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It doesn't matter whether you're well-versed in the theoretical catalog of the best colognes or stuck on page one; finding a signature scent or venturing into new aromatic territory can be challenging. Smell makes a lasting impression, sometimes hitting you before the visual does. Of course, you can't aim to please everyone, so choosing a scent with notes that resonate with you—or remind you of a fond memory—is most important.
Lest you think most men's fragrances lean woody, musky, or tobacco-y, colognes span all scent groups. We’ve selected 13 of the best colognes on the market, some of which lean more toward classic masculine, and some of which lean towards fresh and floral—and all are inspired by different cultures, landscapes, and moods. So whether you’re dipping your toes (err, nose) into the world of men's colognes—many of which are unisex, because no scent is limited to one sex!—or just need something new to layer under a tried and true favorite, we hope you find the one in this story.
Our Top Colognes
- Best Overall: Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 Eau de Parfum, $235
- Best Classic: Ralph Lauren Polo Black Eau de Toilette, $110
- Best Subtle: Acqua di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne, $154
- Best Entry-Level: Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette, $112
- Worth the Hype: Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum, $230
- Best for Work: Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum, $200
- Best for Summer: Diptyque Eau Nabati Eau de Parfum, $285
- Best Herbal: D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass Eau de Parfum, $210
- Best Aquatic: Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Toilette, $100
- Best Woody: Aesop Hwyl Eau de Parfum, $177
- Best Cozy: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette, $85
- Best Value: Calvin Klein Eternity for Men Eau de Parfum, $85
- Best for a Lasting Impression: Kilian Paris Old Fashioned Eau de Parfum
Frequently Asked Questions
- What to look for in a cologne
- How to make your cologne last longer
- Meet the experts
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: You may have anticipated another Le Labo select here, but we aim to surprise. While Santal 33 is still as omnipresent as ever, we prefer Thé Matcha. Not unlike matcha in Japanese culture, there’s a sense of sophisticated polish to this. Its combination of notes produces a scent not unlike walking through a blooming garden, with decidedly floral tones thanks to its top notes of (you guessed it) matcha tea, along with fig and then textural elements of cedar and orange. While you might want something heavier for the colder months, it’s a wonderful three-season blend that ensures you’ll get your money’s worth in every single bottle and spray.
Key notes: matcha, fig, bergamot, orange, sesame, cedarwood, vetiver | Sizes: 0.5 ounces (14 milliliters), 1.7 ounces (50 milliliters), 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters)
Best Classic: Ralph Lauren Polo Black Eau de Toilette
Why it’s worth it: Sometimes you want an all-around scent that’s good for a variety of situations or layers well with other options, which is why Ralph Lauren Polo Black is our pick for best classic. The profile skews a bit towards the tropical and fruity side of things, which also makes it well-suited to the summer, as it gives off notes of mango and tangerine before settling into that tried-and-true sandalwood. Affordable and not overbearing, it’s a scent you’ll likely love smelling over and over again.
Key notes: mango, patchouli, tangerine, sandalwood | Sizes: 4.2 ounces (125 milliliters), 6.7 ounces (200 milliliters)
Best Subtle: Acqua di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne
Why it’s worth it: Refreshing and airy, Acqua di Parma’s Colonia is a very subtle cologne that won’t knock someone’s socks off if they walk past you (like some more overbearing options) but rather can sneak up on someone when they’re nice and close. Think of it as more of a passed note in class than a full-on Twitch broadcast. (Keep in mind: Eau de cologne has the lowest alcohol content, followed by eau de toilette (EDT), eau de parfum (EDP), and extraits, which means it's lighter in profile and has a shorter wear time.) With citrus-forward notes of lemon and orange before giving way to lavender, rosemary, and sandalwood, it’s a good balance of tones that will serve you quite well.
Key notes: lemon, rosemary, laednar, sandalwood, patchouli | Sizes: 1.7 oz (50 milliliters), 3.3 oz (100 milliliters), 6.0 oz (177 milliliters)
Best Entry-Level: Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette
Why it’s worth it: New to the cologne world and looking for a foundation to build upon? Look no further than Bleu de Chanel. A stalwart scent in the market since 2010, the lushious combination of cedar, sandalwood, and grapefruit is quieter in its overall profile, making it something to easily work into the rotation until you’re comfortable exploring other scents. Relative to other options on this list, it’s not the most expensive option, so it means that you’re not out a ton of cash should you decide to spring for another selection or begin to layer it in tandem with other scents. Plus, it transitions from day to night quite well and is a great year-round scent.
