Ready America 70385 review: one grab-and-go bag for a family of four, with a crank radio and light

This is a research-based review, based on manufacturer specs and published data. We do not test products. The contents list comes from Ready America's product page for the 4 Person Deluxe Emergency Kit (3 Day Backpack), SKU 70385, checked November 1, 2026. Ready America notes that actual contents or packaging may vary from the photo. We compare the kit against Ready.gov's Build a Kit list and CDC water storage guidance.

Most pre-built 72-hour kits are sized for one or two people. The 70385 is one of the few that puts a whole family's starter supplies in one backpack, and it is our top pick in the best emergency kit for a power outage roundup. What sets it apart from cheaper kits is the hand-crank Emergency Power Station: a flashlight, AM/FM radio, siren and phone charger in one unit that needs no batteries.

The question for an outage is how far "4 people, 3 days" really goes. On water and calories, the answer is: not far. On light, signaling, first aid and basic tools, it covers more of Ready.gov's list than most kits.

Who should buy it

• Families of four with no supplies ready, who want one bag to grab in an evacuation.
• Households that need a radio and a light without relying on stored batteries. The crank unit covers both.
• Anyone building a home kit who wants a base of first aid, masks, ponchos, blankets and tools in one place.

Who should skip it

• Households planning to ride out a long outage at home on this kit alone. Its water and food are a fraction of what CDC and Ready.gov advise.
• Single people and couples. A two-person kit such as the Ready America 70280 weighs far less.
• Anyone who cannot carry 21 lb. Split the contents into two smaller bags if needed.

Strengths

• A radio and light that need no batteries. Ready America says 1 minute of cranking gives about 30 minutes of light, 2 minutes of phone talk time or 15 minutes of radio.
• Covers four people in one purchase. Ponchos, blankets, masks, goggles and tissue packs come in sets of four.
• Long shelf life on the core. Food bars and water boxes are listed at 5 years.
• Real first aid kit. 107 pieces, far more than the 33-piece kit in Ready America's two-person backpack.
• Useful tools. Duct tape, a pocket multi-tool, leather work gloves and bio-hazard bags match items on Ready.gov's list.

Drawbacks

• About 1 gallon of water for four people. Four 1-liter boxes total roughly 1.06 gallons. CDC says at least 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days: 12 gallons for this family.
• Ration-level food. One 2,400-calorie bar per person for three days is 800 calories per person per day, by our arithmetic.
• Crank charging is slow. Two minutes of talk time per minute of cranking will not refill a phone battery.
• No NOAA weather band listed. Ready.gov asks for a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert as well as a basic radio.
• Heavy. 21 lb is a full load for one adult.

How it compares

Three pre-built kits at different sizes. Figures are from each maker's product page; none meets Ready.gov's water guidance out of the box.

Using it in a long outage

The water and food math

CDC's rule is at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, and a 2-week supply if possible. For four people that is 12 gallons for three days and 56 gallons for two weeks. The kit's four liters cover a little over a quarter of one day. Treat the boxes as the water you carry out the door, and store the rest at home in containers such as the Reliance Jumbo-Tainer. On food, add shelf-stable meals; a 3-day pouch set such as Mountain House Just In Case covers one person.

What to add

• Stored water for the home, plus a filter such as the LifeStraw for the bag.
• A NOAA weather radio with alerts, such as the Midland ER310.
• A battery lantern for the house, since lightsticks last 12 hours each. See the Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 review.
• A power bank, such as the Anker 737, so the crank charger is a backup rather than the plan.
• A wrench or pliers for utilities, a manual can opener, paper maps, plastic sheeting and garbage bags.
• Prescription medicines, glasses and copies of documents. Ready.gov notes that an emergency can make it hard to refill a prescription or find an open pharmacy.

Keep it ready

Write the purchase date on the bag and replace the food bars and water at the 5-year mark Ready America lists. Crank the power station every few months so you know it works. Ready.gov's advice is to replace expired items as needed and re-think your needs every year as the family changes. Keep the bag by the exit you would use, not in the attic.