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Check current Canadian prices on the refill that fits your model:
Which Thermacell Refill Do You Actually Need?
Thermacell splits cleanly into two systems, and the refill you buy depends entirely on which one you own. The rechargeable line — the E55 and E90 — uses a small liquid E-Series cartridge that clicks into the top of the unit. There is no fuel and nothing to burn; a USB-rechargeable battery gently warms the cartridge to release a scentless metofluthrin vapour. The older fuel-powered line — the Patio Shield and Backpacker — uses a flat repellent mat (allethrin) heated by a small butane cartridge. Refills for those come as combined packs of mats plus fuel.
Get this right before you check out. The number-one Thermacell complaint online is someone buying an E-Series cartridge for a Patio Shield (or vice versa) and finding it does not fit. If you are still shopping for the device itself, our guide to the best mosquito repellent device in Canada compares the rechargeable and fuel lines head to head.
What Thermacell Refills Cost per Hour in Canada
Across all the refill families, Thermacell lands at roughly $0.35–$0.50 per hour of protection in Canada. An E-Series cartridge (about 40 hours) typically runs $15–$20; an Original 60-hour value pack of 15 mats and 5 fuel cartridges is around $25–$32; and the 120-hour mega refill can drop the per-hour cost to about $0.38. If you already have fuel on hand, buying mats only is the cheapest way to keep a fuel-powered unit running.
To put that in perspective: running a Thermacell for a couple of hours most evenings across a GTA summer works out to a modest but real ongoing cost, and it only protects the one small zone the device sits in. That is why many homeowners treat a Thermacell as a personal, portable layer on top of — not instead of — whole-yard control.
Where to Buy Thermacell Refills in Canada
Refills are widely stocked. Amazon.ca carries every refill type year-round with the fastest delivery and the clearest listings. Canadian Tire, Home Depot Canada, and Walmart Canada stock the common E-Series and Original packs in season, and outdoor specialists like Cabela’s Canada and Bass Pro Shops carry the Backpacker mats. In-store stock is seasonal — shelves fill in May and thin out by August — so if you rely on your Thermacell all summer, it is worth ordering a multi-pack early. For a full retailer-by-retailer breakdown, see our Thermacell Canada — where to buy guide.
How to Recharge an E55 or E90
The rechargeable models could not be simpler. Plug the unit into any USB power source (current models use USB-C). A full charge takes about 4–6 hours and delivers roughly 5.5 hours of runtime on the E55 and about 9 hours on the E90. A small status light shows the charge level. For all-evening backyard use, you can leave the device connected to a portable power bank and run it while it charges — handy for long dinners and gatherings that outlast a single charge.
Two habits keep a rechargeable Thermacell reliable: charge it the night before you need it (batteries self-discharge slowly in storage), and store it indoors over winter rather than in an unheated shed, since deep cold is hard on lithium batteries.
How to Replace a Refill Cartridge or Mat
On the rechargeable E55/E90, the cartridge has a fuel-gauge window: the blue liquid level visibly drops as it is used, and when it reaches the bottom the cartridge is spent (about 40 hours). Let the unit cool, pop the empty cartridge out of the top, and click a fresh one in — no tools, no mess.
On fuel-powered models, there are two consumables. Replace the flat repellent mat when it fades from blue to white (about 4 hours of use each), and replace the butane fuel cartridge when the device will no longer light (about 12 hours per cartridge). Original refill packs bundle both so you always have matched supplies on hand.
Thermacell vs Whole-Yard Control
| Approach | Coverage | Duration | Ticks? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermacell (device) | ~20 ft zone around the unit | While running (40 hrs/refill) | No |
| Other repellent devices | Small personal zone | While running | No |
| Professional barrier spray | Entire yard, surfaces & edges | 21–30 days per treatment | Yes — full coverage |
Thermacell is a genuinely good product for what it does: create a mosquito-free bubble around a patio table, a campsite, or a deck chair, on demand, with no spraying on skin. What it cannot do is protect a whole yard, hold up in a breeze, or touch ticks. For that you need residual treatment on the vegetation itself. The smartest GTA setup is a Thermacell for point protection plus a seasonal BuzzSkito barrier program ($549 Basic / $994 Standard for the season, or a single treatment from $99) so the yard around the Thermacell is working for you too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Thermacell refills in Canada?
