Whenever you are looking for the best armor plates you should always head for the best for a price instead. As you understand, there is no one “best” bulletproof vest plate suitable for any situation and threat. But there are the best options among available variants in each price category. Turns out, you don’t have to overpay for your body armor, there are plenty of affordable body armor plates in one or another internet shop around. Let’s see.
Body armor plates
Under $100
Surprisingly, there are some viable options for you even if you are on a tight budget.
- Battlesteel Flexible Special Threat Armor Panel. Unlike most Level IIIA panels this one stops not only common 9 mm and .44 Magnum but also a number of higher velocity bullets, like .357 SIG or 5.7 x 28 mm. a must-have for under $100.
- Battlesteel Ballistic Armor III. A somewhat cheaper alternative to popular Level III protection models that offers protection against all common pistol ammo in the United States as well as against 5.56 and 7.62 rifle shots.
- Battlesteel Armor Panel – Level IIIA. If you are looking for more comfort, less weight and better flexibility, make sure to check out this model. Not as hard as the other two in the list, it still grants Level IIIA protection, which is enough in 99% civil situations to stop handgun bullets.
Ballistic armor plates
Under $200
Armor plates for a vest below $200 are what you need if you want some more freedom of choice.
- BattleSteel Ballistic Armor Level IV. Quality NIJ Level 4 plates below $200 are a rare bird, but here is one for you. A composite ceramic + polyethylene lightweight armor stops armor piercing rounds such as 30-06 and hence protects your body from the most dangerous threats.
- Battlesteel NIJ Certified Armor Panel. This polyurethane body armor plate delivers certified NIJ Level III protection, which means it reliably protects you from rifle shots as well as stops any pistol rounds. For Level III+ protection select Battlesteel M855 plates.
- Battlestell M855 composite Plates Level III+. This one is made of silicon carbide ceramic, so it’s a bit more weighty than the other two in the set, but it is certified as NIJ Level III and the manufacturer guarantees the armor plate can withstand even more than that and labels it as Level III+ accordingly.
Best armor plates
Under $300
If you can allow yourself to spend $300 or so to buy body armor plates, here are some best armor plates we’ve found:
- Battlesteel Level IIIA+ flexible panel. Extremely lightweight, both bullet and stab resistant, plus improved comfort make this plate an excellent choice for all variety of uses both in action and on the shooting ground.
- BattleSteel NIJ Level 3 Armor Plates. Certified and tested against M855 AP Green Tip & M80, these armor plates can be purchased under $300 depending on the preferred size and cut.
- Battlesteel Level IV Balistic Plate. A hard ceramic plate to stop most powerful rifle shots (NIJ 0101.04 certified). Moderate weight and thickness plus nice protection for a very affordable price.
What is the best armor plate to choose?
As you see, there are good options in any price category. You can find reliable and certified armor plates even below $100, not to mention higher budgets. However, we recommend not stopping and buying the very first plate you stumble upon over the internet. Make a deeper market research. First of all, make sure the body armor plates you would like to buy are certified – this is crucial. If the certification results are available, make sure there is the “no penetration” mark there. This means the armor really stopped the test projectile.
It is also worth spending some time to select the best cut of the armor plate that you will feel comfortable wearing. This mostly depends on your duties, but also on your bodily constitution.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our specialists! We will be glad to provide a consultation before you buy a body armor plate.