By South Summit Team. Updated November 5, 2026. Every pick was in stock at the listed price when this was published.
How to charge a stun gun: plug its built-in charger, or the cable its maker supplies, into power, leave it for the time its manual gives, then unplug it. First charges run longer. Mace says 4 to 6 hours before first use for its units. Guard Dog Security says 6 to 10 hours, then 2 to 4 for later full charges. Most buyers should get the Night Calm Triple-Defense Stun Gun ($21.99), our best-selling rechargeable model, whose charger plugs straight into a wall outlet. If price comes first, skip it for one of the three $10.99 keychain models with a flip-out wall plug.
Do not go by the charging light alone. On Mace's units it turns from red to green when full, but Guard Dog says some of its indicators stay red even after charging is complete. The manual for your model is the authority on both the time and the light.
The seven rechargeable models at a glance
| # | Pick | Price | Charger, as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Night Calm Triple-Defense Stun Gun - Midnight Black | $21.99 | Built-in, plugs into a wall outlet |
| 2 | Pocket Guardian Micro-Rechargeable Self-Defense Stun Gun - Pink | $17.99 | Built-in, connector not named |
| 3 | Blush Sentinel Quiet-Ready Stun Gun Flashlight - Pink | $10.99 | Flip-out wall plug |
| 4 | Keychain Guardian Rechargeable Stun Gun - Purple | $10.99 | Flip-out wall plug |
| 5 | Aqua Pulse Keychain Stun Gun - Turquoise | $10.99 | Fold-out wall plug |
| 6 | Shadowline Micro Arc Keychain Stun Gun - Midnight Black | $17.99 | Rechargeable, connector not named |
| 7 | Silk Guard Discreet Rechargeable Stun Gun - Pink Rubberized | $16.99 | Rechargeable, connector not named |
How we ranked these
Each product here has a 30-day order score, which is the dollar value of its orders across our store network over the last 30 days. This list includes only the in-stock stun guns whose title says rechargeable or whose listing describes a built-in charger, sorted from the highest score down. These are the models buyers chose with their own money. It is not a hands-on test, and nothing here is sponsored. Prices run from $10.99 to $21.99, and the cheapest models are the three with a flip-out wall plug.
How to charge a stun gun, step by step
- Find the charger. Some units have a plug that folds out of the body and goes into a wall outlet. Others charge by cable. Mace's models 80475 to 80477, for example, take a mini USB cable plugged into a USB wall socket or power cube. Use the charger your unit's maker specifies.
- Give it a long first charge. Mace says 4 to 6 hours before first use for those models. Guard Dog says its first charge averages 6 to 10 hours. Go with your own manual when the figures differ.
- Read the light the way your manual says. On the Mace models a red LED shows while charging and turns green when full. Guard Dog says some of its indicators stay red after the charge is complete, and that behavior varies by model.
- If your unit charges by cable, do not let it hang from the cord. Mace warns this can damage the cord or the unit.
- Unplug it once the manual's charge time is up. Mace says leaving a stun gun charging for an extended period may damage it.
- Recharge after any use and after long periods sitting unused, as Mace recommends.
How long to charge a stun gun after the first time
Guard Dog puts a full charge after the first one at 2 to 4 hours on average, and says it varies by product. None of our listings give a charge time. Follow the figure in the manual that comes in the box.
How often depends on use. Guard Dog recommends recharging 1 to 3 times a month and at least once a month to keep the unit ready. Divas for Defense gives the same monthly rule. A unit sitting in a drawer still needs that monthly charge, and a phone reminder is the easy way to keep to it.
Care and storage between charges
Heat and damp are the two warnings that come up again and again. Mace says not to store its stun guns anywhere the temperature can go above 120°F, or anywhere damp. A car parked in summer sun can pass that, which makes the glovebox a poor long-term home. Divas for Defense adds that water can corrode the battery, and that a stun gun should be stored somewhere secure and out of reach of children.
