Key point: You can protect yourself with a good stun gun while also avoiding really hurting the other person.

There are many tools available for self-defense, but when you really need to stop an attacker but want to do so without causing any permanent damage, there is no better tool than a stun gun.

Stun guns are invaluable as personal defense weapons. They are usually compact, easy to operate, and can quickly and easily drop your attacker to their knees in a matter of seconds… if the loud electrical pops and bright flashes don’t deter them first.

But with so many of these stun guns on the market how can you tell which ones are worth your time and which ones are just absolute junk?

Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of what we believe to be the top 5 stun guns out on the market right now. We have chosen a top pick for 3 main categories (best value, best for personal defense, and max power), as well a couple of honorable mentions.

Enjoy!

1. VIPERTEK VTS-880 (BEST VALUE)

The Vipertek VTS-880 is a 15 million volt stun gun that also functions as a rather bright LED flashlight. It’s inexpensive, yet still packs a pretty big bang for your buck.

The non-slip rubber coating makes this stun gun easy to handle and keeps the body of the weapon moisture and oil-free. We’ve found that the rubber coating doesn’t make it any harder to get it in and out of your pocket either, so that is a huge plus in our book. When you need it, you don’t want to be struggling to get it to stop gripping to your pocket, right?

The VTS-880 has an internal battery, so there is no need to worry about constantly buying batteries for your stun gun. Just flip open the built-in prongs and plug it into a wall outlet. With light to moderate use, the battery should hold a decent charge for about a month.

PROS:

• Bright LED flashlight

• Internal battery

• Non-slip rubber coating

CONS:

• The firing button feels flimsy

• The charging plugs become loose after heavy use

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2. VIPERTEK VTS-989 (MAX POWER)

The Vipertek VTS-989 is a 38 million volt stun gun that features an ergonomic handleto give you a comfortable, yet firm grip, when you need it the most. The contoured handle isn’t your only saving grace, though, as it also comes with a wrist strap to make sure your stun gun doesn’t leave your hand accidentally or get taken away from you while in a struggle.

Still not good enough? How about shock plates on either side just below the prongs? Your attacker may try to snatch it away from you or off of them, but as soon as they touch those shock plates they will instantly regret it.

Build quality on the VTS-989 is really nice. It is lightweight and feels really solid in your hand. In terms of size, this stun gun is small enough to fit in your pocket but big enough to be intimidating.

Oh, and speaking of intimidation… the VTS-989 is one noisy stun gun. This is a bonus because the loud cracking sound of electricity jumping across the prongs is enough to deter most would-be assailants.

Most traditional style stun guns only use two inward-facing metal plates, and the arc tends to be more than a little underwhelming. Not so with this stun gun. To step things up a bit, the VTS-989 uses spiked prongs that are capable of penetrating thicker clothing to give you maximum contact.

Just like the VTS-880, this stun gun also comes with a rechargeable internal battery, so you never have to worry about replacing it, just keep it charged and it is good to go whenever you need it.

PROS:

• Maximum shocking power at 38 million volts

• Ergonomic design

• Spiked prongs

CONS:

• Very loud (could be a pro or a con depending on what you like)

• Side shock plates can be hard to remember to avoid when handling

3. STREETWISE STING RING (BEST PERSONAL DEFENSE)

Looking for something just a little bit more discreet than a traditional full-size stun gun? We recommend the Streetwise Sting Ring. As a matter of fact, we recommend it so much that it is made the list as our top pick for best stun gun for personal defense.

The Sting Ring is a compact stun gun that features the newest design in personal protection. It is essentially a ring that you slide over your finger. The top of the ring features to small, inlaid prongs that are capable of delivering an 18 million volt punch.

Attached to the ring is a comfortable oval-shaped base that is designed to rest comfortably in the palm of your hand. When you need to use it, simply turn off the safety light and squeeze the base with your palm.

The Sting Ring comes with a recharging cord to recharge its built-in battery, saving you money on extra batteries.

And if your Sting Ring happens to malfunction, there’s no need for you to fret, because it comes with a lifetime warranty.  Just contact the folks over at Streetwise Security Products and they will be glad to help you out.

PROS:

• Very discreet

• Compact

• Built-in battery

• Budget-friendly

CONS:

• Build quality is not as solid as it could be

• Internal battery doesn’t last for long

4. THE RUNT

The Runt Stun Gun is a high-tech design that has come to be known as a “mini”. This stun gun is small enough to be concealed in the palm of your hand, but don’t let it fool you, it packs a 20 million volt kick that seriously hurts.

The Runt also doubles as a flashlight and contains a bright LED that can illuminate your path up to 5 feet (maybe more, depending on how much your battery is charged).

To keep your stun gun in your hand, The Runt is covered in a slip-resistant rubber and comes with a wrist-strap and an easy release pin.

If you are on a budget, need something relatively small, or you just like being able to have plenty of color options, The Runt Stun Gun may be the right choice for you.

PROS:

• Low-profile, sleek build

• Slip-resistant rubber coating, and wrist-strap

• Extremely budget friendly

CONS:

• LED light isn’t very bright when compared to other stun gun/flashlight combos

5. GUARD DOG INFERNO

For those of us who prefer something extremely inconspicuous, there is the Guard Dog Inferno stun gun.

The Inferno looks like just an ordinary flashlight, and it even works as one too. The LED light on this stun gun is rated as 200 lumens. This means that you have enough light to brighten up a small room, alleyway, or even a small parking garage.

In terms of power, the Guard Dog Inferno is one of the weaker ones on our list, coming in at only 6 million volts of shocking power. But if you combine that with a very bright LED flashlight, and a loud electrical popping sound, you have gained the element of surprise. These things alone may just be enough to scare away your attacker before they even have a chance to get near you.

Since this stun gun is designed as both a flashlight and a personal defense tool, it comes with a safety cap you can put on it when not in use.

PROS:

• Very bright LED light

• Looks like a flashlight instead of a stun gun

• Very long battery life

CONS:

• Safety cap doesn’t always seat properly

• Low voltage at only 6 million volts

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A STUN GUN

When looking to purchase your stun gun, you need to have an idea of what you are looking for. Not all self-defense weapons are created equal, and stun guns are not the exception.

Some are heavier than others, have differently styled prongs, or provide more or less voltage. It is important to know how to pick a stun gun that meets your personal needs.

That’s why we have selected a few of the main defining features that you should be paying attention to when selecting your new stun gun. None of these are written in stone, but they will definitely help you in determining which stun guns are a good deal, and which ones should just be left on the shelf.

BUILD QUALITY

The last thing you want is for your high voltage stun gun falling apart or failing on you in the middle of a struggle with your attacker. Most stun guns are made from a hard plastic or metal base. Either material is fine, but we recommend picking one that is also coated with a slip-resistant rubber.

You also should be aware that you are dealing with a tool that could potentially hurt you if it is used improperly or not handled with care. For this reason, we recommend that you choose a stun gun that has a safety switch on it.