The 34 Best Perfumes & Colognes For Men In 2024

If you’re shopping for the best perfumes and colognes for men, then prepare to be overwhelmed. The amount of choice out there is enough to send even the most discerning gentlemen into a tailspin.

You are of course already across the best summer colognes and best winter colognes for men, but let’s take a broad approach here. No matter the season, it’s a good idea to get the lay of the land when it comes to what’s new out there in the ever-evolving world of fragrances so you can update and individualise your signature scent whenever you please.

I could have easily written a top 100 men’s perfumes list, but I settled for a tightly curated round-up taking you across the complete olfactory family. The following are my tried-and-tested favourites.

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Fragrances: The Beginner’s Guide

Keep scrolling after the list to read how we judge a perfume, fragrance or cologne. The men’s perfumes that impressed us the most have been included in this rolling list, which will be updated every few months.

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The 34 Best Perfumes And Colognes For Men In 2024

1. By Kilian Rolling In Love

Ever wanted to smell like a walking, talking red velvet cupcake? Kilian Rolling in Love is slightly similar to the iconic dessert. Don’t worry, it’s not that egregious.

For those who love their gourmand fragrances, this excellent scent is one of the most unique to pop up in the past few years with a moreish biscuity quality.

I’ve been wearing Rolling In Love regularly for a bit over a year now and am still impressed by how unique it is within my collection.

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2. Penhaligon’s Babylon

As a slight gourmand, primarily spicy Eau de Parfum from legendary UK perfume house Penhaligon’s, Babylon is rightfully considered one of the brand’s best in recent years alongside favourites like Penhaligon’s Luna and Penhaligon’s Halfeti

It has the old-world inspiration that defines Penhaligon’s Trade Routes collection, so expect a lot of spice from the opening with top notes of saffron, nutmeg, and coriander. The complexity of cypriol oil is the show-stealer here, skewing vanilla but also introducing a lot of smoke and wood for something that’s densely layered with some excellent projection.

This is my go-to if I want something uncompromisingly gourmand, with an overarching vanilla essence that wears well and lasts long.

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3. Frapin Attendre & Espérer

P. Frapin & Cie, ‘Attendre & Espérer’ takes its name from a choice line of dialogue uttered by Edmond Dantes – the dashing protagonist of Alexandre Dumas’s iconic historical novel, The Count of Monte Cristo (1844).

Fresh top notes of neroli and lemon rapidly give way to a heady concoction of cardamom and iris; delivering what Frapin’s perfumers describe as a ‘caramel beurre salé‘ heart. Upon repeat testing, I think this fragrance’s primary identity veers closer to pastry and baking spice. Fortunately, these notes are tempered with a base accord that’s plentifully stacked with Haitian vetiver.

Dry down is clean, gradual and ever so slightly on the sudsy side, making Attendre & Espérer a wonderful scent to wear for formal occasions.

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4. Creed Green Irish Tweed

Green Irish Tweed by legendary French house Creed is a classic scent and one of the most versatile in the game. Consider it like a crisp white sneaker; it goes with just about everything, which is why it has remained so beloved amongst Creed’s collection despite launching back in 1985.

Oliver Creed and Pierre Bourdon really set out to make a timeless scent that would remain relevant despite Creed’s ongoing output. And with this sensual fragrance, powered by top notes of lemon verbena and iris with heavy base notes of ambergris and sandalwood, they almost certainly succeeded.

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5. Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Jo Malone is one of the most popular fragrance brands in the world right now and you’d be hard-pressed to find either a man or woman who doesn’t have some of their signature scents sitting on their shelf.

That being said, there are certain Jo Malone perfumes that I actively hate. Jo Malone Fig & Cassis smells like pungent blue cheese, for example. And while that fruity scent might have its place for some people, it’s too divisive to take a risk on.

On the other hand. Joe Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne is a dreamy, sophisticated scent that hugs the skin tightly but still has this very soft, gentle projection that’s very pleasant. It’s a great unisex cologne and not too expensive either.

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6. Ormonde Jayne Byzance

A milky, leathery gourmand cologne for both men and women, Byzance is one of the most recent releases from London perfume house Ormonde Jayne and has an arresting scent that shows up best during those colder, crispier autumn and winter days.

It’s undoubtedly one of the top colognes for males and one which will boost confidence and give you a fragrance you’re proud to wear.

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7. Xerjoff Richwood

As part of their lavish Seventeen/Seventeen collection, Richwood is one of the newest expressions of Xerjoff’s mighty reputation and an exacting showcase for what the Italian luxury fragrance brand is capable of.

Created by top perfumer Jacques Flori, Richwood is another ideal autumn & winter men’s cologne that leaps from the likes of grapefruit and mandarin to rose and patchouli.

