15 Best Mosquito Repellents So You Can Actually Enjoy the Outdoors

This kid-friendly mosquito spray uses a blend of lemongrass, cedarwood, citronella, and peppermint oils to help keep bugs away naturally. The DEET-free, plant-based formula is dermatologist approved and designed for both kids and adults, making it a great pick for family adventures. Reviewers appreciate this spray’s natural scent and ingredients, with one writing, “I love that they came up with this combination of different essential oils, including citronella, cedarwood, peppermint, and lemongrass. I also love that they’re fully transparent with all the ingredients; all of them are ones I recognize and can pronounce, and it’s made in the USA. I have zero qualms about using this on my whole family.”

Need protection that lasts all day? This odorless lotion uses 20% Picaridin to repel mosquitoes and ticks for up to 14 hours, making it a smart choice for long hikes, camping trips, and other outdoor adventures where reapplying isn’t always convenient. Reviewers love how this option has “virtually no smell,” with one sharing, “I am a mosquito magnet whether indoors or outside. Proven has been very effective keeping me comfortable from these pests on my daily walks. The lotion is light, goes on smoothly, not sticky. There is no annoying odor!”

Forget leaky bottles and messy sprays—this pocket-sized balm stick lets you swipe on protection exactly where you need it. The plant-based formula is compact enough to toss in a pocket, backpack, or purse for quick touch-ups on the go. Users love the three-pack option and compact size, with one sharing, “Perfect size when traveling. I brought it on my last trip to Italy, and it was beneficial. I had it in my bag because it was not heavy at all. My family and I applied it every time we noticed mosquitos around, and we weren’t a bit. The scent is like lemon-citronella, a little bit strong initially, but it works. I like that it is natural, not toxic. Five stars on my end.”

If you’re looking for serious protection without the scent, this one’s got your back (and arms, and legs!). This unscented spray uses 20% Picaridin for a non-greasy, full-body defense against mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and more. Plus, it’s safe for the whole family—even during pregnancy—and dries fast so you can get back to enjoying the great outdoors. Reviewers love this spray for its impressive staying power and effectiveness in tough conditions, with one 5-star reviewer saying, “It’s definitely worth it. Despite being someone who usually attracts mosquitoes, I didn’t get bitten at all. I strongly recommend this product to everyone.”c

This lightweight gel is a game-changer if you can’t stand sticky sprays. OFF! Clean Feel goes on clear and smooth with no scent, and the 20% Picaridin formula keeps bugs away for up to 8 hours. This gel earns high marks for being hydrating, easy to apply, and tough on mosquitoes, with one satisfied reviewer saying, “I cannot stand the smell of traditional bug spray that actually works, and the ones that don’t smell don’t really work. Until I found this magical product. Goes on easily, dries quickly, hardly any smell at all. And, most importantly—it WORKS.”

Scented with citronella, rosemary, and thyme essential oils, these citronella garden sticks work just like incense. Light one of these natural mosquito repellent sticks and put it in the ground or a planter. Then, your area will stay bug-free for more than two hours. “Nice smell and easy to use,” says one satisfied customer.

If you’re looking for a mosquito repellent for yard work and other outdoor chores, Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent has earned a stellar reputation. More than 37,000 Amazon reviewers have rated the product 5 stars, swearing by its potent, all-natural, and long-lasting protection—one even called it a “summer lifesaver.” However, it also has a rather pungent aroma, so it’s better for when you’re outside alone, not around a crowd.

We can verify that Thermacell’s highly-reviewed mosquito repellent device is a game changer. With it, you’ll be able to spend uninterrupted bug-free stretches on the patio, in a hammock, or anywhere else in the great outdoors. It disperses a scent-free vapor that keeps flying pests out of a 10-foot radius. It also lasts for 5.5 hours before it needs a recharge. Reviewers say the Thermacell E-Series is a total game-changer for mosquito relief, especially in tough outdoor settings. One 5-star fan writes, “I’ve tried everything—candles, sprays, zappers—and nothing worked like this. For the first time in years, I can actually enjoy my patio in peace. It’s easy to use, odorless, and totally worth it.”

Formulated with natural materials like lemon and eucalyptus oil, this mosquito repellent spray is kind to both your skin and the environment. Amazon reviewers everywhere from Texas to Africa to Costa Rica rave about this oil-based product’s effectiveness and ability to keep mosquitoes at bay even in the muggiest conditions. One happy parent shares, “I live in mosquito-filled DC and nothing had worked—until Murphy’s. My kids can finally play outside without coming in covered in bites. It’s a total game-changer for families looking for a DEET-free option that actually works.”

This mosquito repellent bracelet is infused with essential oils that are known to keep mosquitoes away, like lemongrass and geranium. These mosquito-repelling bracelets are a hit for their convenience and effectiveness. “They come individually wrapped, so I keep a few in my purse and my kid’s sports bag,” shares one reviewer. “They’re mess-free, smell good, and actually work—total game-changer.” So, if you’re used to coming home with bites all over your arms and legs, consider this little lifesaver your new favorite accessory!

A modern alternative to citronella candles, these coils burn for as long as seven hours each. The terracotta holder not only disguises the coil, but it also protects against wind, rain, and the elements. This is as easy as it gets to keep the backyard bug-free. Customers love this mosquito coil burner for its stylish ceramic design and solid performance in smaller outdoor spaces. “It keeps the bugs away and looks cute on my patio table,” one reviewer shares. Just be gentle with the coils—several users note they can be a bit delicate to handle.

Evenings on the patio usually involve a tradeoff: sit in the dark or risk a mosquito swarm. But Thermacell fixed that common problem. With an LED light and a scent-free bug repellent that protects a 15-foot area, Thermacell’s lantern offers the best of both worlds. This mosquito repellent gets high marks for creating a bite-free zone and adding a nice glow to outdoor evenings. “This thing is wonderful! Within minutes of sitting down outside, I used to get eaten alive by mosquitos. Not a single bite now!” one reviewer raves.

This odorless, non-greasy formula from Zevo repels ticks and mosquitos for up to eight hours. That’s a full day of fun in the sun! And (bonus!) this pack comes with three different applications: a lotion, a pump spray, and an aerosol spray. Users love this DEET-free lotion for its long-lasting protection and easy, mess-free application. “Total Summer Saver! I can enjoy my yard and warm summer nights again…10/10 recommend. I literally tell anyone who will listen about it,” one 5-star reviewer writes.

Because of its formulation, you can spray this unique mosquito repellent on your clothes, sleeping bags, tents, and other soft materials. Each treatment lasts six weeks or six washes, whichever comes first. Customers rave about this product for its ability to effectively repel ticks and mosquitoes, with many highlighting how easy it is to apply and how long the protection lasts—up to weeks at a time! One reviewer shares their excitement, saying, “Mosquitoes, chiggers, all the little annoying insects—they’re gone. Completely gone. You walk into the woods, and you OWN the woods. It’s like a force field.”

If you’re committed to foregoing natural options in favor of the hard stuff, this bad boy is for you. The formula contains 25% DEET. Rub one of the individually wrapped wipes all over your skin. You’ll have protection from bug bites of all kinds for hours. Customers love the convenience and effectiveness of this mosquito repellent, especially for travel. One user shares, “I like it because I can keep it in my purse, pocket, glove compartment, tackle box, riding lawn mower, or any place one might find expected or unexpected need for a good repellent.”