Choosing a cologne is a personal experience, and the best way to find the right one is to try out different scents. However, here is a list of the top 10 men's colognes to help you get started:
- Chanel Bleu de Chanel
- Dior Sauvage
- Ralph Lauren Polo Black
- Creed Aventus
- Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
- Byredo Bibliothèque
- Tom Ford Oud Wood
- Le Labo Another 13
- Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio
What You'll Learn
Best Overall: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò
A classic, fresh, and coastal fragrance, Acqua di Giò by Giorgio Armani is the best overall men's cologne. It's masculine without being too heavy, with top notes of bergamot and neroli that will transport you to a quiet Italian seaside town. Although it evokes summer, it's grounded enough to work year-round, and it smells expensive.
With its earthy fragrance, Acqua di Giò is the ideal everyday scent, combining cypress, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli for a fresh finish. It has stood the test of time since its release in 1996 and continues to be a crowd favourite.
Here's a breakdown of its scent profile:
- Family: Fresh
- Notes: Bergamot, neroli, green tangerine, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli
- Sizes: 0.67 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz., 6.7 oz.
Where to Buy:
You can purchase Giorgio Armani's Acqua di Giò from the Armani Beauty website or authorised retailers such as Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta.
Price:
The price varies depending on the size:
- 0.67 oz.: $160
- 1.7 oz.: $113-118
- 3.4 oz.: $134.90
- 6.7 oz.: $134.90
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Best Under $50: Nautica Voyage
If you're looking for a cheap cologne that doesn't compromise on quality, Nautica Voyage is the perfect option. With a cult following, this cologne has a subtle, fresh, and long-lasting scent that smells way more expensive than its $20 price tag. The blend of green apple, cedar, and florals evokes the crispness of cool water, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking an uncomplicated fragrance to wear on the go.
Nautica Voyage is an excellent example of how affordable colognes can hold their own against their pricier counterparts. Its fresh and clean scent is perfect for everyday wear, and its longevity will ensure you smell great all day without having to reapply. So, if you're looking for a great cologne that won't break the bank, Nautica Voyage is an excellent choice.
The cologne's packaging is simple and sophisticated, with a rectangular glass bottle that feels expensive and is easy to hold. It's an excellent option for those who want a subtle, fresh, and long-lasting scent without spending a fortune. The scent is ideal for those who want to smell great without drawing too much attention to themselves.
Overall, Nautica Voyage is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-quality, affordable cologne. Its fresh and subtle scent, coupled with its impressive longevity, makes it a fantastic option for everyday wear. So, if you're in the market for a new cologne and don't want to spend a fortune, Nautica Voyage is definitely worth considering.
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Best for Winter: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
Maison Margiela's Replica Jazz Club is a warm and cozy eau de toilette fragrance that evokes the exhilarating and intimate ambiance of a confidential jazz club. The scent is a mix of premium cigars, tobacco leaf, and pink pepper, with top notes of vanilla beans and rum. It is a sophisticated, cozy, and smooth scent, perfect for cold winter nights.
The cologne has an elegant, smoky scent, with the sweet and herbaceous notes of dry tobacco leaves and the rich, woody aroma of cigars. The scent is long-lasting and has a strong presence, making it a perfect winter fragrance.
The top notes of pink pepper and neroli bring an aromatic freshness, with the spicy pink pepper reinforcing the smoky effect of the tobacco leaf. The middle notes of rum absolute evoke heady cocktails, with a liquor-like sweetness that is transporting and intoxicating. The base notes of dry tobacco leaves add a warm, bitter edge to the fragrance, with the vanilla bean adding a touch of carnal pleasure and comfort.
The cologne has an olfactive family of amber and woody, with a concentration of eau de toilette. It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn by men and women, making it a great choice for a signature scent. The scent is long-lasting and has a strong presence, making it ideal for the colder months.
The Replica Jazz Club cologne by Maison Margiela is an excellent choice for those looking for a warm and cozy fragrance that evokes the intimate atmosphere of a jazz club. The scent is sophisticated, smooth, and long-lasting, with a strong presence that makes it perfect for winter.
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Best Citrus: Chanel Bleu de Chanel
Chanel Bleu de Chanel is a bright and understated scent that is easy to wear. It is one of those fragrances that, if you smell it, you’ll think, “He smells great,” making it an ideal pick for anyone who is looking for their first cologne.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel is a fresh, clean, and sensual scent that includes notes of citrus, labdanum, sandalwood, and cedar. It can easily transition from day to night (a musky undertone makes it perfect for a date).
Chanel's bestseller is a mainstay for countless good-smelling guys. Citrus, cedar, and sandalwood lend a fresh, woody vibe, while spicier notes of tonka bean and vanilla add some sex appeal. I’m not shocked this is such a popular fragrance—it’s got a sweeter edge than many other musk-forward designer scents, making it one that women especially love. Plus, there’s no flex quite like having a Chanel bottle on your dresser or in your bathroom cabinet. (The magnetic cap makes it feel even more luxe.)
