KIT
Surviveware Premium First Aid Emergency Kit
If you are in need of a comprehensive emergency kit that includes basic first-aid supplies and items for treating sprains and broken bones, you can rely on this option from Surviveware. Surviveware is a company that specializes in producing first-aid and survival kits, as well as other products for emergency preparedness.
Their bright red water-resistant cases, which are made of durable 600-denier polyester, have caught our eye. This particular one comes with a Velcro strap that can be easily removed and used to secure it to a car’s headrest. Additionally, it features two padded handles for convenient transportation.
With a weight slightly over 3 pounds, the emergency kit is highly portable and contains 200 pieces that provide basic lifesaving and first aid. These include 7.5-inch shears and an 18-inch splint. Additionally, it has received an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 3,000 customers.
4. BEST ROADSIDE KIT
Stdy Car Roadside Emergency Kit
Having a survival kit available for camping or any outdoor venture in the wilderness is equally important as being prepared on the road.
This compact roadside kit consists of 57 components designed for different car-related emergencies, such as breakdowns and accidents. It comprises of jumper cables, a tow rope, and safety gloves, as well as a simple first-aid kit, mechanical flashlight, reflector triangles, and a ping hammer-belt cutter combo tool. All of these items can be conveniently stored in a handled carrying case that measures slightly more than one foot in length and weighs 5 pounds.
5. BEST AT-HOME KIT
Mayday Industries 4-Person Deluxe Home Emergency Kit
Having a basic shelter-in-place emergency kit at home is essential for preparedness, alongside having long-lasting water and food available. This emergency kit is contained within a neon yellow waterproof bucket and includes various items such as calorie-rich food bars, water purification tablets, and toilet disinfectant.
The kit includes tools and gear such as a gas and water shutoff tool, a flashlight radio combo, a utility knife, and a pry bar. Additionally, it comes with a compact 54-piece first-aid kit.
6. BEST ALL-PURPOSE FIRST AID KIT
First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit
Featuring 298 pieces, this all-purpose emergency first aid kit is a top-selling and affordable option. It can effectively treat a variety of injuries ranging from cuts and scrapes to swelling and burns. The supplies are neatly organized in clear plastic slipcases and conveniently stored in a lightweight, soft zippered pouch weighing only one pound.
The kit is ideal for bringing along on extended bike rides or keeping in a deck box by the pool. It has received positive reviews, achieving an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 58,000 customers.
7. BEST FOR CAMPING
Everlit Survival Emergency Kit
For serious backcountry adventurers, it is necessary to have additional supplies in case of emergencies while in the wilderness. These supplies are contained in a water-resistant bag that is durable and equipped with “molle” straps, an abbreviation for modular lightweight load-carrying equipment. These straps enable you to attach the bag to other pieces that are compatible with molle, allowing you to personalize your gear.
Included inside are various vital survival tools, such as a folding pocket knife, a paracord survival bracelet, and a high-lumen tactical flashlight. Additionally, it contains an 11-in-1 tool and first-aid supplies.
8. BEST FOR NATURAL DISASTERS
Rescue Guard Disaster Emergency Survival Kit
For earthquakes and other natural disasters, this is the emergency kit that you should have. It consists of a 95-piece collection of supplies, all neatly stored in a survival backpack that is extremely lightweight. It contains enough provisions to sustain two individuals for a period of 72 hours.
Some noteworthy features consist of a tent and bivy sacks, along with food rations and drinking water. In addition, there is a lantern-radio that serves as a charger. In terms of tools, there is a utility knife, axe, wire saw, and a multitool provided, along with a travel-size first-aid kit and playing cards to keep you engaged until assistance arrives.
Emergency Preparedness Essentials to Stock Up on Now
In addition to ensuring the presence of an emergency kit at home, it is recommended to also have the following essential items for emergency preparedness.
Device chargers
According to Randy “Rawhide” Wurst, a former Green Beret with 27 years of Army service and now an instructor and contributor for tacticalrifleman.com, having a solar panel as part of your power plan is essential for emergencies, especially for your cellphone. TUQI manufactures a portable solar generator that is both affordable and lightweight. It includes two dedicated USB ports, one port with multiple connectors, and plug-in LED light bulbs. While it may not enable complete independence from the grid, it will help you sustain yourself until electricity is restored.
