Alexandra Ramirez
We spent 26 hours assessing 20 of the most popular first aid kits to come up with this list of the top 10 best first aid kits. We factored in contents, group size, covered activity, trip length and directions as the most important criteria in making our selection. The best first aid kit is Always Prepared, Ultra-Light & Small 100-Piece First Aid Kit because it ticked off all the essential criteria. The kit has all the basics you would expect in an emergency situation as well as additional survival tools such as a glow stick, emergency blanket, and seat belt cutter. We also liked its affordable price especially considering what you get in it. The kit comes with comprehensive directions for use, covers most outdoor activities and is ideal for a small to medium size family.
1. Always Prepared
Best Overall First Aid Kit
5/5 Product Rating
This Always Prepared, Ultra-Light & Small First Aid Kit delivers on its promise. It’s a portable and very light first aid kit that you have no reason to leave behind. We loved that it easily fits in the car or in an overnight bag and exemplifies everything a good first aid kit should be.
The list of contents covers everything you’d want in a first aid kit; adhesive bandages (in multiple sizes) cold compress, alcohol prep pad, antibacterial ointment, first aid cotton tip applicator, razor blade and metal tweezers. As the name suggests, the package contains 100 first aid supplies to cater to most incidents and minor injuries.
There are some very practical miscellaneous items that we are always happy to see. These include a disposable raincoat, functional compass, a glow stick and emergency blanket. The main selling point for the product is you get an extra Emergency Auto Escape Tool thrown in for good measure. You can use it to break your car window or cut your seatbelt in the event of an accident.
Granted this isn’t the kind of first aid kit that would help you survive after a plane crash in the middle of the Amazon but it is extremely useful in everyday situations. Some situations the kit would be handy include backpacking, hiking, road trip, camping or simply a handy kit to have at home or in the office.
We especially recommend this Always Prepared first aid kit to parents. Children are prone to all kinds of cuts and bruises so you should have everything you need for first aid.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Swiss Safe
Best Overall First Aid Kit – Runner Up
4.9/5 Product Rating
This Swiss Safe first aid kit is a very close second and barely lost to the Always Prepared because it’s a little pricier than the latter for about the same features. This kit features all the essentials including assorted bandages (including knuckle and finger tip bandages) cotton tips, alcohol pep pads and first aid tape.
The equipment includes scissors, sewing kit, and glow stick. The unique thing about this Swiss Safe kit is it comes with a second miniature first aid kit with about the same supplies as the ‘main’ one. This means you can have one kit permanently at home and another to travel with wherever you go.
This is a very functional kit for outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, boating, and sports. The first kit includes a total of 120 items in a 1.2 pound bag which is very convenient. The second mini kit comes with 32 supplies. This is an FDA approved first aid kit if you are interested in details.
We recommend this first aid kit if you don’t mind shelling out a little extra for a second handy first aid kit; if you think you need one. It’s great value for money all things considered.
– Sarah Lytle
3. Lifeline
4.8/5 Product Rating
We loved this Lifeline first aid kit for its hard shell which means you can stuff it in the trunk or suitcase without worrying about damaging the contents. The kit also comes with a handy carabiner that you can attach to your backpack, belt or anywhere else for easy reach.
The first aid kit contains all the basics that you would expect to use in a typical injury situation. These include vinyl gloves, tweezers, a first aid guide, gauze pad, adhesive tape roll and multiple types of bandages.
This is a very basic first aid kit that we recommend if you are looking to spend the bare minimum on a first aid kit you can use for most emergency situations. The kit lost points because it doesn’t include many of the survival tools we have seen so far such as compasses and seat-belt cutters. It does, however, include an emergency whistle which can come in handy when you are stranded.
All things considered, this is a basic first aid kit that will take care of most common injuries. It’s also extremely affordable so there is if the only reason you don’t have a first aid kit is price, this Lifeline is the perfect option.
– Sarah Lytle
4. DeftGet
4.7/5 Product Rating
This DeftGet Essentials 163 Piece first aid kit is yet another hard shell kit so you don’t have to worry about the contents getting damaged during a trip. Again, this kit includes everything you would need in a minor emergency. A few items that stood out include the iodine pad, sting relief pads and a flash light.
This is also a very small first aid kit especially considering the number of contents. It fits nicely in your glove box and is very easy to carry anywhere. This is another very affordable first aid kit recommended if you are looking for something cheap yet functional.
