The 8 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep the Bugs Away, Tested and Reviewed

Our Testing Process

Based on expert recommendations, our team of editors subjected 12 popular repellents to a field testing process. To test these, we spent time in known high-density mosquito environments, as well as everyday scenarios (patios, barbecues, parks etc.) where our editors have experienced insect bites previously. Our editors followed box instructions for application techniques and protection timeframes.

Throughout testing, key considerations included: effectiveness and bite count, ease of application and coverage, skin feel, odor, value for money, and whether or not each product measured up to manufacturer claims.

What to Know About Mosquito Repellents

EPA Approval

Our experts agree, the first rule of thumb when choosing an insect repellent: look for active ingredients approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EPA-registered insect repellents are proven to be safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The EPA website contains a bunch of handy tips on where to start.

DEET vs. DEET-Free

Let’s bust a widely-held misconception here: DEET is safe. It has been studied thoroughly and is approved as safe to use by the EPA and CDC. Not only that, but each of the dermatologists, biologists and entomologists we spoke to highly recommend DEET as one of the top two active ingredients to look for in a repellent. And it remains the standard by which all other active ingredients are measured. All professionals we consulted also agree that it’s important to apply DEET-based products carefully, and in line with the instructions on the box. Avoid getting DEET in your eyes or mouth, and if you apply it with your hands, wash them thoroughly and immediately afterwards. 

If you’d still prefer not to use DEET, or you don’t like the feel or smell, there are several other EPA/CDC approved options, which range in efficacy. The experts we consulted highly rate picaridin and IR3535 as DEET alternatives. And for an “all natural” choice, recent research also found a product containing lemon eucalyptus oil was almost as effective and long lasting as others containing DEET.

Active Ingredients

Look for the active ingredients below. When used as directed, these EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• DEET
• Picaridin (aka KBR3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

A footnote on essential oils as insect repellents: as Dr. Zeichner notes in the Your Questions Answered section below, there is evidence some essential oils work to repel biting insects, but the efficacy and longevity of protection can be limited. He recommends any essential oils you use should be diluted in a carrier solution like coconut oil before being applied to the skin to avoid burns or irritation. 

Application 

When used as directed, all EPA and CDC approved repellents are proven to be safe and effective. But the devil is in the detail of how you apply them. Always start with a 1x1 inch test patch on a small area of skin to gauge reaction before applying a new product to larger areas. Following the box instructions is the best way not only to ensure effective coverage, but also to avoid painful overspray in eyes or unwanted inhalation. 

If you’re using DEET products, Dr. Zeichler says to avoid contact with the fingertips, because you may inadvertently touch your mouth or your eyes. If you are rubbing DEET-based repellents into you skin with your hands, be sure to wash them thoroughly and immediately after application.

Dr. Zeichler also says to be careful not to mix your bug spray and sunscreen. Sunscreens have been shown to act as penetration enhancers, which means that they allow bug spray ingredients to penetrate more deeply into the skin than they normally would. He recommends applying your sunscreen first and then waiting at least 20 minutes before applying your bug spray. Or you can try a two-in-one product.

More Mosquito Repellents to Consider

While these mosquito repellents didn’t top any of our categories, they may still be of interest to you.

• Natrapel Tick and Insect Repellent (20% Picaridin): Zero bites recorded in notoriously mosquito-prone areas means a repellant is successful, at least in our books. But the spray nozzle administered the repellent so fast that we ended up with wet skin, and a lot of waste. Plus, the odor lingered for many hours on skin and clothes. 
• OFF!® Sportsmen Deep Woods® Insect Repellent 3 (30% DEET): The rapid speed of distribution from the nozzle meant we had to spray a line before applying with our hands, negating the convenience of using a spray repellent. We also noticed this product left a greasy layer that took some time to be absorbed. And we found the strong DEET odor unpleasant (as did mosquitos, apparently, with zero bites recorded through testing).
• 3M Ultrathon™ Insect Repellent Aerosol (25% DEET): Although we recorded no bites on a camping trip with multiple people in a gnat- and high-mosquito environment, we were still swarmed by bugs. The mist spray meant a lot of over-spray—not ideal given the repellent’s unpleasant smell.
• Ben’s 30% DEET Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes: A mosquito bite within ten minutes of application wasn’t a good start for this product. And the very wet wipes were unpleasant to touch, leaving a smelly residue on fingers and a shimmery gloss on our skin.

