6 Best Expandable Batons/Collapsible Batons

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Looking for the best Expandable Baton for Self Defense, Car, Civilian, and Police or a  Non-lethal self-defense weapon, which is easy to carry, concealable, and easy to use? Read on.

If you are considering a non-lethal self-defense weapon, an expandable baton is one of the best choices. It is easy to carry, concealable, and easy to use. These batons can be stored in a bag or holster and can be wielded in an instance when needed.

Which Expandable Baton is Best for Me?

With the many different types of expandable batons available the final choice will majorly depend on what works best for you.

Choose

  • A Steel Expandable Baton when you want a swift, no fuss, and easy to use baton
  • An Automatic Baton if you are for a button with Instantaneous/immediate expansion for self-defense against an attacker
  • A Compact Expandable Baton, if you are looking for a small-sized  and light baton to fit your backpack, pocket or purse
  • An Expandable Stun Baton if you want a baton with an added layer of protection, the stun section will stop the aggressor in case of an attack.
  • An Expandable Baton with a flashlight, this one features a flashlight that can be used to stop an attacker and also as a source of light

Here are the best collapsible/Retractable batons on the market

  1. ASP Expandable Batons

ASP Expandable Batons

  • Sizes:12”,16”,20”,21”24”
  • Rapid extension
  • Adjustable clip-on
  • Comfortable grip
  • Friction Loc system
  • Lightweight

 

Best Price
2) Police Force Expandable Batons

Police Force Expandable Batons

  • Sizes:12”,16”,17”,21”26”,31”
  • Solid steel construction
  • Lightweight
  • Locking safety switch

 

Best Price
3) Streetwise Expandable Batons

Streetwise Expandable Batons

  • Sizes: 21”26”
  • Easily extends with a flick of a wrist
  • No-slip grip
  • heavy-duty nylon holster
  • Lightweight

 

 

Best Price
4) Rothco Expandable Batons

Rothco Expandable Batons

  • Sizes: 16”,21”,23”,24”,26”,31”
  • Easily expands with a flick of the wrist
  • Friction lock system
  • Solid steel construction
  • No-slip grip

 

Best Price
 5) ZAP Batons

 ZAP Batons

  • Adjustable length
  • ultra-bright LED flashlight
  • Rehargeable
  • Nylon carrying case
  • Concealed stun gun

 

 

6) Safety Tech Expandable Batons

Safety Tech Expandable Batons

  • Size-21”
  • Steel exterior
  • grooved rubber handle
  • heavy-duty nylon holster

 

Best Price
7) Pepper Spray Batons

Pepper Spray Batons

  • Aerospace aluminum construction
  • O-ring sealed cap
  • Keyring attachment
  • Thumb activated swivel
  • Sprays up to 3 feet

 

Best Price
8) Pink Expandable Batons

Pink Expandable Batons

  • Sizes:16”,21”26”
  • Expands with a flick of the wrist
  • Solid steel construction
  • Pink checker rubberized handle
  • Nylon pink holster with belt loop

 

Best Price
9) EZ Close Expandable Batons

EZ Close Expandable Batons

  • Sizes:16”,20”,21”24”
  • Extends with a flick of the wrist
  • Solid steel construction
  • No-slip grenade-style grip handle
  • Built-in pocket clip for handsfree carrying

 

Best Price

 

Now let’s go through the best Expandable batons comprehensively

Best Expandable Batons/Collapsible Batons

 

ASP Expandable Batons

ASP Expandable Batons

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ASP Expandable batons are very popular in the security industry, especially with the military and law enforcement professionals. They are also available to civilians for self-defense and you can have them at home, in the car, or on the go in your pocket or backpack.

Pros

  • Anti-Slip Grip
  • Quick Deployment ( flip the wrist or press the release button to deploy)
  • Extend from as short as 5 inches to up to 26 inches
  • Intimidating and effective batons
  • Easy Concealment in your bag or back pocket, can also fit in a glove box
  • Used for self-defense against assailants or even emergency window breaking

Cons

  • Flicking straight up or down when needed,may be less effective compared to a push button

 

Police Force Expandable Batons

Police Force Expandable Batons

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The Police Force batons come in different styles, Expandable Key chain batons, Tactical solid steel batons, and tactical stun gun batons among others. They are also made of superior quality materials and used worldwide in the security industry.

