The baton is one of the oldest weapons that’s still used today – and with good reason! A wide variety of cultures and civilizations have been using batons and other clubs for thousands of years.
After all, who can deny the value of a hefty piece of wood or metal in the ancient game of survival?
These days, firearms tend to be the go-to when it comes to putting meat on the table. But that doesn’t mean the modern baton has lost its value.
Police, security guards, and military powers around the world still use truncheons as defensive weapons. And you can too!
For many people, batons are a popular and budget-friendly option for personal and home defense. Have we perked your interest yet?
Good. Today, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of owning a baton and review my top baton choices for self-defense.
Disclaimer: we’re not lawyers so you should check your local laws for baton ownership and use!
Summary of Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
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Why a Baton?
Alright, fine. We know a baton may not have the same visual impact or “cool factor” as a firearm, at least at first glance. But we aren’t snobs, so let’s start by discussing why you should consider a baton for your self-defense needs.
Pros
Less Lethal: A baton doesn’t require the use of lethal force. As a situation escalates or deescalates, you can quickly adjust your level of force without switching defensive tools.
Multipurpose: Batons are great for broad strikes and jabs, blocking attacks, and can even sweep an attacker’s legs out from underneath them. They can also be useful in other emergency situations, such as breaking windows to escape your car or home.
Simple: Batons are easy to use. They require no power or ammunition, can’t suffer from mechanical failure, don’t expire, require little maintenance, and rarely need replacing. Talk about reliability!
Affordable: A high-quality, lightweight, and concealable baton can run around $200, but it’s also easy to find equally effective options for less than $50.
Effective: You can do pretty significant damage with a baton, even without a lot of strength or strict form.
Legality: Batons are legal in many places where other weapons aren’t and generally don’t require a permit or registration. This is especially true for items that can serve as a baton but aren’t strictly made for self-defense, like baseball bats or hefty flashlights.
Relatively Easy to Conceal: Batons, particularly collapsible models, can easily slip into bags and deep pockets. At home, you can covertly rest the weapon next to your bed, in a nightstand drawer, or by the doorway.
Safe: With a baton, you don’t have to worry about accidental discharges, and there is very little risk of self-injury. Plus, they are typically bystander-safe, so long as you don’t go wild.
We condone only responsible baton use in this house!
Consider These Drawbacks First
Are you feeling the tingles of baton envy yet? We share the hype, but before you race off to the store, let’s examine the downsides of baton ownership.
Cons
Less Lethal: Guns are more effective at stopping or deterring an attacker. It’s just a fact.
But Still Lethal: A single baton strike – intentional or accidental – can result in severe and even fatal injuries. A baton may be “less lethal,” but it’s still a weapon that needs to be handled with respect and consideration, much like any firearm.
Expense: Yes, batons are more affordable than handguns, but they’re often more expensive than other handgun alternatives, like pepper spray and stun guns.
Training: Compared to other defensive weapons, batons are relatively easy to use. That said, you still need to train if your goal is to be effective during an altercation. Practice makes perfect, after all, and you want to keep your skills up.
Range: A baton is a melee weapon. It doesn’t provide the range of a firearm, pepper spray, or taser. This could leave you in a vulnerable position if your attacker is armed with a ranged weapon.
Legality: Batons are legal in most places but not everywhere, including states like California. Check your local laws before purchasing or carrying any weapon.
Best Batons for Self-Defense
Shopping for a new weapon can be exciting and overwhelming, especially online. It’s important to do your research before taking the plunge and coughing up your hard-earned cash.
To help you start the process, let’s take a look at a few batons that rate highly as self-defense tools.
1. ASP Talon Infinity Steel Baton
Armament Systems & Procedures (ASP) manufactures an impressive collection of expandable batons, but three products are a cut above the rest: the Talon Infinity 50cm, the Friction Loc Baton 21”, and the Agent Infinity Concealable Baton 40cm.
These batons may be pricier than other options, but it’s a reflection of their quality. Plus, your purchase comes with a lifetime warranty!
ASP advertises the Talon Infinity 50cm as the “most advanced tactical baton in the world, period.”
