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There are a lot of different types of mace sprays.

…and I know it can be confusing; are pepper and mace spray the same?

But don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Mace Spray right here, right now.

After reading LOTS of buyers’ comments, some research and a fair amount of testing, I ended up with this super review.

Enjoy!

Before we go into details, let’s take a quick look at what I recommend.

Do you want to learn more about Mace Spray? Here you can learn:

• Choosing The Best Non Lethal Self Defense Product
• What to Look for in a Mace Spray
• Refills

Or you can just go straight to the reviews…

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Best Mace Sprays Review

Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Pepper Gun 2.0

Using a stream configuration, this product can shoot up to twenty feet, an impressive distance. A great addition is the LED strobe light. Not only will this disorientate an attacker, but it provides the added bonus of helping you accurately aim at the target. An integrated rail is included which allows you to add accessories as you see necessary, a nice feature which is an upgrade on the original mace pepper spray gun. Finally, a water cartridge is included so you can get some practice with the gun before equipping it with the OC spray.

Specifications

• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Domestic Shipping: Item can be shipped within U.S.
• ASIN: B01N5TIY3J
• Item model number: 80406
• Batteries 3 LR44 batteries required.
• Configuration – Stream

In the mace vs pepper spray debate we can now examine the pros and cons of this particular item and see how it lines up.

Pros

• LED strobe light is a great addition, for accuracy purposes and disorientating attackers.
• Stream setup allows for high accuracy
• Great range
• Good pricing
• Refillable.

Cons

• Trigger pull is quite heavy
• Accessory rail can snag and get caught on things

Listed on amazon, it has a very high score with most reviews incredibly positive.

To translate this then it has to be surmised that this product is of extremely good quality, delivering a compact mace pepper spray gun that can satisfy all needs. The pricing is fair as well and the model is definitely an upgrade on the previous design. Overall, Mike’s was impressed with this model, the pros far outweigh the cons and this is certainly something to recommend, if you are experienced or not.

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Mace Brand Self Defense Pepper Spray Magnum Pepper Gel

Next on our list is the mace magnum pepper Gel. A unique mace spray, its non-liquid formula makes it resistant to weather conditions that would otherwise cause spray to blow off course and miss the target. Coupled with this, is an invisible UV marker that would help authorities track down the assailant. A safety lid is also present, meaning you won’t accidentaly discharge the spray on yourself or somewhere that shouldn’t be on the receiving end of the gel.

Specifications

• 10% OC Pepper Formula – Oleoresin Capsicum is a naturally occurring substance, derived from hot peppers
• UV Dye – leaves an invisible marker on a target, which may help law-enforcement identify an attacker
• Non-Liquid Pepper Gel has a thick formulation and limits the chance of it blowing back, or away from the assailant in windy conditions.
• Pistol-grip handle with safety pin
• Empties in 6 seconds, up to 25-ft range

With that in place, here are some good points and bad points for the product;

Pros

• Non liquid pepper gel – weather can’t blow spray off course.
• Good range (25 feet).
• Safety pin present, preventing accidental firing.
• Gel formula sticks to assailant, preventing cross contamination of an area

Cons

• No tester or training spray present, not ideal for new users.
• Short expiry date (less than one year).
• Built on clip can be loose.

Another high scoring product on amazon; there are plenty of good reviews for this product, with many commenting about its effectiveness for use outdoors. However one review noted that the product had low pressure and that it would only spray 5 feet. This does appear to be an outlying anomaly, however something to think about when making the purchase.

We can deduce then that this is certainly a worthy product with a lot of field testing by plenty of customers to give a good analysis of its ability to work. The main points are to note that being gel based, it is resistant to adverse weather conditions and will stick to an attacker, providing authorities with visibility of the criminal and also ensuring the surrounding area is not contaminated. The one issue we found, that was echoed by other users, is the clip was slightly too loose and not that ideal for carrying. We would however recommend this product for use outdoors, in particular if you are going for runs in the park and other such activities.

