A great fragrance is a powerful thing. It can make you feel put together on a big day, put you in a good mood, and even make people remember you, so finding the right one is extremely important.
Luckily though, the pressure’s off, because whether you’re looking for a delightfully scented gift for a loved one, or on the hunt for your own signature scent, we’re here to help with our list of the best men’s fragrances available right now.
How to choose the best fragrances for men
Not sure what you like, or aren’t sure how to put your own preferences into words?
Fragrance families can be a good starting point: scents will fall into a floral, fresh, fruity, citrus, oriental, woody or spicy category – all fairly straightforward and telling.
But even the most high-end fragrances can suffer a little from poor application. Every sitcom has at least one episode where a young man heading out on his first date is chastised for wearing too much cologne, so don’t let that be you.
One spritz, on dry skin, will usually do for polite sillage (that’s how much the fragrance lingers in the air after you). Scents are best applied on the warmest parts of the body to help them project, so pick one spot out of the neck and lower jaw, chest, wrist and forearm, or inner elbow.
If you do apply to your wrists, don’t rub them together, as this can break the molecular bonds in the perfume and “kill” the note – and nobody wants that.
Looking for more expert fragrance tips? Check out our guide on how to choose the right cologne or aftershave.
While you're looking for fragrances, why not look for the woman in your life too? Take a look at our list of the best women's fragrances (opens in new tab).
What's the difference between Aftershave, Eau de Toilette, Cologne and Perfume?
First off, let's clear up the difference between aftershave, eau de toilette, and cologne – it's a common misconception that the terms are interchangeable.
It's all to do with strength. An aftershave is the weakest, and is made up of around 1%-3% perfume oil. To help soothe your skin after a shave, it'll usually contain soothing and cooling ingredients, such as Aloe Vera. It should only last around two to three hours after application.
An eau de toilette (EDT) is made up of around 4%-8% of perfume oil. This is too much oil to apply to the face, so should be put on the 'pulse points' (neck, wrist, or chest). It should last around six to eight hours after application.
A cologne contains between 2%-5% oil, and is a happy medium between aftershave and EDT.
Finally, if you're looking for something really powerful, a parfum or perfume contains around 15%-30% oil. That means you only need a tiny amount on the pulse points to last for a long time. It is quite rare and expensive.
The best men's fragrances you can buy today:
Tom Ford Noir is the fourth signature fragrance launched by the American designer. He describes Noir as his most personal fragrance yet, designed for an “urbane sophisticate who the world gets to see and the intriguingly sensuous, private man they don’t”.
We love the subtle yet distinctive fragrance packs warm notes of Italian Bergamot, Black Pepper and Patchouli, which are balanced with warm Vanilla, Amber and Nutmeg.
Penhaligon's Juniper Sling pays tribute to the indulgence and forbidden delights of London in the roaring 1920s. The fragrance is inspired by the most iconic and atmospheric spirits – dry gin – and has been created by master perfumer Mr Olivier Cresp.
The perfume is made with Gin berry Juniper freshness is mixed with measures of Angelica and Brandy and develops into a heart of Black Pepper, Cardamom, Leather and Orris. It has a warming base of Brown Sugar, Black Cherry and Amber. We think it's ideal for Christmas parties, but also works all year round.
Part of a collaboration with Huntsman, Savile Row, Jo Malone London's cologne blends sweet woody notes that recreate the aroma of good whisky, making it a top pick for traditionalists. Designed to go with a sharp suit, the fragrance is very masculine and grown-up, with invigorating spicy pimento and cedarwood for a rich, hearty smell. The fragrance comes in a stylish and sturdy bottle, making it a winner for throwing in a weekend bag or just looking good in your bathroom.
Dior Sauvage has been designed to offer fresh top notes of bergamot as the dominant force; but as this distinctive scent begins to dry down on the skin, we found a subtle masculine, woody note left in its wake.
Like its poster boy Johnny Depp, Sauvage is an intriguing mix of rugged manliness (vetiver, pepper, patchouli) and borderline feminine refinement (lavender, geranium) that’s hard to pin down, but there's no end of wearers complimenting its wondrous fusion of scents. A great fragrance to opt for if you are looking for an evening scent.
If you’re a gent (or you know a gent) who likes to rotate his fragrance wardrobe depending on the season, we think this warming, spicy fragrance is just the thing for when the nights draw in.
it's inspired by warming autumnal scents, Paco Rabanne has created a scent which starts with fresh grapefruit, mandarin and peppermint, but soon evolves into rich rose absolute, cinnamon bark and musk, with an ultra-masculine leather base. Overall, this is a spicy fragrance so citrus lovers, avoid.
