Gear buying guides
Preparedness gear is full of inflated claims and rebadged junk. These guides explain the handful of specifications that actually matter for each category, then point at the product lines worth looking at.
Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend: we list gear that fits the job, and we tell you when the cheap option is the right one. Full disclosure.
Food
Best Emergency Food Kits and Long-Term Storage
Compare emergency food kits and long-term storage from Mountain House, Augason Farms, 4Patriots and Ready Hour. Honest guidance on she…
5 picks →
Comms
Best Emergency Radios: NOAA, Hand-Crank and AM/FM
How to choose an emergency radio: NOAA SAME alerts, hand-crank versus solar versus battery power, and picks from Midland, Eton, Sangea…
5 picks →
Water
Best Emergency Water Filters and Purifiers
How to choose emergency water filters and purifiers: pore size in microns, bacteria versus viruses, and picks from LifeStraw, Sawyer, …
6 picks →
Power
Best Portable Power Stations for Home Backup
A homeowner's guide to portable power stations for backup: capacity math, LiFePO4 vs lithium, inverter ratings, and picks from EcoFlow…
5 picks →
Power
Best Portable Solar Panels and Solar Generators
Compare portable solar panels and solar generators from Jackery, EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX, Bluetti and Goal Zero, plus honest buying crite…
6 picks →
Kits
Best Pre-Assembled 72-Hour Emergency Kits
Compare pre-assembled 72-hour emergency kits from the Red Cross, Ready America, JUDY and 4Patriots. Honest guidance on what kits inclu…
6 picks →Start with the free guide
Gear is the last step, not the first. The guide walks through the plan, the checklists and the order to buy things in - so you spend money on what actually protects your household.