The world can be an intimidating place, so why not have something to defend yourself in a hairy situation? We all have that bit of fear in the back of our mind that we’re going to be the next victim of a random mugging or a home invasion. Then again, we all think of the ramifications of using lethal means and getting in serious trouble despite acting in self-defense. The best solution? Non-lethal self-defense items that will leave your attacker helpless, in pain, and ripe to be picked up by the police. Stun guns, batons, and pepper gel—it’s all here.
The Best Non-Lethal Self Defence Weapon
1Chamberlain Outdoor Wireless Alarm
One of the most common places for any home invader to begin, is the garage. Most garage doors don’t have an alarm system enabled. The doors are relatively easy to break into, and if they make off with your car or gain entry to the house, they’ve won. You’ve been robbed. Stop all of that with the Chamberlain wireless motion alarm. This is primarily used alongside your driveway to detect incoming assailants. Set it and forget it before you go to bed, and you’ll be alerted of any nefarious activity. This alarm is loud enough to ward off anyone who trips the sensor, meaning that you’ll be able to sleep easy knowing that your almost-thief has scratched you off of his “to rob” list. Love this product? Check out our review of the best smart doorbells for our top picks.
2VIPERTEK Heavy Duty Stun Gun
Welcome to your first line in home defense; one of the best self-defense gadgets on the market. VIPERTEK has a long line of various models, each committed to providing you with safety, and surety. Their self-defense stun guns are among some of the highest quality on the market today. Not only do you get a lifetime warranty, but you get one of the coolest features on any stun gun ever: shock plates. If your assailant tries to snatch this from you at any point, they will receive an excess shock from the specialized plates along the side. If that isn’t the most innovative stun gun, we don’t know what is. Use the LED flashlight to stun your opponent, stun them, and vacate the scene. Our handy guide to the best self defence flashlights features more great products like this.
3SABRE 3-In-1 Pepper Spray
Pepper spray that’s utilized by police forces around the world, especially in big cities like New York and Chicago—this is the real deal when it comes to defending yourself against aggressive assailants. SABRE isn’t just used for police, but for United States Marshals, as well. This pepper spray is great for four years on the shelf before it’s contents expire, meaning you’re going to be primed for some time to come. You get a ten-foot range, so you don’t have to be within arms’ reach of your assailant to hit your mark. With that much range, it even gives you time to miss the first few sprays, and still regain your footing. The only mistake you’re making is not already having one of these essential assailant takedown methods. Be sure to also check out our list of the best bear sprays for more great items like this.
4Cold Steel Brooklyn Mini Bat
Nobody can deny one fact: when someone comes at you with a baseball bat, they mean business. This shorty mini bat is one of the last self-defense gadgets that anyone would think of, but comes in handy. You’re not going to cause lethal harm, but you’ll be able to complete two things: one, you’ll fend off your attacker, and two, they’ll rethink ever trying to attack or mug anyone ever again. This mini bat is made out of polypropylene, meaning you won’t be able to dent this even if you try. It’s thick, solid, top-grade stuff. The whole bat is only 1.4 pounds, so you won’t be swinging a heavy stick, but you’ll make up for weight with speed. With a non-cracking bat, you won’t even leave any marks on it should you ever need to use it to defend yourself.
5SABRE Tactical Stun Gun
SABRE has put out some serious pepper spray cans and some stellar stun guns, but what we’ve been missing in our lives is the mac daddy of all stun guns—SABRE’s take on how to bring down an opponent. Watch the included video for extra information on independent laboratory testing to verify maximum pain output, and understand the true power you’re wielding. The LED flashlight is an 80-lumen model, so you get ample light and can carve your path to safety, leaving your attacker in a heap of pain. With a great grip, easy storage capability, and overall great weight to it, this is the stun gun you should be buying for optimal personal safety.
