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Being on the open road during an emergency can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared. Break downs, flat tires, medical issues, or nearly anything can derail your plans, putting you or passengers potentially in harm’s way at the same time. That is why a good auto emergency kit is good to keep around in a vehicle for when you need it the most. Best of all, you don’t have to make your own kit to stay safe. Instead, there are plenty of options to consider if you want something you can easily stick in your trunk or under a seat for the next time you are stuck on the side of the road. Here’s a look at some of the best car emergency kits available.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Lifeline Excursion Road 76-Piece Car Kit
- Best Value: Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit
- Easiest to Use: Performance Tool Roadside Emergency Kit
- Most Comprehensive: Kolo Sports Roadside Emergency Kit
- Honorable Mention: First Secure Car Emergency Kit
- Honorable Mention: Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit
- Honorable Mention: Ready America Emergency Kit
- Honorable Mention: Kitgo Car Emergency Kit
- Honorable Mention: Inex Life Roadside Emergency Car Kit
Types of Car Emergency Kits
General Use
A general-use emergency kit is one that combines enough supplies and tools to handle the most common issues that can come up while driving. In general, these kits will include some basic tools, automotive-specific supplies, and basic medical supplies to cover a range of potential issues.
Medical
Also known as a first-aid kit, medical emergency kits pack more supplies meant to treat minor injuries and issues. Supplies can include basic bandages, medicines, disinfectants, and other things you’re likely to find at a local pharmacy. Individual-specific supplies like inhalers or medications can also be included in this type of kit.
Automotive
While you can’t carry an entire garage around with you, some basic automotive tools can get you out of a roadside pinch. Automotive-specific kits may include things like jumper cables, air compressors, tire pressure gauges, flat tire kits, and other supplies or tools you are likely to need in a typical automotive emergency.
Best Car Emergency Kits: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Lifeline Excursion Road 76-Piece Car Kit
Best Value
Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit
Easiest To Use
Performance Tool Roadside Emergency Kit
Most Comprehensive
Kolo Sports Roadside Emergency Kit
Honorable Mention
First Secure Car Emergency Kit
Honorable Mention
Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit
Honorable Mention
Ready America Emergency Kit
Honorable Mention
Kitgo Car Emergency Kit
Honorable Mention
Inex Life Roadside Emergency Car Kit
Our Verdict
A good general-use emergency kit you can add to your vehicle setup today is the Lifeline Excursion Road 76-Piece Car Kit since it mixes a little bit of everything.
You can also check out the Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit as a value purchase.
Why Buy a Car Emergency Kit
- Be prepared. The whole point of an emergency kit is to have the tools and supplies needed to make repairs or address injuries right then and there. Emergency kits are really beneficial when you have small issues that can quickly grow in severity if you don’t attend to them quickly.
- Save time on the road. Good preparation means you can handle issues more quickly. If you experience a breakdown, for example, you may find a quick fix in your emergency kit instead of having to call roadside assistance and waiting for someone to come help. While you can’t prepare for every potential issue, you can get a good head start with the right kit.
- Keep others safe. The real benefit of an emergency kit is the number of people you can help with a single case. In other words, emergency kits benefit everyone in a vehicle. If you have a family or carpool regularly, it’s a smart idea to have even a small kit around to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Car Emergency Kit Pricing
- $25 and under: Most emergency kits under $25 tend to be limited to only automotive or medical supplies. These are good to consider if you want a little boost in automotive preparation.
- $25-$50: There are plenty of combination emergency kits in this range that includes automotive and medical supplies. Smaller kits that are under 50 pieces are also common.
- $50 and above: In the premium range, emergency kits include more pieces and more advanced tools like air compressors. If you are willing to spend the extra money, this is a great range to consider to have everything you may need for an emergency.
Key Features
Tools and Supplies
Arguably, the most important thing in any emergency kit is what it carries. The contents, made up of various tools and supplies, will determine how versatile the kit is in an emergency situation. The range of tools and supplies will depend on the type of the kit and any additional accessories you may purchase for it. It’s important to find the right kit for your needs, so pay attention to what each option offers.
Case
With many pieces comes the need for storage and organization. A good case needs to be small, portable, and durable enough to protect everything inside. Emergency kit cases vary in size, but most are small enough to fit in a truck or other cargo space. Soft cases are the best for a lightweight, portable option, but if you need something that can survive a few falls, check out some hard case options as well.
Other Considerations
- Size: The size of a kit is usually dependent on the number of tools and supplies it offers. Small kits tend to have around 25 pieces, usually focused on either automotive or medical use.
- Storage: A car emergency kit is not useful if you can’t actually keep it in a vehicle. Storability comes down to the size of the case and needs to be balanced with the number of accessories it offers. If you have a small vehicle, it’s smart to buy one or two smaller kits that can easily fit underneath a seat. Larger vehicles can fit larger cases.
Tips
- If you want to add your own automotive tools to a preexisting emergency kit, but something with medical supplies to expand. This will give you everything you need for basic medical emergencies.
- You can always use your own case for an emergency kit. This will let you pick the case that has the space you need for the items you want to bring with you while driving.
- The best emergency kits are tailored to your personal needs. Don’t hesitate to add and remove different things from a kit you purchase, especially if you have issues you are likely to come across while driving.
- Choose a large case if you want to carry large items like tow ropes, ice scrapers, safety vests, large pliers, fire extinguishers, large rolls of duct tape, or an emergency blanket.
- You can also pack personal items like a jacket or a rain poncho to be ready for bad weather. An extra charger is also a good addition for electronic devices.
FAQs
A. The interior of your car is the most accessible place. While a trunk has more room, you can reach a kit in your car more quickly.
A. Of course. The only limitation is the amount of space the case offers. If you have the room, add specific accessories you think will be most useful to you and other passengers.
A. In general, the only difference is the automotive-specific tools a car emergency kit may include. First-aid kits tend to be general-use (not specific to a car) and focused on medical supplies.
