This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Cascadia Ready Radio may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we’ve personally used, researched, or would put in our own household’s preparedness kit.
You don’t need expensive tactical gear to be prepared. The items on this page are practical, affordable, and chosen because they work — not because they look impressive. Most of what you need to get started costs less than a dinner out.
Communications
NOAA Weather Radio with SAME Technology
This is the single most important piece of gear on this page. When cell service is down and the internet is out, a NOAA weather radio is how you’ll hear emergency alerts, evacuation orders, and critical updates. Look for a model with SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) so you only receive alerts for your county — not the entire region. Multiple power sources (battery, hand crank, and AC plug-in) give you the most flexibility.
Brands to look for: Midland, Sangean, Kaito — all have solid reputations among emergency preparedness professionals.
Midland WR120B NOAA Weather Radio → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $25–$40
Hand-Crank Emergency Radio (Multi-Function)
If you want a radio that does it all — NOAA reception, AM/FM, hand crank, solar panel, USB phone charging, and a built-in flashlight — a multi-function emergency radio is a great option. The hand crank is tiring for extended use, but it means you’ll never be completely without power. A good backup to your primary NOAA radio, or a solid all-in-one for your go-bag.
Emergency Hand-Crank Radio → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $30–$60
Water Storage
5–7 Gallon Stackable Water Containers
The sweet spot for home water storage. Heavy enough to hold a meaningful amount (40–56 lbs when full), but still manageable for most adults. They’re easy to pour from, stack neatly in a closet or garage, and take up far less floor space than a 55-gallon drum. Make sure any container you buy is food-grade — it will be labeled as such.
Stackable Water Storage Container → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $15–$25 each
1-Gallon Water Jugs (for smaller households or mobility concerns)
Not everyone can lift a 40-pound container — and that’s completely fine. A dozen 1-gallon jugs holds the same amount of water as a large container, and you can move them, pour them, and use them without hurting yourself. The best water storage system is the one you can actually use when you need it.
1-Gallon Water Storage Jugs → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $8–$15 per set
Commercially Bottled Water (Cases)
The easiest option. Pre-packaged, sealed, and ready to drink. Pre-portioned bottles make rationing easier — you can see exactly how much you have left. A case of 40 bottles is just over 5 gallons. Rotate every 6–12 months.
Available at any grocery store — no affiliate link needed.
Light and Power
Headlamp
Hands-free light makes an enormous difference when you’re trying to do things in the dark — checking supplies, reading documents, helping family members, or navigating a damaged space. Every adult in the household should have one. Look for a model with multiple brightness settings and long battery life on the low setting.
LED Headlamp → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $10–$25
Flashlights
At least one per person. LED models last much longer on a set of batteries than older incandescent flashlights. A small, durable flashlight in each go-bag and one in each major room of the house is a smart baseline.
LED Flashlight → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $8–$20
Portable Phone Charger (Power Bank)
When the power is out, your phone battery becomes a critical resource. A portable charger with at least 10,000 mAh will give most phones two to three full charges. Keep it charged and in your go-bag. Save your phone battery by lowering brightness, closing apps, and using airplane mode between checks.
Portable Phone Charger → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $15–$30
Extra Batteries
Stock AA and AAA batteries at a minimum — they power most flashlights, headlamps, and radios. Check and replace them at each daylight saving time clock change. Lithium batteries have a longer shelf life than alkaline if you’re storing them long-term.
AA Battery Bulk Pack → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
AAA Battery Bulk Pack → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $10–$20
First Aid
Basic First Aid Kit
A pre-assembled kit is the fastest way to get started. Look for one that includes adhesive bandages (various sizes), gauze pads, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, tweezers, scissors, and a thermometer. Supplement with any prescription medications your household needs — at least a 7-day supply.
First Aid Kit → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $15–$35
Go-Bag Essentials
Go-Bag / Backpack
Your go-bag doesn’t need to be a military-style tactical pack. Any sturdy backpack that’s comfortable to carry works. The key is that it fits the person carrying it, distributes weight well, and is stored somewhere you can grab it fast. Each person in your household should have their own bag.
Durable Backpack → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $20–$50
Waterproof Document Bag
Keep copies of critical paperwork — IDs, insurance cards, medical information, bank info, birth certificates — in a waterproof bag or container inside your go-bag. Every adult bag carries a full document set. If you get separated, you each have what you need.
Waterproof Document Bag → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $8–$15
Emergency Blankets (Mylar)
Compact, lightweight, and they retain up to 90% of your body heat. Throw a couple in each go-bag. They’re not comfortable for long-term use, but they can keep you warm when it matters. Pennies per blanket.
Emergency Mylar Blankets (Pack) → View on Amazon (affiliate link)
Budget: $5–$10 for a multi-pack
Sanitation and Hygiene
Heavy-Duty Trash Bags
These serve double duty — waste disposal and emergency weather protection. If the water system fails, a trash bag lined bucket becomes an emergency toilet. Keep a roll in your supplies at home and a few bags folded into each go-bag.
Available at any grocery or hardware store — no affiliate link needed.
Hand Sanitizer and Hygiene Wipes
When running water isn’t available, hand sanitation becomes critical — especially around food preparation and after using emergency sanitation setups. Travel-size bottles and individually wrapped wipes pack easily into go-bags.
Available at any grocery or drug store — no affiliate link needed.
A Note on Building Your Kit
You don’t have to buy everything at once. Start with the NOAA radio and water storage — those two items cover your most critical gaps. Add a first aid kit and flashlights next. Then build your go-bags over time.
Check the Free Downloads page for printable checklists that walk you through exactly what goes in your go-bag and how to build your home supply step by step.
This page is updated as we test and recommend new products. Last updated: March 2026.
— Cascadia Ready Radio
“Be ready at home. Be ready to help.”