Best Car Emergency Kits

Motor1 Reviews Team Take:

• The best car emergency kits in 2024 are the Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit, Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit, First Secure Car Emergency Kit, Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit, and First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit.
• A roadside emergency kit will cost between $50 and $90. More expensive kits tend to include higher-quality items.
• It’s important to find a car emergency kit that includes well-made items, is easy to organize, and has a complete first-aid kit.

Emergencies are hard to predict, but it’s easy to feel more prepared for these unexpected scenarios with a comprehensive car emergency kit. In this guide, we’ll recommend some of the best car emergency kits based on our hands-on testing and research.

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Car Emergency Kit Reviews

For this review, our team thoroughly tested and evaluated each car emergency based on the number of useful items included, the quality of the items included, and how well the kit is organized. The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars.

Each emergency car kit’s ratings, including their scores in each review category, are highlighted below:

What Is The Best Car Emergency Kit?

Based on our review criteria, with think the best car emergency kits are the Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit, Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit, First Secure Car Emergency Kit, Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit, First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit, and Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit.

After testing several kits ranging in price, we feel that the Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit is one of the best options for most drivers. The Thrive kit includes all the most important emergency tools such as jumper cables, a flashlight, and first aid kit. However, we think you can’t go wrong with any of the kits we recommend.

Brand/Model	Cost	Overall Rating	Award
Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit	$55	4.3	Best Car Emergency Kit
Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit	$90	4.3	Most Organized
First Secure Car Emergency Kit	$90	4.2	Best Tire Repair Tools
Lianxin Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit	$40	4.0	Best Value
First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit	$20	3.8	Best First-Aid Kit
Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit	$70	3.5	Also Consider

*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.

Car Emergency Kit Ratings: Our Testing Process

The car emergency kits in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors like Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices.

Our product testing team ordered the car emergency kits that best met these standards. A team member unpacked and examined each kit, handling each item included within. The emergency kits are rated based on utility, item quality, and storage.

Learn more about how we tested car emergency kits in our full testing methodology section here.

1. Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit: Best Car Emergency Kit

• Cost: Around $55
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 based on more than 3,400 ratings

Thrive Emergency Roadside Kit Review

The Thrive emergency roadside kit fits nicely into one rigid carrying case and features a number of quality-made tools, including a screwdriver and socket set. This 104-piece kit includes many of the standard emergency kit items such as a safety triangle, jumper cables, and first aid kit.

You can see how the Thrive emergency roadside kit performed in each of our testing categories below: 

What’s In The Kit?

• Jumper cables
• Hand-powered flashlight
• Distress sign
• Safety hammer
• Yellow rope
• Portable triangle
• Rain poncho
• Safety vest
• Whistle
• First aid kit
• Tire pressure gauge
• Screwdriver and seven bits
• Socket wrench and nine sockets
• Box cutter
• Two bungee cords
• Ice scraper
• Two rolls of electrical tape
• Pliers
• Gloves
• Zip ties

Below are the pros and cons of the Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit:

Thrive Emergency Roadside Kit: Our Experience

What impressed us most about the Thrive kit was the quality of the included tools. The screwdriver and socket wrench include a number of attachments, and the jumper cables are robust. The exception is the ice scraper, which felt flimsy.

The first aid kit is small and includes gauze, antiseptic pads, scissors, tweezers, and some bandages. It would be useful for minor cuts and scrapes but isn’t as comprehensive as other emergency kits.

The storage case is excellent. It has a rigid design that stands on its own, making it easy to pack. It is big enough to fit all of the included items, though there is no internal storage.

Thrive Emergency Roadside Kit: What Customers Are Saying

Reviewers like this kit because of the high quality of the tools and carrying case. A lot of people find this compact kit useful and convenient. Some complain that their kits arrived with pieces missing, so be sure to check your kit upon delivery.

2. Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit: Most Organized

• Cost: Around $90
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 based on more than 600 ratings

Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit Review

The second product on our list of best car emergency kits, the Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit, is a comprehensive product backed by AAA. The road kit includes 76 auto safety and first aid components, including 10.0-foot, 8-gauge jumper cables; a tire air compressor; an LED aluminum flashlight; and a 45-piece first aid kit. AAA also offers a Winter Safety Kit that includes cold-weather essentials such as fleece gloves and a folding shovel.

