Whether you have decided to go jogging alone or at night, want to fend off any wildlife or want to have an extra layer of protection, pepper sprays are a great personal protection option. Particularly for people that don’t want to carry a concealed handgun. They’re convenient, inexpensive, and are available pretty much anywhere.
However, with the many online shopping websites, sports goods stores, and big-box stores that carry pepper sprays, it can be hard to decide which pepper spray to take with you. With this comprehensive list of the best options for every situation and every type of person, you can make an informed purchasing decision.
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The Quick Answer: Sabre 3-in-1
This model offers ten-foot blasts, 35 different pumps, and a belt clip—all for only seven dollars. This inexpensive protection option with a four-year shelf life is sure to bring you the peace of mind and self-confidence you need to evade an attacker.
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Pepper Spray Reviews
1. Sabre 3-in-1 Police Strength (Best Pepper Spray for Self Defense)
Sabre pepper sprays, and precisely the Sabre 3-in-1 Police Strength model, has a long range and is useful and accessible to keep consumers like you as safe as possible. This model also comes with a smaller canister and a convenient belt clip, making it readily available in any situation. In addition to how convenient this spray is, it also is very durable.
The Sabre 3-in-1 Police Strength Pepper Spray comes with 35 different bursts, all at 10-foot ranges, and is good for four years after the manufacturing date. These factors give you the peace of mind that your pepper spray will be working when you need it and will effectively give you some distance between you and your attacker.
Pros
With the ten-foot range and ballistic spray, you can stay safe at a distance. The small size of the canister, along with the included belt clip, makes it easy to conceal and carry. Also, the four-year expiration date leaves you with some peace of mind, and the Sabre 3-in-1 Police Strength Pepper Spray comes with a training video, so you can learn how to use the pepper spray effectively!
The 35 sprays, which is up to five times the number of sprays offered by other products, means that you can rely on your Sabre spray for many uses. The blend of pepper spray in the canister is also extremely potent and doesn’t drip onto your hands when you discharge the product.
Cons
The plastic belt clip is prone to breakage, and the locking mechanism tends to fail and accidentally discharge from time to time if you aren’t careful. Nevertheless, a piece of tape over the locking mechanism can fix this fairly quickly. Also, note that it is ineffective unless you spray your attacker in the face.
Who It’s Best For
The Sabre 3-in-1 Police Strength is best for anyone walking around late at night, women who are afraid of being attacked, or anyone looking to be safe in the face of wildlife animals or attackers.
2. Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Gun 2.0 (Best Pepper Spray Gun)
To achieve best results, the spray itself is made from Oleoresin Capsicum, the chemical in hot peppers that makes them hot. There are different strengths of the pepper formula offered by Mace brand so that you can pick the one that would be best for you and your personal protection.
The gun comes with a test water cartridge so that you can safely learn how to use the unit. The manufacturer, Mace Brand, has also created holsters for their pepper spray gun so that you can have it right at your hip when you need it the most.
Pros
The LED strobe light is different from many other pepper sprays and is a good first step to disorienting an attacker. Also, the texture of the handle is slightly ridged, allowing for a better grip than other models.
The pepper formula itself is extremely effective, and the appearance of the handle can deter attackers on its own when open carried because of its resemblance to a handgun. Additionally, the gun can shoot up to 20 feet away, making it perfect for getting away safely.
Cons
The trigger pull is heavy, which means you would have to put a lot of pressure on the trigger for the gun to effectively fire. Likewise, the size and design of the gun makes it dangerous to conceal as people could easily mistake this for a handgun.
The refill cartridges can be fairly expensive. Additionally, some customers have complaints about the manufacturing quality of the gun.
Who It’s Best For
This pepper spray gun is best for anyone looking to make an investment into their safety, especially those who are unafraid of the pepper gun’s similarities to a handgun and are okay with carrying it openly.
3. Magnum Two-Pack Police Strength (Best Keychain Pepper Spray)
Pros
The keyring makes it a portable, accessible choice, and the two packs mean that you can keep one for yourself and give the other to a friend, or carry one on your purse and attach one together with your keys. This is a relatively inexpensive pepper spray option.
The 0.5-ounce size makes it the largest pepper spray yet on this list. Likewise, the color means that the pepper spray is extremely visible, effectively acting as a deterrent.
Cons
The trigger is hard to press down, and the spray takes a few seconds to discharge on your first use. There are also no instructions that come with this product. Some individuals also have had problems with the durability of the casing.