Bleu de Chanel has been a cult favourite since its debut in 2010, and it's easy to see why. This cologne is an instant classic that combines invigorating marine notes with refreshing citrus undertones. It provides a revitalizing and enduring olfactory experience that has become a timeless classic. Its fresh and energizing composition has garnered immense popularity among fragrance enthusiasts, establishing it as a top choice for those seeking a captivating and uplifting scent.
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Best Aromatic: Ralph Lauren Polo Red
Ralph Lauren's Polo Red is an iconic, classic fragrance that stands the test of time. It is a bold, spicy, and aromatic scent with top notes of citrus, saffron, and redwood. The scent is just as vibrant as its ruby bottle suggests. Although the top notes are somewhat generic, the cologne dries down into a more intriguing mix of bright citrus and smouldering spice. It is a versatile cologne that would make any man happy to own a bottle.
The cologne is part of the amber fragrance family, with additional notes of grapefruit, lavender, lemon, sage, and redwood. It is available in 2.5 oz, 4.2 oz, and 6.7 oz bottles.
Other Notable Colognes for Men:
- Chanel Bleu de Chanel: A fresh, clean, and sensual scent with notes of citrus, labdanum, sandalwood, and cedar. It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn day-to-night.
- Dior Sauvage: An earthy and woody scent inspired by nature and raw materials. It features notes of Calabrian bergamot, pepper, and amberwood.
- Ralph Lauren Polo Black: A bold and aromatic fusion of iced mango, lemon, tangerine, sandalwood, sage, and patchouli noir.
- Creed Aventus: A crisp and bestselling fragrance with top notes of apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, and bergamot, and base notes of birch, patchouli, vanilla, and musk.
- Byredo Bibliothèque: A sweet and woody scent with notes of bergamot, ginger, pineapple, sage, juniper berry, amber, cedarwood, and musk.
- Tom Ford Oud Wood: A warm and cozy scent with notes of oud wood, sandalwood, cardamom, tonka bean, Chinese pepper, and vetiver.
- Le Labo Another 13: A hidden gem with notes of ambrox, musk, amber, jasmine petals, moss, and ambrette seeds. It is a collaboration between Le Labo and Another magazine.
- Hugo Boss Boss: A cult classic and enduring cologne with fruity and citrus top notes of apple, lemon, and plum, balanced by a floral and spicy base.
- Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Silver: A bold and spicy scent with notes of juniper berries, nutmeg, coriander, musk, amber wood, and vanilla.
- Calvin Klein Eternity for Men: A romantic and enduring floral fragrance with notes of freesia, mandarin, sage, white lily, patchouli, and sandalwood.
- Hermes Terre d'Hermès Eau Givrée: A fresh and striking scent with notes of citron, juniper berry, and Timut pepper.
- Byredo Mojave Ghost: A unique woody cologne with notes of amberette, nesberry, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, musk, vetiver, and amber.
- Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme: A classic and cozy scent with notes of bitter orange, oakwood, and vetiver.
- Frédéric Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur: A bright fragrance with top notes of mint, aniseed, and geranium, and base notes of sandalwood and frankincense.
- Diptyque Orphéon: A modern and sophisticated scent with notes of tonka bean, cedar, jasmine, smoke, and juniper berry.
- Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF: A fresh and woody scent with notes of citrus, cedarwood, and vetiver.
- Prada Luna Rossa Ocean: An aromatic, musky, and aquatic blend with notes of Haitian vetiver, musks, patchouli, lavender, suede, saffron, and a citrus blend.
- Dior Bois D’Argent: A soft, sweet, fresh, and genderless scent with notes of jasmine, wood accord, iris, and frankincense.
- Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense: A rich, full-bodied, and earthy scent with notes of lavender, camphor, honey, hay, Omumbiri myrrh, tonka bean, almond, vanilla, and tobacco.
- Azzaro The Most Wanted: A sweet and cozy scent with notes of green cardamom, toffee accord, and amber woods.
- Versace Eros: A fresh and tropical scent in a chic, Art Deco-style bottle. It features notes of mint, orange, woody vanilla, and citrus.
- Acqua di Parma Colonia: A fresh and citrusy scent with notes of lemon, bergamot, lavender, patchouli, and sandalwood.
- Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio: An earthy and classic fragrance inspired by the ocean, with notes of cyprus, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular men's colognes include Chanel Bleu de Chanel, Dior Sauvage, Ralph Lauren Polo Black, Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club, and Creed Aventus.
Top brands for men's cologne include Paco Rabanne, Creed, Dior, Azzaro, Tom Ford, and Yves Saint Laurent (YSL). These brands offer a range of classic and modern scents to suit different tastes and preferences.
Some of the hottest men's colognes in 2024 include Dior Sauvage, Creed Aventus, and Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani. These colognes offer fresh, woody, and citrusy scents that have gained widespread popularity.
The main types of cologne are eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and parfum. They differ in the concentration of fragrance oils, with eau de cologne having the lowest concentration (2-4%) and parfum having the highest (20% or more).
When choosing a men's cologne, consider your personal style, the occasion, and the season. Apply 3-4 spritzes to your pulse points, such as wrists, neck, and behind the ears. Avoid rubbing it in and let it dry naturally for better longevity.