To ensure a fast charge even without sunlight, purchase a portable power bank. Opt for a 20000mAh-rated option such as the Fochew model, which can fully recharge an iPhone 4.2 times and simultaneously charge up to four devices.
A way to cook
If you reside in an area with numerous overhead power lines and the possibility of power outages lasting several days or even weeks due to falling trees, you may want to consider purchasing a portable stove. With BioLite’s advanced wood-burning stove, you can utilize firewood and an open outdoor space not only for cooking but also as a heat source and a charging station. This stove is highly regarded by Wurst, and not without reason. Thanks to its internal fan system, the heat is converted into electricity, which can power almost any USB-compatible device. It is important to note, however, that both Wurst and other experts strongly advise against using such a device indoors due to the significant risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Efficient AC unit
The Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner has impressed an air conditioner expert who has tested AC units for five years. The expert hails the innovative product that launched in 2020. Since last month was the hottest June on record, now is a good time to invest in a reliable AC unit. The Midea stands out with its inverter-driven, variable speed compressor, a hallmark of high-performing HVAC units. This feature allows the AC unit to operate at a “low” setting, maintaining steady temperatures and humidity levels, instead of only running at full power or no power. In addition, the Midea is quieter than other window units, ensuring you won’t be kept up at night.
A safe indoor heat source
Texans learned in 2021 that winter storms and power failures can leave them vulnerable. It is risky to use outdoor devices like stoves and grills indoors as it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. To stay warm indoors, survival specialist Laura Zerra, known for hosting the streaming series Decivilized and authoring A Modern Guide to Knifemaking, recommends using a portable propane heater. It is advisable to buy a new one to ensure it doesn’t malfunction when needed. Zerra also suggests a simple yet effective tip for staying warm based on her experiences in the backcountry: filling a Nalgene bottle with hot water and placing it under the blanket for a cozy and luxurious feeling.
HEPA-equipped air purifier
The Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto is our top choice in our air purifier buying guide because it effectively removes pollutants, has a smart 360-degree design, and looks sleek. Given the ongoing threat to air quality from wildfire smoke in the United States, using an air purifier is a wise solution to eliminate smoke and other airborne particles from your home. This air purifier is equipped with a HEPA filter, allowing it to remove particles with a size of 0.3 microns or larger. Additionally, it offers an optional SmokeBlock filter, which utilizes activated carbon to eliminate odors, ensuring that your home’s air remains clean.
Flashlights (plural)
While it is possible to manage with any flashlight, Streamlights are essentially unbreakable. They possess the ability to adjust their brightness and beam width, and the manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty for their products, which are frequently utilized by military, police, and rescue personnel. By keeping one in each of your main rooms, you can avoid groping your way through the house during darkness.
Another clever trick for lighting is to purchase basic solar-powered landscape lights. Typically, they are used to illuminate pathways. However, in times when there is a power outage, you can easily remove them from the ground during the night and position them in important areas of your house. In the morning, retrieve them to recharge and continue this process as needed, hopefully not too frequently.
A multi-tool
Have you ever experienced the frustration of only being able to find a flathead screwdriver in your drawers when you actually need a Phillips head? Well, now try to imagine the situation after a storm has caused the doors of your house to hang off. Typically, multi-tools consist of 10 or more tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, knives, bottle openers, and more, all conveniently folding into the handle. It is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with all the components of the multi-tool upon purchasing it, rather than waiting until you actually need to use it.
Plenty of water
Clean water is the most important resource in a disaster situation because even a small amount of dehydration can negatively impact our overall health and cognitive abilities. If you have well water, a power outage can result in no access to tap water. Additionally, experiencing burst pipes in freezing temperatures is also a possibility. To ensure preparedness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends having at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days. Ideally, a two-week supply should be stored if feasible. For a family of four, this means having at least 12 gallons of water and possibly up to 56 gallons.
Where should you store all that water? If you choose the giant 5-gallon officer-water-color jugs, you will need as many as 11. Alternatively, if you prefer individual bottles, you will need approximately 17 cases. Tap water (provided it is drinkable) is more cost-effective and saves space as well. Consider investing in BPA-free SurVivv containers with a 5-gallon capacity. If a storm is approaching, fill these containers with tap water. Once the storm has subsided, empty the containers, fold them, and store them in the closet.