Our Experts

We used expert input at every stage of writing and reporting this story, from determining which ingredients are effective to how much protection is possible with the right repellant.

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC
• Immo A. Hansen, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology at New Mexico State University, specialist in in molecular biology and the physiology of mosquitoes
• Wizzie Brown, BCE, entomologist at Texas A&M AgriLife
• Wesley Trimble, Communications and Creative Director at the American Hiking Society
  

Your Questions, Answered

What’s the most effective mosquito repellent?

The experts we consulted agree: Look for the DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 for the most effective repellents. They also note that the dilution is important, and for high-concentration mosquito areas, you should look for 10% to 30% active ingredients. For a short stint outdoors, try lower concentrations.

Hiking specialist Wesley Trimble recommends DEET and picaridin as the two most effective insect repellents that can be applied to the skin. He notes that both are effective for mosquitos and ticks. But he also cautions that you should avoid using DEET products on some waterproof-breathable membranes such as GORE-TEX and similar plastic and synthetic fabrics, as it can harm some fabrics. 

In terms of our testing, the products that scored the highest in effectiveness (with near-perfect scores) were:

• EarthKind Stay Away® Mosquitoes Insect Repellent (20% picaridin)
• OFF!® FamilyCare Insect Repellent II (5% picaridin)
• Natrapel Tick and Insect Repellent (20% picaridin)
• Sawyer Products Controlled Release Insect Repellent (20% DEET)
• OFF!® Sportsmen Deep Woods® Insect Repellent 3 (30% DEET)
• OFF!® Active® Insect Repellent I (15% DEET)

And out of the products we tested, Dr. Zeichner highly recommends Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent. 

Is there anything that actually repels mosquitoes?

Our experts highly recommend DEET, picaridin and IR3535 as the most effective active ingredients for repelling mosquitoes. Dermatologist Dr. Zeichner also notes that there is evidence some essential oils repel biting insects due to their scents. He recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, rose geranium, soybean oil, cedar oil and clove oil. But he adds a caution: “Many essential oils can lead to chemical burns in the skin when exposed to UV light, and direct application of essential oils on the skin can cause irritation-type reactions. Essential oils should be diluted out in a carrier oil like coconut oil before being applied to the skin.” 

How do I keep mosquitoes from biting me?

If you’re heading to an area of high mosquito concentrations, hiking specialist Wesley Trimble suggests a combination of appropriate repellent for the setting and wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothes treated with permethrin. When applied to clothing, permethrin can last for days or even weeks, depending on the brand, how it's applied, and how often the clothes are washed. “It's very convenient to treat clothes before a trip, so it's one less thing to remember,” he says. “I also pack a headnet to keep bugs at bay even though it's a funny look, as well as a small container of picaridin to protect any exposed skin such as the tops of hands and arms.” 

What smell do mosquitoes hate? 

In a recent New Mexico State University study, researchers compared the efficacy of 20 essential oils at repelling mosquitoes and ticks, using various methods including bug-on-arm assays. Contrary to popular beliefs that essential oils don’t work in repelling biting insects, this study showed that several provided lengthy protection times (although, as co-author and Associate Professor of Biology at NMSU, Dr. Hansen notes, these results vary). During testing, they found clove oil offers about two hours’ protection, cinnamon around 90 minutes, and geranium, around the hour mark. But Dr. Hansen also notes that when you take into account that 10% DEET solution offers around six hours’ protection, if you can deal with the DEET feel and odor, ticks and mosquitoes are less likely to love you over time. 

Who We Are

Samson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor and biology graduate. His work encompasses everything from web copy for science museums to writing sexual health articles for universities, info sheets for first-in-category pharmaceuticals to brand messaging for wearable touch therapy by neuroscientists. Samson is a walker, hiker, surfer, and all-round nature lover. He has spent large periods of time in mosquito-prone areas of the Pacific Islands, Mexico and Australia.