Top 7 Budget Bug Spray 2026

What we love

• Budget is your top priority and you want the lowest cost per ounce
• You want a proven, registered repellent for short outings
• You do not mind a fresh scent
• You need a formula usable on children from 2 months

Worth knowing

• You want a fragrance-free formula for sensitive skin
• You need all-day protection or want to spray around plastics and synthetic gear

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

What we love

• You want a DEET-free, EPA-registered repellent for older kids and adults and care that the protection is actually vetted rather than assumed
• You need a spray that is safe to use around watches, sunglasses, packs, and synthetic clothing without damaging them
• You prefer a formula that is not greasy and has a mild, natural scent your family will actually reapply
• You want a plant-based option at a mainstream price

Worth knowing

• You have a child under 3 in the household, since the active cannot be used on children that young
• You need reliable all-day protection in heavy-mosquito or tick-heavy conditions without reapplying
• You want the longest possible protection from a single application, where a registered DEET or picaridin product reaches further

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 gentle, DEET-free spray for quick backyard play where bugs are a nuisance, not a health risk
• You specifically want to keep DEET off a young child's skin and accept that protection is limited
• You value a fragrance-free formula that will not damage strollers, sunglasses, or synthetic clothing

Worth knowing

• You are heading anywhere mosquitoes or ticks can carry disease, including woods, tall grass, or marshy areas
• You need reliable, lasting protection through dusk-to-dawn outdoor time or travel
• You want a repellent with proof it actually works behind it