Statistics show that almost 20 people are physically attacked every minute in the U.S. If you're a woman between the ages of 18 and 24, you're especially vulnerable to domestic violence.
Do you feel safe walking alone at night?
What's the best way to protect yourself from a potential attacker?
If you're looking for a personal alarm to help keep you safe, a personal keychain alarm is a perfect way to keep yourself safe in any situation.
This powerful little device can emit a loud, obnoxious sound that will deter any would-be attacker, giving you the time you need to escape safely.
It's also great for simply calling attention to yourself if you find yourself in a dark or dangerous place and need help. In addition, the personal keychain alarm is small and lightweight, so you can easily carry it wherever you go. And because it attaches to your keychain, you'll never have to worry about losing it.
This blog post will compare two keychain alarms that are popular on the market: Birdie and Hootie. We will examine the features of each alarm and evaluate how they compare to one another.
Birdie vs Hootie Comparison Table
Hootie Editors Choice | Birdie | |
 |  | |
Website Link | ||
Customers Rating | ||
Type | Personal Safety Alarm | Personal Safety Alarm |
Activated by | Pulling the cap ring | Pulling the cap ring |
Include Keychain, Keyring or Carabiner | Yes | Yes |
Siren | 130 decibels | 130 decibels |
LED Light | Yes | Yes |
LED Light Modes | Strobe | Strobe |
Siren and Stroge Duration | 40 minutes | 40 minutes |
Water Resistant | Yes | n/a |
TSA Compliant | Yes | n/a |
Powered by | 2x CR2 batteries | 2x CR2032 batteries |
Batteries are replaceable | Yes | Yes |
Battery standby | Up to 1 year | n/a |
Available colors | 5 Colors | 4 Colors |
Hootie
What we like
- Small and lightweight
- Fast and easy activation
- Siren and strobe light can last for 40 minutes
- It easily attaches to your bag and can be worn around your neck for easy access.
- Available in 5 different colors
What we don't like
- It’s a little bulky to use on a keychain
- It doesn't have a low battery indicator
The Hootie personal safety alarm for women is a great way to keep yourself safe and secure no matter where you are. This little alarm is small enough to fit in your pocket or attach to your belongings yet still powerful to deliver a powerful punch of a loud siren that can be heard from 1,000 feet away and disorient the attacker with the help of a strobe light.
With its loud alarm and bright LED strobe light, the Hootie will quickly alert people around you to your situation and help create a diversion. In addition, with its built-in carabiner, you can easily attach it to your keys, bag, or even by belt loop, so you always have it with you. Even if you travel a lot, you can bring Hootie with you because it has a TSA-approved design.
This handy little alarm comes in five trendy colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your style. And because the finish is matte, you don't have to worry about it getting dirty.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 3.94" x 1.18" x 0.59"
- Weight: 0.93 onces
- Batteries: 2x CR2
- Siren: 130dB (It can be heard 1,000 feet away)
- Colors: Black, White, Mint, Red, Navy
How to Use the Hootie Personal Keychain Alarm?
The Hootie alarm is simple and fast to use. To activate a personal safety alarm, simply pull the pin. It will immediately emit a 130db loud siren and bright strobe light that will surely scare off any would-be attacker.
Many people wonder if Hootie will activate accidentally, but with two pounds of force required to pull the pin, you can rest assured that Hootie won't activate itself in your bag or pocket.
Besides that, with its long-lasting batteries, you can also be sure that this alarm will be ready when you need it.
The loud, piercing 130db siren will disorient and startle your attacker, while the bright strobing light will further blind and disorient the attacker. Powered by two replaceable CR2 batteries (included), the Hootie alarm will provide power for 40 minutes of continuous use when activated. And, when batteries go weak, replace them as Hootie recommends doing so at least once a year to ensure optimal performance.
Birdie
What we like
- It comes with a brass keychain
- It can easily be attached to your keys or purse.
- Siren and strobe light can last for 40 minutes
What we don't like
- No data about its water resistance
- It’s a little bulky to use on a keychain
- It has no battery indicator
The Birdie personal safety alarm is perfect for anyone who wants an extra level of security. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry, and the bright colors make it easy to spot in your bag.
The LOUD 130db siren and flashing strobe light are sure to deter any attacker, and the solid brass keychain is perfect for transitioning from day to night.
Whether you're around town, on the trails, or across campus, the Birdie personal safety alarm is a must-have for anyone who wants to feel safe and secure.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 3.5" x 1.125" x 0.625"
- Batteries: 2x CR2032
- Siren: 130dB
- Colors: Aqua, Coral, Charcoal, Lemon
How to Use the Birdie Personal Safety Alarm?
Just pull the top to activate the loud siren and flashing strobe light, then re-insert it when you feel safe again. So whether you're out for a run or walking home at night, Birdie is the simple way to deter predators and attract attention to yourself and get help when you need it most.
