What is the best mosquito repellent?

The best mosquito repellent is DEET (20% to 30 concentration) , which is top-rated by health groups like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for long-lasting protection.

Top Active Ingredients

• DEET : Offers the longest hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks. Products like [OFF! Deep Woods Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.homedepot.com/p/OFF-Deep-Woods-Mosquito-Repellent-V-up-to-8-Hours-of-Protection-from-Mosquitoes-6-oz-SCJ333242/203187950) contain around 25% DEET and last up to 8 hours. For extreme conditions, high-concentration formulas like [Repel 100 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Repel-100-Percent-Deet-Pump-4-oz/16561282) provide up to 10 hours of defense.
• Picaridin : A great, odorless alternative to DEET that does not feel greasy or damage plastics and synthetic gear. Products like [Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.avon.com/product/skin-so-soft-bug-guard-plus-picaridin-aerosol-spray-10401) work exceptionally well.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) : A natural plant-based oil option approved by the EPA that offers protection comparable to low-concentration DEET formulas.
• Permethrin : An insecticide meant only for clothing and gear (never directly on skin), which kills mosquitoes and ticks on contact and lasts through multiple washes.

Comparison of Repellent Types

If you'd like, let me know:

• Are you looking for something to apply to skin or clothing?
• Will you be in a backyard setting or heavy backcountry woods?

I can give you a more specific product recommendation.

The best mosquito repellent for most people is one containing 20% picaridin or 20–30% DEET. Both are proven effective, but the “best” choice depends on your situation.

Top choices

1. Best overall (comfortable + effective): 20% picaridin

• Great protection against mosquitoes
• Usually feels less greasy and has less odor than DEET
• Good for everyday use, travel, hiking, and families
• Example: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent (20% picaridin)

2. Best for heavy mosquito areas / tropical travel: DEET (25–50%)

• One of the most studied repellents
• Excellent for places with disease-carrying mosquitoes or long outdoor exposure
• Higher concentrations generally last longer, but above about 50% DEET usually doesn’t add much mosquito protection time.
• Example: OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent (commonly available with DEET)

3. Best plant-based option: Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD)

• Can work well, but avoid “pure” essential oil versions that are not formulated and registered as repellents.
• Not recommended for children under age 3.

My quick recommendation

• Daily backyard use: 20% picaridin spray or lotion
• Camping, hiking, humid areas, or travel where mosquito diseases are a concern: 25–40% DEET
• Sensitive to smells or sticky sprays: picaridin is usually the easiest to tolerate

A few tips that matter:

• Look for an EPA-registered repellent and follow the label directions.
• Apply sunscreen first, then mosquito repellent.
• For extra protection outdoors, wear long sleeves/pants and consider permethrin-treated clothing (permethrin is for clothing/gear, not skin).

If you tell me whether you need it for backyard use, kids, travel, hiking, or a specific location, I can narrow it down.

The best overall mosquito repellent is a formula containing 20% Picaridin , which leading testing organizations like The New York Times Wirecutter rank as the top choice because it matches DEET's efficacy without the heavy odor, greasy residue, or risk of damaging plastics.

For maximum protection, experts from Consumer Reports note that formulas with 25% to 30% DEET or 30% Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) also consistently score the highest in laboratory tests.

Top-rated product options include:

Top Picaridin Repellents (Best Overall)

Add to list

• Ranked as the absolute top pick by Wirecutter.
• Provides up to 12 hours of reliable protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
• Features a continuous-spray pump that applies evenly without a strong chemical scent.

Add to list

• Formulated with 20% picaridin for a highly effective, skin-friendly barrier.
• Completely unscented, fast-acting, and leaves zero sticky residue.
• Safe to use on children and during pregnancy.

Top DEET Repellents (Best for Heavy Infestations)

Add to list

• Formulated with 25% DEET to reliably repel mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and gnats.
• Ideal for deep backcountry hiking, hunting, or heavy yard infestations.
• Delivers up to 8 hours of long-lasting protection via a quick-drying aerosol spray.

