Searching for the best cologne for men is quite the daunting task. I would know—I’ve been on the hunt for months. Years. Test-driving virtually every brand out there, I’ve sniffed about just every scent possible, too—from smokey and earthy to crisp and fruity. What makes a scent the best scent? It’s subjective, really, but the best options out there feature the right balance of notes, wearability (is there anything worse than a fragrance that doesn’t last throughout the day?), and yes, shelf appeal. Don’t you love a good bottle design?
A continuous deep dive into the world of men’s fragrances has unearthed a few of my personal favorite colognes (like Officine Universelle Buly’s Triple Al Kassir, an underrated option)—plus, a host of bestsellers and trending scents from Maison Margiela, Tom Ford, Creed, Dior, and more. Below, scroll on and explore Vogue’s top picks for every occasion along with some useful tips on how to choose and apply your brand new scent.
Vogue’s Favorite Colognes for Men
In This Story
- Why We Love It: 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). The variant we have featured here is the parfum—the richest and most intense Bleu de Chanel from the label’s collection of scents. For something more lightweight and casual for everyday, consider its eau de parfum and eau de toilette which deliver a similar fragrance profile with less perfume oil.
- Notes: Cedar, New Caledonian sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla, citrus accord
- Fragrance Family: Fresh, citrus, woody
- Cologne Type: Parfum, also available in eau de toilette and eau de parfum
- Vibe: Confident and sophisticated
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 5 oz
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Calabrian bergamot, pepper, amberwood, ambroxan
- Fragrance Family: Fresh, aromatic, ambery
- Cologne Type: Eau de toilette, also available in eau forte, elixir, parfum, and eau de parfum
- Vibe: Someone you might describe as rugged, but in a refined way
- Available Sizes: 1 oz, 2 oz, 3.4 oz
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Iced mango, Spanish sage, green effervescent accord, silver arnoise, patchouli noir, sandalwood, tonka bean, hedione
- Fragrance Family: Fruity, woody
- Cologne Type: Eau de toilette
- Vibe: Lives on the Upper East Side, frequents The Polo Bar
- Available Sizes: 4.2 oz, 6.7 oz
- Why We Love It: Oud wood is one of the most precious and expensive ingredients for any perfumer, and this cologne by Tom Ford nails the woody scent—drawing on exotic rosewood. 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.
- Notes: Cardamom, pink pepper, patchouli, amber, oud, tonka bean
- Fragrance Family: Woody, spicy
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum, also available in a parfum
- Vibe: Cozying up at your favorite hotel—think Casa Cipriani
- Available Sizes: 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Ambrox, musk, amber, jasmine petals, moss, ambrette seeds
- Fragrance Family: Musky, ambery
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: The fragrance nerd interested in scents never-smelled-before
- Available Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
- Why We Love It: 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, lavender, geranium, and sandalwood make for a timeless blend.
- Notes: Mandarin, lavender, freesia, basil, geranium, sage, sandalwood, rosewood, amber
- Fragrance Family: Aromatic
- Cologne Type: Eau de toilette
- Vibe: The sweetheart, hopeless romantic
- Available Sizes: 3.3 oz
- Why We Love It: Aesop’s Hwyl shines in a sea of musky, rich men’s perfumes. This is fresh and earthy as if you’re taking a walk through the forest on a foggy day morning after the rain’s cleared. Dew drops left on the leaves and surrounded by Hinoki trees, the air smells woody and green, though Hwyl adds a hint of spice at the top via elemi and pink pepper.
- Notes: Thyme, elemi, pink pepper, cypress, suede, geranium, vetiver, frankincense, cedar
- Fragrance Family: Woody, earthy
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: Someone yearning for the freshness of spring
- Sizes: 1.6 fl oz., 3.3 fl. oz
- Why We Love It: This best-selling fragrance from Creed was introduced in 2010 and continues to be a fan favorite—often worn by global superstars and tastemakers like Usher. 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?
- Notes: Apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, bergamot, birch, patchouli, vanilla, musk
- Fragrance Family: Fresh, citrus
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: A man oft-described as a “ball of energy”
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.3 oz
- Why We Love It: Master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian set out to create two scents rooted in the same ingredients—juniper berries, nutmeg, corriander, musks, amber wood, and vanilla—one gold, one silver. The latter of which, opposing Gentle Fluidity Gold, offers something akin to a glass of gin—bold and spicy with just a hint of citrus.
- Notes: Juniper berries, nutmeg, corriander, musk, ambery woods, vanilla
- Fragrance Family: Fresh, spicy, aromatic
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: The sweet, muskiness of a negroni, bottled.