This kit is pricier than other products on this list and doesn’t include any tire repair tools other than the air compressor. It also doesn’t include a space blanket.

You can see how the Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit performed in each category below:

What’s In The Kit?

• Double-sided carry case
• Air compressor with pressure gauge
• 10.0-ft., 8-gauge set of jumper cables with vinyl-coated clamps
• Emergency reflective triangle
• LED aluminum flashlight with batteries
• Flathead and Phillips-head screwdriver
• Pliers
• Gloves
• Duct tape
• Poncho
• Utility knife
• Bungee cord
• Whistle
• Two shop cloths
• 10 cable ties
• Assorted first-aid kit with 25 bandages
• Storage bag

Below are the pros and cons of the Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit:

Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit: Our Experience

The Lifeline AAA kit features a number of useful items of decent quality in a pinch. The first aid kit leaves something to be desired, only including a few basic items and bandages with no medicine or salves.

The best aspect of the AAA kit is the internal storage. It has several pockets and pouches so you can quickly find a particular item. This also makes repacking the kit easier. If you’re in a true emergency and must quickly locate a particular item, you’ll be glad to have a kit like this.

Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit: What Customers Are Saying

Most are satisfied with the included tools, and several say the air compressor has come in handy many times. While the AAA kit doesn’t include a tire patching kit, the compressor can help you limp your way to a gas station. Overall, this kit includes the most important items to make people feel secure on the road.

Some complain that the compressor pumps too slowly and that the first aid kit should include more items.

3. First Secure Car Emergency Kit: Best Tire Repair Tools

• Cost: Around $90
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 based on more than 3,500 ratings

First Secure Car Emergency Kit Review

The First Secure Car Emergency Kit includes key tools such as 10.0-ft., 8-gauge jumper cables; nylon tow straps; a 250.0-psi air pump; a 7-piece tire repair kit; and a 48-piece medical supply kit. Unlike many other kits, the tools included are high-quality and durable.

This kit doesn’t include a space blanket or cold weather gear, so it may not be the best car emergency kit for drivers who regularly drive in cold conditions. This product also includes a seven-piece tire repair kit.

You can see how the First Secure Car Emergency Kit performed in each of our testing categories below: 

What’s In The Kit?

• 10.0-ft., 8-gauge jumper cables
• Portable air compressor (12.0 volts, 250.0 psi)
• Tow rope (11.8 ft., 10,000.0-pound capacity)
• Tire repair kit
• Window breaker
• Tire pressure gauge
• Multi-tool
• Reflective warning triangle
• LED headlamp flashlight
• Electrical tape
• Bungee cords
• Cable ties
• Work gloves
• First-aid kit
• Storage bag

Below are the pros and cons of the First Secure Car Emergency Kit:

First Secure Car Emergency Kit: Our Experience

This First Secure emergency kit contains a wide range of items for just about any situation. It even includes a portable air compressor and tire repair kit to help should a flat occur and you don’t have a spare–though such kits are only good for minor punctures and as a temporary fix to get you to the next exit or service station.

The included items are of reasonable quality. These aren’t the cheapest materials, but they aren’t the best either. Still, they should get the job done in an emergency.

This kit is extremely compact and can easily fit into cars of any size. Because the carrying case is fabric, it’s not difficult to stuff and close the bag with all the contents inside. However, there are only two internal mesh pockets, so organizing the items internally is difficult along with repacking this kit neatly.

First Secure Car Emergency Kit: What Customers Are Saying

The portable tire inflator is a popular inclusion, with many citing it as the reason they purchased this particular brand. Most seem to agree that item quality is impressive, considering the overall cost of the kit.

Some feel the headlamp and the first aid kit are lacking. In a few reports, the headlamp either didn’t work well or arrived broken. In some cases, the tire inflator failed to work properly.

4. Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit: Best Value

• Cost: Around $40
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 based on more than 3,500 ratings

Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit Review

The Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit is a 142-piece pack with items such as 8.0-ft. jumper cables, a small tool kit, a tow rope, and an emergency hammer. Compared to other emergency kits on this list, the Lianxin product is compact and budget-friendly.

We also like that it has a hand-crank flashlight rather than a battery-powered one. However, this emergency kit doesn’t have any tire repair tools or a space blanket. Its first-aid components are basic.

You can see how the Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit performed in each of our testing categories below:

What’s In The Kit?

• 8.0-ft. jumper cables
• Tow rope
• Nine-piece tool kit
• Insulated work gloves
• Safety hammer and seatbelt cutter
• Hand-crank LED flashlight
• Reflective warning triangle
• Raincoat
• Ice scraper
• First-aid kit
• Storage bag

Below are the pros and cons of the Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit:

Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit: Our Experience

The Lianxin roadside kit features high-quality items. It has the most robust jumper cables of any emergency bag and includes a hardshell tool kit–something absent from most other car emergency kits, though nonetheless useful.

However, the Lianxin kit is missing first aid items, which are essential to any roadside emergency kit. That said, even emergency kits that do have first aid items typically don’t include everything you’d want in an emergency. It’s generally a good idea to purchase a separate first aid kit to store with your emergency roadside kit.

While some of the tools come in a hard plastic box, there is no storage system for the rest of the items, and you must pack everything together. The bag is small and difficult to close without carefully arranging the contents. While compact, this makes it difficult to repack the kit. To use anything, you’ll likely need to unpack the entire kit.

Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit: What Customers Are Saying

Reviewers note that the kit is very compact. People with small cars appreciate that it can easily fit in their trunk without taking up much space. Most feel the kit includes everything that they need for most roadside emergencies.

A few commented on the low quality of the knife, which is encased in flimsy plastic and can get stuck in the open position. However, relative to the low cost of this kit, overall item quality is quite high. We felt that some of the items were a marked improvement over more expensive kits.

5. First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit: Best First-Aid Kit

• Cost: Around $20
• Amazon review score: 4.8 out of 5.0 based on more than 73,000 ratings

First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit Review

If you’re looking for a high-quality first aid kit or want to augment your car emergency kit, we recommend the First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit. The kit comes with 299 pieces of first-aid equipment, including multiple types of adhesive bandages, burn ointments, antibiotic ointments, and several pain relievers. The kit also includes helpful tools such as scissors, gauze, and a first-aid guide to use when cleaning or dressing a wound.

You can see how the First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit performed in each of our testing categories below: 

What’s In The Kit?

• Multiple types of adhesive bandages
• Alcohol wipes
• Rescue blanket
• Antibiotic ointment packets
• Aspirin tablets
• Burn gel packet
• Butterfly wound closures
• Gauze pads
• Cotton swabs
• Finger splint
• First aid tape
• Tweezers
• Rubber gloves
• Moleskin
• Storage bag

Below are the pros and cons of the First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit:

First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit: Our Experience

This is a first-aid-only kit, so should not be the sole emergency kit you keep in your car. As a first aid kit, this product excels. It contains items such as finger splints and medicine that are often absent from other roadside emergency kits.

We like the internal organization, which features a number of pockets and sleeves so that you don’t need to empty the entire contents of the First Aid Only bag to find a particular item. This can be especially important during a medical emergency.

First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit: What Customers Are Saying

For under $20, many reviewers think this first aid kit is a great deal. It is more robust than the typical first aid kit included with a roadside emergency kit, especially because it contains medicine in addition to gauze and bandages.

Complaints come from those who feel the kit should include more items. A large number of the “299 pieces” are bandaids. A few people noted that their kit was missing some items. One person complained about the internal organization.

It’s true that the kit is delivered with items haphazardly stuffed into the pouch, so it’s a good idea to organize it yourself after receiving this kit. There are enough storage pockets to do so effectively.

6. Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit: Also Consider

• Cost: Around $70
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 based on more than 900 ratings

Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit Review

The Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit comes with 110 pieces, including jumper cables, a tow strap, an emergency blanket, and a magnesium fire starter. The kit is also compact and could easily fit inside your vehicle’s trunk or under a seat. If you’re not comfortable using a kit without guidance, this product comes with a driving safety sheet with 10 essential tips in the event of an emergency. However, this emergency kit doesn’t include any tire repair tools.

You can see how the Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit performed in each of our testing categories below: 

What’s In The Kit?

• 8.0-ft., 8-gauge jumper cables
• 12.0-ft. tow strap
• Two bungee cords
• 20 zip ties
• Electrical tape
• Emergency blanket
• Flashlight
• Magnesium fire starter 
• Mechanic gloves
• 11-in-1 multi-tool
• Tire pressure gauge
• Rain poncho
• Windshield breaker
• Seat belt cutter
• Whistle
• Warning triangle
• 64-piece first aid kit
• Storage bag

Below are the pros and cons of the Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit:

Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit: Our Experience

The Roadside Rescue emergency kit includes several useful emergency items, though of middling quality. The reflector is flimsy and seems like it would not last long on a windy road. However, most of the items are good enough in a pinch and should get the job done. The first aid items include salves and antiseptic wipes as well as bandages.

There is no internal organization with this kit, simply a pouch. The shape of the pouch (wide base) means you can easily pack it because it stands on its own, allowing you to drop in the items. While you may need to dump out the entire kit to find a specific item, repacking the kit doesn’t present much of an issue.

Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit: What Customers Are Saying

This kit is comprehensive and many purchase it as a low-cost kit that nonetheless includes needed items like a first aid kit and jumper cables. The multitool is cited as a particularly useful inclusion. The included case is large enough to fit additional items that aren’t already included.

Complaints refer to the low quality of the items inside. We noticed that item quality was lower than other kits, though not poor enough to be useless. Some items, like the multitool, are of decent quality, but the jumper cables aren’t as well-made as those included with other kits.

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Car Emergency Kit Buying Guide

When shopping for the best car emergency kits, consider the area you live in and the car troubles you frequently face. Drivers living in colder regions may want to find an emergency kit with warm gloves, a space blanket, and a car battery charger. If you frequently get flat tires, look for a kit with a tire sealant and an air compressor pump. No one kit will likely have every item you need, but you can find the best roadside emergency kit for your situation.

In addition to ensuring a car emergency kit has the tools you will need, it’s also important that these tools are of significant quality to work properly when you need them. It can also be nice to choose a kit that includes organizational pockets so that you can quickly find the tool you need when you need it.

Compare Car Emergency Kits

Brand/Model	Includes Air Compressor?	Organizational Pockets?	Weight
Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit	No	No	4.5 pounds
Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit	Yes	Yes	3.0 lbs.
First Secure Car Emergency Kit	Yes	Yes	8.3 lbs.
Lianxin Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit	No	No	7.6 lbs.
First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit	No	Yes	1.0 lb.
Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit	No	No	6.3 lbs.

First Aid Kit

If someone is injured during an automotive emergency, having a comprehensive first-aid kit can be incredibly valuable. Items like bandages, painkillers, gauze, and disinfectants are handy for treating minor maladies. 

Jumper Cables

Jumper cables are something every motorist should know how to use. They’re great to have on hand in the event of a dead battery since it allows you to hook up to another car for a jump, and you won’t be stuck waiting for roadside assistance. Heavy-duty jumper cables should be durable and fit most battery terminals. 

Seatbelt Cutter

In the event of being pinned in a car wreck, a seatbelt cutter could help you escape. These are simple tools, usually just a device with a small blade to sever the seatbelt. You’ll likely use them not often, but you’ll be grateful to have them. 

Windshield Breaker 

Similar to the seatbelt cutter above, a windshield breaker could be a lifesaver if passenger doors are pinned shut or there is no other exit.

Other Emergency Supplies

• Tire air compressor with pressure gauge
• Tool kit
• Work gloves
• Flashlight, preferably hand-operated so you don’t need extra batteries
• Towing strap
• Cat litter
• Pen and paper
• Spare wiper blades
• Tire chains
• Small tarp
• Non-perishable food like granola bars
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Compass
• Maps
• Blanket
• Extra clothing

Do You Need A Car Emergency Kit?

