Thermacell EL55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller Overview

I dwell in Alaska, the place we declare the mosquito is definitely the state hen. Alaska has 35 species of the blood-sucking mosquitoes, and these bugs are the bane of everybody’s existence come summer time. Typical survival instruments embrace lathering up with layers of bug dope, not stepping exterior with out full physique protection, smoking them out with a fireplace, and fixed waving and swatting. I’ve been utilizing Thermacell merchandise for years whereas residing in a camper van, and as soon as the models proved themselves in opposition to the Alaskan mosquitoes, there was no going again. After testing the most recent rendition, the Thermacell EL55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller, it might be my favourite within the lineup.

• Weight: 12 ounces
• Width/Top: 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery with as much as 9 hours of energy
• 20-foot vary
• Energetic Ingredient: 5.5% Metofluthrin

Vary

Thermacell’s EL55 repeller offers as much as a 20-foot zone of smokeless and scentless vapor bug safety that’s environmentally protected for people and pets.

Battery

The rechargeable Li-ion battery has mild and audio monitoring to warn you when it must be charged.

Mild

This transportable gadget encompasses a dimmable mild across the base that can be utilized independently or together with the bug repellent. 

Testing the Thermacell EL55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller and Glow Mild within the Subject

As I discussed, I’ve been utilizing varied Thermacell merchandise for the final couple of years. General, I’m very impressed with the consequences they’ve on the ever-growing mosquito inhabitants round my cabin. I began with the unique Radius (now discontinued), after which moved to the fuel-based Patio Protect Mosquito Repeller. 

The EL55 has been my favourite to this point. Out of the field, it is rather self-intuitive. You’ll be able to work out the best way to use it with out studying the small instruction guide. It comes with one 12-hour cartridge of bug repellent. The repellent is a liquid known as metofluthrin. When heated, the metofluthrin turns to a protected odorless vapor that may repel as much as 97 p.c of mosquitoes.

Does It Hold Mosquitoes Away?

There’s no pungent smoke or sprays. And also you don’t must lather up your pores and skin with important oils or chemical compounds. Better of all, the vapor works with out tainting a meal on the again deck. Whereas working the Thermacell EL55, even in the course of the heaviest mosquito season, there have been only a few flying round me. The product boasts a 20-foot radius zone, however after a lot testing (strolling away 20 toes and being bit), I might say it’s extra like a 12 to 15-foot radius. Not an enormous deal to me as I primarily have it close by anyway.

Recharging

I really like that the gadget is rechargeable and fees shortly utilizing the USB-C wire supplied. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to cost up totally, however I hardly ever let it empty. After an evening of use, I simply plug it in, then the subsequent morning it is able to go. The specs say that the battery lasts as much as 9 hours for simply utilizing the repellent, and 5.5 hours whereas utilizing the sunshine and repellent. I discovered these instances to be just a little too excessive; it was extra like 7 to eight hours and 5 hours, respectively. 

Utilizing the Thermacell EL55

The EL55 has simply two buttons. The decrease one, with the sunshine bulb on it, operates a dimmable 360-degree mild. When the sunshine button is pushed, the sunshine comes on at full energy after which will be dimmed to a low glow. The primary high button activates the repellent. The gadget makes a loud three-ding audio sound whereas the 4 white LED lights flash throughout heat up. In a couple of minutes, the 4 lights flip stable and small quantities of vapor launch from the highest making a mosquito-free zone. One other contact of that button will point out how a lot battery life is left.

A powerful magnet secures the highest and there are two finger indentations to elevate up. That’s the place you drop within the cartridge refill. This lid is so safe that when turned the wrong way up, it stays on. The USB-C charging port has a rubber cowl that matches tightly. Though the Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller Glow Mild doesn’t say it’s waterproof, I left it out within the rain and it nonetheless works completely.   

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What the Thermacell EL55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller and Glow Mild Does Finest

The highlights for me are the truth that the repellent works and solely lets out a small quantity of scentless vapor that pushes the mosquitoes away. I additionally respect that it’s a non-harmful vapor (except ingested). The audio sounds letting you already know it’s on and when it’s about to expire of battery are very person pleasant. Two buttons make it tremendous straightforward to make use of—one for the repellent and one for the sunshine. Additionally it is very mild and compact, so it might go alongside on a automobile tenting journey or sit on the again deck all summer time lengthy.

The place the Thermacell EL55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller and Glow Mild Can Enhance

I hate the truth that the cartridges are wasteful, and must be thrown away after they empty as a substitute of refilling them. The 40-hour cartridge solely holds 0.33 ounce and the 12-hour cartridge holds 0.11 ounce. I really feel they’re additionally fairly costly ($18 for a three pack of 12-hour cartridges and $55 for a three pack of 40-hour cartridges) for the quantity they maintain. Additional, my take a look at confirmed they don’t seem to be true to the hours of life they maintain. For instance, the 12-hour cartridge solely lasted me round 10 hours. 

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Last Ideas on the Thermacell EL55

If you wish to keep away from burning citronella candles, surrounding your self in campfire smoke, and lathering your self in smelly bug dope, the Thermacell EL55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller is the perfect odorless resolution. With it you may lastly take pleasure in that picnic or drink on the deck with out the fixed buzzing and biting of mosquitoes.