- Available Sizes: 2.4 oz, 6.7 oz
- Why We Love It: A fresh, striking scent, Hermès’s Terre d’Hermès fragrance features notes of citron, Juniper berry, and Timut pepper. “An icy cloak fertilizes the earth, exalting it with new and vibrant strength,” is how Hermès perfumer Christine Nagel describes it. Citrusy-yet-woody, it’s perfect for the approaching springtime—helping one appreciate earthy, nature-forward aromas.
- Notes: Citron, Juniper berry, Timut pepper
- Fragrance Family: Citrus, woody
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: Hot and cold, a man who embraces duality
- Available Sizes: 1.69 oz, 3.3 oz, 6 oz
- Why We Love It: Mojave Ghost in unlike any woody cologne you’ve ever smelled, but once you give it a wear, you’re unlikely to turn back. Inspired by California’s Mojave Desert, sandalwood is enlivened by a whiff of violet which gives this eau de parfum a soft, floral-meets-powdery edge that has enticed Byredo fans since its 2014 launch.
- Notes: Amberette, nesberry, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, musks, vetiver
- Fragrance Family: Floral, powdery, woody
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: A true unisex scent—equally masculine and feminine
- Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Pink pepper, primofiore lemon, neroli, rum absolute, clary sage, java vetiver, tobacco leaf absolute, vanilla bean, styrax resin
- Fragrance Family: Warm, spicy
- Cologne Type: Eau de toilette
- Vibe: Late nights at a Parisian jazz club with a cigar in hand
- Available Sizes: 1 oz, 3.4 oz
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Mint, menthol, anise geranium, clove, benzoin, incense, sandalwood, white musks
- Fragrance Family: Aromatic, fresh, spicy
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: Someone who likes to work with their hands—be it cooking or gardening
- Available Sizes: 3.4 oz
- Why We Love It: Diptyque’s Orphéon has a modern feel despite being inspired by Paris in the early ’60s. Named after the bar in the Saint-Germain quarter where the founders of the Diptyque boutique would meet, this is casual, yet sophisticated, lively, yet relaxed—exactly how you’d describe your Parisian friend. Essence aside, Orphéon smells first of tonka bean with a hint of smoke, but as it dries down, cedar, jasmine, come out to play for a fragrance that embodies the brand’s history.
- Notes: Juniper berry, cedar, tonka bean, jasmine, smoke
- Fragrance Family: Woody, floral
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: A Scorpio man—intense with a sweet side
- Sizes: 2.5 oz
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Bergamot essence, pink essence, iris absolute, vetiver essence, sage essence, vetiver essence, tonka bean
- Fragrance Family: Aromatic, oceanic
- Cologne Type: Eau de toilette
- Vibe: The sailor, or someone always connected to water
- Available Sizes: 1.6 oz, 3.3 oz
- Why We Love It: 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.
- Notes: Lavender, Camphor, honey, hay, Omumbiri myrrh, tonka bean, almond, vanilla, tobacco
- Fragrance Family: Sweet, warm
- Cologne Type: Intense
- Vibe: Someone with a sweet tooth
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
- Why We Love It: Escentric Molecules’s fragranced are based on a singular ingredient that’s not found in nature, but rather created in a laboratory in 1973. Enter: Iso E Super—a molecule perfumer Geza Schoen was reportedly drawn to for its addictive quality. Spraying it on before a trip to his local bar, Schoen realized that women were drawn to it, too. Molecule 01 offers the ingredient in a pure form for a warm and slightly sweet scent sure to turn heads.
- Notes: Iso E Super
- Fragrance Family: Woody, aromatic, sweet
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: The intellect or guy in tech—someone who can appreciate Molecule 01’s mineralic qualities
- Sizes: 30 mL, 100 mL
- Why We Love It: Kilian’s latest eau de parfum has effortless sex appeal. Bottling what a classic Old Fashioned tastes like—bitter, sweet, and smooth—via wheat absolute, davana essence, cedarwood, and tolu balm which mix together into a scent that is rich but not overpowering, Kilian’s fragrance is certain to last on the skin as the night goes on.
- Notes: Wheat absolute, davana essence, cedarwood, styrax, tolu balm
- Fragrance Family: Sweet and spicy
- Cologne Type: Eau de parfum
- Vibe: The man who appreciates a good cocktail—oft-described as a ladies man
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Everything You Need to Know
How to Choose a Men’s Cologne
As I began my hunt, I found that the market is overflowing with simply far too many options: From fruity, sweet top notes to woody or musky base notes, there are a million different combinations and possibilities. How am I to know what suits me best? Still, I went into the quest with an open mind, considering everything from light and fresh to heavy and musky—and in the process, I managed to find a number of crowd favorites that can appeal to just about anybody’s tastes.
Here, I sniffed some enduring classics—like Calvin Klein’s Eternity, which has been around since 1988—and some new favorites too, such as the Last Day of Summer from Gucci the Alchemist’s Garden (Gucci’s high perfumery line), which smells like what I can only describe as a warm summer hug. (The latter ended up being my new spring pick—with Tom Ford’s Oud Wood and Maison Margiela Replica’s Jazz Club as runners-up.)