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Mace® Pepper Spray Gun 10% OC UV Dye 2 Million SHU with Targeting LED

Moving on to the next item in our list, we have the mace pepper spray gun with targeting LED (silver color). A very similar product to the first item we came across, the original variant has much of the same features,however it’s the design which really helps it stand out. This particular silver variant looks like a short pistol, which has its drawbacks as well as advantages. Authorities could mistake this for a firearm which, depending on where you live, could land you in hot water. There again, a potential attacker would baulk at seeing this being drawn and think twice about continuing the attack, so that is definitely a positive. Coming in with a very good range of 20 feet and still being quite compact (although perhaps not sleek enough to conceal in a pocket) this spray gun is certainly a strong contender to look at.

Specifications

• Lasts for 4 years, expiration date printed on label
• Power Supply: Batteries for LED light (included)
• Weighs: 0.9 lbs.
• Includes one (1) 28 gram disposable pepper spray cartridge
• Includes one (1) H20 water cartridge for practice
• Spray configuration
• Safety mechanism

This mace pepper spray gun has lots of good qualities about it, but it’s time to examine the pluses and minuses that can be attributed to the product. Will this be the best pepper spray on the market? Let’s find out

Pros

• Long range (20 feet)
• Targeting LED
• Water cartridge included for practice.
• 10 shot capacity

Cons

• Design looks too similar to real firearm
• Slightly expensive
• Design a bit too bulky for carrying around in your pocket

Reviews from around the web are positive. One such website, peppersprayreviews.com, noted that the pepper spray gun “can be fired at any angle including when held upside down.” Тhis is certainly a nice feature as it will give a new user confidence that they can fire in any manner, it doesn’t have to be picture perfect.

To conclude, the original mace spray gun is certainly a worthy product, offering great spray distance and ease of use. Its design will divide opinion, some users appreciating the aesthetic of looking like a firearm, while it is also noted that this same feature could get you into trouble with the authorities. The price is also something that can be denoted as a negative, coming in quite expensive against it’s competitors. Therefore, Mike’s recommendation would be to go for the updated version, first reviewed on this list, if you are looking for a spray gun.

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Mace Brand Self Defense Triple Action Self Defense Pepper Spray

Moving on, this offering from mace is unlike anything we have seen thus far on this list. As opposed to the previous items, which were pepper spray guns, this is stream patterned, compact sized self defense mace spray that can fit on a keychain. The pocket size makes it easy to conceal and carry around discretely, but also has a robust belt clip that is oftentimes employed by law enforcement agencies, so you know it is very much the real deal. For such a small spray, the range is still very good, coming in at 10-12 feet. Currently retailing on amazon, this shapes up to be a fine piece of equipment for relatively no capital outlay. Read on to discover more about this product.

Specifications

• Triple Action Formula of OC Pepper, Tear Gas, and UV Dye
• Net weight: 18 grams
• Stream pattern sprays up to 12-feet
• Upto 20 2-3 second bursts
• Flip-top safety cap, finger grip, key chain, & heavy duty full-body housing with belt clip commonly to Law Enforcement
• Net Weight: 18g
• Formula: OC Pepper / Tear Gas / UV Dye
• Spray Pattern: Stream
• Number of Sprays: Up to 20
• Range: Up to 12 ft

Looking like a strong contender, let’s see how this mace spray performs with our pros and cons.

Pros

• Provides peace of mind for many (multiple reviews across amazon, thehomesecuritysuperstore.com and more support this).
• Lightweight and compact.
• Low cost
• Aesthetically pleasing
• UV dye so police can identify attacker, should they escape.

Cons

• Stream instead of spray – accuracy needed
• Distance up to 12 feet may not be enough.

This product has garnered fantastic customer feedback from various sellers, chief among those being amazon.com. Most reviews are extremely positive and heap praise on the product. One such comment indicated that it had a substantial spaying time and a great longevity, or shelf life. 

It can be said then that this item ticks all of the boxes required for a compact, easy to use and price friendly mace spray. One that provides security for your person that can be deployed at a moment’s notice thanks to handy extras such as a robust belt clip, we have to say this product is simply fantastic and well worth considering. This could be the best pepper spray so far on the list!

