When shopping for a bug spray, make sure that the product is EPA-registered, recommends Holly Tuten, a vector ecologist (disease-carrying bugs expert) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An EPA registration number, which consumers can find on the bottle, indicates that the product has been tested and approved as safe and effective for the duration listed on the packaging.

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Avery Stone is a contributing writer for PEOPLE and was previously the commerce editorial director for Byrdie and Brides at Dotdash Meredith. Her work has also appeared in The Cut (NYMag), The Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, Bustle, Billboard, ELLE, GQ, VICE, Eater, NYLON, Refinery29, and more.

Another offering from the drugstore staple Off!, the brand’s Clean Feel Insect Repellent is highly effective, user-friendly, and affordable. We found that it provided reliable, long-lasting mosquito protection, even in humid conditions — like a trip to Disney World in the Florida heat — as well as during extended outdoor activities in the rain. Each time, one thorough application delivered on the eight hours promised on the bottle.

For those on a budget, Off!’s Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent offers reliable protection against mosquito bites for an affordable price. Amid our test, it performed well in several conditions, including at a backyard party and during several full days of gardening and hiking. In these situations, our tester felt bugs landing on her body but ended the day without any bites — a major win in our book.

Type: Spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers | Size: 0.6 oz. | Active Ingredient: Picaridin (20%)

Don’t know where to start? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a tool that helps consumers choose the right bug spray by inputting parameters like insect types, desired protection time, desired active ingredients, and other product-specific information.

Whether camping or hiking, laying on the beach, or simply taking an evening stroll, having a reliable bug spray on hand is crucial for keeping mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and more at bay. But with the wide variety of options available, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming.

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EarthKind’s Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent provides effective, long-lasting protection in a travel-friendly package. It worked well in various weather conditions — including a hot, humid day by the pool — and remained effective for up to 14 hours, as promised on the packaging. It also had a mild, pleasant scent and didn’t leave behind any residue.

Our one criticism — that this product’s nozzle initially oversprays — was no match for its effectiveness, ease of use, and suitability for all ages.

Its formula was quick-drying and non-greasy. It also had a light, sweet scent, despite being marked as fragrance-free. Its spray nozzle applied the product evenly and was easy to use, though some may prefer to spread the product with their hands for full coverage.

Type: Wipes | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers, and fleas | Size: 15 wipes | Active Ingredient: DEET (7.5%)

“An EPA Registration Number lets a consumer know that the product has been tested and approved — including for the duration indicated on the bottle — as safe and efficacious,” says Tuten. In short, to ensure that a bug spray works the way it claims, choose an EPA-registered product.

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While evaluating each product, check its bottle for its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number; this number means that the manufacturer has provided the EPA with technical information about its effectiveness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of products registered by the EPA.

Going camping? Reach for Ranger Ready’s Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray. We tested this product on a four-day camping trip in deep wooded territory and found that it was effective at repelling bugs for several hours, even during activities like hiking and kayaking. Its minty and citrusy scent was a pleasant surprise, and the fine mist spray was easy to apply and provided even coverage without leaving any residue on the skin.

Once you’ve identified those specific requirements — relating to your environment, the insects that might be present there, and how long you’ll need protection — search for a formula that meets them.

Curious about a specific product but don’t have it on hand? The EPA also has a search tool for consumers to find out if certain formulas are EPA-registered.

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Although questions often arise about the use of DEET, particularly on children, no existing data evidences a need to restrict the use of DEET, according to the EPA. (The chemical is also approved for use on children with no age restrictions.)

In terms of drawbacks, its nozzle dispersed the product unevenly, which led to increased usage (more rubbing it in) to ensure complete coverage. Due to its small size, it also may run out quickly if used by larger groups. That said, for a travel-size option that’s both safe and effective, reach for this spray.

For our testers, the Sawyer Products SP5432 Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray ticked all the boxes. It was easy to apply, it provided excellent protection that aligned with its 12-hour claim, and it worked particularly well in humid settings, including a round on the golf course and a hot day by the pool. (Case in point: When our tester applied this spray and others in her group did not, she didn’t get a single bug bite. Another group member who didn’t use this spray came home with several.)

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Type: Non-aerosol spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes and ticks | Size: 6 oz. | Active Ingredient: Oil of lemon eucalyptus (30%)

When choosing the right bug spray or insect repellent, the first step is to plan ahead — to consider where you’ll be wearing it and for how long. “Think about things like the ages of the people in your group, how long you’re going to be outside, and what type of environment you’re going to be in,” says Tuten. “For example, hiking across an open desert will have different challenges than hiking in a forest, off-trail with high grass.”

