Pepper spray is one of your car's most influential and affordable self-defense tools. It can help you deter or disable an attacker, whether a human or an animal, and give you time to escape or call for help.
But not all pepper sprays are created equal. Some have different formulas, spray patterns, ranges, and features that can make them more or less suitable for your needs.
This article will review the top 10 pepper sprays for car protection and explain what makes them stand out. We will also give you some tips on using pepper spray safely and legally.
How to Choose the Best Pepper Spray for Car Protection?
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best pepper spray for car protection, such as:
- Formula: The strength of pepper spray is measured by its Scoville Heat Units (SHU), indicating its hotness. The higher the SHU, the more potent the pepper spray. However, SHU alone does not tell the whole story. You also need to look at the percentage of OC and the Major Capsaicinoids (MC) content, which are the active ingredients that cause pain and inflammation. The higher the percentage of OC and MC, the more effective the pepper spray.
- Spray Pattern: The spray pattern determines how the pepper spray is dispersed and how far it can reach. There are four main types of spray patterns: stream, cone, fog, and gel. Stream sprays shoot a narrow jet of liquid reaching up to 20 feet. They are accurate and less affected by wind but require good aim and may not cover a large area. Cone sprays emit a wide spray of fine droplets reaching 12 feet. They are easy to aim and cover a large area, but they are more affected by wind and may cause blowback. Fog sprays produce a cloud of mist that can reach up to 15 feet. They are ideal for multiple attackers or moving targets but are also very affected by wind and may contaminate the surrounding area. Gel sprays release a sticky gel that can reach up to 18 feet. They are accurate and less affected by wind and blowback, but they may not spread as well on clothing or fur.
- Range: The range of pepper spray indicates how far it can travel before losing effectiveness. The range depends on the spray pattern type, the canister's pressure, and the environmental conditions. Generally speaking, you want a pepper spray with a range of at least 10 feet to keep a safe distance from your attacker.
- Capacity: The capacity of pepper spray indicates how much liquid it contains and how many bursts it can deliver. The capacity depends on the size of the canister and the duration of each burst. Generally speaking, you want a pepper spray with at least 10 bursts, so you have enough to use in multiple situations or against multiple attackers.
- Features: The features of pepper spray include any additional elements that enhance its usability or performance. Some common features are a safety mechanism (to prevent accidental discharge), belt clip or keychain (to attach it to your clothing or keys), holster or pouch (to store it securely), UV dye (to mark your attacker for identification), tear gas (to cause additional respiratory distress), LED light (to illuminate your target or blind your attacker), alarm (to attract attention or scare your attacker), etc.
Top 10 Pepper Sprays for Car Protection
Based on these criteria, we have selected the top 10 pepper sprays for car protection that you can buy online or in stores. Here they are:
Sabre Red Pepper Gel
Sabre Red Pepper Gel is our top pick for car protection because it combines a powerful formula, a gel spray pattern, and a long range.
It has a 10% OC concentration and a 1.33% MC content, which makes it one of the hottest pepper sprays on the market. It also has a UV dye that marks your attacker for identification.
The gel spray pattern is ideal for car protection because it reduces the risk of wind and blowback and sticks to your attacker's face or clothing.
It also has a longer range than most pepper sprays, up to 18 feet, which gives you more distance and time to react.
The Sabre Red Pepper Gel comes in a 1.8-ounce canister that can deliver up to 18 bursts.
It has a flip-top safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also has a belt clip to attach to your clothing or car seat.
Fox Labs 5.3 Keychain Pepper Spray
Fox Labs 5.3 Keychain Pepper Spray is our runner-up for car protection because it has a potent formula, a stream spray pattern, and a decent range.
It has a 5.3 million SHU rating and a 2% OC concentration, which makes it one of the strongest pepper sprays available. It also has a UV dye that marks your attacker for identification.
The stream spray pattern is accurate and less affected by wind, but it requires good aim and may not cover a large area. It has a range of up to 15 feet to keep you away from your attacker.
The Fox Labs 5.3 Keychain Pepper Spray comes in a 0.75-ounce canister that can deliver up to 10 bursts.
It has a spring-loaded safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access.
