We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products The 9 Best Mosquito Repellents & Bug Sprays of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Make itchy bug bites a thing of the past with these effective sprays and lotions. By L. Daniela Alvarez Updated on July 30, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Kristin Kempa If you’re dreading the bug bites that often come with warm weather, then you need an effective mosquito repellent. The best mosquito repellents give you peace of mind so that you can enjoy being outdoors without constantly swatting bugs. Plus, they can protect your skin from more than just mosquitoes—many of these formulas also work against ticks, biting flies, and more. To come up with this list, we tested 15 mosquito repellents and evaluated them on effectiveness, ease of use, smell, coverage, and value. We chose seven winners from that selection and added two extra that were thoroughly researched based on the same criteria. We also spoke with Jim McHale, president and CEO of JP McHale Pest Management, for expert insight on what to look for in a bug repellent. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Off! Active Insect Repellent at Amazon $37 Jump to Review Best DEET Free: EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Non-Greasy: Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII at Amazon $4 Jump to Review Best Long Lasting: Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent at Amazon $9 Jump to Review Best Lotion: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent at Walmart $18 Jump to Review Best for Travel: Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II with Picaridin at Walmart $6 Jump to Review Easiest Application: SALE Coleman SkinSmart Insect Repellent at Amazon $10 $8 Jump to Review Best With SPF: Bullfrog Sunscreen and Insect Repellent at Amazon $14 Jump to Review Best Natural : Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent at Walmart $5 Jump to Review Best Overall Off! Active Insect Repellent PHOTO: Amazon $37 at Amazon $9 at Target $7 at Walmart What Stands Out It has a light scent and non-greasy formula that can be sprayed on clothes, too. What Could Be Improved The duration of protection is not as long as other repellents. If you’re looking for a reliable and effective mosquito repellent, our top recommendation is Off!'s Active Insect Repellent. We love that it doesn’t have a strong odor and doesn’t feel greasy on the skin—it can even be applied to your clothing, too. In our testing, we found that the aerosol spray allows for easy application and even coverage, and we particularly liked that it didn’t leave a white cast on darker skin tones. Whether you're exercising outside or relaxing on your outdoor furniture, this mosquito repellent spray is sweat-resistant and keeps a variety of bugs away, including biting flies, gnats, ticks, chiggers, and fleas. Protection can last for up to six hours, which isn’t as long as other repellents, but we only had to apply once and didn’t experience any bug bites while outside. Additionally, we like that this mosquito repellent is reasonably priced and that a little goes a long way when applying the product. We found that the spray absorbed onto the skin without any sticky residue, which makes it the perfect summertime essential. The main ingredient in this mosquito repellent is DEET, which is deemed safe by both the CDC and EPA. Type: Aerosol | Active Ingredient: DEET | Protection Duration: 6 hours | Size: 6 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Real Simple / Surfina Adams Best DEET Free EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent PHOTO: Amazon $14 at Amazon What Stands Out Instead of DEET, this moisturizing and fragrance-free formula uses picaridin to repel insects. What Could Be Improved It’s not waterproof, and applying it on children can be a bit challenging. For those with a sensitivity to DEET or those who just prefer a DEET-free mosquito repellent, we recommend the EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent. This mosquito repellent is made with picaridin, which is an EPA-registered insect repellent that is just as effective as DEET, but usually not as greasy. For those who prioritize products that are odor free and gentle on sensitive skin, this mosquito repellent is an excellent option. We like that the spray nozzle has a wide yet even range, while the formula itself is moisturizing without feeling greasy. It’s also one of the longest lasting on our list, with up to 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks and eight hours of protection from biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. While the label says it's water resistant, it’s not waterproof, so it may not be the best option for those who want a mosquito repellent to use around the pool, beach, or garden hose. It’s also safe to use on children, according to the brand, but we found that applying it on kids requires some extra maneuvering. Type: Spray | Active Ingredient: Picaridin | Protection Duration: 8–14 hours, depending on pest | Size: 4 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Real Simple / Kimberly Souza Best Non-Greasy Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII PHOTO: Amazon $4 at Amazon $10 at Target $4 at Walmart What Stands Out It won’t leave your hands greasy or sticky and can be applied to skin and clothes. What Could Be Improved It can feel almost too dry and powdery. Much like sunscreen, mosquito repellent has a reputation for being a little greasy. In our testing, this pick from Off! stood out for its