Much like the iconic clothes Coco Chanel began designing almost a century ago, Chanel Men's fragrances are sophisticated and timeless. What's unique about this fragrance is that it combines aromatic-woody scents with the invigorating freshness of citrus. That makes it suitable for wearing in winter or summer months, which we really appreciate. The Eau de Toilette is designed to give you "untouchable confidence" and is sure to get plenty of compliments.
This scent was launched in 2010 to celebrate Creed’s 250th anniversary. It celebrates strength, power, vision and success, and is a luxury scent for individuals who saviour things in life. Aventus is inspired by the dramatic life of a historic emperor who waged war, peace and romance with equal magnitude. It opens with tantalising top notes of blackcurrant and Italian bergamot, blended with Calville Blanc apples and pineapple. A woody and heady centre is complemented with notes of roses, jasmine blossom and patchouli, while a rich base of oakmoss, ambergris and a touch of vanilla provide a final flourish to this sophisticated scent.
Boss Bottled evokes the classic values of the successful, classic Hugo Boss man. The simple and clean lines of the bottle are stylish, and masculine, just like Hugo Boss tailoring. The fragrance contains fresh top notes including both apple and citrus fruits. In the heart of the fragrance lie the sweeter and warmer notes of geranium, cinnamon and cloves. At the smouldering base lie the notes of dry spicy scents of sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood, olivewood, amber and musk create a distinctly masculine dry down. We're big fans of how this scent unfolds hour by hour – always taking on a different quality.
Moncler Pour Homme is a woody aromatic fragrance created by perfumers Antoine Maisondieu and Christophe Raynaud. It captures the vibrant natural beauty of an alpine forest, this enveloping fragrance contains an unprecedented saturation of woody notes. Starting with the exclusive Alpine Green accord for Moncler that, combined with the energising freshness of Clary Sage, lifts the fragrance through a leafy expanse of mountain pines. Warming directly through an overdose of Cedarwood, the Mountain Woods accord takes ultimate precedence in this bold scent, forming a cocooning, earthy dry-down of grand proportions when fused with the smoky magnetism of Vetiver. What's more, the fragrance is housed in a flask-shaped bottle, a nod to the brand's mountaineering roots, and features a digital screen you can personalise with your own message. This, we think, makes it a perfect gift.
If you're looking for summer in a bottle – this is the answer. Tom Ford’s Private Blend Neroli Portofino is inspired by the luxurious Italian Riviera resort, and like the glamorous destination, it’s expensive, but a little goes a long way. A reinvention of a classic eau de cologne, it features Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, winter yellow mandarin, lavender, orange flower, rosemary and amber, which makes for an uplifting citrus aromatic scent. If that wasn’t enough, the bottle, which evokes the Mediterranean Sea, is to die for. It’s a real taste of luxury you can enjoy every day.
This bold fragrance promises to be pure fruit on the nose, coming in straight away with a hit of zesty-sweet apple and mandarin before mellowing to a sage and bourbon pepper middle. Finally, there’s a distinctive patchouli and tobacco base, which adds a dark and dangerous note to an otherwise uncomplicated fragrance. Those in search of a refined classic would be better off looking elsewhere, but for the brave (see what we did there?) it appears to be a real standout scent – strong, long-lasting, and good value for money. An ideal gift for younger guys.
A classic scent first introduced in 1995, you’ll be hard-pushed to find any faults with this magnetic Eau de Toilette. It opens with a fresh hint of mint and is followed by warming lavender, masculine cinnamon and cumin. To compliment the amazing fragrance is a striking bottle, which from our experience, will really stand out on a dressing table or bathroom counter.
Issey Miyake is known for creating perfumes using rare and unusual ingredients, and this fragrance is no different. The L'Eau d' Issey Homme is a classic for any occasion, with a fresh, vibrant and elegantly timeless scent. It starts with top notes of yuzu, with heart notes of blue water lily, nutmeg, and base notes of tobacco amber and Indian sandalwood.
Narciso Rodriguez’s Bleu Noir is the very picture of refinement, with its opaque deep blue interior promising something magical. The scent is just as elegantly modern as its vessel, we found fresh, spicy notes of nutmeg and cardamom combined with deep, sensual woods for a superbly sexy masculine vibe. It's great for wearing every day – pronounced without being overpowering.
After originally striding onto the market in 1916 with their original Colonia, it seems that Acqua di Parma has perfected a new set of classics with their Blu Mediterraneo range. Reminiscent of a sun-drenched stroll through the almond groves of Sicily, this fresh, green, citrus-laden scent is just the thing to evoke that holiday feeling. We really commend its surprising amount of staying power for an eau de toilette, which makes it an equally as fresh, but better value alternative to Creed’s Original Vetiver. A true holiday scent.
