No Grid Survival Projects Reviews
How We Reviewed This
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Quick Answer: No Grid Survival Projects is a 302-page physical book with 70+ DIY survival projects by Claude Davis. It covers water, power, food, and shelter — with companion videos showing each build. Most people find it useful for beginners and intermediate preppers. Quality varies by project, but the overall package is a solid option for anyone building off-grid skills.
A buddy of mine spent $400 on a fancy solar generator last year. It died after six months. Meanwhile, his neighbor built a working solar setup from a book that cost a fraction of that price. That book was No Grid Survival Projects. I’ve been digging through No Grid Survival Projects reviews across Amazon, Reddit, YouTube, and prepper forums to give you the straight answer on whether this book delivers or falls flat.
Key Takeaways
- The book contains 70+ DIY projects across water, power, food, and shelter categories [2]
- Companion videos are included where Michael Major builds every project on camera [1]
- Each project lists materials and sourcing info so you can start building right away [2]
- Mother Earth News approved it and limited orders to 2 copies per customer due to demand [5]
- Reddit and forum reviews are mixed — beginners love it, experienced preppers find some projects too basic [6]
- It’s a physical book with full-color pages, not a digital download
- Best for people new to off-grid living who want a structured starting point
- Skip it if you’re already an advanced prepper — you likely know most of these builds
- Price is reasonable compared to individual survival courses
- The video component adds real value that most survival books don’t offer
What Exactly Is No Grid Survival Projects?
It’s a 302-page printed book packed with step-by-step instructions for building off-grid systems. Claude Davis is the primary author, with contributions from Michael Major, Amber Robinson, and James Walton [3].
The book covers these main categories:
- Water systems — Rainwater harvesting (page 13), emergency purification (page 24)
- Power generation — DIY solar setups (page 66), off-grid power systems (page 81)
- Alternative energy — Multiple approaches covered across pages 48, 57, and 62
- Food production — Off-grid gardening (page 259) and preservation techniques
- Shelter and security — Various projects for home resilience
Each project includes material lists with notes on where to find supplies cheaply [2]. That last part matters. Knowing what to build is only half the battle. Knowing where to get parts without overpaying is the other half.
The companion video series is a standout feature. Michael Major filmed himself building every single project from start to finish [1]. Most survival books give you diagrams. This one gives you diagrams and someone showing you exactly how it’s done.
What Are Real Users Saying in No Grid Survival Projects Reviews?
Reviews are scattered across multiple platforms. Here’s what I found after reading dozens of them.
Amazon Reviews
The book has generated significant discussion on Amazon [3]. Most positive reviews highlight:
- Clear instructions that beginners can follow
- Full-color pages make a real difference
- Good variety of projects across different skill levels
Negative reviews tend to mention:
- Some projects feel overly simple for experienced preppers
- A few builds require tools that not everyone owns
- Marketing can feel aggressive
Reddit Feedback
The r/preppers community has discussed this book multiple times [6]. The consensus there is more nuanced. Experienced preppers often say the information is available free online if you know where to look. But they also acknowledge the book organizes everything in one place, which saves time.
One Reddit thread specifically asked whether anyone had actually tried the projects [4]. Responses varied. Some people built the water purification systems and found them reliable. Others felt certain projects needed modifications to work well in their specific climate.
YouTube Reviews
Multiple video reviewers have covered this book [7][8][9]. The general take: it’s worth the price for beginners. Not worth it if you’ve been prepping for years. The video companion content gets consistent praise across reviewers.
Bottom line from real users: Good value for beginners and intermediate preppers. Skip it if you’re already experienced.
Who Should Buy This Book (And Who Shouldn’t)?
Buy it if:
- You’re new to off-grid living and want a structured starting point
- You learn better from physical books than random YouTube videos
- You want projects you can actually build this weekend
- You prefer having material lists and sourcing info in one place
Skip it if:
- You’ve been prepping for 5+ years
- You already have a functioning off-grid setup
- You only want digital content
- You’re looking for advanced engineering-level projects
Most people fall into the first category. And for that group, this book works.
Here’s my decision rule: If you’ve built fewer than 10 DIY survival projects, this book will teach you something new. If you’ve built more than that, you’ll probably recognize most of what’s inside.
How Does It Compare to Other Survival Books?
| Feature | No Grid Survival Projects | Typical Survival Guides | Free Online Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project count | 70+ | 15-30 | Unlimited but scattered |
| Video companion | Yes | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Material sourcing | Included | Sometimes | Varies |
| Organization | Structured by category | Varies | Poor |
| Cost | Moderate | Similar | Free |
| Skill level | Beginner to intermediate | Varies | All levels |
| Physical book | Yes, full color | Often black and white | Digital only |
The biggest advantage over free online resources is organization. You could find most of these projects on YouTube or prepper blogs. But you’d spend hours searching, vetting, and organizing them. This book does that work for you.
