It’s hard to find a signature scent that you love. Now, try finding that same scent on a budget; it’s nearly impossible because the so-called best colognes can cost hundreds of dollars. Remember: In the 18th century, only noblemen and the upper class had the clout to wear fancy colognes. But these days, standards for the best cheap colognes are, thankfully, much higher.
Scent is one of the key factors in attraction—ever heard of pheromones? It also plays a big role in your confidence, and should always be in your grooming regimen. You feel more confident when wearing your favorite outfit—the same goes for cologne. When you smell good, you have more assuredness to engage in new conversations, push your comfort zone, and try new things.
But you don’t want to smell cheap, no matter what price you’re paying. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the all-around best cheap colognes for men that smell much richer than their price tags. We’ve included options here for everyone; so, whether you’re looking for a summery beach cologne, or a candlelight dinner option, or a blast from the past, we’ve got you covered.
Related: How to Make Your Cologne Last Much, Much Longer
10 Best Cheap Colognes For Men
Nautica Voyage
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The masculine, fruit-forward scent works for everyday situations. Green apple, mimosa, and water lotus generate a bold, aquatic-inspired fragrance. Normally, a 3.4-ounce bottle goes for $63. But right now Amazon has a deep discount ($16!) on an already affordable cologne. With more than 95,000 ratings, it’s easy to see why Nautica Voyage remains a classic.
Polo Blue
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Despite not being as long-lasting as some, the aroma projects nicely for the first few hours. When it comes to green or aquatic scents, Polo Blue is a classic scent that almost everyone knows. A 125ml bottle of the eau de parfum is priced at $140 and is both engravable and refillable. Also refillable, the eau de toilette exudes mandarian, vetiver, and upcycled oakwood; get a 150ml refill for just $75.
Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger
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The namesake fragrance has been around since 1995, when in some ways we didn’t know how good we had it. Modern notes include mint, grapefruit, Granny Smith apple, cranberry, and the unusual cactus. Tommy smells like youth, like the first time you skateboarded or kissed someone in the rain or listened to Third Eye Blind. Though it smells great, the scent only lasts for a few hours. Still, priced at $30 for a 3.4-ounce bottle, it’s the gift that keeps on giving—unlike your youth.
Blu Atlas Atlantis Eau de Parfum
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The well-reviewed fresh and sensual Blu Atlas Atlantis Eau de Parfum has notes ranging from orange-y bergamot to more potent musk. Just a whiff will transport anyone to tropical adventures, but it’s good for all seasons, and the skin—it’s paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalates-free. Even better, it’s manufactured in the U.S. Atlantis’s natural and subtle scent smells great, and priced at $100 for a 100ml bottle, it’s a smart investment.
Guess Seductive Homme
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Guess is one of the world’s most recognized clothing brands, but it also manufactures a warm, inexpensive cologne. The notes roam all over—cashmere wood, moss, rippled sand, blue coral, caviar, and black pepper—which makes this one special. However, the scents don’t last long. But at $22 a bottle, you can splurge on extra spritzes.
Liz Claiborne Curve for Men
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Like Guess, clothing brand Liz Claiborne has a fine fragrance. This edgy, versatile, and magnetic cologne opens with notes of pineapple, lavender, neroli, lemon, and juniper berries. In the middle, it brings in a few more sensual-leaning notes such as sage, coriander, cardamom, ginger, and cactus. Finally, the base notes have a woodsy touch that gives masculine appeal. You’ll also notice musk, sandalwood, mahogany, cedar, amber, and vetiver. It’s available in 0.5 ounces, a 1-ounce trial size, and a 2.5-ounce travel size, so you can take it wherever you go. But for less than $25, go ahead and purchase 4.2 ounces.
Calvin Klein CK One
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Since launching in 1994, the citrusy, unisex Calvin Klein CK One has been a bestseller, raking in millions every year. Notes of refreshing green tea, papaya, pineapple, and stronger end notes of musk and amber make for a well-rounded experience. And for less than $90, it falls somewhere between frugal and midrange.
