Best Bug Sprays for 2025

For any outdoor adventure, whether camping or hanging out in your backyard, you should always protect yourself with bug spray. This is especially important if you travel to a country where malaria and other diseases are spread by mosquitoes, per the CDC, which recommends that you only use insect repellents approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For children, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises using insect repellents containing no more than 30% DEET or others approved by the EPA.

To help you narrow your search for the best bug spray, we tested over 20 wipes, lotions, sprays and DEET-free insect repellents from different brands in the muggy South Florida heat.

Continue reading to learn more about the best bug sprays, written by Amanda Capritto.

Foto thumbnail Blog Otè
Medya Mansyone soti nan CNET
SINÈV

CNET di ou sa ki nouvo ak poukisa li enpòtan.

Nou kwè ou ka kreye yon pi bon avni lè ou konprann nouvo lide. Ekspè nou yo ba ou nouvèl, zouti ak konsèy ki ede ou navige mond tout tan-chanje nou an. Paske lè ou konprann sa k ap pase, ou ka fè yon bagay sou li.

Medya Mansyone

The most important factors when it comes to kid-safe bug sprays are active ingredients, concentration, and proper application.

Quinn Fish
Ekriven

Medya Mansyone

The Sawyer Mini is super lightweight, fits in your pocket, and filters up to 100,000 gallons of water.

Menachem Kossowsky
Ekriven

Medya Mansyone

Time is running out to save big on patio furniture, summer clothes, headphones, comfortable shoes from New Balance and Brooks, and more best-sellers across categories.

Isabel Garcia
Senior Shopping Writer