20 Best Thermacell For Camping (2022 Updated)

Purchased just before a camping trip to Enderby BC. The campground was nice but right by the river and mosquitoes were awful. It lit up OK with the butane cartridge and pads supplied with the unit but when they were used up, installed new ones from the refill package.

Trying several times over a roughly two hour period, the unit wouldn’t light. Could hear the gas, and there was a “whoosh” when the ignitor was pressed, but no heat (these units use heat generated from butane combustion to heat a pad containing pyrethroids to release insect repelling fumes).

Even when it works, the slightest breeze carries the fumes from the pad away, leaving little protection. The idea of a mobile unit with a belt clip is a bit misleading since any movement will leave the fumes behind offering no protection.

It might work in a still environment. Dad used to use those old green coils in the car (with all windows open) on those hot summer nights in southern Ontario when we went as a family to drive in movies and I recall much better results (of course the formulation may have been different back in the 60’s).

The coils these days contain an active ingredient that is basically the same as the pads used in the Thermacell and cost a lot less. Overall, quite a disappointment.

This is the second season that I have used my 300. I always swore by it, and recommended it to anyone that asked about it. Those were usually times when we were on our deck, by the fire ring, or while I was on my tractor during the day.

However, last week we were eating outside on our deck , and I had my Thermacell running. Suddenly, my wife laughed, and told me that there were two mosquitoes flying within a foot of the unit. I was extremely skeptical, and had to see this myself.

I went back to our table, where the Thermacell was hanging from our umbrella, and watched as mosquitoes were flying around and by it like it wasn’t even there. I figured maybe it was a weak pad, as I had used this one for an hour or so earlier in the day.

No harm, no foul, things happen. Tonight I had taken the unit with me, into my yard, with a fresh fuel cell, and brand new out of the packet, fresh pad. I hung the Thermacell on the side of my tractor , and went back inside for a few minutes, to give it a chance to build it’s zone.

I went back out, and began working on the tractor, and sure enough I was being eaten alive, and there were mosquitoes flying merely inches away from the unit, that was actually emitting a faint hint of smoke from the pad! I don’t know what has happened, but this product no longer works for me.

It ignites, heats the blue pads, and is occasionally hot enough to smoke a bit, so it is functioning, but it is most definitely not doing it’s job.

When I bought this I was a little skeptical, but I was going on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness BWCA and thought it would be a good place to test this out. In the main area of camp we set it out and did not see many mosquitoes, but did not notices mosquitoes in this area even without it.

but an area they were bad in was the latrine. Lets face it, no one likes taking a dump with Minnesota’s state bird sucking blood from your bottom cheeks. So I moved the Thermacell backpacker Mosquito Repeller to the latrine, fighting through a thick crowed of those vampires to get there, and let it sit for about a half hour.

I then returned to take a mosquito free excretion. Yes this device works! and I highly recommend it The only down side is that it is hard to tell if the device is actually on. You need to look through the small air vent on the side to see if you can see a blue or orange flame.

This device is also pretty efficient on fuel too.

We used this over this last labor day while camping. The mosquitos were relentless! If you stopped moving, they swarmed. Bug spray did not deter them one bit, even after many applications. I remembered we bought this a few months ago and had forgotten about it.

I found it buried, in it’s bag, under my truck seat, and figured why not. At first, I wasn’t sold, however we were hiking, so holding this thing like a torch on a can of isobutane with a tackle bag on my back wasn’t exactly fun.

I did notice, after a little while, that the mosquitos stayed away. As long as you were in it’s “bubble” you were safe. After that revelation, we pretty much ran it for as long as mosquitos were out! I’m happy to say that in our immediate camper area, and beyond for a surprising distance, was mosquito free for the most part! There were one or two every once in a while, but this thing actually works!.

The first use of the Thermocell Backpacker was at a local campground (Southern Ontario) at the end of July. The mosquitos were out and biting. The Backpacker is easy to set up and use; igniting is simple and the view port is helpful to ensure the device is “on” (red glow).

The effectiveness seemed pretty good as no one within proximity (5-6 ft) of the Backpacker was getting bit. I suspect that even a slight breeze reduces the effectiveness zone from 15 ft to less. Regardless, it works pretty good especially for just stationary activities like cooking, eating, and sitting around.

Isobutane fuel consumption was very low: it used 12 g of fuel over 8 hours (2 pads) … a 450 g canister will last a long long time! Definitely something you could share the fuel canister with a stove if needed to in the backcountry.

