Best mosquito repellents

The best mosquito repellents from our tests

Whether you're spending summer at home or in warmer climes, insect repellent is important for preventing bites and stings and the associated diseases transmitted by biting bugs.

We've tested popular repellents, including Autan, Incognito, Jungle Formula and Xpel as well as some own-brand products, to uncover the ones you can rely on.

In our tough tests, a panel of brave volunteers applied the repellents and placed their arm in mesh cages filled with mosquitos. We checked every half hour to see if any bites had occurred to see which repelled mosquitos consistently and for as long as possible. 

We uncovered three Best Buys and one Great Value repellent that protected effectively over a long period in our tests. But some products barely lasted half an hour. 

Compare results and prices of the mosquito repellents we've tested in the table below, or read on for our full verdict on all of the mosquito repellents we've tested.

 Best Buy: Boots Repel Maximum DEET & PMD Aerosol

Our score and verdict 92%; Excellent and consistent protection

Pros

• Kept mosquitos away for more than 10 hours in our tests

Cons

• Contains DEET (which can irritate skin and can cause damage to some plastics, synthetic materials and fabrics)

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients DEET 50% and PMD 1%

Need to know 2 years-plus, suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

The most effective and consistent repellent in our tests was this Boots spray. It excelled, lasting for an impressive 10.5 hours before the first confirmed bite.

Not only was it highly reliable, but it was consistently good, too – in our tests there was no variation across our participants in the average time it took to get their first bite.

It's a worthy Best Buy that's also available as a pump spray.

 Best Buy/Great Value: Asda Extra Strength Insect Repellent

Our score and verdict 91%; Better and cheaper than most

Available from: Asda £4 for 125ml (£3.20 per 100ml)

Pros

• Kept mosquitos away for more than 10 hours in our tests
• Great value for money

Cons

• Contains DEET (which can irritate skin and can cause damage to some plastics, synthetic materials and fabrics)

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients DEET 50%  + PMD 1%

Need to know 2 years-plus, suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

This excellent mosquito repellent from Asda held strong, providing more than 10 hours of protection before our volunteer testers started to get bitten.

Similar to the Boots Repel Maximum DEET & PMD spray, it was remarkably consistent across different users in our tests. And it's notably cheaper than rivals, too, so it's a Great Value pick as well as a Best Buy.

It's an aerosol that's designed to be used in tropical climates. It's suitable for use on children two years and older. 

Best Buy: Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Insect Repellent

Our score and verdict 88%; A long-lasting choice

Available from: Superdrug £8.99 for 125ml (£7.19 per 100ml) 

Pros

• Kept mosquitos away for more than 9 hours in our tests

Cons

• Contains DEET (which can irritate skin and can cause damage to some plastics, synthetic materials and fabrics)

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients DEET 50% and PMD 1%

Need to know 2 years-plus, suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

Extra strength is accurate because our tests found this Superdrug spray repelled mosquitoes for around 9.5 hours.

There was a small variation in how quickly different participants in our tests got bitten, but it's still consistently protective, long-lasting and a great choice, which is why it's a Best Buy.

We tested the aerosol version, but it's also available as a pump spray. 

 Jungle Formula Maximum Insect Repellent

Our score and verdict 85%; Worth considering

Pros

• Kept mosquitos away for more than 10 hours in our tests

Cons

• Contains DEET (which can irritate skin and can cause damage to some plastics, synthetic materials and fabrics)

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients DEET 50% and Geraniol 1%

Need to know 12 years-plus, suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

This spray from Jungle Formula did a great job of keeping our testers bite-free for around 10 hours, and that result was relatively consistent between different users.

It's just shy of our top-scoring Best Buys as it was slightly less effective overall than these products, but it's still a great purchase that will keep you well protected. 

It's not suitable for children under 12 years old.

Moskito Guard Mosquito & Tick Repellent

Our score and verdict 64%; Best DEET-free repellent

Pros

• DEET-free

Cons

• Less effective protection and inconsistent results in our tests

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients Icaridin 20% (trade name Picaridin)

Need to know 2 years-plus, suitable for tropical climates, spray

This DEET-free repellent – which contains 20% Picaridin – is relatively good, but it proved quite inconsistent in our tests. 