Who It’s Best For
This pepper spray is best for the women in your life since the millennial pink color is an excellent deterrent to potential attackers and makes for a great fashion accessory.
4. Sabre Dog Spray (Best for Dogs)
Pros
The keyring makes it easy to take on a walk with you or clip onto your keychain, while the compact size makes it easy to carry with you. It is also very inexpensive when compared to other options on this list.
This product comes with a four-year shelf life—designed to keep you safe and with peace of mind. The lock and release function is easy to operate with one hand, making it perfect for protecting your dog during walks.
Cons
Unfortunately, this spray is illegal in some states. Also, although its compact size has benefits, it makes it hard to release, especially under pressure. It also means that the bottle is only good for a few uses before it is empty.
Who It’s Best For
This pepper spray is best for anyone who feels intimidated by dogs and other wildlife as well as those who want to keep their dogs safe from other dogs and critters.
5. Pepper Spray Zenith (Best for Women)
Pros
The slim, compact design makes it easy to slip into a purse or have in your pocket. It is very well-designed and is prettier than other pepper sprays.
The Zenith also comes with a finger grip, making it easy to release. Additionally, it comes with clear instructions for first-time pepper spray users.
Cons
The price of this pepper spray is higher compared to many similar products on the market. It also lacks a safety release nozzle, making it prone to misfire. This model also does not have a keyring, limiting your choices of how to carry it.
Who It’s Best For
This pepper spray is perfect for any woman who wants a slim, aesthetically pleasing way of protecting themselves from harm.
6. Wrist Saver Pepper Spray (Best for Runners)
Pros
The product comes with an LED light to blind your attacker and to help you see where you are headed. With this product, you can also imprint emergency numbers or store money.
It is also an inexpensive self-protection option. The wrist strap, besides being extremely convenient, also comes in different colors, making it a stylish way to protect yourself.
Additionally, the pepper spray shoots up to 10 feet away, making it a safe way to deal with an attacker. This product also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Cons
The size means that it can only be used for a few blasts, and the wristbands run small. Similarly, the location of this spray makes it difficult to release in some instances.
Who It’s Best For
This pepper spray is best for anyone who wants to feel secure while running or while out and about but doesn’t have access to a purse or backpack to store pepper spray in.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Your Pepper Spray
With so many pepper spray options on the market, it can be hard to find the one that works for you. With these three essential considerations in mind, you should be able to find an individualized, perfect pepper spray.
Accessibility
When considering pepper sprays, be sure to keep in mind how accessible and easy to use the pepper sprays are. You could have all the pepper sprays in the world, but if you don’t have easy access to them, they won’t do you much good.
The easier to reach they are, the more likely you are to use them. Thus, look for options with keyrings, hooks, or belt or wrist loops for the most accessibility.
Range
Another consideration to keep in mind is the range of the pepper spray. The average range of effectiveness for pepper sprays is anywhere between four and 15 feet. If the range is any longer than that, the effectiveness drops off.
If you purchase an item with a smaller range, you must get closer to your attacker, which can be dangerous. So, keep your self-confidence with your pepper spray in mind when searching for your next pepper spray.
Size of Canister
Apart from accessibility and range, you must also consider the amount of spray that you want to have on hand. Traditionally, pepper sprays have between five and 35 one-second blasts in them.
Do you feel like you need the extra protection of the 35 sprays, or do you carry the pepper spray along with other tools for your protection? This is an essential aspect of the personal protection process.
Pepper Spray FAQs
What’s the difference between mace and pepper spray?
Mace and pepper spray are two separate types of self-defense options. Mace is a self-defense option that is like tear gas, which means it aims to irritate the eyes. Pepper spray, on the other hand, is marketed as an inflammatory agent, which is intended to incapacitate an attacker rather than irritate their eyes.
Where can I buy pepper sprays?
You can buy pepper sprays at online retailers such as Amazon, sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods or Academy, home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes, car stores like AutoZone and O’Reilly, and in big-box retailers like Target or Walmart. Also, many manufacturers like Sabre, for example, also have areas on their website where you can purchase their pepper spray products alongside other products for self-defense.
Is it legal to carry pepper spray in New York City?
Technically, you can carry pepper spray in New York City if you are over the age of 18, not a convicted felon, and only use pepper spray for self-defense. Other regulations on pepper spray in NYC are that you cannot have it shipped to you, and certain pepper sprays with high levels of major Capsaicinoids are banned from being used within the state (and, by extension, the city).