Finding the best scents for men is a difficult challenge. I would know because I’ve been looking for it for days. I decided to get a new perfume earlier this year. I’ve never been a big fan of cologne/perfumes because I’ve encountered many people who immediately overwhelm you with their scent, hitting you with lavender or citrus notes. However, something about the previous year has made me want to buy a new cologne.
As I began my search, I found way too many possibilities on the market, covering everything from fruity, honey-top notes to woody or smoky base notes. Which option is best for me? I kept my options open. I tried all scents – from heavy and musky to light and fresh. Then, I pinpointed specific famous notes that are sure to please me and everybody around me.
Some perfumes do not work for you, so get over it.
Regardless of your sensorial preferences, remember that there is no “best fragrance”; some men perfumes won’t fit your personality, and what you enjoy may also depend on the time of year, the vibe, and your mood that particular day. Don’t hesitate to try something unusual; that’s part of the joy of experimenting with different perfumes.
How to Choose a Male perfume?
So you are looking for a men’s perfume or cologne, but you are not sure what would suit you the best. Well, first you need to make a decision on what you like and do not like.
My suggestion would be to first test out the most sought-after male perfumes on the market. Start with classics like Calvin Klein Eternity, Davidoff Cool Water or Bleu De Chanel. These male perfumes have been in circulation for many years and are still seen as iconic brands.
Make yourself a list of the best perfumes on the market. Then test them out. Decide which you like the most and work from there.
Don’t let note classifications overwhelm you. Top notes hit you first, middle notes form the core, and base notes linger. This knowledge guides your fragrance selection. As you gain scent experience, you’ll pinpoint preferences, whether they lean towards musky or citrusy fragrances.
Read on to learn about the top 20 perfumes for men in 2024, including scents from Tom Ford, Creed, Ralph Lauren and more.
Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum
Dior master perfumer François Demachy developed this earthy and woodsy fragrance. The fragrance is inspired by nature and its raw components. Because of the refined, discreet finish, warming notes of bergamot, pepper, and amber wood that is inspired by a desert landscape can still be worn in the dead of winter.
Bleu de Chanel Parfum
This Chanel fragrance for men has notes of labdanum, citrus, cedar and sandalwood. It is fresh, clean, and seductive. With a musky undertone, it is ideal for a date because it works for both daytime and nighttime.
The Last Day Of Summer Eau de Parfum by Gucci
The Alchemist’s Garden fragrance from Gucci’s high-end fragrance collection lets you maintain a summery mood all year. With woodsy overtones from patchouli and vetiver, this smell has a warming, cosy aroma of cypress, cedarwoods, and nutmeg. Additionally, the lacquered glass bottle is stylish and a favourite among its users.
Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
Consider yourself in a jazz club with a delicious cocktail surrounded by leather chairs and cigar smoke. If you love that, then “Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club” may be your scent: It contains rum, tobacco, and pink pepper undertones that are warm and spiciness. Ideal for the fall and winter when you want to hibernate in complete comfort.
Polo Black by Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren’s Polo Black is one of those iconic scents that never goes out of style. An intense fusion of lemon, cooled mango, and tangerine with sage, sandalwood, and patchouli noir results in a poignant aroma. Its intensity and scent make it the finest perfume for standing out.
Another 13 by Le Labo
Le Labo is perhaps most known for its iconic Santal 33 fragrance, but “Another 13” by Le Labo is one of its lesser-known scents that deserves equal fanfare. The aroma has notes of ambroxan, jasmine petals, moss, and woody, amber-like overtones. She is considered a musky and fresh perfume by experts.
Boss by Hugo Boss
This enduring perfume, introduced in 1998, has become a cult favourite because of its traditional, manly scent. Lemon, apple and plum serve as the fragrance’s fruity and citrus top notes, countered by a robust floral and spicy base that includes geranium, sandalwood, and vetiver.