Key notes: grapefruit, sandalwood, cedar | Sizes: 0.5 ounces (14 milliliters), 1.7 ounces (50 milliliters), 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters)
Worth the Hype: Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Inspired by the Mojave desert—e.g., notes of violet and sandalwood that give it an overall floral, powdery, and smokey tone—Mojave Ghost is a fan-favorite with a captivating profile that stands the test of time (or since 2014). Founder Ben Gorham takes a minimalist approach with his fragrances, favoring fewer but harmonious notes. Each scent is inspired by Gorham's memories, both physical and emotional. This iconic Byredo scent skews luxe but remains relatable, fresh, and versatile—it works as well as an everyday scent as a date night scent.
If you have the opportunity to sniff Mojave Ghost and find it too mellow for your liking, take it up a notch with Mojave Ghost Absolu de Parfum. On the flip side, Mojave Ghost Alcohol-Free is water-based for an easier-and-breezier scent.
Key notes: cedarwood, violet, vetiver, chantilly musk | Sizes: 1.7 oz (50 milliliters), 3.4 oz (100 milliliters)
Best for Summer: Diptyque Eau Nabati Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Those who want to smell like they just took a trip to the Hawaii location of The White Lotus should spring for Diptyque’s Eau Nabati, which leverages notes of spices, fruit, florals, and tobacco to produce a scent farafield from the hustle and bustle of your day job. While it’s not possible to go on vacation every day, a spray of Eau Nabati can get you pretty damn close, making it great to pair alongside warm spring and fall days and in the midst of summertime radness.
Key notes: balsam of Peru, petitgrain, bergamot, tobacco | Sizes: 2.5 oz (74 milliliters)
Best for Work: Tom Ford Noir Extreme
Why it’s worth it: Wearing cologne at work is a delicate line to walk. Sure, you might want something to smell a little nice, but an overpowering scent can be off-putting in the confines of overstuffed conference rooms or Zoom-approved phone booths. Luckily, Tom Ford’s Noir Extreme manages to strike a balance between being assertive but not overbearing, which is the tone you want to convey. It’s subtle confidence, not overwhelming swagger, courtesy of its notes of amber, tonka, and cardamom.
Key notes: cardamom, amber, tonka, saffron | Sizes: 1.7 ounces (50 milliliters), 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters)
Best Aquatic: Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Toilette
Why it’s worth it: As evidenced by its name, Prada’s Luna Rossa Ocean scent is a perfect companion to a beachside getaway alongside a good book and a cold beverage. Infused with oceanic notes of saffron, citrus, vetiver, and patchouli, its overall scent is bright, fresh, clean, and a little playful in how it smells. It doesn’t scream beach in the traditional sense—you won’t smell like saltwater—but it does evoke the overall feeling and sensation of being near one, which is more than likely to carry you through a tedious day at the office.
Key notes: saffron, citrus, vetiver, and patchouli | Sizes: 1.6 oz (50 milliliters), 3.3 oz (100 milliliters)
Best Herbal: D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: When the call of the wild, well, calls, answer it with D.S. & Durga’s Cowboy Grass (which isn’t a nickname for peyote), a potent pick for those seeking a more outdoorsy fragrance. An arrangement of grass and woods, with a touch of herbal flair, is anchored by vetiver alongside notes of sage, grass, and thyme. Don’t worry; there’s a good balance of both yee and haw here, which means you can wear this in the city and the country without anyone looking at you twice.
Key notes: wild thyme, sagebrush, grass, vetiver, rosewood | Sizes: 3.3 oz (97 milliliters)
Best Woody: Aesop Hwyl Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Aesop is known for its luxurious hand washes and room sprays, so we'd expect nothing different from its eau de parfums. We really like Hwyl, which trends away from the splashier selections the brand offers and into something a little underappreciated. The Hwyl is well-suited as a fall or even winter option, thanks to an opening note of Cyprus pine, transporting one to the Pacific Northwest with an overall relaxing feel before settling into a combination of earthy notes of frankincense, vetiver, and even oak. It’s not a scent that will come out and overwhelm someone, but rather, it all settles in like the mist rolling through a crowded wood on an overcast day.