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Mace Brand Pepper Spray Key Guard Key Chain

The next offering from mace comes in the form of this very compact design. Coming in at 3 inches long, this deftly sized product is equipped with the cone pattern of spray, the first of its kind on our list. With a capacity of up to 6 burst sprays, this gives the user some leeway when operating. The convenience of having mace spray available at a moments notice is this product’s real selling point, so let’s dive in and see what the specifications are.

Specifications

• 10% OC Pepper Formula
• Cone Spray Pattern
• Upto 5-ft range
• Capacity: upto 6 burst sprays
• Compact, 3″ length for easy in-hand carry

The first of it’s kind on our list, let’s examine how this cone configured mace pepper spray does with our rundown of good and bad points.

Pros

• Cone configuration allows room for error whilst aiming
• Small, light and compact – easily fits on a keyring and is the size of a generic car key
• Simple to use (flip open top, then point and shoot)
• Provides peace of mind

Cons

• Cap can become loose
• Susceptible to leaking
• Spray can be dispersed rather easily by weather conditions

Reviews on amazon are generally positive. The general consensus is that the product is good for peace of mind and at the price available, certainly has its benefits. However there are a less than positive summaries present, with comments  highlighting the flaws of the product. The cap is not holding very tight and it may expose the trigger, which is very undesirable. This was an issue raised above in the cons section and could put many customers off buying this product.

We find this item to be good for giving you a sense of control and safety whilst alone at night; however there are other varieties of mace pepper spray out there which could perform better. The price and ease of use are definite plus points, however the loose cap does give cause for concern.

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Mace Brand Rhinestone Purse Model Pepper Spray

A product that is aimed squarely at the female demographic, this fashionable looking article is a mace spray that comes with a 10 foot range, stream configuration. The identifiable dye will allow authorities to recognize the assailant should they escape. Designed to fit conveniently in a purse, the end goal is to provide security at a moment’s notice. Let’s check out the specs;

Specifications

• 10% OC Pepper Formula
• Fashionable design
• Discreet container
• Stream configuration
• Just spray and get away
• 10 foot range
• Weight – 0.25lbs

In order to differentiate from it’s competitors, the mace vs pepper spray battle takes a turn for the fashionable with this offering. But how does it fare? Let’s see below with the quick check of pros and cons.

Pros

• Aesthetically pleasing design
• 10 foot range
• Lightweight

Cons

• Item is quite large, goes against expectation of fitting a purse easily
• Stream shot requires accuracy, not ideal in a frightening situation
• Price is too expensive
• Unstable nozzle

This product has not been very well received over on amazon. The nozzle stability seems to be a real point of contention.

It’s clear then that this is not a very suitable mace pepper spray. While looking aesthetically pleasing and possibly providing a sense of security, in practice the item is too large to fit well into a purse and too expensive to justify the cost. Better options exist; the two previous sprays would certainly do a finer job of providing peace of mind, functionality and at reasonable costs. Not a product we would recommend.

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Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Purse Defense Spray

Back on track with this offering from mace, the exquisite line of mace pepper spray aims to blend the worlds of fashion and security. Again, the goal is to be discreet and offer you that comforting feeling that should the worse case scenario happen; you have this available to use. Stylized with a striking hot pink color, again the appeal for the female demographic has great potential. With the lid on, this could easily pass as a lipstick or other accessory in your purse, which gives a sense of tranquility knowing that you can unleash this on an attacker at a moment’s notice. Moving on, let’s view the specifications;

Specifications

• 10% OC Pepper Formula –
• UV Dye – leaves an invisible marker on a target, which may help law-enforcement identify an attacker
• Stream spray pattern
• Upto 5 bursts of 2-3 seconds
• Sprays up to 10-feet
• 1.8 x 4.5 x 9 inches ; 4.8 ounces

Looking like a stronger contender than the previous article reviewed, this mace spray seems to offer the discreteness, functionality and effectiveness that we come to expect from mace vs pepper sprays from a different manufacturer. Let’s dive in and take a look at the good and the bad for this product;

Pros

• Price is very reasonable
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Compact design good for fitting in purse/bag
• Lightweight

Cons

• Lid found to be quite loose.
• Nozzle can be prone to coming off
• 5 bursts quite low
• Stream configuration requires accuracy, sometimes difficult to obtain in a stressful situation

This is a good product, ticking many boxes but also falling short of a few. Customers in general seem pleased with it upon purchase, however there are nagging issues such as the lid being loose.