It says it's suitable for tropical destinations, but other products we tested provided better and more consistent protection.

Protection lasted just under 7 hours, on average, but results were much more variable for this product than others we tested – some users may find it works for them, while others will be underwhelmed.

Stay safe in the sun. Check our reviews of best sun creams and Don't Buy sun creams

Incognito Anti-Mosquito Spray Repellent

Our score and verdict 53%; Middling performer

Pros

• DEET-free 
• Can be used from six months old

Cons

• Protection was relatively short-lived and variable in our tests

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients Citrepel 75 and PMD 20%

Need to know 6 months-plus, suitable for tropical climates, spray

One of the most well-known 'natural' repellents is Citrepel 75, PMD: 20% (a plant-derived repellent), which this Incognito spray contains and the brand says it's suitable for tropical destinations. However, it put in a middling-to-low performance in our tough tests versus its rivals and it got just two stars out of five for its ability to protect against mosquitos.

Protection lasted up to just under four hours, on average, in our tough tests, but results were quite variable between participants. It's worth considering other higher-scoring DEET-free formulas, which protected more consistently and for longer when we tested them, such as the Moskito Guard Mosquito & Tick Repellent. 

This Incognito product is suitable for children from six months old. It's available in a smaller size – Incognito Mini Anti-Mosquito Repellent £7.65 for 50ml, Ocado.

Update - 13/01/25. We originally stated that the active ingredient of Incognito’s Anti-Mosquito Spray Repellent is PMD: 10%. This is not correct. The active ingredients are Citrepel 75, PMD: 20%.

Xpel Tropical Formula Mosquito & Insect Repellent

Our score and verdict 52%; More effective options available

Pros

• DEET-free 

Cons

• Poor protection from bites in our tests
  

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients Citripel

Need to know No age suitability stated, suitable for tropical climates, spray

This 'tropical strength' formula, which contains Citrepel (a trade name of PMD), didn't put in a great showing in our tests.

It provided very short-lived protection, with the first confirmed bite coming just half an hour after application, on average, and this was consistently the case across different test participants.

There are more effective options to choose from.

Autan Multi-Insect Repellent

Our score and verdict 47%; Variable results

Pros

• DEET-free

Cons

• Short-lived and inconsistent protection from bites in our tests

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients Icaridin 16%

Need to know 2 years-plus, not suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

This aerosol spray contains the active ingredient Icaridin at a concentration of 16%. 

In our tests it only protected for an hour, on average, before participants got bitten and results were variable between testers, too. 

It's also available as a pump spray.

 Theye Mosquito Repellent Aerosol Spray

Our score and verdict 47%; Disappointing

Pros

• DEET-free
• Can be used from six months of age and while pregnant

Cons

• Short-lived and inconsistent protection from bites in our tests
  

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients Citrepel 20%

Need to know 6 months-plus, not suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

Containing 20% Citrepel as its active ingredient, this insect repellent is intended to protect against mosquitos, gnats and other biting insects.

But in our tests it only was only an hour, on average, before participants got bitten and results were variable between testers.

The formulation is also available as a micro spray and a pump spray.

 Jungle Formula Dry Protect Insect Repellent

Our score and verdict 46%; Lowest-scorer on test

Pros

• DEET-free

Cons

• Poor protection from bites in our tests

Most recently tested April 2024

Active ingredients Icaridin 20%

Need to know 3 years-plus, not suitable for tropical climates, aerosol

This non-tropical formulation, which contains 20% Icaridin, proved underwhelming in our tests, with the first confirmed bite coming just half an hour after application. 

This was consistently the case across different test participants.

It scored the lowest of all the repellents we tested overall.

How we test mosquito repellents

We select a range of widely available and popular insect repellents from UK retailers, including different formulations and active ingredients, to uncover the best options.

We buy all of the insect repellents that we test and use an independent lab to test them. 

Our tests are based on established efficacy tests, but we made them tougher because we wanted to see which repellents will stand up to the toughest conditions. 

Activity, sweating and inconsistent application will all work against you, and with the stakes increasingly higher we wanted to find the very best repellents that you can rely on. 

