Posted: November 10, 2025
Cars are safer than ever before due to the 2011 NHTSA mandate requiring laminated side windows on modern cars. However, there's a little-known catch: traditional window punches don't work on laminated glass. They shatter tempered glass but bounce off laminated layers, trapping drivers and passengers when seconds count.
That's why we're excited to announce that LIFELINE's EVAC-PRO has been selected as Wirecutter's **Top Pick for Laminated Glass Breakers**, the only consumer tool field-tested by first responders and proven to rip through this tough, layered safety glass.
In their latest review of the best car window breaker tools, Wirecutter's experts shattered and sawed real car windows to find what truly performs in emergencies. While punches like the Lifehammer Evolution and budget-friendly Resqme excel on older tempered glass, they fail against the laminated windows now standard in most new vehicles.
"Effectively cuts through laminated glass by sawing after creating an initial hole; maintains edge after use; durable construction with a design that protects the hand," Wirecutter notes. "It’s rock-solid. Each Lifeline Evac-Pro is laser-cut from a 3/16-inch-thick piece of ultra-hard 440c steel. The blade is designed with deep serrations that keep their edge even after cutting through materials that would dull other blades."
A 100% made in the USA innovation, born from firefighter expertise, the EVAC-PRO isn't just a tool—it's your mission-ready ally against the unintended entrapment risks of today's cars. Trusted by 3,300+ NY State Troopers for professional ops, now Wirecutter-vetted for you.
Be ready when seconds count.
Saving Lives By Design,
– The LIFELINE Rescue Tools Team
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