Pros

  • Extends from as low as 5 1/2″ to 31″
  • High-quality construction
  • Used by security guards and police officers worldwide
  • Triple Stun Technology (TST) for stun batons
  • Extreme stopping power with the stun batons
  • Long Bulb lifespan for the flashlight batons (up to 100,000 hours)
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Different light modes for the flashlight batons
  • Rubberized armor for a firm grip
  • Military-grade shockproof exterior
  • Built-in pocket clip

Cons

  • Banging the tip onto a hard surface when retracting may damage the surface, especially wood surfaces
  • Banging the baton at an angle instead of vertically may damage the expansion/retraction mechanism

 

Streetwise Expandable Batons

Streetwise Expandable Batons

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These batons are made with the best quality solid steel for maximum durability, they feature a vibrant silver finish and the grip is firm and tight thanks to the diamond-patterned handle. These batons are used worldwide by police, security guards, and safety personnel.

Pros

  • Easy and quick deployment with a flick of a wrist
  • Quality construction for maximum durability
  • Built-in glass breaker for automobile emergencies
  • Come with heavy-duty nylon holsters
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • Nonslip and firm grip
  • Used by police, security guards, and safety personnel worldwide

Cons

  • Banging the baton at an angle instead of vertically may damage it

 

Rothco Expandable Batons

Rothco Expandable Batons

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Rothco is known for making high-quality and long-lasting batons. These batons are designed for heavy use for many years. They also come in a range of sizes, feature additional attachment options, and are easy to use.

Pros

  • Fast deployment with a flick of the wrist
  • Friction lock system
  • Solid steel build
  • Firm and Non-slip grip (foam handle)
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Expands with a flick of the wrist instead of a push button

 

Safety Tech Expandable Black Steel Baton

Safety Tech Expandable Batons

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Pros

  • Expands 8 to 21 inches
  • Steel exterior with a sleek black finish
  • Grooved rubber handle for secure grip
  • Heavy-duty nylon holster for easy carry

Cons

  • Uses a quick flick of the wrist which is harder than pushing a button

 

 

EZ Close Push Button Batons

EZ Close Expandable Batons

 

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Pros

  • Works by simply pushing the handle-mounted button to extend
  • Solid steel construction
  • Superior no-slip grenade-style grip handle
  • Built-in pocket clip

Cons

  • If the button fails during an emergency, it’s of no use

 

Types of Expandable Batons

  1. Expandable steel batons- durable and tough and extends with a flick of a wrist
  2. Automatic expandable baton – expands at the press of a button
  3. Expandable baton flashlight-expandable baton with a flashlight powerful enough to paralyze assailants temporarily
  4. Key chain baton-most compact option that can even be stored in the pocket.

Best Expandable Baton Brands

  1. ASP
  2. Rothco
  3. Smith & Wesson
  4. Monadnock
  5. Police Force Tactical
  6. Streetwise
  7. Fox Tactical
  8. Mtech
  9. Safety Tech
  10. Galls

What are Expandable Batons Used for?

There are different situations where an expandable baton may be used. If you are in a situation where you are being threatened or under attack an expandable baton will come in handy to repulse the attacker

Such situations include:

  • Robbery attempt
  • Aggressive dog attack
  • Home invasion
  • Attack by a drunk or intoxicated individual

Best Expandable Baton Length

The correct baton length is very crucial. If the baton you are using is too short for you, it becomes difficult to handle and it also creates a weird appearance. On the other hand, if the baton is too long, it can end up being heavy and difficult to use. Additionally, it can end up hitting you and that can be painful. The performance of your baton will be made smooth and effortless if you use a length that suits you best.

So which is the best expandable baton length?

Expandable batons tend to be between 12 inches and 32 inches. As the sizes differ, so does the weight. This makes them suitable for use by different users.  Your personal preference will guide your choice as well as the ability to wield the different sizes. Additionally, the taller you are, the longer the rod you’ll need to work effectively.

For those uncertain about the size to get, the twenty-one-inch option is the most common.

Expandable batons will extend to either 12 inches,14 inches, 16 inches, 21 inches, 22 inches,26 inches, or 32 inches with just a flick of the wrist. You get to easily conceal it until you extend or flick it out. The baton fits perfectly on your belt or you can place it next to you in your car.

If you are a law enforcement officer, put into consideration your assigned duty. If your assignment requires you to conceal the baton, go with a shorter length. This might compromise on the weight, but the element of surprise as you dramatically extend the baton can save your life or help save someone else’s life.