Versace Pour Homme
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Versace Pour Homme opens with strong citrus scents of bergamot, lemon, citron of Diamante, bitter orange leaves, neroli, and lemon. Then it moves a bit away from the citrus scent into more of a floral one—with notes of hyacinth, clary sage, cedar, and geranium. The base remains traditional, like many other fragrances, with notes of tonka bean, musk, and oud wood. It’s a confident and sophisticated luxury scent at a reasonable price tag: $140 for 200ml and $79 for 50ml.
Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir
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According to Drakkar Noir’s website, “The Drakkar Noir man embodies strength, insolence, and emotion.” Maybe the emotional aspect—and the familiar black bottle—is why fans have been purchasing this sensual, vintage fragrance since 1982. It contains 20 different notes, including citrus and floral. Priced at $20 for a 1.7-ounce bottle, Drakkar Noir is always cheap and is always in style.
Pour Un Homme de Caron
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The light green bottle is filled with wafting scents of vanilla and lavender. Some wearers say the lavender can be overpowering. At 61 percent lavender, maybe it’s true. However, Caron sources the lavender from the fields in Sault, Provence, so it’s good stuff. The brand offers six quantities, including 75ml for under $100.
Related: 5 Best Colognes for Men to Wear Now Aren’t Made for Men
How We Picked
There are what feels like millions of colognes out there. Without testing each and every one, it’s hard to know how long they’ll last or what the scent is truly like. With that said, there are a few things in particular that you should note when purchasing a cheap cologne.
Scent
The most obvious factor is the scent. Yes, obviously cologne is really all about the scent—so if you don’t like it… What’s the point? To better understand fragrances, and have a basic comprehension of the language we’ll use when discussing these products, we should go over the four major fragrance families as they’re known in the industry: fresh, floral, woodsy, and oriental. You may already have a basic idea about what some of them smell like (we’re looking at you, floral), and have no idea about others (perhaps oriental, a muddled word at best).
Generally speaking, fresh colognes are made for warmer weather. You’ll have notes of citrus, geranium, and sea salt in the fresh fragrance family. The closest relation to fresh scents is floral—another summery or springtime scent. In the floral family, you have notes that you’d expect, like fresh berries, fruits, lavender, and rose.
In direct contrast to the floral and fresh families, we have two scents that are superior for colder weather. In the oriental family, you’ll have warm undertones of spice, incense, and patchouli. Oriental scents are typically romantic and perfect for a night out on the town. Similar, but different is the woodsy family—the apex of the manly cologne. Amber, leather, and sandalwood create a deeply textured aroma that’s so prevalent in woodsy colognes.
Size
Yes, size does matter—at least when it comes to cologne. When you’re looking for a cheap cologne, you need to take into consideration the size of the bottle. Sure, you can get a Tom Ford cologne for $20, but you’ll only get one measly ounce out of it. That said, you want the best value for your money—meaning the largest size bottle for the lowest price by volume.
Longevity
Often overlooked when buying cheap cologne is longevity. Longevity refers to the duration of your cologne—or how long it lasts during each application. Sure, you can have the best-smelling cologne in the world, but what’s the point if the scent only projects for an hour? (Unless you happen to be looking specifically for a light, temporary scent, or don’t mind reapplying.)
So, what exactly makes a fragrance last? We found a few things in the ingredients that mattered. Colognes that were paraben-free, and made with concentrated premium ingredients, lasted longer than those without.
But that wasn’t all we learned. Another thing that plays a big role in how long a cologne lasts is how you apply it. For the best results, spray your cologne right on after your shower. Since your skin will be smooth and supple, the cologne will cling to your skin, increasing its longevity. And who doesn’t want to smell great long into the night, not knowing where it might take you?
Related: The Best Fragrance ‘Dupes’ Nearly Match Designer Colognes 10X Their Price