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7 min readIf you're being followed or threatened, you want self-defense gear that's easy to reach, easy to use, and proven effective—and these gadgets fit the bill.
We chose the VIPERTEK VTS-T03 Stun Gun as our top pick because it has a strobe light that disorients attackers and gives you time to run away. But if that doesn't work, you can effortlessly bring the attacker to their knees with an electric zap.
Device | Best for | List price | Works from a distance | Batteries | Learn more |
Best self-defense weapon | $17.99 |  Yes (strobe light) | Rechargeable | View on Amazon | |
Best pepper spray | $19.99 | Yes, 18 ft. | None | View on Amazon | |
Best kubotan | $19.99 |  No | None | View on Amazon | |
Best safety siren | $29.95 | Yes | 2 Metal Lithium | View on Amazon | |
Best for cars | $25.00 | Yes | 3 LR44 | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
You should definitely check out The Stunner from Stunner Safety—our favorite new personal safety innovation! We love this stun-gun-pepper-spray-plus-flashlight combo for its ease of use and how simple it is to carry it with you. You carry it in your hand like knuckle dusters (but as those are not legal in many states, keep in mind that this product isn’t quite the same).
Designed by a woman for women, the Stunner fits in your hand, and the weapon, including the pepper spray and sharp spikes, faces any oncoming attackers. And, in the dark? You can use the flashlight to illuminate your surroundings.
Learn more about this all-in-one safety device in our interview with inventor Sydney Marvin.
The VIPERTEK stun gun is only a little bigger than a magic marker but stops attackers in their tracks with its bright light and electrical popping. If that isn’t enough, the high-voltage shock from the VIPERTEK will buy you time to strike and escape. This is the best personal protection weapon for anyone looking for a small, yet powerful, tool.
Serious self-defense tool
Strobe light
Rechargeable batteries
Doubles as a flashlight 
Not for kids
Not allowed everywhere This rechargeable stun gun is small enough to fit in your purse or pocket and is made of tough aircraft-grade aluminum. It doubles as a 350-lumen flashlight for other emergencies too.
Stun guns aren’t a great self-defense choice for everyone. They can be dangerous and shouldn’t fall into the hands of kids, so you’ll have to be careful where you hide it.
Products like these are considered unwelcome weapons in some states, so check your local laws to find out more. Hawaii and Rhode Island have banned the devices, and restrictions apply in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
But if you want a heavy-duty, multipurpose stun gun to keep in your purse or car, the VIPERTEK flashlight is an affordable choice.
Sabre Red Pepper Gel is our favorite pepper spray because it travels quite a distance (up to 18 feet) and is less likely to blow back into your face thanks to its gel consistency.
Reaches up to 18 ft.
Contains 18 bursts per canister
Gel unlikely to blow back at you
No keychain loop
May drip We also like the size of the Sabre Red Pepper Gel. At 1.8 fl oz, it's one of the largest on the market. It straps into a handy belt holster so you can keep it nearby.
For keychain options, check out our pepper spray guide.
The Atomic Bear is a convertible tactical safety device or Kubotan that morphs into an actual working pen and glass breaker.
The sturdy aluminum casing protects the pen on one side and forms a hard point on the other. The tungsten glass breaker can shatter glass to get you out of a car or building in a jiffy. It also helps you jab an attacker's sensitive spots with even greater striking power than your bare fists.
Practical and useful
Multipurpose tool
No batteries or phones required
Not for kids
Doesn't prevent an attacker from getting close The tip is strong enough to engrave wood, metal, and glass. It can also open boxes (you know, for gift exchange emergencies).
It comes with a carrying case that would make G.I. Joe jealous, spare ink cartridges, and access to an online self-defense class. All of these features are awesome for adults of all ages, but we wouldn’t recommend this device for kids.
See other options in our roundup of the best self-defense keychains.
The little She's Birdie personal security gadget looks like your average key fob but has the alarm power of a jackhammer. This device has a small key built in that sounds the personal alarm. Just pull out the key to activate a 130 dB siren. The locked trigger is handy because it prevents false alarms.