dry and long-lasting formula. We found that this product completely absorbed into our skin without leaving any residue or cast and had a powder-like finish. Because of this, we recommend applying a light layer of moisturizer or sunscreen before using this mosquito repellent. Despite this, it’s still an effective product that repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects. Since this is an aerosol repellent, it’s quite easy to apply and provides even coverage. It can be sprayed on both skin and clothes, too. While this product may not damage cotton, wool, or nylon, it should not be used on acetate, leather, plastic, and other types of surfaces. If you have naturally oily skin or will be sweating outdoors more than usual, then this non-greasy mosquito repellent is the one for you. Type: Aerosol | Active Ingredient: DEET | Protection Duration: 8 hours | Size: 4 ounces per bottle | EPA Registered: Yes Real Simple / Kelly Meehan Brown Best Long Lasting Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent PHOTO: Walmart $8 at Amazon $9 at Walmart What Stands Out It has long-lasting protection and is sweat resistant. What Could Be Improved Although the label claims to be odorless, it has a slightly pungent smell. Whether you’re spending the day camping, doing yard work, or hosting a barbecue, a long-lasting and effective mosquito repellent is a must have for outdoor activities. We chose Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent as the best long-lasting mosquito repellent for its impressive 11-hour protection. Standard mosquito repellents last for as long as it’s on the skin or clothing or until you reapply them. With controlled-release repellents, however, the active ingredient (in this case, DEET) is slowly released over a long period to extend the protection. We were especially impressed by its spreadability—just a pea-sized amount of this lotion was enough to evenly cover both arms in our testing. Although the product label says “odorless,” we found this repellent to have a somewhat astringent smell, but it decreased in strength over time and didn’t linger on clothes. Much like other mosquito repellent lotions, this product can feel a bit oily when first applying it to your skin—but this is something we can overlook because of how long lasting and effective it is against mosquitoes and ticks. Lastly, we also like that it’s sweat resistant and designed to be compatible with the use of sunscreen for the ultimate all-day outdoor protection. Type: Lotion | Active Ingredient: DEET | Protection Duration: 11 hours | Size: 4 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Real Simple / Henry Yung Best Lotion Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent PHOTO: Amazon $18 at Walmart $10 at REI $12 at Basspro.com What Stands Out It’s highly effective and offers a smooth application. What Could Be Improved It leaves behind a white cast. Mosquito repellent lotions are ideal for evenly covering exposed skin, giving you proper visualization of any missing spots. We recommend this lotion from Sawyer for its effectiveness, thorough application, and easily transportable bottle. In our testing, we liked how sweat resistant this repellent was and how evenly it covered out skin. Although it felt a bit oily and had a light citrus scent, both dissipated within a few minutes and fully absorbed into the skin. However, keep in mind that it does leave behind a white cast like sunscreens or other lotions would. Formulated with picaridin, this repellent is effective at repelling biting flies, ticks, chiggers, and, of course, mosquitoes as well as other insects. Most mosquito repellent lotions should not be used under certain fabrics and can damage other surfaces, but this particular product is safe to use around most types of clothing, backpacks, watches, sunglasses, fishing lines, and more. Type: Lotion | Active Ingredient: Picaridin | Protection Duration: 8-14 hours, depending on pest | Size: 2 or 4 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Best for Travel Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II with Picaridin PHOTO: Amazon $6 at Walmart What Stands Out It has an easy spritz nozzle and is easy to take on the go. What Could Be Improved The small bottle may not be enough for families to reapply multiple times. When camping or traveling to a tropical, humid area where mosquitoes are most common, it’s imperative to bring along an effective and easy-to-use mosquito repellent. The Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II With Picaridin is perfectly sized so you can pack it without it taking up much space in your bag. It has a useful nozzle with a fine mist spray that evenly covers your skin and protects you from pesky mosquitoes. In our testing, we liked that it was lightweight, non-greasy, and practically invisible on our skin. It also stays on as you sweat and won’t damage your clothing or plastics. Since this mosquito repellent is more compact than other products, it may not be big enough for multiple people to use, especially considering that it should be reapplied every two hours. Type: Spray | Active Ingredient: Picaridin | Protection Duration: 2 hours | Size: 4 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Easiest Application Coleman SkinSmart Insect Repellent PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon What Stands Out It’s easy to spread, offers even coverage, and leaves behind no residue. What Could Be Improved The bottle is not as portable as others. When applying mosquito repellent, it’s important to find the most convenient and efficient method