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Last Updated on October 20, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
What Are The 7 Best Pepper Sprays For Self-Defense?
Pepper sprays, commonly known as OC sprays, are crucial in personal safety arsenals. They are designed to help individuals protect themselves by temporarily incapacitating an attacker.
Key Takeaways:
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- Pepper Sprays for Self-Defense: Pepper sprays, also known as OC sprays, are practical non-lethal self-defense tools used globally, including by law enforcement.
- Types of Pepper Spray: Pepper spray is available in different forms, such as aerosols, gels, foams, and foggers, with varying ranges from 6 to 20 feet.
- Top Picks for Pepper Sprays: Seven highly recommended pepper sprays include Defense Technology MK-4, SABRE Pepper Gel, SABRE 3-in-1, and Kuros! Pepper Spray, Wrist Savers Pepper Spray, Fox Labs Mean Green, and Fox Labs Flip Top.
- Considerations for Choosing a Spray: Factors include range, number of shots, type (stream, fog, gel, foam), safety features, and size. Local legal restrictions and potential side effects should also be considered.
- Strength Measurements: Pepper sprays’ effectiveness is measured using scales like SHU (Scoville Heat Units) and MC (Major Capsaicinoids), with higher numbers indicating stronger sprays.
- Proper Use and Training: Practicing with dummy canisters is essential for practical use in high-stress situations.
- Accidents and Side Effects: Accidental exposure can be treated by removing affected clothing, rinsing with water, and avoiding contact with contaminated areas.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, self-defense has become more common. For most of us, self-defense is a crucial and significant issue with few viable options. One of the most efficient non-lethal products available is pepper spray, which has been repeatedly proven to work.
Law enforcement agencies use it worldwide for multiple reasons, but most importantly, it’s effective.
With little training, anyone can learn how to use the best pepper sprays to defend themselves against attackers or animals.
Carrying one around can be unsettling, no matter how non-lethal your self-defense weapon is, especially if you’re not used to doing so.
The 7 Best Pepper Sprays For Self-Defense
1. Defense Technology 56843 First Defense MK-4 Stream 360 Review
The MK-3 pepper spray has handily beaten the competition to make it onto our list of the best pepper sprays available.
The Defense Technology brand is well known and respected for producing an impressive line of pepper sprays in various strengths, sizes, and spray patterns.
We chose the MK-4 over any other available model due to its impressive range, high strength, and shot-capacity.
The biggest draw of the 360 version is that it can be deployed at almost any angle; while most sprays need to be upright, the 360 can be held upside down, sideways, or in any other way you can think of.
Our biggest complaint is the size of the canister, which is nearly two inches longer than the next closest rival. This added length stretches the definition of what we would call a compact pepper spray.
However, the impressively long shelf life of 5 years means it’s a problematic spray not to recommend.
Pros:
- The 1.3% MC means it’s one of the most potent sprays available
- The innovative 360 feature means it can be used at any angle
- Large capacity
- A significant range of 12 feet
- Easy to use flip safety top
- Impressive 5-year expiry
Cons:
- It does not include UV Dye
- The long canister pushes the boundary of the compact definition
2. SABRE Pepper Gel Review
This is another entry from SABRE on our list of the best pepper sprays, which is not at all surprising given how good their sprays are.
The beauty of this model is the gel that it produces will adhere to hands and faces for a long time, making it incredibly effective at stopping an attacker.
Additionally, the gel is rarely affected by the elements and is almost impervious to rain and wind. Its range is by far the longest on this list.
This is the second SABRE pepper spray product to appear on this list, and for good reason. This can emit pepper spray gel that easily adheres to the face and is resistant to environmental factors like wind and rain.
Plus, it boasts the most extended range out of all the sprays tested, quickly hitting targets up to 18 feet away.