On the other hand, uniformed law enforcement officers usually choose a baton in the 21-26” range. The size each officer chooses will depend on their own body size, whether the majority of the time they stand, walk, sit or drive. A longer-sized baton on a short officer will result in the baton poking his ribs. On the other hand, an officer with a foot beat will easily deal with the extra length without compromising comfort.

While many perceive a longer baton’s length as an advantage since it extends your distance from the attacker, a longer baton could prove difficult to handle in a close battle. Carefully access the likelihood of spontaneous attack versus a pre-announced event, then you’ll see that compactness and efficiency are more important than a long baton.

Are Expandable Batons Legal

There is no federal law that bans carrying an expandable baton. Some states have banned or have restrictions on the use of expandable batons. California, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C are the only states that have banned the use of collapsible batons.

Best Expandable Baton FAQs

  • Are expandable batons good for self-defense?

If you live in an area where it is allowed to carry concealable weapons, an expandable baton will be your best option for non-lethal self-defense. It is more efficient compared to pepper spray and whistles.

  • Are expanding batons illegal?

Expandable batons are legal to carry except in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C where the state laws ban the use of expandable batons.

  • Are expandable batons effective?

A baton is the most effective non-lethal weapon you can carry for self-defense. It is easily concealable, easy to carry, and easy to deploy.

  • What length baton is best?

A very long baton can end up causing you harm. The perfect length will make your performance look effortless and smooth. The best expandable batons tend to be between the sizes of 14 and 32 inches.

  • What’s an expandable baton?

A club made of wood, rubber, plastic, or metal that is commonly used by law enforcement officers as a compliance tool. It expands into a longer size to increase the distance between the subject and you and then retracts to a smaller size that’s easy to carry and conceal when not in use.

  • What maintenance is required for most expandable batons?

The good thing about expandable batons is the fact that they require very minimal maintenance. However, frequent lubrication of the shafts at the collapse points is required.

  • What are expandable batons used for?

To intimidate, cause pain through direct strikes, and to immobilize attackers with heavy strikes.

Advantages of Expandable Batons

  1. Compact and easily concealed.
  2. Little to no maintenance is required.
  3. Lightweight and easy to carry around.
  4. Minimal No training is required to use them.
  5. Highly effective when it comes to protecting yourself in a hand to hand combat.
  6. Multi-purpose application. You can use an expandable baton as a self-defense tool as well as an instrument for opening doors during searches or breaking window glasses of cars or houses when the need arises.

Durable– expandable batons are made from aluminum or steel materials that are sturdy, strong, and durable. The handles are made of rubber while some are coated for slip resistance, which in turn allows easy control with a firm grip.

Lightweight– most of these batons are made of steel material which is reasonably lightweight. Some are even made of materials such as aluminum which are lighter making them easy to carry and handle.

Non-lethal- expandable batons are the most non-lethal weapons. This means that they can be wielded without the worry of causing deadly harm to an attacker. They can be used to strike, incapacitate and evade attackers while limiting potential harm to yourself.

Easy to carry– expandable batons use ring-type belt attachments that are stable and easy to carry.

Versatile– batons can be used for many other uses in addition to self-defense. They are suitable for use in a wide range of functions and environments. Some are designed with a flashlight which can be used over a long distance. They are also convenient for use when breaking car or home windows.

Effective– expandable batons provide a very effective and reliable weapon for self-defense.

Concealable– you can carry a baton in your pockets or attached to your belt and not attract anyone’s attention. They are made with a foldable design that gives you the upper hand when attacking an attacker. This also allows you to quickly and easily draw the baton when the need arises, for example when under attack.

Disadvantages of Expandable batons

  • Can result in injuriesAny tool when not used properly may result in serious injuries. In case of self-defense ensure that you hit the right part of the body to reduce any serious injuries.
  • Accidental deployment
  • You need to choose the right size for effectiveness
  • You may need some training for ease of use

Final Thoughts

An expandable baton is only useful if you choose the right one. Make sure that you know how to use a baton for it to serve you effectively. Make it a habit to practice how to use the baton to improve your self-defense techniques.

The above-reviewed batons are not only the best but are reliable and from the top brands. We hope we’ve made it easier for you in matters of Collapsible batons.

See Also: Survival Kit Items and Their Uses