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Every fortnight, Which? free account owners are given an exclusive glimpse behind the curtain at some of our members-only product reviews.
This week, we've compared mosquito repellents to find out which products really protect against bites, how pleasant they are to use and whether popular alternatives live up to their claims.
One insect repellent earned our Which? Best Buy badge after protecting our volunteers from mosquito bites for more than nine hours, while a colourful bracelet claiming to repel bugs for up to 300 hours proved to be little more than a fashion accessory.
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At a glance: Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Insect Repellent vs Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelet
| Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Insect Repellent | Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelet | |
|---|---|---|
| Which? test score | 83% (Best Buy) | 33% (Don't Buy) |
| Price | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50029342 | Available from: Pestects (£14.99 for 12) |
| Type | Aerosol spray | Citronella bracelet |
| Efficacy | ||
| User experience | ||
| Odour |
Efficacy: How well the repellent protected against bites (time taken to first bite and consistency between different testers) in our tests. User experience: Ease of application of repellent onto and into skin and whether a visible residue and tackiness remains after application. Odour: Where five stars is pleasant and one star is unpleasant.
Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Insect Repellent (83%, Best Buy)
We like: Outstanding mosquito protection, easy application
Watch out for: Contains Deet, which can irritate skin and damage some plastics and fabrics
When mosquitoes are out in force, you want a repellent you can rely on. This Best Buy from Superdrug delivered exactly that, keeping our volunteers bite-free throughout the full nine and a half hours of testing.
It wasn't just effective, either. Our panel found it quick and easy to apply, saying it absorbed well into the skin without leaving behind the sticky residue that's common with some repellents. It also felt comfortable to wear, making it a product you'd be happy to reach for day after day.
The only real drawback is that it contains Deet. While it's one of the most effective mosquito-repelling ingredients available, some people find it irritates their skin, and it can damage certain plastics, synthetic materials and fabrics if you're not careful.
Unless you know Deet doesn't agree with you though, this Superdrug spray is an excellent all-rounder and an easy recommendation.
For Which? members only: see our full Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Insect Repellent review.
Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelet (33%, Don't Buy)
Available from: Pestects (£14.99 for 12)
We like: Easy to wear
Watch out for: Provides virtually no protection against mosquitoes
The Pestects bracelet sounds appealing on paper. Instead of sprays or lotions, you simply wear one of the colourful citronella-infused bands and let it keep mosquitoes away. Unfortunately, our tests tell a very different story.
The manufacturer claims each bracelet offers up to 300 hours of protection. In our tests, volunteers started being bitten after just three minutes. That's a world away from the best conventional repellents we tested, which kept mosquitoes at bay for more than nine hours.
Admittedly, the bracelet is comfortable to wear and couldn't be much simpler to use, which may appeal to parents or anyone who dislikes applying sprays or creams. But none of that matters if it can't do the job it's designed for.
If you're looking for reliable protection against mosquito bites, we'd strongly recommend sticking with a conventional repellent instead.
For Which? members only: see our full Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelet review.
Our expert says
'Our mosquito repellent tests go far beyond simply checking what's written on the label. We use an independent lab where volunteers apply each product before placing their arm into a cage of mosquitoes. We then measure exactly how long it takes before the first bite, repeating the process every 30 minutes for up to nine and a half hours.
'We also assess how each repellent feels to use day to day, asking a panel of testers to rate how easy it is to apply, how well it absorbs into the skin, whether it leaves behind a sticky residue and how pleasant it smells.
'It's this combination of rigorous testing and everyday usability that helps us identify the repellents we'd genuinely recommend taking on holiday. Explore our guide to the best mosquito repellents to see which products came out on top.'
Matt Stevens, Principal Writer & Researcher
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