Thermacell refills are stocked at Amazon.ca (widest selection, all refill types), Canadian Tire, Home Depot Canada, Walmart Canada, Cabela's Canada, Bass Pro Shops, and many garden centres from May through September. E-Series liquid cartridges (for the rechargeable E55 and E90), Original mat-and-fuel value packs (for the fuel-powered Patio Shield), and Liv refills (for the Liv smart system) are all easy to find online year-round, but big-box in-store stock is seasonal and thins out by August.
How much do Thermacell refills cost per hour in Canada?
Roughly $0.35–$0.50 per hour of protection. In Canada (July 2026), an E-Series refill cartridge (40 hours) runs about $15–$20, an Original 60-hour value pack (15 mats + 5 fuel cartridges) about $25–$32, and a 120-hour mega refill about $40–$50. Buying multi-packs lowers the per-hour cost. For comparison, a single professional barrier spray treatment from $99 covers your whole yard for 21–30 days with no cartridges to swap.
Are Thermacell refills interchangeable between models?
Not across families. Rechargeable models (E55, E90, and the newer rechargeable line) all use the same E-Series liquid cartridge and are interchangeable with each other. Fuel-powered models (Patio Shield MR300, MR450, Backpacker) use Original repellent mats plus a butane fuel cartridge — a completely different refill. The Liv smart system uses its own Liv refill. Always match the refill family to your device: an E-Series cartridge will not fit a Patio Shield, and Original mats will not fit an E55.
Do the rechargeable Thermacell models need butane?
No. The rechargeable E55 and E90 heat the repellent with a built-in USB-rechargeable battery, so they need no butane fuel cartridge at all — just charge the unit and insert a liquid E-Series refill cartridge. Only the older fuel-powered models (Patio Shield, Backpacker) burn a small butane cartridge to generate heat. That butane comes bundled inside the Original refill packs, so you rarely buy it separately.
How do I recharge a Thermacell E55 or E90?
Plug the unit into a USB power source (USB-C on current models). A full charge takes about 4–6 hours and gives roughly 5.5 hours of runtime on the E55 and about 9 hours on the E90 per charge. A status light shows charge level. You can also run the E55/E90 while plugged into a power bank for all-evening backyard use, which is handy for long gatherings.
How do I know when to replace a Thermacell refill cartridge?
On rechargeable models, the cartridge has a fuel-gauge window — the blue liquid level drops as it is used, and when it reaches empty the cartridge is spent (about 40 hours). Pop the old cartridge out and click a fresh one in. On fuel-powered models, replace the repellent mat when it turns from blue to white (about 4 hours each) and swap the butane cartridge when the device will no longer light (about 12 hours per fuel cartridge).
What is the active ingredient in Thermacell refills?
Thermacell rechargeable refills use metofluthrin, and the Original mat refills use allethrin (d-allethrin) — both are synthetic pyrethroid repellents registered for sale in Canada by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). The device warms the refill to release a scentless vapour that creates a protection zone of roughly 20 feet (about 6 metres) around the unit. Always follow the label directions printed on the refill package.
Are Thermacell refills safe to use around kids and pets?
Used as directed, yes — Thermacell repellents are registered by Health Canada's PMRA and are designed for outdoor use. The vapour repels mosquitoes rather than being sprayed on skin. Follow label directions: use outdoors in a well-ventilated area, keep the device out of reach of children, and do not use it in enclosed spaces. Because it creates a fixed zone, it protects a patio or campsite but does not move with you the way a topical repellent does.