Add to list

• Contains a heavy-duty 98% DEET concentration for extreme outdoor conditions.
• Guarantees up to 10 hours of continuous protection in high-infestation areas.
• Packaged in a compact pump bottle that stores easily with rugged travel gear.

Top Plant-Based Repellents (Best DEET-Free Natural Alternative)

Add to list

• Uses 30% Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), the only plant-derived active ingredient recommended by the CDC.
• Clinically proven to match the bug-blocking power of traditional chemical sprays.
• Delivers up to 6 hours of mosquito protection without synthetic chemicals.

To help tailor this, where do you plan to use the repellent (e.g., backyard, deep woods, tropical travel), and is it for adults, kids, or pets?

If you want one best all-around mosquito repellent, I’d pick 20% picaridin.

• Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent - $12.49 (Walmart.com)

Why picaridin?

• Very effective against mosquitoes; it’s one of the active ingredients recommended by the CDC.
• Less greasy and less smelly than DEET, making it easier to wear regularly.
• 20% picaridin provides long-lasting protection.
• It also works against ticks and biting flies, not just mosquitoes.

Picaridin vs. DEET

For example, OFF! Clean Feel 20% Picaridin is an inexpensive, readily available option:

• OFF! Clean Feel 20% Picaridin - $6.39 (Walmart)

If you're going somewhere with very heavy mosquitoes or a mosquito-borne disease risk, I'd lean toward 20–30% DEET instead. The CDC specifically recommends EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, OLE/PMD, or 2-undecanone.

One important note: don't rely on citronella or other "natural" oils as your primary protection when disease-carrying mosquitoes are a concern. Also, OLE/PMD should not be used on children under 3.

If you tell me whether this is for backyard use, hiking/camping, travel, or kids, I can recommend the specific best product and concentration.

The single overall best mosquito repellent for most people is a 20% Picaridin formula , which offers the perfect balance of maximum protection, minimal odor, and a non-greasy feel. Experts from NYT Wirecutter and CNN Underscored highly praise picaridin because it matches the raw performance of heavy-duty DEET but will not melt plastics, synthetic clothing, or gear.

The standard gold-standard active ingredients approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and recommended by the CDC fall into four distinct categories. The best concrete options are grouped below by active ingredient and use-case.

Best Picaridin Repellents (Top Overall Pick)

Add to list Named the absolute top pick by NYT Wirecutter , this clean-feeling spray provides up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, featuring a precise, non-puddling pump bottle.

Highlighted by CNN Underscored as the best overall bug spray for being so light and scent-free that you forget you are wearing it.

Add to list A highly-rated, skin-friendly 20% picaridin option that delivers up to 14 hours of continuous protection without leaving a sticky residue.

Best DEET Repellents (Best for Severe Infestations)

Add to list Widely regarded as the best DEET spray because its dry aerosol format completely bypasses the greasy, wet feeling typical of older DEET formulas.

Add to list A dependable 25% DEET aerosol choice built specifically for deep-woods hiking and camping where insects are rampant.

Best Plant-Based Repellents (Best DEET-Free Natural Choice)

Add to list Recommended by Consumer Reports testers as the premier natural alternative, using Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) to repel bugs for up to 6 hours.

Add to list A highly-rated mist featuring a 30% OLE formula, making it the most potent plant-derived pick recognized by the CDC.

Best Spatial Devices & Gear (No-Spray Solutions)

Add to list The leading spatial repeller choice from NYT Wirecutter , creating a scent-free, 15-foot zone of protection without using any sprays or lotions on your skin.

Add to list An essential insecticide treatment designed exclusively for clothes, tents, and shoes (never skin) that kills mosquitoes on contact and lasts through 6 washes.

