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A dead battery, a flat tire or a closed highway is an annoyance in July. In January it can leave you sitting in a cold car for hours. This winter car emergency kit checklist covers what to keep in your car in winter, whether you’re commuting, heading to a ski trip or sleeping in your SUV at a frozen trailhead. The gear picks come from Amazon’s Camping & Hiking, Sports & Outdoors and Automotive best-seller lists (we checked them on November 1, 2026) and from winter driving guidance from the CDC, NHTSA and the National Weather Service. This is a research roundup based on best-seller rankings, manufacturer specs and owner reviews, not hands-on testing. Prices change daily, so check the current price before you buy.
The one item to grab first: hand warmers
If you only add one thing to your car this week, make it a box of air-activated hand warmers. They’re cheap, weigh almost nothing, and don’t need batteries or a running engine. If your car won’t start or you’re stuck with the engine off, a warmer in each pocket and a pair in your gloves makes a real difference.
HotHands warmers were two of the best-selling items in Amazon’s camping category when we checked. HotHands says each warmer gives up to 10 hours of heat, warms up in 15 to 30 minutes after you open it and shake it, and is a single-use, odorless pack.
- HotHands 40-pair bulk pack: the better value if you have more than one car or want some for camp and the house, around $25.60 at time of writing. Check price on Amazon
- HotHands 10-pair value pack: enough for one car kit, around $7.48 at time of writing. Check price on Amazon
Use them safely: HotHands’ directions say not to put the warmers directly on bare skin, and the product’s safety notes also say not to use them while sleeping. Keep them in gloves, pockets or over a layer of clothing, and take extra care with kids or anyone with diabetes or poor circulation.
What to keep in your car in winter (and why)
1. Mylar emergency blankets
Foil “space” blankets reflect your body heat back at you and fold down smaller than a deck of cards. A 4-pack covers a car full of people. Pair them with a real blanket if you have room. The 4-pack we found was a top-10 best seller in Camping & Hiking, around $8.99 at time of writing.
2. A rechargeable headlamp
Changing a tire, reading a jump starter’s clamps or digging out the shovel at 5 PM in December is a lot easier with both hands free. The LHKNL 2-pack was among the top sellers in Camping & Hiking and includes a red-light mode, which is easier on your eyes (and other drivers’). It was around $19.99 at time of writing. Charge it once a month or so, since cold drains batteries faster.
3. A portable jump starter
Cold weather is hard on car batteries, and a jump starter means you don’t need to find another car and a set of cables. The NOCO Boost GB40 is rated 1000 amps and is built to be spark-proof with reverse-polarity protection. It also works as a USB power bank. It was a best seller in Automotive at around $99.95 at time of writing. It’s the priciest item here, but the one most likely to get you home.
If you also haul an ATV or dirt bike, see our guide to powersports batteries and solar maintainers.
4. A cordless tire inflator
Tire pressure drops as the temperature falls, so a soft tire on a frosty morning is common. The AstroAI L7 is a cordless inflator rated to 150 PSI. It ranked in the top 10 of Amazon’s Automotive best sellers, around $25.99 at time of writing. Keep it charged, and check your tire pressure against the sticker in your driver’s door jamb.
5. An emergency weather radio
If cell service is weak or your phone is dying, a crank radio still picks up NOAA weather alerts. The Midland ER310 charges by solar panel, hand crank or USB, has a built-in flashlight with an SOS strobe, and can charge your phone in a pinch. Its Amazon listing ranked it #1 in Weather Radios in early November. It usually sells for under $100; check the current price.
6. A battery lantern
A lantern lights the whole cabin while you wait for a tow without draining the car battery. The Etekcity 2-pack uses AA batteries and was a best seller in Camping & Hiking at around $16.99 at time of writing.