A car emergency kit can come in handy in the event of a mechanical breakdown, inclement weather, a collision, or a flat tire. While it’s impossible to know when any of these unfortunate events may occur, it’s smart to be prepared. The best car emergency kits give you peace of mind and ensure you’re ready regardless of the situation.

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Best Car Emergency Kits: Bottom Line

The best auto emergency kit should have the essentials necessary for a mechanical breakdown, poor weather conditions, a flat tire, or even a collision. Car emergency kits can give you peace of mind while on a road trip with family, knowing you have what you need in the event of an emergency. It is unknown when a vehicle emergency will occur, whether it be a flat tire or a dead car battery. Being prepared and ready for an emergency to strike by having one of the best car emergency kits will make life easier for you and your passengers.

1. Best Car Emergency Kit: Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit
2. Most Organized: Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit
3. Best Tire Repair Tools: First Secure Car Emergency Kit
4. Best Value: Lianxin Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit
5. Best First-Aid Kit: First Aid Only All-Purpose First-Aid Kit
6. Also Consider: Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit

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Car Emergency Kits: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about car emergency kits: 

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Full Car Emergency Kit Testing Methodology

To test each emergency kit, we unpacked the kit completely, cataloging and closely examining the quality of each item. When we finished examining the contents, we repacked the kit, taking note of how easy or difficult it was to repackage the contents.

Utility

Our utility score is based on the contents of each kit. How useful would the items be for a given roadside emergency situation? Are key items included, such as a first aid kit, window hammer, and roadside reflector? Kits with a greater variety of useful items score best in this category.

Item Quality

We examined the quality of each item contained in these car emergency kits. An emergency kit containing low-quality supplies is not as useful as one with well-made items. We gave higher ratings to emergency kits with well-built components of either metal or sturdy plastic.

Storage

When it comes time to use an emergency kit, it can be important to quickly locate the tool you need. A roadside kit with no internal organization can be hard to rummage through in an emergency. Kits with different pockets for easy storage and organization score best in this category.

How We Score Products

Every car emergency kit we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here’s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:

• 5.0 Stars: A 5.0-star rating means a car emergency kit is among the best in a category. 
  • Utility: The kit includes every item you could possibly need in a roadside emergency, including a complete first-aid kit, air compressor, and flashlight. First-aid-only kits can receive a high utility rating if they include salves, medicine, bandages, and splints.
  • Item Quality: Item quality is among the highest: tools should not be expected to break or malfunction.
  • Storage: The kit includes storage pockets able to organize every item for instant access.
• 4.0 Stars: A 4.0-star rating means a car emergency kit performs better-than-average in a category.
  • Utility: The kit includes most important components for a first-aid kit, but may be lacking an air compressor or complete first-aid kit.
  • Item Quality: Most included items are of the highest quality and should not be expected to break.
  • Storage: The kit includes internal organization, but the case is either on the small side or not every item can be perfectly stored away.
• 3.0 Stars: A 3.0-star rating indicates what is average or typical for a car emergency kit, based on our testing experience.
  • Utility: The kit includes all the most important basic roadside emergency components: flashlight, jumper cables, and first aid kit.
  • Item Quality: Item quality is middling: the tools will work but are not especially durable.
  • Storage: A storage case is included, but it does not have pockets or sections for internal organization.
• 2.0 Stars: A 2.0-star rating indicates the car emergency kit performs poorer than the average silicone wiper blade.
  • Utility: The kit is lacking one or more important roadside emergency items.
  • Item Quality: Item quality is low, with some tools not working out of the box.
  • Storage: The storage case is too small or is otherwise difficult to use.
• 1.0 Star: A 1.0-star rating indicates that the car emergency kit performs well below expectations in a category.
  • Utility: The kit lacks many important roadside emergency items.
  • Item Quality: Items are of very poor quality and not to be relied upon.
  • Storage: No storage case is included.

Why Trust Motor1.com

Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.

We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.

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