Hunting for your signature fragrance, or perhaps a thoughtful gift for a close friend?
To help with either, we’ve compiled a list of products claiming to be the best cologne for men. In this article, you’ll read detailed reviews of each product, pros and cons included, and find a shopping guide for fragrances in general.
Let’s begin.
Best Cologne for Men – Our Top 10 Choices
We are supported by the commissions we may get when you make a purchase through the links on this page. This does not influence our reviews in any manner. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche Review
Best Cologne for Men Overall
- Clean scent
- Not overpowering
- Can be unisex
Prada Luna Rossa Sport Eau de Toilette Review
Top Spicy Fragrance for Men
- Alternative for Versace The Dreamer
- Strong sillage
- Suitable for women, as well
Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum Review
Best Long Lasting Perfume for Men Ever
- Exclusive scent
- Makes you smell mysterious
- Lasts a lifetime
Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense Review
Best Cologne for Young Men
- Gives you soapy freshness
- Uplifting opening notes
- Greener version of Dylan Blue
Tom Ford Oud Wood Review
Most Popular Cologne for Men
- Smells expensive
- Perfect for date nights
- A little goes a long way
Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver Eau de Parfum Review
Best Perfume for Men That’s Intense
- Powerful sillage
- Fit for all occasions
- Fit for all seasons
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris L'Homme À la Rose Eau de Parfum Review
Best Fragrance for Men in Fall
- Excellent sillage on the wrist
- Ideal for rose lovers
- Easily wearable by women
Truefitt & Hill Clubman Cologne Review
Best Cologne for Men Ever
- Sparkling clean smell
- Invigorating oceanic notes
- Compliment magnet
Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood Cologne Review
Top Cologne for Men for the Summer
- Works well on hot days
- Masculine, yet sweet
- Fantastic sillage
Truefitt & Hill Grafton Cologne Review
Best Cologne for Older Men
- Fit for older people
- Strong, yet not overpowering
- Classic scent
Cologne for Men Reviews
In the sections below, you’ll get a chance to read our in-depth reviews on each of these memorable fragrances. We tried and tested each product to give you the most accurate assessment.
Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche Review
Best Cologne for Men Overall
- Scent type: Wood and citrus
- Notes: Geranium, cedarwood, frozen lemon
- Shipping: Free
Our overall winner for the top 10 fragrances for men is a new scent launched in 2020 —Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche.
This fragrance contains ginger, pepper, and lemon as its top notes, mint, juniper berries, geranium as middle notes, and olibanum and cedar as base notes.
We believe that this fragrance is the overall best because it excels in everything— sillage, freshness, and popularity. Not to mention it’s one of those fragrances everyone will compliment you on: If you’re new to the world of dating, one or two sprays of this magnetic fragrance will give you a definite advantage.
Many claim that this is the best–smelling cologne for men. The sharpness of the frozen lemon is heightened by the delicate geranium note and balanced by cedarwood, creating a refreshing scent.
However, if you’re looking for sweet, musky, or spicy cologne, this may not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, you might want to give it a try either way, as we believe this is a great everyday scent for spring and summer for everyone.
In other words, if you’re on the lookout for the best fresh fragrances for men, you’re on the right aisle. On the downside, this isn’t a versatile scent, as it might be too cutting for winter. Instead, we recommend it for sunny days.
Pros
- + Clean scent
- + Not overpowering
- + Can be unisex
Cons
- − Not ideal for winter
Prada Luna Rossa Sport Eau de Toilette Review
Top Spicy Fragrance for Men
- Scent type: Amber/Spicy
- Notes: Lavender, vanilla, juniper berries, ginger, tonka beans
- Shipping: Free
Skimming through the best fragrances for men, searching for the perfect scent for cold days? Prada’s Luna Rossa Sport Eau de Toilette is the ideal potent fragrance to warm you up on a chilly winter evening.
This fragrance was launched in 2015, and it features ginger and juniper berries as its top notes, lavender as the middle note, and tonka bean and vanilla as the base. These ingredients combined produce a scent irresistible to many.
This isn’t just a good–smelling cologne for men — women can wear it too. Although the creators aimed it towards men of all ages, reviewers claim this fragrance is more suited for a younger crowd (between 18 and 30). So, if you need a more mature fragrance, we suggest looking elsewhere.