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8. Memo Irish Leather

Created by Alienor Massenet, the nose behind classics like Only the Brave by Diesel, and Homme Wild by Joop, this leathery men’s and women’s fragrance is a great expression of Parisian perfume house Memo.

Their Irish Leather fragrance is uniquely viable in all seasons, with a lot of fresh spicy and aromatic notes in the ingredients list.

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9. Amouage Enclave

Woody, spicy, and oriental, Enclave is a deeply complex and highly potent Eau de Parfum released as part of Amouage’s inspired Renaissance Collection.

Though it fetches a high price, it’s not hard to fall in love with this top scent, even if it’s via the trail of sillage left behind by a man wise enough to wear this fragrance in any season. It’s confidence manifest.

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10. Creed Aventus

House of Creed’s signature Aventus gets a recent refresh with a 10-year anniversary release, elevating the Maison’s most popular cologne for men to one of absolute beauty and incredible depth.

But it’s hard to get your hands on. Almost impossible right now. Fortunately, the original Creed Aventus reflects much of the same profile, and some actually prefer the pioneering perfume which tones down the herbaceous notes and lifts the fruitier ones.

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11. Bvlgari Man Wood Essence

Released in 2018, Bvlgari Man Wood Essence is a refined take on some of the brand’s classics, doubling down on woodiness and drawing on the immense talents of Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas.

Best seen as a balance between the classic man and the daring spirit, the profile has been carefully shaped towards something robust, full-bodied, and equally viable for morning commutes as it is for a romantic candlelit dinner.

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12. Amouage Lyric Man

While Amouage perfumes are always going to be super strong and divisive, Lyric Man is one of the few examples of the Omani house that I think is slightly restrained.

There’s a great sense of balance here as Daniel Visentin has dialled back the top notes of lime and bergamot to quickly make way for the bridge of rose, ginger, saffron and nutmeg.

With an anchor of musk, incense, pine tree, sandalwood and vanilla, this is very much an essential Amber Spicy fragrance if you’re looking for something a bit more elegant than those vanilla-bombs gourmand perfumes are made of.

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13. CoSTUME National Homme Parfum

CoSTUME National’s Homme Parfum was launched in 2020, defined by its love of sparkling grapefruit which hangs around well into the dry-down and is responsible for an incredible sillage.

Carefully shaped by Dominique Ropion with an image of the essential and timeless man in mind, this perfume is a top performer in the Boss Hunting office and a personal favourite.

The warmth emanating from this award-winning scent is fit for any season really, but those crispier autumn and winter days are where the fragrance shines the brightest. It’s essential if you recognise just how addictive the smell of grapefruit can be, contrasted beautifully with all the woody notes on the dry-down.

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14. Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat Rouge 540

Easily one of the most renowned and revered niche fragrances in history. Maison Francis Kurkdijan may not have the same history behind it as Creed or Amouage, but the LVMH brand, co-founded by Francis Kurkdijan and Marc Chaya in 2009, is nothing if not spectacularly reliable in the industry.

Baccarat Rouge 540 just may be the masterstroke from the brand, and while there are others worth your time and money, this perfume bottle should be your gateway to the label.

An elegant gourmand unisex fragrance, the romantic notes of jasmine and saffron are front-and-centre, flanked by cedar wood and the musky side of ambergris, keeping it simple and clean. Projection and longevity are unquestionable.

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15. Creed Viking Cologne

Creed’s newest perfume, Viking Cologne (an Eau de Parfum, despite the name) is the French perfume house’s attempt at redefining the classic summer fragrance.

The contemporary take on a citrus woody aromatic fougère moves away from the Icelandic fire & ice of its predecessor and draws on inspiration from the fjords of Norway.

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16. Penhaligon’s Halfeti Leather

A confident leather scent for all genders, Halfeti Leather comes from Christian Provenzano who has designed an intoxicating profile built with Levantine-inspired spice and a particular love of rose.

Warm, strong, and vigorous, this would be best expressed in the colder months but could really be seen as an all-year scent.

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17. Kenzo Homme EDP

Kenzo Homme Eau de Parfum is a strong echo of the ocean, with a gripping woody body that remains in complete harmony with the brand’s reputation in the world of perfumery.

If you want a fresh fragrance for those warmer, summer days, this perfume fuses woody marine with an irrepressible sensuality that not many could resist if they are looking for the very best colognes for men.

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18. Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey Pour Homme Intense

Dialling up the original L’eau D’Issey fragrance is this bold, beautiful EDT from Issey Miyake, skewing much warmer, and darker in composition.

The wonderful notes of spice play well with bright citrus, creating a flirty, slightly smoky profile that completely redefines the original but still plays into the same nose that made the original fragrance one of Issey Miyake’s most renowned scents.

