The 4 Best Bug Spray 2026

What we love

• You want the lowest-irritation repellent that is still proven against mosquitoes and ticks
• You need one bottle that is safe on children from 2 months and on adults
• You want all-day coverage without reapplying every hour
• You spray near watches, sunglasses, packs, or synthetic clothing

Worth knowing

• You only need an hour or two of coverage for a quick errand and want the cheapest option
• You prefer a low-cost basic spray and irritation risk is not a concern for you

What we love

• You want a fragrance-free repellent that is gentle enough for children from 2 months
• Your outings are short and reapplying is not a hassle
• You want a low cost per ounce
• You prefer a light, aloe-conditioned feel over a heavier formula

Worth knowing

• You need all-day protection without reapplying
• You want to spray near watches, sunglasses, or synthetic clothing

What we love

• You are heading into a heavy-mosquito or tick-heavy area such as a hunting trip, backcountry hike, or travel to an outbreak region and want all-day protection from one application
• You want an EPA-registered, fragrance-free formula with proven protection you can rely on against disease-carrying bites
• You are spraying mainly adults and older kids and want the longest reach between reapplications
• Price is a factor and you want a mainstream-priced repellent for high-exposure days

Worth knowing

• You want an everyday repellent for young children, where a 30%-or-lower DEET formula or a picaridin product gives the same protection with less skin exposure
• You need to spray around watches, sunglasses, phones, or synthetic clothing, since DEET can damage plastics and synthetics
• A greasy feel and a strong chemical smell would keep your family from reapplying

What we love

• Your kids are 3 or older and you want a DEET-free repellent that still has proof it works
• You want to avoid DEET's odor and its habit of clouding sunglasses, watches, and synthetic gear
• You are comfortable reapplying around midday on longer days outdoors

Worth knowing

• You have a baby or toddler under 3 who needs protection too
• You need all-day coverage from a single application in heavy mosquito or tick country
• You want a completely scent-free spray, since the lemon-eucalyptus smell is noticeable