To ensure precision and reliability, the manufacturer specifically designed this product with a limited number of moving parts and included a textured Vector grip option.
Made from 4140 steel, this high-quality baton opens with a quick flick of the wrist and closes into the scabbard with a push of the end cap. Its retracted length is a little over 8 inches, so you’ll probably need a holster or bag to carry it comfortably.
The weight of this product varies because ASP offers a Steel model at 18.3 ounces (above) and a lighter Airweight edition at 11.2 ounces.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. ASP Friction Loc Baton
Another popular baton is ASP’s Friction Loc Baton 21″. This model is a tactical impact weapon commonly used by law enforcement personnel across the United States.
The Friction Loc Baton 21” has a slender shape and telescoping construction that allows for fast strikes. It’s lightweight and easy to conceal at a retracted length of 7.70 inches, making it a fine defense option for police officers or casual user going about their day (or night).
Opening an ASP baton be a little tricky to master. The manufacturer’s intended method is much faster than trying to pull the tip out of the baton manually, especially when an attacker is charging at you.
This video illustrates the concept:
This product is available in two models, Steel (16.3 ounces) and Airweight (8.9 ounces).
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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ASP’s Agent Baton series was designed to be a low-profile weapon for investigators and undercover operatives, which means you can safely rely on its fine-line grip and striking potential in a pinch.
3. Streetwise Expandable Baton
We’ve updated our review with some more affordable options from the brands Streetwise and Police Force…and beat up some mats for science!
The Streetwise (with the diamond pattern grip) is our best bang-for-the-buck baton that gives you a great friction lock at a fraction of the price compared to ASP offerings.
Check it out in action:
I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that without a mat!
It expands from 8″ to 21″ with the flick of the wrist and weighs a good balanced 1.3 lbs.
What I would recommend if you want to ease into the world of batons without breaking the bank.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Police Force Expandable Keychain Baton
A keychain baton?
It’s a stretch…but the Police Force Keychain Baton is the tiniest of the bunch.
Your mileage might vary on if you can actually put it on a keychain for day-to-day use, but it can certainly easily fit in a purse or large pockets.
But for the best view, check out our quick video of the baton vs. a sparring mat:
Goes from 5.5″ to 12″ in a second and weighs in at only 9 oz.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Police Force Automatic Expandable Baton
Looking for an option with a button release instead of flicking your wrist?
This Police Force option might be for you with its lockable button function.
It also sits right in the middle size between the keychain baton and Streetwise baton.
Check out the button release system in our video:
It expands from 9.5″ to 21″ with the push of a button.
Our pick if you don’t think you’ll be able to manually flick your baton in a stressful situation. However, be sure to practice disengaging the safety lever.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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6. ASP Agent Infinity Concealable Baton
The Agent Infinity Concealable Baton 40cm is manufactured with a 4140 steel striking surface and weighs in at 13.2 ounces.
It retracts down to 7.75 inches with a push of the cap, and you can easily attach it to your waistband with a scabbard.
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If you need a lighter option, the Airweight model is only 7.3 ounces — less than a pound!
However, this product isn’t quite as reliable as the Friction Loc Baton 21” when it comes to long-term maintenance.
The ASP website recommends purchasing its Glide Baton and Cuff Lubricant to keep your Agent Baton in excellent working order.
What’s your take on ASP batons? Rate them below!
7. Cold Steel Brooklyn Bats
Cold Steel’s Brooklyn Series is predominately advertised for actual sporting use, so it makes sense that their products look like standard baseball bats.
But considering Cold Steel’s history as a manufacturer of knives, swords, spears, axes, and other weapons, it’s easy to figure out their actual intentions for this product line.
Since bats are legal pretty much anywhere, this product is a favorite for truckers and people with similar careers who are constantly crossing state lines.
Cold Steel Brooklyn Bats come in five sizes.
These bats are comparatively affordable and highly durable. Made from polypropylene, a hard polymer, these bats hit hard and are almost impossible to break.
They’re fairly heavy for their size, but they are well weighted for swinging, and the narrow grip, combined with the knob at the end of the handle, helps keep the bat from pulling out of a user’s hands.
