AUTODECO Car Roadside Emergency Kit – Premium, with Jumper Cables, Tow Strap, etc

Why it's worth it

The AUTODECO kit hits the essentials — jumper cables, tow rope, reflective vest, safety hammer, emergency blanket and a small first aid pouch — in a 3.6-pound bag. It's the one to put in a car that mostly does short trips around town.

You don't need a premium kit in every vehicle you own. If you have a second car, a commuter that never leaves a 20-mile radius, or a kid heading to college, this covers the situations that actually come up. The bag runs about 14 by 8.7 by 6.4 inches and 3.6 pounds, so it rides in a back seat or a spare tire well without you thinking about it.

The item list is smarter than most cheap kits. A tow rope and a safety hammer aren't standard at this level, and both matter — one gets you off a shoulder, the other gets you out of a car after a wreck. There's also a reflective vest, which is the item people forget and the one that keeps you visible when you're standing next to traffic.

From our review of 6 car emergency kits, by Ben Carter, Tech Editor

What we like

• +You don't need a premium kit in every vehicle you own
• +The item list is smarter than most cheap kits
• +Buy it understanding what it is: a first layer, not a last one

What to know

• –Component quality is the obvious compromise
• –The listing doesn't specify jumper cable gauge or length