Best Window Breaker for Vehicle Glass and Survival
If you can’t get through a door, there is always a window. Windows aren’t always easy to break, and breaking them bare-handed or without the correct tool can be both dangerous and nearly impossible depending on how they are made. There are many types of window breakers out there, but some models are much more effective than others.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best window breakers, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, an everyday carry option, and an upgrade option. If you need a glass breaker that you can trust, one of our suggestions will break through.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
The Best Window Breaker
Automatic Center Punch
Two-pack, Simple, and Powerful
Break glass, scrape notes, and create detents for project work with one powerful tool that packs a punch.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Often times people say ‘Use the right tool for the job’ and this tool must have been what people have in mind. In a world cluttered with multi-function tools, a simple center punch is the most reliable and strongest glass breaker you can get without swinging a hammer or crowbar.
It has a knurled grip, which is great because you don’t want to slip or drop it around broken glass. Adjustable tension lets you adjust the punch force for other applications, like precisely starting a screw or nail hole.
Here is everything you get with these punches:
- 2-pack
- Dual spring, adjustable tension
- 5″ L x 0.4″ D
- 2.2 ounces (each)
With rugged durability paired with a powerful adjustable punch, it’s easy to see why the Automatic Center Punch tops the rest.
EDC Glass Breaker
GTFO AHK3 Bracelet
Covert, Effective, and Versatile
A discrete glass breaker that goes where you go so you’ll never be without one in an emergency.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
This solution is simple: an elastic bracelet with a tungsten carbide bead laced onto it. It’s also pretty discrete, as far as wearable tool-type jewelry goes. You can have a glass breaker on you at all times, even if your pockets are empty.
You won’t always end up in your own car with an escape tool, so this can extend your preparedness to every day. It also has a handcuff key laced onto it, further improving its versatility, and it shows up in our handcuff key review as well.
Here is how this wearable glass breaker measures up:
- Tungsten striker bead with elastic band for window-breaking
- Universal AHK3 key that works on key-blocking blades and large keyhole pins
- 0.1 ounces
If you are looking for a versatile glass breaker that you can covertly wear, this GTFO Handcuff Key and Glass Breaker Bracelet is the best option.
Upgrade Window Breaker
Resqme Escape Tool
Lightweight, Easy to Use, and Compact
The versatile car escape tool packs enough power to break glass both in and out of vehicles.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The Resqme tool is well-known at this point, being a convenient compact escape tool that everyone should have in their vehicles. Turns out, it also works pretty well outside the car too!
Here are the specs:
- Wide range of colors, including high-vis options
- ABS plastic, stainless steel
- Tempered glass punch
- Seatbelt cutter
- 3″ x 1.25″ x 0.6″
- 0.7 ounces
If you need a glass breaker for vehicle use, the Resqme Escape Tool is a great choice that is convenient and easy to use.
Everything We Recommend
Break glass, scrape notes, and create detents for project work with one powerful tool that packs a punch.
Where to Buy
*at time of reviewing
A discrete glass breaker that goes where you go so you’ll never be without one in an emergency.
Where to Buy
*at time of reviewing
The versatile car escape tool packs enough power to break glass both in and out of vehicles.
Where to Buy
*at time of reviewing
The Window Breakers We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to a few brands and types of glass breakers that we compared: Resqme, Lifehammer, GTFO, Leatherman, Sabre, Stinger, Safehammer, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We considered a wide range of breakers with plenty of different models across many different manufacturers. We learned a lot, for instance; how hammer-style breakers can be limited in their use in confined areas, and that you can make impromptu window breakers with spark plugs or other ceramic material.
We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a window breaker that’s versatile and effective, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually so we can try to get it in the next roundup round and see if it will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best window breakers have a few features to look for:
- Value
- Breaking Power
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect glass breaker to escape or enter windows. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the breakers that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a window breaker shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Most of them are inexpensive, and you can often find improvised tools to do a similar job (although it’ll take some more swinging and be much less effective).
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, even when it comes to safety supplies. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Breaking Power
The main consideration in our testing was whether a window breaker actually breaks windows easily. The entire point of a window breaker is to shatter glass with minimum effort. Swinging requires effort and space, so hammers can have plenty of power if you have the swing to back them up.
Punches transfer energy quickly with less external motion, allowing them to work in confined spaces, like cars, and to work inconspicuously.
The power of a snap-type window breaker relies on the pull and elastic, much like a bow.
Durability
Material plays a big role in glass breaker durability. Spring-loaded punch-style breakers were very durable in our tests, and our all-metal top pick really stood out as a tool you can trust.
Size & Weight
Glass breakers have a wide variety of sizes and weight based on their design. Hammers tend to be on the heavier side, even when they are small making them less ideal for kits and everyday carry.
Our picks all fall under a few ounces, so they give you versatility without adding too much weight.
Versatility
Some glass breakers do more, like vehicle escape tools. They often come with seatbelt cutters, clips for storage, keychain rings, and more. Other glass breakers can be used as functional tools for precision marking.
We also compared many window breakers that could be worn or concealed on your body. This gives you a covert option for survival situations where SERE equipment can come in handy.
How to Use a Window Breaker
Most window breakers are straightforward to use regardless of style:
- Hammer-style: swing a hammer to hit the glass with the pointed tip.
- Punch-style: press the punch end against the glass with increasing force until the punch ‘clicks’ forward.
- Snap-style: pull back the elastic band until the breaking bead or shard is several inches from the glass, then release impacting the glass.
Sometimes, you’ll need multiple hits to drop a pane of glass or create a hole big enough for your need. Tempered glass, double-pane, and laminated glass can be more difficult to break as well. Windshields are typically both tempered and laminated, while side and back windows are just tempered. This is not always the case, though so you may need to be able to improvise.
Caution: Broken glass is very sharp and is something you need to be aware of even in a survival emergency. PPE like eye protection and gloves are ideal if you have them at the ready.
Lech does a lot of DIY on his survival YouTube channel, and this is one of his most helpful videos:
Who Needs a Window Breaker?
Not many people consider window breakers beyond their vehicles, but they are obviously an essential item for any kit involving a car (or you can use a vehicle escape tool), we also have it as an essential item in an urban kit:
The versatility of the tool means many of them can be with you on the go. We also suggest that you consider one for your daily loadout:
If you find yourself with extras, they are useful in tool kits to use as detent punches and to make markings.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources and References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best window breakers are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Daniels, J. (2013). Breaking and Entering. Agni. Volume 78. Pages 32-41. (Source)
Singh, U. (1994). Effect of Tool Geometry on Punching Performance. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering. Volume 116. Issue 4. Pages 508-513. (Source)
Wala, K. (2023). Breaking a Car Window to Rescue a Child or Animal Locked Inside: A Dogmatic Analysis of the Legal Grounds for Excluding Criminal Liability. Ios Novum. Volume 17. Issue 1. Pages 24 – 38. (Source)
The Final Word
A window breaker can make a difference if you have one at the right place at the right time. When life closes a door and keeps you from opening, go through a window. If you can’t get it open, use a glass breaker.
Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- Best Window Security Film to Harden Your Home
- Best Lock Pick Sets for Survival
- Everyday Carry List | 25 EDC Essentials
We presented quite a lot of information, but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our testing found the Automatic Center Punch to be the best option given its value, breaking power, durability, size/weight, and versatility.
Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
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