It’s a sad fact of life, but the world we live in is dangerous. It’s not good to be paranoid about possibly getting attacked, but it is important to be prepared if the occasion should ever arise. There are several forms of self defense items that you can get to help make your life a little safer, but one of the most beneficial options is a self defense flashlight. Attackers usually don’t recognize them as actual self defense weapons, and they provide you with the everyday function of light. Knowing exactly what to look for when shopping for the best self defense flashlight for your needs can ensure that you get the best defense for your money.

Type of Self Defense Flashlight

Despite their simple appearance, self defense flashlights can actually protect you in several different ways. Each type of flashlight can be incredibly useful in the event of an attack, but you should still learn about the various types to make a more informed decision when looking for the best self defense flashlight for your needs.

Blinding

Self defense flashlights with blinding options are great for a sudden and disorienting attack that the assailant won’t see coming. Once you blind the attacker, you can take that opportunity to disable them even further with proper self defense techniques, or you can run away and find a safe location to call for help. The best self defense flashlight should have at least 100 lumens of brightness, and the beam should be very focused to be effective.

Club

These flashlights are typically long, rugged and fairly weighted. They’re most suitable for people who are comfortable in their ability to fight back in the event of an attack, but they can also be beneficial in situations where you can take your attacker from surprise and possibly knock them unconscious. Their main weakness comes in their size as it’s difficult to carry these flashlights around on an everyday basis. Club flashlights should include impact-resistant lightbulbs and lenses to avoid breaking after a strike. A club flashlight is not the best self defense flashlight option if you want a small flashlight that you can keep with you most of time.

Taser

Some flashlights also have the option of including a taser. This is very useful for instantly disabling even the largest of opponents in seconds. It’s also a great option for people with little to no training in self defense. Ensure that you study your state’s laws on taser use before attempting to purchase a flashlight that contains a taser.

Size and Weight

Self defense flashlights used as clubs are meant to fairly long and heavy to deliver decent amounts of damage to the attacker. However, blinding and taser flashlights should be small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand in order to ensure quick and easy use in an emergency. They should also be as light as possible to further improve the quickness and ease of use. This also makes them much easier to carry on a day to day basis, which is a key requirement for the best self defense flashlight.

Ease of Use

No matter which type of self defense flashlight you get, the best self defense flashlight should be easy to operate and wield. For the taser and blinding flashlights, you’ll want to ensure that the switch is easy enough to move but not too sensitive as this may accidentally trigger the mechanism. You’ll also want the switch to be in a comfortable and easily spotted location. Avoid slide and knob switches for your self defense flashlight. For the club flashlights, avoid getting ones that are overly heavy as this not only makes them more difficult to carry but it also makes them more difficult to wield in a fight. The flashlight should feel very natural and comfortable in your hand, and it should also have a good grip to prevent accidentally dropping it.
The best self defense flashlight should also be easy to draw, so it’s good to have one that can attach on a belt or pocket clip. Test it out to ensure that the clip doesn’t snag easily or is overly complicated to disengage.
Strobe
Blinding flashlights can have the added option of a strobe effect. Strobe effects are beneficial because they can not only blind attackers but they can also severely disorient people beyond the initial blinding effect. In addition, they can be effective against numerous attackers at once. The only downside is that the effect can possibly disorient the user as well if the light is bright enough. While not really a necessity, strobe options are a good backup option if the regular blinding option isn’t effective enough or if there is more than one attacker.

Waterproof and Ruggedness

Any item used for self defense should be very rugged and resistant to as much damage as possible. That is why it is very important to ensure that the flashlight is waterproof and has a very rugged housing. This is more important for club flashlights since they’re meant to be used as a blunt weapon, but this doesn’t mean you should ignore this aspect for the blinding and taser flashlights as any self defense flashlight can suffer from various types of damage in an attack.

Quality Brand

You should choose a flashlight brand that is established, high quality and respected to ensure that your self defense flashlight will be as durable and useful as possible. Well-known and respected brands also have good warranty plans that will help ensure the quality of your product for years.

Conclusion

A good self defense flashlight can be invaluable in keeping you safe from both human and animal attackers. As long as you follow these tips, you’ll be able to find the best self defense flashlight that will give you security and peace of mind. However, it’s important to remember that the best way to stay safe is avoid dangerous areas to begin with and learning proper self defense techniques.

How To Use a Flashlight Defensively

Having the best tactical flashlight is one thing, but you also need to know how to actually use it! Below is a useful video that shows you some tips and tricks for using your flashlight in a self defense situation.

What Do You Think – What Is The Best Self Defense Flashlight?

Above we have covered how to go about finding the best self defense flashlight for your needs. As always, your own specific requirements will determine which flashlight is the best self defense flashlight for you. If you have some thoughts on which flashlight is the best self defense flashlight in your opinion, feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section or even by sending us a note via our contact us page.