The Thermacell product itself is great and very effective at keeping mozzies away. It’s a little too easy to accidentally leave the butane running so I wouldn’t choose this version again. There’s also a lot of product waste that comes with this – packaging for the mats and plastic butane canisters that last only four hours and then need to be thrown away.

There’s no refillable option. I’d choose the Backpacker Repeller next time as the lantern on this is not useful in my camping set up. The cool white LED lights are also an odd choice. I expected it would be a warmer colour or orange in the hopes of attracting less bugs.

Although my use of this lantern is still in its infancy, it appears to be of very good quality. Immediately I loaded up four fully recharged Imedion 9500 mAh Nihm’s and it ran beautifully for quite a number of days.

That’s what left me most impressed, compared to my other camping lanterns. Its well engineered and very efficient in the use of batteries. I have not quite tested the mosquito repelling feature but I am almost sure it would perform flawlessly.

I can’t wait to get it to the outdoors.

We have used our Thermacell a couple times during different camping excursions and it works very well. I cannot recall the diameter that it works for repelling while running, but I know that I works great around a campfire and/or small campsite area.

We intend on using this device many more times in the future and bought the large quantity of the replaceable repellant pads.

It works OK keeping mosquitos away but at most on an 8 feet circle, not 15 feet as advertised. The fuel cartridges dont last as advertised; they sell 3 pads per cartridge and I use max 2 pads per cartridge; giving about 8 hours of efficiency.

Result is I have a bunch of pads left with no fuel. fuel cartridges are way too expensive. I am looking for a cheaper alternative. eorks relatively good but not worth the money.

I was a bit skeptical about whether this would work, well colour me convinced. Not only does it work it bugs the mosquitoes. Shortly after using it I ran into a couple of inebriated mosquitoes down at the pub and all they did was complain about my using this product.

They bought me a beer anyways to say no hard feelings. I then squatted the little monsters.

I bought this after I wasn’t able to find refills for an old off clip on device. We tried the same day on a camping trip. I set it up it was really easy. There definitely was a lot of mosquitoes out and after 20 minutes of setting up our tent we noticed there we weren’t swatting them away as much.

The actual light on it is bright enough to light up our table.

I have had my thermacell and camo pouch for several years and I love it. I use it to duck hunt in Southwest Louisiana below Interstate 10 in the marsh. Where the mosquitoes are so thick if you just use spray the hover around your face so bad it makes it hard to see.

Three or us hunt out of a boat with a pop up blind. Me, my Dad, and my brother in law. I always sit in the middle, my dad on front deck with our dog on a attached platform, and my brother in law in the back by the gatortail.

I will get my thermacell started then clip it on the blind in front of me, in what seems like a minute or less the buzzing of mosquitoes in my ears are gone then I notice they are gone period. Then I ask my Dad & Brother in law if they are be bothered or bite by any and they say know.

I also have a patio light thermacell as t home for nights around the firepit and such. I absolutely love my Thermacell products and wouldn’t trade them for any other type or repellent. I know these work in the toughest mosquito infested hunting area there is, the marshes in south Louisiana!!!.

Been an avid south alabama swamp deer Hunter for years. There are many factors that determine a hunt. Sat through rain, sleet, and snow. Only thing that ever ran me off was mosquitos. I was given a thermacell as a gift.

It sat in my gear for over a year before I used it. First use I popped it awake in a wet hardwood bottom the air was black with those little blood suckers. In 5 minutes it totally cleared them out. Was not expecting that.

Now I own several. I always make sure everyone has 1. There is a dedicated pocket in my safety harness for 1. Always have 1 in my truck. And it’s my go to gift for anyone I know. Amazing product.

After purchasing and trying out the mosquito repellent unit I found out but it has to be a pretty calm day to get the “full” 15 x 15 diameter protection from the Dreadful mosquito. If you put the unit upwind of you ,it really does help just not that convenient or handy.

And walking the same applies. Walk fast ? My review and only my view of this product.

My first Thermacell was very good, and I bought a new one, because the old Wold not ignition any more. Top product.

Mosquitoes fly past others to bite me. With this product i am a whole lot safer and less distracted by mosquitoes. It also repels other pests as well.

I live on a river. Which is basically a mosquito sanctuary lol. I purchased this product with high expectations. I was really hoping it would work on its own how ever I find I also need bug spray so it kind of defeats the purpose a little bit? Also I went through an entire bottle of fuel in one day and it’s quite expensive to refill – the cost of the unit was 55$ and the refills are 30$ so I mean ….

definitely not affordable if your outdoors for the better part of the day. Also I will say – it says it covers 4. 5 meters of coverage. I feel like this is not true. Mosquitoes were flying around it.

what I did like about this – there is no smell. It keeps *some* of the mosquitoes away – so it helps just not as much as one would hope. Overall, a little disappointed. I would like to note though – it does have a satisfaction guarantee which I will be looking in to haha.

Went up camping and heard about the Thermacell products and thought we would grab one on the way up. The 1st 2 times we used it we had no problem lighting it. As the weekend went on we had to keep trying to light it as it wouldn’t always ignight.

By the last day it took 10 tries to light it and finally it worked. Then we discovered it didn’t work at all!! We watched as the mosquitoes flew all around it and us. I have so many mosquitoe bites its crazy.

Yes it was working because the blue pads turned white and we could see the smoke from it. My advice would be save your money!.

My husband and I moved to a new home near to the river that has lots of mosquitoes. We were so disappointed that we were not able to enjoy our new beautiful yard in the evening because of the stupid things.

I’m also an avid outdoor camper and have much experience with mosquitoes. In my lifetime I’ve tried torches, candles, sprays, smells, bracelets, EVERYTHING. I had yet to find something that actually worked to repel them and just suffered with always still getting bitten or smelling like a walking Deet bottle.

By happen chance I ran across this Thermacell lantern that I’ve never heard of before. We can hardly believe it; THIS LANTERN ACTUALLY WORKS!! We have been so thrilled with it we’ve recommended it to everyone we know in our area with a mosquito problem (we’re in Southern Oregon).

As soon as the mosquitoes come out, one of us runs in to get the lantern and within 5-10 minutes of starting it up they are just GONE. The radius is probably not exactly 15ft, more like 7-10ft but we went ahead and bought 2 for when we have company over.

I can’t say enough how happy I am that we bought this, it has changed our LIVES being able to enjoy evenings outside!!! We eat dinner outside now as often as we can now since this thing makes it possible!.

Although not expecting 100% effectiveness, that’s exactly what we got! We have a raised deck with an enclosed bottom — most likely allowing puddles underneath for breeding mosquitoes (rental property).

With both common North American mosquitoes that come out at dawn and dusk, as well as Asian mosquitoes (? black and white striped) that come out all hours of the day and night, it’s almost not worth going out to the deck.

But since using our lantern, we have not had a single bite. Considering that we normally average 20-50 bites per person in a 30 minute period — that’s an amazing effectiveness rating. We’ve noticed that even when the heat element isn’t on but the repellent pad is exposed to the sun, we still do not get bites as long as the pad is blue.

Can’t say this product will be as effective for everyone but it is awesome for us! Note: used during stationary or minimal movement use (mostly sitting on the deck approx. 16’x14’ with frequent trips in and out of the house.

We bought a portable thermacell for camping and I was so impressed we bought a couple of these patio shield lanterns and I couldn’t be happier I did. The price you pay for these (very reasonably priced) is well worth being able to enjoy the outdoors without being eaten by mosquitoes!!! I now own multiple different models of thermacell and never venture outdoors without one.

Best thing is, every one of my different models use the same fuel and Matts so it makes it very convenient and versatile. Love love love all of my thermacells.

I have 4 of these units. I kept replacing them when they stopped working because Thermacell told me I could send the unit for repair but would need to pay postage. Weighing this with the cost of just purchasing a new unit, I just opted for buying a replacement.

After the third unit stopped working (all over one summer and used only in my yard while gardening) I thought it would be worth while to go ahead and send them all back at once for repair. The units were returned to me with a letter from the repair team telling me they replaced the regulator on two units and completely replaced the third unit with a new one.

That letter is dated October 24 2019. With gardening season almost over, I retired them for the winter and got them out recently when the mosquitoes showed up around the end of May. June is coming to a close and I am sitting here looking at four defective units as I scratch my bites.

I can feel a little warmth from three but they do not generate enough heat to cause a pad to change any color at all and not enough for there to be any glow showing in the plastic window. If I take them into my dark garage and get lucky a speck of light may be present but it is fleeting and not enough to do more then warm the unit before going completely cold and certainly not enough to cause a pad to have any color change at all.

All of the units were used with the utmost care by only myself, a little old lady gardener. If you are going on a one or two week excursion in need of protection these units are the answer to your mosquito problems but if you are looking for seasonal relief these portable units may not be the best solution.

The real answer to the question following this review asking if I would recommend this product would be it depends on how long they need to put it in service. But Thermacell only gives two options yes or no.

