Top Body Armor Brands: Elite Protection Picks

In the world of personal protection, selecting reliable body armor is crucial for ensuring safety and peace of mind. With numerous brands available on the market, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. Top manufacturers stand out due to their commitment to quality, innovation, and rigorous testing processes. Discover our list of the best body armor brands and find the right fit for your safety needs below.

Illustration of body armor

Best brands of body armor in 2025

SafeLife Defense

SafeLife Defense, based in Nevada, is a popular body armor manufacturer known for its comfortable and concealable vests, which offer a 15% increase in coverage, using premium materials like Dyneema and Honeywell, and have been tested to meet and often exceed NIJ standards, making them a preferred choice for law enforcement, security, and civilians alike. Their products include the Hyperline Level IIIA vest that comes with a 5-year warranty, and they are rated #1 in comfort by customer review. You can explore their products for more information.

AR500 Armor

AR500 Armor, founded in 2012, is a prominent manufacturer of body armor, offering a range of products including Level III and Level IV plates, with their Level III ASC plate being a flagship model known for its durability and affordability; they utilize in-house manufacturing processes and materials like AR500 steel, ensuring quality control and producing 100% of their products in the USA with a 5-year warranty for some items; their commitment to making body armor accessible is reflected in their NIJ certified and multi-hit rated plates designed for both tactical and civilian use, with many of their Level IV plates made with a ceramic and polyethylene composite. AR500 Armor provides quality, reliable personal security solutions at an affordable price. You can find their products at: AR500 Armor's website.

Spartan Armor Systems

Spartan Armor Systems, established in 2015, has become a leading provider of body armor, offering a wide range of NIJ-certified products. Their innovative designs boast a 100% American-made commitment, utilizing advanced materials like ceramic and polyethylene to provide up to Level IV protection. Consistently achieving high customer satisfaction ratings due to their dedication to quality and performance, they have become a trusted choice for professionals and civilians alike. Visit their site at explore their full catalog.

BulletSafe

Since 2013, BulletSafe has been a leading body armor manufacturer, offering NIJ-certified protection to civilians and law enforcement with their vests stopping 9mm, .45 ACP, and other threats; BulletSafe's Level IIIA vests boast a 99% customer satisfaction rate and are often praised for their comfort and reliability; many customers highlight their affordability as a key factor, while still maintaining high quality; they provide various models from concealable vests to plate carriers, catering to diverse needs and preferences; they have shipped over 100,000 units.

Crye Precision

Crye Precision, established in 2000, is a leading manufacturer of high-performance body armor, renowned for its innovative designs like the JPC 2.0, which weighs just over one pound and prioritizes mobility. Their LVS system utilizes 3D forming technology for a precise fit, and their AVS system allows for modularity and customization based on the operators' needs. With a focus on advanced materials and construction, Crye Precision's products are trusted by military and law enforcement professionals worldwide. You can explore their products on their website.

Point Blank Enterprises

Point Blank Enterprises, founded in 1973, is a leading global manufacturer of body armor, offering a wide range of products including concealable, crossover, and tactical vests, and is known for delivering over 4 million ballistic armor systems without failure. Their Alpha Elite model is the preferred choice for over 750,000 law enforcement officers in the past decade, and they hold an estimated 8.1% of the market share in the US body armor manufacturing industry. Point Blank Enterprises has long-standing relationships with the most demanding law enforcement, federal agencies, and the US Department of Defense. You can explore their products on their official website.

Safariland

Safariland, a leading body armor manufacturer since 1964, provides law enforcement and military personnel with advanced protective solutions, with some products achieving up to 50% lighter weight than comparable models, all while maintaining NIJ standards. They have been recognized for their innovation in ballistic protection, with some models successfully stopping multiple rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. For the highest level of protection, you can visit their site for more information.

ShotStop Ballistics

ShotStop Ballistics, founded in 2015, is a US-based company renowned for developing advanced body armor using their patented Duritium technology, creating some of the lightest and thinnest Level III and Level IV plates on the market, with the Level III+ weighing just 2.7 lbs. They offer a 15-year warranty on their products, making them a leading choice for military, law enforcement, and security personnel seeking maximum protection and mobility. The company also provides solutions for vehicle armor and architectural applications, and their products are tested by independent and federally accredited ballistic labs.

Hesco

Hesco, established in 1989, is a leading global producer of body armor, providing protection to military and law enforcement with their advanced ceramic plates, which boast a 90% success rate in stopping NIJ Level III threats; in 2023, over 1 million Hesco plates were sold, making them a trusted choice, and their innovative designs ensure maximum mobility and comfort for wearers, allowing for a wide range of tactical movements, demonstrating their position as an industry leader. You can explore their product line further at Hesco's official website.

Tactical Scorpion Gear

Tactical Scorpion Gear is a manufacturer of military-grade body armor, offering a range of products including Level III+ and Level IV plates, with some made in the USA, and independently tested. Some plates are rated for multiple hits from 7.62 NATO rounds and tested against various calibers such as 5.56 M855 and XM193 rounds. While some customer reviews highlight good quality for the price, others have expressed concerns about build quality and backface deformation during testing. The company also offers a variety of tactical gear and accessories. For more details, visit their website.