130 dB alarm
Carabiner and keychain
Strobe light
Annoying, but not threatening The fob has detachable keychain clips and a carabiner for bags, keys, purses, and belt loops. Batteries are included in your purchase to power the device, and they can power the alarm up to 40 minutes non-stop when activated.
Plus, the built-in strobe light helps disorient the other person while you make a run for it.
She's Birdie is a smart gift for new college students, friends who walk or run at night, or aging parents. Attackers get a surprising earful, and you get time to escape.
If She's Birdie isn't your style, check out other options in our roundup of the best personal alarms for self-defense.
The Stinger personal alarm is extra loud at 140 decibels, but that's not the only reason we like it. The Stinger also includes a glass-break tip (which doubles as a Kubotan) and a seatbelt cutter. Keep it on your keys and in your car in case you need to escape a burning or sinking vehicle — or need to get out of that creepy Uber.
140 dB alarm
Seat belt cutter
Glass break tip
Doesn't break laminate glass The tip only breaks tempered glass, so it won't help you bust through a laminate windshield.
You can choose from several different casing designs when buying the Stinger. And if that's not your style, you can always leave it as-is in its base black color.
We found a few other personal safety devices worth your attention.
If you like the idea of the Atomic Bear tactical pen but wish it was attached to your keys, try one of these self-defense keychain Kubotans. We also like these everyday carry starter kits, which include pouches for pepper spray and hand sanitizer.
If you don't mind paying a monthly fee, check out personal safety apps that can call for help in an instant, like Noonlight.
The Elzama Pocket Scarf has a hidden pocket to keep your wallet, passport, or cash safe while traveling. It’s stylish (especially with an Invisawear bracelet) and is a good travel companion when venturing alone or abroad.
The Addalock door lock plays offense as a portable lock for hotels, rentals, dorms, and Airbnbs. If you travel often or live alone, having a secure lock on your door is important. It doesn’t work on all doors, but it’s a handy device to prevent intruders and keep unwanted visitors out.
Personal safety doesn’t just mean buying cool gadgets. Practicing personal safety can mean anything from buckling up to creating an emergency kit at home. The best way to prevent an emergency is by using common sense.
And while self-defense gear is cool, it should never be considered a toy. These are products we hope you never have to use. If you want something for self-defense, choose something powerful and portable that will quickly get you out of a situation and on your way to help.
The FBI reported 66.1 robberies per 100,000 people in 2022. That seems like a lot, but it is a pretty significant drop from previous years. In 2012, for example, the rate was 113.1 per 100,000, showing that robberies have dropped over time.
So while robberies do happen, the rate has dropped over the last decade.
Even if you don’t run into threats in your own neighborhood, carrying a personal safety device can help in those unexpected emergencies.
We hope this never happens to you, but if it does, remember to keep your cool and don’t panic. If you’re in public, make lots of noise. Yelling “No,” or “Stop” repeatedly will catch the attention of anyone nearby. But if that doesn’t work, a personal alarm keychain like the SL Force Alarm can scare off attackers and signal for help from others.
If you’re alone, defend yourself, get away as fast as possible, then get help. You can find self-defense videos and tutorials to help you prepare.
The internet is full of self-defense classes and tutorials from trained instructors. You can also find classes from local gyms and martial arts establishments where you can learn in person.
While all the personal safety devices we chose are unique, they’re each portable, multipurpose, and effective against attackers. We talked to our personal safety advisor Pete Canavan to understand what makes personal safety devices so useful. He told us to look for devices that put distance between you and an attacker, disorient the attacker, or inflict pain to give you time to run away.
We considered factors like batteries and apps that might cause problems in an emergency.
If an attacker strikes, the best self-defense gadgets will buy you time to escape and get help. We included close-contact tools like stun guns, but they shouldn’t be your first line of defense.
Learn more about how we conduct reviews like this one from our methodology page.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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