The Hottest Men's Colognes That Women Love

There are many popular men's colognes on the market, with new fragrances being released all the time. However, some colognes have stood the test of time and remain firm favourites.

One such example is Dior Sauvage, which has been described as the best-selling men's cologne of all time. With its seductive, fresh scent, it's no surprise that Sauvage has amassed a cult-like following. Another timeless classic is Calvin Klein's Eternity, a romantic, unisex floral fragrance that has endured since its launch in 1988.

Other long-standing popular men's colognes include Chanel Bleu de Chanel, Ralph Lauren Polo Blue, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio, and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme. These colognes offer a range of scents, from fresh and clean to citrusy and woody, catering to different preferences and occasions.

While the classics remain popular, new fragrances are also making their mark. For example, Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza, a unique green fragrance with a strong coffee note, and Absolu Aventus by Creed, a spicy and woody scent, are newer releases that have quickly gained traction.

Ultimately, the most popular men's cologne can vary depending on personal preferences and trends, but the colognes mentioned above have proven to be crowd-pleasers that continue to leave a lasting impression.

Best overall

If you're looking for a do-everything cologne to wear daily and on any occasion, this is it. Terre D’Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver by Hermès is a masculine cologne that perfectly balances woody and citrusy notes with great performance. The scent combines vetiver and citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon, with a Sichuan pepper dry down that adds a great edge for formal occasions. It has good performance, with our testing finding 6 hours of longevity and meaningful sillage and projection of around 1 metre.

Other Favourites

• Dior Sauvage: This is the best-selling men's cologne of all time. It's an overwhelmingly fresh scent, with notes of punchy bergamot and earthy driftwood.
• Chanel Bleu de Chanel: This is one of the most popular men's colognes of all time and is known for being extremely versatile. It has fresh top notes, smooth spices in the middle, and woody, earthy base notes.
• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio: This classic scent, inspired by the ocean, combines cyprus, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli for a fresh finish.
• Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza by Valentino: This is a tasty green scent that adds coffee to the mix and has plenty of longevity.
• Absolu Aventus by Creed: This cologne is a perfect balance of ginger, pepper, wood, ambroxan, and vanilla.

Best for longevity

If you're looking for a cologne that will last all day, you're in luck. There are many options that promise longevity, with some of the best listed below.

Creed Aventus

Aventus is a best-selling fragrance from Creed, a company with a 250-year track record of developing fragrances for royal houses. It features crisp top notes of apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, and bergamot, with heftier heart and base notes including birch, patchouli, vanilla, and musk. It's inspired by the life of a historic emperor and is meant to symbolize strength, power, and success.

Dior Sauvage Elixir

This cologne is a spicier, longer-lasting iteration of the Dior Sauvage. It has a nice bite, with a signature licorice-tinged zing that makes it memorable.

Tom Ford Beau de Jour

Every time Adam Hurly from GQ wears this cologne, he feels like he's "cosplaying as a genteel man-about-town". It's a gentleperson's cologne, with notes of lavender and geranium.

Mancera Aoud Lemon Mint

This cologne is a surprising yet affordable Eau de Parfum. It's a best-seller among Luxury Scent Box customers, with a touch of almond contrasted with the depth of leather.

Escentric Molecules Molecule 01

This scent might be the most famous "no-fragrance fragrance" on the market. Its Iso E Super molecule expresses itself differently depending on the wearer. You can layer it with another fragrance or let it mix with your skin's natural chemistry for a subtle effect.

Ralph Lauren Polo EDT

There's a reason the original Polo cologne has lasted nearly half a century. It manages to be both sexy and professional, a versatile woody-aromatic scent that works in almost every context.

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio

This classic scent has stood the test of time. Inspired by the ocean, it combines cyprus, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli for a fresh finish.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

This cologne has been one of the most popular men's fragrances in the world since its debut in 2010. While it's a woody cologne rooted in cedar and sandalwood notes, the zesty grapefruit brightens the overall scent.

Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver

Over a decade of grooming coverage, Adam Hurly from GQ has only used two bottles of fragrance to the last drop. One of them is this cologne from Hermès. It's a reliable, invigorating, and head-turning masculine scent that's perfect for all scenarios and seasons.

Burberry Hero Parfum

This intense scent from Burberry has a lot of wood notes, including three different types of cedar at the base. Incense and benzoin lend a spicy element that's strong and masculine.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette

This cologne has an ostentatious package reminiscent of a gold brick and a sophisticated masculine scent. It has heavy leather, woody, and rich amber notes that settle to reveal a touch of rose and citrus.

Versace Eros Pour Homme

Named for the Greek god of passion and son of Aphrodite, this cologne is appropriately sexy and playful. Its intensity fades quite a bit on the skin while maintaining a strong presence.

Vince Camuto Homme Intenso

This long-lasting scent is heavy on the citrus at first spray and then dries down to a woody note that stays on your skin for hours, giving an elegant, inoffensive vibe.

Givenchy Eau de Parfum Reserve Privee

This cologne calls to mind whiskey on the rocks drunk in a leather armchair. It's an old-school, achingly masculine scent that's bound to turn heads.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood

Unlike other oud fragrances on this list, this one from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is floral. It takes confidence to wear, but when you do, you make a lasting impression.

TOM FORD Private Blend Oud Wood

A dash of oud mixed with these many woods can only mean one thing: staying power. This scent exudes confidence and elegance.

Parfums de Marly Layton Exclusif

This rich, exotic scent is confidence in a bottle. This exclusif version is heavier on the woods than the original, and a healthy dose of earthy oud adds a seductive element.

Hugo Boss BOSS Bottled Parfum

This new version of BOSS Bottled is a parfum, meaning it's highly concentrated. A strong cocktail of woods, spices, and leather make this the most attention-seeking and longest-lasting scent of the BOSS Bottled family.

Best for projection

Projection refers to the sillage or the trail of scent that lingers in the air when you walk by. A cologne with good projection will be memorable and leave a lasting impression. Here are some of the best colognes for men with the best projection:

Creed Aventus

Aventus is a bold, crisp, and fruity fragrance with top notes of apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, and bergamot. The heart and base notes include birch, patchouli, vanilla, and musk. This cologne has excellent projection and is a fan favourite, making it one of Creed's bestselling fragrances. It is an excellent choice for those who want to stand out and make a statement with their scent.

Dior Sauvage

Sauvage is an overwhelmingly fresh scent with notes of punchy bergamot and earthy driftwood. It is an easy scent that has become a staple in the fragrance world. With its cult-like following, Sauvage is one of the bestselling men's colognes of all time. Its exceptional projection will ensure that you leave a lasting impression wherever you go.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

Bleu de Chanel is a versatile and well-rounded fragrance with fresh top notes, smooth spices in the middle, and woody, earthy base notes. It is one of the most popular men's colognes of all time and has received numerous accolades, including being named Fragrance of the Year in 2019. Its well-balanced composition and excellent projection make it a top choice for those who want a versatile and memorable scent.

Le Labo Santal 33

Santal 33 is a cult-favourite fragrance that put sandalwood colognes on the map. It is a warm, smoky, spicy, and slightly floral scent that is instantly recognizable. Santal 33 has exceptional longevity and projection, making it a great choice for those who want their fragrance to linger and make a statement.

Terre D'Hermès Eau Intense Vetiver

This Hermès cologne perfectly balances woody and citrusy notes, creating a masculine and addictive scent. It combines vetiver with grapefruit and lemon, resulting in a unique and memorable fragrance. With excellent longevity and projection, this cologne will leave a lasting impression on those around you.

Best value for money

When it comes to the best value for money in men's cologne, there are a few options that stand out. Here are some detailed recommendations to help you make an informed decision:

Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette

If you're looking for an affordable yet impressive option, Nautica Voyage is an excellent choice. With a subtle, fresh, and long-lasting scent, it offers a great bang for your buck. Its blend of green apple, cedar, and florals evokes the crispness of cool water, making it a perfect choice for someone who wants a uncomplicated and fresh fragrance. At under $20, it's a steal, and it even rivals more expensive options like Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue.

Dior Sauvage

Dior Sauvage is a popular choice and offers excellent value. With its seductive and fresh scent, it has become a staple in the fragrance world. Its notes of bergamot and earthy driftwood create an irresistible aroma. It's versatile and can be worn during the day or at night. While it's on the pricier side, starting at $77, its popularity and longevity make it a worthwhile investment.

Legend Blue by Montblanc

Legend Blue by Montblanc is a great option if you're looking for a balance of quality and affordability. While it falls into the typical "blue fragrance" category, it stands out with its delightful mint opening and non-synthetic dry-down. It's perfect for spring and summer, and its performance is impressive for its price point, offering 4-6 hours of longevity. At a reasonable price, it's an excellent choice if you're looking for a fresh and woody scent.

Bvlgari Pour Homme Eau De Parfum

Bvlgari's Pour Homme is a fantastic option if you're seeking a well-priced, long-lasting fragrance. With notes of herbal tea, musk, and ginger, it offers a unique and captivating scent. Although it's an eau de parfum, it's priced competitively, starting at AUD$210 for 100ml. Our tests showed impressive longevity, with up to 6 hours of projection on the skin. It's an excellent choice for everyday wear and special occasions.

Dossier Aromatic Pineapple Eau de Parfum

Dossier's Aromatic Pineapple fragrance is a fantastic option if you're seeking a unique and affordable scent. While it's a dupe of YSL's Y, it has a slightly different twist that some may even prefer. With notes of bergamot, ginger, pineapple, sage, and cedarwood, it's a sexy, soft, and warm fragrance that's perfect for both men and women. At a lower price point, it's an excellent value for money.

These recommendations offer a range of options in terms of scent profiles and price points, ensuring that you can find a cologne that suits your preferences and budget.

Best for younger men

When it comes to choosing a cologne, younger men should consider their preferences and test different options. Here are some popular colognes that may appeal to younger men:

• Dior Sauvage: This cologne has amassed a cult-like following and is one of the best-selling men's colognes. It features notes of bergamot, pepper, and amberwood, creating an overwhelmingly fresh and earthy scent.
• Ralph Lauren Polo Blue: With over 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this cologne is a crowd favourite. It has a fresh and clean scent with notes of citrus, sage, and patchouli, making it perfect for daily wear.
• Diesel Only the Brave: This cologne is a personal favourite of mine, and it's a scent that women love. It opens with lemon and mandarin, followed by violet leaves and rosemary, and dries down to amber and cedar. It's a powerful and seductive fragrance.
• Bleu de Chanel: This woody scent is extremely popular and has been denoted as the Fragrance of the Year in 2019. It features notes of grapefruit, dry cedar, and sandalwood, making it a timeless and versatile choice.
• Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani: This classic scent has stood the test of time and is one of the most popular men's colognes. It combines cypress, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli for a fresh and earthy fragrance.
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: This cologne is a prime example of a high-quality fragrance with an accessible price. It opens with clean citrus, followed by herbaceous heart notes, and dries down to a musky base, making it versatile and easy to wear.

Frequently asked questions