What Are the Best Colognes for Men? Inside My Dizzying Quest to Find Them

In your exploration, do not let the note classifications deter you. Generally speaking, top notes refer to smells on first whiff, middle notes are typically the heart of the fragrance, and base notes are the aromas that tend to linger on the skin. Understanding this can, of course, inform your buy. Once you become more comfortable with scent profiles the olfactory space has to offer, you’ll be able to distinguish your men’s cologne preferences—whether you gravitate towards rich musks or something light and citrusy. From Maison Margiela, Tom Ford, Creed, Dior, and more, read on to discover the 30 best men’s colognes in 2023.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

Fresh, clean, and sensual, this men’s scent from Chanel 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 Bleu de Chanel parfum

$178

at CHANEL

Dior Sauvage

Inspired by nature and its raw materials, this scent from Dior perfumer François Demachy is earthy and woody. Warm notes of bergamot, pepper, and amberwood take cues from a desert landscape—but can still be worn in the dead of winter, thanks to its refined, non-overpowering finish.

Ralph Lauren Polo Black

Some classics never die, and Ralph Lauren’s Polo Black fragrance stands the test of time. A bold fusion of iced mango, lemon, and tangerine is combined with sandalwood, sage, and patchouli noir for a bittersweet end result. Bold and aromatic, it’s the ultimate scent to get noticed in.

Gucci the Alchemist’s Garden the Last Day of Summer

This scent from Gucci’s haute perfumery line, the Alchemist’s Garden, allows you to cling onto a summer feeling year-round. It’s a warming, cozy scent made up of cedarwoods, cypress, and nutmeg, with woody undertones of patchouli and vetiver. Bonus: The lacquered glass bottle is super chic too.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

Imagine yourself in a dimly lit jazz club with the perfect cocktail, surrounded by cigar smoke and leather chairs. This scent is the next best thing: Warm and spicy, it has notes of pink pepper, rum, and tobacco. Perfect for the fall and winter months when you want to hibernate in full cozy mode.

Calvin Klein Eternity for Men

Another enduring classic from 1988, Eternity is a romantic floral fragrance that was inspired by lasting love. Clearly, the love affair with this scent carries on too: It’s decidedly unisex, and works for both him and her. Notes of freesia, mandarin, sage, white lily, patchouli, and sandalwood make for a timeless blend.

Le Labo Another 13

You may know Le Labo for its signature Santal 33 scent, but Another 13 is one of its more slept-on fragrances that deserves just as much hype. A collaboration with Another magazine, the scent is equal parts musky and fresh, composed of ambroxan, jasmine petals, moss, and woody, amber-y notes.

Byredo Bibliothèque

For the well-read, this scent takes cues from old books and their leather-bound pages. It’s also inspired by one of Byredo’s best-selling candles—so you know it’s good. Top notes of peach, plum, peony, and violet add a sweet touch to an otherwise woody ground base of leather, patchouli, and vanilla.

Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme eau de toilette

YSL’s L’Homme is inspired by the magnetic attraction of a man with style and sensuality. Its alluring scent pairs citrus notes of bergamot and ginger with cedarwood and vetiver to put a fresh twist on your typically woody perfume. 

Maison Crivelli Osmanthe Kodoshan 

The discovery of the osmanthus flowers on a misty, tropical mountain is the inspiration behind Maison Crivelli’s Osmanthe Kodoshan—a woody floral scent crafted in partnership with perfumer Stéphanie Bakouche. Here, leather and tobacco leaf juxtapose spicy Sichuan pepper, and rich peachy and apricot fruits for a scent that transports you to the moist outdoors. 

Hugo Boss Boss

Launched in 1998, this enduring cologne is a cult classic thanks to its timeless, masculine scent. Fruity and citrus top notes of apple, lemon, and plum are balanced against a hefty floral and spicy base, including geranium, sandalwood, and vetiver.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

Oud wood is one of the most precious and expensive ingredients for any perfumer, and this cologne by Tom Ford nails the woody scent. Combined with cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver—with hints of tonka bean and amber—a few spritzes of this signature scent is like warming up to a nice cozy fire.

Frédéric Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur

Created in collaboration with master French perfumer Dominique Ropion, this scent is described as “like an eccentric Englishman in a blue velvet jacket,” an appropriate takeaway. A bright fragrance, its top notes are mint, aniseed, and geranium, while the base notes include sandalwood and frankincense.

Frédéric Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur eau de parfum

$225

at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Hermès H24

A bright, citrusy-scent, Hermès’s H24 fragrance—the label’s first perfume for “the contemporary man”—features notes of clary sage, narcissus, and rosewood. It’s perfect for the spring and summer, in particular, though the warming rosewood makes it a year-round favorite, too.

The Nue Co. Functional Fragrance

Designed to help you “reset at times of high stress,” this aromatic fragrance from The Nue Co. is clean, woody, spicy, and smokey. The unisex scent features notes of green cardamom, iris, palo santo, and cilantro. Consider it like a stress ball, only in cologne form.

