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Best-pick guides · 78 guides

The gear we'd actually buy.

For each essential we pick a good, better and best option — so you can choose fast without second-guessing.

Seasonal readiness

Start with the pages
that matter this winter.

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Autumn and winter readiness hub

The main route into storm, power cut, warmth, water and car-kit guidance.

48-hour power cut plan

A practical first plan for lights, phones, food, warmth and checking on people.

Best home storm readiness kit

Buyable kit picks for the most common UK storm and outage problems.

Winter weather checklist

A printable checklist for cold weather, outages, travel disruption and home prep.

Lithium AA Batteries

Best AA Batteries for an Emergency Kit

3 picks compared
Torch

Best Bedside Blackout Kit

6 picks compared
Water Purification Tablets

Best Boil Water Notice Kit

7 picks compared
Power Bank

Best Budget Winter Power-Cut Kit (Under £100)

6 picks compared
Car Jump Starter

Best Car Breakdown & Roadside Kit

9 picks compared
Car Jump Starter

Best Car Jump Starters for UK Winter Breakdowns

5 picks compared
Car Jump Starter

Best Car Kit for Winter Driving

9 picks compared
Portable Power Station

Best Caravan & Motorhome Off-Grid Kit

6 picks compared
Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Best Carbon Monoxide Alarms

6 picks compared
Hand Warmers

Best Cold-Weather Warmth Backup

15 picks compared
Compass

Best Compasses for Navigation Without GPS

6 picks compared
Gas Canister

Best Cooking Fuel & Fire-Lighting Backups

14 picks compared
Paracord

Best Cordage & Tarps for Shelter Building

9 picks compared
Survival Knife

Best Cutting & Digging Tools for Bushcraft and Prep

4 picks compared
Portable Power Station

Best Electric-Only Home Power Cut Kit

6 picks compared
Wool Blanket

Best Emergency Blankets & Warmth Gear

5 picks compared
Emergency Candles

Best Emergency Candles

4 picks compared
Emergency Radio

Best Emergency Communication Gear

20 picks compared
Emergency Food Rations

Best Emergency Food & Hydration Backup

5 picks compared
Emergency Radio

Best Emergency Radios (Wind-Up & Solar) for UK Power Cuts

5 picks compared
Bivvy Bag

Best Emergency Shelters & Bivvies

7 picks compared
Tarpaulin

Best Emergency Tarp & Storm-Cover Kit

6 picks compared
Torch

Best Everyday-Carry Kit for Unexpected Delays

5 picks compared
FFP3 Respirator Mask

Best FFP3 and FFP2 Respirators

5 picks compared
Duct Tape

Best Field Repair & Fix-It Kit

8 picks compared
Fire Blanket

Best Fire Blankets for the Home

4 picks compared
Fire Extinguisher

Best Fire Extinguishers for the Home

5 picks compared
Fire Steel

Best Fire Starters for Wet-Weather Reliability

6 picks compared
First Aid Kit

Best First Aid Kits for Home, Car & Outdoors

6 picks compared
Power Bank

Best Flat-Friendly Power Cut Kit

6 picks compared
Dry Bag

Best Flood Readiness Kit for UK Homes

7 picks compared
Grab Bag Rucksack

Best Grab Bag (Go Bag) Kit for UK Emergencies

10 picks compared
Headlamp

Best Head Torches for Power Cuts & the Outdoors

16 picks compared
Ready-Made Survival Kit

Best Home Emergency Kit for Families

8 picks compared
Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Best Home Safety Alarms & Fire Protection

38 picks compared
Emergency Radio

Best Home Storm Readiness Kit

6 picks compared
Hot Water Bottle

Best Hot Water Bottles for a Cold Night or Power Cut

3 picks compared
Wet Wipes

Best Hygiene & Sanitation Kit for When Water Is Short

7 picks compared
Insect Repellent

Best Insect & Tick Protection

2 picks compared
Emergency Blanket

Best Kit for Cold Exposure & Hypothermia

6 picks compared
Portable Stove

Best Kit for Hot Food & Drinks in a Power Cut

6 picks compared
Ice Grips

Best Kit for Icy UK Pavements, Steps & Driveways

5 picks compared
Waterproof Notebook

Best Kit for Protecting Documents, Phones & Electronics

5 picks compared
Power Bank

Best Kit for a Winter Power Cut

5 picks compared
LED Lantern

Best Lanterns & Backup Lighting

9 picks compared
Collapsible Water Bottle

Best Lightweight Water Carrying & Purification

8 picks compared
Multi-Tool

Best Multi-Tools for Survival & Everyday Carry

3 picks compared
Two-Way Radios

Best Off-Grid Communication & Signalling

7 picks compared
Mess Tin

Best Portable Cook Kit for Off-Grid Meals

12 picks compared
Portable Power Station

Best Portable Power Stations for UK Power Cuts

6 picks compared
Portable Stove

Best Portable Stoves for Off-Grid Cooking

14 picks compared
Power Bank

Best Power Banks for Emergencies

9 picks compared
Emergency Radio

Best Power Cut Kit for Older Relatives

7 picks compared
Power Bank

Best Power Cut Kit for Remote Workers

6 picks compared
Power Bank

Best Power Cut Kit for a Baby & Young Children

7 picks compared
Work Gloves

Best Protective Gloves & Masks for Hazardous Cleanup

13 picks compared
Hand Warmers

Best Rechargeable Hand Warmers (UK)

5 picks compared
Signal Mirror

Best Rescue Signalling Gear

3 picks compared
Thermal Sleeping Bag

Best Sleeping Bags for Cold-Weather Emergencies

7 picks compared
Sleeping Mat

Best Sleeping Mats for Warmth and Emergencies

3 picks compared
Smoke Alarm

Best Smoke Alarms

5 picks compared
Solar Charger

Best Solar Chargers for Off-Grid Power

5 picks compared
Solid Fuel Tablets

Best Solid Fuel Tablets and Fire Blocks

3 picks compared
Thermal Base Layer

Best Thermal Base Layers for a UK Winter

5 picks compared
Torch

Best Torches for Power Cuts and Emergencies

6 picks compared
Tourniquet

Best Trauma & Bleed-Control Kits

3 picks compared
Trauma Bandage

Best Trauma & Blister Care Extras

3 picks compared
First Aid Kit

Best Travel & Compact First Aid Kit

6 picks compared
Two-Way Radios

Best Two-Way Radios (Walkie-Talkies) for UK Emergencies

4 picks compared
Vacuum Flask

Best Vacuum Flasks for a Power Cut or Cold Day Out

3 picks compared
Wool Blanket

Best Warm Room Power Cut Kit

6 picks compared
Water Carrier

Best Water Carriers & Bottles for Emergencies

10 picks compared
Water Carrier

Best Water Containers and Jerry Cans for Emergencies

5 picks compared
Water Filter

Best Water Filters for UK Emergencies

9 picks compared
Torch

Best Whole-Home Lighting Kit for a Power Cut

6 picks compared
Ice Grips

Best Winter Walking & Getting-Home-Safe Kit

6 picks compared
Water Carrier

Best Winter Water Outage Kit

7 picks compared
De-Icer Spray

Best Winter Windscreen & Icy Car Kit

6 picks compared