6Mace Brand Pepper Spray Gun
It looks like a miniature flare gun, and it may be enough to off-put any attack just by looking at it. When you pull this pepper spray gun out, your attacker will know that you came prepared, and that they brought a fist to a pepper spray gun fight. This is much more than a self-defense weapon—you can use the patented spray inside, which comes with UV dye, to identify your attack should they flee. This can help law enforcement pick them up, and get them off the streets for good. Even if you’re twenty feet away, you can blast out a total of seven sprays before this thing needs more juice.
7SABRE Red Pepper Gel
Red pepper gel isn’t a delicacy; it’s one of the most innovative and painful self-defense tools on the market. The issue with traditional pepper spray? It blows back in the wind, and can actually get in your eyes if the wind is right. More than that, it doesn’t do the full effect on your target. With pepper gel, you can spray up to 18 feet away, hit your mark, and not worry about runoff fumes blowing back into your eye. Every bit of this pepper gel is enhanced with UV dye, for law enforcement to better identify attackers and get them off of the street. This excellently packaged can won’t accidentally go off in its holster, so you can rest easy knowing you won’t release your gel without meaning to.
8SWAT Tactical Pen
It’s not easy making an effective tactical pen. Most models end up flimsy and breakable, unable to get the job done. Most tactical pens out there aren’t even that effective in defending yourself from an assailant. Atomic Bear brings you the SWAT Tactical Pen, takes with it, rips away all the stigma previously shrouding tactical pens. With aluminum alloy for the chassis, you can crack and shatter glass with this pen (though it’s not a one-and-done hit,) or use the concealed, sheathed razor-sharp tip for defending yourself in a pinch. You also get two ink refills with this model. While we’re focusing on the tactical part, it’s got a great clip, and is one of the best ballpoint pens out there. Compare this to expensive, high-grade ballpoint pens, and you’ll have a contender.
9Umarex 19-Shot Air Pistol
Air pistols are no joke; ever been shot with one? It’s a seriously painful experience. Your buddies might be laughing, but let’s see one of them volunteer to test it out. Umarex makes a compact and truly fantastic air pistol, which is good for just about any use. Lend it to your daughter when she goes out, carry it in a handy holster; you can be versatile with how you store it. With 19 shots and a drop-free metal magazine, you’ll be able to pack some serious power. CO2 capsules are housed within the grip on the hilt, and are easy to pop out or push in. The iron sights on this air pistol are cognizant of iron sights on an actual pistol. All in all, 19 shots are more than plenty to ward off multiple assailants if need be. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best gun cleaning kits.
10Vigilant Personal Alarm
One of the loudest, most alerting personal alarms on the market—another excellent product by Vigilant. The great thing about this product is the cost-effective pricing, and the ability for any member of your family to utilize its features. School-age children, teenagers, and everyone in between can learn how to use this personal alarm to help them if a potentially hazardous situation arises. If you’ve failed to check the battery recently, don’t fear; there’s an emergency backup screamer whistle built right in, solely for potential battery failure. Failsafe is in check, hidden buttons are in check, what more could you want for your family?
11FakeTV Burglar Deterrent
You don’t want to leave the television on all night. It burns out your TV so fast, and it’s a waste of your electric bill. FakeTV will create the perfect glow as if your HDTV is actually on, but without massive power consumption. Burglars aren’t going to risk running into an awake, alert individual, who may or may not have a gun or other means to ward them off of the property, land them in jail, or exercise their legal right and capitalize on lethal means. Burglars are clever; not stupid. They won’t risk breaking into a home when FakeTV acts like you’re flicking through channels, periodically staying on one station for a while before moving onto the next.
Non-Lethal Self Defence Weapon Buying Guide
Top Tips When Protecting Your Home
Your safety, and most importantly, the safety of your family, is always your top priority. Nobody understands that better than fellow self-defense gear gathering folk like us. We also understand that seeking home defense aids is touchy; you want to avoid issues by seeking non-lethal home defense means. Whether it’s a stun gun, pepper gel, or tactical flashlights, there are a volley of options readily available to arm yourself, without hitting the risk of causing an over amount of harm to incoming attackers. Here are some tips to protect your home and remain safe while doing so.
