The best survival kits and grab bags in the UK
Emergency kits, grab bags and survival kits for power cuts, floods and evacuation.
Updated October 6, 2026
The UK government's Prepare website advises every household to keep an emergency kit. Its list starts with bottled water and a battery or wind-up torch and radio. Spare batteries and a first aid kit come next. A power bank, non-perishable food and a tin opener complete it.
Kits on this list differ in what they carry. Most EVAQ8 kits pack a food ration and 500ml of water per person plus purification tablets. The BCB kits lean towards cooking gear and shelter rather than stored water. Contents and shelf life figures come from the makers.
The shortlist, ranked
How the score works- 1
24-item pocket survival kit sealed in a watertight mini mess tin at a listed 275g.
- People: 1
- Items: 24
- Water included: No
- Food included: No
Why it is here: The sealed mini mess tin is watertight and weighs a listed 275g.
- 2
NATO approved belt pouch survival kit with 19 items at a listed 270g.
- People: 1
- Items: 19
- Water included: No
- Food included: No
Why it is here: NATO approved with a stock number listed.
- 3
1-person 72-hour rucksack with a wind-up torch and 2400 kcal rations and 500ml of water.
- People: 1
- Days: 3
- Items: 16
- Water included: Yes
Why it is here: A wind-up LED torch and an emergency powerbank cover light and phone charging.
- 4
2-person 72-hour rucksack with two food and water rations, a wind-up torch and a powerbank.
- People: 2
- Days: 3
- Items: 17
- Water included: Yes
Why it is here: Two sleeping bags and two foil blankets mean each person has their own warmth.
- 5
4-person 72-hour rucksack with AM/FM radio, wind-up torch and 2kg of food rations.
- People: 4
- Days: 3
- Items: 18
- Water included: Yes
Why it is here: A compact AM/FM radio is included where the smaller GoBags have none.
- 6
4-person 72-hour kit with the GoBag contents in a large plain black rucksack.
- People: 4
- Days: 3
- Items: 18
- Water included: Yes
Why it is here: The large black rucksack is unmarked for those who want no emergency branding on the bag.
- 7
Boxed 1-person ration kit with 2400 kcal food and 500ml water and purification tablets.
- People: 1
- Days: 3
- Items: 5
- Water included: Yes
Why it is here: The 21x15x8 cm box fits a desk drawer or a car boot or a grab bag.
- 8
1-person 72-hour kit in a 60-litre waterproof drum with five modules and a Fastboil stove.
- People: 1
- Days: 3
- Water included: Yes
- Food included: Yes
Why it is here: 2000ml of stored water is four times the ration in most EVAQ8 kits on this list.
- 9
Boxed 1-person ration kit with a marine survival whistle in place of purification tablets.
- People: 1
- Items: 5
- Water included: Yes
- Food included: Yes
Why it is here: An orange marine survival whistle is packed for signalling.
- 10
Haul bag with a 27L water bladder, Crusader cooking system and meal pouches.
- Items: 25
- Water included: No
- Food included: Yes
- Radio included: No
Why it is here: The 27L bladder and a jerry can and a 1L bottle carry water once you fill them.
- 11
Water-resistant grab bag with a wind-up radio torch, a megaphone and trauma dressings.
- Water included: Yes
- Food included: No
- Radio included: Yes
- Torch included: Yes
Why it is here: A wind-up radio torch and a waterproof wind-up torch with mobile charger are packed.
- 12
4-person 72-hour family kit packed in a holdall rather than a rucksack.
- People: 4
- Days: 3
- Weight: 8.5 kg (18.7 lb)
Why it is here: Sized for four people over 72 hours.
- 13
Bucket-packed 72-hour home kit with a folding cooker, solar lantern and SAS Survival Guide.
- Days: 3
- Items: 32
- Water included: No
- Food included: No
Why it is here: The FireDragon folding cooker and six fuel blocks let you heat food or water.
- 14
10-item power cut pack with a wind-up torch, folding cooker and hand warmers for the cold.
- Items: 10
- Water included: No
- Food included: No
- Radio included: No
Why it is here: A wind-up torch and a micro torch give two light sources.
- 15
LifeSaver Bottle pack rated for up to 6,000 litres with four carbon filters.
- People: 1
- Items: 3
- Water included: No
- Food included: No
Why it is here: The maker claims 99.99% removal of bacteria and viruses as well as parasites and microplastics.
- 16
1-person safety kit listed in BCB's outdoor survival kits catalogue.
- People: 1
Why it is here: Listed as a one-person kit.
Head-to-head comparisons
All survival kits side by side
Specs from the makers. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in an emergency grab bag?
The UK government's Prepare website lists what a household emergency kit should hold. Bottled water comes first. Next is a battery or wind-up torch and a radio with spare batteries. A first aid kit and a power bank are on the list too. So are non-perishable food and a tin opener. Kits on this list cover some of those items and leave others to you.
What should you put in a power cut box?
The Prepare kit list covers the basics: a wind-up torch and radio, spare batteries and a power bank. Add bottled water and non-perishable food with a tin opener. On this shortlist the BCB Winter Home Survival Pack is built for a power cut rather than evacuation. It packs a wind-up torch and a folding cooker with fuel blocks. Hand warmers and a foil blanket cover the cold.
Which emergency kit suits a family of 4?
Two EVAQ8 kits for four people share the same contents. The EVAQ8 GoBag Emergency Kit 4 Person comes in a red rucksack with a removable sign. The EVAQ8 Bug Out 4 Person 72 Hour Family Grab and Go Kit uses a plain black rucksack. Each packs four food rations and four water rations plus 50 purification tablets. A compact AM/FM radio and a wind-up torch are in both.
Shopping in the US? See the US shortlist of emergency kits
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking one, the store may pay us a commission. The price stays the same for you, and commissions do not decide which emergency supplies we recommend. Specs come from the makers; range and battery life are their claims. Our method.