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10 Best Colognes for Men in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

With numerous cologne options out there, a list of the best colognes for men isn’t an easy one to make. 

Especially when you’re a perfume aficionado, picking the best cologne is just next to impossible.

To come up with a good list, we need to answer this question: what do you look for in a cologne? 

Obviously, everyone wants a cologne that smells great but beyond that, there are other important qualities perfume lovers look for when smelling colognes. 

Aside from the scent, parameters like sillage, longevity, opening, versatility, and note combination play a big role in determining whether an eau de cologne is worth your time and money.

Then, the seasons also have to be considered as some scents perform best in winter while some do in summer.

This list of best-smelling male colognes is drawn from the opinions of perfumers and cologne aficionados, customer reviews, and product popularity. 

Without further delay, below are the best colognes for men.

At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Colognes for Men

If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the perfumes that most people buy).

  • Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme
  • Creed Aventus
  • 1 Million By Paco Rabanne

Top 10 Best Smelling Colognes for Men – Our Reviews:

1. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme

Listed by Jeremy Fragrance as the best perfume of all time, Yves Saint Laurent is more than just a cologne. 

Its unique smell has become synonymous with luxury and class, often described as a fragrance that seems to smell like class.

Its scents are sweet and subtle, making it a favorite fragrance for women. 

If you ever wanted to impress a gal, this is the one fragrance you’d want wafting off of you. 

Released in 2009, the cologne opens with top notes of spicy accord and cardamom before slipping into delicious heart notes of bergamot, black pepper, cedar, and lavender. 

After a while, it settles into an intoxicating base of vetiver and cumin.

A sexy and exotic scent, the noses behind this one masterpiece are Dominique Ropion, Pierre Wargnye, and Anne Flipo. 

Its sillage is strong enough to get people’s attention while its opening hits your nose with an aroma that is simply irresistible.

It’s a cologne, but one that behaves like an eau de parfum or eau de toilette.

If you’re a sucker for long-lasting colognes pour homme, then you’re sure to be delighted by the number of hours this beauty will last on you. 

If you’re on the lookout for a signature scent you can wear anywhere and at any time of the year, La Nuit is our best cologne entry that could be what you’re looking for.

2. Creed Aventus

Give it up for one of the most incredible scents you’ll ever perceive in your time on earth. 

Stylish, exotic, and definer of class, this eau de parfum spray was launched to critical acclaim by the House of Creed in 2010 and there hasn’t been a single man out there who wasn’t immediately drawn to its unique fragrance. 

To this day, Aventus remains one of the best creations released by the brand.

Created by Olivier Creed and Erwin Creed, Aventus begins with a spectacular blend of top notes of pineapple, apple, bergamot, and black currant. 

Like tangerine, its scent peels off to heart notes of patchouli, Morrocan jasmine, dry birch, and rose while its base notes consist of vanilla, ambergris, musk, and oakmoss. 

This cologne was inspired by the exploits and personality of King Napoleon, and is one of the best celebrations of the inspiration his character has had on today’s men. 

Creed Aventus is the cologne to wear when you need heads turning and tongues wagging. 

Its quality is evident in its popularity and the number of influential people who have admitted to adopting it as their signature scent.

3. 1 Million By Paco Rabanne

If you’ve lived on earth for over two decades, chances are you have smelled this Paco Rabanne cologne a few times on someone. 

Since its launch in 2008, it has been heralded as one of the best cologne options for men on the market. 

Created by the House of Paco Rabanne, the perfumers behind this masterpiece are Michel Girard, Olivier Pescheux, and Christophe Raynaud. 

Sweet and irresistible, the 1 Million eau de toilette begins with top notes of spice, cinnamon, and grapefruit before subtly introducing middle notes of blood orange, blonde leather, and rose. 

After a while, its scent settles down to base notes of patchouli, white wood, and amber. 

1 Million By Paco Rabanne is the smell of class, luxury, and sophistication packaged in a classy gold-colored bottle that inspired its style. 

It is also a long-lasting scent, presenting a solid sillage, and a refreshingly versatile fragrance.

4. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense

After a great reception to Light Blue EDT, the House of Dolce & Gabbana launched the Light Blue Intense in 2017 to give a more intense experience to users who felt Light Blue EDT was weak. 

Staying true to its name, Light Blue Intense features an ”in your face” opening that fills the room with plenty of juice. 

Its combination of fresh aquatic flavors with a drop of citrus is everything you need to complete your perfect look.

A popular summer perfume option for men, Light Blue Intense begins with citrus-flavored top notes of frozen grapefruit and mandarine while its middle notes combine salty marine accord and juniper. 

After a while, its scent mellows to a delightful base note of musk and amber wood. 

This perfume should be reserved for those days when you need a scent that can make an impression, but if that’s your everyday routine, then you can’t resist making Light Blue Intense your signature cologne. 

As you would expect from an Intense cologne, its sillage is heavy and should win you complements from a considerable distance. 

This D&G cologne’s longevity is as good as it gets and as for its versatility, this is one scent you can wear anywhere and everywhere.

5. Acqua Di Parma Essenza

Big fan of oriental fragrances?

Then you’re certainly going to love Acqua Di Parma Essenza and its combination of modish and vintage aromas to give you a unique flanker to the 1901 edition. 

Users have spoken highly of its smooth performance and the delightful scent presented by its woody citrus combo. 

Launched in 2010, Essenza was a fragrance inspired by elegant and stylish men who pay as much attention to their looks as they do to their job. 

It opens with top notes of petitgrain, neroli, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, orange, and lemon. 

It peels off to more intense heart notes of clove, jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, and rosemary while its base note is made up of equally compelling notes of amber, white musk, patchouli, and vetiver. 

A scent marked by a fresh burst of citrusy goodness, you can’t help but compliment this masterpiece. 

Acqua Di Parma Essenza’s fresh combo makes it a perfect fragrance option for hot summer days when you need to smell fresh. 

Its sillage is strong and its longevity is certain to give you more than 8 hours of strong performance, so when you need to be at your best, this scent is a great choice. 

6. Versace Eros

If you’re looking for the best scent to complete your grand seduction routine, this Versace fragrance is the one. 

Featuring oriental, woody, and fresh notes, Versace Eros Eau de Toilette has a sweet scent that is so seductive. 

Staying true to its reputation, Versace Eros was named after Eros, the Greek god of love whose mother is Aphrodite. 

Its fragrance is a tribute to the richness of the Greek culture and the god Eros who is believed to spread love from coast to coast. 

Versace Eros opens with notes of lemon, mint, and green apple, while its middle notes are tonka bean, ambroxan, and geranium. 

After some time, its scent peels off to base notes of altas cedar, oakmoss, Virginia cedar, Madagascar vanilla, and vetiver. 

Created by Aurelien Guichard for the House of Versace, this fragrance is perfect for casual occasions and appeals to a younger generation. 

That said, men above 30 who want to smell sexy can add this one perfume to their collection, but note though that its scent can be a little too sweet for older men.

Unfortunately, this is not the kind of cologne you wear to work. 

Unless of course, you have a hot co-worker you’re looking to seduce. 

However, if you’re going out on a date, a day at the beach, or any other casual occasion, you can certainly summon the charms of Eros to help accentuate your looks.

7. Tom Ford Noir Extreme

Released in 2012 to much critical acclaim, this cologne is one of the best works of art from the Tom Ford perfume collection and that’s saying a lot for such a big brand. 

Just like Versace Eros, this Tom Ford cologne is another sensual fragrance that should see you driving women insane from afar. 

A sweet woody oriental scent, it opens with top notes of nutmeg, cardamom, saffron, neroli, and mandarin oil. 

Its heart reveals subtle but insanely addictive notes of mastic accord, pistachio, Himalayan snow orange blossom, jasmine, rose, and Indian kulfi dessert. 

After a while, base notes of sandalwood, amber, and sweet vanilla reveal themselves. 

Tom Ford Noir Extreme presents a strong sillage that should be noticeable from some distance while its impressive longevity means it can provide over 8 hours of sweet-smelling goodness. 

It is predominantly a winter scent and can also work for cool evening events. 

