A, “What are the chances?” and, “It’ll never happen to me,” approach to things like carrying an umbrella on a sunny day is perfectly understandable and excusable. However, when it comes to an issue regarding your personal safety, it’s definitely best to air on the side of caution and be prepared. Carrying one of the best personal safety alarms is always a smart idea, as these devices can be the difference between an unpleasant experience you’d rather forget and something a whole lot worse.
The best personal safety alarms are there when you need to attract attention, deter attackers, alert authorities or even just provide a little bit of reassurance that your back is covered should the need arise.
Additionally, while it’s all too easy to fall into the age-old trap of thinking these devices are only useful to weak, susceptible females, the truth is that in the wrong place at the wrong time, no one is immune to danger. Whether it’s an unexpected attack, abduction, serious injury or even just your ability to help someone else in need, you’ll never regret having a personal safety alarm on hand in the moment.
With this versatility in mind, here is a selection of some of the most common users of personal safety alarms:
- Elderly
- Schoolkids
- Runners
- Travelers
- Disabled
- College Students
- Hunters
- Adventurers/Explorers
So, if you’re ready to start edging on the side of caution and ensuring you, or your family and friends, will have what they need should the worst happen, check out the top nine personal safety alarms. Each of these can serve up a slice of reassurance and protection, even if they’re never called upon.
1. Thopeb Self Defense Siren
BEST OVERALL
The Thopeb Self Defense Siren’s lightweight, compact size and keychain-friendly design make it an ideal choice for attaching to your car keys. It’s also waterproof and durable, capable of withstanding the rigors of day-to-day life without deteriorating in quality. When activated, it produces a 130 dB alarm along with glaring flashes to attract as much attention as possible. It’s also supplied with a carabiner loop, which makes attaching it to your bag, purse or belt especially easy.
SAVE 5% WITH COUPON
2. BASU eAlarm Plus 130db Emergency Alarm
AMAZON’S CHOICE
Think you can handle America’s #1 emergency alarm? The BASU eAlarm Plus 130db Emergency Alarm is a US-made alarm system ready for use against criminals and animals, as a rescue signal and more. It’s TSA-approved meaning it’s totally allowed on airplanes in case you need it during travels. It comes with a 100% lifetime warranty and has thousands of stellar reviews on Amazon.
3. She’s Birdie
FOR WOMEN, BY WOMEN
Let’s keep it real for a minute. Although everyone could use the best personal safety alarm, some of the most susceptible people to attack are women, especially trans women and Black trans women. In order to keep our ladies safe, She’s Birdie has come up with a “for women, by women” personal alarm option to take out on the street to stay safe. When in a needed situation, simply sound She’s Birdie’s loud-as-hell alarm and flashing strobe light to scare people off. This alarm is as loud as a jet engine 100-feet overhead, so this is a pretty powerful one. Bring it around day and night to stay safe at all times.
SAVE 10% WITH COUPON
4. Vigilant Night Vision Personal Alarm
BEST BUDGET
At under $15, the Vigilant Night Vision Personal Alarm is a budget-friendly way to attract attention if things turn south. With its 135 dB alarm, this is one of the loudest personal alarms available on our list. It also includes a red LED, which allows you to light your way at night without altering your eye’s natural dark vision adaption. A grenade-style, pull-out pin is used to activate the alarm, while its specific, acoustic design further adds to the reach of the unpleasant, attention-grabbing siren. In addition, it includes a full one-year warranty as well as a free replacement if it’s used in an emergency and supported by an accompanying police report.
5. WETEN Self Defense Personal Alarm Keychain
BEST KEYCHAIN
The WETEN Self Defense Personal Alarm Keychain is a simple yet convenient way to stay safe when you’re out and about. The device is capable of producing a combination alarm which includes both a 130 dB loud siren and an accompanying flashing light to further draw attention. To trigger this, simply remove the pin from the device. The LED light can also be used as a normal flashlight, while the keychain makes it easy to attach your device to bags, clothes and other belongings. Furthermore, it’s available in three different color options.
6. VIGOROAD Safe Sound Personal Alarm
BEST FOR KIDS
The VIGOROAD Safe Sound Personal Alarm is, without doubt, the cutest looking personal alarm on our list. It features a fun, cat face design, making it a great option for kids wanting a less intimidating device to carry around. But don’t let the cute appearance fool you. The device can still produce a 130 dB alarm when the pin is removed and includes a handy, built-in LED flashlight. It’s also made from a tough and durable ABS material that can withstand the rigors of living in a child’s backpack or coat pocket.
7. Guard Dog Security Heartbeat Keychain Alarm
MOST STYLISH
Designed with shiny jewels, this unsuspecting personal alarm offers a bit of flair and style for your keychain. Its loud alarm can be heard up to 350 feet away with a 130 dB sound that will ward off threats in an instant. Offered in black, pink, and red, it comes with a ring that is easy to attach to bags, keys, and more.
