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Best Mosquito Repellents

Last updated on June 21, 2023

We looked at the top 7 Mosquito Repellents and dug through the reviews from 12 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Mosquito Repellents.

Best Mosquito Repellent

Our Review Process

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In many places, mosquitoes are a fact of life in the summer months. Whether you just want to escape pesky bites in your backyard or are avoiding vector-borne diseases such as West Nile and Lyme disease in the great outdoors, a good mosquito repellent will keep you and your family covered.

When choosing between different ingredients and the various methods of application — from lotions to sprays to bracelets — the options for insect repellent can be overwhelming.

Sprays and lotions are assured to stick with you, and they are effective. Many dry well and won’t leave behind a residue, but some can leave you feeling sticky in the summer heat.

DEET and picaridin sprays and lotions have proven efficacy against mosquitoes and ticks. If these are a concern — or if you’re traveling to an area where you could be exposed to malaria or other vector-borne diseases — these chemicals provide a long-lasting way to avoid bites. However, while DEET and picaridin are really effective when you need protection, you might want a lighter repellent for other times.

Essential oil-based sprays provide some protection, but they’re usually not as long-lasting as chemical options.

Incense is a classic repellent choice for patios and decks, and the smell of citrus and herbs can be pleasant. However, being surrounded by smoke isn’t always enjoyable, and this sort of repellent is only effective in the immediate area.

Wristbands are designed to work similar to perfume. By remaining in contact with your skin, the oils and smells are absorbed into your bloodstream in small amounts and distributed throughout the rest of your body, where you sweat them out.

It’s best to find the delivery method and ingredients you’re most comfortable with, and that suit your needs.

Our Picks For The Top Mosquito Repellents

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Sawyer Non-Greasy Unscented Mosquito Repellent

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Sawyer

Non-Greasy Unscented Mosquito Repellent

When going for a hike or fishing by the lake, this mosquito repellent is a must-have item. The lotion goes on nice and smooth, without being greasy. It also lasts a full 14 hours, which means you won't need to worry about reapplying it later in the day.

Overall Take

Lasts All DayIn addition to mosquitoes, this repellent also deters ticks, flies and chiggers.

 Runner Up

Avon DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent & Sunscreen

Avon

DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent & Sunscreen

This mosquito repellent also offers SPF 30 sun protection. It's free of harmful ingredients, like DEET, and includes components that actually moisturize, such as aloe and vitamin E. Another attractive feature is the refreshing gentle breeze scent.

Overall Take

Double DutySince this mosquito repellent is also water-resistant, it's perfect for beach days or afternoons at the community pool.

 We Also Like

REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

REPEL

Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect lent

Lemon eucalyptus oil is the only plant-based active ingredient approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for use in insect repellent to prevent mosquito-carried diseases. The refreshing scent and six-hour duration make this insect repellent a pleasant alternative to DEET-based sprays.

Overall Take

DEET-Free; Non-AerosolIf you’re concerned about the effects of long-term or high-concentration exposure to DEET, this mosquito repellent is a safe alternative.

Pros
" Made with oil of lemon eucalyptus to provide DEET free protection for up to six hours. Has refreshing botanical scent that does not smell like chemicals. Not greasy or sticky. Spray is easy to apply"
Cons
"We made the mistake of giving it a single squirt in a closed room, and we could still smell it an hour later. We found it to be even more unpleasant when it was on our arms."
 Also Great

OFF! FamilyCare Fragrance Free Insect Repellent IV, 2-Pack

OFF!

FamilyCare Fragrance Free Insect Repellent IV, 2-Pack

This two-pack of spray-on mosquito repellent contains 7% DEET, the most common ingredient in mosquito repellent. This dries cleanly, without leaving any greasy remnants or lingering chemical smell.

Overall Take

Dry and Scentless This product is a reliable choice, great for picnics or a trip to the park.

Pros
" This aerosol spray from OFF! is a popular pick thanks to its non-greasy formula which is safe for use on the whole family, including young children."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the mosquito repellents available to purchase.
7

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: New York Mag, Pest Strategies, Bustle, House Beautiful, Home Fixated.

219,570

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 7 Mosquito Repellents and also dug through the reviews from 12 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Mosquito Repellents.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

OFF! FamilyCare Fragrance Free Insect Repellent IV, 2-Pack

Our Expert Score

0.0
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.2
6,729 user reviews

Our Take

This two-pack of spray-on mosquito repellent contains 7% DEET, the most common ingredient in mosquito repellent. This dries cleanly, without leaving any greasy remnants or lingering chemical smell.

What other experts liked

This aerosol spray from OFF! is a popular pick thanks to its non-greasy formula which is safe for use on the whole family, including young children.
- The Spruce

What other experts didn't like

The biggest complaint is the noticeable ‘bug spray odor’ from this product, but it’s a minor nuisance for most people considering its smooth, dry formula and long-lasting effectiveness against insects.
- The Spruce

What to Look For

  • DEET has been studied widely and is believed to be safe and most effective at levels between 30% and 45%, but it can be hard to find sprays in that exact concentration range.
  • Be careful when applying DEET or handling items with the spray on your hands. It will melt certain plastics and synthetic fabrics, sometimes permanently softening them.
  • Lemon eucalyptus has been proven to be effective in concentrations between 30% and 50%, but again, the trick is finding those concentrations on the market.
  • There have been a few allergic reactions recorded to lemon eucalyptus repellent, but the odds of this happening are low.
  • Picaridin is a chemical derived from pepper plants. Sprays of 20% concentration can be effective against mosquitoes, ticks and flies. Unlike DEET, picaridin won’t break down certain materials, so it’s safe to spray on clothing. As with all of these options, keep this repellent away from your eyes and mouth.
  • Botanicals such as peppermint, lavender and lemons have been used for centuries as insect deterrents, but modern studies don’t often rate them as highly as alternatives.

Mosquito Repellent Rankings

More to Explore

The Federal Food and Drug Administration only regulates substances that can be harmful by their very nature, so many essential oils are not regulated. This means that although they may be effective as insect repellents, there have simply not been enough scientific studies to confirm or deny the claims.

There is an exception to this rule, however. Lemon eucalyptus oil is classified as a biopesticide, and as such has been more widely studied and certified as effective. It was first classified as a biopesticide in 2000, so many bug repellents available now contain this oil.

More to explore