Pros:
- A convenient holster is provided, making it easy to stow the spray out of sight
- The gel means the spray is much more focused and is far less likely to affect bystanders
- The sticky nature of the gel means it’s going to hang around for much longer on an attacker, allowing you to escape
- The spray will resist the effects of wind and rain
- The significant range means it’s ideal for keeping distance between yourself and an attacker
Cons:
- Too powerful for some States in the US
3. SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray Review
SABRE is perhaps one of the most well-known producers of pepper spray and has thousands of verified reviews on Amazon.
Law enforcement and professional security companies use this brand to equip their staff, which speaks to its effectiveness.
The spray boasts a range of 10 feet and can deliver an effective punch of tear gas, pepper spray, and UV marking dye, hence the 3 1 name.
Pros:
- It comes with a convenient belt clip
- Established pedigree
- 3 in 1 feature provides tear gas, pepper spray, and UV identification
- Very large capacity, which can exceed 35 shots
Cons:
- Might not be allowed in all states
4. Kuros! Pepper Spray Review
Kuros! has a unique incentive to buy its products; every time you purchase one of its sprays, it works to provide women in third-world countries with pepper spray to better protect themselves from violent crimes.
Pros:
- It has a very compact design and keychain, which is ideal for pockets or clipping onto keys
- When you buy one of their products, you’re supporting women in the third-world
Cons:
- Capacity is limited compared to other models, providing fewer shots
5. The Wrist Savers Pepper Spray Review
This pepper spray is perfect for bikers, runners, walkers, or anyone who would like it available in a convenient, accessible location.
As you might have guessed from the name, this spray is worn on your wrist as a bracelet, which is perfect if you don’t have pockets or want immediate access to the spray when needed.
Pros:
- Specifically designed to be worn on a wrist
- Can reach targets up to 10 feet away
- The very compact design means it is legal in almost every state
- It comes with a handy LED light, which is great when you’re running at night
Cons:
- The very compact size means its capacity is minimal, giving you between 10 and 20 shots
6. Fox Labs Mean GreenTM Pepper Spray Review
Fox Labs is one of the best-rated sprays available on Amazon, partly due to its compact nature and affordability.
That’s not to say it’s not robust and effective because it is. It is Spartan on other features, but you get a great spray at a very affordable price.
Pros:
- An impressive range of 18 feet
- Green dye for identifying attackers
- Compact design makes storage easy and convenient
Cons:
- Low capacity limiting the number of shots available to use
- The spray is strong and might not be allowed in all states
7. Fox Labs Flip Top Stream Pepper Spray Review
The second Fox Labs spray to make our list of the best pepper sprays is a competent general-purpose spray.
Its biggest draw is its impressive range, which easily exceeds 17 feet without compromising the number of shots available.
The canister is slightly larger than the average to pack so much punch into the spray.
The clever flip-top safety feature prevents accidental discharge. It’s easy to use in a rushed situation and will ensure you and others around you are safe from a misfire.
Our biggest complaint is the slightly shorter-than-expected shelf life of around three years, but despite this issue, we would not hesitate to recommend the spray to anyone.
Pros:
- A fantastic range that exceeds 17 feet
- A significant amount of pepper spray discharged with each burst
- Up to 18 shots per canister
- Cleverly designed flip-top safety design
- Strong formula
Cons:
- Short shelf life of 3 years
Is Pepper Spray The Right Choice For Me?
When deciding what pepper spray is right for you, consider how you’ll likely use it and how you’ll carry it.
Are you going to keep it in the glove box in your car? Do you need to be able to keep it close to you when out for a walk, either in a pocket or handbag?
Is it going to be used as part of your home defense arsenal?
We’ve compiled a list of our ten favorite pepper sprays, all available in various sizes, from compact models to more significant variants better suited to home use.
Pepper spray may also be marketed as OC spray. This is due to the main active ingredient, oleoresin Capsicum.