Oud Wood by Tom Ford
Tom Ford’s cologne masterfully captures the woodsy aroma of oud wood, one of the most precious and costly components for any perfumer. Cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver are combined in this unusual scent, reminiscent of snuggling up by a warm fire.
H24 by Hermes
Hermès’s H24 fragrance, the brand’s first fragrance for “the contemporary man,” has a fresh, citrusy scent and includes narcissus, clary sage and rosewood notes. The fragrance is It’s especially ideal for the spring and summer, but the cosy rosewood makes it a favourite all year round.
Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani
This time-honoured fragrance by Giorgio Armani was first introduced in 1996 and inspired by the water, has endured for a good cause. The earthy aroma combines Cyprus, musk, neroli, bergamot, patchouli and rosemary for a fresh finish, making it the perfect all-day scent.
Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein
Another favourite from 1988, Calvin Klein’s Eternity for Men, is a lovely floral smell that was inspired by an unending love. Obviously, people still love this fragrance because it is unmistakably unisex and suitable for them and her. A classic combination of notes including patchouli, white lily, sandalwood, freesia, sage, mandarin and white lily.
Eros by Versace
The Art Deco-inspired bottle of Versace’s Eros perfume has a fruity, fresh scent. How cooling the mint, citrus, and woodsy vanilla notes is like diving in the pool on a hot summer day. Overall, it is a rather versatile cologne, but it works great in the summer. You can decide when and where you want to wear this scent.
Grand Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Maison Francis Kurkdjian created this beautiful concoction of vanilla, amber, tonic beans, and cistus labdanum by imagining what a “magnificent Parisian evening” would smell like. It’s the ideal perfume for a night out—one of our favourites at ScentforMe.
Aventus by Creed
Perfume company Creed’s top-selling scent was developed in 2010 and remains a customer favourite. The crisp top notes are pineapples, apple, blackcurrant, and bergamot. Birch, patchouli, vanilla, and musk are heavier heart and base notes. Who wouldn’t desire something that is designed to represent strength, power, and prosperity that is based on the life of a real-life emperor?
Bad Boy by Carolina Herrera
Carolina Herrera’s latest scent, Bad Boy, strikes a delicate mix between aggression and sophistication. It combines tones of black and white pepper with tangy bergamot. It’s a lovely perfume for daily use, but it may also be amplified and layered for a spicier scent for the evening. The bottle with the lightning bolt on the top shelf also appears stunning.
Gentleman by Givenchy
Givenchy’s Gentleman bottle honours the modern house standards that Hubert de Givenchy set at the residence. However, the earthy and woody scent is also a no-brainer for daily use and attractive to the eye. Its primary ingredients—lavender, pear, and patchouli—create a distinctive blend of freshness and depth.
Hero by Burberry
Burberry’s Hero perfume is warm and rich, blending cedar wood oils from the Himalayas, the Atlas Mountains, and Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains. Black pepper, bergamot, and juniper notes balance out the rich blend to create an enticing scent.
D & G Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana
It has a distinctly laid-back and summery vibe with rich citrus notes, including grapefruit, bergamot, and Sicilian Mandarin. Pepper, rosemary, and juniper provide a sharper, more pronounced tone to the heart notes, with a hint of spice. Oakmoss, incense, and musk make up the base. Overall, it’s a straightforward, fresh perfume that’s simple to wear to the workplace or beach.
One Million by Paco Rabanne
Citrus and patchouli give it an unassuming beginning, but the notes of rose, cinnamon, leather, amber, and spice will make you love or detest this fragrance. Consideration should be given to this warm, slightly sweet winner. More than ten years after the perfume was developed, it continues to be widely praised and derided.
L’Eau d’Issey by Issey Miyake
Yuzu, an Asian citrus fruit, serves as the scent’s initial note and is complemented by bergamot and lemon notes. However, Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey EDT is more complex than pure citrus scent.
Among many other notes, nutmeg and cinnamon contribute a pleasing spicy and woody contrast. It is a versatile smell that every man should have in his collection and was regularly rated as one of the most attractive scents.