Best colognes for men: The perfect scent for every occasion (2024)

I don’t need to sell you on how important your sense of smell is, do I? Beyond how powerful scents can be in evoking memories and influencing your mood, they also have a major influence on how people see you and even treat you. You obviously know you shouldn’t go on a first date or to a job interview directly after working out at the gym, but actively smelling good can produce better results in those scenarios and more. That means investing in cologne, and there are hundreds of options out there. Need help choosing? Then catch a big whiff of our picks for the best colognes for men.

What to consider when picking the best cologne for men

Fragrance family

All fragrances can be put in four major groups, or families: Woody, fresh, amber and florals. Florals and woody are self-explanatory, but amber consists of spicy and herbal aromas, while fresh represents citrus, water and cleanliness — think of those “fresh linen” air fresheners. There are different sub-families in each of the four categories, so do some research and think about which scent best represents you.

Notes

Beyond the fragrance families are the cologne’s notes, which means the specific scent they’re trying to evoke. Most colognes and perfumes have many notes that combine to create their unique aromas, such as specific woods, herbs, fruit and more, but some include very unexpected notes like prickly pear or mimosa. Find out what a cologne is supposed to smell like before you order it online.

Strength

Cologne has become a catchall word for men’s fragrances, but it consists of three main categories: eau de cologne, eau de toilette and eau de parfum. “From a perfumer’s perspective, cologne denotes a lower fragrance concentrate than perfume,” says Kalliope Amorphous, owner of Amorphous Perfume. “For example, eau de cologne usually contains around 3-5% concentration of fragrance, whereas eau de perfume usually contains 15-20% concentration.” Eau de toilette sits in the middle at 5-15%.

It may sound like eau de parfum is the best of the three because it has the strongest scent, but sometimes it’s too much. “The men's fragrance category ranges from light and barely there to big and bold,” says perfumer Darryl Do of Delbia Do Fragrances. “When in doubt go with a lighter scent — better this than something that’s too strong for the wearer.”

Our top picks for the best colognes for men

Best designer cologne for men: Dior Sauvage

Best designer

Dior Sauvage

buy on Dioramazon

$120.00

Whether you consider yourself an outdoorsman or not, Dior’s Sauvage will make you smell like one. Using Ambroxan, a synthetic and ethical version of ambergris, this highly recommended eau de toilette has a complex aroma of wood and resin.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de toilette.
• Size: 3.4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Fresh and woody.
• Notes: Bergamot and Ambroxan.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $120.

What we like:

• The complex notes of Ambroxan.
• It’s made ethically.
• Includes notes of citrus.

What we don’t like:

• It’s pricey, but it also comes in a 1-ounce size.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Complex, woodsy and masculine, Sauvage is highly recommended by both experts and customers.

Get it here: Dior Sauvage

Best budget cologne for men: Nautica Voyage

Best budget

Nautica Voyage

buy on Walmartamazon

$19.90

Bright like a sunny summer day and crisp like the ocean air while you’re sailing, Nautica’s Voyage is a great fragrance at a great price. It has notes of apples and water mimosas, balanced by the aroma of green leaf and lotus.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de toilette.
• Size: 3.4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Fresh and woody.
• Notes: Green apple, green leaf, lotus, cedarwood, amber and musk.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $21.

What we like:

• Inexpensive.

What we don’t like:

• Not terribly complex or sophisticated.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

If you want to smell nice at an affordable price, take a voyage with Voyage.

Get it here: Nautica Voyage

Best spicy cologne for men: Versace Eros Flame

Sometimes you need to spice things up, and perfumer Vince Spinnato recommends this fiery fragrance from Versace. Eros Flame, as its name suggests, is inspired by passion and love, represented by the aromas of pepper, vanilla and citrus fruit. And luckily enough, you don’t have to be in love to wear it!

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 3.4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Amber and woody.
• Notes: Italian lemon, pepperwood and vetiver.
• Cruelty-Free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $115.

What we like:

• It’s spicy, but not too spicy.
• The pepper-vanilla combo goes well together.

What we don’t like:

• Sometimes regarded as a little basic.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

If you’re looking for a spicy scent, Eros Flame is, much like love, all you need.

Get it here: Versace Eros Flame

Best vanilla cologne for men: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

There’s something special about the scent of vanilla, which is why many perfumeries make specific colognes with that fragrance. Of that large group, however, Spinnato recommends Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille specifically, due to its incredible longevity and crowd-pleasing scent. It’s infused with cocoa and dry fruits accords as well, for extra deliciousness.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 1 ounce.
• Fragrance family: Amber.
• Notes: Tobacco leaf, vanilla and ginger.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $195.

What we like:

• Vanilla and tobacco leaf smell great together.
• Scent lasts on you forever.

What we don’t like:

• It’s very expensive.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Tom Ford claims that this fragrance smells like “the finest of private clubs” and they’re not wrong in the slightest.

Get it here: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

Best fresh cologne: St Johns Vetiver Cologne

Best fresh

St Johns Vetiver Cologne

buy on St Johnsamazon

$60.00

If you’re not in the know on vetiver, it’s a grass native to tropical Asia whose roots produce an oil with a dry, woody scent that makes it a popular ingredient in men’s cologne. That includes this offering from St Johns, who have complimented it with amber and cypress to deepen its complexity while keeping it breezy-fresh.