No matter what your sensory preferences are though, just remember that the perfect fragrance simply does not exist—some simply won’t match your personality, and what you like could also depend on the season, vibe, and mood you’re feeling that day. That’s part of the fun of experimenting with different fragrances—don’t be afraid to try something new.
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, you’ll be able to distinguish your men’s cologne preferences—whether you gravitate towards rich musks or something light and citrusy. This fall and winter, for example, you might appreciate cozier, spicy elixirs reminiscent of evenings spent by the fire or a warm embrace.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue‘s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to colognes for men, we selected the best based on the following characteristics after sampling over 40 bestselling scents: key notes, wear time, innovative formulations, and the story behind its origins. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
What’s the best philosophy for buying cologne online?
“The basic fragrance families are floral, musk, citrus, amber, green, ozonic,” Darryl Do, senior perfumer at Delbia Do Fragrances in New York City, begins. From there, these families drill down into more specific ingredients—rose, lavender, jasmine; lemon, grapefruit, bergamot. “This helps the user understand what scents they like and don’t like so they can make better decisions when shopping for fragrances online. Make note of the accords that are in your favorite perfume to help you figure out what you like.”
We’d also recommended paying close attention to how the scent is described online—on the perfume’s site, on lists like ours, and on social media. By taking note of the general vibe of any parfum or toilette, you’re sure to get an idea of how it’ll smell. For example, something described as rich and sultry will not be best for a guy interested in a fresh and airy cologne for daily wear. “Once you know if you like to wear lighter scents or those on the stronger side, picking based on the concentration help you choose what fits your profile,” Do adds. Though of course, the best way to know for sure is to test it yourself. Pay a visit to your local fragrance counter or buy a discovery set when you can.
Understanding Cologne Types
What is the difference between eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and cologne? “The term eau de toilette came from the French term—faire sa toilette—which means getting ready,” says Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation. How long they last depends on the composition of fragrance oil. “There isn’t an exact percentage but rather a range of oil in the product, so it gives you a general idea,” says Do.
- Parfum / Extrait: Parfums and extraits deliver the highest fragrance concentration, between 20-30% fragrance oil per bottle, meaning they often last the longest and smell the strongest.
- Eau de Parfum: Eau de parfums contain 15-20% fragrance oil, per Levy, making it the cologne type with the second highest fragrance concentration.
- Eau de Toilette: “Eau de toilettes are a much lighter than eau de parfums and have fragrance concentration between 5% and 15%,” per Levy.
- Eau de Cologne / Cologne: According to Levy, cologne uses 2-4% concentration, making it a lighter scent option.
- Eau Fraiche: The term eau fraiche translates to “fresh water”—indicating that this perfume type is light and water-based, offering 1-3% essential oils.
Are colognes and perfume for men the same thing?
Colognes and perfumes for men are both excellent choices for anyone in search of a new fragrance. The difference is, however, that colognes feature a lower amount of fragrance oil in their compositions: colognes are typically formulated with 2-4% fragrance oil, perfume features around 20%, and an eau de parfum around 15%. That said, while all of these will smell great, of course, a perfume for men or eau de parfum would last longer than a cologne.
What are the primary fragrance families?
Understanding the fragrance families is a great first step in choosing the cologne for you. Fresh, woody, amber, and floral are the the four primary families, and these break out into subcategories like fruity, citrus, green, water, and soft or dry iterations of the larger categories. Most of the colognes on our list skew fresh, woody, and amber.
While it is actually quite simple to apply a cologne correctly, there are best practices worth considering. Generally speaking, all you’ll need is three to four spritzes (sprayed a few inches from your body) to smell great without being overpowering. We’d recommend spraying on your pulse points—the wrists, the neck, behind the ears, and near the temples. Though you may feel inclined to, try not to apply on your clothing or jewelry to avoid any damage or staining to precious fabrics.
How to Make Cologne Last Longer
To make cologne last longer, it’s best to spray it on oily skin—meaning, consider applying your cologne after showering and moisturizing with the best body lotion (or body oil!). Also don’t rub it in, let it dry down! And, if you’re into reapplying, keep a travel size vial in your bag or opt for a fragrance oil of your favorite scent.
How do you know if you’re wearing too much cologne?
“Since some perfumes are beasts and others soft and delicate, it’s hard to know if you are wearing too much perfume unless you get unsolicited remarks,” says Do. “Some of the new musks and ouds are strong and can last for hours.” That said, we’d recommend starting slow when trying a new cologne. On first wear, opt for three to four spritzes along the pulse points. For future, you can decide if you’d like to layer on more fragrance based on how long the scent lingers on your skin, or, of course, how others perceive it on you. It’s more of an art than a science.