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The larger sizes aren’t easy to use single-handedly, particularly for smaller people, but most won’t have any problems using the Shorty with one hand.
8. Maglite 6D Cell Flashlight
For something less sporty, how about a Maglite?
I keep one by my bed, mostly for power outages and the like, but it’s nice to know it can also be used as a 19-inch baton.
Within the 6D cell size, you have two options, the Premium version, and the Classic version. The Premium version is several times the price of the Classic, but it has a bunch of cool features that are worth the cost.
I recommend going with the Premium version that has a 694-lumen LED light and a 415-meter range.
You can choose between four functions that have three light settings:
- General (default): Full Power, Low Power, and Eco (reduced brightness)
- Outdoor: Full Power, Low Power, and Strobe
- Law Enforcement: Momentary Brightness (the light comes on as long as the button is depressed), Full Power, and Eco
- Tactical: Momentary Brightness, Full Power, and Strobe
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The light has a 71-hour battery life when utilizing the Full Power setting. Pretty impressive! You can also extend the battery life by using the Low Power setting (73 hours) or the Eco setting (a whopping 177 hours).
Of course, the more budget-conscious can get the Classic model. At 19.5 inches long, it boasts a 178-lumen incandescent bulb with a 338-meter range and a single light setting that delivers an 11-hour battery life.
Both Premium and Classic models are water-resistant and weigh 50 ounces (a little over 3 pounds).
Fun fact, you can adjust the beam from a spotlight to a floodlight by turning the head of the flashlight.
Now, if you just need a normal flashlight because you’re not Conan on a mission, you should check out our review on Best Everyday Carry Flashlights. Or, if you’re in the market for options with a bit of gravity to them, try our post on Best Tactical Flashlights!
9. Streetwise Barbarian
The Streetwise Barbarian is an all-in-one baton, stun gun and flashlight.
Because this model isn’t collapsible, it’s best to keep this 19-inch bad boy at home or in the car.
The company also manufactures a 14-inch long mini version, but it’s probably still too big for daily carry unless you’re lugging around a bag or have exceptionally large pockets (we don’t judge).
Both products have three electrical arc contact points for greater contact area, which is more than most stun guns have. Those contact points produce loud, visible sparks to aid with deterrence.
If the stun gun doesn’t do the trick, you can always rely on the spiked top to add some extra oomph to your hits or the rough tip to make your jabs just a little bit more painful.
Need a flashlight? Both Streetwise Barbarian models include 180-lumen LED light with three settings: full strength, half strength, and a blinding strobe…you can never be too safe at night!
The case is made from shockproof military-grade aluminum alloy. It has a wrist strap to aid retention and a metal belt clip.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Want to learn more about stun guns? Check out the 5 Best Stun Guns.
Final Thoughts
Batons are handy self-defense tools, and any of these products would serve you well.
However, like any weapon, you need to train with a baton to make sure you can use it effectively. This doesn’t mean swinging it around a few times; you need to make a habit of practicing with your baton to improve your technique and muscle memory.
Still have questions about batons? Have a favorite baton or a tip for buying or using batons? Let us know in the comments. If batons aren’t your thing, but you still want a less-lethal option, check out our guides to the best pepper spray and non-lethal weapons and ammo.
11 Leave a Reply
Unfortunately, buying a baton and possessing it doesn't mean the owner is competent with it at all. Just like firearms, it takes training, training costs money, and doing it wrong can involve serious legal penalty.
Take a moment to consider when and where a baton might be needed, and that means a few special circumstances you wouldn't prefer to be armed? Then DON'T BE THERE, which is the #1 self defense rule in America. All too many think they can go walkabout where they aren't wanted.
As for batons, exclusively, there are other impact weapons which predate them - saps, blackjacks, canes, and cudgels, which were all carried for self defense when there were no cops and you got yourself home. It is also the same genre of arms which include knives, daggers, short swords, hangers, cutlasses, and other edged weapons, all of which are part of the definition of "arms" under the 2A. It's inclusive, not limited in the definition of rights.