Overall, it can be said that while this offering from mace does provide the user with many benefits, chief among them that sense of calmness knowing that should the worst happen, a device is at hand to ward any attackers off. The real selling point of this product is it’s ability to blend in with the surroundings of a purse, becoming a chameleon that will always be there to use should the situation arise. But it’s important to note the downfalls of this model, the loose cap, the short amount of bursts and the stream configuration. This all plays a part in reducing the overall score of this product and one that we would recommend, but not wildly sing praises about.

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Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Clutch Silver

Another mace spray that falls in line with the ones reviewed above, this offering is again designed to be concealed easily within a purse or clutch and can be affixed to a keyring as well. The keyguard product range from mace comes in silver and pink, appealing for different aesthetic needs on a case by case basis. The idea is once again to have defense whilst on the move and ensure that you have protection available at all times. Complete with an orientation tab, this allows you to be sure that you know the mace pepper spray is properly aligned and ready to fire. As before, it’s time now to get a closer look at this item and view its specifications;

Specifications

• 4 grams OC pepper
• Flip top safety cap, keyring, orientation tab
• Upto 6 bursts, up to 5 feet
• Cone spray pattern
• Dimensions – Approx. 3.625″ h x 1″ w x 1.375″ d
• Weight – 4 grams

With the above details in place it is now time to get down to the nitty gritty and discover what works for this product and what isn’t as good.

Pros

• Sleek and discreet
• Safety cap
• Cone spray pattern, accuracy not of vital importance.
• Attractive design
• Orientation tab, helps you know exactly where to aim

Cons

• Short distance – 5 feet.
• Spray configuration susceptible to wind conditions throwing it off course

Another solid entry from mace, this variation of product offers the end user extremely good protection whilst not compromising on style or weight. Around various aggregation websites, reviews have been very positive. This is reflected keenly in a review found on thehomesecuritysuperstore.com, which detailed, “This is perfect because it’s small but strong. It fits on my keychain (most people have to ask me what it is because they don’t even know)”. A strong endorsement then for the product, which was further heightened by another comment which focused on the good feature of the orientation tab. The user explained, “having that little metal piece sticking out to remind you exactly where your finger needs to go, if God forbid you have to press the trigger, is very helpful and reassures me personally, because sometimes, esp. in an unexpected and/or emergency, we often freeze in fear or out of panic.”

It can be said that this could be the best pepper spray to purchase if you are looking for something that is discreet, easy to carry and no hassle to use. Complete with appealing aesthetics, this has to be something to consider. Yes, the price is above a few others that have been reviewed before it, however it does not seem to suffer from the same drawbacks such as a loose cap and weakly attached nozzle that is sometimes found with the other mace spray variants. With that said, we have one more product to look at so before making any judgement, let’s firstly examine what we have in store.

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Mace Brand Pepper Spray Pocket Defense Spray

You will often see this, where the best product is saved for last, but ladies and gentlemen this is certainly lining up to be the case here. Devilishly attractive with a scorching pink finish, this offering is the quintessential personal defense item for keeping yourself safe and secure whilst roaming about. Complete with an easy aim finger grip that not only provides comfort, but complete ease of use in an emergency situation. A stream spray configuration, this mace pepper spray outshines other models with similar calibration due to its longer range (up to 12 feet) and holding an impressive 20 burst capacity. With all that said, let’s take a closer look at the exact details of this item;

• 10% OC Pepper Formula
• UV Dye – leaves an invisible marker on a target, which may help law-enforcement identify an attacker
• Stream spray pattern, with up to 12-foot range
• Upto 20 2-3 second bursts
• Flip-top safety cap to prevent accidental spraying, finger grip, key chain
• Approx. 4.25″ h x 1″ w x 1.25″ d
• Weight 18 grams

With these facts in place it is now time to delve into what is good and bad about this item.