The manuals also describe a short function check. Follow the one in your own manual and keep it brief. Mace warns that a long test drains the battery and can damage the device.
How to choose a rechargeable stun gun for easy charging
Check the charger type first. A flip-out wall plug, like the one on Blush Sentinel, Keychain Guardian and Aqua Pulse, or the built-in wall charger on Night Calm, means there is no cable to lose. It does need a wall outlet. A cable-charged unit needs the cable and power source its manual names, and you have to keep track of the cord. Three listings in this guide do not name the connector, so read the manual before you count on charging one from a laptop or car port.
Next, look for overcharge protection. Guard Dog says many of its products have a mechanism that prevents damage from charging after the battery is full. None of our listings mention one. Treat every model here as if it has none and unplug it when the charge time is up.
Shape decides where the unit lives, and where it lives decides how often you remember to charge it. The keychain models ride on a keyring. Night Calm and Pocket Guardian go in a bag or pocket. See the full range on our stun guns collection and the ranking of every shape in best stun guns. For what happens inside the unit, read how stun guns work. Keychain carry options sit on the self-defense keychains page.
Stun gun rules vary by state and city, so check yours before ordering.
Rechargeable stun guns in stock, ranked
1. Night Calm Triple-Defense Stun Gun - Midnight Black, $21.99
The listing describes a built-in charger that plugs directly into a wall outlet. It also lists a disable pin tied to the wrist strap and a centered LED flashlight. Its order score is nearly four times that of the next model on this list.
See the Night Calm Triple-Defense Stun Gun
2. Pocket Guardian Micro-Rechargeable Self-Defense Stun Gun - Pink, $17.99
Rechargeable is in the name. The listing says a built-in charger connects when you plug it in, but it does not name the connector. It lists a side safety switch with safe and ready positions and an LED on the front edge.
See the Pocket Guardian stun gun
3. Blush Sentinel Quiet-Ready Stun Gun Flashlight - Pink, $10.99
A charger plug flips out from the bottom and slides into a wall outlet. The listing also shows a red safety switch and the model number ST805PK.
See the Blush Sentinel stun flashlight
4. Keychain Guardian Rechargeable Stun Gun - Purple, $10.99
Listed with a flip-out charger that swings from the base into a standard outlet, a 4-inch purple ABS body and a nylon sheath.
See the Keychain Guardian stun gun
5. Aqua Pulse Keychain Stun Gun - Turquoise, $10.99
The listing describes a built-in charger that folds out for a wall outlet, an ABS body about four inches long and a front LED. Pick it over the two $10.99 models above if you want turquoise.
See the Aqua Pulse keychain stun gun
6. Shadowline Micro Arc Keychain Stun Gun - Midnight Black, $17.99
Listed as rechargeable, with a body barely thicker than a car remote, a red slide safety switch and a small LED. The charging connector is not named on the listing.
7. Silk Guard Discreet Rechargeable Stun Gun - Pink Rubberized, $16.99
Listed as fully rechargeable, with a slim rectangular body and a safety switch. Like the Micro Arc, its listing does not say which connector it uses.
Stun gun charging questions
Do you have to charge a stun gun?
Yes, for every model in this guide. Each one is listed as rechargeable or with a built-in charger. Mace's instructions call for a full charge before first use.
How long does it take to charge a stun gun?
Guard Dog puts the first charge at 6 to 10 hours and later full charges at 2 to 4 hours, though it varies by product. Mace gives 4 to 6 hours before first use for its units. Your manual has the figure for your model.
How do I charge a stun gun for the first time?
Plug it in with the built-in plug or the charger its maker specifies, and leave it for the full first-charge time in your manual before you carry it. Check the manual for what the light means, since some indicators stay red after charging is complete.
Can I leave my stun gun on the charger?
Mace says not to leave a stun gun charging for an extended period, because it may damage the unit. None of our listings mention overcharge protection, so unplug it when the charge time is up.