Best Body Armor Sets Under $500: Our Top Expert Picks

Body armor is a critical investment for personal safety and protection. While high-quality armor can often be expensive, there are still several excellent hard and soft armor options available for under $500. And when we say $500, we mean $500 for everything, not just one plate. Top Armor has you covered with a few of our best body armor picks that perfectly balance affordability and proven reliability.

The 4s17m is HighCom's flagship Level IV plate and is designed for maximum protection in high-risk scenarios. Tested to 15 different threats, 4s17m has one of the most expansive testing profiles on the market. Users commend its balance of weight, protection, and price and often laud it as some of the best body armor you can get for its cost.

• Threat Level: Level IV
• Weight: 7.2 lbs. (10x12), 8.2 lbs. (M SAPI)
• Thinness: 0.95"
• Certifications: NIJ 0101.06 Certified, DEA Compliant

RTS Tactical's Level IIIA/HG2 Ballistic Compression Shirt is the latest advancement in ballistic activewear. Made from a durable yet flexible blend of SpeedCoreX fabric, this compression shirt is 5x stronger than the leading leggings. The Ballistic Compression Shirt comes in two armor options: Commander and Relentless. Made in the USA and coming in at just $399, the Commander model offers an excellent blend of cost-effectiveness, quality, and performance.

• Threat Level: Level IIIA/HG2
• Weight: 1.10 lbs. (10x12)
• Thinness: 0.35"
• Certifications: NIJ 0101.06 Certified

The HighCom 4sas7 is the predecessor to the 4s17m and is Certified to the former NIJ 0101.04 Standard. Since the former standard was not as focused on drop testing, the 4sas7 is slightly thinner than the 4s17m. Although 4sas7 isn't as extensively tested as 4s17m when it comes to ballistics, it still provides protection from a majority of rifle rounds one may encounter today such as the Level IV standard .30-06 M2 AP and more common rounds like M855, 7.62x39mm, and even M855A1. 4sas7 has become a popular choice for those willing to forgive a bit of extra protection found in 4s17m for a thinner plate.

• Threat Level: Level IV
• Weight: 7.2 lbs. (10x12), 8.1 lbs. (M SAPI)
• Thinness: 0.75"
• Certifications: NIJ 0101.04 Certified, DEA Compliant

HighCom's 4s17 side plates are our go-to side armor solution. All of the same protection found in 4s17m, but now in a side plate. Side plates are often overlooked and even seen as unnecessary, but that couldn't be more wrong. Even when donning a plate carrier, vital organs are still exposed from the sides and even more so when actively shooting. It's crucial to protect yourself from all angles, but that doesn't mean you need to break the bank.

• Threat Level: Level IV
• Weight: 2.5 lbs. (6x6)
• Thinness: 0.95"
• Certifications: NIJ 0101.06 Certified

Related: How to Choose the Right Hard Armor Side Plates

Our mission is to be your trusted, go-to source for the best body armor at the best prices. Great armor can often be expensive and newcomers may not want to go all in on their first set, it's understandable. That's why we carefully select the armor we offer to our customers to ensure options for all sorts of wants, needs, and budgets are available. 

At Top Armor, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned user, our team is just one message away to help guide you through your first or next armor purchase. Get in touch today and discover the best body armor for you.