Sawyer
Sawyer MAXI DEET Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- High-strength 98% DEET, 6 to 8 hours of heavy-duty protection backed by deep evidence.
Cons
- A greasy feel and rough on plastics and synthetics, like all max-strength DEET.
- More than you need for everyday use.
The full review
Packing 98.11% DEET for severe conditions, Sawyer MAXI-DEET sits at the top of our maximum protection tier. The evidence behind DEET is as settled as it gets, skin safety reads clean, and all 4 audited claims hold up. Our model puts complete protection at 6 to 8 hours for mosquitoes and a genuine 5 to 7 hours against ticks; the label's "up to 10 hours" reflects reduced biting rather than bite-free time, so the real reward of this strength is staying power, not a longer bite-free window. Transparency is unusually high, with nearly all of the formula quantified. The familiar caveat applies: at this concentration it can damage plastics, synthetic fabrics, and finished surfaces, and it is more than everyday use requires.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%97Mosquitoes: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–7 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–7 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%97DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%96From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%75This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
How long it protects
Complete protection ends when the first bite gets through; partial protection keeps reducing bites as repellency decays. EPA label times are verified; the rest are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format.
Mosquito estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~14 h as repellency decays.
Tick estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~12 h as repellency decays. Ticks only: estimated against Ixodes scapularis (the US Lyme vector). DEET is notably weaker against the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and some dog-tick (Dermacentor) populations, and weaker on ticks than on mosquitoes. Anchors: Burtis 2024 (CDC), 25% DEET held >=97% skin repellency through 6.5 h; Buchel 2015, 20% median tick CPT ~4-4.5 h.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
- DEETActive
Active repellent · 98.11%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Up to 10 hours of protection against ticks”
DurationModerateWithin the partial-protection window: complete (bite-free) protection is ~7 h, with reduced protection persisting to ~12 h. The claimed 10 h is optimistic but plausible as partial protection.
“Maximum-strength formula for severe insect conditions”
EfficacyStrongNear-100% DEET is the most concentrated consumer repellent format; note higher concentrations extend duration rather than increase repellency strength.
“DEET 98.1%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed by EPA registration.
“Up to 10 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from DEET.
Mainly from DEET.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →