Review: Can the Thermacell E55 Mosquito Repellant Hold a Candle to Citronella?

Thermacell’s E55 creates a scentless, invisible barrier to keep mosquitos out without interruption. The E55 is the entry-level model in the company’s lineup, and designed to keep small gatherings mosquito-free. The device has a squat, oval shape with limited branding, and I was happy that it didn’t scream “I’m a gadget,” since it’s designed to be used in public settings. It was able to keep mosquitoes away from an outdoor homemade pizza party on the Connecticut shoreline, complete with a table full of raw toppings. Other bugs — including larger flies — could break through the E55’s invisible barrier, but you shouldn’t consider this device to be a pest-control panacea. . . .