Pros

• Simple and intuitive operation
• Long range
• Safety tab covering trigger, preventing accidental discharge
• Extremely cost effective
• Attaches to keys

Cons

• Stream configuration requires higher level of accuracy than a cone variant.
• Keychain can break easily

With a very good amazon rating, this mace spray is well loved by much of the community. Overwhelmingly positive reviews indicate mainly that peace of mind is achieved; ease of use and pleasing design is all present here.

To conclude then it seems clear that out of the mace pepper spray variations that have been looked at, this is the best pepper spray. Not only does it come in at a very reasonable price, it offers a level of comfort, durability and control that was not as high as the other products. As the reviews indicated, this really does give everything you need to feel safe and secure whilst out and about. Before we deliver Mike’s Top Choice, there are two accessories to identify which are listed below.

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Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Dual Pack 1 OC/H20 Refill Cartridge

For use with a mace pepper spray gun these refills are designed to replace an expired cartridge. Sold in packs of 2, they are convenient and safe to reload. The specifications are as follows;

• Net Weight: 28g each
• Formula: OC Pepper / UV Dye
• Spray Pattern: Power Stream
• Number of Sprays: Up to 7
• Range: Up to 20 ft

Reviews on amazon were pleased with the fact this pack came with a water refill cartridge as well, which would be used for practice. It helps gauge the spread and distance of your chosen pepper spray gun without needlessly wasting actual deterrent. Arriving at a low cos, they are a fine addition to your collection.

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Mace Brand Ambidextrous Pepper Gun Holster

Moving swiftly on, the ambidextrous pepper gun holder is ideal for carrying the mace spray guns by affixing this to your hip. Initially intended for the original mace gun rather than the 2.0 variant (both covered in detail above), the 2.0 will still fit although slightly tighter. Here are the specifications;

• Fits Original and Version 2.0 Mace Pepper Spray Guns.
• Nylon material to prevent noise in the field.
• Can be used left, or right handed
• Holster features snap closures and belt loops.
• Holster allows for easy access and convenient storage of your Mace Pepper Gun.

Once again, reviews on amazon are very positive, with feedback such as that the slides is very easily to use, and the holster is snug enough to hold it tight even when you are in stressful situation. The consensus is clear that this is certainly a worthy item to consider if you have the pepper spray gun. We would recommend adding this to your disposition if you are looking to purchase one of the guns that we reviewed above, mainly for its ease of use and stylish look.

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Mike’s Top Choice

After a fun packed journey that has seen us looking at many varieties of mace spray we arrive at our destination and have a top product for you to look at. We felt that the Mace Brand Pepper Spray Pocket Defense Spray was able to tick all of the boxes required.

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This mace pepper spray has unbelievable value whilst not compromising on comfort, durability or effectiveness. Beating out other competitors in it’s class with a further spray distance and with a higher capacity than the rest, it really did put itself in pole position. But what about the pepper spray gun? Whilst the guns we looked at were certainly effective and did score highly, we felt that the more discreet and easy to carry pocket defense spray was more appropriate for use across the board, particularly its ability to be affixed neatly in your hand without too much attention being drawn to it. The real key point to note was the ease of use, which in a situation where you have to react quickly is simply second to none in importance. In conclusion, we believe the best pepper spray for use is the Mace Brand Pepper Spray Pocket Defense Spray.

Learning about self defense and survival? Check out our Tactical Pen Reviews and EDC Tactical Flashlights article. Equipment that can save your life!

Choosing the best non lethal self defense product

Mace spray and pepper spray are two of the very best self-defense products you can buy today. If a situation arises where you feel threatened by another member of the public, these handy devices that can be easily stowed away in your personal bag can end up being the difference between walking away unscathed versus becoming a statistic read about in the papers. Although this is unlikely and will hopefully never happen to you, it’s important to recognize the value of this incredible piece of kit. There are a variety of names and products available to you; however you can end up diving into a rabbit hole of information, collating too much data and in the end, not being able to make an informed choice.

Here at Mike’s Gear Reviews, we have gone through numerous products available on the marketplace and selected the best ones to review today. You’ll be able to take into account several factors, including effectiveness of the product, cost, durability and much more. The end goal is to allow you to select what product is right for you and with our guidance, give you the peace of mind you want.

