5 Best Summer Colognes for Men in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
You would think that finding the perfect summer cologne is an easy task, but that is far from true.
Just like when picking a type of fragrance, summer colognes present many options to choose from, making you confused.
You could go ahead and try out each one until you find the one that suits you best, but do you have the resources for that expensive trial and error approach?
You don’t have to go through all of that as I have put together some of the best summer colognes for men that you can find.
Smelling good and looking your best aren’t just for the ladies and as a man of style, you need to have an exquisite smell when you step out to complement your dashing looks.
What better way to do this than to wear the perfume that best suits you?
No matter your style, budget, or preference, you will find something that is perfect for you in this list of best summer colognes for men.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Summer 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).
- Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct
- Issey Miyake L’eau Bleue D’Issey
- Nautica Voyage
Top 5 Best Summer Colognes for Men – Our Reviews:
1. Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct
First on my list of the best summer colognes for men is First Instinct by Abercrombie & Fitch.
First released in 2016, it has since been a top choice among men and is one fragrance that ensures you have a summertime to remember.
First Instinct is an oriental fragrance that comes in a beautifully designed glass bottle that lets you see the silvery liquid contained within.
This best-selling summer fragrance is simply love at first sight.
It opens with pleasant top notes of gin, tonic, and melon which fill the air around you and you just can’t help but fall in love at first whiff.
The top notes settle and the lingering middle notes of spicy Szechuan pepper, citrus, and violet leaf take over.
After a while, it dries down to its base notes of amber and musk.
First Instinct’s expertly blended notes all result in something amazing and lovely that doesn’t only refresh you on a hot summer day but also turns heads in your direction.
Pros
- Great projection
- Pleasant smell
- Nice packaging
- Good price
- Long-lasting fragrance
Cons
- It is a scent most suited for youthful men so those who love mature fragrances would have to look elsewhere
2. Issey Miyake L’eau Bleue D’Issey
This one has always been an entry when it comes to best summer fragrances for men, which is something totally understandable since the fragrance of Issey Miyake L’eau Bleue D’issey Pour Homme will blow your mind.
Reminiscent of Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi, it opens with citrus notes of lime and mandarin orange, which smoothly blend with the earthy note of rosemary.
The beautiful top notes move on to heart notes of juniper berries, ginger, pink pepper, and cypress.
This best-selling summer eau de toilette then ends its fragrance transition with base notes of patchouli, amber, cedar, and sandalwood which come together to give you a fresh and pleasant scent.
Apart from its unique fragrance, another feature of this Issey Miyake eau de parfum is its iconic blue bottle.
L’Eau Bleue d’Issey’s packaging is eye-catching and gives you a sort of confidence in the fragrance of the juice contained within.
Pros
- Fresh and clean scent perfect for summer
- Best as an everyday wear
- Great bottle design
- Long-lasting fragrance
Cons
- Projection dies down pretty fast
3. Nautica Voyage
Since its launch in 2006, Nautica Voyage eau de parfum has always been one of the best summer perfumes for men.
Its bottle color and fragrance remind you of the sea and makes you have good thoughts on how to spend your summer, so it is safe to say that your summer memories are not complete without Nautica Voyage.
This Nautica fragrance begins with notes of green leaf and the scent of fresh-cut apples.
Its one beautiful mixture of top notes then moves on after a while to the intoxicating heart notes of mimosa and water lotus before settling in with the masculine base notes of amber, musk, moss, and cedarwood.
This summer fragrance is often compared to Armani’s Acqua di Gio and some summer colognes from the Acqua di Parma, but Voyage boasts a better and longer performance.
There is no better choice than Nautica Voyage for a day on the beach, a stroll at the park, or an evening outing.
When it’s about summer fragrances for men, this is one best-selling eau de toilette often found somewhere near the top of any list.
Pros
- It has a fresh summery fragrance
- Versatile and suits every occasion
- Its scent is not overpowering and is great for those with a sensitive nose
- Decent price
Cons
- Its projection isn’t strong
4. Nautica Classic
Nautica Classic is a summer choice with a bold fragrance that is made of floral and woodsy notes.
You will enjoy the performance and compliments this summer fragrance gives you as you wear it for all events whether day or night.
Yes, it is that versatile.
Also, no need to reapply during the day too because its scent can last long enough to take you through, no matter how hot the summer gets.
With top notes of lavender and rose, the powdery opening of this fragrance stays on you for a while and then moves on to its earthy moss notes which linger and give pleasure to your nose and that of those around you.
It then settles to a warm base of musk and amber, forming an exhilarating scent.
Like Voyage, Nautica Classic is also often compared with and deemed a better buy than summer scents from Acqua di Parma when budget and longevity are both put on the table.
Pros
- Clean masculine fragrance
- Great bottle design
- Cheap price
- Versatile summer fragrance and good for everyday use
Cons
- Longevity could be improved
5. Versace Man Eau Fraiche
I’ll wrap these reviews with the Versace Man Eau Fraiche.
It is a great summer fragrance and has an aquatic scent that is enthralling and makes men wear it all year round.
Its beautiful bottle is also pleasing to the eyes, holding a beautiful blend of expertly picked notes.
Versace Men Eau Fraiche opens with top notes of lemon, star fruit, Brazilian rosewood, lime, and cardamom before mellowing down to mid notes of cedar, pepper, sage, and tarragon.
After a while, the fragrance settles down to base notes of musk, amber, and sycamore which artfully combine to create an everyday scent.
Pros
- A great all year round wear but perfect for summer
- Good projection
- Good sillage
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey
Conclusion
From the great collection of summer colognes for men available today, I have selected these 5 based on reviews and outstanding performance to give you something that is unique and a compliment-getter.
It’s not easy coming up with this list of best summer fragrances and I must say I had to make tough choices as other new men’s colognes, like Armani Acqua di Gio and Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi, came mighty close.
The Italian fashion and lifestyle company, Acqua di Parma, is also another strong contender with their wide range of summer colognes pour homme.
However, most Acqua di Parma summer perfumes are on the pricey side, so when budget comes into the picture, they get knocked over by the Nautica colognes.
There is something here for every age, style, and pocket.
So, when next you go to buy a really good summer cologne for men, make your choice out of these top summer picks and you will be glad you did.
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