Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, it’s always a good idea to have something that you can use to protect yourself in times of immediate danger.
That is also whether you’re new to the area or have been living there for years.
If you’re looking for the best pepper spray for college students, check out my list of the most reliable self-defense sprays to bring you peace of mind.
I’ve looked into each of their features, pros, and cons and also considered my experience as a police officer when selecting the brand.
Best Pepper Spray for College Students: A Review
1. SABRE Crossfire Pepper Gel
The Crossfire comes in a gel form which makes it ideal for spraying in indoor settings or close quarters.
You can spray it at any angle, even upside down, without getting hurt.
Review
First of all, the SABRE Crossfire Pepper Gel is well-made.
Every batch of Sabre pepper sprays is manufactured in the United States to ensure top-tier quality.
Sabre formulation is highly proven effective and extremely painful.
Another advantage of this product is the longer shelf life.
Sabre’s formula lasts up to two times longer than most pepper spray brands.
To be exact, each canister lasts four years.
Moreover, this pepper spray features a maximum strength formula that is strictly tested in HPLC labs to ensure its effectiveness.
The Crossfire contains the Red Pepper: the hottest active ingredient that the company has available.
This pepper spray has a concentration of 1.33% capsaicinoids, which is Level III in Sabre’s ranking system.
As mentioned earlier, this pepper spray has a gel-based formula.
You can safely use it indoors and outdoors as it has minimal blowback.
Additionally, it can travel through HVAC systems and won’t affect others.
With its thickness, pepper gel offers a more accurate spray than regular pepper spray.
It also sticks to an attacker’s skin, making it more difficult to wipe off.
Also, since it’s thicker than liquid sprays, pepper gel can’t be blown back to your face.
Another benefit of gel-based pepper spray is it travels farther.
One spray can reach up to 18 feet of range with ease.
Another advantage of Crossfire is it contains UV marking dye which helps police identify the attacker.
The spray comes in a 1.08-ounce bottle and a holster that you can clip onto your belt.
The holster comes with a Velcro closure for easy access in an emergency.
The package also includes free training videos to use the spray effectively in times of danger.
Pros:
- Impressive range
- Can be used indoors
- Strong formulation
Con:
- The belt clip needs improvement
2. SABRE Pepper Spray Keychain
Sabre is the leading brand for pepper sprays. They have been manufacturing pepper sprays for over 45 years.
We, as police office officers, use Sabre products together with consumers worldwide and the U.S. marshals.
The Sabre Pepper Spray Keychain boasts two times the maximum power of regular pepper spray, so it can be used against attackers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Review
SABRE Pepper Spray Keychain features a stream pattern that spans 10 feet.
This type of spray is very effective, especially in windy situations.
It sprays a higher force and doesn’t release droplets like the fogger type.
It is also less likely to blow back in your direction.
The Pepper Spray Keychain has a durable nozzle that delivers a powerful stream to target the eyes while decreasing wind blowback.
What makes this spray a standout is its easy-to-grasp finger grip design that enhances your aim and helps keep your eye on the threat.
Furthermore, the quick-release key ring promotes easy access.
There’s also a twist-lock feature, so the spray doesn’t get accidentally discharged.
Another thing to love about the Saber Keychain Pepper Spray is its perfect size.
It measures 1 x 1 x 3.5 inches and only weighs 0.21 pounds, which is about a size of a PowerPoint clicker.
That said, the pepper spray wouldn’t be a burden if you attach it to your car or dorm keys.
Since it’s very lightweight and compact, you can also carry it in your front jeans pocket or your jacket’s hand pocket.
The SABRE Pepper Spray Keychain has a four-year warranty and only costs less than 10 dollars.
Thus, it’s perfect for college students.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Lightweight and compact
- Can be used multiple times
Con:
- The safety lock is quite loose
3. SABRE Pepper Spray and Stun Gun
Another reliable product from Sabre, this pepper spray comes with a stun gun.
Therefore, if you get in close contact with an attacker and using the spray may not be possible, you have a backup plan.