Prada Luna Rossa Ocean eau de toilette

Aromatic, musky, and aquatic in nature, Prada’s Luna Rossa Ocean is a refreshingly earthy blend. A stand-out reinvented fougère, this smells of Haitian vetiver, musks, and patchouli at its base, accented by smooth lavender, suede, and saffron. Its freshness is achieved by a citrus blend that’s just as intriguing as the bottle its housed in. 

Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense

Drawn from the sap of the Namibian myrrh tree, this earthy scent is combined with warm almond and vanilla notes of the tonka bean for a rich, full-bodied finish. A hint of lavender and honey lightens it up and makes it a year-round scent for any occasion.

Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense

$220

at NORDSTROM

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio

Released in 1996, this classic scent, inspired by the ocean, has stood the test of time for a reason. The earthy fragrance is the ideal everyday scent, combining cyprus, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli for a fresh finish.

Bond No.9 New York Wall Street

Bond No. 9’s androgynous Wall Street fragrance is regarded as ‘the world’s first securities parfum’ meaning it bottles up the career-forward vigor famous in Manhattan’s financial district. Basically: a ‘like money’ scent, Wall Street pairs notes of sea kale, cucumber, lavender, ambergris, and vetiver to create a distinctively energizing leather and marine aroma.

Elorea Fire

Sensual and mysterious are two adjectives that describe Elorea’s Fire parfum—one of the four inaugural scents from the label’s inaugural collection which depicts the elements. Inspired by the history of Korean fragrance and culture, the New York-based brand introduces its take on toasty, warm aromas—boasting floral notes of camelia, iris, and mandarins contrasting leather and amber sourced from the Korean peninsula.   

Creed Aventus

This best-selling fragrance from Creed was introduced in 2010 and continues to be a fan favorite. 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 meant to symbolize strength, power, and success—who wouldn’t want that? 

Versace Eros

In a chic, Art Deco–style bottle, Versace’s Eros scent is both fresh and tropical. Notes of mint, orange, and woody vanilla are all refreshing—like taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. It obviously wears well in the summer, but is a pretty universal cologne overall. Make your own rules on when and how you wear it.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir

Imagining what a “magnificent Parisian evening” would smell like, Maison Francis Kurkdjian came up with this wonderful blend of vanilla, amber, tonic beans, and cistus labdanum. Indeed, it’s the perfect scent for a night on the town.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir eau de parfum

$235

at NEIMAN MARCUS

Acqua di Parma Colonia

One of Acqua di Parma’s most popular colognes, Colonia is a fresh, citrusy scent that suits any occasion. It includes key notes of lemon, bergamot, lavender, and patchouli. A few sprays of this is like drinking a tall glass of orange juice.

Parfums De Marly Layton

Through its pairing of fresh spices and tangy florals, Parfums de Marly’s Layton looks to evoke the essence of a sophisticated man. Geranium, jasmine, and violet are that the heart of its blend, enhanced by notes of vanilla, guaiac wood, apple, pink pepper, and patchouli to craft a contemporarily addictive cologne perfect for an evening out.  

Carolina Herrera Bad Boy

Carolina Herrera’s new fragrance, Bad Boy, strikes the right balance between bold and sophisticated. It combines notes of black and white pepper with citrusy bergamot. It’s an idyllic scent for every day, though it can be amped up and layered for more of a spicy evening scent. Plus, the lightning-bolt bottle just looks great on the top shelf.

Givenchy Gentleman

Givenchy’s Gentleman bottle pays tribute to the sleek house codes that Hubert de Givenchy established at the house. But beyond being pretty to look at, the earthy and woody scent is also a no-brainer for everyday use. It includes key notes of pear, lavender, and patchouli—creating a unique blend of freshness, but with depth.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky

Paco Rabanne’s earthy, woody 1 Million Lucky scent features a unique combination of hazelnut, green plum, grapefruit, and cedar—making it a woody, sensual fragrance with a touch of citrus. The futuristic-looking bottle is also the perfect thing to flex in your medicine cabinet. 

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky eau de toilette

$106

at SEPHORA

Henry Rose Smyth

Henry Rose’s Smyth is like a crisp green apple—bright, fresh, and undeniably fruity. Composed of safe-for-skin ingredients with EWG Verification and Cradle to Cradle Certification, this eau de parfum grounds apple, melon-pineapple sorbet, and watery notes, with star jasmine, white tea, sandalwood, musks, and amber for a light aroma perfect for pulse points.

Celine Black Tie

Alluding to Celine’s excellence in black-tie and tailored silhouettes, this evening scent is built for a night out. It’s composed of white orris butter, cedar, tree moss, and vanilla—striking the right balance between musky and sweet. Think of it like a sleek dinner jacket that will never go out of style.

Celine Black Tie eau de parfum

$280

at CELINE