OC is an oil from chili peppers. The ingredients are entirely non-lethal but will irritate a would-be attacker’s nose, eyes, and respiratory system. Pepper sprays are known to cause the following symptoms:
- Watering Eyes
- Searing Pain
- Swelling of Eyelids
- Visual Impairment
As pepper spray directly impacts the respiratory system and the eyes, even the biggest, most challenging, and fiercest attacker will be equally affected; it’s going to be a painful experience no matter what.
Practicing with the spray is the key to using it effectively in a real-life situation. Many manufacturers can provide dummy spray canisters that work exactly like the real thing, the critical difference being that they don’t contain the OC chemicals.
We would thoroughly recommend practicing with a dummy canister so you know what to expect, how it works, the range you’re likely to reach, and any challenges you might encounter.
All the tested pepper sprays include extensive training materials, videos, easy-to-follow visual diagrams, and in-depth instructions. You must consume all of this material before usage.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to USCCA
Things to Look out for when Buying Pepper Spray
As with most consumer goods, some are better than others, demonstrating qualities that ensure they lead the pack regarding functionality, usability, and power. A few characteristics should be considered when choosing the best pepper spray.
Range
A pepper spray with a more extensive reach will allow you to keep some distance between yourself and the would-be attacker more easily.
The main drawback of a longer range is that these canisters tend to be used up in a shorter amount of time, meaning you’ll have fewer ‘shots’ available.
Shots
Pepper spray canisters generally advertise a certain number of available shots; however, a shot is classed as half a second or continuous spray.
So, even if you buy a canister that claims to have 30 shots, you’ll still only get around 15 seconds of continuous use.
The more shots you have available, the more times you can use the spray, either against multiple attackers on multiple occasions or if you want to check to make sure it’s still working every three months or so.
Types of Spray
Multiple spray types are available on the consumer market, each boasting an advantage or disadvantage.
Stream Pattern
This type of pepper spray is a liquid and works much the same way as a water gun.
The most significant advantage of this type of spray is its range, which can easily reach 10 feet or more. It’s ideal for outdoor use as it’s less likely to be affected by the elements, such as rain or wind.
This helps avoid the spray being blown back into your face, which is the last thing you want to happen. With a stream type of spray, having an accurate aim is imperative to having a successful outcome.
Fog Pattern
This spray is excellent at covering a large area and places less emphasis on accuracy than other spray types. This is especially useful when dealing with multiple attackers.
The range of the canister is significantly more extensive than most on the market, offering the ability to target attackers up to 25 feet away. If you’re in the market for bear spray, fog types are the most common form.
The biggest drawback of these sprays is how easily the wind can affect the fog, increasing the chances of bystanders or even yourself being blown in your direction by the spray.
Foam Pattern
Foam sprays are best suited for indoor environments given their limited range, which generally tops out at about 6 feet.
The spray itself is quite sticky and thick. In some respects, it resembles the consistency of shaving cream. This has the advantage that it’s very difficult to indirectly affect a bystander or yourself.
Gel Pattern
Gel sprays are similar to foam sprays in many respects. The biggest difference and advantage is the increased range, which can reach 15 feet.
As with foam sprays, it’s best suited for indoor use. Given its sticky consistency, the chances of accidentally injuring an innocent bystander are greatly reduced.
Safety First
Most of us want to avoid accidentally triggering our pepper spray in our pocket, handbag, or even when we’re just handling it.
Most sprays will come equipped with safety features to prevent accidental firing.
Most sprays feature a sliding mechanism or a flip top to secure the firing mechanism. Both types work equally well; just ensure you’re comfortable with how they work before using them in real-life scenarios.
Size
Depending on how you intend to use your pepper spray, you’ll want to pick a spray of the appropriate size.
It might seem obvious, but smaller canisters are the best choice when portability is a concern. So, choose a compact spray if you want to keep pepper spray in your pocket or purse when you’re out and about.
You can afford one of the more sizeable canisters with a larger home or car use capacity.
Ingredients
Every consumer-grade pepper spray will contain OC, but you might also find additional ingredients in some models.