Specifications:

• Type: Cologne.
• Size: 4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody, amber and fresh.
• Notes: Vetiver, sandalwood, amber, cypress, cedar, cardamom and more.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $60.

What we like:

• As a true cologne, it’s milder than eau de toilette.
• Super fresh and summery.

What we don’t like:

• Those who want a stronger, longer-lasting scent should look elsewhere.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

The mild vetiver scent of this cologne is perfect for smelling — and feeling — fresh.

Get it here: St Johns Vetiver Cologne

Best smoky cologne: Arquiste Indigo Smoke

Best smoky

Arquiste Indigo Smoke

buy on Arquiste

Did you know Lapsang souchong tea leaves are smoked over pinewood fires before the tea is brewed? I didn’t until I discovered Arquiste’s Indigo Smoke, which replicates that unique smoky and pleasant aroma. With hints of mandarin orange oil, this cologne smells so good you’ll want it as incense.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 3.4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody.
• Notes: Maté tea, cedar leaf oil, incense, lapsang souchong and more.
• Cruelty-free: Yes.
• Price on publish: $205.

What we like:

• It smells of smoked tea and citrus, not a forest fire.
• It’s long-lasting.

What we don’t like:

• Could be too complex for some.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

For a smoky, sexy and sophisticated smell, look no further than the appropriately indigo Indigo bootle.

Get it here: Arquiste Indigo Smoke

Best tobacco cologne: Lumira Cuban Tobacco Eau de Parfum

Best tobacco

LUMIRA Cuban Tobacco Eau de Parfum 50ml

Dermstore

$135.00

Why is it that tobacco smells so good, but tobacco smoke smells terrible? Rest assured, Lumira’s Cuban Tobacco cologne only contains the first aroma. Inspired by Old Havana, it has a rich, spicy smell that evokes old world gentlemanly sophistication.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 1.69 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Amber.
• Notes: Cardamom, clove bud, tangerine, tobacco, vanilla, patchouli and musk.
• Cruelty-free: Yes.
• Price on publish: $135.

What we like:

• It smells classy.
• It’s got beautiful packaging.

What we don’t like:

• Not the longest-lasting fragrance.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Spicy, smokey and slightly sweet, Lumira’s Cuban Tobacco smells the way you want a sophisticated summer vacation to smell.

Get it here: Lumira Cuban Tobacco Eau de Parfum

Best long-lasting cologne: Who Is Elijah Nomad

Who Is Elijah, the rather uniquely named company that makes Nomad eau de parfum, calls it the “navy suit” of fragrances, meaning you can wear it just about anywhere. And like a suit, it’ll stay on you all day. It’s formulated to last day to night with notes of Egyptian jasmine, amberwood, rose and more.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 1.6 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody, floral and amber.
• Notes: Fir resin, cedar, dry amber, amberwood and others.
• Cruelty-free: Yes.
• Price on publish: $125.

What we like:

• Its versatility.
• It’s very long-lasting.
• The trio of woody, floral and amber fragrances.

What we don’t like:

• Could be too sweet for some wearers.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

If you’re looking for an eau de parfum that will make you smell good all day long, look no further than Nomad.

Get it here: Who Is Elijah Nomad

Best summer cologne for men: Bleu de Chanel

Created in 2010, Bleu de Chanel has a bright citrus scent perfect for warm summer days. It has woody undertones matched with vanilla. It’s a bold fragrance, but that’s exactly what people need on a hot summer’s day when they’ve sweated off the best body washes for men.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 1.7 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody.
• Notes: Citrus, cedar, sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean and more.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $130.

What we like:

• The summer citrus scent.
• It’s long-lasting.

What we don’t like:

• Some might find it too bold.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Bleu de Chanel is a highly-rated cologne that’ll keep you smelling sweet all day.

Get it here: Bleu de Chanel

Best winter cologne for men: Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace

Maison Margiela’s Replica line of colognes is designed to evoke specific moments and experiences, so By The Fireplace should be self-explanatory. The clove oil, vanilla and chestnut accord combine to smell like a winter evening where you cozily sit next to your fireplace and watch the snow falling outside. Wear this if you want it to feel like Christmas every day.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de toilette.
• Size: 3.4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody.
• Notes: Clove oil, chestnut accord, Cashmeran, vanilla accord and more.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $165.

What we like:

• It’s an unbelievably cozy fragrance.
• The slight smokiness.
• Great longevity.
• No fireplace needed.

What we don’t like:

• You may get Robert Wells and Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song” stuck in your head.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

By The Fireplace is the next best thing to actually being by a fireplace.

Get it here: Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace

Most popular cologne for men: Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

If you look online, it seems like almost everyone loves Ralph Lauren’s Blue fragrance and that includes our expert Do, of Delbia Do. The key notes of melon and cucumber keep it bright and the basil adds earthiness, while the aroma of suede gives it a masculine touch. It’s an immensely popular fragrance, and deservedly so.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de toilette.
• Size: 1.36 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Fresh and woody.
• Notes: Basil, clary sage, cucumber and patchouli.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $90.

