The best mosquito repellents, tested and reviewed by editors – ryan

Topping our list is this cordless hub from Thermacell, which is not only a cinch to set up, but also compact for transporting.

How it works: The portable pod features a 6.5-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes with a charging dock, a USB-C charging cable and one cartridge (the repellent). To set it up, you flip off the top of the device, pop the cartridge in its dedicated groove, then give it a charge. Once it’s charged, you press one button to turn it on.

Why we love it: As one of Yahoo’s home writers, I tested the small-but-mighty gizmo myself and can confirm it’s both incredibly easy to use and gets to work quickly (in 10 minutes or so).

According to the brand, the E-Series repeller provides coverage for up to 20 feet. I placed it on my outdoor dining table and, whether sitting there or wandering around my deck, didn’t get bitten.

It has a nine-hour battery life, which meant I didn’t need to worry about recharging it (or re-spraying, or re-lighting a product) for a while. The cartridge that came with my hub was designed to last for 12 hours, though mine seemed to last longer: I got more than a week-and-a-half when I used it for a few hours almost every night.

But you don’t have to take it solely from me: This Men In Black-esque mosquito defense system has more than 1,300 five-star ratings, including this rave: “Outstanding. Lots of mosquitoes where I live, more so this summer with all the rain we’ve received. I set a couple of these on my deck minutes before I’m going to relax out there, and they fend off all the biters, so my family and I can enjoy being outside.”

Thermacell sells a similar hub with a 36-hour refill, plus 40-hour+ standalone refill bundles, for longer coverage and some savings.

If you’re looking to mosquito-proof a grassy area, this spray from Sunday is another product I’ve used and had a good experience with.

How it works: According to the brand, the people- and pet-safe formula contains lemongrass and cedar oils to keep away mosquitoes, plus ticks and fleas. You just spray it onto your lawn using an up-and-down motion and reapply every two weeks for wetter climates and every four weeks for warmer climates, as needed. (Sunday recommends spraying twice within the first seven days to get started.)

Why we love it: The bottle attaches to a hose for easy, continuous spraying (meaning my hands aren’t left strained) — and the scent isn’t overwhelming, unlike some mosquito formulas I’ve been unfortunate enough to inhale.

Mosquito Deleto’s protective layer isn’t always iron-clad (here and there, a mosquito will show up), but I’ve found that it makes a big difference. In my case, it’s worth the cost, and as close as I’ve come to a backyard barrier without having a physical screen in place.

For another (spray-free) spatial repellent, Editorial Director Lauren Matthews-Ide looks to these mesmerizing — and hardworking! — green coils.

How it works: Each coil is infused with essential oils (citronella, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass and cedarwood). To set them up, you use your thumb and index fingers to separate the coils (about ¼ inch apart), grabbing the middle part to pull everything upward. Then place them wherever you need coverage, with six to 10 feet between them.

Why we love it: “They’re incredibly easy to use, last for hours, and actually work,” says Matthews-Ide. “We light one near where we’re sitting on the porch, and it keeps the mosquitoes away all evening.”

She notes that the citronella scent is strong, but to her, pleasant, and that one coil typically lasts her two barbecues.

The kit contains 12 coils and six stands, and according to the brand, each coil is designed to burn for five to seven hours. “They’ve become a summer essential for my family,” adds Matthews-Ide. And she’s not alone: More than 5,600 Amazon customers rely on these coils, awarding them a five-star rating.

“Pedestal fans like this were my go-to option for keeping mosquitoes away when I lived in Costa Rica,” shares Senior Health Editor Laura Williams. “The airflow works, even for people who seem to be mosquito targets like me.” Kevin Lenhart, design director at the virtual landscape and outdoor design company Yardzen, backs her up: Sufficient airflow is a helpful, natural defense against mosquitoes and any other winged pests, he says.

How it works: According to Rowenta, this model gives you up to 30 feet of (rotating) airflow, enough to cover a good portion of a deck or patio. It also features three speeds, three modes and an eight-hour timer, all of which can be controlled via the touch panel or remote.

Why we love it: Once Williams moved back to the States, she got this fan. “It works well and is durable,” she says.

While the fan is rather large and needs to be plugged in (and therefore isn’t travel-friendly), it does have (locking) wheels so you can move it around your patio or porch. It’s also top-rated: More than 9,900 Amazon reviewers gave it five stars for its streamlined form and powerful, relatively quiet speed.

When it comes to mosquito control sprays, Senior Home Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder swears by this popular formula from Sawyer, which she bought for a trip to Mexico (during heightened fears surrounding the Zika virus, no less).

How it works: You spray the formula onto your skin or clothing, avoiding the eyes and mouth and any open cuts that could otherwise become irritated. The active ingredient is picaridin, a synthetic compound (and DEET alternative) that’s supposed to drive mosquitoes away. One application is designed to protect against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours, and flies, gnats and chiggers for up to eight.

Why we love it: “My husband and I used it the entire week we were in Mexico and escaped with just a couple of mosquito bites, even after spending every day outside,” Dodell-Feder shares of the “very effective” formula. “It’s also odorless and doesn’t leave behind a greasy film on your skin.”