As one of the most popular fragrances for men, Rossa Sport has excellent sillage and longevity. Upon testing it out, we discovered that this cologne lasts at least seven hours on the skin and several days on clothes. In addition, the scent is strong enough for you to get noticed — in the best way, of course — in any crowd.
Overall, every good “Top ten fragrances for men” list can’t miss out on this scent. It’s youthful, warm, and spicy at the same time.
Pros
- + Alternative for Versace The Dreamer
- + Strong sillage
- + Suitable for women, as well
Cons
- − Not for older adults
Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum Review
Best Long Lasting Perfume for Men Ever
- Scent type: Aromatic/Woody
- Notes: Juniper berries, tonka beans, cedarwood
- Shipping: Free in the US
A niche fragrance, Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum, could be the best long–lasting perfume for men ever — so long as they’re ready to splurge. Like many other niche fragrances, due to its exclusivity, the Orphéon Eau de Parfum is expensive. However, if you want a scent that will linger for hours, or even days, this is it.
So, what sets Diptyque apart from other best perfume brands for men? For starters, you have to be a daring soul to wear this one: Its top note features juniper berries, the middle note is jasmine, and the base notes are tonka bean, cedar, and powder. It’ll shine the spotlight of any room you enter straight on to you: If you want to get noticed, don’t skip this chypre fragrance.
However, fun fact, this isn’t only the best long–lasting perfume for men — according to reviewers, women can pull it off too.
The durability of this fragrance is impressive, so it’s no wonder that some people claim that it’s the best perfume for men, that can last as long as you need it to. Based on our testing, this scent lasts for over nine hours. On the downside, the sillage is moderate.
Pros
- + Exclusive scent
- + Makes you smell mysterious
- + Lasts a lifetime
Cons
- − Some claim it smells too powdery
Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense Review
Best Cologne for Young Men
- Scent type: Woody/Earthy
- Notes: Sage, patchouli, grapefruit
- Shipping: Free
Fresh, green, and spicy aromas are reminiscent of youth. Whether that’s the case for you or not, there’s no denying that Ralph Lauren’s Polo Cologne Intense is the most popular cologne for young men, and it’s all of those things.
This brand-new scent was launched in 2021, and features grapefruit, basil, and mint as the top notes, violet leaf, thyme, and clary sage as the middle notes, and patchouli, vetiver, and ambergris as the base notes. The combined result is the perfect spring scent for men.
According to many reviewers, this top cologne for young men is a good dupe for Chanel’s famous Bleu de Chanel or Creed’s Aventus.
Polo Cologne Intense features more green notes, making it suitable for daytime rather than night. Moreover, it’s an excellent cologne for warmer months.
Ralph Lauren’s product is one of the most popular fragrances for young men, but the longevity of this cologne is moderate, so you should expect to reapply after six hours or so.
Some reviewers claim that this scent is nothing revolutionary, but if you need a surefire fragrance for everyday wear, this one’s for you.
Pros
- + Gives you soapy freshness
- + Uplifting opening notes
- + Greener version of Dylan Blue
Cons
- − Some might find it too common
Tom Ford Oud Wood Review
Most Popular Cologne for Men
- Scent type: Classic woods
- Notes: Sandalwood, Chinese pepper, rare oud wood
- Shipping: Free
When reading about the most popular perfumes for men, you’ll always come across Tom Ford. With over 6,000 votes on Fragrantica, it’s safe to say that Tom Ford’s Oud Wood is the trendiest perfume for men who want to make a statement.
This amber unisex fragrance was launched in 2007, and features agarwood (oud), sandalwood, Brazilian rosewood, vanilla, cardamom, vetiver, tonka bean, Sichuan pepper, and amber notes.
Yes, this popular cologne for men is one of the most expensive options on our list. Namely, the 0.3 oz (10ml) version of this Eau de perfume costs $65, while the 8.4 oz (248ml) one adds up to $670.
It’s expensive, but it’s one of the sexiest scents for men we’ve ever tested. However, due to being such a trendy choice for guys, it’s commonly overused. Fortunately, it’s also layerable, so you can easily add other scents to create a unique fragrance.
