When it comes to Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs), agencies need more than just stopping power-they need reliability, adaptability, and innovative features that meet real-world demands. For years, the TASER® X26 has been a recognizable name in the field, but how does it compare to the modern, mission-ready PhaZZer® Enforcer™?
In this Q&A-style review, we break down a head-to-head comparison across the most critical categories: power output, ammunition options, holster designs, safety features, data handling, and more. You'll quickly see how PhaZZer has built its CEWs to exceed expectations, offering greater flexibility, superior ergonomics, and unmatched agency support.
Whether you're a procurement officer, a field trainer, or a front-line professional, this side-by-side breakdown will help you decide which CEW truly leads the charge.
1. Which CEW has more stopping power, PhaZZer® Enforcer or the TASER® X26?
The PhaZZer Enforcer delivers higher outputs across the board, with open-circuit voltages of 55 kV, 2.3 mA, and 24 pulses per second (PPS). This compares to outputs of 50,000 open-circuit volts, 2.1 mA, and 21 PPS, delivered by the TASER X26. The higher voltage carries the current over a larger air gap and has a greater ability to penetrate clothing. The combination of the higher amperage and higher pulse rate causes a greater neuromuscular incapacitating effect (NMI). Recent testing between these two weapons has revealed that individuals who have experienced the effects of both have indicated that the PhaZZer Enforcer hits harder and appears to have a greater NMI effect using the same load.
2. Which model offers greater versatility in less-lethal ammunition options?
PhaZZer® offers not only electronic dart cartridges but also pepper balls, rubber impact rounds, pepper powder, paint-mark balls, and various dart training rounds. TASER® X-26 only offers dart and training cartridges, limiting tactical flexibility. However, it is worth noting that the cartridges are cross-compatible, allowing you to use PhaZZer cartridges in a TASER weapon and vice versa. However, due to the limited options for ammunition from TASER®, it makes more sense to use the PhaZZer® cartridges in TASER due to its broad array of choices.
3. Which system lets agencies choose custom colors for their CEWs?
PhaZZer can make its CEWs using virtually any color (including Mil-Spec green or high-visibility orange) for orders of 500 units or more, supporting agency branding and visibility. We are unaware of any program offering product color options for TASER®, whose colors are limited to yellow, black, or clear, with fixed handle insert colors.
4. Which holster provides superior retention and durability?
The primary holster included with all LEA packages is the PhaZZer Level II. The Ambidextrous Duty Holster is made of glass fiber material, which is lightweight yet durable, offering Level II security, MOLLE compatibility, and is ambidextrous for both left- and right-hand users. As an upgrade, the PhaZZer Zerpa™ holster features a three-sided, carbon-fiber-reinforced shell with a finger-operated release lock for Level II retention and a built-in static guard to prevent accidental deployment. All Zerpa Holsters are manufactured of the highest quality material and workmanship in the U.S.A. Additionally, these holsters can be customized with the department logo and the Officer's name upon special request. TASER® offers a broader variety of holsters, many of which are designed and built by various holster manufacturers. The TASER Black Hawk Serpa holster is an excellent option for the TASER X26, offering Level II retention. It is made of high-quality material and features excellent workmanship. However, to date, we are unaware of any prevention method that neutralizes or prevents accidental deployment.
5. Which brand has longer battery life with superior monitoring?
The PhaZZer® Enforcer 7.4V ion-lithium rechargeable battery exceeds all expectations for battery life. Under normal conditions, it will last well beyond the 5-year mark and will deploy 3000 to 5000 five-second discharges. We are not aware of any longer-lasting battery in the industry. Additionally, it features an overcharge prevention chip, which helps prevent damage to the battery when left on the charger. The Enforcer features a Red/Green LED indicator light on the rear of the weapon, located beneath the safety switch, which notifies the user when the battery has reached 60% depletion. At that time, you have 50+ shots remaining in the battery; however, we recommend that you charge the battery before your next shift in order to maximize the longevity and maintain the integrity of the PhaZZer® battery system. The TASER X26 comes with a standard, non-rechargeable battery that stores data from each trigger pull of the CEW. This DPM battery allows for approximately 200 five-second discharges before disposal and replacement. This can become quite costly, as it requires multiple batteries to match the battery usage of the Enforcer, which averages 20 to 1. The replacement cost for each battery is approximately $50 to $150. While there are some limited options online for rechargeable batteries for the TASER® x26, we are unaware of any battery on the market that can match the longevity and power of the PhaZZer Enforcer rechargeable, red label battery.
6. Which device follows the recommendations of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) safety limitations?
The PhaZZer Enforcer ™ was designed with safety in mind due to the significant number of in-custody fatalities (approx. 1050) that were proximate to the use of the TASER® Brand CEWs. All PhaZZer CEWs have a patented "safety shutdown circuit" which deactivates the discharge every 5 seconds and completely shuts down the circuit once 15 seconds of cumulative exposure has been deployed. The operator can override this shutdown if additional force is reasonable and necessary by merely recycling the safety switch. This AAEM benchmark is the maximum exposure recommended over a 24-hour time frame, as they have warned that any further exposure could cause significant harm or death. The initial TASER X26 had no automatic cut-off and would continuously output if the trigger was depressed, relying solely on user discretion. In contrast, the PhaZZer provided a mental awareness that the user had exposed the subject to a maximum 15-second exposure. Although these LEOs using TASER had a digital display on the rear of the unit to show the number of seconds, they could not take their eyes off the perpetrator and subject themselves to unseen threats. Hands down, the PhaZZer Enforcer™ with zero fatalities to date since its launch in 2014, wins in this category as compared to the Reuters reported 1040 fatalities that were proximate to the use of the TASER®.
7. Which system offers a stronger warranty and faster service turnaround?
PhaZZer brand CEW products come with a full one-year warranty for repair or replacement, along with optional extended warranties of 2 to 4 years. PhaZZer includes a full five-year repair or replacement warranty for all LEA Premium Packages purchased, as well as a 48-hour turnaround guarantee for any replacements. TASER's accessories come with a 90-day warranty, but an extended warranty can also be purchased. Repairs can take 7 to 12 weeks. PhaZZer's return policy is strictly enforced, as an LEO cannot be without their electronic sidearm for any extended period.
8. Which device offers a more ergonomic grip for accuracy and control?
The PhaZZer Enforcer's three-finger groove, paired with a shock-resistant rubber sleeve, provides superior comfort and control compared to the TASER X-26's two-finger grip without a sleeve. We performed a multitude of grip tests, and the PhaZZer® grip came out on top.
9. Which device offers better cost solutions that are easier on the departmental budgets?
PhaZZer® offers a variety of packages for Law Enforcement that, if purchased as a package, save the department significantly. The LEA premium packages range from $1,100 to $2,000. TASER® offers a wide variety of packages to LEAs, with most being offered on a leasing basis, along with options to purchase. These prices, although not disclosed online in many cases, range from about $1,400 to $7,000 per officer, which can be budget-depleting and unaffordable for many departments. The higher-end cost range appears to be even more significant due to a pushed transition from the TASER X26 to the TASER 7 and TASER 10 models.
The Bottom Line is that across every key category—output power, versatility, user safety, ergonomics, data handling, support, and cost —the PhaZZer Enforcer outperformed the TASER X26, offering agencies more customization, reliability, and safety at a more cost-effective price.