Aside from how good the repellents are at keeping insects at bay, we also check the safety profile of the ingredients and how useful the information on the packaging is. Here are the key facts about our tests:

• We use the blinded 'arm-in-cage' method This involves real-life volunteers having insect repellent applied to their arms then placing them in a box containing mosquitos. The arm is left in the box for a set amount of time before it's removed, repeating every half an hour until a bite is confirmed – the longer the protection, the better the product.
• We test under harsher conditions than most We carried out our test under harsher conditions than the established industry test methodology. Given the danger of new mosquito-borne diseases coming to Europe, we wanted to check how well non-tropical products would cope in tougher environments, to see how they fare as climates are changing. We did this by increasing the amount of mosquitos used and the temperature of the test environment. Because of this, non-tropical products were unlikely to do as well in our harsher test, although some performed better than others.
• Ingredient safety Insect repellents are designed to be used on the skin for long periods and include approved repellent ingredients. While they should as standard be safe for use, we examine the acute and chronic toxicity of the active ingredients on the average-sized man, woman, child (age 6-8) and toddler (age 2) to help you know which products are best on this front. All were rated good or excellent in our test.
• Label clarity We also check the information provided on the label to ensure it's clear and easy to understand. Some products have differing age and user restrictions, so it's important to check this before use.

We regularly revisit the mosquito repellents on sale to see if there are any more popular brands that need testing and when we find them we do.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Tropical vs non-tropical repellent

The UK has more than 30 native mosquito species and although many of these bite, most just cause irritation and discomfort to those affected.

However, growing global travel and trade coupled with climate change means mosquito varieties that carry diseases such as zika and dengue are becoming established in some areas of Europe. 

Tropical repellents are designed to fend off more aggressive mosquitoes that carry those diseases and malaria. They tend to use higher concentrations of active ingredients and sometimes in combination, too.

While there is an established testing approach for mosquito repellents, set out by the European Chemicals Agency, we carried out our mosquito repellent test under harsher conditions more akin to tropical environments. Because of this, we can't directly compare claims around length of efficacy to manufacturer claims, and non-tropical products are likely to fare less well.

However, we found that some products exceeded their claims even under tougher test conditions, so we're confident our tests have found the products you can really rely on.

Which insect repelling ingredients really work?

Research shows you should use a repellent containing one (or more) of the four active ingredients that are scientifically proven to repel mosquitos: DEET, IR3535, icaridin or PMD (although IR3535 products should only be used in non-malaria areas).

Official UK government advice for travellers to tropical destinations is to use a 50% DEET product as a first choice or, if this isn't tolerated, a repellent containing the highest-strength formulation available of either icaridin at 20%, PMD or eucalyptus citriodora oil.

However, our tests found that not all products that contain these ingredients work well, it depends on the formulation and concentration, and some may work better than others. 

Here's a bit more about the key active ingredients:

DEET

This is one of the most common insect repellent options you'll find, and with good reason: it's highly effective at keeping mosquitos away at a concentration of 20% to 50% and is the WHO (World Health Organization) gold-standard insect repellent for protection against malaria.

Products containing DEET tend to be cheaper than those with other active ingredients, but the downside is that it has a distinct odour and can melt some rubber, vinyl and plastics, such as watch straps, so you need to be vigilant when using it. 

Some people find it irritates their skin, although this may be the case for any repellent depending on how your skin responds to products.

IR3535

This synthetic repellent should be used at a concentration of 20% and only in places where there isn't malaria.

While it's been shown to offer protection comparable to DEET against several mosquito species, it doesn't provide adequate protection against the malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquito.

Icaridin

Also known as picaridin, piperidine and by trade names including Saltidin, icaridin is recommended by the WHO for protection against mosquito bites that can cause both Zika virus and malaria.

However, none of the three icaridin mosquito repellents that we tested provided protection against mosquito bites for as long as those containing DEET.

PMD

The only 'natural' repellent of the four, PMD is derived from the lemon eucalyptus gum tree (Eucalyptus citriodora or Corymbia citriodora) and has been shown to provide protection against Aedes, Culux and Anopheles mosquito species at a concentration of 30% or more.

PMD typically needs to be applied more frequently than DEET and results were mixed for PMD-containing products in our tests, so it's important to choose wisely. 

