Everyone Should Have an Emergency Kit at Home, These Are the Best Ones

Although we can’t control when or where disasters strike, we can make the conscious decision to be prepared in the event of one — yet most of us are unprepared. According to the CDC, nearly half of America's population does not have the resources and plans in place in the event of an emergency.

A 2021 winter storm in Texas was own my personal awakening to the importance of preparation. The storm left millions without power, heat, and water during freezing conditions which resulted in a reported 750-plus deaths. Whether severe weather, a power outage, wildfire, flood, or the global pandemic has made you come to terms that it’s time to invest in a solid emergency kit, we’re here to help you find the best ones worth buying.

The Best Emergency Kits

What to Consider

➥ Contents

The American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have incredibly useful checklists of recommended supplies your emergency kit can have. Most survival experts recommend at the minimum your kit includes gear from the following categories.

• Food and water
• Clothing, blankets, and shelter
• Fire, heat, and lighting
• First aid, medication, hygiene
• Protective gear
• Tools
• Communication

We’d be lying to you if we said there's a perfect emergency supply kit that contains everything you'll need. Some pre-packaged bags leave out key items and will vary based on the number of users it needs to support, what emergency you are dealing with, and where you're located. Regardless, they are an excellent place to start and contain essential items that are imperative to survival. Plus, they can always be built upon.

➥ Kit Size

As you begin your hunt for the best pre-assembled emergency kit for your family, you’ve probably realized they vary significantly in price. Some emergency kits cost as little as $40 — but at the same time, you could easily drop over $1,000 on a kit. We aimed to include multiple options at both ends of the price spectrum to suit all budgets and family sizes.

It’s worth mentioning that most experts recommend kits that provide at least 3 days’ worth of survival tools and first-aid supplies, which is the length of time it could likely take for government entities to lend aid in the aftermath of a disaster.

➥ Emergency Kits vs. Bug-Out Bags

Although this guide features both emergency kits and bug-out bags, it’s a common misconception that the two terms can be used interchangeably. An emergency kit has all the items you and your family need during an emergency in which you stay in place (like during a snowstorm). A bug-out bag, on the other hand, is a kit that you can pick up at a moment’s notice to evacuate an area as quickly as possible.

Below, you’ll find our favorite kits, which are packed with a wide array of useful items that’ll come in handy in the event of an emergency.