Montblanc claims Explorer Ultra Blue is an invitation to embrace the explorer’s adventurous spirit and embark on an epic olfactory journey. The Eau de Parfum's top notes awaken the senses with a zesty fusion of Italian bergamot, citrus and the addition of a touch of pink peppercorn. Marine accord is the beating heart of the fragrance. The fresh, aquatic notes contrast with the depth of grey amber notes. We commend the ethical sourcing that continues to be a priority at Montblanc, with the main ingredients of Explorer Ultra Blue coming from Givaudan’s Sourcing for Shared Value program.
The Driven Eau de Parfum from Dunhill unveils a refreshed brand direction for the brand, one that draws inspiration from its archives, takes on an element of traditionalism and yet includes a new level of modernity. As its name suggests, this fragrance is built for speed, driving, and racing – you'll notice how woody, citrus and floral notes of bergamot, red apple and amber race throughout its olfactory pyramid for a resilient and impactful result. If you live life in the fast lane, this is the fragrance for you.
Reiss has taken its approach to style beyond the wardrobe with a new collection of genderless fragrances. We love the fresh and floral Emerald Bloom scent, which features distinct grassy tones, deep notes of cedar and sandalwood bloom into jasmine, Lily of the Valley, star anise and violet. The fragrances are all unisex and arrive in a stunning Art Deco-inspired bottle, designed in-house, is made in Italy. The fragrance is also responsibly sourced, cruelty-free and vegan.
Eddie and Fabrice, the founders of Le Labo, describe Bergamote 22 as, “ your white T-shirt. You always look good in one and it’s not a hassle to wear.” Its original code name, "Fire Cologne", illustrates its spirited qualities – a delicate floral character of petit grain sharpened by the bitterness of grapefruit. The scent is a dazzling elixir of freshness, sweetness and sensuality with unstoppable acrobatic energy. Have Le Labo succeeded in creating the white T-shirt of the fragrance world? We think so.
A fresh, citrusy scent for the man with discerning taste, and deep pockets. Creed fragrances are a designer classic, and with good reason. With the unmistakably masculine hit of vetiver at its heart, this fine fragrance is kept contemporary by zesty bergamot and bitter orange; clean, herbaceous coriander; and smooth sandalwood. We love its freshness, which provokes that 'just out of the shower' feeling – use it to treat your other half, or yourself.
In case you didn’t get the memo, the Nineties are cool again and classic fragrances like CK One are smelling fresh. While that old pair of jeans you had (and Kate Moss) might have aged a little, this fragrance still smells young and is incredibly easy to wear for both sexes, making it a useful option to keep at hand in the bathroom. Bringing together refreshing notes of green tea, papaya, and bergamot, we found it balanced with soft accents of nutmeg, violet, cardamom, and rose. This means it’s a little bit musky and floral, and a lot citrusy and refreshing.
Q, from Saunders & Long, is an elegant, sophisticated fragrance, masterfully blended with Vetiver and Patchouli, a hint of smoky peated whisky. The woody notes of humidor-inspired cedar are perfectly complimented by dried tobacco leaves from an unlit Cuban cigar. As a sparkling pepper top note dissipates, the dry down meanders steadily towards its signature Fougère accord. The fragrance comes in one large 125ml bottle that needs to be decanted into 12ml glass vials. The vials are then slotted securely into Saunders & Long's refillable travel atomise. We love this ritualistic preparation, but for some, it could be seen as too much hassle – especially if you're in a rush.
For men or women in the market for a romantic partner, we think this oddball fragrance makes a slightly bonkers, but interesting accessory to the search. The titular molecule is used in most modern perfumes to recreate scents, but here, it’s an almost undetectable velvety, woody scent which adapts to each wearer’s unique body chemistry. For anyone interested in the science of scent and willing to be approached by strangers, it’s one to try.
Packed with joyful notes of lime, lemon, mandarin and ultra-fresh sea spray, backed up by armfuls of delicate white flowers, we love this classic Clinique fragrance and its fresh, summery scent, making way for its chirpy name. With a woody base for structure, a pleasing floral heart, and the brightest, zestiest citrus tones up top, this is highly rated as a wonderfully 'happy' fragrance that seems to be loved by men and appreciated by women.
How we test the best men's fragrances
We've all, at one point in our lives, gone into a shop, sprayed a few different colognes on our wrists, sniffed them straight away, and then made a snap decision on which one we like the most. This may seem like a good way to test fragrances, but it's not, and you'll be happy to know that at T3 we spend a little more time finding the best men's fragrances and colognes.
We'll either spray the fragrance on blotter paper from around 15 centimetres away or test the fragrance on our own skin. This will give an accurate representation of what the scent actually smells like.
We'll take in the strong top notes that hit straight away. Of course, we'll then continue to come back to the fragrance to test how it develops over time as the heart and base notes come out. This is important as this 'dry down' is what the fragrance will be like for most of the day.
It's important to mention we don't test men's fragrances in a lab at T3 – we use them just as you would. This lets us know how they develop in the real world and means we can give accurate recommendations based on our experiences.
