Customer reviews from thermacell.com
Thermacell - Patio Shield - Forest
Average customer rating
4
(316 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 316 reviews
5 Stars
208
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
7
1 Star
53
74%of customers recommend this product.
(
184 out of
248)
Customer Reviews for Thermacell - Patio Shield - Forest
Customer Rating
2
Good feature set, but didn't repel mosquitos.
on December 10, 2017
Posted by: atxjin
Disclosure: Thermacell sent this product to me in return for an honest review. I paid for shipping. Otherwise, I received what looked to be a retail boxed product.
The short:
Overall, the new Patio Shield had a lot of thought put into the industrial design. Unfortunately, the mosquito repellency did not work for me here in Austin, Texas. Ultimately, that's what matters for a mosquito repeller.
Overall, the new Patio Shield had a lot of thought put into the industrial design. Unfortunately, the mosquito repellency did not work for me here in Austin, Texas. Ultimately, that's what matters for a mosquito repeller.
The long:
I own the MR150 portable repeller from Thermacell. I've tried using it during hunting, camping, and on the patio, but similar to the Patio Shield, I still had mosquitos literally fly over and past the heated allethrin pad and bite me. There's definitely possibility Central Texas mosquitos have developed an immunity to allethrin; I don't know. I know many people who swear by Thermacell, so it obviously has to work to some capacity, but it hasn't worked well for me. Ultimately, this is the reason for the low score I'm giving this product.
I own the MR150 portable repeller from Thermacell. I've tried using it during hunting, camping, and on the patio, but similar to the Patio Shield, I still had mosquitos literally fly over and past the heated allethrin pad and bite me. There's definitely possibility Central Texas mosquitos have developed an immunity to allethrin; I don't know. I know many people who swear by Thermacell, so it obviously has to work to some capacity, but it hasn't worked well for me. Ultimately, this is the reason for the low score I'm giving this product.
Disregarding the effectiveness of the mosquito repellency, the physical product is well designed.
The top cover (lid):
One of the best features is the removable top cover. The problem with the blue allethrin pads are that they dry out when sitting out. The Patio Shield's cover helps to alleviate this. But the cover is not fully sealed, so the pad will still eventually dry out. When the Patio Shield is in use, you can lay this cover upside down and seat the Patio Shield upright inside the concave space. An etching around the Patio Shield's base will help to indicate when it has seated level inside the lid, but it does not securely clip in and so can still be easily knocked over.
One of the best features is the removable top cover. The problem with the blue allethrin pads are that they dry out when sitting out. The Patio Shield's cover helps to alleviate this. But the cover is not fully sealed, so the pad will still eventually dry out. When the Patio Shield is in use, you can lay this cover upside down and seat the Patio Shield upright inside the concave space. An etching around the Patio Shield's base will help to indicate when it has seated level inside the lid, but it does not securely clip in and so can still be easily knocked over.
Repeller pad storage:
Another great feature is a storage space beneath and inside the Patio Shield where you can store additional unopened alletrhin pads. There are four pairs of narrow plastic protrusions where a single unopened pad can be wedged in and held out of sight. The space is small, so if you'd need some smaller dextrous fingers to get them in there. Would be easier if the butane cartridge is not installed, but having all four pad holders filled may make screwing in the butane cartridge difficult.
Another great feature is a storage space beneath and inside the Patio Shield where you can store additional unopened alletrhin pads. There are four pairs of narrow plastic protrusions where a single unopened pad can be wedged in and held out of sight. The space is small, so if you'd need some smaller dextrous fingers to get them in there. Would be easier if the butane cartridge is not installed, but having all four pad holders filled may make screwing in the butane cartridge difficult.
Butane ignition check portal:
The clear window to check whether the butane is lit or not is located at the top edge of the Patio Shield's cylinder shape and is large enough to make checking for the pad heater being lit is easy.
The clear window to check whether the butane is lit or not is located at the top edge of the Patio Shield's cylinder shape and is large enough to make checking for the pad heater being lit is easy.
