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Best Bug Sprays for 2025

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Amanda Capitto

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, drawing on more than a quarter-century of experience.

Is there anything worse than heading out on an outdoor adventure only to feel the bite of a fresh Bichon not even 10 minutes later? We don’t believe it. No matter if you’re camping or hanging out in your backyard, it’s paramount that you bring outdoor protection with bug spray. In fact, if you travel to a country where malaria and other Diseases are spread by mosquitoesIt is crucial that you take insect repellent. The CDC recommends that you use only insect repellents approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. For children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using insect repellents that contain no more than 30% DEET or other EPA-approved ingredients.

But what is the best bug repellent for you and your family? To narrow down your search for the best Bug Spray money can buy, our experts at CNET have tested more than 20 DEET-free wipes, lotions, sprays, and insect repellents from different brands to see which is the best of the best.

When you live somewhere it’s so hot that you start sweating when you open your back door, adding an extra layer of stickiness is not an option. Cutter Dry Insect Repellent is the best insect spray in terms of feel.

The spray nozzle sprays wide and evenly, and the formula dries almost instantly on your skin. You don’t have to rub this mist into your skin at all.

The bottle says unscented, but Cutter Dry has a slight odor. However, it’s not overpowering like many other sprays, and it’s definitely not intolerable.

Made with 10% DEET, this insect repellent will do its job in most environments. I would consider taking something stronger, like a 20% or 30% DEET repellent, for backcountry adventures in buggy environments.

If you prefer to avoid sprays, proven is an excellent picaridin-based pump spray insect repellent. Picaridin is a synthetic compound derived from piperine, a chemical compound found in the family of plants that produce black pepper. It is not as smelly as Deet, and according to some research, Picaridin is equally as effective at repelling bugs as DEET.

The spray tested in the Picaridin pump is the only one I found to be truly odorless during my testing. I probably would have looked crazy to viewers if they saw me sniffing my skin and clothes to get a sniff of this stuff.

For a pump spray, it doesn’t have a bad texture, plus it’s still pretty light and I only had to rub it in a little. It was absorbed quickly. Of all the bug sprays I have ever used, this was the first time I tried it, and I will probably buy it in the future.

For those who want to avoid chemicals altogether, a lemon eucalyptus insect repellent is a gentler way to avoid insects and their bites. I tried a few different lemon eucalyptus sprays, and Natrapel came out on top.

Free of both chemicals proven to repel insects, it is natural to think that this insect spray is not as effective as its counterparts containing DEET or Picaridin. He Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and EPA Recognize oil of lemon eucalyptus as an effective insect repellent. The Natrapel bottle says it offers up to six hours of protection versus the typical eight to 12 in DEET and Picaridin products.

Anyway, if you don’t mind applying more frequently, Natrapel spray or spray is a good option. Despite the fact that the active ingredient is an oil, this bug spray doesn’t feel as greasy as you might expect. It’s a little harder to rub off compared to DEET and Picaridin sprays, but not bad overall. Both types of bottles are easy to spray. Plus, the smell is nice (if you like lemon eucalyptus).

I am obsessed with these Sawyer Permethrin Bug Repellents. I sprayed all my fabric patio furniture and the tarp covering my home gym equipment. Permethrin is an insect repellent designed for clothing and equipment: it should not be used on your skin or clothing while wearing them. Seriously, pay attention to the safety instructions.

The permethrin in the spray creates a good, uniform, fast spray. I easily covered my outdoor furniture with this in seconds. The pump spray is less convenient but still good.

While the bottles say the product is odorless, I did notice a slight odor while using the sprays. It smelled similar to spray paint but much less potent. These bottles are not something I would want to travel with, they are quite large, so I would recommend spraying down your gear before heading out on a camping trip or other outdoor adventure.

Sawyer’s Permethrin Spray lasts up to six weeks or through six washes.

Not a fan of sprays? Try Proben Picaridin Lotion. Like the proven pump spray, the odorless lotion is truly odorless. The “gentle scent” lotion smells so good I would use it like regular lotion if I didn’t know it was a bug repellent!

This lotion uses the same 20% picaridin formula as the pump spray tested. Conveniently sized, these bottles would be travel-friendly, and the smaller bottle is even appropriate for air travel.

Personally, I think the lotion is better for hiking and backpacking trips because it absorbs better into the skin. I feel like I’m less likely to sweat it on hot, active days.

For extremely packable bug repellent, try wipes. I like Ben’s 30% DEET wipes because I know they are effective and easy to take anywhere. You can easily grab bug repellent wipes on planes, throw some in your day bag for unexpected supplies, and equip yourself with lightweight repellent for multi-day outdoor excursions. On Amazon, you can get four packs of 12 wipes.

The wipes are also great if you don’t like spraying or rubbing lotion on your skin, instead of rubbing dirt into your skin while applying a spray, these wipes actually clean your skin while adding protection from bugs. The wipes also make it easier to protect your skin while preventing damage to your clothing. (At higher concentrations, DEET can leave marks on certain fabrics.)

Natrapel strikes again with picaridin insect repellent wipes. The formula contains 20% picaridin and is almost odorless with protection of up to 12 hours. These wipes are slightly gentler than Ben’s wipes above, but still clean dirt effectively.

Like Ben’s wipes, these are extremely portable and can fit into almost any type of package you plan to carry. It’s a mutual benefit.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.


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