The reason why this first aid kit didn’t make it higher on the list is it doesn’t include many of the survival tools in the Always Prepared. This wouldn’t be a problem if the two kits didn’t cost about the same price. Still, this is a useful first aid kit. We recommend this option if you are looking for a kit you can fit in your glove box.
– Sarah Lytle
5. Coleman
4.6/5 Product Rating
This Coleman first aid kit is ideal for large groups and contains 200 essential first aid items. We liked the sturdy interior and exterior that ensures everything stays in place even during rough handling. This is a waterproof first aid kit so it’s well suited for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
You can expect all the essentials of a good first aid kit including a variety of bandages, tweezer, gloves and antiseptic towelettes. We also loved the cold pack which comes in handy for most minor bangs, burns, and bruises.
We took out some points on the survival items as the first two first aid kits on this list set a high bar in this area. Generally speaking though, this is a handy first aid kit especially if you travel with large groups. We recommend it for outdoors enthusiasts who like to tag along with friends on their excursions.
– Sarah Lytle
First Aid Kit Buying Guide
What Is a First Aid Kit?
A first aid kit is simply a bag or other container that holds medical equipment and supplies for use in a medical emergency. In most situations, the first aid kit is used to offer pain relief or relief from discomfort. The kit however also comes in handy for basic treatment before the injury can be attended to by trained medical personnel.
Although you can make your own first aid kit by buying common medical supplies and stuffing them in an easy-to-carry bag, a pre-made kit first aid kit is a much better option. You are guaranteed that you haven’t left any important item out and are much cheaper than purchasing individual items over the counter.
What to Look For in a Pre-Made First Aid Kit
There is no such thing as a standard-first aid kit so each one is different. There is, however, a few essentials that you should expect to see in any kit worthy of its name. There are a few important considerations to help you pick out the most appropriate one. We used these same criteria to choose and rank our top 5 best first aid kit.
Personal Needs
It’s difficult to predict a specific scenario where you might need a first aid kit but you can use your lifestyle as a good starting point to choosing a good kit.
If you have small children, you’d want a first aid kit that contains ointments, bandages and antiseptic pads among other supplies for commons scrapes and bruises.
If you want a first aid kit to keep in your car, a good option should contain emergency tools such as a raincoat, glow stick and seatbelt cutter. The kit should also be small enough to fit in the glove compartment or conveniently in the car.
For outdoor activities, a small, portable kit that you can tether to your belt or backpack is a great choice. Lightweight and waterproof are also great considerations for a one-person kit in this case.
You might want a larger kit if you regularly take part in group sports or outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
The point is to choose a first aid kit that would be most handy for the activity that you perform most often.
Kit Contents
First aid kits vary widely in their contents although there are a few basics that you shouldn’t go without.
Bandages: Assorted adhesive bandages, athletic tape, gauze and blister treatments, wraps or splints
Medication and Ointments: Antibiotic ointments, ibuprofen, rubbing alcohol, aspirin
Basic Tools: Razor blade, blunt tip scissors, small mirror, tweezers
Miscellaneous: Burn dressing, bee-sting kit, elastic wraps, antiseptic towelettes
Survival Items (optional): Rain coat, compass, jumper cables, glow stick, emergency whistle, emergency blanket, flares, satellite messenger
Tips for Using a First Aid Kit
The first and arguably most important tip for using a first aid kit is to learn how to use it properly. The best stocked first aid kit would be useless if you don’t know how to use it. The brands we chose for this top 5 best first aid kits come with comprehensive directions but these might not be enough. We cannot stress the importance of having proper first aid training.
Next, store the kit in a central location such as glove box or easy-to-reach position in your home. Make sure everyone knows where the kit is.
Be sure to follow directions for use regardless of whether you have first aid training. This is to ensure that bandages don’t stick to wounds or other mishaps that are easily avoided.
Finally, inspect the kit every so often to check the expiry dates. Items such as antibiotic cream and medications may have a shelf life. It is important that you replace these items accordingly for your kit to remain usable and effective.
Conclusion
We spent a lot of time and effort to come up with this list of the 5 best first aid kits on the market. We did our best to consider as many scenarios as possible and make recommendations accordingly. The best way to choose a first aid kit is to consider your lifestyle and buy one that closely fits to what you might need in an emergency situation.
Our best piece of advice is to get professional first aid training. The training not only guarantees that you can use the kit when you need it, but you could also save a life.
