The frightening meeting between hiker and bear is something most people hope to avoid. Thankfully, the bear bell was designed to warn surrounding bears that you’re in the area. Contrary to popular belief, they are not made to scare bears. A high-quality bear bell will be loud enough to let wildlife know something is coming; most contain a magnetic silencer, so you aren’t continuously listening to the sound, and it will be handcrafted to last a lifetime. So, if you often find yourself in bear country and would like to avoid a confrontation or potential attack, a bear bell is your best bet. To help you choose the product that fits your needs, here are our picks for the best bear bells on the market.