Build your emergency kit on any budget
Tell us your budget and who lives with you. We'll show what to buy first, what can wait, and what you can do for free.
£0 of £0
With a little more budget
Free, whatever your budget
- Water: fill clean bottles from the tap, 9 litres per person.
- Cash: some notes and coins. Card machines may not work.
- Medicines: a few days' spare, plus prescription copies.
- Numbers on paper: family, GP, and 105 for power cuts.
- Charge everything when a storm is forecast.
How the builder decides
It spends your budget in order: the Government's essentials first, then warmth and comfort, then backup power, then upgrades. If something doesn't fit, it tries the next, cheaper item. Power picks come from our power bank and power station reviews.
What each budget buys a family of four
Two adults and two children, buying everything new. Try £300 in the builder.
| Budget | What you get | Spent |
|---|---|---|
| £50 | INIU B5 20,000mAh power bank, Battery FM radio, Manual tin opener | £47 |
| £100 | Everything above, plus or upgraded: 2× INIU B5 20,000mAh power bank, LED torches with spare batteries (2-pack), Home first aid kit | £98 |
| £300 | Everything above, plus or upgraded: 4× 3 days of no-cook food, Foil emergency blankets (10-pack), Wipes, hand sanitiser and bin bags, Waterproof document pouch, 4× 10-litre water container with tap, 4× 3-season sleeping bag | £294 |
| £500 | Everything above, plus or upgraded: 2× UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh power bank, Wind-up, solar and USB FM radio with torch, Large family first aid kit, 2× Rechargeable LED head torch, Rechargeable LED lantern, 1-litre vacuum flask | £451 |
| £1,000 | Everything above, plus or upgraded: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic power station (1,024Wh) | £850 |
Questions
How much does a 72-hour emergency kit cost in the UK?
For a family of four, the Government's essentials (power banks, a radio, torches, first aid and three days of food) come to about £146 if you buy everything new. Most homes already own some of it, and water can be stored for free in clean bottles.
What should I buy first for an emergency kit?
Charged power banks and a battery or wind-up FM radio. Your phone is your torch, news and contact with family, and the radio keeps you informed when phones and internet are down. Then torches, a first aid kit and some no-cook food.
Is a survival kit worth buying ready-made?
Usually not. Ready-made "survival kits" often include things UK households rarely need and skimp on what matters, like power banks. Building your own around what you already own is cheaper and better.
When is a power station worth it?
Once the essentials are covered and you want to keep Wi-Fi, an electric blanket, medical equipment or a fridge running through a long power cut. A small one costs about £200. The builder only suggests one when the basics are already in your budget.