to make sure you have even coverage for full protection. We recommend the Coleman SkinSmart Insect Repellent for its easy application and long-lasting protection. In our testing, we were impressed with how well the aerosol nozzle could disperse the product evenly, and how easy it was to rub thoroughly onto the skin. Additionally, it does not leave behind a white cast or sticky residue. This mosquito repellent offers up to eight hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks. It is also formulated with IR3535 as the active ingredient, another EPA-registered repellent. While the bottle is slightly larger and bulkier for those who prefer a more travel-friendly repellent, the rust-resistant bottle has a locking switch to keep it from leaking. Still, it’s an effective and easy-to-apply mosquito repellent that will come in handy for any outdoor activity. Type: Aerosol | Active Ingredient: IR3535 | Longevity: 6-8 hours | Size: 6 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Real Simple / Sharon Essien Best With SPF Bullfrog Sunscreen and Insect Repellent PHOTO: Amazon $14 at Amazon View on Tractor Supply Co. What Stands Out It’s a water resistant and moisturizing repellent that offers UVA and UVB protection. What Could Be Improved It's only water resistant for 80 minutes, so you will have to reapply often if you're swimming. Sunny weather and bugs go hand in hand, so it makes sense to have a two-in-one product that offers protection from insects and harmful sun rays. The Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Insect Repellant provides the best of both worlds, serving as both a sunscreen and bug spray in one. This formula boasts an impressive SPF 50, making it the perfect partner for hot summer days. Along with protecting against UVA and UVB rays, this waterproof spray offers insect protection for up to eight hours. We also appreciate the addition of aloe vera and vitamin E, which ensure your skin stays moisturized without feeling greasy or slick. Plus, it's free of DEET and oxybenzone, making it safe for coral when you go for a swim. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that this mosquito repellent is only water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and should be reapplied frequently. Type: Aerosol | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octyl methoxycinnamate, octisalate | Longevity: 8 hours | Size: 4.7 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Best Natural Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent PHOTO: Amazon $5 at Walmart $5 at Home Depot View on Overtons.com What Stands Out The plant-based formula has a more refreshing scent than typical bug spray. What Could Be Improved The spray bottle has limited reach, so it may take additional time and effort to cover larger areas. If you're someone who likes knowing exactly what's going your skin, this pick from Repel is au naturale. Made with lemon eucalyptus oil, this plant-based repellent is entirely DEET free. In addition to being gentle on the skin, the lemon eucalyptus formula also offers a fresh smell—a nice alternative to the classic bug spray odor. That said, the aroma is still pretty strong, so we recommend trying it out on a small patch of skin before dousing your whole body. You can apply this repellent directly to your skin or clothing, and it is effective for up to six hours. You can also snag the repellent in a pack of one, two, or six, making it suitable for quick trips or longer excursions. Just keep in mind that since this is a spray rather than an aerosol, it may take some extra effort to achieve full coverage. Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Lemon eucalyptus oil | Longevity: 6 hours | Size: 4 ounces | EPA Registered: Yes Final Verdict Our top pick is Off! Active Insect Repellent, which is effective on both the skin and clothes and has a non-greasy formula. If you’re looking for a DEET-free alternative, we recommend EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent. Our Testing Process To find the best mosquito repellents, we tested 15 options and evaluated them based on effectiveness, ease of use, smell, coverage, and value. For each product, we applied a small patch of product on our arm for five minutes to test for any reactions, such as itching or rashes. We took note of how it felt on our skin (like lightweight or greasy), how well it absorbed, and how fast it dried. We also considered the smell of the repellent, as some products can have mild fruity scents while others can be strong and unpleasant. Then, we applied the mosquito repellent to our entire arm. Once dry, we sprayed our arm with water and checked to see if the repellent ran or if it stayed put. After those initial tests, we applied the mosquito repellent at least five more times when going outside during the testing period. During use, we evaluated how well the product stayed on our skin and how accurate the listed protection time was. We also considered the portability of each mosquito repellent. (Is the bottle easy to throw in a bag? Does it leak?) How to Shop for Mosquito Repellents Like a Pro Type Mosquito repellents can come in many forms or types, such as lotion, sprays, wipes, and oils. In our testing, we evaluated a variety of lotions, aerosols, trigger sprays, and spritz sprays. Choosing the best type for you is based on certain lifestyle factors. For example, applying mosquito repellent on children may be easier with lotion than with a spray. However, sprays are useful because they can often be applied to both skin and clothing (like our top pick, the Off! Active Insect Repellent). Ingredients McHale says two of the most common active ingredients are DEET and picaridin, though IR3535 and lemon eucalyptus can also be effective. “All of these ingredients are EPA-registered active ingredients found in insect and tick repellents,” he adds. