Best Personal Alarm Reviews 2023

Of course, personal alarms are not the only non-lethal self-defense products available. So, what are the alternatives, and how do they compare to self-defense alarms? Here is a summary of the other non-lethal self-defense products.

The first alternative to a personal attack alarm is pepper spray, also known as OC spray or self-defense spray.

Pepper sprays contain oleoresin capsicum spray, which causes temporary blindness, shortness of breath, and pain.

Pepper sprays are undoubtedly a potent self-defense product. In most cases, an assailant will become incapacitated if you achieve a direct hit on the face. However, it is not uncommon for people who have taken drugs to ignore the pain of pepper spray.

Other plus points for pepper sprays are that they can be used at a distance and on multiple attackers. However, you only have a limited number of bursts of OC spray to bring down numerous assailants, and you must be accurate.

Other potential drawbacks include the possibility of affecting innocent bystanders or the device being snatched away and used on you. Another problem is that pepper spray is prohibited in some regions and settings. And you must be accurate with pepper spray for it to be effective.

For a more detailed comparison of the merits of pepper spray compared to a personal alarm, you might like to read our post: Personal Alarm Vs. Pepper Spray – Which is Best for You?

The second alternative to a self-defense alarm is the electric shock device known as a stun gun. Not to be confused with a TASER, a stun gun is not a gun at all. Instead, the device has two prongs that must make contact with an assailant to deliver the shock.

A stun gun emits a powerful electrical charge, causing muscle contractions and pain. The device needs to be held against the attacker to be effective. However, discharging a stun into the air causes sparks and loud noise, acting as a deterrent.

Like pepper sprays, stun guns temporarily incapacitate an attacker. So, these devices have the stopping power that personal alarms lack. However, stun guns are prohibited in many locations. The other main disadvantages of stun guns are that you need to get up close to the attacker, and the devices are of limited use against multiple assailants.

Read our post: Personal Alarm Vs. Stun Gun – Which Provides the Best Protection? for a more detailed comparison of stun guns and personal attack alarms.

The terms taser and stun gun are often used interchangeably. However, Taser is the brand name of an electric shock self-defense device that is distinctly different from a stun gun. The effects on the attacker are the same. But a Taser is a gun that fires barbed metal probes attached to wires to deliver an electric shock.

Tasers are undoubtedly powerful but non-lethal weapons. Indeed, many police officers worldwide are armed with these devices. However, tasers are classed as weapons, so they are prohibited in many settings.

Another potential drawback of Tasers is that the devices need accuracy to work. And they are single-shot weapons. Consequently, you only get one opportunity to stop an attack, and they are of limited use against multiple attackers.

Examples of Tasers can be seen on the Taser store on Amazon.

A kubaton is a short stabbing weapon, often used as a keyring attachment. The advantages of a kubaton are that, even though it is a weapon, it can be carried in most settings, and they are inexpensive.

There are also tactical pens, which serve the same purpose as a Kubton while doubling as an everyday writing implement. Tactical pens also often contain other mini-tools, such as box cutters, glass breakers, and mini-knives.

I don't favor stun guns. Firstly, I'm not too fond of the idea of zapping someone with hundreds of thousands of volts. Secondly, I'm not too keen on needing to get in touching distance of a bad guy to defend myself; I'd rather keep my distance from an attacker. Furthermore, I would be concerned about the device being used against me.

So, my preference is to carry a self-defense spray and a personal alarm. Then, you have a potent weapon to disable an attacker and a device to attract attention.

Carrying two self-defense devices also allows you to use the alarm as a warning before using a weapon, which may be appropriate in some situations.

I would also recommend carrying a kubaton or tactical pen as an everyday-carry self-defense item. These innocuous products can be taken where pepper spray might not be welcome, for example, in an office or college campus.