I purchased my first Thermacell not too long after they hit the market. Since then, I’ve purchased other models for myself and have given them as gifts to practically every gardener and camper I know as friends who enjoy entertaining outside.

It is my constant companion in the garden. There is so much to like about Thermacell products. Number one is they WORK. They repel mosquitoes just as they say they do. They free you from the messy, smelly inconvenience imposed by chemicals applied to your skin.

Once you’re covered in mosquito repellent, you’re basically tied to the outdoors for the rest of the day unless you want to shower every time you go inside to cool off. I used to debate going out just to water plants because I didn’t want to get attacked by multiples of mosquitos, but I also didn’t want to cover myself in bug spray just to stand outside for 30 minutes while I watered because that required another shower afterwards.

In that way, Thermacell gives you much more flexibility. Another thing to consider is this will not harm beneficial insects. The companies that spray your yard to keep the pests away and the yard sprays you can buy at home improvement stores do not discriminate.

There are also products that claim to draw mosquitoes away from outdoor spaces and trap them, but from what I’ve personally witnessed, they trap more pollinators than mosquitoes. I’ve seen some reviews where people complain about this being a cheap product that doesn’t work or that it stoped working after only a few uses.

To them I say, CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Theirs is outstanding. They will get back in touch with you through email almost faster than you can type a reply to their response. I have one unit that after more than 10 years of dependable use wasn’t burning hot enough to disburse the repellent from the pad.

I was worried the pads had stopped being effective, that the mosquitoes were adapting and the repellent wasn’t as effective anymore. They offered to send a shipping label so that I could send the pads in for analysis.

After several emails discussing my experience, they helped me determine that the device wasn’t burning as hot as it used to and they went above and beyond to make sure I could continue to enjoy my time outdoors with the use of their product.

If you find something is wrong with your new device, get in touch with them first before debasing the item in a review. I will recommend this product to everyone for as long as I live should it continue to be as effective going forward as it has proven to be in the past.

If you’re skeptical, try it instead of dismissing it as hype. Let me just note that inspecting your property for places mosquitoes can breed is still something you should be doing even though this product works so well.

Clean gutters are mosquito-free gutters. Outdoor saucers for your plants are a haven for them; elevate pots on feet instead. Add fresh water to birdbaths every day. Talk with your neighbors about making control a joint effort; if they’re providing breeding grounds, the little savages aren’t going to discriminate between their yard and yours.

Having been very satisfied with one of the round thermacell units I wanted a 2nd one for hunting and working in the garden. Some of the reviews atated that this model would not light or stay on. Since that seemed to be a small percentage of the overall satisfaction rate I went ahead and bought one.

It did light the first time but after that it would not light up. Thermacell support did contact me and suggested that the “on” switch be left on for a minute or more and then snap the stricker. All that happened was an audible pop and a blue flash observed in the view window.

This was repeated several times but it would not stay lit. I went ahead and bought another thermacell like the 1st one. My advise is to save your money and don’t “roll the dice” on this MR300 unit. I did and rolled “snake eyes”.

IšverstiShow in original languageBeen using the Patio Shield(2) for the last couple of years around our patio and firepit. They work fantastic, but be aware of the following: The pads never last the 4 hrs.

as claimed. We usually get about 2 to 2 and a half hrs. TOPS. And that is ok by us, because they work so well. Just know the 4hr. claim is a dream, not reality. The fuel cels don’t last as long as claimed either, but have decent life, maybe about 6 hrs.

? Also note that the range, and effectiveness, of these things are directly related to wind, and distance to the units. Meaning the less wind, and the closer you are to the units, the more effective they are.

But overall this product is surprisingly effective. Once they warm up a bit the mosquitos disappear! Just remember, the required refills don’t last as long as claimed, and they do cost money. Just ordered Qty 2, 300hr refill packs @ 20% off and free shipping with their Memorial Day sale so that is helping bring the cost down a bit! Great product and highly recommended!.

IšverstiShow in original languageI have used this thermacell product twice. 3 cartridges used and the refill to burn the cartridges is needing to be replaced. The cost to keep replacing the refills and the cartridges is very expensive in the long run.

Oh and it does smell and misty smoke comes out. Both of these things were noted that this product doesn’t have! It does!!.

IšverstiShow in original languageThis system really works great. The only thing is that the description and directions on the box state the pads last 4 hours. They do not. More like maybe 3 hours and as much time as we spend sitting out on the deck in the late afternoons, we need to replace the treated mats or pads every other day.