PMD is a byproduct from the distillation of oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). It can be confusing, as there are lots of similar-sounding ingredients and products, but be aware that eucalyptus, citronella and even lemon eucalyptus oil are not the same as oil of lemon eucalyptus and aren't effective in the same way.

Choosing the best insect repellent

There are many different insect repellent formats on the market – from sprays, creams, lotions and roll-ons to plug-ins, candles and even repellent clothing – varying in efficacy from highly effective to barely useful.

For example, a 2017 study on the effectiveness of wearable or external repellent devices compared with spray-on repellents found that citronella candles didn't keep mosquitos away at all.

The WHO says insect repellents, mosquito nets, mosquito coils and protective clothing (treated with permethrin or etofenprox for extra protection) are the first line of defence against mosquitoes.

Insect repellent products to steer clear of

Whether it's repellent patches, B vitamins or even being told to eat yeast extract or garlic to keep bugs away, there are plenty of myths about what can protect you from mosquitos and other biting bugs, as well as unusual product solutions for those who don't like applying repellent on their skin.

But many of these don't actually work. The following don't have strong evidence for their effectiveness:

• Herbal extract bracelets These typically contain strong-smelling oils such as citronella, lavender and peppermint, but they aren't supported by the science. When tested for their ability to deter mosquitos, bracelets containing herbal extracts made little difference. Don't rely on DEET bands or bracelets, either, as these can only offer localised protection.
• Sonic mosquito repellers These claim to drive mosquitoes away with high-frequency sound but, again, studies show that they don't work.
• Citronella This is a popular choice, but research shows that citronella's volatility means its repelling properties only last for a short time and there's insufficient information for it to be seen as a reliable repellent.

Avon's Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (£6.50 for 250ml at Avon) is another one that has made headlines in the past for its purported insect repelling abilities. It contains citronella, but it's not classed or proven as an insect repellent and other ingredients have more solid science behind their protective abilities.

How to apply insect repellent properly

Much like sunscreen, good insect repellent protection is only as good as the application. Here's how to do it properly:

Use on all exposed skin

Ankles, wrists, hands and the neck are areas that tend to be exposed, so don't forget to apply repellent – mosquitos will easily find that tiny patch of skin that you missed. Don't apply repellent directly to the face. Spray it into your hands in a well-ventilated area and then apply – and make sure you wash your hands after application. 

Re-apply regularly 

As a rough guide, DEET and IR3535 should be reapplied every six to eight hours and PMD and Icaridin every four to six hours, although you should follow the instructions on the bottle. Re-apply sooner if they've worn off because of swimming or sweating and check if there are any limits on re-application – some products state a maximum per 24 hours.

Cover up with clothing

Long sleeves, long trouser legs, tops with a high neckline and even an insect-net hat are advisable if you're somewhere rife with biting insects, especially if in areas with risk of disease-transmitting insects. 

Apply repellent to cuffs or the bottom of trousers to stop insects creeping up, but don't apply to the clothing of children or babies and be aware that DEET can disintegrate some synthetic fabrics and plastic. 

Level up with pyrethroid-treated clothing if you're travelling to areas with a serious risk of insect-borne disease.

Don't let children apply it themselves, and wash it off them at night

Make sure you choose a repellent that is age-appropriate, too.

Sunscreen or repellent first? 

If you need one you may well need the other, as holiday sunshine and biting bugs often go hand in hand. However, sunscreen and insect repellent don't necessarily work well together. 

DEET can impact the effectiveness of sunscreen, so it's worth picking a higher SPF sunscreen if you're using DEET.

The order in which you apply insect repellent depends on the situation. If you're in an area with lots of disease-transmitting mosquitoes, put sunscreen on first then repellent. But if you're on the beach sunbathing and there aren't many mosquitoes around, put your repellent on then your sunscreen afterwards. 

Leave 15 minutes before you apply the second product.

How to treat mosquito bites

If you're unlucky enough to have been bitten by a mosquito, antihistamines are your best bet for relieving itching and discomfort.

You can also use a cold compress or cloth to take the swelling down.

Antihistamine tablets are best, especially if you have multiple bites, but you may find an antihistamine cream provides some localised relief as well.

Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help if the sting is painful. 

The NHS has advice on insect bites and stings, including what to do if you're worried about symptoms that develop after a bite or sting in the UK or abroad.