Every repellent we've scored
Personal sprays and lotions, spatial emanators and coils, yard foggers, larvicides, and traps, and the gadgets that don't work, each scored on the same four pillars: effectiveness, transparency, evidence, and safety. Every product is judged on how well it does its own job, so scores are meant to be compared within a tab, not across. How scoring works.
Our top picks
All personal repellents
Proven
Proven 14 Hour Mosquito + Tick Lotion – Odorless
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's 100 Tick and Insect Repellent Pump Spray
DEET 100%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's Repellent Lotion
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's Tick Repellent Eco-Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ranger Ready
Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray
DEET 30%
Complete protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII
DEET 25%
Complete protection
Sawyer
20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
BUGGINS
BUGGINS Insect Repellent X 20% Picaridin
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Coleman
Coleman Picaridin Insect Repellent 20% Picaridin
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
No Tickz
No Tickz Picaridin Tick Repellent Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Proven
Proven 12 Hour Mosquito + Tick Spray – Odorless
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Aerosol Spray
Picaridin 10%
Complete protection
Sawyer
20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Grand Tongo
Fragrance Free Insect Repellent Family Formula
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin 4oz. Pump Spray
Picaridin 10%
Complete protection
Coleman
Coleman 100 MAX Insect Repellent 98% DEET
DEET 98.11%
Complete protection
3M
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent
DEET 34.34%
Complete protection
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes
Picaridin 10%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes
DEET 30%
Complete protection
Coleman
Coleman DEET Insect Repellent 50% DEET
DEET 50%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Backwoods High DEET Insect Repellent
DEET 40%
Complete protection
Sawyer
Jungle Juice 100 Pump Spray Insect Repellent
DEET 98.11%
Complete protection
Sawyer
Sawyer MAXI DEET Insect Repellent
DEET 98.11%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Deep Woods Sportsmen Insect Repellent I
DEET 98.25%
Complete protection
Repel
Repel 100 Insect Repellent
DEET 98.11%
Complete protection
Repel
Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max Formula 40% DEET
DEET 40%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter All Family Insect Repellent
IR3535 20%
Complete protection
Zevo
Zevo On-Body Mosquito and Tick Repellent Aerosol Spray
IR3535 20%
Complete protection
Zevo
Zevo On-Body Mosquito and Tick Repellent Lotion
IR3535 20%
Complete protection
Zevo
Zevo On-Body Mosquito and Tick Repellent Pump Spray
IR3535 20%
Complete protection
Zone Protects
Zone Protects Picaridin Insect Repellent
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Backwoods Tick Defense Insect Repellent
Picaridin 15%
Complete protection
Repel
Tick Defense 15% Picaridin
Picaridin 15%
Complete protection
3M
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8
DEET 25%
Complete protection
BUGGINS
BUGGINS Insect Repellent IV Performance
DEET 25%
Complete protection
Coleman
Coleman DEET Insect Repellent 25% DEET
DEET 25%
Complete protection
Repel
Insect Repellent Sportsmen Formula 25% DEET
DEET 25%
Complete protection
Repel
Repel Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes 30% DEET
DEET 30%
Complete protection
Sawyer
Family Controlled Release Insect Repellent
DEET 20%
Complete protection
3M
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Pump
DEET 19%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Sport Insect Repellent
DEET 15%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I
DEET 15%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent Towelettes
DEET 25%
Complete protection
Repel
Insect Repellent Scented Family Formula 15% DEET
DEET 15.0%
Complete protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Lemon Eucalyptus Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 30%
Complete protection
Murphy's Naturals
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Mist
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 30%
Complete protection
Repel
Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 30%
Complete protection
Coleman
Coleman Botanicals Insect Repellent 30% Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 30%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 30%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Unscented Dry Insect Repellent
DEET 10%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent
Picaridin 5%
Complete protection
MIMIKAI
Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 11% · Methyl nonyl ketone 7.75%
Complete protection
Quantum Health
Buzz Away Extreme Spray
Geraniol 6.00% · Citronella oil 0.98%
Complete protection
NotchOur product
Nourish + Defend Botanical Insect Repellent
Geraniol 5%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent
DEET 7%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes
DEET 7.15%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Botanicals Insect Repellent
p-Menthane-3,8-diol 10%
Complete protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Essential Oil Insect Repellent
Soybean oil 72.75% · Rosemary oil 3.00%
Complete protection
Badger
Anti-Bug Shake & Spray
Soybean oil 23% · Castor oil 10%
Complete protection
Badger
Anti-Tick Spray
Geraniol 4.5% · Cinnamon oil 4.0%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Botanicals Towelettes
p-Menthane-3,8-diol 8%
Complete protection
Maggie's Farm
Maggie's Farm Natural Insect Repellent
Corn oil 20.00% · Soybean oil 12.00%
Complete protection
All Terrain
Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Pump Spray
Peppermint oil 2% · Cedarwood oil 1.5%
Complete protection
Kinfield
Golden Hour DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent
Citronella oil 10.00% · Lemongrass oil 1.00%
Complete protection
California Baby
California Baby Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent Spray
Citronella oil 5% · Lemongrass oil 0.5%
Complete protection
Badger
Bug Repellent Balm Tin
Castor oil 10% · Citronella oil 5%
Complete protection
Quantum Health
Buzz Away Insect Repellent
Citronella oil 5%
Complete protection
Murphy's Naturals
Mosquito Repellent Balm Stick
Castor oil 10.5% · Lemongrass oil 3.25%
Complete protection
Bullfrog
Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Sunscreen + Insect Repellent SPF 50
Avobenzone 3% · Octocrylene 5%
Not recommended · Combination sunscreen/repellent
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 30 Pump Spray
Octocrylene 10% · Octinoxate 7.5%