This Tom Ford cologne’s sweet fragrance means it could also work for women who prefer a bit of manliness in their colognes.

8. CH Men Prive by Carolina Herrera

Another sexy scent makes it to the list with the irresistible CH Men Prive by Carolina Herrera. 

Sensual and exotic, it smells like luxury and should get you compliments from all corners. 

This eau de cologne is perfect for those who enjoy a woody oriental scent. 

CH Mean Prive begins with top notes of whiskey, pomelo, and grapefruit before peeling off to interesting heart notes of cardamom, red thyme, sade, and frozen lavender

Its base notes are an explosive combination of benzoin, tonka bean, and leather. 

This Carolina Herrera perfume’s only downside is its performance issues. 

With just a little of three hours of intense performance, its scent fades a little too quickly. 

Its sillage is incredible and can be smelled from a good distance away, but its weak longevity means its more suited for warmer days. 

9. Gucci Intense Oud

A great eau de cologne that can be worn by men and women, Gucci Intense Oud EDP is best known for its balsamic, smoky, oud, woody, and leather main accords. 

Released in 2015, the perfumer behind this excellent Gucci scent is Aurelien Guichard. 

It begins with top notes of incense and woods before slipping to sexy middle notes of amber and leather. 

After a while, it gets even better as it gently peels off to base notes of olibanum and agarwood. 

If you’re looking for a sexy and long-lasting beast, Gucci Intense Oud EDP is the men’s cologne you should be buying. 

Its sillage is strong and should get you compliments from even the most critical perfume aficionado. 

While its sweetness draws it a little to the feminine side, it retains a considerable amount of masculinity to keep it on the manly side of things. 

What’s more? It’s probably one of the cheapest options on this best perfume list which tells a great story every consumer shopping on a budget wants to hear. 

You can wear this Gucci oud cologne at any time of the year and to any occasion to ensure you’re the cynosure of all eyes wherever you go.

10. Bleu De Chanel

Call it the lady killer and describe it with whatever adjective you’d like to because this cologne deserves all the applause. 

Launched in 2010, this Chanel cologne has since become a household name and a favorite fragrance of numerous males out there. 

Its woody aromatic scent is simply irresistible and worthy of every single dollar you spend on it. 

Bleu De Chanel features a rich blend of interesting notes from the opening to the base. 

This masculine scent begins with notes of marine accord, pink pepper, vetiver, grapefruit, and lemon before peeling off to intense heart notes of jasmine, ginger, nutmeg, peppermint, labdanum, and cedarwood. 

After a while, its scent settles down to base notes of sandalwood, amber wood, New Caledonian sandalwood, ginger, and frankincense.

Beastly longevity, decent sillage, and great versatility, Bleu De Chanel features all the good stuff a perfume aficionado would want an eau de parfum or eau de toilette would have. 

With over 8 hours of a great performance guaranteed, you don’t have to worry about spraying a second time to regain the intensely sweet scent it exudes. 

Its sillage is moderate which is a good thing as it ensures its smell does not overpower your nose. 

Wear it to a date, the beach, while traveling or to a wedding ceremony, it doesn’t matter because Bleu De Chanel’s unique fragrance works for all occasions and is your best bet when you want to smell like heaven. 

Conclusion

With a large pool of top-quality men’s fragrances to choose from, compiling this best men’s cologne list was a challenging task. 

Arranging them from one to ten was not a piece of cake either. 

However, the difficulty in arranging these ten colognes shows just how good each one of them is. 

You’ll find options for summer or winter men’s cologne and a few others that can work all year. 

If you’re looking to add a bit of class and elegance to your outfits, then go ahead and choose one of the luxurious colognes listed above as your new signature scent.

It also won’t be difficult for you to find them as they’re always available in retail stores and online shops.

When choosing a scent though, we advise you to consider trying them out first in small quantities as some perfumes, no matter how good they are, may not smell as wonderful as you expect once you’ve applied it.

Luckily, most perfume shops offer testers so you can see if a certain cologne will work for you or not, and some are even sold in small travel bottles.

So, before buying the full bottle, you might want to go for the smaller quantities first; after all, you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on a perfume you wouldn’t be able to wear.

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