7. A LifeStraw personal water filter
Carry real water first. A LifeStraw is a cheap backup for longer winter road trips or car camping near a stream, and it was one of the top sellers in Camping & Hiking, around $17.97 at time of writing. Water bottles can freeze in a parked car, so keep a bottle inside your jacket or the cabin when you can. Don’t eat snow to stay hydrated; the CDC says it lowers your body temperature.
8. The basics you probably already own
- Ice scraper and snow brush. Clear the whole car, including the roof, before you drive.
- A small folding shovel to dig out tires and clear your tailpipe.
- Kitty litter or sand for traction under spinning tires.
- Water and snacks. Granola bars, nuts and jerky don’t mind the cold.
- A phone charging cable and car adapter, plus a power bank if you have one.
- A first aid kit.
- Spare warm layers: a hat, gloves, wool socks and an old fleece or blanket. The CDC advises carrying extra clothing and blankets and not relying on the car for heat, because the car could break down.
- A bright cloth to tie to the antenna or door if you’re stuck.
Printable winter car emergency kit checklist
Print this or screenshot it, then check it off as you load the trunk.
- ☠Hand warmers, 10+ pairs (HotHands 10-pair or 40-pair bulk pack)
- ☠Mylar emergency blankets, one per seat
- ☠Real blanket or sleeping bag
- ☠Rechargeable headlamp (charged)
- ☠Portable jump starter (charged)
- ☠Cordless tire inflator (charged)
- ☠Emergency weather radio
- ☠Battery lantern plus spare batteries
- ☠Water, plus a backup filter
- ☠Non-perishable snacks
- ☠Phone cable, car adapter and power bank
- ☠First aid kit
- ☠Ice scraper and snow brush
- ☠Small shovel
- ☠Kitty litter or sand for traction
- ☠Hat, gloves, wool socks and a spare warm layer
- ☠Bright cloth for the antenna
- ☠Battery-powered CO alarm if you sleep in your car
Start your kit with HotHands hand warmers on Amazon
Safety note: a blocked tailpipe can kill
If you’re stuck in snow, snow packed around the tailpipe can push carbon monoxide into the cabin. CO has no smell and no color. The CDC, NHTSA and the National Weather Service all give similar advice for a stranded car:
- Clear the snow from the exhaust pipe before you start the engine, and check it again each time.
- Run the engine and heater for only about 10 minutes each hour, with a window cracked slightly for fresh air (CDC, NWS).
- Never idle for long with the windows up or in an enclosed space like a garage (NHTSA).
- Stay with your car in a storm, since it’s easier for rescuers to find you, and you can get disoriented quickly in blowing snow.
If you sleep in your car on winter camping trips, never run a fuel-burning heater inside it, and pack a battery-powered CO alarm. See our guide: Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Car Camping.
FAQ
What should be in a winter car emergency kit? At minimum: hand warmers, blankets, warm layers, water, snacks, a light, a phone charger, a first aid kit, an ice scraper and a small shovel. A jump starter, a tire inflator and a weather radio cover the most common winter breakdowns.
Do hand warmers work in a cold car? Yes. Air-activated warmers like HotHands need only oxygen, not a power source, so they work with the engine off. Keep them sealed in their packaging until you need them, and store them out of direct sun.
How many hand warmers should I keep in my car? We’d keep at least one pair per seat you regularly fill, plus a few spares. A 10-pair pack covers most cars; the 40-pair pack is the better deal for a family or more than one vehicle.
Can I leave a jump starter or inflator in a freezing car? Usually, but lithium batteries lose charge faster in the cold. Check the manual’s storage temperature range and top them up every few months.
Should I run my car to stay warm if I’m stuck? Only in short bursts. Clear the tailpipe first, run the engine about 10 minutes each hour with a window cracked, and use warmers, blankets and layers to stay warm the rest of the time.
Want more cold-weather ideas? See the car camping gear everyone’s buying this fall.
Last updated: November 1, 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the retailer before you buy. This guide is general safety information, not professional advice. Follow each product’s manual.
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