Better than most generic survival guides because of the video component and project volume. Not as deep as specialized books on any single topic like solar power or water filtration.
What Are the Best Projects Inside the Book?
Based on community feedback across multiple platforms [1][2][6], these projects get the most praise:
Water Projects (Most Popular)
- Rainwater harvesting system — Reliable and straightforward to build
- Emergency water purification — Uses accessible materials
- Long-term water storage — Practical for most climates
Power Projects (Most Useful)
- DIY solar panel setup — Good starting point for solar beginners
- Battery bank construction — Saves money compared to buying pre-built
- Alternative charging solutions — Multiple approaches for redundancy
Food Projects (Most Practical)
- Off-grid garden designs — Works in small spaces
- Food preservation methods — Lasts longer than most people expect
- Emergency food storage — Simple and effective
The water projects consistently get the best reviews. Makes sense — water is the most immediate survival need, and the builds are accessible for beginners.
A common mistake people make: trying to build the power projects first because they seem exciting. Start with water and food projects. They’re easier, cheaper, and more immediately useful.
Is the Companion Video Series Actually Helpful?
Yes. This is what separates the book from competitors.
Michael Major filmed himself building each of the 70+ projects [1]. That’s not a quick overview. It’s a full build from start to finish for every project.
Here’s why that matters:
- Written instructions miss details. You might not know how tight to make a connection or which angle to cut at. Video shows you.
- Troubleshooting is visible. When something goes wrong on camera, you see how to fix it.
- Pacing helps. You can see roughly how long each step takes.
Most survival books don’t include video. The ones that do usually offer a handful of clips. Having video for every project is genuinely above average.
Try this: Watch the video first, then use the book as a reference while you build. That combination works better than either one alone.
What Are the Common Complaints?
No product is perfect. Here are the most frequent criticisms from No Grid Survival Projects reviews:
- Aggressive marketing — The social media ads and promotional emails can feel pushy [8]. The book itself is fine, but the marketing turns some people off before they even read it.
- Some projects are too basic — Experienced preppers on Reddit have noted that certain builds are things they learned years ago [6]. Fair point, but the book targets beginners.
- Climate-specific limitations — A rainwater harvesting system that works in the Pacific Northwest won’t perform the same in Arizona. The book could do better at addressing regional differences.
- Tool requirements — A few projects need tools that beginners might not own. Budget an extra amount for basic tools if you’re starting from scratch.
- Availability issues — Mother Earth News limited orders to 2 copies per customer [5]. That suggests demand, but it also means you might face delays.
The biggest mistake buyers make: Expecting every project to be relevant to their situation. Pick the 15-20 projects that match your climate, space, and skill level. That’s where the real value is.
How Much Does It Cost and Where Can You Buy It?
The book is available through:
- Amazon [3] — Standard pricing with Prime shipping options
- Mother Earth News Store [5] — Limited to 2 copies per order
- The official website — Sometimes offers bundle deals
Pricing fluctuates slightly by retailer. It’s a physical book, so expect standard book pricing. No digital version is available as of 2026.
Is it worth the price? For beginners, yes. The companion videos alone justify the cost. You’d pay more for a single survival workshop that covers fewer topics.
Good value compared to: individual online courses, survival workshops, or buying separate guides for water, power, and food systems.
Costs more than: free YouTube content and blog posts, but saves significant time in research and organization.
FAQ
Q: Is No Grid Survival Projects a scam?
A: No. It’s a real physical book sold through major retailers including Amazon and Mother Earth News [3][5]. The aggressive marketing makes some people suspicious, but the product itself is legitimate.
Q: Who is Claude Davis?
A: Claude Davis is the primary author. He’s known in prepper communities for content about traditional survival skills and self-reliance [3].
Q: Can a complete beginner use this book?
A: Yes. Most projects are designed for people with basic DIY skills. The companion videos make even complex builds accessible [1].
Q: Are the companion videos free with the book?
A: Yes. Access to the video series is included with the book purchase [1].
Q: How many projects are in the book?
A: Over 70 projects covering water, power, food, shelter, and security [2].
Q: Is there a digital or PDF version?
A: As of 2026, it’s primarily sold as a physical book with full-color pages.
Q: Do I need expensive materials to build the projects?
A: No. Each project includes material lists with notes on where to find affordable supplies [2].
Q: What skill level is required?
A: Beginner to intermediate. Advanced preppers may find some content too basic [6].
Q: Is this book available internationally?
A: It ships through Amazon, so international availability depends on your region [3].
Q: How does it compare to free online prepper content?
A: The information overlaps with free content, but the book organizes everything systematically with tested builds and video support. It saves time.
Q: Why does Mother Earth News limit orders to 2 copies?
A: High demand led to purchase limits [5]. This has been the case since the book gained popularity.