Not recommended · Combination sunscreen/repellent
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition Aerosol Spray SPF 28
Octocrylene 9% · Octinoxate 6.75%
Not recommended · Combination sunscreen/repellent
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Gentle Breeze SPF 30 Lotion
IR3535 7.5%
Not recommended · Combination sunscreen/repellent
Jao
Jao Patio Oil Moisturizing Mist
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 20% · Geraniol 5%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Spray
p-Menthane-3,8-diol 8% · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 1%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
Lovett Sundries
Lovett Sundries Insect Repellent
Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil (Lemon eucalyptus oil) 1.18% · Cedarwood oil 1.17%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc Off Mosquito Repellent Spray
p-Menthane-3,8-diol 8% · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 1%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
Kate McLeod
The Bug Balm
Geranium oil 0.2% · Cedarwood oil 0.12%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Summary
Summary Botanical Bug Spray
Lemongrass oil 0.07% · Peppermint oil 0.02%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Lemongrass Farms
TREK Insect Repellent for Kids
Geranium oil 0.50% · Lemongrass oil 0.50%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Venture Wipes
Venture Wipes Natural Mosquito Repellent Wipes
Peppermint oil 0.5% · Rosemary oil 0.05%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Babyganics
Babyganics Mosquito Repellent Lotion – Fragrance Free
Rosemary oil 1.50% · Citronella oil 0.95%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Lemongrass Farms
TREK Natural Insect Repellent
Geranium oil 1.30% · Lemongrass oil 0.75%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Wipes
p-Menthane-3,8-diol 8% · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 1%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
BUGGINS
BUGGINS Original Insect Repellent
Peppermint oil 0.5% · Geraniol 1.5%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Essential Oil Insect Repellent – Pets & People
Thyme oil 1.90% · Geraniol 0.05%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Greenerways Organic
Greenerways Organic Bug Repellent
Citronella oil 7.5% · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Murphy's Naturals
Mosquito Repellent Wipes
Lemongrass oil 2.3% · Rosemary oil 2.1%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Quitch
Geraniol Bug Repellent Balm
Geraniol · Castor oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
EcoSMART
EcoSMART Organic Insect Repellent
Geraniol 1.0% · Rosemary oil 0.5%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Buzzie
Insect Repellent Spray
Rosemary oil · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Wondercide
Wondercide Lemongrass Insect Repellent for Family
Cedarwood oil 4.2% · Lemongrass oil 1.5%
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
No Mosquitoz
No Mosquitoz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Cedarwood oil · Citronella oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
No Natz
No Natz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Citronella oil · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Skeem Design
Skeem Verbena Aura Citronella Body Spray
Lemongrass oil · Citronella oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Bug Soother
Bug Soother Insect Repellent
Lemongrass oil 0.8%
Not recommended · No proven mosquito protection
Heretic Parfum
The Entomologist Insect Repellent Spray
Cedarwood oil · Geranium oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Skeeter Screen
Skeeter Screen 4 oz. Personal Spray
Geraniol · Geranium oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Lemongrass Insect Repellent
Lemongrass oil · Clove oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet Insect Repellent
Lemongrass oil · Cedarwood oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Sidebalm
Outside Balm
Clove oil · Geraniol
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Cliganic
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stick
Citronella oil · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Cinnamon Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Cinnamon oil · Clove oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Lemongrass Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Lemongrass oil · Clove oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
SallyeAnder
SallyeAnder No-Bite-Me Bug Repellent Cream
Cedarwood oil · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Cinnamon Insect Repellent
Cinnamon oil · Clove oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Primally Pure
Primally Pure Nature Spray
Citronella oil · Cedarwood oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Grandpa Gus
Grandpa Gus Mosquito Repellent Spray
Geraniol · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Vanilla Mozi
Vanilla Mozi Natural Outdoor Body Cream
Spearmint oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Para'Kito
Para'Kito Mosquito Repellent Roll-On Gel
Citronella oil 2.475% · Rosemary oil 1.95%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
Lo & Behold Naturals
Lo & Behold Naturals Lemon & Eucalyptus Bug Spray
Lemongrass oil 0.89% · Citronella oil 0.53%
Not recommended · Potentially not EPA compliant
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Palm Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Escape Cologne + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Nantucket Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Vacay Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Y'ALL Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
My July
My July Woods Nature Spray Tick & Mosquito Repellent
Citronella oil · Cedarwood oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Charleston Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Rose Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Charleston Bug Defying Body Oil
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Diptyque
Diptyque Lemongrass & Geranium Summer Body Spray
Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil (Lemon eucalyptus oil) · Citronella oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Beach Body Glow + Bug Repellent Beauty Oil
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Beach Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) · Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
Erbaviva
Erbaviva Buzz Spray
Citronella oil · Lemongrass oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed
H. Honeycup
H. Honeycup Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray
Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil (Lemon eucalyptus oil) · Citronella oil
Not recommended · Formula not fully disclosed