Build a Winter Car Emergency Kit
A dead battery or a frozen windshield is annoying in summer. In winter it can strand you. The good news: a solid car kit is cheap and fits in one corner of the trunk.
Here is what we'd pack, starting with the things that get people moving again fastest.
- Top pick
AstroAI S8 Portable Jump Starter
A small battery that jump-starts the car on its own. No second car, no stranger with cables. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so this is the first thing to buy.
Best for: every car, honestly. Charge it every few months.
Check price on Amazon AstroAI 2-in-1 Snow Brush & Ice Scraper
A 27-inch brush and ice scraper that splits in two for storage. Long enough to clear an SUV roof, soft enough to not scratch paint.
Best for: anyone who parks outside.
Check price on AmazonEverlit Roadside Emergency Kit
A ready-made roadside bag with a plug-in tire inflator, jumper cables, a first aid kit and other basics. If you want one purchase that covers most of this list, this is it.
Best for: new drivers and people who'd rather not build a kit piece by piece.
Check price on AmazonAstroAI L7 Cordless Tire Inflator
A cordless pump that fills a tire to the pressure you set, then stops. Tire pressure drops when it gets cold, so this gets used more than you'd think.
Best for: drivers who want to skip the gas station air machine.
Check price on AmazonMylar Emergency Blankets (4-Pack)
Foil blankets that fold smaller than a phone. If you're stuck waiting for a tow, these hold in body heat. Four in a pack, so split them between cars.
Best for: the bottom of every kit. Cheap insurance.
Check price on AmazonBlukar Rechargeable Headlamp (2-Pack)
A headlamp keeps both hands free for changing a tire or hooking up a jump starter in the dark. These charge by USB-C, so no dead batteries.
Best for: anyone who's tried to hold a phone flashlight in their mouth.
Check price on AmazonRechargeable Magnetic Hand Warmers (2)
Two rechargeable hand warmers that snap together. Keep them charged in the glovebox for cold mornings and long waits.
Best for: early commutes and roadside waits.
Check price on AmazonAstroAI Windshield Cleaner Tool
A long-handled pad that cleans the inside of the windshield. Winter fog and haze build up fast, and this reaches the bottom corners.
Best for: anyone who's had glare blind them at sunset.
Check price on AmazonLISEN Retractable Car Charger
A car charger with pull-out cables, so your phone stays charged while you call for help. No loose cords to lose.
Best for: every car that still has a mess of cables in the console.
Check price on Amazon
Before you buy
Check your kit twice a year: once before winter and once in spring. Charge the jump starter and the headlamps, and make sure nothing leaked or cracked.
Also add a few things you already own: a spare phone cable, a bottle of water, a snack bar, gloves and an old hat. Keep it all in one bag so it's easy to grab.