The best roadside emergency car kits you can buy

Why you'll love it: At approximately $30, the STDY Auto Emergency Kit is full of 57 items, making it a great starter roadside kit on a budget.

The STDY Auto Emergency Kit isn't as comprehensive as some other kits, but it provides surprising value for its lower price point. This kit has all of the essentials including a reflective warning triangle, a tire repair kit, an emergency blanket, a tow rope, jumper cables, and a safety hammer. The hammer itself is reason enough to buy this kit since it allows you to break the glass and cut a seat-belt in an emergency.

There's also a first aid kit with scissors, cotton swabs, tweezers, and other helpful items – but no bandages or ointment is included. Essentials like jumper cables and a tow rope can help you to get back on the road. This kit also includes a whistle, an important safety feature that many other kits overlook.

The STDY Auto Emergency Kit has a 4.6 out of 5-star Amazon rating based on 29 customer reviews.

Pros: Affordably priced, contains the essentials, includes items like an emergency blanket and tweezers that other kits overlook

Cons: Missing some important items like bandages and flares

Buy the STDY Auto Emergency Kit on Amazon for $28.99

Why you'll love it: The AutoClubHero Premium Car Emergency Survival Kit is a 185-piece kit that prepares you for just about any emergency you could encounter while on the road.

If you'd like to be super-prepared for just about any situation you could encounter while on the road, then the AutoClubHero Premium Car Emergency Survival Kit is for you. This comprehensive 185-piece kit contains practical supplies that you're likely to put to use, like a tow strap, an ice scraper, and jumper cables. It also includes some items that hopefully you'll never have to use, such as food rations, water, and a survival guide.

The 85-piece first aid kit is one of the most well-stocked kits I've seen, and it includes an assortment of bandages, medical tape, gauze, ointments, alcohol pads, a cold compress, and more. It contains everything you need to treat minor injuries.

When it comes to getting yourself back on the road, this kit has the items you'll need for minor car repairs. Whereas many kits contain a tire repair kit, they often don't include an air compressor — this one does. Other helpful items include an LED headlamp, screwdrivers, electrical tape, fuses, and needle-nose pliers. Other safety essentials, like a reflector triangle and help sign, are also included.

The AutoClubHero Premium Car Emergency Survival Kit has a 4.5 out of 5-star Amazon rating based on 50 customer reviews. Alison R. Benton wrote, "It is a little pricey compared to some other kits, but well worth it!" Marie C. Stauber said, "These guys anticipated every need you might have and I sincerely hope I never need to use it, but if I do, I'm prepared now!"

Pros: 185 pieces to handle nearly any emergency, 85-piece first aid kit, items to get you back on the road

Cons: Kit is too large to fit under a seat

Buy the AutoClubHero Premium Car Emergency Survival Kit on Amazon for $129.95

Why you'll love it: With warming supplies to help keep you comfortable during a winter weather breakdown, the Lifeline AAA Severe Weather Road Safety Kit is a must for cold-weather travel.

A breakdown in winter weather requires particular supplies, and the Lifeline AAA Severe Weather Road Safety Kit is designed just for that circumstance. Warmth will become a real concern in the event that you can't turn your vehicle on or have limited gas, and this kit includes warmth accessories such as tea candles; a fleece set of gloves, scarf, and hat; an emergency blanket; and hand-warmer packets.

Additional supplies include a folding shovel, LED flashlight, batteries, emergency whistle, and ice scraper. This kit also includes a 45-piece first aid kit. Everything is stored neatly in a compact bag that can fit underneath a seat.

The value of this kit is really in its warming items, which aren't offered by many other kits. If you live in an area that receives harsh winter weather, this kit would be well worth the investment. Pair this kit with some visibility essentials, like road flares, and you'll have a well-rounded emergency supply collection for winter weather.

The Lifeline AAA Severe Weather Road Safety Kit has a 4.2 out of 5-star Amazon rating based on 67 customer reviews. Ocanada wrote, "I researched a lot of car kits to give to my husband and this was perfect. We live in Colorado, so a good 'severe weather' kit was essential ... It doesn't take up too much room in his truck and I will be ordering one for my vehicle as well."

Pros: Warming supplies, 45-piece first aid kit

Cons: Battery-powered flashlight would be better if replaced by a light with a hand crank, kit would benefit from some emergency visibility supplies

Buy the Lifeline AAA Severe Weather Road Safety Kit on Amazon for $54.10

Why you'll love it: The Always Prepared Reflective Car Emergency Roadside Kit contains high-visibility supplies to help keep you safe if you're ever stranded roadside.

Whereas many emergency kits fall short on quality high-visibility products, the Always Prepared Reflective Car Emergency Roadside Kit focuses entirely on making you visible to other drivers. These items are essential for keeping you safe if your car broke down on the side of the road, and increased visibility can potentially keep other drivers from hitting you or your car.

This kit contains everything you need to maximize your safety during a breakdown. Two reflective triangles fold up for compact storage and can be set out to draw attention to your vehicle. One flashing LED emergency light and one neon safety vest also help to keep you safe and visible.

All of these items fit neatly inside a storage bag that can be tucked underneath a seat or placed in your trunk. Because it doesn't contain other essential items, it's best paired with another roadside emergency kit.

The Always Prepared Reflective Car Emergency Roadside Kit has a 4.2 out of 5-star Amazon rating based on 44 customer reviews.

Pros: Higher quality, heavy-duty visibility items, easy to use, compact storage fits under a seat

Cons: Should be paired with another kit for a more complete supply of emergency items

Buy the Always Prepared Reflective Car Emergency Roadside Kit on Amazon for $28.99