7 Best Cheap Colognes for Men in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
Finding the right cologne from a catalog of options is similar to looking for a needle in a haystack.
Although there are plenty of options available, the ones that complement your personality are few and far between.
In addition to discovering a scent that augments your charm, you’d also have to factor in the cologne’s lasting power and cost.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to break the bank to smell good.
There is a large dedicated cologne line targeted to those who aren’t willing to splurge heavily.
These cheap colognes are pretty darn good as well.
The best cheap colognes smell great, boast of phenomenal lasting power, and have been well-received by the ladies.
Cheap perfumes are also a great way to find out what works best for you.
As you discover the smells that evoke a positive reaction out of those around you, you can then start splurging on more expensive colognes with your fact-based reliable research.
Know that there’s no need for you to feel ashamed if you buy perfumes for cheap.
Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the best cheap colognes for men that’ll have you smelling divine in no time.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Cheap Colognes For Men
If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the cheap colognes for men that most people buy).
- Nautica Voyage Eau De Toilette Spray
- Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir Eau De Toilette
- Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme
Top 7 Best Cheap Colognes For Men– Our Reviews:
1. Nautica Voyage Eau De Toilette Spray
Formulated by the globally recognized master perfumer, Maurice Roucel, the Nautica Voyage Eau De Toilette Spray is a scintillating cologne that is a bang for the buck.
Imagine the smell of freshly cut apples as the salty sea breeze whistles its tune—that’s what you get with this cheap cologne.
How does this cologne manage to give off such a pleasing smell?
Well, it has top notes of sea salt, citruses and coriander, middle notes of palm leaf, geranium, green pepper, and apple, and base notes of musk, vetiver, patchouli, and Brazilian redwood.
This eau de toilette also excels in the versatility department as it is suitable for men of all ages.
Unlike other aquatics in the market that fade away in a short period, this fragrance from Nautica has a pretty decent lasting performance.
Ideally speaking, this cheap men’s perfume best fits spring, summer, and daytime use.
You can use it on your dates, as a work cologne, or for your sports activities.
As the sun gets hotter, the lure of this fragrance grows stronger.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Light and fresh scent
- An excellent choice for daily wear
- Commendable lasting performance
- One of the best cheap colognes for men
Cons
- Not easily accessible despite the heavy demand
2. Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir Eau De Toilette
Few types of cologne have managed to age as well as the Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir Eau De Toilette.
Despite its introduction many years back in 1982, the Drakkar Noir is relevant to this day and best of all, it is dirt cheap!
This fragrance has top notes of lavender, basil, bergamot, and rosemary.
The middle notes comprise of geranium, coriander, cinnamon, jasmine, and cardamom.
Lastly, the base notes are fir, amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, and vetiver.
Featuring classic hints of lavender and sandalwood, the Drakkar Noir provides a sharp and spicy scent, making people take notice of you everywhere you go.
The Drakkar Noir Eau De Toilette can be categorized as a versatile cologne too, befitting men of all age groups.
So, if you´re looking to gift something wonderful to the man in your life, this cheap fragrance is a pretty safe choice.
The Drakkar Noir is a classic that has done exceedingly well to stand the test of time.
Pros
- Universally loved scent
- Phenomenal lasting performance
- One of the best cheap colognes for men
Cons
- The scent may be too strong and loud for men who prefer flying under the radar
3. Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme
There’s no doubt that Martin Gras, the nose behind the Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme, was at the top of his game when he formulated this cologne.
The Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme fragrance has head notes of lavender, bergamot, cypress, carnation, galbanum, and elemi resin, and heart notes of ylang-ylang, cassia, vetiver, rose, and lily-of-the-valley,
The fragrance then settles to base notes of oakmoss, cedar, pepper, musk, sandalwood, patchouli, and pine tree.
As you can tell from the notes, the Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme bears a similar scent to the Drakkar Noir on account of its spicy herbal base and long-lasting woodsy notes.
You could also liken it to Christian Dior Eau Sauvage.
Packed in a visually appealing bottle, the Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme fragrance is one of the best cheap colognes for men of all ages and is best suited for evening wear.
Since it is a full-bodied scent, the Cerruti 1881 also goes well with romantic occasions.
Pros
- Best suited for evening wear
- One for romantic settings
- A brilliant blend of patchouli, herbs, and woodsy notes
- Doesn´t look or smell like a cheap fragrance
Cons
- Only great when used sparingly
- Not one of the best cheap colognes for men in terms of sillage or projection
- Some men can be put off by its head
4. Armaf Club De Nuit Intense For Men
The Armaf Club De Nuit Intense For Men gives off a scent similar to the exorbitantly priced cologne, Creed Aventus.
The initial whiffs of this cologne may be harsh to some.
However, when it finally settles on your skin, it starts giving off a sweet and fruity masculine scent.
To be precise, you’ll smell hints of black current, pineapple, and apple masked with the heavier woodsy, musk fragrance.