To identify the best bug sprays on the market, our PEOPLE Tested team spent 700 hours with 10 formulas. Our testers applied each spray a minimum of five times in a variety of outdoor scenarios, from a four-day camping trip to a summer pool party, evaluating the below characteristics.

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Type: Spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredient: DEET (15%)

It’s also a tried-and-true favorite of PEOPLE shopping editor Madison Yauger: “I love the lemon eucalyptus scent. We have an annual beach trip and I always worry about ticks and mosquitos, and this spray seemed to keep them at bay.”

Over six weeks, we tested 10 different bug spray formulas, including two editor picks. Our testers applied the sprays in a variety of outdoor scenarios and evaluated each product’s ease of use, coverage, duration, scent, and overall effectiveness. The bug sprays we’ve hand-picked below were a cut above the rest.

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Beyond its effectiveness, we noted that this product was easy to apply, with minimal stickiness compared to other sprays, and that it doesn’t have a noticeable odor. Although a little goes a long way, the bottle is slightly small for the price, which might be a drawback for some.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

This natural formula features a 30 percent concentration of oil of lemon eucalyptus and is EPA-registered, meaning it does exactly what it promises: It repels mosquitoes for up to six hours, deer ticks for up to four hours, and lone star and brown dog ticks for more than eight hours. (It’s also usable for all ages.)

Type: Non-aerosol spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers, no-see-ums, and fleas | Size: 8 oz. | Active Ingredient: Picaridin (20%)

While all other products on this list are sprays, we’d be remiss not to mention one alternative option — a wipe! — that’s a favorite of PEOPLE shopping editor Kayla Kitts. Containing a lower concentration of DEET (7.5 percent), Kitts recommends these wipes because they’re easy to use on the go and they’re safe for the whole family. “My son is a mosquito magnet, so we have tried every product possible,” she says. “These wipes are the only thing that has worked for him!” However, there are only 15 wipes per pack, so even though wipes are great for covering more areas than spray, you won’t get as much mileage out of them.

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When covering the best bug sprays, Avery thoroughly inspected the PEOPLE Tested team’s insights to learn more about their individual experiences and make note of any noteworthy results. She also connected with Holly Tuten, a vector ecologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to learn more about bug sprays, their benefits, and what to look for in their formulas.

In our testing, we found that Cutter’s Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent stood out for its long-lasting coverage. It lived up to its claim of 10 hours of protection — even through sweat, rain, and a brief dip in the pool. Our tester noted that she didn’t need to reapply throughout the day either, and that its fine mist spray was incredibly easy to apply.

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One thing to note: While this spray promises 12-hour protection, it appeared to wear off slightly during more humid conditions and we ended up reapplying it every four hours just to be safe. Despite this, its performance and ease of use make it a solid option for repelling bugs in the wild.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent: When we tested Repel’s Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, we found that although it’s effective at repelling mosquitoes, even in hot and humid conditions, full coverage requires a thorough application. Also, although its formula isn’t sticky or greasy, its strong lemon eucalyptus scent can be overpowering. It's practical for on-the-go use, but its intense smell might deter some users from repurchasing.

Our only complaint about this product was its strong and unpleasant odor, potentially due to its high concentration of DEET (25 percent) compared to other formulas. While its scent may limit its desirability, particularly for frequent use, it was incredibly effective and could be a fit for those seeking serious, long-lasting protection.

Although research shows that, as an insect repellent, DEET is safe for use as directed — including on the skin, hair, clothes, and footwear — not everyone prefers to use it. For an alternative, reach for Proven’s Insect Repellent Spray, which contains 20 percent picaridin — another insect repellent with broad efficacy against various insects —  for a full 12 hours of protection, even during activities like swimming.

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Sawyer Products’ spray is also odorless — a plus for anyone sensitive to strong smells — and has a non-greasy finish. Its dispensing pump is very precise, preventing any spillage, but it may be slightly inconvenient for those who prefer the ultra-quick application of a true spray. You can’t go wrong with this solid, DEET-free option with its pleasant user experience.

We also appreciated that this product dried quickly — the brand touts it as a powder-dry formula — and that it left zero residue on the skin for a barely-there feel. (The formula did have a slight smell straight out of the bottle, but the odor vanished as the product dried.)

Type: Spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, gnats, chiggers, and no-see-ums | Size: 6 oz. | Active Ingredient: Picaridin (20%)

Type: Spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, biting flies, no-see-ums, gnats, and fleas | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredient: DEET (25%)