The 5 Best Defense Batons For When Danger Strikes!

Unfortunately, it’s still very common for people to feel unsafe when they’re out alone after dark.

Being equipped to defend yourself has become an even higher concern for many, but guns aren’t everyone’s first choice.

Even just the knowledge that you’re not totally unprepared should anyone attack you can be comforting, and in the worst-case scenario, it can be the difference between getting away to safety or potentially being seriously harmed.

Self-defense batons are a popular and budget-friendly alternative to guns that you can use when you feel under threat to defend yourself or your home with non-lethal force.

We’ve reviewed five of the best options available for you to compare and consider so that you can protect yourself at all times.

In a hurry? Here's The Best Batons For Self Defence

Best Defense Baton Buying Guide

When you’re buying anything for self-defense purposes, you need to be confident that it will help protect you when you need it most.

That’s why we’ve taken a lot of care in researching and selecting options for you to consider.

Now you’ve seen five of the best self-defense batons that are currently available, but you might still be asking yourself one question...

Why should you get a self-defense baton?

1. You can protect yourself from attackers using non-lethal force which is great for people who feel less comfortable carrying guns.
   
   
2. Expandable batons allow you to defend yourself from a distance and you can find ones that extend to up to 31 inches.
   
   This means that you don’t need to be too close to an attacker in order to use your baton and it is still effective from afar.
   
   
3. Their super simple design means you don’t need to carry any additional equipment to use your baton, for example, ammunition or batteries.
   
   At most you could get a holster for your baton, but even this may not be necessary.
   
   
4. You can easily carry and conceal a baton which is great in the context of self-defense when you may not want your attacker to know you’re prepared.
   
   They don’t take up much space when in the locked position, so you can conceal them in a bag or glove box for easy carrying. You can even find extendable self-defense batons that can be attached to your keychain.
   
   
5. Extendable batons are typically pretty lightweight but they can pack a fair bit of power, so they’re capable of temporarily disarming or disabling an attacker.
   
   They might only weigh around 9 ounces themselves, but when wielded with a certain amount of pressure, they can inflict the same amount of damage as if they were 30 pounds, so they’re a small but mighty self-defense tool.  

Size and Adjustability

The first thing to consider when choosing a baton for self-defense is what sort of size you’re looking for.

Do you want something you can easily travel with and keep hidden in your bag or pocket, or are you happy to hold a larger baton in your hand?

Expandable batons are highly popular because they can be adjusted when you need to use the baton for self-defense and collapsed again for when you’re carrying or concealing it.

Another question to think about is can the baton be swiveled or locked into various positions and angles to accommodate the way you prefer to draw it?

This will make your movements much more fluid and you’ll be less likely to fumble or drop the baton in your haste. 

Ease of Use

In a moment of panic or fear, you won’t want to be fiddling with complicated self-defense gear giving your attacker a chance to overpower you.

Having something that is simple means that there is less to rely on to not go wrong, just strike your opponent and run. 

Collapsible batons are great because you can easily click a button to extend the baton which you’ll then be able to defend yourself with.

You’ll need to get one that’s of a good enough quality that it won’t jam or fail to extend when you press the button, or alternatively, some self-defense batons only require a flick of your wrist to release.

The majority of self-defense batons have a rubberized handle that improves your grip so the baton doesn’t slip out of your hand as you defend yourself, and this makes it easy to control the movements at all times.

Some models will also feature a wrist strap so there’s no chance of dropping the baton when you need it. 

Durability and Materials

A self-defense baton that’s going to fall apart in your hands when you try to use it will be of no use to you in a dangerous situation.

So you need to find one that’s made of sturdy, durable materials that can handle being used with a certain level of force.

Clubs and batons have been used throughout history by humans as a method of protection, but we’ve moved on from the old-fashioned wooden sticks of the past.

These days, plastic, rubber, and even metal are popular material choices for self-defense batons. Impact-resistant materials include steel or black polypropylene and these are highly durable. 

Rubber will have the softest impact if your main goal is to disarm your attacker, whereas wood or metal will obviously cause the most injury if you need to disable the threat in order to ensure your safety, and it will be the biggest deterrent to any potential assailant. 

Safety Hazards

We feel like this should go without saying, but remember that while self-defense batons are classed as a non-lethal means of force and are legal to carry in a lot of states, they can still be dangerous and could cause some serious harm to another person.

You should always try to get some basic training on how to use your self-defense baton, as it won’t just keep you safer if or when you come to use it, but also in the time between that when you want to avoid accidentally deploying it. 

It might sound obvious, but don’t go waving your baton around in the air, especially when there are other people nearby, as you might accidentally let go of it or catch someone which could cause accidental injury.

Knocks to the head can be lethal and with enough force behind it, you could easily break a bone. 

How Do You Use a Baton?

You can use your baton for self-defense in a number of ways, including blocking, striking, jabbing, and bludgeoning.

They can also be pretty useful when you’re performing an arm lock on an attacker, but as we said, it’s worth getting training on how to use your baton correctly. 

We highly advise checking your local laws and regulations regarding self-defense batons before purchasing one so you don’t accidentally end up buying something that’s considered illegal in your area.

You also have to be above the age of 18 to buy one in most instances. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to carry a baton for self-defense?

This one will depend on your state so you’ll need to look into whether or not it’s legal to use a self-defense baton in the area you live in before you buy one.

You might even want to check with your local authorities that the one you’ve chosen is legal. 

What is the best legal weapon for self-defense?

There’s no real way to answer this question, as it will largely come down to personal preference and what you’re willing to spend on self-defense.

Some people feel more confident with guns where others may want a less lethal approach.

What type of baton do police use?

The majority of modern law enforcement and military officers carry ASP batons and the preferred style is extendable because of the many advantages it has over the fixed baton.