Active Ingredient Comparison

To find the absolute best option for your upcoming needs, let me know:

• What specific activity you need it for (e.g., backyard patios, dense woodland hiking, or a tropical vacation)
• Who will be using it (e.g., young kids, pregnant individuals, or adults)
• Your personal preference regarding sprays vs. wearable gear vs. area-wide patio devices

The “best” mosquito repellent depends on what you value (maximum protection, low odor, skin feel, kids, travel), but the top choices are:

Best overall: Picaridin (20%)

• Why: Excellent mosquito protection, long-lasting, less greasy and less smelly than DEET, and it usually won’t damage plastics/synthetic gear.
• Good for: Everyday use, hiking, camping, travel.
• Examples: Sawyer Products Picaridin, Cutter Advanced.

Best maximum-strength protection: DEET (20–50%)

• Why: One of the most proven and effective repellents, especially where mosquito-borne diseases are a concern. Higher concentrations last longer, but around 50% is generally the point of diminishing returns.
• Good for: Tropical travel, heavy mosquito areas, long outdoor exposure.
• Downside: Stronger odor; can damage some plastics and synthetic materials.

Best “natural” option: Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD)

• Why: Can work well and is EPA-registered when formulated as a repellent.
• Downside: Not the same as using pure essential oil; pure oils have not been validated the same way for protection.
• Note: Not recommended for children under 3 years old.

For clothing and gear: Permethrin

• Why: Treats clothing, tents, and gear rather than skin; useful for camping and hiking.
• Important: Do not apply permethrin products meant for clothing directly to skin.

My practical picks

• Backyard / evening outdoors: 20% picaridin lotion or spray
• Camping / hiking: 20% picaridin on skin + permethrin-treated clothing
• International travel to mosquito-risk areas: 20–50% DEET or 20% picaridin
• Sensitive to smells or oily products: picaridin

Look for an EPA-registered repellent with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, OLE/PMD, or 2-undecanone; these are the ingredients CDC lists as effective when used as directed.

If you tell me whether this is for Seattle summers, camping, tropical travel, kids, pets, or just daily backyard use, I can narrow it down.

If you want one mosquito repellent that’s highly effective and pleasant to use, I’d pick 20% picaridin.

Sawyer Premium Picaridin Insect Repellent

$9.95

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: 20% picaridin — Very effective, long-lasting, and generally less greasy/odoriferous than DEET. It also doesn't have the same tendency to damage plastics and synthetic materials. CDC recommends picaridin among the proven EPA-registered options.
• 💪 Maximum protection: DEET — Still an excellent choice, particularly for heavy mosquito exposure, camping, or travel where mosquito-borne disease is a concern. Higher concentrations generally provide longer protection.
• 🌿 Plant-derived option: oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)/PMD — Effective when EPA-registered, but don't confuse this with pure lemon-eucalyptus essential oil, which CDC doesn't recommend as a validated repellent.

For everyday summer use, I'd personally choose 20% picaridin. A product like Sawyer's 20% formula is a good example.

Sawyer Premium 20% Picaridin

$9.95

OFF! Clean Feel Picaridin

$12.49

Repel 100% DEET

$7.48

Repel 40% DEET

$5.37

Tip: If you're also using sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first and repellent second.

If you tell me whether you want it for your backyard, hiking/camping, travel, or kids, I can tell you exactly which type/concentration I'd buy.

The absolute best mosquito repellent for most people is a 20% Picaridin formula , with DEET remaining the undisputed gold standard for intense backcountry protection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially recognize four primary active ingredients as safe and highly effective: Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) , and IR3535.

The top expert-recommended and user-reviewed products are categorized by active ingredient below:

Best Picaridin-Based Repellents (Best Overall)

Picaridin is the top recommendation by testers at New York Times Wirecutter because it matches DEET's efficacy, is completely odorless, feels weightless on the skin, and will not melt plastics or synthetic fabrics.

Widely praised as the overall best bug spray for its clean application, even misting, and up to 12 hours of reliable protection.

A highly rated alternative that features an almost-water-like liquid formula that dries instantly without leaving any sticky residue.

An unscented, skin-friendly 20% Picaridin body spray that offers extended protection for up to 14 hours and is safe for pregnant individuals and children.

Best DEET-Based Repellents (Best for Backcountry)

DEET remains the heaviest hitter for dense woods and swarms. It lasts the longest at high concentrations, but it has a strong chemical scent and can permanently damage plastics (like sunglasses, synthetic clothing, or watch faces).

