The best self-defense keychains for stealthy security

The Cymme Safety Keychain Set is the perfect solution for the majority of consumers looking for a little extra security. Can’t decide what to buy? Cymme will let you have it all; a flat-end kubotan, knuckle dusters, a 130db alarm, and a safety whistle are included. Additional goodies such as a retractable lanyard, decorative pom-pom, and a window breaker — for in-car emergencies — are also thrown in for good measure. The latter could also double as a force multiplier in the same manner as the kubotan. Each item comes with a keychain ring, so they may be taken individually if a consumer has a specific preference, leaving the other items behind for family or as a backup.

It’s a reasonably comprehensive kit growing in popularity for the variety of options for not that much coin. However, some may argue that it could include more. Rival kits include pepper spray, which this bundle does not, but said kits are reportedly plagued with quality control issues that the Cymme bundle doesn’t exhibit. Some consumers may also find a few items to be a smidge too cumbersome on their keychain, but thankfully, having variety allows for other options.

SABRE Pepper Spray has earned its status as an Amazon Best Seller and an international favorite. Ten dollars buys you one of the most acclaimed and effective defense tools on sale, with a class-leading range of 10 to 12 feet and a larger capacity than other compact sprays. An ergonomic handle allows for a steady grip, and a safety switch built into the nozzle prevents accidental discharge. In an informative and admittedly-comical review, a consumer can attest to the potency of Sabre’s formula by allowing his wife to spray him. It’s safe to say that these little bottles pack a wallop, and it was “truly hell” to be tested on. Thank you for your service, Amazon user.

That said, such a beloved product still carries some caveats. There’s the chance of pepper spray being less effective on a small number of assailants who may be under the influence or simply have a higher pain tolerance. On the other end of the spectrum, you could face trouble yourself after encountering one of the few with an allergic reaction to the formula. At nine inches total with the quick-disconnect keychain, some may also find this item cumbersome to carry if it doesn’t live in a bag.

The KSKPP Protection Keychain pack offers a unique alternative to the myriad of pocket knives and pepper sprays currently on sale. Capitalizing on the increasing popularity of self-defense spikes or kubotans, KSKPP will sell John Wick-wannabes nine of them for well below the $20 mark. Each comes in a vivid shade to bring stylish aesthetics to your keychain while still serving as a usable and intimidating method of warding off ne’er-do-wells. The ergonomic grip allows for a tight hold when wielded similarly to a blade and for hammer fist strikes. At the same time, the spiked end dramatically increases the applied force and can deliver devastating blows to soft areas and pressure points. With the proper training, these colorful showpieces can be deceivingly frightening weapons.

Ensure that your local region has no issue with using and owning kubotans. Some countries, such as the UK, have banned spiked variants outright, with blunt-end kubotans still being debated. They’re generally legal across the United States but can face minor restrictions at a county level. Additionally, it takes a well-versed hand to deal some damage with a kubotan, and some users may find it easier with blades or simple pepper sprays.

SABRE’s Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Protection Pack is proof that more is better. It doesn’t hurt to have options, and Sabre will deliver by pairing its best-selling pepper spray keychain with a nifty taser. The stun gun is roughly the same size as the pepper spray keychain and doubles as a 120-lumen flashlight for disorienting attackers. The battery is rechargeable via a micro USB port. In another comically informative review, which surely can’t be from the same person, the user allowed themself to be tased, which they described as bringing them to their knees. Additionally, the pros of Sabre’s pepper spray remain, including the built-in safety, user-friendly grip, potent formula, and lengthy range.

Unfortunately, while the pepper spray was designed as a self-defense keychain, the taser will likely have to be carried in a bag or pocket as no hole for a keychain ring is included. Also, if you want any color other than pink, it’ll cost you. For whichever reason, different colors come in varying prices, with black costing the most at $6 extra.

StatGear’s Pocket Samurai is aptly named for the mini katana aesthetic in a package that can fit beside your house keys. Beyond glorified boxcutter status, die-hards who insist upon good old-fashioned blades for defense may utilize these in the same manner as a kubotan to enhance the effect of jabs to pressure points. It’s no gimmicky child’s toy either, with a slim aluminum handle complete with a pocket clip for everyday carry as well as a hole for mounting to keychains and lanyards. The 2.1-inch blade is a tanto design constructed of 440 steel, a durable, high-carbon material found on larger, more expensive knives.

Perhaps the most significant knock against the Pocket Samurai is that its minuscule scale could make it awkward to hold; a spiked kubotan may serve this role better, but there’s no arguing that a steel blade is guaranteed to cause more damage than a dulled spike. It’s a polarizing choice for self-defense, but look no further if you’re looking into a genuine blade as your defensive keychain.

The Toor Knives MarlinSpike 2.0 is the idyllic tool for New York action movie assassins aiming to capture the essence of that one movie scene — you know which one. Marketed as a tactical weapon and “nautical keychain tool” for splicing ropes, the MarlinSpike is the last word in spiked keychains. Where rivals are made of glass, plastic, and aluminum, this entry is constructed of 4140 steel, a corrosion-resistant material with immense torsional strength. This allows it to be carried in a variety of environments, including humid cities and torrential downpours. The frighteningly sharp spike and extra inch of length create a more effective tool for deterring attackers and thwarting criminals.

However, that extra inch will compromise the MarlinSpike’s portability as many spiked keychains measure an inch or two shorter for easy carrying one’s self. You’d also have to be quite dedicated to mastering the art of pencil combat, as this entry lists at an eye-watering $75. Here’s a reminder that Amazon kubotans are less than $20 for a pack, and pencils are probably worth less than the loose change in your couch cushions.

Thopeb’s Self-Defense Siren is a stellar choice if you’re searching for a more passive self-defense keychain. Complete with a strobe light and carbine clip for attaching to one’s self, this device is powered by a pair of CR2 batteries and emits a deafening 125-decibel alarm. Its four-inch length and featherweight design makes carrying it around no problem at all and has been lauded for its multi-purpose use as a home defense item as well as a safety alarm for the elderly and disabled. One consumer even reported its convenience in booby-trapping a yard decor against thieves.

While the alarm is undoubtedly loud and can easily be heard in security cam footage, some consumers have reported inconsistent volumes with their products. Whether this was later determined to be because of dying batteries or a manufacturer defect was not disclosed. The strobe light is also a point of concern as it’s merely meant to draw attention to the scene, not disorient an attacker. The lack of a dedicated keychain mount other than the alarm trigger also raises concerns over accidental discharge.