The 8 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.

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 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.

According to McHale, two of the most common active ingredients are DEET and picaridin. “All of these ingredients are EPA-registered active ingredients found in insect and tick repellents,” he says.

Our Top Picks

BEST OVERALL MOSQUITO REPELLENT: Off! Active Insect Repellent at Amazon

BEST DEET-FREE MOSQUITO REPELLENT: EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent at Amazon

BEST NON-GREASY MOSQUITO REPELLENT: Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent at Amazon

BEST LONG-LASTING MOSQUITO REPELLENT: Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent at Amazon

BEST MOSQUITO REPELLENT LOTION: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent at Amazon

BEST MOSQUITO REPELLENT FOR TRAVEL: Off! Family Care Insect Repellent With Picaridin at Amazon

BEST EASY APPLICATION MOSQUITO REPELLENT: Coleman SkinSmart Insect Repellent at Amazon

BEST WITH SPF:Bullfrog Sunscreen and Insect Repellent at Amazon ($14)

Continue reading the full article written by L. Daniela Alvarez.