Best emergency preparedness gear for 2026

t’s not pleasant to think of what might happen in an extreme weather event, but it’s always good to prepare for the unexpected. After some serious windstorms knocked my power out for two and a half days, I decided I needed to up my game. Along with my bottled water, emergency space blankets, and first aid kit, I needed to add some serious hardware.

In an emergency, it's good to consider multiple scenarios. Are you going to shelter in place or will you evacuate? Think of the climate you live in. Would you encounter hurricanes, floods, blizzards, or earthquakes? Even extreme heat can strain local power grids.

Tailor your emergency kit towards the needs of your family. Pets require carriers and food, and children need activities to keep them calm. Prescription medications should be packed and properly stored, and any other special medical gear should be considered, like a CPAP.

I consulted the Centers for Disease Control Emergency Preparedness and Response webpage to get ideas on what to do in case of an emergency. Also, the ready.gov website from the US Department of Homeland Security has a wealth of information, breaking down what you need for a general emergency kit, along with items you should add for specific events. Using these valuable resources, I made a plan and added some things to my kit, including a few of these items:

Best portable power bank — Scosche GoBat™ 10K

A power bank is a good thing to have, but it’s essential in an emergency. The Scosche GoBat 10K portable power bank has plenty of juice to keep your smart devices and rechargeable flashlights charged. With USB-A and USB-C ports, you can charge two devices at the same time.

The GoBat 10K has a 20W USB-C power delivery port that can charge an iPhone or Samsung phone from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes. You can also use the same port as a charging input for the GoBat 10K. Plus, you can keep track of how much charge is left with the four-light LED power indicator.

Details

• dual ports to charge two devices simultaneously, including 20-watt USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port and 18-watt USB-A port
• fast charges iPhone® and Samsung phones from 0% to 50% in as little 30 minutes
• four-light LED power indicator

A versatile hybrid alternative — Belkin BoostCharge

The Belkin BoostCharge hybrid wall charger and power bank makes a great travel accessory or a compact addition to your bug-out bag. Use it as a regular wall adapter with a fast-charging USB-C port plus an additional USB-A port. Or fold up the prongs and use its internal 4,800mAh battery for USB charging on the go.

What our customers say about the Scosche GoBat 10K

Best emergency radio — Midland ER310 E+Ready

Midland scores with this Swiss army knife of a radio. When you need your news and weather alerts, but you don’t have electricity, the Midland ER310 E+Ready emergency radio will keep you informed. Charge it with solar power, hand crank, or the Micro-B USB port, then listen to AM/FM radio or NOAA Weather Radio without having to plug in. Make sure to extend the antenna for longer range.

For private listening, use a set of wired earbuds or headphones. You can even charge your smartphone. The LED flashlight has two light levels, and doubles as a SOS-Morse code beacon. This is one of the first items I bought for my personal emergency kit.

Details

• rechargeable emergency flashlight/radio/charging combo
• charge via solar, hand crank, or USB cable
• 2600 mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery gives up to 32 hours of normal use
• can also run on 6 AA batteries
• AM/FM, plus NOAA Weather Radio

Best two-way radio kit — Midland X-Talker Extreme Dual Pack T77VP5

If you need to keep in touch over a short distance, but don’t want to use your phone, the Midland X-Talker Extreme Dual Pack T77VP5 long-range walkie-talkies can fill the gap. With a range of up to 38 miles, you can stay in touch with your party while on the move. Plus, they’re built for bad weather with a rugged, water-resistant design.

Rechargeable battery packs or AA batteries keep you connected, and with NOAA Weather Alert, Weather Radio, and Weather Scan, you’ll know when to take shelter. Use the included boom mic headsets or eVOX operation for hands-free communication. And, with 36 channels and 121 privacy codes, you’ll ensure your conversations won’t overlap with another party’s.

Note: Maximum range can only be achieved over water or open rural areas under ideal conditions. FCC license required.

Details

• one pair of X-Talker walkie-talkies, charging station, headset mics, cables, and case
• powered by two 1000mAh rechargeable battery packs (included) or three AA batteries each (not included)
• NOAA Weather Alert, Weather Radio, and Weather Scan built in

Best portable jump starter — Noco Boost X GBX45

In case of evacuation, or just trips out for ice, you don’t want to be stuck at home because of a dead vehicle battery. Get peace of mind with the Noco Boost X GBX45. The lithium-ion power pack in this handy jump starter can start gas engines up to 6.5 liters or diesel engines up to 4 liters, making it a versatile option for most passenger vehicles.

But that’s not all this handy battery pack can do—it has a 100-lumen LED flashlight with emergency SOS and strobe lighting, in case you get stuck in the dark on the side of a highway. Plus, it has USB-C and USB-A charging ports that provide power to depleted electronics like smartphones and action cameras.

Details

• 1250-amp jump-start current starts gas engines up to 6.5 liters or diesel engines up to 4 liters
• USB-C in/out port with Power Delivery and one 2.1-amp USB-A charging output
• 100-lumen LED flashlight with emergency SOS and strobe lighting

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