But again, this Thermacell system makes mosquitos disappear fast. The larger quantity refill is great as our local Walmart runs out of these often.

I purchased a thermacell patio shield mosquito repellent and 3 days of use it really works great. The only negative comment I have is trying to see the glowing orange light on the canister to verify it’s lit.

I am only seeing a little pin point orange light very difficult to see. So I contacted thermacell customer service see the next day to ask them about this condition. The individual to talked to didn’t seem knowledgeable of the problem that I was encountering and said if I wasn’t satisfied I should return the item back to Lowe’s.

Well since I didn’t have a store receipt or original packaging I can’t return it. I am hopeful thermacell can assist me further.

I’ve owned the Thermocell MR450 for two years now. I keep thinking I’m doing something wrong as the mosquitoes love it! 15 feet of protection, more like a foot. Last night I was in fierce mosquito territory and I was being bitten like I had no protection at all.

I put it on my right hip, I get bit on my left arm, head, legs etc. I kept checking to see if this Thermocell was on. Yup, but offers zero protection against mosquitoes… ZERO! For the price and the price of refills, I better not get a single bite let alone multiple.

When I first tried it two years ago, it was late in the season, I thought we’ll maybe it was me. But now using it especially this season, forget about it. Offers little to no protection against mosquitoes! Bad Product!.

We purchased this and I can now hike in the forest bite free! I am extremely allergic to bites and miserable. I hate using deet because it gets on my clothes and whatever I touch. I can stand outside and visit with neighbors and actually prevent mosquitoes for those closest to me.

It seems to deter no see ums and deer flies too. The only thing I do not like is the belt clip does not stay tight enough to hook on various things. It might be better to have an additional Velcro option to attach to my backpack.

We bought ours a couple of years ago (I think 3) and absolutely love it. It is smaller but for my husband and I out on the farm (with a dugout so plenty of room for mosquitos to breed in) it works wonderfully.

We are shopping for a larger one so that we can cover more space for when (or if, in this crazy world) our kids and grandkids can come out. This is a wonderful product and as long as you keep making the refills, we’ll keep buying them and using your product.

Thanks for a great way to stop scratching. 5 plus stars.

Have only used it once, but didnt get bitten that night when we had been bitten multiple times every other night before, so, early days, but so far, so good. Easy to use.

I ordered two units. My wife and I used one of the units the first day we got them. Not one mosquito bite and my wife is a magnet for mosquitoes. We love them so much, we are going to order a mobile unit for her for when she is working in the yard.

Own alot but none are for the porch. Great deal. Great product. Use small units for hunting.This is a must have at cookouts and relaxing on porch.

I have purchased a couple of these over the past 3 summers – the first was for myself and the second was for my father who lives in his backyard in the summer months. After a couple of seasons the one I purchased for my father seems to have burnt out.

It works exceptionally well, only real concern is long-term durability and limited access to the necessary iso butane canisters in smaller cities/out in the bush, which is not that bad considering the one that burnt out lasted hundreds of hours, and the canisters of Iso Butane are capable of lasting hundreds of hours on this Thermacell.

Be advised it does NOT use propane, common misconception.

It’s really hard for me to completely attribute my lack of getting bitten with this, as I’m always a little apprehensive to say a mosquito repellent cream or device is faultless. But knock on wood, it seems to be working well.

I like how big of a refill this is, considering how little you get with the device itself. Anyone who gets the device NEEDS to get a refill too. Doesn’t make sense not to have one. It’s a little pricey, but well worth it since it SEEMS to work.

Usually when I buy a product like this to try , I wind up bringing it back cause it did NOT live up to the hype. This product WENT WELL BEYOND THE HYPE. WE had a terrible squit problem our our back porch.

There’s an artificial tree which had been squit central , motel squit 6. However , checkout came early the next day after I put this wonderful product close to the squit hotel. Everyone checked out early AND I MEAN EVERYTHING.

THANK U THANK U THANK U WE NOW OWN OUR BACK PATIO AGAIN.

We’ve used this for outdoor dining for a few weeks now and it seems to work well: no mosquitoes at the table; no obvious odors; nice form factor — easy to charge and use. Good product! It remains to be seen how long the 40-hour refill lasts but it’s clearly enough that we can use the device all evening without worrying about running out and needing to re-order.

I purchased 3 of the 40 hour refills and expect to make it through the remainder of the summer and hopefully into next season. FWIW I spray Raid “Yard Guard” around the table about 10 minutes before we eat and start the Thermacell then, keeping it under the table (our legs are usually the most exposed).

This regimen is working.