It also has a keychain that lets you attach it to your keys or car ignition.
Mace Triple Action Pepper Spray
Mace Triple Action Pepper Spray is our third choice for car protection because it has a powerful formula, a cone spray pattern, and a high capacity.
It has a 10% OC concentration and a 1% MC content, which makes it very effective at causing pain and inflammation.
It also has tear gas (CS) that causes additional respiratory distress and UV dye that marks your attacker for identification.
The cone spray pattern is easy to aim and covers a large area, but it is more affected by wind and may cause blowback. It has a range of up to 12 feet, sufficient to keep you away from your attacker.
The Mace Triple, Action Pepper Spray, comes in a 2.5-ounce canister that can deliver up to 25 bursts.
It has a flip-top safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also has a belt clip to attach to your clothing or car seat.
Sabre Dog Pepper Spray
Sabre Dog Pepper Spray is our fourth choice for car protection because it is specially formulated for stopping aggressive dogs, which can be a common threat on the road.
It has a 1% OC concentration and a 0.18% MC content, which makes it strong enough to deter dogs without causing permanent harm.
The stream spray pattern is accurate and less affected by wind, but it requires good aim and may not cover a large area. It has a range of up to 15 feet, which gives you enough distance to avoid being bitten.
The Sabre Dog Pepper Spray comes in a 0.75-ounce canister that can deliver up to 25 bursts.
It has a twist-lock safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also has a key ring that lets you attach to your keys or car ignition.
Police Force 23 Pepper Spray Foam
Police Force 23 Pepper Spray Foam is our fifth choice for car protection because it has an innovative foam spray pattern that sticks to your attacker's face or clothing and reduces the risk of blowback.
It has an impressive 23% OC concentration and an unknown MC content, which makes it very hot and effective at causing pain and inflammation.
The foam spray pattern is accurate and less affected by wind, but it may not spread as well on clothing or fur. It has a range of up to 10 feet, the minimum you need to keep yourself safe.
The Police Force 23 Pepper Spray Foam comes in a 2-ounce canister that can deliver up to 8 bursts.
It has a flip-top safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also has a belt clip to attach to your clothing or car seat.
POM Clip Pepper Spray
POM Clip Pepper Spray is our sixth choice for car protection because it has an attractive design, a reliable formula, and an easy-to-use clip feature.
It has an unknown OC concentration and MC content, but it claims to be the same formula used by law enforcement agencies.
The stream spray pattern is accurate and less affected by wind, but it requires good aim and may not cover a large area. It has a range of up to 12 feet to keep you away from your attacker.
The POM Clip Pepper Spray comes in a 0.5-ounce canister that can deliver up to 24 bursts.
It has a patented flip-top safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also comes with a clip that lets you attach it to your clothing, car visor, or purse.
Kimber Pepper Blaster II
Kimber Pepper Blaster II is our seventh choice for car protection because it has a unique design, a powerful formula, and a double-shot feature.
It has an unknown OC concentration and MC content, but it claims to be the same formula used by law enforcement agencies.
The Kimber Pepper Blaster II is not a spray but a launcher that shoots two capsules of pepper gel at high speed, up to 112 mph.
The gel penetrates clothing and sticks to the skin, causing intense pain and inflammation. It has a range of up to 13 feet to keep you away from your attacker.
The Kimber Pepper Blaster II has a 0.4-ounce launcher that can deliver two shots.
It has an ergonomic grip and a flip-up safety cap to prevent accidental discharge and allow quick access. It also has a belt clip to attach to your clothing or car seat.
SABRE 3-in-1 Police Strength
SABRE 3-in-1 Police Strength is our eighth choice for car protection because it has a reliable formula, a stream spray pattern, and an affordable price.
It has a 10% OC concentration and a 1.33% MC content, which makes it very effective at causing pain and inflammation.
It also has tear gas (CS) that causes additional respiratory distress and UV dye that marks your attacker for identification.
The stream spray pattern is accurate and less affected by wind, but it requires good aim and may not cover a large area. It has a range of up to 10 feet, the minimum you need to keep yourself safe.
The SABRE 3-in-1 Police Strength comes in a 0.54-ounce canister that can deliver up to 25 bursts.
