A retractable baton or a telescopic baton is a baton or self-defense tool that extends or expands and locks to be used as a striking weapon. It is one of the most reliable nonlethal self-defense weapons.
When contracted the baton gets compact and smaller for easy carry and storage in the bag, car, hip, underneath the car seat, or concealed carry. The baton easily extends when needed to handle an animal or violent assailant.
In this review, we look at the best retractable baton for self defense recommendations.
Retractable batons often expand from 16” to 31” in length and are mostly made of steel or aluminum. They are available in different lengths, styles, and materials to meet every user’s needs.
Apart from self-defense, these batons can be used as a flashlight or a glass breaker. Retractable batons are mostly used by security personnel and law enforcement officers but have also recently gained popularity with civilians for personal protection.
What Makes a Good Retractable Baton for Self Defense
For many people, retractable batons are the best tools for self-defense. With the retractable design, they are easy to conceal and quick to deploy when the need arises. Besides, they are easy to use with or without any training and you can use them for other applications, not just self-defense.
The best retractable baton for self defense should be made of strong and durable material, such as steel or aluminum, it should have a locking system for safety, have a firm and comfortable handle for a comfortable grip, should be easy to carry, and most important should be legal to carry in your state.
We have compiled a list of the most reliable retractable batons that make a perfect weapon for self-defense for both civilians and law enforcement officers.
These batons provide numerous levels of self-protection and they will allow you to keep a safe distance when fending off an attacker. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Best Retractable Batons for Self Defense
#1) ASP Protector Friction Loc Expandable Clip on Baton
ASP batons are robust and very suitable for self-defense at home and on the go.
The batons rapidly extend from a compact size to an expanded length with the flick of a wrist and retract back to the small size with ease.
The batons are built to be virtually indestructible with a premium 4140 carbon steel striking surface and a robust 7075 T6 aluminum middle shaft. To complement the rugged construction, the batons come with a Crosstec knurled and spiral micro-grooved handle with provides a comfortable and secure grip.
Another outstanding feature that makes these batons shine is their lightweight design.
To top it all, the ASP batons have a concealed clip-on baton that comes with a Friction Loc system which locks it into place firmly.
Features
- Friction loc system
- Rugged carbon steel striking surface
- Rapid Extension with a flick of a wrist( 6.5″ to 16″)
- Secure and comfortable grip
- 7075 T6 aluminum middle shaft
- Comfortable grip
Pros
- Easy to conceal
- Virtually indestructible
- Quick to deploy
- An extremely effective form of self-defense
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Ideal for investigators, off-duty protection, and civilians
Cons
- None
#2) Police Force 26” Tactical Expandable Baton
For a self-defense weapon to be more effective, it should provide a safe distance from the attacker and this is what you get from the Police Force Tactical Batons. They extend to a longer length with a flick of a wrist, giving you the extra distance to protect yourself more effectively from your assailant.
These batons are built to offer exceptional durability and strength. They are built with high-quality black solid steel. With the tough construction, you will be able to inflict serious pain on the assailant and be able to protect yourself.
Above all, the baton has a lightweight design so it will be convenient for you to carry it around.
Features
- High-quality solid steel construction
- Extendable size
- Lightweight design
- Expands 10″ to 26″ with the flick of a wrist
- Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Pros
- Compact size for easy concealment
- Good price
- Quick to deploy
- Perfect for home defense and carrying in the car
Cons
- The baton gets damaged when struck at an angle (Make sure that the baton is vertical when striking the ground)
3) Rothco Batons (16,21,23,26,31 inches)
Rothco makes a wide range of retractable batons that offer reliable self-defense performance. With the solid steel construction, the batons are designed to inflict serious pain on the attacker especially when you hit the most delicate body parts.
One thing that makes the Rothco expandable batons stand out is the simplicity they are made with. They expand to the full length with a slick of the wrist. Furthermore, they have a lightweight design that optimizes mobility and with the foam padded handles, you are guaranteed of a no-slip grip under any weather.
Other essential accessories included are a nylon holster with a belt loop and ring for easy hands-free carrying.
Features
- Friction lock system
- Expands with a flick of the wrist
- Solid steel construction
- Foam padded handle
Pros
- Decent weight
- Ergonomic non-slip grip
- Quick to deploy
- Reliable and robust make
- Easy on the wallet
Cons
- Can be hard to retract especially if you don’t know the amount of force to apply
#4) Streetwise Dark Knight Expandable Baton w/ Glass Breaker 26”
When it comes to versatility, the Streetwise Dark Knight Expandable Baton is hard to beat. It is uniquely designed to be a reliable self-defense tool and you can also use it to break glass in an automobile emergency situation.