For example, it’s common to find UV dye and tear gas as added ingredients. UV dye can help identify an attacker after a crime, while tear gas can increase a spray’s potency and stopping power.
We believe UV dye is the most valuable added ingredient, while adding tear gas will only have a marginal effect on high-strength sprays.
If you’re looking for a strong spray, it’s better to look for OC strength rather than add tear gas.
The Law
In the United States, Pepper spray is entirely legal in every single one of the 50 states.
Some states have restricted the spray’s power, capacity, who can purchase it, and what it can be used for. We strongly recommend familiarising yourself with your state’s laws before purchasing.
What Gives Pepper Spray its Heat?
Most of us will agree that we want the most intense pepper spray available, which will maximize our chances of stopping a would-be attacker on the first attempt.
The biggest factor influencing pepper spray strength is the OC oil. It’s important not to confuse the strength of the OC oil with the OC level contained within the spray.
OC level refers directly to the percentage of oil among the other ingredients in the spray; this will generally range between 5 and 15%.
This does not tell us how strong the OC oil is; a 5% OC-level spray can be more effective than a 15% OC-level spray.
The effectiveness and stopping power are closely related to the OC’s strength; this makes pepper sprays painful and allows them to stop attackers. There are various means of measuring this strength:
Scoville Scale
To measure the heat of chillis, pharmacists created the Scoville scale, which displays the strength of chili in SHU or Scoville Heat Units.
Not all pepper spray manufacturers will show a SHU rating. Still, even for those that do, it’s important to remember that it indicates the strength of the chilies used to make the pepper spray and doesn’t necessarily reflect the heat of the final spray.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to pick a spray that exceeds 500,000 SHU.
CRC
CRC, or Capsaicin and related Capsaicinoids, accurately measures the number of capsaicinoids present in pepper spray. It’s an official rating monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency.
However, manufacturers do not often publish the rating, which makes it difficult to make comparisons. When it is reported, you’ll want to pick a CRC rating of at least 1%, preferably higher.
MC
MC, or Major Capsaicinoids, measures the percentage of active capsaicinoids in pepper spray. Generally, this will range from around 0.15% to around 1.35%.
The higher the number, the stronger the pepper spray and the better the stopping power. This is one of the most influential and commonly used methods for measuring the effectiveness of a spray, so check this number to gauge how strong the spray is.
What Happens If I Accidentally Spray Myself?
Accidents happen, and while we certainly wouldn’t recommend testing the strength of your pepper spray by using it on yourself, there’s always a possibility of an accident, either by getting blown black on a windy day or by misfiring.
If this ever happens to you, it’s essential to understand what you can do to lessen the severity of the effects.
- Remove yourself from the spray’s vicinity and get some fresh air. Be aware of your surroundings the whole time.
- Strip off any contaminated items of clothing. Avoid touching your face and hands with clothes exposed to pepper spray.
- Rinse your eyes and face with clean running water. Remove any glasses and contact lenses immediately, and try to get someone to help you flush your face to avoid cross-contamination with your hands. It might not be easy, but do your best to keep your eyes open as you rinse or blink them. Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly to remove all traces of the pepper spray. If you can access a cold compress, use it to soothe your eyes once completely flushed clean.
- Avoid touching or rubbing affected areas. Don’t rub your eyes, no matter how tempting it might be; it’ll only worsen matters. If some spray liquid remains on your hands or face, remove as much as possible with a clean towel or cloth. Anything that remains should be washed off with plenty of running water.
- As anyone who’s eaten chilies can attest, milk is one of the most effective methods to reduce burning heat. This can also be true of pepper spray; whole milk can treat irritated areas by soaking the area in milk or using a towel. We don’t recommend treating your eyes with milk; it’s best to use clean water, eye washes, or saline solutions designed for use on your eyes.