This excellent blend will have your nose in cloud nine.
The Armaf Club De Nuit Intense For Men is also versatile beyond belief.
It can be worn by men for all types of occasions and seasons and it’s also suitable for wear both during the day and night.
Plus, as its name suggests, the intense scent lasts for a long time.
Therefore, it is ill-advised for you to over-spray with this cologne.
The fact that the fragrance comes in a bewitching bottle only adds to its charm.
All in all, the Armaf Club De Nuit Intense For Men is truly worth the investment.
Pros
- Beautiful packaging
- Long-lasting performance
- Versatile for all seasons and occasions
- Can be worn both during the day and night
Cons
- Initial smell can be too harsh to some men
5. Salvatore Ferragamo F Black
Are you looking for a cologne that boasts a masculine and elegant scent? If so, look no further than the Salvatore Ferragamo F Black.
Formulated by the esteemed master perfumer, Olivier Polge, the Salvatore Ferragamo is an excellent choice for those looking to level up in their lives.
This cheap cologne gives off a mature scent and is, therefore, ideal for those above 25 years of age.
Perfect for a black-tie event in a cool setting, the Salvatore Ferragamo also lasts super long.
So, what does it smell like?
Well, as you take a whiff of this, you are introduced to a strong fragrance of sweet powdery lavender.
This intense burst may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
However, as you allow the cologne to settle, you’ll experience a delicious dry down.
The tonka’s sweetness then begins to overwhelm the lavender, giving a peppery apple twist.
However, as I briefly stated before, this fragrance works best in a cool environment.
Don’t wear it when it’s blazing hot outside.
Also, don’t go overboard with your sprays; a couple of sprays should suffice.
Pros
- Best for a formal occasion or a romantic setting
- One of the best cheap colognes for men in a cool environment
- Mature, masculine, and elegant perfume
Cons
- Not ideal for all age groups
- Not the best cheap cologne for the summers
6. Armaf Tres Nuit Pour Homme
I’m a big fan of the pricey Green Irish Tweed by House of Creed.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford it.
On the bright side, there exists a cheaper alternative that manages to smell strikingly similar to the Green Irish Tweed and that is the Armaf Tres Nuit Pour Homme.
Of course, Armaf has cut some corners to bring the cost down.
However, the Tres Nuit Pour Homme still gives off an expensive smell.
As you smell the Armaf Tres Nuit Pour Homme for the first time, you’ll notice a hint of fresh citrus lemon with a clean soapy green twist.
Thank god the twist is just the right amount of synthetic.
As the scent sits on your skin and begins to dry down, you get introduced to a fresh and creamy woodsy smell.
Although it may appear that the Tres Nuit Pour Homme is a sexy fragrance, it isn’t.
This fragrance is best for use when you want to maintain the level of freshness you experience and give off when you are fresh out of the showers.
Versatile beyond belief, this fragrance goes well with any occasion.
Pros
- Clean and fresh scent
- Ideal for every occasion
- One of the best cheap colognes for men
Cons
- The lasting performance isn’t as good as others mentioned on this list
7. Mercedes-Benz Black Leather
You may not have the purchasing power to buy a Benz but you can definitely afford its line of colognes.
Although the Mercedes-Benz Black Leather can be acquired for a measly sum, it still has an expensive, premium quality to it.
In a nutshell, this fragrance enables you to smell high class without burning a hole in your wallet.
So, what does it smell like specifically?
Well, the perfume opens with top notes of orris, suede, and bergamot, before mellowing to middle notes of incense, sage, and patchouli.
It finally settles to base notes of amber, leather, and labdanum.
That said, what you’re given is a long-lasting smell of a new car leather seat with a hint of fresh, fruity, and spicy base.
The Mercedes-Benz Black Leather must be applauded for its versatility too.
It’s ideal for both formal and casual wear, so you can wear it confidently on your dates or in the office.
However, keep in mind that this fragrance works best in the fall or winter.
Plus, since it has a rather mature smell, I would recommend this only for those in their mid-twenties and up.
Pros
- Suitable for all occasions
- For one of the cheapest perfume around for men, it has a high premium smell
- Long-lasting performance
Cons
- Not ideal for all seasons
Conclusion
Master perfumers usually make colognes for different occasions.
While some colognes may excel at a black-tie event because of their mature appeal, others may be more suited for a sports activity owing to their fresh and clean scent.
On top of that, you should also consider the time of the day when wearing colognes.
After all, some are designed for daytime use while others may be created only for a night out.
Hence, you need to be practical when choosing a fragrance; you need to consider your lifestyle and then, factor in how you can incorporate the shortlisted cologne into your life.
If you are looking for the best cheap cologne that can take your office by storm, consider the Salvatore Ferragamo F Black.
For those looking to win over the ladies on date night, the Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme will have you smelling dashing.
Lastly, for men wanting to stay fresh irrespective of the time of day, the Nautica Voyage Eau De Toilette will do the trick.
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