To be fair, the English language is the real victim here.

While “essential” cleanly maps to “can’t go without” - it doesn’t map to “bare minimum”.

For instance, let’s assume you’re surviving in the wilderness and you need to start a fire. Your fire starting kit is obviously essential, but it could also be included in a “Camper Value Pack” - but those things don’t have anything to do with each other. The kit is essential, and it was obtained in a value pack. This message brought to you by Mr. Obvious.