This popular cologne for men is also long-lasting, and has a strong sillage. On the downside, besides being ubiquitous, it doesn’t work well as a genderless scent, either, so you might want to look into something else if that’s what you’re after.
Pros
- + Smells expensive
- + Perfect for date nights
- + A little goes a long way
Cons
- − Overused scent
Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver Eau de Parfum Review
Best Perfume for Men That’s Intense
- Scent type: Herbs/Earthy greens
- Notes: Green bergamot, Sichuan peppers, vetiver
- Shipping: Free
Many top perfumes for men have one flaw — they’re not intense enough. So if you’re searching high and low for the most intense men’s scent on the market, check out Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver.
The main notes include citrus, spice, and wood, making it a great versatile scent for both day and night. Terre d’Hermes Eau Intense Vétiver is one of the best perfumes for men, which blends both universally popular and unique scents.
For instance, the top notes are bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit, the middle notes are geranium and Sichuan pepper, and the base notes are patchouli, olibanum, amber, and vetiver. Hence, this perfume will appeal to men of all ages.
This is a good perfume for men who love rich, warm, and bold fragrances. According to one reviewer, this perfume smells mysterious and sexy, like something James Bond would wear.
As for its sillage, it toes the line between powerful and overpowering. This good–smelling perfume for men can also be an easy fit for an intimate setting. Overall, its longevity is almost eternal, and its intensity unmatched. On the downside, some people might not be fans of herbal scents.
Pros
- + Powerful sillage
- + Fit for all occasions
- + Fit for all seasons
Cons
- − Might smell artificial to some
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris L'Homme À la Rose Eau de Parfum Review
Best Fragrance for Men in Fall
- Scent type: Floral
- Notes: Damascena rose oil, amber, grapefruit, sage, cistus labdanum, centifolia rose absolute
- Shipping: Free in the US
Fall is the season of pumpkin spice lattes, horror movies, and L’Homme À la Rose Eau de Parfum by Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Due to its exquisite blend of rose, amber, citrus, and woody notes, this is hands down one of the best fall fragrances for men.
Honestly, we believe this fragrance feels like a tight, warm hug on a chilly fall evening — delightful and cozy.
This floral woody musk perfume was launched in 2020, and features notes of may rose, damask rose, amber, sage, grapefruit, and Spanish labdanum.
Many reviewers claim that this is the best-smelling perfume for men looking for a show-stopping fragrance. If you like Tom Ford’s Oud Wood or Creed’s Aventus, you’ll enjoy this scent too.
The main reason L’Homme À la Rose made its way to the list of top ten scents for guys is that it’s insanely long-lasting and robust. Heed our word: This scent is not for people who like comfort zones.
Although this is one of the top perfume brands for men, it’s not everyone’s version of perfection. Namely, some reviewers found the rose notes too overwhelming. On the bright side, if you love roses, you’ll fall in love with this scent.
Pros
- + Excellent sillage on the wrist
- + Ideal for rose lovers
- + Easily wearable by women
Cons
- − Only for fans of roses
Truefitt & Hill Clubman Cologne Review
Best Cologne for Men Ever
- Scent type: Aquatic
- Notes: Musk, citrus, mint, seawater, wood
- Shipping: Free
It’s not easy to find the best light cologne for men, but it’s not impossible: Truefitt & Hill’s Clubman aquatic cologne. This clean and crisp fragrance oozes notes of mint, ocean, and citrus, as well as musk, woods, and fresh florals. If you’re looking for a refreshing fragrance to make you feel ready to conquer the day, choose Clubman.
The problem with most products claiming to be the best fresh fragrance for men is that they don’t last long. However, Truefitt & Hill’s Clubman remained fresh for seven hours without reapplying; it’s safe to say that this is a long-lasting fragrance.
Reviewers claim that this is a good, strong cologne for men between the ages of 19 to 40, but it works for mature users, too, as well as women who like oceanic smells.
The aquatic notes are what set this cologne apart from others on our list. One thing’s for sure — this top–rated cologne for men will leave a lasting impression on everyone you meet.