Door and Window Lockage - The first means of invasion are through the obvious areas. Doors and windows are a way for invaders to either make out with your goods or if they intend to harm you, they can leave less of a trace. Don’t take a chance. Grab high-security window locks and door locks to ensure that even if a burglar tries to break in, that they won’t be able to.
Trip Advisory - In this case, it’s lack thereof. Avoid posting on social media, or mentioning upcoming trips to your coworkers, or basically anybody at all. Only tell those who need to know, such as your boss (for obvious reasons,) or family members you trust or who will be going on the trip with you. If you can recall on one hand how many people knew you were leaving your home, it’s a much more narrow circle for you to identify a possible thief.
IoT Device Utilization - We swing both ways on IoT devices. They are obviously useful, but in a world where hackers can put ransomware on hotels and classified infrastructure, it’s a hazard in and of itself. If you can use your IoT devices, such as light bulbs, locks, and sprinkler systems, you can create that “lived-in” look even while you are gone. Control the lights from your fingertips, or set them on a digital timer, and make it look like there’s always someone home. Burglars are much less likely to break into a home if they believe that the occupants are awake.
Don’t Make Your Yard An Invitation - Untrimmed trees can be a gateway for burglars to get into your second story. Keep ladders, gardening tools, and everything in between indoors when not in use. If you have expensive grilling equipment or a nice-looking grill, make sure it’s out of sight in the backyard or garage when not in use. If your yard is left full of items and crowded, especially things that a burglar could use to break into/scale your home, you’re asking for trouble. Avoid these at all costs.
Exterior Monitoring System - When a criminal runs the risk of being put on camera and actually being held liable for what they’ve done, they’ll turn tail and run almost immediately. If they’re still stubborn enough to try, you could opt for home monitoring through an ISP, where they’ll be able to notify police. It’s very obvious when someone is breaking into a home, and this could save you precious moments.
5 Tips To Defend Yourself Against An Attacker
If you find yourself in an alternate environment, especially one where you’re not used to the area, such as a parking garage late at night, public park, or an enclosed cityscape area, you’ll need to think fast. There’s no better way to do that than to prepare ahead of time. Here’s what you should do when defending yourself against an attacker.
If Using a Stun Gun - Most stun guns, if you just quickly zap at the air, will produce a visible electric shock. If your attacker is using a blade, they’ll quickly realize that they aren’t just outclassed, but that they’re holding a conductor. Take a fighting stance. Looking scared, screaming, or deflecting into a ball will only empower your attacker. If you have a stun gun, chances are you know how to use one. Show your teeth.
If Using Pepper Spray/Gel - This is only going to be effective if you’re able to get it into their eyes. Hold the can in your non-dominant hand, and use your dominant hand to clear a path to their face. Once initiated, even the largest grown man will succumb to the effects of pepper spray.
If Using a Tactical or Self Defense Flashlight - Most self-defense or tactical flashlight come with a lumen rating, which tells you how bright it can get. Whether you’re using the strobe feature or high burst of light option, a self-defense flashlight should be one of your security gadgets for self-defense. You can disorient your foe and cause physical reactions against their will, such as collapsing and “intolerable pain.”
If Using Car Keys - If your assailant has a blade or another item, and you’re in a parking garage late at night, you need to think fast. Let’s say you can’t access your stun gun or tactical self-defense flashlight. What’s the next best option? Use your keys, specifically your car key/keychain, and lean it between your middle and ring finger, with your other keys in your fist. This makes a blunt and painful weapon to defend yourself with.
Attire - Never wear earbuds or large noise cancelling headphones late at night. It will make you a susceptible target to anyone looking to commit petty crime, as they assume you are distracted. Eliminate their element of surprise by keeping your earbuds in your pocket, and remain vigilant of your surroundings. If you’re hypervigilant, attackers will know that you’re expecting a fight, and they’ll lose their edge.