Key notes: pine, frankincense, oak, vetiver | Sizes: 1.6 oz (50 milliliters), 3.3 oz (100 milliliters)
Best Cozy: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette
Why it’s worth it: For good or for ill, the stereotypical image of a La La Land-esque jazz club is one that evokes an overall sense of refinement. Think of the spark you feel inside as the brass section comes to life over the taste of an old-fashioned or Manhattan. As such, Margiela’s Replica Jazz Club does what it says on the bottle: It goes full-on warmth with notes of pepper, rum, and tobacco, adding a depth of coziness when you feel like you'll need it most.
Key notes: pepper, lemon, rum, sage, tobacco, vetiver | Sizes: 1 oz (30 milliliters), 3.4 oz (100 milliliters)
Best Value: Calvin Klein Eternity for Men Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Some cheaper colognes mean you have to sacrifice smell for the sake of price. That’s not the case with Calvin Klein Eternity for Men, which provides a decidedly adult-smelling scent for a deeply affordable value. With its notes of sage, apple, cypress, nutmeg, and vetiver, it’s a good combination of sophistication and refinement. Those earthier base notes eventually give way to the top citrus ones, allowing for a fun juxtaposition.
Key notes: sage, apple, cypress, nutmeg, vetiver | Sizes: 1.6 oz (50 milliliters), 3.3 oz (100 milliliters)
Best for Making an Impression: Kilian Paris Old Fashioned Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Looking to make a great impression on a first, second, or even third date? Kilian’s Old Fashioned draws inspiration from the timeless drink—think sweet and smooth with just the right amount of punch. The scent of wheat, cedarwood, styrax, and balm helps infuse the scent with a silky swagger that might help you get more dates. But really, our favorite detail is that the bottle itself looks like a rocks glass that you’d get when ordering the drink at any cocktail bar worth its salt.
Key notes: wheat, cedarwood, styrax, balm | Sizes: 1.7 oz (50 milliliters), 3.4 oz (100 milliliters)
Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in a cologne
With so many options in the marketplace, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start selecting a signature cologne, but there are a few good places to start. Linda G. Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, suggests: “Start by identifying which fragrance classifications you find most appealing—spicy, woody, citrusy, aquatic, or even floral,” she says. “By identifying one or two of these that most appeal to you, you begin to pinpoint the scents that complement you or your style best. Fragrance is an invisible accessory, so the appeal to a classification most likely links you to a scent experience, memory, or even to another place or time.
Bérénice Watteau, a DSM-Firmenich perfumer, concurs with the personal approach. “The most important thing is to find something that resonates with you,” she tells us. “Scent is deeply personal, and it should evoke emotion or memory. It's best to test it on your skin rather than relying on a blotter, as your body chemistry will influence how it develops over time.”
How to make your cologne last longer
If you invest in a cologne, the last thing you want is the scent to fade away after a few hours. But don’t worry, the experts have a few tips and tricks to ensure those notes and scent tones stick around longer than the latest viral sensation. “One of my favorite ways to keep scents longer is to apply cologne to skin right after showering or cleansing when your skin is moist and can best absorb the scent,” Levy tells us. “A spray later in the day always is a great way to reinforce and amplify the original cologne from the start of the day, or layer on another intensity or complementary note or accord.”
Watteau, meanwhile, offers up some practical application notes. “There are a few techniques to help extend the wear of your cologne,” she informs us. “First, apply it to your pulse points: the neck, wrists, behind the ears, and the back of the knees. These areas generate heat, which helps diffuse the scent throughout the day. For even better longevity, layering is always suggested. Many fragrances come with matching shower gels or lotions, and using these before applying your cologne creates a base that holds onto the scent longer.
Spraying onto fabric can also help, as textiles absorb fragrance differently than skin.” But above all, she stresses how you take care of the bottle and also informs its lifespan. “Storing your fragrance properly is key—keep it away from light and heat. If you can, store it in a cool place to maintain its integrity over time. A well-preserved fragrance will always perform at its best.”
Meet the experts
- Linda G. Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation
- Bérénice Watteau, a DSM-Firmenich Perfumer
Our staff and testers
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