Pros
- + Sparkling clean smell
- + Invigorating oceanic notes
- + Compliment magnet
Cons
- − Not ideal for more mature men
Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood Cologne Review
Top Cologne for Men for the Summer
- Scent type: Woody
- Notes: Cedarwood, tonka, sandalwood, thyme, jasmine, lavender, lemon, bergamot, melon, pineapple
- Shipping: Free
Who doesn’t love indulging in pineapple and melon in the summer? What if you could take your summer obsession to the next level? Well, after rigorous testing, we came to the conclusion that the Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood Cologne is the best summer fragrance for men on hot days.
This attention-grabbing, indulgent sandalwood scent features soft base notes of cedarwood, tonka beans, sandalwood, middle accords of jasmine, thyme, lavender, pineapple, and melon, and top notes of bergamot and lemon.
Overall, we can say that this is also the best new fragrance for men who love to experiment, as it features some unexpected notes mixed with fairly traditional ingredients. Although the sillage is fantastic, the longevity could be better, particularly if you have dry skin.
All in all, this is a popular fragrance for men looking for guaranteed compliments. According to a reviewer, this cologne smells just like a manly man is supposed to smell: Clean, fresh, masculine, with a dose of sweetness.
Pros
- + Works well on hot days
- + Masculine, yet sweet
- + Fantastic sillage
Cons
- − Not the best choice for dry skin
Truefitt & Hill Grafton Cologne Review
Best Cologne for Older Men
- Scent type: Woody/spicy
- Notes: Green notes, spices, floral notes, woodsy, leather, amber
- Shipping: Free
What makes Truefitt & Hill Grafton the most popular cologne for older men? The answer lies in the classic masculine notes of this fragrance.
Namely, upon applying Truefitt & Hill’s Grafton Cologne, you’ll get a whiff of refreshing green notes balanced with dry, spicy florals, grounded with rich amber and woods, and a hint of leather.
We could easily imagine a classy, mature gentleman smoking a cigar and reading the newspaper in an exclusive London club — it’s masculine and timeless.
This popular cologne for older men has monster sillage, and it’s incredibly long-lasting. A single spray will carry this delightful, fresh fragrance for hours and hours on your skin, and even longer on your clothes.
Grafton is a subtly powerful fragrance that makes the wearer more attractive — or so the reviews say. Although it’s strong, it’s not overpowering, and it won’t cause a headache.
In a nutshell, if you want to get a good fragrance for older men, check out Grafton Cologne. However, some reviewers state that it smells a bit like shaving cream. If you dislike scents like that, you might want to look elsewhere.
Pros
- + Fit for older people
- + Strong, yet not overpowering
- + Classic scent
Cons
- − Too mature for some people
What You Should Know Before You Buy the Best Cologne for Men
After reading our in-depth reviews, you’re likely curious about how we chose these featured products in the first place.
There are plenty of factors to contemplate when selecting the best scent for yourself, your boyfriend, or your loved one, so check out the following section — you’re guaranteed to learn a thing or two.
Perfume vs. Cologne For Men
When shopping, you’ll notice that some fragrances for men are referred to as colognes, while others are perfumes.
So, what’s the critical difference between the two?
In the world of fragrances, pure perfume (also referred to as Extrait de Parfum) is a fragrance that contains 20% to 40% perfume oil.
In contrast, Eau de Parfum products include between 15% and 20% of the oil. Eau de toilette scents are next in line, with 5% to 15% of perfume oil. As for eau de cologne, these products comprise a mere 2% to 4% perfume oil. However, cologne is a blanket term for men’s fragrances, be they true perfume, or eau de cologne, so the best cologne brands for men always state which category the product falls into.
As mentioned, in the Eau de Toilette vs. Parfum battle, Eau de Parfum wins in terms of strength and longevity, but it will cost you significantly more.
In our cologne for men reviews, we included Eau de Parfum, Eau de Cologne, and Eau de Toilette products.
Notes
Experts typically represent a scent’s composition in a pyramid structure. There are three types of notes you need to keep in mind:
- The top notes (or opening notes)
- The mid notes (or heart notes)
- The base notes (or the dry-down notes)
The top notes are on the top of the pyramid, and these are the initial scents you’ll smell when you expose yourself to cologne or perfume. The usual essences in the top notes category include ozonic, green, and citrus aromas. The top fragrances for men usually include plenty of these notes (for example, Truefitt & Hill Clubman Cologne).
