Top 5 Best Car Escape Tools
These days, modern cars are packed with safety features and technologies intended to make our driving experience as safe as possible. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and you’ll never know when you may get in a situation where you’re stuck inside your car. It may take some time for emergency services to arrive, and anytime you’re involved in a collision, every second counts.
Having a car escape tool handy in your glove box, center console, attached to your keychain, or even plugged into your cigarette lighter could one day save your life. Most car escape tools will allow you to break a side window and cut your seat belt, allowing you to get out of your car in a timely fashion.
There are even more advanced escape tools available with extra features that allow you to use them on a daily basis. To learn more about car escape tools, refer to our table of contents.
Table of contents
- 1. Editor's Pick: Ztylus Stinger Car Emergency Escape Tool Kit
- 2. RESQME Car Escape Tool
- 3. GOOACC Emergency Escape Tool
- 4. Stander HandyBar Vehicle Emergency Escape Tool
- 5. Luxon 7-in-1 Emergency Tool Kit
- What is a Car Escape Tool?
- Why do I Need a Car Escape Tool?
- What to Look for When Shopping for a Car Escape Tool
1. Editor's Pick: Ztylus Stinger Car Emergency Escape Tool Kit
Design and patented in the U.S., the Ztylus Stinger emergency escape tool kit features a spring-loaded glass breaker, seat belt cutter, and a pair of 2.4-amp USB chargers when the tool is plugged into your car's cigarette lighter. The spring-loaded punch works quickly and easily, but like other escape tools, will only break tempered glass. Unlike other escape tools that are likely tossed into a glove box or center console, this one also serves as a USB charger so you'll likely always have it within reasonable reach in the case of an emergency. According to Ztylus, the Stinger's seat belt cutter has been tested on a 5000-lb towing strap, so it will easily cut away your seat belt if necessary.
The onboard dual USB ports offers high speed charging, powered by an intelligent circuit design that protects against short circuiting, over-heating, over-currents, and over-charging.
This tool is price similarly to the competition, but you get the added benefit of having USB chargers. The product is available in black or white, as a single unit or two pack, and there is even an option for a USB-C charger. The company also offers a Stinger Vent Mount product, which serves as a phone holder, glass breaker, and seat belt cutter.
Pros | Features two USB chargers so it serves a daily purpose, always accessible since you can use it outside of emergencies |
Cons | Some users report this tool causes radio static when plugged in |
Bottom Line | Editor's Pick for Best Car Escape Tool |
2. RESQME Car Escape Tool
The most popular car escape tool available on Amazon comes from RESQME and is available in a variety of colors and quantities. You can purchase a single unit, two pack, or three pack at a very affordable price. Color options include black, blue, safety yellow, pink, orange, and red. This tool is extremely compact and fits on your keychain, so you always have it with you in your vehicle.
This 2-in-1 tool features a seat belt cutter and car window breaker, allowing you to cut a jammed seat belt and break a side window in your car in the case of an emergency. This product was originally developed for first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, and has become an essential tool for safety-conscious drivers. It is constructed from ABS plastic and stainless steel and made in the U.S.
Attached to your keychain, the tool comes with a detachable clip, allowing you to simply pull i away in the case of an emergency. When pulled away from the clip, it will reveal the blade for the seat belt cutter. To break a window, you simply press the black head of the tool against the corner of the glass and it will release the spring-loaded spike and shatter the glass. Keep in mind this tool only works against tempered glass, which is commonly used in side windows. That means it won't work on your windshield, and you should check to make sure your side windows are made from tempered glass.
The tool is also reusable, with the spring-loaded spike resetting automatically.
Pros | Price, variety of colors, compact size (keychain), reusable |
Cons | Plastic case is fragile |
3. GOOACC Emergency Escape Tool
The next product on our list is the GOOACC emergency escape tool, but you will likely find many items that are similar in design, style, and features. We included this one on our list because it is the highest-rated version on Amazon, likely due to its price. Available in a two pack, this tool features a double-sided hammer head with hardened sharp stainless steel points and a sharp razor, to cut off the seat belt during emergencies. As a safeguard, the razor blade is recessed in the tool, so you won't accidentally cut yourself with it.
It's a fairly compact tool, although not as small as the RESQME option. There's a soft rubber cover on the pointed steel head to help avoid any scratches to your vehicle, while the flat hammer head can be used to clear the broken glass. The top of the tool features a light guide strip, making it easier to find in the case of an emergency. You can also install a mounting base to keep the tool in a fixed location inside your vehicle.