We’re going to be focussing on the brand of self defence sprays known worldwide; Mace. Originally conceived as a defensive spray that was for all intents and purposes tear gas, the Mace of today is much closer to pepper spray.

Mace is now synonymous with pepper spray and is the leading brand across the globe. This brand recognition is what helps it stand out from the competition and provides you the assurance that what you are purchasing is the best product available and there should be no compromise when it comes to protecting yourself.

It’s a sad fact of life that you cannot always guarantee your safety when you are out alone in the streets, especially at night time. Statistically speaking this is particularly true for women, who are more likely to be targeted if they are by themselves. So what can you do? You need something that would be lightweight, easy to use, not too costly and providing maximum effect when applied. (The effect being to temporarily disable an oncoming attacker).

This is where Mace sprays come into play.

Ticking all of the criteria just listed, they are ideal for offering safety and security when you are out and about. Even the mere mention that you are carrying mace spray is enough to ward attackers off, suddenly the prospect of burning eyes and incredible pain makes somebody think twice about following through with their planned attack.

It’s now obvious that holding a mace spray is well worth considering, as it can be so easily used and could make the difference between you going home safely that night or receiving harm. With this decision made it is now time to examine what makes the best mace spray and what you should be looking for when selecting the best pepper spray.

Legaility

At the top of the priority list is making sure that your product falls in line with the parameters of the law. Pepper spray is legal in all fifty states; however some have more stringent rules than others. For example some only allow the product to be purchased from firearms dealers or a licensed pharmaceutical. Another aspect of the varying guidelines is the canister capacity. Some states permit you can only have a spray that contains two ounces or less. Always check the facts before purchase as you do not want to end up on the wrong side of the law through an overlooked technicality.

Size

Your mace pepper spray gun needs to be able to be concealed easily in your bag or pocket, so in this instance size does matter. There are some that can be as small as to fit on a keychain, and others that get a little bit larger in size, fitting snugly in the palm of your hand. It will largely come down to personal preference with this, so take it into account when making your purchase.

The Type of Spray

Before you make your purchase, you should arm yourself with the knowledge that there are varying types of patterns that can be expelled from your pepper spray gun.

Cone

This configuration spreads the spray similar to your household aerosol can. Thusly, it will expand as it moves forward, resulting in a couple of end results. Firstly, this pattern allows the expansion to reach distances of up to eight feet and two feet wide. Therefore the second byproduct is that you don’t have to be pinpoint accurate, meaning you can hit a moving target easier.

Stream

Far more focussed than the cone disposition, this pattern sprays out like a water gun and therefore requires the user to be more accurate, focussing in on the eyes and nose. The range is also slightly increased, reaching up to 10 feet. It may sound daunting having to be so accurate, but due to the nature of the spray, the high visibility of the application allows you to easily control where you are firing, ensuring you hit the attacker and nobody else. Be aware though, that weather can play a factor in its use. Strong wind could throw it off course and even return it back to you.

Capacity

Capacity represents the number of shots that you have in the cartridge. Ideally there should be a minimum of 5, otherwise if there are multiple targets or if you miss, then you could be in trouble.

Foam

Think about shaving cream you use at home and this is a pretty close comparison. Very good at dealing with assaults in a confined space; it was actually used by prison wardens against large group as there is good coverage without causing friendly fire. However, the downside is that if your attacker reacts quickly enough, they can wipe the foam off and continue the assault.

Gel

An enormous distance of fifteen feet, this composition will stick to the assailants face/body (depending on your aim) but it is not recommended to use this unless you have had prior training with a pepper spray gun as your aim will be required to be precise.

Fog

The final variation, this is a great option for home defense. You can deploy the solution and simply leave the room, as expansion rapidly occurs. Think of tear gas and you will have a good idea of its speed of spread. Thereby this will be a good deterrent against multiple attackers. Be warned however, do not paint yourself into a corner and have nowhere to escape, as you too will be engulfed by the spray.

Where is the product manufactured?

Always make sure you are buying the mace product that is made in the USA. You do not want to buy from somewhere unfamiliar that could break down and become ineffective as soon as you need to use it.