The 7 Best Mosquito Repellents To Keep the Bugs Away, Tested and Reviewed

Enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about itchy bites.

Nearly everyone has been bitten by a mosquito at some point in their lives. Not only do these bites cause red itchy bumps, but they also can lead to skin irritations, especially in people with sensitive skin. But the biggest issue with mosquitoes is the risk that they are carrying and transmitting serious diseases and viruses like malaria, dengue virus, Zika, and West Nile virus. If contracted, these diseases can lead to potentially deadly side effects like encephalitis and meningitis.12

For this reason, it’s important to find effective ways to repel mosquitos and prevent you and your family from getting bitten. But with so many different products on the market, it can be challenging to know which one is best. To help cut through the clutter and the confusion, we tested and evaluated 11 different mosquito repellents in a variety of scenarios. We looked for products that not only provide extended coverage but also include active ingredients that are approved by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

To select our list of products, we received input from three mosquito experts. Once we settled on our list, we tested each product extensively. In order to select our top products, we looked at everything from how those repellents felt on our skin to how long they worked before re-application was needed. Read the full article here.

LAST UPDATED

February 5, 2025

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Verywell Health

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Whether for gardening, mowing or warm evenings outside, we found Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent to be an excellent choice in every setting.

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The efficacy of DEET without harsh chemicals. Sawyer Picardin Insect Repellent is our go-to skin protection against mosquitos and ticks. We prefer the lotion to the spray-on, which lasts 8-14 hours.

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We recommend this lotion from Sawyer for its effectiveness, thorough application, and easily transportable bottle.

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