Like most other car escape tools, this will only break your side windows and won't work on your windshield. Finished in a deep orange color for easy visibility, this tool features a high quality ABS plastic cover.
Again, there are many products available similar to GOOACC's offering, so if you like this style, you can choose the one that fits your price budget.
Pros | Price, popular design, recessed razor blade, fairly compact, light guide strip, mounting base |
Cons | Some users claim they were unable to break glass with the hammer |
4. Stander HandyBar Vehicle Emergency Escape Tool
This 3-in-1 product is a bit different than the rest because it also serves as an automotive safety cane tool for assistance getting in and out of a car. For normal, day-to-day use, it can attach to a car door latch for leverage, ideal for elderly, injured, or anyone who needs mobility assistance. It fits on any door latch and has a weight capacity of 350 pounds, along with a no-slip ergonomic grip. Just make sure that your vehicle has a door striker or latch with two bolts or screws attaching it to the door frame. The HandyBar may not work with your vehicle if it has a door striker bolt rather than a latch.
If you do need it to serve as a car escape tool however, the Stander HandyBar can also serve as a window breaker and seat belt cutter. It's a great all-in-one solution if you need a product that assists in getting you in and out of your car.
Stander's products come with a 100-percent satisfaction and lifetime guarantee.
Pros | 3-in-1 tool that can also be used as an automotive safety cane tool, many users find it very helpful |
Cons | Safety cane tool may not be compatible with every vehicle |
5. Luxon 7-in-1 Emergency Tool Kit
If you want to invest into a tool you'll find yourself using outside of emergencies, the Luxon 7-in-1 features a car safety hammer, seat belt cutter, red indicating light, magnet, LED flashlight, USB charger, and hand cranking charging system for emergencies. Along with having your standard window breaker and sharp razor blade to cut seat belts, the LED light could come in handy as a flashlight in the dark. The built-in USB charger is mostly designed for emergency situations, but this tool does have a built-in 2600 mAh battery.
The emergency light has three modes: high, low, and strobe. You can also use it as a warning light if you happen to stop your car on the side of the road. With a built-in magnet, this tool can be placed on the hood of your car to serve as an SOS beacon.
The company says its lamp life is approximately 50,000 hours depending on usage.
The Luxon 7-in-1 emergency tool comes with a one-year, hassle-free warranty.
Pros | Price, multifunctional tool includes lights, magnet, USB charger, and hand cranking charging system for emergencies |
Cons | Size, only a one-year warranty |
What is a Car Escape Tool?
A car escape tool is a product designed for emergency situations. Generally, these tools serve two functions: breaking a side window and cutting a seat belt. They're affordable and normally compact, so you can store it in your glove box or center console inside your vehicle. There isn't anything overly complex with these tools, and ideally you never have to use one. But it's a small price to pay to have the peace of mind in case you ever get stuck in an accident where breaking a window or cutting your seat belt can save your life.
Why do I Need a Car Escape Tool?
If you ever get involved in a car accident, every second counts. You can't expect emergency response teams to arrive right away and sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Having a car escape tool easily accessible means you can cut your seat belt and break the window if necessary instead of waiting for professional to arrive on the scene. In addition, if you ever witness an accident where someone is trapped inside their vehicle, having a car escape tool could mean saving their lives.
Some escape tools have more functions than breaking glass and cutting seat belts. More expensive and advanced units have built in flashlights and USB chargers, so they serve a daily purpose outside of emergencies. If you're looking to purchase a USB charger for your car, you could pay a little extra and get a car escape tool with it.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Car Escape Tool
Most car escape tools will have similar features and some may even look identical to others. That's because there's a possibility one manufacturer is providing the same product for several different companies. You will want to pay close attention to the material it's constructed from, making sure it's something that will last in case it doesn't get used for years.
Although there are product offerings that are more advanced and offer other features outside of just being an emergency tool, sometimes simpler is better. You may not want an overly complex product when you're panicking and trying to get out of your car before something worse happens.
Ideally you find something that has an everyday function, or something that's extremely compact so you always have access to it if an emergency occurs. It wouldn't be difficult to forget you even own an escape tool if it sits in your glovebox for years.
Lastly, make sure to check the type of glass used for the side windows of your vehicle before purchasing an escape tool. Generally, the hammer on an escape tool is only capable of breaking tempered glass. Some vehicles these days aren't using tempered glass, so an escape tool may not work on your windows if that's the case.
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Photo credit: Tuttoo / Shutterstock.com
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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