With a weight of 1.6 lbs only, the baton is light and portable. It comes with a non-slip handle for a comfortable grip and with the heavy-duty nylon holster with a belt loop included, you are guaranteed of snug, hands-free carrying.
When collapsed, the baton measures 10 inches only and extends out to 26 inches. The compact length makes it easy to conceal while the extended length keeps the attackers at bay. Above all, the baton has a durable black steel construction that delivers a powerful blow.
Features
- Extendable length from 10” to 26”
- Built-in glass breaker
- Heavy-duty nylon holster with belt loop
- Heavy-duty black steel construction
- Secure, non-slip textured grip
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Easy to conceal
- Affordable
- Easy to extend and retract
Cons
- None
#5) Safety Tech Expandable Steel Baton 21”
The Safety Tech Expandable Black Steel Baton 21” is one of the best retractable batons for the money. Though it is reasonably affordable, it brings to the table a wealth of quality features that are reliable and functional.
It extends from 8 inches to 21 inches instantly with a simple flick of the wrist. When you slip inside the nylon holster included, you can wear it on the belt or keep it on your hand for quick deployment when the need arises.
On top of that, the baton comes with a grooved rubber handle which provides a comfortable and sturdy grip even when you are wearing gloves.
Moreover, this baton has a sturdy steel construction with an eye-catching black exterior finish. It is also ultralight and very easy to use even for beginners.
Features
- Extends from 8 inches to 21 inches
- Simple to carry heavy-duty nylon holster
- Grooved rubber handle
- Sturdy steel construction
- Easy to carry heavy-duty nylon holster
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Simple to use
- Secure and comfortable grip
- Easy on the wallet
Cons
- None
#6) Kwik Force Baton
Designed to double in length, Kwik Force Batons are made for easy concealment and increased protection. The smallest batons have a compact length of about 8 inches which is small enough to conceal even in your purse.
The same baton then extends to 16” in seconds, creating enough distance to protect yourself from an assailant.
The batons are constructed of solid steel for optimum durability and performance. Whether you are in the police department or you are a civilian, the high-grade construction of Kwik Force Batons provides enough power to stop an assailant and leave you with ample time to run for safety.
In addition to everything else, these batons are lightweight, easy to use, and non-lethal. They can only incapacitate the attacker so you don’t have to worry about inflicting deadly harm.
Features
- Extends to double the compact length
- Solid steel construction
- The rubberized handle provides a firm grip
- High-quality nylon holster with belt loop
Pros
- Friendly on the wallet
- Quick to deploy with a flick of the wrist
- Easy to use
- Lightweight design
Cons
- None
Criteria for Choosing the Best Retractable Baton for Self Defense
Choosing an expandable baton is not something to do on a whip. Below are some of the key factors you should consider in order to make an informed buying decision.
Size
The first thing you should consider is the size of the baton when it is retracted and expanded. The former will dictate whether the baton will be easy to conceal or not, while the latter will tell you how far you have to stand from the assailant in an event of an attack. Pick a product whose size matches your needs as well as your height.
Ease of Use
For the baton to offer optimum protection, it should be quick to deploy and easy to use. The last thing you would want is a retractable baton that takes forever to expand when you need it most.
Some retractable batons come with a baton for ease of expanding and retracting while others depend on friction, whereby you activate them with a flick of a wrist.
Handle
Go for a retractable baton that comes with a comfortable and non-slip handle. The handle should either be padded or have some grooves to ensure that you get a firm grip even in wet conditions or when you are wearing gloves.
Build Quality
The other thing you should consider is the quality of construction the baton has. The best retractable batons are made using high-grade materials such as steel or aluminum alloy. They offer exceptional durability while remaining lightweight. Besides, they inflict serious pain on the assailant especially when you hit them on delicate parts of the body.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Collapsible Batons
What Length Baton is Best for Self-Defense?
This will depend on individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for more leverage in a self-defense situation a longer baton is your best fit, if you are looking for easy storage and a concealable baton, choose a shorter and lighter baton.
Is a Retractable Baton Good for Self-Defense?
Yes and very effective, it is easy to carry and conceal which is very critical for the surprise element and easy accessibility when a self-defense situation arises.
The use of a baton also has some limitations since it requires some training and the use of a baton for self-defense can be considered an excessive force in certain situations. Some states also don’t permit the use of these batons.
Final Thoughts
Retractable batons are simple to use, affordable, and relatively easy to conceal inside your bag, pocket, in a nightstand drawer, or any other place.
We hope that this post has been insightful and you are now in a position where you can make an informed buying decision. Remember that a retractable baton is as good as the materials it is made of. So, make sure that you pick a model that is built with premium-grade materials.
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