- Oil is quite sticky, so you’ll need to use soap to help remove it from badly affected areas. A solution made up of one part dishwashing liquid and three parts plain cold water can be used to rinse or soak an affected area. You can make up a bowl and wash your face in the water for up to 30 seconds, rinse the soapy water off, and repeat with another fresh bowl of soap mixture. This process should be repeated until the area is no longer painful.
- It’s essential to entirely and carefully clean your hands every time you use the spray and avoid touching your face until you’ve done so.
- In most circumstances, it’s doubtful you’ll need to see a doctor or visit A&E. However, medical attention should be sought if you seem to have a very adverse reaction or if the symptoms are not subsiding with time. Above all else, you should not panic; doing so can put you in danger or worsen the situation. Stay calm and in control.
To Recap
Pepper spray is an effective tool that is easy to use, inexpensive, and has a proven track record of success.
You should be well aware of state laws about pepper spray to ensure you know what you can purchase and use.
Look out for features that ensure you’re getting a good product. Be aware of the strength of your pepper spray, and make sure you understand and can interpret the marketing jargon. Please choose the right size to match how you intend to use it.
Practicing makes perfect, and knowing how to use a spray in stressful situations without thinking about it.
Pepper Spray Frequently Asked Questions
Is it essential to occasionally use pepper spray?
Absolutely. As with any self-defense tool, it’s essential to be comfortable using it before you’re put in a stressful situation when you’ll need to use it for real.
You should become familiar with quickly and efficiently removing the spray from your pocket or handbag, deactivating the safety features, and aiming it at the intended target.
Depending on the model, some sprays will provide dummy canisters filled with water for testing. It’s well worth practicing with these dummy canisters until you’re proficient.
Will my Pepper Spray become less potent over time or expire?
Unfortunately, yes. Every spray available will have an expiry date printed somewhere on the canister.
All aerosols will lose their effectiveness over months or years; additionally, the chemicals that make pepper spray effective will break down over time, losing their effectiveness.
It’s essential to check the expiry date frequently; it’s not worth the risk of using an expired spray, and replacing it for a small expense is better.
What happens if I spray someone accidentally?
Hopefully, it’ll never happen to you, but accidents can happen. If you accidentally spray an innocent bystander or yourself, it’s essential to bear in mind that though the effects of pepper spray are painful, they are temporary.
You should rinse the affected area with fresh water and remove any contaminated clothing. Some people find oil-free creams can help soothe the irritation, so make sure they are oil-free.
Do I need a license or training to carry pepper spray?
This answer will largely depend on your state and its laws about pepper spray. In most states, you’ll need to register with law enforcement, especially if you’ve purchased a sizeable police-grade canister.
Does pepper spray work on an attacker?
Yes, pepper spray can work effectively on an attacker when used correctly. It should be reserved as a defense tool when there is an immediate threat of physical harm from an individual or animal.
The key is to aim for the face and eyes of the assailant to maximize the deterrent effect.
However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of pepper spray can be diminished on individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or those who possess a high pain tolerance.
Therefore, while pepper spray can provide a means of self-defense, it may not always guarantee total safety.
Wrapping Up
Best Pepper sprays for self-defense have gained popularity due to their non-lethal but highly effective deterrent properties. Personal safety tools include aerosol, gel, foggers, and stream sprays to suit different scenarios and user preferences.
Another advantage is their effective range, with most products capable of reaching targets from 6 to 20 feet away. This allows the user to maintain a safe distance while neutralizing potential threats.
However, the use of pepper sprays for self-defense is subject to local restrictions and laws; hence, one must be aware of the legal considerations in one’s jurisdiction. Despite being easy-to-use tools, pepper sprays require basic training to maximize their effectiveness and ensure safe usage.
While pepper sprays are deemed safe for the assailant, they cause temporary discomfort, including stinging and burning sensations, blurry vision, and difficulty breathing. They momentarily immobilize the attacker and provide the user an opportunity to escape.
In conclusion, pepper sprays for self-defense are practical, accessible, and effective tools for personal safety.
