In any situation, pepper spray is always a powerful substance that can temporarily cause blindness and burning pain in the mouth and eyes of an attacker, allowing you to getaway. When it comes to non-lethal self-defense, this substance is one of the best. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states but does have some restrictions.

Whether you are looking to fend off an animal or an attacker, you should have the best pepper spray brands in mind, just in case.

1. Sabre Red Pepper Gel: The best overall pick.

The Sabre Red Pepper Gel spray, which costs around $20, is one of the most popular sprays on the market.  Part of its success comes down to its main ingredients, which is a gel. Gel-based sprays are a good liquid-based option that is heavier than aerosol sprays, making it more effective. This is a huge advantage because it is less likely to get into your eyes while trying to fend off an attacker.

This pepper spray is easy to aim, and has one of the longest ranges on the market, making it effective at around 18 feet. Due to this long-range, you can protect yourself long before an attacker can get close to you. This spray comes in a small canister, but unfortunately has no clip option, only a holster.

2. Sabre 3-in-1 Pepper Spray: The best choice for someone who is budget-conscious.

The Sabre 3-in-1 Pepper Spray, costing around $10, is the most traditional aerosol pepper spray. This multipurpose spray includes CS tear gas that can cause extra irritation, along with an invisible UV dye to mark attackers in the case of an incident.  The size of this spray bottom is a bit small but can hold up to 25 bursts, offering a decent 10-foot range. A perk of this spray is that it is small, and you can put it onto a keychain, which makes it easy to use and easy to carry around.

This spray can last for around 3 to 4 years, depending on the use. The blowback is a bit more common but does offer a safety switch on the top, making sure that it doesn’t get on clothes or inside a purse when it’s not in use.

3. Sabre Red Pepper Gel Spray for Runners

The Sabre Red Pepper Gel Spray for runners costs $13 and can combine the accuracy of gel-based sprays with a small package. This makes it easy to take on your daily run and comes with a convenient strap that keeps it at the ready so that you can respond quickly to threats.

This spray can hold 35 bursts, making this brand the most available on the market. This is ideal for runners because it has a very accurate spray range, which is around 12 feet. Because the range of this spray is a bit shorter, it has less blowback. You can rotate the canister to fit the back of your hand or hold it on your wrist.

4. Fox Labs Mean Green: The best spray for marking an attacker.

Fox Labs is another one of the most well-known brands in the world and offers options at low costs. This particular model costs $19 and gets its name from the green dye it sprays on attackers. Unlike other brands that use these types of dyes, it does not require a backlight in order to show up.

This is a high-quality non-lethal weapon, which makes it great for pockets and purses because it has no exposed trigger. This model is a bit safer to use because it is also a gel-spray. The range that this offers is around 15 feet, making it easy to maintain a safe distance while in a situation where you are being attacked.  The only drawback of this model is that it doesn’t come with separate carrying options. There is no clip, holster or keychain attachment, and if you would like this, you must purchase separately.

5. Mace Brand Triple Action: The most compact pepper spray.

Mace, which is another name for pepper spray, is offered by a very well known company who has been making this product for years. It doesn’t have the popularity as the others have but still offers small yet effective pepper spray options. This product costs $14 and is the smallest pepper spray on the list.

It offers a flip-top design, making it secure in your pockets and backpacks. This also comes with a smaller keychain so that it can be added to your car keys. Along with its small features, it is packed with tear gas and UV dyes, making it a perfect and affordable option.