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19. Goldfield & Banks Bohemian Lime

Australia’s first luxury fragrance house, Goldfield & Banks, has put out this seductive and romantic perfume that’s perfect for those who love their citrus-forward scents.

Obviously, this perfume for men is going to be best worn in summer and spring, with a big tropical body said to evoke an image of native citrus trees drawing life from nearby cascading waterfalls – modern, exotic, and intense.

It’s a complex fragrance that deserves attention, right alongside some of Goldfield & Banks’ other highlights like Pacific Rock Moss, Sunset Hour, White Sandalwood and Silky Woods.

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20. Clive Christian Jump Up & Kiss Me Hedonistic

While the poetic name, inspired by Shakespeare, may sound a bit odd at first, it’ll soon make sense once you get a whiff of this exceptional unisex perfume.

Clive Christian has long been known as one of those rare labels that could justify charging such high prices, with the British perfumer steadily delivering these incredibly high-end fragrances that manage to be expressive and concise despite making use of a huge amount of ingredients.

Hedonistic is no exception, with a long list of opening, heart and base notes all perfectly dialled in as the ultimate Amber fragrance, validating the very fine work by Julie Pluchet who has worked with heavy-hitters like bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, neroli, cherry, orris, amber, tonka bean, vanilla, sandalwood and… you get the point. It’s a heavy bill but a very sophisticated and focused scent.

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21. Maison Crivelli Bois Datchai

France’s legendary Maison Crivelli looked to capture the experience of enjoying spicy black tea (or even more earthy green tea) and wild berries in the heart of a primitive forest, making Bois Datchai an attractive, smoky, and exotic Eau de Parfum perfect for any season.

If you like your woody fruity aromas, this gorgeous, slightly hedonistic and extravagant fragrance is tough to ignore.

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22. Parfums de Marly Pegasus Exclusif

A celebration of strength and masculinity, Pegasus Exclusif is an Eau de Parfum of great depth and intensity from the seductive French house Parfums de Marly.

Layers of pink pepper and bergamot play beautifully with the underlying oriental character of vanilla and bitter almond before the fragrance dries down into an exotic woody base. It’s one of the most decadent offerings Parfums de Marly has ever put into the wide world of men’s colognes & fragrances.

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23. BDK Parfums Sel d’Argent

No fragrance coming from this Parisian independent house is ever going to miss the mark, and Sel d’Argent is certainly aligned with that golden reputation.

Serenity and harmony have been captured beautifully by this Eau de Parfum, aiming straight for those summer days with pure masculinity and luxury in a bottle and a true olfactory sensation – one of the best options for men’s perfume.

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24. Amouage Interlude Black Iris

Another entry from this Omani perfume house, Interlude Black Iris is a show of pure force from Amouage.

The amber woody fragrance was designed by Pierre Negrin, who sought a base of great length, texture, and masculinity with the expressive notes of leather, agarwood smoke, patchouli, sandalwood, and cedar.

Lately, we’ve also been quite taken with Amouage Boundless, which we highlighted recently as part of our Fragrance Fridays series.

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25. Dior Sauvage

As one of the best-selling fragrances of our time, Sauvage is still considered a pinnacle achievement for the brand. How Dior arrived at this timeless formula is the kind of often imitated, never duplicated lightning in a bottle that no perfume collection could really do without.

The balance of raw masculine power and a fresh and playful sweetness is key to why this cologne works so well. Francois Demachy really can do no wrong when it comes to a good, reliable fragrance.

Go for the 30ml if you want an affordable men’s cologne that’ll do wonders for your style.

RELATED: Dior Sauvage Sales Are Through The Roof Because Of Johnny Depp

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26. Serge Lutens Clair de Musc

A minimalist gender-neutral fragrance from one of the most reliable in the business. Clair de Musc comes from Serge Lutens with a particular love of soft, musky scents that consistently keep light but fresh from top to dry down.

The delicate floral fragrance is one of many from Serge Lutens that always sell magnificently well and for good reason.

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27. Acqua di Parma Colonia

If you like citrus notes, you’re going to want Colonia by Acqua di Parma. No ifs, buts or maybes here. This iconic fragrance has been around since 1916.

The timeless, enduring eau de cologne has stood the test of time for very good reason, still positioned as one of the best men’s perfumes you can buy and an exceptional capture of the La Dolce Vita lifestyle from one of Italy’s preeminent luxury brands.

Crafted from sunny Sicilian citrus fruits, the body captures the elegance of the Italian coast, best expressed by the refined woody base notes of vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli.

Sometimes it’s an older fragrance that’ll do the best job, but if you want a fresh, refined scent then look toward the recently launched Aqua di Parma Colonia C.L.U.B – a homage to the original citrusy scent and a damn good one too.

