The Best Personal Safety Devices for Every Situation

If 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. 

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.

Make sure it's legal where you live

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

• 9 Ways to Keep Safe on Your College Campus
• What to Do When an Intruder Is in Your Home
• 6 Things to Do If You Think You're Being Followed
• How to Keep Your Family Safe in Any Situation
• Stun Gun vs. TASER: What’s the Difference?

1. FBI, "Rate of Robbery Offenses by Population," 2022. Accessed May 18, 2024.