Butane flow and ignition switch:
This is my least favorite part of the design. While the rotary switch at the bottom of the Patio Shield is aesthetically nice, it has the same smooth slippery plastic as the rest of the product. Even with the two finger divots molded into the rotary switch, gripping and twisting this switch can be tricky if using the design queues to only use your thumb and forefinger. You'll have better luck by laying the base of the Patio Shield fully into your palm and place as much of your hand's surface area and grip onto the rotary switch. If you have weak hand strength or suffer from arthritis, igniting the butane on the Patio Shield could prove difficult. Thermacell could add some grippy grooves or stippling in their next revision of the product to help with this.
This is my least favorite part of the design. While the rotary switch at the bottom of the Patio Shield is aesthetically nice, it has the same smooth slippery plastic as the rest of the product. Even with the two finger divots molded into the rotary switch, gripping and twisting this switch can be tricky if using the design queues to only use your thumb and forefinger. You'll have better luck by laying the base of the Patio Shield fully into your palm and place as much of your hand's surface area and grip onto the rotary switch. If you have weak hand strength or suffer from arthritis, igniting the butane on the Patio Shield could prove difficult. Thermacell could add some grippy grooves or stippling in their next revision of the product to help with this.
In summary, it's a well designed product. I just wish it repelled mosquitos here in Central Texas.
Response from thermacell.comBy Josh S, Sales/Mkt, December 11, 2017
Thanks for your detailed feedback! Please contact our customer service department at service@thermacell.net or 1-866-753-3837, we would like to help figure out why your Thermacell isn't repelling mosquitoes.
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
5
works great
on November 27, 2017
Posted by: bb1196
from Hernando, MS, United States
The patio shield is small but does a good job. Keeps the pest away.
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
4
It really works! U have to try it!!
on November 8, 2017
Posted by: JJS1
from Sarasota, FL, United States
I was skeptical about how well these units work but this unit is so AWESOME I will buy another for my brothers house!
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
4
awesome
on November 14, 2017
Posted by: Kangaroman
from Seabrook, TX, United States
Sleek, great design, works great, pet my patio mosquito free
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
5
Good option for a free-standing mosquito repeller
on November 16, 2017
Posted by: Judy
from Central Florida
We rec'd & tested yesterday. Mosquitos were in the shop, & biting, until we lit it. The dogs & we were unmolested afterwards. Convenient features: A free-standing unit; mat storage in the barrel of the unit; weatherproof; same lighting mechanism as the hunting Thermacells. I'm sold!
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Improvement over Halo Version
on November 16, 2017
Posted by: Acal
from Miami, Florida, United States
This product works very well in repelling mosquitoes as do all the thermacell products I've tried. There are some significant improvements to this model.
* This ignition system is more robust and appears to get hotter, quicker than previous model. This is really important because until the mat heats up your're being eaten by mosquitoes.
* No batteries. Excellent. Previous halo requires several AA batteries.
* Lightweight and a bit smaller than previous version.
* Viewer window to make sure burner is lit is better positioned to give a clearer view.
* Good use of space with mat storage underneath.
* No batteries. Excellent. Previous halo requires several AA batteries.
* Lightweight and a bit smaller than previous version.
* Viewer window to make sure burner is lit is better positioned to give a clearer view.
* Good use of space with mat storage underneath.
Now unlike the previous halo version this product only holds 1 butane cartridge as opposed to 4 like the previous version. Personally I like the fact this model only uses 1 cartridge at a time. The single cartridge at a time will prevent you from wasting butane if you forget to turn it off. Also you wont waste time checking the butane levels constantly as I currently do on the previous version.
Overall this is an excellent product that will get used almost daily, year round, in my mosquito ridden hometown of Miami, Florida.
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
5
Awesome product
on November 20, 2017
Posted by: Shane
from Gulfport, FL, United States
I used the Patio Shield in my backyard and was pleasantly surprised by how great it worked. I was not bitten once and was able to relax without the smell from a candle or incense. Whole heartedly reccomend this product.
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com
Customer Rating
5
Great product ;)
on November 20, 2017
Posted by: Lisa
Love the Thermacell products, works great on keeping them nasty mosquito's away! Great for camping, fishing, hanging around the back yard or any outdoor activities. Highly recommend ;)
Written by a customer while visiting thermacell.com