Heavy-duty protection that uses a dry aerosol formula to prevent the greasy, oily skin feeling traditional DEET sprays cause.

A lower 15% DEET concentration formula perfect for backyard use, applying a powder-dry layer that stays effective for up to 6 hours.

Individually wrapped, water-based wipes that allow for a controlled, mess-free application without airborne spray.

Best Plant-Based Repellents (Best Natural)

If you prefer a botanical route, the only purely plant-derived ingredient officially recommended by the CDC is Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) . Note that pure, raw lemon eucalyptus essential oil is not the same as synthetic EPA-registered OLE formulations. Citronella and other raw essential oils are not recommended because they evaporate too quickly.

Formulated with 30% OLE to offer completely DEET-free protection against mosquitoes for up to 6 hours.

A lightweight, highly efficient non-synthetic formula that carries a distinct, refreshing eucalyptus aroma.

Best Area & Spatial Repellents (Best for Patios)

If you want to protect an entire outdoor space without spraying chemicals directly onto your skin, an active spatial repeller is your best option.

A top-tier, heat-activated device that creates a 20-foot scentless bug protection zone using a rechargeable battery dock.

To help narrow down your choice, what specific activity are you planning (e.g., backyard dining, deep woods hiking, traveling), and do you have a preference for scent or skin feel?

The best overall mosquito repellents are those formulated with 20% Picaridin , which major testing labs like The New York Times Wirecutter and Consumer Reports rank as equally effective to DEET. Picaridin does not carry the strong, chemical odor of traditional bug sprays, lacks a greasy residue, and will not melt synthetic gear or fabrics like nylon.

The top-rated mosquito repellents on the market are categorized below by their active ingredients and use cases.

Best Picaridin Repellents (Best Overall)

Add to list Named the top pick by Wirecutter , this pump spray applies evenly without overspraying, leaves no sticky film, and provides up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes.

Add to list A highly rated continuous aerosol spray that features a lightweight, water-like consistency, drying instantly with a subtle peppermint scent.

Best DEET Repellents (Best for Heavy Swarms)

Add to list Selected by experts as the best DEET formulation because it goes on dry rather than oily, eliminating the heavy, slippery feel traditional DEET sprays leave behind.

Add to list Earned top marks from Consumer Reports lab testing ; the wipes and pump format consistently offer maximum defense against intense mosquito and tick populations.

Best Plant-Based & Spatial Options

Add to list Formulated with 30% Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), this is the highest-performing natural alternative recommended by the CDC and Consumer Reports . Do not use on children under three.

Add to list The preferred alternative to skin sprays for stationary areas, creating a heat-activated, scent-free zone of protection across small patios or decks.

Repellent Comparison

To help me narrow down the absolute best choice for you, could you tell me:

• Will this be used for everyday wear, heavy woods/hiking , or stationary patio use?
• Are you shopping for adults or young children?
• Do you have a preference for scent-free or plant-based formulas?

If you want the best all-around mosquito repellent, I’d choose 20% picaridin. It’s highly effective, lasts for hours, and is generally less greasy and less damaging to plastics/synthetic materials than DEET. The CDC recommends picaridin and DEET among the most effective EPA-registered options. wwwnc.cdc.gov 

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray

$9.95

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: 20% Picaridin — especially good for everyday backyard use, hiking, and camping.
• 🥈 Best for really heavy mosquito conditions: 25–40% DEET — excellent when you need maximum protection.
• 🌿 Best plant-derived option: OLE/PMD — effective, but don't confuse EPA-registered oil of lemon eucalyptus products with pure essential oil; pure oil isn't recommended by CDC as a tested repellent.

For mosquitoes specifically, I would personally buy a 20% picaridin spray rather than a 100% DEET product. Higher DEET concentrations mainly extend protection time rather than making DEET dramatically more effective.

If you tell me whether you're looking for your backyard, hiking/camping, or travel, I can recommend the specific product I'd buy.