The mid or heart notes are the body of the pyramid, and these give the scent its intensity and character. You’ll be able to smell these notes within ten minutes, and they can remain on your skin for a maximum of three hours.
Essences in the mid notes category include fruity, floral, and spice. For example, one of the best–rated perfumes for men, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris L’Homme À la Rose Eau de Parfum, is a floral scent.
The base, or dry-down, notes are at the pyramid’s bottom, giving the scent its balance. Since the base notes give the fragrance its depth, you’ll be able to smell it after it has had a chance to “melt” into your skin—expect some scents to last on your clothes for days. The essences in the base category include edible and gourmand scents, musk, and woody notes.
Scent Longevity
You might believe that popular fragrances for men smell the same on everyone, but you would be wrong. Depending on their natural chemistry, some people get more wear out of a scent compared to others.
The longevity of a fragrance is also known as the fragrance’s lifetime. In other words, this is the length of time the fragrance lasts on your skin. A scent’s lifetime can be determined by several factors, including where you spray the perfume.
For instance, it’s best to spray good perfumes for men underneath the knees, on the wrists, at the base of the neck, and behind the earlobes. When it comes to skin chemistry, experts claim that some scents last longer on oilier skin types rather than dry skin.
What to Look for in the Perfect Cologne for Men
Here are the top things you need to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect cologne. Of course, just like with food preferences, not everyone will agree with how important each factor is. Nevertheless, keep an open mind and read on.
Price
This one’s a no-brainer — some colognes on the market are dirt cheap, while others will cost you a fortune. Colognes from luxurious designer brands like Gucci and Tom Ford will cost anywhere between $100 and $300.
You can also find many expensive niche fragrances, such as those from Diptyque and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris, that sell their scents for between $200 and $300. The best niche fragrances for men are expensive because people pay for perceived quality, exclusivity, and uniqueness. If you want to save money, choose colognes that come in smaller sizes.
Analyze the Notes
As mentioned before, determining the right notes for your nose is incredibly important. Do you like spicy and woody scents, or are you into citrusy florals? Are you a fan of the ocean, or would you instead choose oriental or gourmand fragrances? Fortunately, our list of the top fragrances for men contains a mix of everything.
Always make sure to read the product’s label for an accurate description. We also suggest sniffing tester products before making a purchase. This way, you’ll avoid a potential “blind-buy fail.”
Read the Reviews
Like with any other product, we highly suggest going through user reviews and testimonials. By doing this, you’ll get a deeper insight into whether the fragrance will suit you or not.
Conclusion
Finding the best cologne for men can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Hopefully, these reviews and the detailed guide helped educate you on the world of male fragrances, and now you are prepared to go shopping mindfully.
Finally, according to Tom Ford himself, “Good manners and good cologne is what transforms the man into a gentleman!” So keep that one in mind.
FAQ
What is the best cologne for men?
In our opinion, the best cologne award goes to Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche for a few reasons. First, it’s a clean scent that’ll make you smell like you just hopped out of the shower. Second, it’s powerful, yet inoffensive, so you can wear it to work or while running errands. Also, it’s genderless, provided you like its main notes.
How to find the best cologne for men?
To find your perfect fragrance match, you should know what you’re looking for and trust your instincts. For example, do you want a cologne for every day or the nighttime? Are you a fan of clean, soapy fragrances or spicy scents? Make a list and go from there, but try out everything that seems interesting—you might be surprised by what appeals to you.
What cologne smells the best for men?
There are many great smelling colognes for men, including Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche, Prada Luna Rossa Sport Eau de Toilette, Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense, and Tom Ford Oud Wood.
Of course, the one that smells the best to you depends on the type of notes you like, and your body chemistry, so you’ll have to try out a few choices to be sure.
What is the top-rated cologne for men by women?
If you want a guaranteed compliment getter from women, we recommend choosing Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche or Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum.
The frozen lemon, cedarwood, and géranium notes in Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraîche and the cedarwood, tonka beans, and juniper berries in Diptyque Orphéon will leave anyone impressed. No wonder many people claim they’re the main contenders for the best cologne for men out there.