According to the US Department of Justice, there is one aggravated assault every 37 seconds and one rape every 2 minutes!
What if your attacker is bigger and stronger than you, and you need some sort of a weapon to defend yourself?
Stun guns are easy to conceal, have few laws against their use, and defend without killing. So, they’re the perfect tool for many.
But as with any product, there are many options, some reliable and effective and others . . . not so much! So, we’ve put together the best stun guns available so you know which are worth buying.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Stun Guns vs Tasers
We often use the words stun gun and Taser interchangeably. While both give an electric shock to the attacker, there are actually big differences between the two. And it is important to know them so we’ll be able to know which one suits our needs.
Taser actually is a registered trademark from Taser International and only applies to products manufactured by the company. It is shaped like a traditional gun with a trigger.
A stun gun, however, is a loose term for any hand-held, battery-powered device that delivers an electric shock when it makes direct contact with the intended person. Though called a “gun”, it can come in multiple forms like flashlights, remote controls, and even a lipstick tube.
While stun guns require close proximity for it to work, Tasers and other guns that launch projectiles can work from a distance of 15 feet.
How Do Stun Guns Work?
A stun gun generates a high-voltage electrical charge from its two small prongs. Although painful, the amperage is low enough so it does not cause serious injury.
The pain caused, however, can be strong enough to briefly immobilize your attacker and allow you to create some distance and time to flee and get help.
In some instances, the loud electrical-shocking noise and a visual electrical current is enough to intimidate a would-be attacker.
How Do Tasers Work?
A Taser also discharges electric probes from its two prongs but since Tasers have a compressed gas cartridge inside, the electric probes can be launched up to 15 feet (for policemen, it’s 21 feet!). These probes are attached to the Taser through small wires. Small barbs on the launched electrodes then hook into the attacker’s skin or clothing and deliver the painful electric current.
This electric shock targets the attacker’s muscles and nervous system, causing neuromuscular incapacitation (making him immobile) and often causes him to fall to the ground.
What To Look For in Stun Guns
In this article, we’ll focus more on stun guns as weapons for self-defense. Not only are they cheaper than tasers but also legal in more states. A reminder though, before purchasing anything, make sure that it is legal to carry a stun gun in your state.
Before buying, consider these features to get the right one for you:
Battery Source
Stun guns often use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or disposable batteries. While rechargeable batteries tend to last longer, disposable batteries are easy to find and change, making charging a non-issue.
Voltage
Amperage
You should also look at amperage or the strength of the electric current. Amperage of stun guns are normally in the range of 2.5 - 4 milliamps (0.0025 - 0.004 amps). Don’t be deceived by the low number though as 0.1 amps is already considered strong enough to be lethal. We want to temporarily hurt our attacker, and not cause a permanent electrical shock injury.
Ease of Use
Choose a stun gun you can use easily. Attacks are usually unexpected and happen quickly, so being able to get and use your stun gun quickly is critical.
Size
Size is important when choosing a stun gun. It should fit comfortably in your hand so you can use it with ease and also be easy to conceal in a pocket or a purse.
Best Stun Guns
Now that we know what to look for, we’ve compiled a list of the best stun guns.
Just in case you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of the stun guns we reviewed.
| PRICE | VOLTAGE | POWER SOURCE | SIZE | |
| Vipertek VTS-989 | $25.99 | 300 million volts | Internal Rechargeable Battery | 6.5” x 2” x 1” |
| Vipertek VTS-880 | $13.98 | 35 million volts | Internal Rechargeable Battery | 2" x 7/8" x 4" |
| POLICE Stun Gun 305 | $7.99 | 38 million volts | Internal Rechargeable Battery | 7.5" long |
| Guard Dog Hornet Keychain Stun Gun | $18.40 | 6 million volts | Internal Rechargeable Battery | 4” x 0.50” |
| Monster Stun Gun | $18.86 | 25 million volts | Internal Rechargeable Battery | 5” x 2.125” x 1.0625” |
Vipertek VTS-989
Price: $25.99
Reviews:4.3/5 (read reviews on Amazon)
The Vipertek VTS-989 is one of the most popular and widely used stun guns in the market today. It delivers 300 million volts, making it one of the strongest too. It also has shock plates on either side than can zap anyone who tries to snatch it away from you.
It has a safety switch to avoid accidents that you have to press before use. It also has a decent LED flashlight which can be handy too.
.
Vipertek VTS-880
Price: $13.98
Reviews:4.5/5 (read reviews on Amazon)
If you want something smaller, the Vipertek VTS-880 may be the one for you. It’s compact but is packed with 35 million volts. It has a non-slip rubber coating, making it easy to grip and keeps away moisture and oil.
Similar to the Viperterk VTS-989, it also has a safety mechanism and an LED flashlight. An added bonus of the Viperterk VTS-880 though is that it comes in different colors - black, pink and purple. Talk about a stun gun with personality. :)
POLICE Stun Gun 305
Price: $7.99
Reviews:3.8/5 (read reviews on Amazon)
The Police Stun Gun 305 is both a powerful stun gun and flashlight. It has a maximum of 38 million volts and a 350 lumen bright LED flashlight that can temporarily blind your attacker to help you escape.
Guard Dog Hornet Keychain Stun Gun
Price: $18.40
Reviews:3.5/5 (read reviews on Amazon)
Don’t be fooled by its size though!
It delivers 6 million volts and 3.6 milliamps to deter any would-be attacker.
The built-in keychain makes it convenient to just clip it to your keys or bag for easy access.
It also has an LED flashlight and can emit a loud zapping noise to intimidate your attackers.
Monster Stun Gun
Price: $18.86
Reviews:3.4/5 (read reviews on Amazon)
The Monster Stun Gun is packed with 25 million volts and a loud zapping sound that can scare any potential attacker.
It has a safety cord which when taken out will automatically deactivate the stun gun preventing any accidents. It also has an LED flashlight and a nylon holster to make it convenient for you to bring it anywhere.
Our Key Takeaway
Whether you’re in a state that won’t let you use a lethal concealed weapon or you just don’t want to have to make that choice, a stun gun can be a very effective self defense tool. And fortunately, they’re much more affordable than handguns!
So, our recommendation is to pick up a VTS-880 unless you just have a very small space to carry a stun gun. In that case, the Guard Dog Hornet packs a punch in a small package!