Differences Between Hootie and Birdie
Both Hootie and Birdie are small and easily portable, so you won't have trouble attaching them to your stuff or even to yourself, for example, by the belt loop and carrying them wherever you go.
They also both feature a super-loud siren and a bright strobe light to attract attention in case of an emergency.
So, which one should you choose? First, let's compare the two side-by-side.
Design
Both Hootie and Birdie are designed to be attached to your keychain, purse, etc. However, Hootie has a more compact design that some users may prefer. Also, it has a carabiner which is convenient for fast attaching and detaching; for example, the keys, where Birdie has nice looking attachments but much slower for hooking up to the stuff. In addition, the Hootie comes in five colors, while the Birdie gives you even more color choices.
In case you often change purses or keys, Hootie is a better choice for you, offering more simple attachment choices.
In terms of color choices, the Hootie offers 5 colors, whereas Birdie has 4 color options.
Sound and Strobe Light
When activated, these powerful little devices emit a loud 130 dB noise, sure to startle any would-be attacker or intruder.
Both personal safety alarms have a bright LED light with a strobe feature and cant be used as a conventional flashlight. The Hootie is lightweight and easy to carry, with a carabiner clip that can attach to just about anything. The Birdie is a little larger but has a stylish brass keyring.
Material
Manufacturers of Hootie say on their website that the alarm is made of ABS plastic and is water resistant, so you can keep it handy at the beach, by the pool, or in the wild. It's also impact-resistant, durable enough to withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures, and soft to the touch, making it easy to grip.
On the other hand, the Birdie website also claims their alarm is made of durable plastic, but there's nothing about it being water-resistant and able to withstand extreme conditions.
Activation
Both personal safety alarms are activated by pulling the pin at the top, which starts a loud siren and flashing strobe light. When the danger passes, you deactivate them by re-inserting the pin into the unit, which immediately shuts off the alarm.
Size
Standing 3.94 inches tall, Hootie is the perfect size to carry everywhere without being too bulky. Plus, the keychain design means you can easily attach it to your purse or backpack. And at 1.18 inches wide and 0.59 inches thick, it's small enough to tuck away in a pocket or bag.
Birdie, on the other hand, is a bit larger, measuring 3.5 inches high by 1.125 inches wide by 0.5 inches thick.
Battery
In terms of power sources, both Hootie and Birdie are battery-powered. However, Birdie uses two CR2032 batteries, whereas Hootie uses two CR2 batteries.
Although both alarms claim that they can run for 40 minutes with both siren and strobe light, it's much more likely to accomplish that with Hootie because CR2 per single cell holds almost double capacity compared to the CR2032 battery.
In standby mode, both personal safety alarms will hold the battery for up to one year and be ready when needed.
Why Would Someone Need a Personal Keychain Alarm?
This easy-to-use, concealed alarm is ideal for a surprise move that your attacker will not expect. The Personal Keychain Alarm is versatile and can be used by the elderly, schoolkids, runners, travelers, disabled, college students, hunters, adventurers/explorers, and anyone who wants to feel safe and secure.
With this alarm, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are prepared for an attack.
Personal alarms are great because:
- The alarm will scare off an attacker
- It's non-violent
- Keychain is lightweight and easy to carry
- You'll feel confident and safe while walking alone at night
Final Words
Both of these personal safety alarms are perfect for women who want to stay safe while alone and on the go. The Birdie is larger and has a stylish keyring, while the Hootie is smaller, has a slightly better battery, and is more compact and perfect for attaching to your purse or bag.
Both come with a loud alarm that will help deter attackers and attract attention in an emergency. The best part? They're small enough to fit in your purse or pocket, so you can take them wherever you go.
The carabiner clip on the Birdie also makes it easy to attach to your belt loop or purse strap for extra security.
Abdo is a Zoopy writer who loves spending his free time outdoors, camping, and enjoying the peace that nature brings. He also enjoys fixing things - he's particularly good with electronics. His favorite movie is I Am Legend, and he's fascinated by survival gear and safety.
Hi Abdo,
Thank you for your review.
I read several reviews that the hootie alarm may randomly go off without removal of the pin. This apparently happened to several people after 5 or 6 months.
I am wondering if you experienced this as well?
Honestly, NO. I have tested the Hootie function a few times, and it worked perfectly every time. I haven't experienced a malfunction, except for a dead battery. One possible explanation for the Hootie going off randomly could be improper reassembly after battery replacement, resulting in the pin not being securely held. Another thought is that if the Hootie is attached to a keychain that is dragged and dropped frequently, the pin mechanism might get damaged, which is normal to expect after such use. In my experience with my Hootie, the pin was held very firmly. I really had to apply force to pull it out and also to reinsert the pin. Thanks for addressing this concern.