Volatility is back, and that has investors on the defensive. Huge market swings over prolonged periods of time can be a nightmare, prompting investors to make rash decisions that ultimately hamper their portfolios. And that's precisely what low-volatility exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are built to battle.

Emotions can be an investor's worst enemy: Big declines trigger fear. No one wants to lose money, and they certainly don't want to lose more money. The problem? Some stocks sell off on their own merits, while others merely get temporarily caught up in the current, only to return to proper valuations once volatility has subsided. But anyone who bailed on the way down cemented their losses while leaving themselves out of the recovery.

These seven low-volatility ETFs help fight this instinct. Low-vol funds use different strategies to create portfolios that should be more stabile than the broader market. Not only can that help minimize losses during downturns, but the lack of volatility can help calm investors and prevent them from making rash exits from the market. Take a look.

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF