Finding The Perfect Scent: Fragrance Subscription Box

Choosing a new cologne can be overwhelming, with aggressive salespeople, confusing descriptions, and nose fatigue from smelling too many scents. A cologne subscription box is a great way to try out new fragrances without committing to a full-size bottle. These services send you an assortment of colognes to sample for a monthly fee, and you can discover new scents every month.

Some of the best cologne subscription boxes include Scentbird, Scent Box, Perfume.com, Scent Trunk, Olfactif, and Debonair Scent. These services vary in price, fragrance selection, and additional features, so you can find one that best fits your preferences and needs.

Best for beginners

If you're a beginner in the world of fragrances, there are several subscription services that can help you find your signature scent without breaking the bank.

One of the most popular options is Scentbird, which offers a large variety of fragrances (over 500) to choose from, including niche and designer brands. For $17 per month, you'll receive an 8ml bottle of your chosen fragrance, which is enough to last you through the month. Scentbird also provides detailed scent descriptions and allows you to buy full-size bottles at a discount.

Another great option for beginners is Perfume.com, which offers a budget-friendly subscription starting at just $8 for your first month and $15 per month thereafter. You'll receive an 8ml atomizer of your chosen fragrance, selected from over 500 brands. Perfume.com also gives you the option to browse fragrances before subscribing, so you can be sure there are scents you'll enjoy.

If you're looking for a simple, straightforward option, Debonair Scent is a great choice. Their four-question profile quiz makes it easy to get started, and their experts will curate a selection of fragrances based on your preferences. For $15 per month, you'll receive three 3ml bottles of cologne to try out.

For those who want a no-fuss, straightforward option, Fragrancenet.com's Purpl Lux subscription is a good choice. You'll receive one 8ml atomizer of fragrance each month, and you can pay monthly or annually (which offers the best deal). This subscription is great if you want to focus on one perfume at a time and take your time exploring different scents.

With any of these subscription services, you'll be able to discover new fragrances and find the ones that suit you best without committing to full-size bottles.

Best for luxury

If you're looking for a luxury fragrance subscription, Scentbird is a great option. This subscription service offers designer and niche fragrances from brands like BVLGARI, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tocca, and Balenciaga. To start, you take a short quiz that helps their designer team pick scents perfect for you and your lifestyle. Scentbird has over 500 fragrances to choose from, so you're sure to find something you love.

Another option for luxury fragrances is Scent Box. This subscription offers over 850 designer fragrances, including brands like Versace and Prada. You can choose one or two fragrances per month by adding them to your "Fragrance Calendar." Scent Box also offers a variety of full-sized products in addition to fragrances, such as bath and body products, candles, skincare, and CBD.

If you're looking for a luxury subscription service that offers full-sized bottles, check out LUXSB — Luxury Scent Box. This subscription includes over 550 designer and niche brands, as well as exclusive brands only available through LUXSB. You'll receive a larger sample size of 9 milliliters, which is approximately 150 sprays or five sprays per day for the month.

For those who want to try luxury fragrances on a budget, Perfume.com is a great option. With over 500 brands to choose from, you can experiment with designer fragrances at a fraction of the cost.

Finally, for the true fragrance connoisseur, Debonair Scent offers a curated box of three 3-milliliter bottles of cologne selected by fragrance experts. This subscription includes designer and niche brands, and you'll receive a $15 shop credit with each box to put towards a full-sized bottle.

Best for budget

If you're looking for a fragrance subscription service that's kind to your wallet, Perfume.com is a great option. With plans starting as low as $7.47 for your first month and $14.95 thereafter, it's an affordable way to sample designer fragrances without breaking the bank.

Perfume.com carries scents from over 500 premium brands, including Cartier, Versace, and Burberry. You can either choose your preferred scent or let the site's experts select one for you from their collection of bestsellers. Plus, you get free shipping.

For just a little bit more, The Fragrance Club is another budget-friendly option. With plans starting at $9.95 for your first month and $15.79 to $19.95 per month thereafter, you'll receive one 10 mL bottle of fragrance, which is one of the largest sizes offered by subscription services. You can schedule up to three months' worth of deliveries in advance and switch up your queue whenever you like.

If you're looking for a simple, no-frills option, Fragrancenet.com's Purpl Lux subscription service might be for you. For as low as $6.95 for your first month and $14.95 for every box thereafter, you'll receive an 8 mL bottle plus a free colourful atomizer case with every purchase. You can choose all your samples for the year, or select them as you go. However, certain "premium" scents will cost you an extra $5 to $20.

For those who want to try a variety of scents without committing to a full bottle, Scentbird is a good option. For $16.95 per month, you'll receive an 8 mL bottle of fragrance, which holds about 120 sprays to last you until your next shipment. Scentbird has a vast library of over 700 scents, including popular brands like Ariana Grande, Dolce & Gabbana, and Parfums de Marly. You can browse themed sections like clean scents and TikTok-viral fragrances, or take a quiz to get paired with one.

Best for unique and niche scents

For those who want to stand out from the crowd, a fragrance subscription service that offers unique and niche scents is the perfect choice. Scentbird is an excellent option in this regard, with a vast collection of over 500 fragrances, including many hard-to-find and niche options. You can take a fun quiz to determine your scent profile, and then the experts at Scentbird will recommend unique fragrances that you may not have otherwise discovered. With a subscription, you receive a 30-day supply of a fragrance of your choice each month, delivered in a sleek, travel-friendly case.

Another great choice for niche fragrances is the Perfume Subscription by The Perfume Shop. This UK-based company offers a monthly subscription service that provides you with a 30ml fragrance of your choice each month. They have a wide range of fragrances, including many unique and exclusive scents that you won't find anywhere else. The Perfume Shop also has a Scent Addict subscription, which allows you to try a monthly supply of a designer fragrance before committing to a full-sized bottle.

If you're looking for a truly luxurious and exclusive experience, the Fragrance Subscription Box by Penhaligon's is an ideal option. This high-end British perfume house offers a quarterly subscription box that contains a full-sized fragrance, as well as a selection of other scented products such as candles and bath oils. Penhaligon's fragrances are known for their unique and sophisticated scents, often with a twist on classic perfumery.

For those who want to explore the world of niche and artisanal fragrances, the Niche Fragrance Discovery Kit by Olfactif is a perfect choice. Each month, you receive a curated selection of three niche fragrances, carefully chosen by Olfactif's experts. The fragrances are yours to keep and come in convenient travel sprays, making it easy to discover new scents wherever you go. Olfactif also provides detailed information about each fragrance, so you can learn about the perfumer, the inspiration, and the notes used in each composition.

These fragrance subscription services offer a wonderful way to discover and explore unique and niche scents that will set you apart from the crowd. Whether you're looking for a vast selection of hard-to-find fragrances, exclusive and luxurious options, or the chance to discover artisanal perfumes, these subscriptions will surely delight and surprise you with their offerings.

Best for designer brands

If you're looking for a cologne subscription box that offers designer brands, LUXSB—Luxury Scent Box is the one for you.

For $10 for your first month and $16 per month after, you'll receive a 9ml (0.30 oz) bottle of cologne—a larger size than most other subscription boxes. LUXSB offers over 550 designer and niche brands, including exclusive brands only available through the subscription.

Each quarter, you'll also get a complimentary new protective fragrance case for your glass vial, which can be interchanged with future vial samples. The cologne and the case are also TSA-approved and travel-friendly, so this subscription is perfect if you're always on the go.

If you love the scent you choose for the month, you can purchase the full-size bottle at a members-only discount.

Other cologne subscription boxes that offer designer brands include Scent Box, Scentbird, and Debonair Scent.

Frequently asked questions