Review
This professional-grade OC spray has 25 bursts, which is five times the competition.
The formulation is backed by Sabre’s in-house lab testing to guarantee maximum heat.
Thus, you only need a few pumps to hurt your attacker.
The spray canister measures 11.25 x 5.88 x 2.75 inches and only weighs 0.6 pounds.
With a compact size, you can attach it to your keys using the keyring or a lanyard.
In terms of performance, the pepper spray performs extremely well as expected from all other Sabre products.
There’s also a safety lock that prevents accidental discharge.
Like the previous product, this pepper spray has a powerful stream pattern that is less likely to blow back in your direction.
Now, what if you find yourself in close contact with your attacker?
Don’t worry. In cases you cannot use the spray, you have a backup: a stun gun.
It delivers an impressive 1.60 µC charge that produces intolerable pain.
Sabre claims that it is one of the strongest stun guns in the market and is tested by a third party to ensure strength and keep you safe.
Another nice feature is the LED light which can be very helpful when navigating a dark alley.
Lastly, the stun gun is easy to charge. Just flip out the contacts and plug them into the wall.
There’s a red light indicator that tells you it’s charging.
Pros:
- Easy to carry and use
- Easy-grip design
- Comes with a stun gun
- Available in multiple colors
Con:
- More expensive than other sprays
4. SABRE Advanced Compact Pepper Spray With Clip
This self-defense spray provides maximum strength protection while being easy to carry and conceal.
It’s Sabre’s most intense deterrent, containing maximum strength formulation and CS military tear gas to heighten the pepper spray burn.
Additionally, it has a UV marking dye that helps authorities identify the suspect after they have been sprayed.
Review
If you’re looking for an extra potent formulation that effectively works against attackers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this pepper spray fits like a glove.
It contains 35 bursts, which is a lot more than the competition.
Like all other Sabre sprays, this product is formulated and tested in an industry-exclusive HPLC laboratory to guarantee strength and reliability in every canister.
Once sprayed, expect a burning sensation on the eyes that can cause temporary blindness for at least ten minutes.
This gives you enough time to escape to a safer location and call for help.
On another note, this pepper spray has a 10-feet range, which is the industry standard.
The SABRE Advanced Compact Pepper Spray comes with a clip that allows you to attach it to your pocket or inside your bag or purse.
It’s a great alternative to key chain sprays when carrying on keys isn’t your preferred method.
Lastly, the packaging includes links to free training videos that will help you better prepare in the face of danger and use the Sabre defense spray.
Pros:
- Up to 35 bursts
- Maximum pepper spray effects
- Easy to carry
- The clip-on design promotes easy access
Con:
- The nozzle can be improved
5. SABRE Lipstick Pepper Spray
This cute, lipstick-looking pepper spray is perfect for female college students.
It’s super lightweight and compact, so you can simply slip it into your pants pocket for easy access.
Review
The Sabre red lipstick pepper spray is a practical and discreet way to carry a self-defense weapon.
This compact model contains 12 bursts and an impressive 10-foot range.
The lipstick cap allows you to store your pepper spray and prevent accidental discharge.
It is pretty secure and will not come off unless manually pulled.
Moreover, this pepper spray has a maximum strength red formula.
Like all other Sabre products, this spray has been tested in their exclusive HPLC laboratory to guarantee maximum gear and stopping power in every burst.
This eliminates the 30 percent failure rate that researchers say about regular pepper sprays.
Pros:
- Unique, lipstick-like design
- Strong formulation
- Affordable
Con:
- Limited bursts
My Top Recommendations
Pepper sprays are non-lethal weapons that college students can depend on in times of danger.
The best pepper spray for college students is the Crossfire, as you can use it in both outdoor and indoor settings.
You can even spray it at any angle, which is extremely helpful when you are already panicking during an emergency.
The Pepper Spray and Stun Gun combo is also a great pick as you have a backup weapon in case the attacker gets in close contact with you.