For anyone approaching weapons for self defense, it still requires the discipline of bare hand combatives - which is where a lot of altercations start. A study of that BEFORE spending money on a limiting and potentially lethal weapon is highly advised.
You forgot Bonowi. German made. Thick steel walls. Very high quality construction. Dang, they've gone up a lot in price since I bought mine. But, you get what you pay for.
"can’t suffer from mechanical failure"... I'd have to argue with this one. I've had telescoping batons before and the parts that provide the friction can get scratched as its deployed and collapsed, leading to rust. The alternative is lubricating them, but this can results in issues keeping them collapsed in some cases. I'll concede that mechanical issues are rare, but I'd argue they *can* suffer from mechanical failure if collapsible.
"Batons are legal in many places where other weapons aren’t and generally don’t require a permit or registration"... generally being the keyword here. I (unfortunately) started life in CA (you noted the issues with batons in CA... according to Rodney King... only cops in CA can have batons). Even back in the 90's you were required to have a concealed weapon permit to carry a baton (unless you were a cop) and basically no one in CA can get a concealed permit. Fast forward and I'm in NC now. Batons are legal... but with a caveat that is the same for knives here (other than pocket knives). In NC we don't have concealed weapon permits, we have concealed "handgun" or "pistol" CHP or CCP permits. They don't cover concealed batons, blades or any other weapon (not to be confused with the ATFs definition of an AOW). I truly miss being in FL where a concealed permit meant I could conceal anything I could legally own as a weapon.
As far as bats go... there's been more than one case where a bat is considered a weapon even if you play baseball or softball. Usually it comes down to laws around intent, brandishing, etc. Pulling a bat out of a trunk has led to more than one arrest. Tire irons have been viewed the same. So it comes down to the situation. Err on the side of caution.
Given the choice, I prefer the two is one; one is none rule which means a Sig P365XL with an RMR and backup suppressor height, co-witness'ing iron sights and a spare mag (2 sets of sights and 2 mags). If I need to get up close and personal, a knife carried horizontally (I recommend the Spartan CQB tool) in the small of the back works wonder (my two is one if my Sig fails). But all of these including batons can be significantly enhanced with some Krav Maga courses. In fact, should your adversary obtain your weapon, Krav Maga is indespensible for knowing how to counter their plans to use it against you.
"and any of these products would serve you well."
This is the most cowardly, shit review I've ever seen. Total waste of time.
One thing not discussed much for batons is this: Batons are fine if employed properly and they work out for you. The baton although defensive in a way is defensive in more of a repelling/deter aspect if the bad guy can be repelled/deterred and not in a stopping aspect if the bad guy can get closer or continue to be an aggressor. If that bad guy wants to take some blows to get closer or charge you the baton is most likely not going to stop them.
Just thought I'd bring that up.
John - key phrase "if employed properly" - that will 'probably' keep one from (most) legal problems and certainly should be stressed in training courses.
I make no claims to being a baton expert but I do have extensive training (from 36" 'riot' batons to MP clubs - that was what they were called back in the day - to ASPs and side handle versions) with them but have only had to employ them on a limited number of occasions. I still have a 'few' around ;-)
I'll give one warning: Do NOT strike an aggressor in the head (training should emphasize this) - it 'might' affect the bad guy, but it may not. What it WILL almost assuredly do is split the scalp and cause bleeding = bad optics. I'll qualify that with - if it is a life or death situation, do whatever is needed to make sure you are the 'life' part - but be able to demonstrate there was no other alternative.
Thank you, very informative.
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You are awful Megan! Now I want to buy a baton! Kidding aside good writing.
Hello, Megan,
A question. I have large hands and need long-enough handle Which baton would you advise?
Just an average Joe here but in that case I would try to find a place where you can physically hold them to test what fits you. I was given a 26 in/66 cm but found it to long, even compacted down it is 8 in/20 cm.
I found a shop that was selling them and tried out the sizes, the one that fit me was a 16 in/41 cm that compacts down to 7 in/17 cm.
The other idea would be to experiment with some other object like a pipe and measure what fits your hand. Most sellers list off the dimensions of the baton in detail, and if possible get one that will accept returns.