Another perk: The spray comes in a carry-on suitcase-friendly bottle with two caps that Dodell-Feder says kept the solution from leaking all over her clothes. And for only $10, it’s no wonder more than 34,800 customers have given it a five-star rating.

If you’re scent-sensitive, consider this spray from Off!, which promises up to eight hours of protection against mosquitoes — along with fleas and ticks.

How it works: The directions say to hold the bottle six to eight inches away and to spray in a light, sweeping motion — just enough to cover skin, taking care to avoid open cuts, as well as the eyes and mouth. Like the Sawyer spray, Off! Clean Feel uses picaridin as an active mosquito-repelling ingredient.

Why we love it: “I’ve tried a lot of bug sprays, and this is the only one that works for me, but that also doesn’t smell or feel like bug spray,” shares Initiatives Writer Ellie Conley. “Normally, I would shower off my bug spray before going to bed, but with this stuff, I usually forget I even have it on before my head hits my pillow.”

Conley prefers the continuous spray bottle (shown), which locks at the top, but the Clean Feel formula is also available in a pump bottle, including a travel-friendly version.

Mosquito bracelets are handy for when you don’t want to worry about toting or reapplying a spray, and Director of Commerce Initiatives Jeanine Edwards credits these colorful, wiry bands from Cliganic for getting her out of the house in the evening.

How it works: Each plastic bracelet is infused with essential oils (geranium, lemongrass and citronella) that the brand says should provide coverage for four hours. There are 10 bracelets per pack, plus a resealable bag for easy storage.

Why we love it: “I wear one on each wrist — and sometimes on my ankles if it’s especially hot and humid — whenever I walk my dog and the bugs leave me alone,” Edwards shares of the “miracle” product. “I’ve never gotten a mosquito bite while wearing these bracelets, and everyone who knows me knows I will not be outside for an extended amount of time without them. They’re that good!”

Edwards notes that the plastic material is stretchy, allowing for a customized fit, and that the one she used last year still has its original smell. “I never use mine for four hours at a time, so I keep them in the little storage pouch in between uses and that seems to help preserve the smell that keeps insects away,” she explains.

Better yet, make it a reusable wristband! Conley considers this travel-friendly option from Para’kito among the best on the internet.

How it works: The wristbands come with pellets infused with essential oils, such as geranium, citronella, rosemary, mint, clove and cinnamon. In terms of setup, Conley says you just pop in a pellet and put the wristlet on your wrist or ankle.

Why we love it: “It’s Velcro, so it’s easy to adjust the size and put on and take off,” Conley shares of the design. “When I eat outside at a restaurant, I usually strap it to my ankle so no one sees it or smells it, and I always leave bug bite-free.”

According to Para’kito, the bands are water-resistant, and each of the essential oil-infused repellent pellets is designed to last for up to 15 days. Though Conley says she typically gets more days out of them. She adds, “Fair warning: The tablets smell strong! When I’m not outside, I usually store mine in a plastic bag to keep it from smelling up my home.”

Mosquito repellent products often integrate essential oils from plants as a natural deterrent — so, why not go straight to the source?

How it works: As we dive into in our FAQ section, lavender is a common plant landscapers use for repelling mosquitoes. It’s also pollinator-friendly and drought-tolerant (so, aside from a little watering here and there, it doesn’t require much in terms of maintenance).

Why we love it: “Mosquitoes love the moist, green backyards where I live in Virginia,” shares Contributing Writer and Editor Libby Sentz. “I keep a big lavender plant on the table of our outdoor hangout area, and we never seem to get bitten there.”

Sentz points out that the lavender plant shown blooms in both summer and winter months in her area. Plus, it adds an element of (natural) beauty to your tablescape or yard.

When things get especially buggy, Sentz also turns on the ceiling fan in her outdoor space for added protection.

Too late? Help is on the way! In this case, it comes in the form of The Bug Bite Thing, a handy little sucker (meant in the best way possible) for relieving the post-bite itch along with related pain.

How it works: The unassuming tube uses suction to extract the irritant, like venom or saliva — eek! — for quick relief. According to Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross, all you do is place the opening of the tube over the bite you’re trying to target, slowly lift the handle to gently apply suction, hold it for 10 to 20 seconds and press down to release.

Why we love it: “The first time I used it, I was shocked that I could actually feel the swelling going down in real time — and within an hour, the unbearable itching I typically experienced had vanished,” she wrote in a review earlier this year.

Ross was so impressed that she now carries the reusable, easily cleanable doodad in her bag with her at all times — and she’s not the only one.

Chaunie Brusie, a registered nurse and mom who lives on close to 80 acres of land that includes swamps and woods, considers The Bug Bite Thing so essential that she grabbed a bunch of colors and assigned one to each of her five kids.

“My son is pretty allergic to mosquito bites and swells up terribly, so getting the venom out as soon as possible helps reduce the swelling and itchiness a ton,” she shares, adding that she likes how children can operate The Bug Bite Thing independently to help reduce discomfort on their own. “They think it’s cool to use, so that helps too.” Did we mention it has more than 57,100 perfect ratings on Amazon?