The Best Personal Safety Devices for Every Situation

Over 60% of Americans believe crime is increasing¹ — and nearly 4 in 10 already carry a personal protection tool. If you want to feel safer at home, while traveling, or on your daily commute, the right personal safety device can give you extra reassurance and buy you critical seconds in an emergency.

At SafeWise, we’ve tested over 250 products in more than 25 in-home trials, interviewed security experts, and reviewed real-world safety data. We recognize the best of the best through the SafeWise Personal Safety Awards. Three of the devices on this list — The Stunner, Safely Sidekick, and She's Birdie — are 2025 award winners for outstanding design and effectiveness.

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.

In addition to pepper spray, the Sidekick includes:

• Glass breaker
• Personal alarm
• Emergency strobe light
• Safety spike
• Light, comfortable grip
• Wrist strap attachment for quick access

It’s discreet enough for everyday carry but powerful enough to give you both distance defense and close-range escape tools. We also like that Safely and its founders (four women who came up with the idea while in college) are committed to educating women about safety and self-defense. They offer classes and events all across the country.

Learn more in our full Safely Pepper Spray review.

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.

Hear how loud it is for yourself in Katie's YouTube test.

Get all the details in our She's Birdie review. 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.

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.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.

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 devices aren't one size fits all. To make it easy for you to pick the best device for your needs (or the needs of your loved ones), we've broken it down with our recommendations for everyone from college students to travelers.

• She’s Birdie – Personal alarm to carry with you across campus
• Sabre Red Pepper Gel – Pepper spray for self-defense on campus (be sure to check local laws and campus policies before carrying)
• Safely Sidekick – Pepper spray, flashlight, personal alarm, and safety spike all-in-one self-defense tool (check campus rules and local laws for any restrictions)
• Addalock – Portable door lock for dorms or roommate situations

• Stinger – Personal alarm with extra tools for safety when you get back to your car
• She’s Birdie – Discreet personal alarm to let others know you're in danger
• Safely Sidekick – Lightweight multi-tool that's easy to carry and use on the go
• Reflective gear – Make sure that cars can see you, especially when the days are shorter in the fall and winter

• Addalock – Use this portable door lock for extra security in hotels and Airbnbs
• Elzama Pocket Scarf – Discreet way to secure your wallet, passport, and cash while on the road
• Invisawear – Pretty jewelry with a personal safety button on the back
• Garmin inReach mini – An SOS satellite device that gives you a link to help from remote locations (another 2025 Personal Safety Awards winner!)

• Stinger – Seatbelt cutter and glass breaker in one, small tool
• Atomic Bear Tactical Pen – Convertible device that transforms into a glass breaker if you need it
• The Stunner – Pepper spray, stun gun, and defensive spikes give you options for both close and distance self-defense

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, as well as legal restrictions, ease of use, and reliability under stress. When possible, we tested the items to see how easy they are to use and estimate how effective they would be in an emergency situation. We also interviewed the inventors of devices like The Stunner and the Safely Sidekick to better understand why they developed these devices and what makes them stand out.

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.

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.

1. R. Edwards, SafeWise, "The State of Safety in America 2025," July 2025.