Self-defense starts with mental and physical preparation, and more importantly for some of us , choosing the right less-lethal weapon for your abilities. With so many options out there, it’s important to do your research and know the best weapon to have at the ready.

Pepper ball guns and pepper spray are two commonly-used self-defense weapons, but like everything, each has pros and cons to be considered. Below we’ve done some research and provided what we believe is the most important information to help you decide what is the best choice for you.