Insect Repellent Devices

No scent. No spray. Rechargeable. The Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repeller gets our Best Overall pick for these reasons and more. The handheld device creates a 15-foot zone of protection against mosquitoes and provides 6.5 hours of repellency off a single charge. It also offers up to 40 hours of continuous mosquito protection per refill (refills are $19.99). Our tester loves how easy it is to use; simply remove the refill cap, open the repeller, insert the refill into the base, close the repeller and power on. Once the device is heated up (about 15 minutes), it will activate and diffuse the repellent from the refill. Plus, the tiny device is both durable and compact, making it perfect for travel. It’s even TSA-approved! We love this particular product for its invisible mosquito repellency. The device is so small, you can easily disguise it if needed. But it’s also highly effective and great for using around kids (where it may be more difficult to keep mosquito spray on).

Our Editor Says: “It was so whisper-quiet and scent-free that it has become our deck’s invisible hero. Plus, I love that I can toss it in my bag for times I know we’ll be outside for a while.”

With many of the same features as our Best Overall Pick, the Thermacell Patio Shield is a highly effective mosquito repellent and spray alternative for outdoor spaces. The Patio Shield offers a 15-foot zone of protection, is cord- and battery-free, and is powered by a compact 12-hour fuel cartridge. There’s no smoke, flames, citronella, DEET, mess or any on-skin chemicals. Each unscented repellent mat (the main difference between the Patio Shield and the Radius Zone) lasts up to four hours and changes color when it’s time to refill. There are three refills included with each Patio Shield, and 12-hour refill packs cost less than $7 for three mats and a fuel cartridge. You can also buy refill packs with 36, 72, 120 and 300 hours of protection. Our tester loves the scent-free protection as well as the fun color options. With colors like Glacial Blue (our tester’s pick), Greenery and Magenta, it’s a fun way to add a bold hue to your outdoor space — or match your existing color scheme. Just like the Radius Zone, the Patio Shield is super easy to use; simply insert the mat, twist in the fuel cartridge, turn on the device (rotate to “on,” then click two or three times to start), check the view window to ensure the heat is on (you’ll see an orange glow), then wait 15 minutes for the heat to activate the repellent and start working. Compared to the Radius Zone, the Patio Shield is a bit less portable, as it’s larger and taller, but it’s still small enough to travel with. We also love the price — the price for the starter kit is less than $20, and the refills are equally as affordable.

Our Editor Says: “Maybe mosquito repellency isn’t cute, but I thought the Glacier Blue Patio Shield was adorable and perfectly matched my deck’s turquoise and navy color scheme. We keep it on the patio table and turn it on whenever we know we’ll be outside for at least an hour, making the 15-minute heat-up period worth the wait.”

If you’re looking for a natural, plant-based mosquito-repelling product, these Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Cones are our editor’s pick. Each cone burns up to 24 minutes and each pack comes with 36 cones, offering 14.4 hours of protection per pack. One of our favorite things about this product is that it has a low profile and takes up little space. It does have a scent — a blend of rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass and cedarwood — that our tester describes as a pleasant mix of herbs, especially when compared to citronella-heavy candles. Plus, we love that the cones are DEET-free with no harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. Although our tester finds these incense cones effective for her small outdoor space, we would not rely on these cones as your only protection, especially if you’re in heavily wooded areas where disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent. We recommend these natural cones for casual evenings on a deck where mosquitoes aren’t that bad.

Our Editor Says: “I like these plant-based incense cones that have a subtle, pleasant smell because they’re perfect for backyard decks and patios. I like that they each burn pretty quickly, so I don’t waste any of the product if I’m only going to be outside for a short time. Plus, I love that one of these cones takes up barely any space and blends in with my deck — no clunky branded candle!”