Looking for the best pepper spray may seem straightforward, but if you’re new to buying self-defense gear and you’ve checked all the e-commerce sites already, you may have noticed that not only are there tons of options, but no clear sign of which one is actually the best.
There’s pepper spray attached to your keychains, to knives, to bags, to literally everything. But almost none of them focus on the effectiveness of the pepper spray itself.
That’s why we’ll be talking about the best pepper sprays available online at each price point. Of course, some of these will be stronger than the others but if they can incapacitate your attacker, that already counts as effective because it’s done the job.
TOP CHOICES
Best High Strength Pepper Spray
Mace Brand PepperGuard Maximum Strength
- Up to 20 bursts per can.
- Sizeable 12-foot spray range.
- Comes with a ball chain keychain.
- Child-safe security cap.
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Most Bang for Buck
SABRE Defense Spray, 3-in-1 Formula
- Up to 25 blasts per can.
- Comes with military tear gas in formula.
- Incorporates marking dye.
- Durable keyring.
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Most Discreet
SABRE Mighty Discreet Pepper Spray
- Ultra-compact design and packaging.
- Perfect for carrying in your hand.
- 12-foot spray range.
- Up to 16 bursts per can.
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1SABRE Defense Spray, 3-in-1 Formula
Most Bang for Buck
The SABRE Defense Spray, 3-in-1 Formula packs three different functions into one can. This multipurpose pepper spray incorporates a tear gas and a marking dye. This increases your chances of surviving an encounter with an attacker as well as making it likelier that the authorities will be able to track them down.
To be honest, the can doesn’t feel like the sturdiest build out there but you can still count on it in an emergency situation as SABRE is a well-known brand with fairly consistent products. This one is no exception. The only real downsides are the slightly slipper grip and awkward lock so make sure to keep this safely out of reach of children.
PROS
- Up to 25 blasts per can.
- Comes with military tear gas in formula.
- Incorporates marking dye.
- Durable keyring.
CONS
- Slippery grip can make it hard to handle if you have sweaty palms.
- Lock and spray buttons feel a bit awkward and take time to get used to,.
2SABRE 3-in-1 Pepper Spray Magnum Tactical Size Unit
The SABRE 3-in-1 Pepper Spray uses a pepper spray formula that is roughly equal in strength to the kind used by law enforcement, making it one of the strongest ones available on the market. The can has a rather sturdy build and one of the nicer spray nozzle we’ve seen from SABRE.
The only downside, if it can be called that, is its size. The can is roughly 5 oz so it’s not the most easy to handle size for everyday carry.
That said, it would make a great at-home pepper spray.
PROS
- High capacity can with up to 35 bursts.
- 12 foot spray range.
- Law enforcement strength pepper spray.
- Durable nozzle design.
CONS
- Large can size can be difficult to bring daily.
- No attachments for belts or bags.
3SABRE Mighty Discreet Pepper Spray
Most Discreet
Pepper spray’s advantage lies in its ability to put an attacker off-guard, making it one of the better self-defense weapons aside from a concealed carry gun. So why not have a concealed carry pepper spray?
The SABRE Mighty Discreet Pepper Spray is 40 percent smaller than the usual pepper sprays sold for personal defense. This smaller size makes it easier to hide in the palm of your hand, giving attackers no time to react when you do press the spray button.
PROS
- Ultra-compact design and packaging.
- Perfect for carrying in your hand.
- 12-foot spray range.
- Up to 16 bursts per can.
CONS
- Short keychain length, pepper spray needs to be removed before it can be used.
4SABRE Lipstick Pepper Spray
Ladies, we all love a cute self-defense tool which is why this lipstick pepper spray can either be the best or worst option for you. For women who don’t have to worry about their children getting in their bags and spraying themselves, this s the perfect concealed pepper spray. If you do have kids to worry about, though, this may look too much like regular makeup or a toy to be safe.
That said, this compact pepper spray packs a punch with its 12 burst spray capacity and a spray range of up to 10 feet.
PROS
- Chic and stylish casing.
- Ultra-discreet as it looks like make-up.
- Fair amount of bursts per can.
- Decent 10-foot spray range.
CONS
- May look too toy-like for women who have children.
5Mace Brand PepperGuard Maximum Strength
Best High Strength Pepper Spray
The Mace Brand PepperGuard Maximum Strength packs the power of law enforcement grade pepper spray into a can designed for personal daily use. While the keychain isn’t the best, the keychain hole is just large enough to make replacement easy.
This pepper spray has one of the most convenient yet safe pepper spray caps on the market that can be pushed in a fraction of a second while remaining inaccessible for small children.
PROS
- Up to 20 bursts per can.
- Sizeable 12-foot spray range.
- Comes with a ball chain keychain.
- Child-safe security cap.
CONS
- Short keychain.