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28. Tom Ford Oud Wood

What happens when Tom Ford meets oud? It was only a matter of time before the style god anchored one of his fragrances with agarwood, and he clearly set out to make this one of the standouts in the highly sought Tom Ford range of men’s colognes & fragrances.

Oud Wood is a stunning scent for those occasions which call for a powerful, masculine, and undeniably sexy fragrance.

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29. Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky

1 Million Lucky deserves to be one of the most popular men’s fragrances in Paco Rabanne’s range. It just may be the best they’ve ever put out – perfect for spontaneous date nights and those occasions that demand you make a strong first impression; top notes include bergamot, while the base shines of vetiver.

The night-appropriate scent is arresting with its heady combination of tart fruits and rich woods, presenting a complex fragrance with a deep, and exotic body that gets over well in any season.

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30. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Silk Mood

From the Bulgarian rose to the underlying oud, this is one seriously sexy men’s cologne with an uncompromising approach to seduction.

It’s the type of scent that Neil Strauss would write an entire book about, with Maison Francis Kurkdijan achieving a precise balance between haute parfumerie traditionalism and bold modernism.

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31. Montblanc Legend

Montblanc Legend has been at the forefront of men’s cologne for 10 years now – a testament to how timeless Olivier Pescheux’s design has been.

The head-turning fragrance is complex and delicately scented parfumerie top notes include bergamot, verbena, and lavender – a strong opening with an even strong finish. Base notes boil down to the seductive notes of sandalwood, Tonka and evernyl.

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32. Matière Premiere Parisian Musc

Parisian Musc is an excellent woody musk Eau de Parfum authored by Aurélien Guichard with a particular focus on the ambrette seed from Peru.

Keeping it very simple in terms of ingredients, the men’s fragrance has all the signature beats from Guichard, shaped with great sensitivity and a desire for generous projection.

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33. Mizensir Golden Oud

Postured so magnificently by perfumer Alberto Morillas, Golden Oud is considerably rich and smoky, though restrained enough to delicately allow the smaller details, like balsamic notes, to project.

The softness is helped greatly by frankincense and Bulgarian rose, while Amyris wood and cetalox give the body a nice, rounded texture and more than just a hint of sensuality.

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34. Bleu De Chanel Parfum

An adventurous scent from the famous fashion house Chanel, this “ode to masculine freedom” has been around for years and remains an incredibly popular choice for everyday wear eau de toilette thanks to its pure, deep character.

Spritz on a bit of Chanel bleu and you’ll open yourself and others up to a scent defined by its citrus accord with vetiver and pink pepper on the top, grapefruit, dry cedar notes, and labdanum in the middle, and frankincense, ginger, and sandalwood in the closing.

This masculine scent rarely fails, even if you are opting for an eau de toilette over a stronger fragrance.

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How We Test Men’s Perfumes

Here at the Boss Hunting office, we’re lucky enough to be able to go hands-on with the products that we write about. Perfume is one of the most frequent products delivered to our office and each time a bottle ends up in our hands we simply test it out and asses it over a few weeks.

During the testing period, one or a few of us would typically commit to wearing each perfume over a few days. Not only does this give a chance to see how it “wears” (so the speak) but also if the scent attracts the inevitable compliments. Because, let’s be real, a big part of the reason men wear luxury fragrances is to attract attention and assert presence.

If a fragrance would work well in layering, then we like to experiment with mixing and matching different perfumes to see if we can create a new signature scent that we’re happy with.

After all, one of the primary reasons men would wear fragrances is to get compliments, thereby validating this underrated element of style. Most likely, you’re either looking through this list of the best men’s perfumes because you are either looking for a great fit or you’re wondering what scent will help you make an impression on those around you.

In terms of release date, I’ve decided to open up the floor to both new and old fragrances. Even if it was released 15 years ago, it may appear on this list because I feel like the overall scent profile still stands up against some of the more modern niche fragrances from the likes of Kilian, Maison Francis Kurkdijan and Roja Parfums.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cologne or fragrance for men?

That really depends on the season, but you can’t go wrong with the legendary Sauvage by Dior, Enclave by Amouage, Jump Up & Kiss Me Hedonistic by Clive Christian and CoSTUME National Homme Parfum.

What is an affordable men's cologne or fragrance?

No one said you have to open your wallet generously to grab a good men’s cologne. Go for CoSTUME National Homme and 1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne if you want great value.

What men's cologne smells the best?

Typically, colognes from the Middle East are some of the most powerful in the world so anything from Amouage will have incredible power and projection. 1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne is popular for a reason, as is CoSTUME National Homme.

What's a good eau de toilette for men?

If you’re looking for an eau de toilette go for Bleu De Chanel Parfum eau de toilette, or the Montblanc Legend eau de toilette.