Our Top 5 Mosquito Repellent reviews cover a blend of organic and natural repellents along with some powerhouse EPA pesticides that can last up to 10 hours or more! In extreme zones, I like to have what you might call a ‘toolbox’ of defense to tackle any pesky critters looking at me as if I were their next meal. Each deterrent has it’s own strong point (and weak point I might add) and some definitely last longer that others. But, the whole point of choosing a repellent is finding one that is going to be a good match for your activity and most importantly, one that will block mosquitoes from biting you.
What I like about these five? They detail a full range of repellents going from totally natural protection to almost full strength DEET. And, they are the favorites with both men and women with some items covered 100% safe to apply to infants and toddlers.
The repellents that did not make my top 5 reviews list were mainly those that could not be applied to children under certain ages, or those that just don’t match my needs or personal preferences. One thing to consider is, it’s really difficult to know which mosquito repellent is going to work well for your skin and activity type. I mean, applying a weaker blend or chemical product during a long day of hiking in the jungle might not be a good plan. On the other hand, shopping at an outdoor auction on a cooler fall day just doesn’t seem to require the strongest DEET based repellent on the market. So, try to find balance and consider which repellent is a good fit for what your are planning for the day. Also, I think the mosquito repellent market is about to boom now that the ZIKA virus doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. And as they do, my top 5 ‘may’ turn into a ‘Top Ten’ as products come out. So stay tuned and check back often!
1. Bugmace All Natural Mosquito & Insect Repellent
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Rated #1 for Best ‘All Natural Mosquito Repellent’ on Amazon, and our top pick for this season, this organic plant based formula give you repellent protection instantly. It is priced in line with other mosquito repellent sprays and smells great, which is pretty rare when it comes to any insect repellent. The formula consists of a blend of plant based oils that to ward off nuisance mosquitoes and insects and it applies as a smooth, color free shield. Luckily, while the lemongrass and vanilla fragrance is strong at first, its potent fragrance blends down nicely as it forms a protective shield around you.
Comparing this to other naturally formulated repellents, this one had the highest level of active ingredients and it’s not overloaded with water like some others we looked at. When searching for a natural mosquito repellent, one of the most important things you need to look for is potency and safety. And sure enough, this product fills both criteria as it is comprised of potent plant based repellents without any of the harsher ingredients found in some chemical based products like DEET & Permethrin etc.
This product comes in several different convenient sizes including a 2, 4 and 8 oz. bottle. The smaller 2 and 4 oz. are great for travelers as you won’t run into problems at the airport with the smaller sizes. And, since only a few of the top 5 Mosquito Repellents offer ‘flight-ready’ sizes, offering a 2 oz. spray is a smart move by the manufacturer.
What we really like about this repellent is, locating a mosquito repellent for children can be difficult these days, especially with repellents being more important than ever. You see, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and other chemical based products are not to be used on children under certain ages, but this product can be used on very small children as it is safe and not absorbed into the body like with DEET. It doesn’t have the chemical or citronella smell and is safe for pets too. [Read full reviews]
2. Cutter Natural* Insect Repellent
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This popular product comes in a sleek spray bottle offering serious mosquito protection. It controls mosquitoes and insects for several hours and has a rose scented fragrance. You can use it while camping, hiking or on the beach where pesky sand fleas enjoy YOU as their afternoon lunch.
The main repellents listed on the labels are Geraniol and Soybean Oil that discourage insects from entering your space. There are so many different essential oils used in natural lotions and most do provide various degrees of shielding against insects. The top ingredient in this lotion, Geraniol, makes sure that you aren’t on the buffet.
The combination of repellents and sufficient water content allow for a smooth feel after application, and you will not experience the tacky-oily sensation that some other repellents exhibit. It goes on as a white spray mist and blends in well after rubbing into your skin.
This too is a non-staining formula so there shouldn’t be too much concern getting the formula on your clothes. But, better safe than sorry – so, be sure to test a small amount before you risk spraying down your best ‘On the Town’ outfit.
Cutter is well known for offering a full line of mosquito and insect repellents that are chemical based. With several different repellents including various concentrations of DEET, Picaridin and lemon eucalyptus, it is nice to see that this company has decided to release a natural repellent for the growing majority of people trying to stay away from chemical based solutions.
Cutter Natural* Insect Repellent is a proven product that shields against mosquitoes. It works well, isn’t oily and does what it is intended to do. [Read full reviews]
3. Repel 100 Insect Repellent
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
The EPA registered Repel 100 Insect Repellent contains 98.11% DEET and contains the highest concentration on DEET we could find. The manufacturer claims that this product provides protection against mosquitoes for up to 10 full hours due to it’s ultra-high concentration of active DEET. For many, maximum chemical protection is a must especially in the ever-expanding ZIKA zones across the globe. With that being said, this product does not provide sweat protection. So, for those using it under such conditions, frequent re-application is a must.
Repel 100 Insect Repellent ward off all kinds of insects such as mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks and biting flies. And following suit with other repellent manufacturers, Repel comes in various sizes large enough to shield your entire family, and smaller sizes for travel.
Keep in mind, if you are not a big fan of DEET, you may want to pass on this one as it is extremely potent. But for the brave, this powerhouse is unmatched in DEET strength and keeps even the nastiest of biting insects at bay. [Read full reviews]
4. Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Sawyer’s Premium Insect Repellent with Picaridin holds a very solid reputation for keeping biting and annoying insects far away. With various convenient sizes of this product available, those on-the-go will find instant relief as well as those planning the vacation of a lifetime. This formidable EPA registered pesticide contains the active ingredient ‘Picaridin’ which competes heavily with other chemical based products such as DEET and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Different from DEET, this product has little to no odor other than the initial ‘bust’ of fragrance that accompanies practically all capable repellents.
Talk about long lasting too! This product is known to outlast DEET and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and can repel ticks and mosquitoes for up to 12 hours. And of course, other biting and flying insects are swatted away for about 8 hours. Picaridin goes on clear and once rubbed in, it is for the most part, unnoticeable. It has a clear, colorless texture and dries fast without any oily or tacky sensation.
This repellent is not harmful to gear or most other equipment so it’s multiple uses are a nice trait. And because it is safe for gear, many campers and hikers stock up on it before starting their journey. [Read full reviews]
5. OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
The original OFF! Deep Woods Repellent has been around for ages. Nearly everyone has tried this product at least once or twice during a mosquito attack and with a long history of refining their formula, this manufacturer knows how to chase away mosquitoes and insects. With 25% DEET listed as it’s active ingredient, OFF! provides hours of protection just when you need it most. As a fast acting repellent, this product guards against mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and most other bothersome insects and is safe for your entire family when used as directed.
The EPA maintains stringent control over chemical based repellents and does not condone exaggerative claims and promises regarding product performance. That being said, this product was approved as an EPA registered pesticide and guards against attacks consistent with its labeling. OFF! is not overwhelming in the odor department and while it does have a chemical scent, it’s not overcoming and dulls down as it soaks into your skin.
Packaged in assorted sizes, this product makes for a great companion for your next African safari adventure, or one closer to home such as mowing the lawn. [Read full reviews]
So there you have it! Our Top 5 Mosquito Repellents for this year with all the details and ratings you need to make the right choice for you, your family and pets. Stay tuned for regular updates and features as we are always on the hunt for the latest and greatest bug sprays. And, if you discover a mosquito repellent not reviewed her, just drop me an email or use the contact page and I will do my best to get your suggestion reviewed.