What should I keep in my car in case I get stranded?
Build for the boring problems first: dead battery, low tire, no phone power, darkness, heat or cold, minor injury and waiting longer than expected for help. You do not need the most expensive version of every tool.
Dead battery: choose by budget, not fear
NOCO rates the GB40 at 1,000 peak amps for 12V lead-acid batteries, up to 6.0L gas engines and 3.0L diesels. It has spark-proof and reverse-polarity protection, an IP65 enclosure and a compact form. It is a strong default when you want a well-established product and can spend around the $100 class.
Pros: compact, straightforward controls, published engine-size ratings, spark-proof/reverse-polarity protection, established manufacturer.
Cons: you are paying more for the brand and design; independent 2026 testing also noted very short leads and limited stored energy compared with larger units.
See NOCO GB40 →You do not have to spend $100 just to have a self-contained jump pack. In Car and Driver's 2026 hands-on testing, its budget pick was the Strauto 1200A jump starter, around the $60 class at publication. It successfully performed their jump test and is lighter than the NOCO.
Pros: substantially cheaper, very light, longer leads than the GB40 in that test, USB power and an emergency light.
Cons: smaller/plastickier clamps, display can be hard to read, and it does not have the same long-established track record as NOCO. Availability and seller quality can also change, so re-check before buying.
LivSolv choice: if $100 is comfortable, the NOCO is the easier conservative recommendation. If $100 means you would buy nothing at all, a credible independently tested ~$60 jump starter is a much better preparedness choice than having no jump starter.
If even a budget lithium jump pack is too expensive, traditional jumper cables are still a legitimate backup. They do not contain a battery, do not need charging and can cost much less.
Pros: inexpensive, simple to store, no lithium battery to maintain.
Cons: you need another suitable vehicle and a person willing and able to help, and you need to connect them correctly. A portable jump pack can get you moving when nobody else is around.
Do not shop by the biggest amp number on the box. Match a jump starter to your engine and vehicle requirements, and pay attention to independent performance, clamps, lead length and safety protections.
Low tire: battery-free convenience can actually be cheaper
A 12V inflator that plugs into the car is hard to beat for an emergency kit because there is no separate inflator battery to remember to charge. Slime's digital model lets you set pressure and uses automatic shutoff.
Pros: lower-cost approach, no separate battery ecosystem, lives in the car.
Cons: needs the vehicle's 12V power and a cord running from the car to the tire.
See Slime 12V inflator →If you already own DEWALT 20V batteries, the DEWALT can be a more flexible choice because it can use a compatible battery or vehicle power. But if you do not own that battery system, buying into it just for a car inflator can turn a simple preparedness item into a much more expensive purchase.
LivSolv rule: an upgrade needs to solve a real problem. More expensive is not automatically more prepared.
Then add the cheap stuff
Visibility: reflective triangles or other warning gear.
Light: a headlamp is especially useful because it leaves both hands free. If you already own a reliable flashlight, use it rather than delaying the whole kit while shopping for something better.
Phone: charging cable plus whatever dependable backup battery fits your budget.
Waiting: water, shelf-stable snack and a basic first-aid kit.
Weather: blanket/layers in cold climates, and sun/heat protection where heat is the bigger risk.
If the car cannot move
Make yourself visible where it is safe to do so, preserve phone battery, stay aware of traffic and weather, and call appropriate roadside or emergency help. A damaged tire, dangerous shoulder or mechanical failure may still require professional help.