It has a twist-lock safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also has a key ring that lets you attach to your keys or car ignition.
Fox Labs Mean Green
Fox Labs Mean Green is our ninth choice for car protection because it has a strong formula, a cone spray pattern, and a green dye that makes it easy to identify your attacker.
It has a 3 million SHU rating and a 1.5% OC concentration, which makes it one of the hottest pepper sprays available.
The cone spray pattern is easy to aim and covers a large area, but it is more affected by wind and may cause blowback. It has a range of up to 12 feet, sufficient to keep you away from your attacker.
The Fox Labs Mean Green comes in a 1.5-ounce canister that can deliver up to 10 bursts.
It has a spring-loaded safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge and allows quick access. It also has a belt clip to attach to your clothing or car seat.
Little Viper Pepper Spray Bracelet
Little Viper Pepper Spray Bracelet is our tenth choice for car protection because it has an innovative design, a discreet appearance, and an easy-to-use feature.
It has an unknown OC concentration and MC content, but it claims to be effective at causing pain and inflammation.
The Little Viper Pepper Spray Bracelet is not a spray but a bracelet that contains a small canister of pepper spray that can be activated by pressing a button on the side of the bracelet.
The pepper spray shoots out from the bracelet in a stream pattern, which is accurate and less affected by wind but requires good aim and may not cover a large area.
It has a range of up to 3 feet, which is very short compared to other pepper sprays.
The Little Viper Pepper Spray Bracelet comes in one size that fits most wrists and can deliver up to 6 bursts.
It has no safety mechanism, so it can be activated quickly and easily. It also comes in various colors, making it look like an ordinary accessory.
How to Use Pepper Spray Safely and Legally?
Pepper spray is an effective self-defence tool with some risks and responsibilities. Here are some tips on how to use pepper spray safely and legally:
Check the Laws
Before buying or carrying pepper spray, check the laws in your state and local area. Some states may restrict pepper spray's type, size, or strength or require a permit or registration.
Some places, such as schools, airports, or public transportation, may prohibit pepper spray.
Test the pepper spray.
Before using it for self-defense, test it in a safe and open area. This will help you familiarize yourself with the spray pattern, range, and duration of the pepper spray and check if it works properly.
You should also check the expiration date of the pepper spray and replace it if it is expired or used up.
Carry the pepper spray.
When carrying it, ensure you keep it in a place that is easy to access and secure from accidental discharge. You can use a belt clip, a key ring, a holster, or a pouch to attach it to your clothing or car seat.
You can also use a keychain or a bracelet to attach it to your keys or wrist. Avoid keeping the pepper spray in your purse or pocket, where it may be hard to reach or get lost.
Use pepper spray
When using pepper spray for self-defense, make sure you follow these steps:
- Identify the threat and ensure you have a clear and safe shot at your attacker.
- Aim for your attacker's eyes, nose, or mouth, and avoid spraying yourself or innocent bystanders.
- Press the button or trigger of the pepper spray and release a short burst of spray, about half a second long.
- Move away from your attacker and create distance between you and them.
- Call for help or contact the authorities immediately.
- Wash your hands and any exposed skin with soap and water, and seek medical attention if needed.
Be responsible
Pepper spray is a non-lethal self-defense tool but can cause severe harm or injury if used improperly or excessively.
You should only use pepper spray as a last resort when you are in imminent danger and have no other options.
You should also avoid using pepper spray for fun, prank, or revenge. You may face legal consequences if you misuse or abuse pepper spray.
Pepper spray for car protection is one of the best self-defense tools in your car. It can help you protect yourself from attackers, whether humans or animals, and give you time to escape or call for help.
However, not all pepper sprays are the same. You must choose the best pepper spray for car protection that suits your needs and preferences. You also need to use it safely and legally.
Read More
- Top 15 Pocket Pistols With Double Action Trigger: Best Ever!
- Top 10 Pocket Pistols With Single-Action Trigger: Best Ever
- 9mm Pistols With Double-Action Triggers: Best For You!
- The 7 Finest 9mm Pistols for Women: Empowering Choices
- Top 10 Best 9mm Pistol With High Capacity
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.