What we like:

• Excellent group of key notes.
• It’s a good value for the price.

What we don’t like:

• This is simply too popular to be your unique scent.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

If you want to step into the world of men’s cologne, you can step forward confidently with Blue.

Get it here: Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

Best splurge cologne for men: Creed Aventus

Creed has been making colognes and eau de parfum for hundreds of years, so they know a little something about fragrance. Aventus is the company’s signature scent, so its hefty price tag makes sense. And even if the price does make your eyes water, the scent itself won’t.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 3.3 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody and fresh.
• Notes: Bergamot, pineapple, pink pepper, cedarwood, birch and more.
• Cruelty-free: Not specified.
• Price on publish: $495.

What we like:

• Its complex, confident fragrance.
• It’s long-lasting.
• Creed donates money to One Tree Planted with every purchase.

What we don’t like:

• I know this is the high-end category, but yikes, that price tag!

The AP Buyline takeaway:

If you have the money and the desire to smell your very best, Creed Aventus is the move.

Get it here: Creed Aventus

Best everyday cologne for men: Le Labo Santal 33

Best everyday

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum at Nordstrom, Size 0.5 Oz

Nordstrom

$99.00

amazon

$149.99

Recommended both by Do and members of the AP Buyline staff, Santal 33 by Le Labo is a scent you’ll never grow tired of. Australian sandalwood and cedar give it a woodsy, natural scent complemented by a slightly musky, spicy smell of leather. It’s listed as unisex, but it smells pretty traditionally masculine in many ways.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de parfum.
• Size: 1.7 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody and amber.
• Notes: Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, violet, Ambrox, cardamom, iris, leather accord and more.
• Cruelty-free: Yes.
• Price on publish: $230.

What we like:

• It’s masculine without being aggressive about it.
• It’s long-lasting.
• You can get your bottle refilled.

What we don’t like:

• It isn’t cheap.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

A fantastic fragrance that evokes the American West — you’ll never tire of Santal 33.

Get it here: Le Labo Santal 33

Best unisex cologne: Stetson Legend

Best unisex

Stetson Legend - 3.4 Fl Oz

amazon

$39.99$38.17

It might seem weird to have this as the unisex pick when it’s so clearly targeted at men (specifically, cowboys). But despite seeming like this would be all overpowering leather and tobacco, it’s actually a charmingly fresh, woody fragrance, full of vetiver, cedarwood and prickly pear.

Specifications:

• Type: Eau de toilette.
• Size: 3.4 ounces.
• Fragrance family: Woody.
• Notes: Prickly pear, black pepper, mesquite wood, cedarwood, vetiver.
• Cruelty-free: Not listed.
• Price on publish: $40.

What we like:

• Fresh and suitable for all genders.
• Inexpensive.

What we don’t like:

• The scent doesn’t last very long.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

A surprising, manly-looking cologne that’s actually ideal for use as a fresh unisex scent.

Get it here: Stetson Legend

How we selected the best colognes for men

I selected these colognes with help from professional experts and first-hand reviews from members of the AP Buyline staff. I then cross-referenced these with a wide assortment of customer reviews on a variety of online store sites to determine the best colognes possible, taking into account longevity, scent profiles and price.

How to apply cologne for maximum impact

“Certified Nose” Spinnato suggests you keep it simple, especially if you’re new to cologne. “Use one spray to your chest,” he advises. “That’s all you need to get an appealing, subtle scent that won’t overpower anyone. The best time to apply your fragrance is after showering when you’ve dried off. Apply the cologne to your skin, not to your clothing. And to emphasize, one spray is plenty.”

Amorphous has a great tip as well. “Applying to moisturized skin is important because it will increase the longevity of your cologne,” she suggests. “Fragrance can disappear much more quickly on dry skin, so applying an unscented moisturizer or balm first will help the fragrance last longer. Applying after showering will also have this same effect.”

What’s the difference between cologne and perfume?

Because cologne has come to represent men’s fragrances in general, it can be a little tricky to explain. But when it comes to eau de cologne — which is also usually just called “cologne” — it’s quite different from eau de parfum, aka perfume. “Cologne has a lower concentration of fragrance oils than perfume,” Spinnato says. “This is why cologne smells lighter, less intense and doesn't last as long as perfumes. Cologne is often described as a fresh, lighter fragrance that is good for everyday use.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How should I store my cologne?

Amorphous unequivocally warns to keep your cologne cool, dry and away from direct light. “The bathroom is one of the worst places to store fragrances, because it’s the most prone to temperature fluctuations and humidity,” she added. “If you store your cologne in a cool, dark place, you’ll preserve its longevity and it will age better.”

Can I mix different fragrances together?

“Definitely!” Do says. “This makes the scent unique to the wearer. This is also called fragrance layering.”

Amorphous agrees. “Layering fragrances is one of the most fun things about them,” she says. “Try mixing a citrus-heavy fragrance with a woody fragrance, for example. Combinations won’t always work, but you can have fun experimenting until you find your signature combo.”