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, products containing 20% to 30% DEET are effective and will protect anywhere between two and 10 hours. However, it’s important to note that products containing more than 50% DEET will not work any better for protection. “DEET was created by the military and has been on the market longer than any other repellent and has an excellent safety record with the exception of occasional and minor skin rashes,” McHale says. “By most accounts, it is the best repellent when it comes to fending off ticks but can leave behind an odor, greasy residue, and may damage some synthetics.” Picaridin is another ingredient often found in mosquito repellents, which is odorless and synthetically formulated from the same plant that we make table pepper from. While it's very effective against weak flying and biting insects, McHale notes that it does not have the same historical safety data that DEET has. Application and Use Depending on the type and formulation, some mosquito repellents recommend frequent reapplication or may not work as well with sweat and water. Understanding these variables and establishing your preferences can help you decide which repellent is best for you. For example, the Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent provides 11 hours of steady protection and is sweat-resistant. “It’s important to research a formulation that fits your planned activity for optimal results,” McHale says. “Both the percentage of the active ingredient and your ability to reapply the product during your outing may factor in your decision.” The Bullfrog SPF 50 Mosquito Coast Sunscreen and Insect Repellant stands out because it doubles as a sunscreen, but it is only water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you'll have to reapply often. More Mosquito Repellents to Consider Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent: This picaridin-based mosquito repellent offers up to 12 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks. The fine mist aerosol gives a wide-range coverage with no rubbing required. However, we found this repellent’s fragrance to be a little too strong, and too much liquid was released after spraying. Off! Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3: We didn’t enjoy the strong DEET scent of this repellent, but it provides up to eight hours of protection against mosquitoes and biting flies, including gnats, sand flies, no-see-ums, stable flies, and black flies. It also repels ticks, chiggers, and fleas. We found that the spray is released in a thin and somewhat forceful stream, so spreading it thoroughly across your skin is a must for adequate coverage. Questions You Might Ask What is the most effective mosquito repellent? With dozens of options and a handful of effective ingredients, it may take some trial and error to find out which mosquito repellent is most effective for you. McHale recommends a product with DEET or picaridin for optimal repellency. What scent will keep mosquitoes away? According to the EPA, certain scents, especially in the form of a topical repellent, can help repel mosquitoes and other insects. These include catnip oil, citronella oil, and lemon eucalyptus oil. “Lemon eucalyptus in particular has shown to repel weak flying, biting insects that seek carbon dioxide and lactic acid,” says McHale. “Most repellents interfere with the insects’ olfactory receptors.” If you want to take additional preventive measures to avoid mosquitoes, especially around your home, he emphasizes harborage elimination as a safe and effective method. (You can also use a mosquito repellent designed for your yard.) “Agitators placed in decorative ponds, elimination of standing water, and diverting precipitation away from living areas are essential,” McHale says. “This includes having citronella or lemon eucalyptus candles outdoors; adding mosquito-eating fish to decorative ponds to interrupt breeding cycles; extending bird netting over ponds to capture leaves that elevate mosquitoes' love of nitrogen; and oscillating fans strategically placed near party areas to deter weak flying biting insects.” How long do mosquito repellents last on your skin? The protection duration, or longevity, of a mosquito repellent will vary depending on a few factors. McHale recommends always checking the percentage of the active ingredient and the application instructions since reapplication usually extends your protection. “Efficacy is directly correlated to the percentage of the active ingredient,” he says. “10% DEET or 7% picaridin, applied according to label specifications, can result in two hours of repellency, while 20% elevates protection to four hours. According to several studies, however, repellency rates do not elevate significantly above 20%.” Take Our Word for It This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, contributing writer for Real Simple with three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list, we tested 15 mosquito repellents and evaluated them based on effectiveness, ease of use, smell, coverage, and value. We also researched other popular brands, considering their ingredients and effectiveness. For expert advice, we consulted Jim McHale, president and CEO of JP McHale Pest Management. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.