8. Garmin 010-01879-01 InReach Mini
BEST FOR OFF THE GRID
For those that find themselves camping, hiking, and trekking through terrain with little to no cell phone signal, you might think that keeping the best personal safety alarm is more or less pointless. Though, with the Garmin 010-01879-01 InReach Mini, it’s not. This tiny satellite communicator allows for two-way texting using the 100% global Iridium network so you can let somebody know you’re in trouble even if you’ve got no service. You can even access downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery, and tons more if you find yourself lost or in need of further assistance. Every person finding themselves out in zones with little service should keep this on hand, simply because you never truly know what could happen.
9. KOSIN Safe Sound Personal Alarm
BEST MULTIPACK
If you’re looking to arm more than one member of your household with a personal alarm, you’ll definitely want to consider this pack of KOSIN Safe Sound Personal Alarms. It comes with six individual personal safety alarms in six different colors, including black, pink and blue. Each device is capable of producing a continuous, 40-minute, ultra-high, 130-140 dB alarm, which can reach up to 600 feet away. You’ll also find an 85-lumen, built-in LED lamp to ensure you always be able to light your path as well as a chain hook to attach your device to your belongings.
SAVE 5%
10. Kuros! By Mace Pepper Spray and Personal Alarm Combo
BEST COMBO
The Kuros! By Mace Pepper Spray and Personal Alarm Combo allows you to raise an alarm and fight back in the event of an attack. It includes both a personal alarm capable of producing a loud 130 dB alarm and pepper spray with a delivery range of up to 10 feet. The pepper spray is capable of causing respiratory distress, coughing and impaired vision to attackers, while a back-up whistle in the base of the alarm ensures you’ve always got a way to sound an alarm. Both items include built-in key chains for greater convenience.
SAVE 17%
11. Kimfly Safesound Personal Alarm
BEST RECHARGEABLE
The Kimfly Safesound Personal Alarm comes with over 950 five-star reviews from users happy with the personal protection provided by this compact device. It includes both a 130 dB alarm whistle and a powerful LED light. The alarm can be activated either by pulling out the keychain pin or by double-pressing the SOS button. There’s also no need to worry about replacing batteries as the device recharges through the built-in USB port. Furthermore, the design includes a handy red indicator light that switches off when the device is fully charged.
SAVE 42%
12. Nathan SaferRun Ripcord Siren Personal Alarm
BEST FOR RUNNERS
Audible from over 600 feet, this Nathan SaferRun Ripcord Siren helps keep you safe when out on runs, hiking, and beyond. It attaches easily to your clothing and features a quick-pull tab offers for simple one-handed use. Awarded one of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Inventions of 2019, it definitely a must-have for avid runners.
13. Alphahom Care Go Personal Alarm
SMART PICK
If you fancy incorporating a little bit of smart technology into your personal alarm, the Alphahom Care Go Personal Alarm may be the choice for you. So long as you have the Care Go App on all the iOS smartphones in your family and friend network, you’ll be able to deliver immediate, one-to-many alerts as well as real-time GPS locations when the device is activated. Even when it’s not an emergency, you’ll also be able to twist the device to activate the “Follow Me” mode and allow contacts to follow your progress. This is ideal for kids or when passing through particularly notorious areas. The device also comes in a number of color choices, including gray and blue, and features a rechargeable battery that can last up to one year on standby from a single charge. Furthermore, if attached to your belongings, this alarm can help you locate those items when lost using the Finder mode.
SAVE 18%
14. Stinger Personal Alarm Keychain Emergency Tool
BEST MULTIPURPOSE
Equipped to help in a myriad of emergencies, this Stinger Keychain tool features a safety alarm, seatbelt cutter, and a steel-tipped glass breaker. It sounds loudly when pressed, giving 140 dB through the built-in siren, which can be heard up to 600 feet. The accompanying decals allow you to customize it any way you’d like, while the keychain loop allows you to clip it onto bags, purses, backpack and more for easy access.
15. Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch
BEST WATCH
Bay Alarm Medical calls the SOS Smartwatch the “modern-day alternative to traditional medical alert systems,” and we 100% agree. This watch makes it easy for people to keep their personal safety alarm on hand for use when needed. It isn’t at all unsightly like some necklaces and bulky alternatives are so you won’t feel uncomfortable bringing it around. In your regular day-to-day, this watch works as a watch, but when you need help, the watch is there to do so. Simply click the SOS button and initiate help to your location. You then will be placed in two-way communication with someone who will help you through what you’re going through. Although this option technically isn’t an alarm, it’s a major way to keep yourself or a loved one protected in those “just in case” scenarios.
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