The Best Perfumes for Men in 2024

No matter your vibe, a great men’s perfume can elevate your everyday look.

Whether you want to upgrade your ordinarily rugged outfits with an understated perfume, need a real head turner for the dating scene, or want to dress up a suit with an alluring, luxe scent, the right perfume will help you achieve your vision. And because the perfume industry is worth billions of dollars with thousands upon thousands of fragrances on the market, it can take a lot of work to narrow down your top contenders. 

But don’t worry. We’ve done it for you. From masculine woody scents to alluring spice-centered fragrances to crisp citrus colognes, there’s something waiting for you. Among these top picks, you’re bound to find one (or a few) that is so you. 

Now let’s take a look at the best perfumes for men in 2024.

1. Blu Atlas Atlantis

If you need a fresh, masculine cologne but don’t know where to start—start here. Atlantis by Blu Atlas is a poetic take on adventure and wanderlust. Inspired by the sights and scents of Bali, Atlantis transports you to the island’s pristine coastal jungles. 

Energetic top notes of bergamot, lemon, and blackcurrant make for the perfect citrus opening before progressing into an equally exciting heart of lavender, clary sage, peach, and apricot. 

This enthralling blend of herbs and fruit is bright, juicy, and well-balanced. Its mellow base of orris, oakmoss, violet, ambrette seed, and musk solidifies Atlantis as the best perfume for men. Atlantis is never in your face or over the top, but it still has excellent projection and longevity. 

You never know where your path will take you, but with Atlantis, you at least know you’ll smell clean and cool wherever you go. What’s more? Blu Atlas formulated their signature fragrance with premium, clean, vegan ingredients. So you won’t find phthalates, parabens, or synthetic dyes lurking inside.

2. Tom Ford Ombre Leather 

You might not have that motorcycle yet, but Ombre Leather will give you that badass biker vibe. It captures the distinct heat of black leather and amplifies it with fragrant violet leaves, green tobacco, clean white florals, and yummy cedarwood.

It’s definitely not a cheap or synthetic-smelling leather – it is Tom Ford, after all. Rather, it’s rich, luxurious, and slightly sweet (thanks to the addition of florals). Consider this one of the best leather fragrances of all time. Bonus: The chic matte black bottle embossed with white faux leather looks fantastic on your nightstand or dresser.

3. Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Eau de Parfum

Unlock your warm and spicy side with Dolce & Gabbana’s The One. Their signature fragrance, launched in 2008, became an instant hit. This EDP version came out later in 2015; it still holds that signature DNA but on a deeper, more intense scale. 

It starts off fresh and elegant with top notes of basil, grapefruit, and coriander. As you dive deeper into the fragrance, the warmer it gets. A heart of ginger, orange blossom, and cardamom ramps up the heart before settling into a sensual base of tobacco, amber, and cedarwood. 

Rich and seductive, this is a 10 out of 10 date night fragrance. Wear it on cold fall and winter nights to keep you warm. 

4. Hermès H24 Eau de Toilette

This lively, fresh cologne is one of Hermès’ finest. It draws inspiration from the contemporary man, utilizing natural and synthetic notes to capture this invigorating, daring energy. This is the most metallic fragrance on our list, which means it’s crisp, cool, and so clean it almost feels sterile. If you’re not deep in the fragrance world, the initial idea of ‘metallic’ scents might sound off-putting. That is, of course, until you smell them.

Many men are attracted to metallic scents since they are often luxe, unique, and masculine. The cologne’s metallic edge is balanced by fresh clary sage, soft narcissus, and the floral, woodsy nature of rosewood.

5. Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza

A sophisticated take on the brand’s signature Colonia fragrance, Colonia Essenza is not afraid to get deep. It opens with unmistakably Italian notes – lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin, and petitgrain – that are fresh and bring a sharpness to the cologne right out of the gate. A heart of rose, jasmine, and clove adds a touch of intrigue and elegance before heading to the grand finale. The dry down is all about woods, with hints of vetiver, musk, amber, and patchouli.

This is an eau de cologne, so it won’t have the same longevity as an EDT or EDP. But like all Acqua di Parma fragrances, it’s classy and of exceptional quality.

6. Parfums de Marly Layton

Most fragrances are hit or miss – not everyone will love them. As one of the best perfumes for men, Layton is universally cherished (seriously, good luck finding someone that doesn’t like it). It creates a sensorial experience with juicy top notes of apple, bergamot, and lavender and an elegant floral heart composed of jasmine, geranium, and violet. But it’s the ambery dry down that will make you fall in love with this fragrance. 

Vanilla, pepper, guaiac wood, and patchouli capture the caramelized warmth of vanilla alongside creamy woods. The finish is soft and timeless. This is one of those pleasant, inoffensive scents you can wear almost anywhere, from the bar to the office to a date night.

7. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris l’Homme À la rose

Who said men can’t wear rose? Ingeniously crafted by the Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrance house, l’Homme À la rose is one of the best perfumes for men – and yes, it’s floral. This masculine reinterpretation of the traditionally feminine rose features notes of juicy grapefruit, green herbal sage, and warm amber woods.

Rose, of course, is the hero here. Centifolia rose is delicate and complex with hints of honey, while Damascena rose is slightly spicy and fruity, with tinges of pear and raspberry. Both are soft and high-quality. They also take on a more masculine aroma thanks to their crisp green freshness.

8. Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Toilette

With its crisp, cooling nature, it’s no wonder that YSL’s Y has become a staple in so many men’s routines. Notable notes include sage, lavender, geranium, and incense that leave a sensuous scent trail from start to finish. It leads you from fresh citrus and aromatics to juicy fruits all the way to those characteristically masculine notes of musk, cedar, vetiver, and balsam fir. Y is clean, youthful, and inoffensive. It is more of a daytime scent, so wear it to the gym, office, at home, or anywhere else you run off to. 

9. Tom Ford Noir Extreme Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford strikes again with Noir Extreme. This uber decadent blend of heat, spices, citrus, and creamy amber is sexiness bottled. Its spicy opening – cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, mandarin, and neroli – blends seamlessly with the middle floral notes and deep, rich base. One note you might not be familiar with is kulfi, a scent based on an Indian dessert that picks up notes of vanilla and cardamom. 

Noir Extreme has a bit of sweetness but in a creamy, sensual way. A little goes a long way with this one, so the bottle will last you a while. Spritz a few sprays before date night or cuddling up with your lover, and you’re good to go. 

10. Givenchy Gentleman Eau de Parfum Réserve Privée

A superstar fragrance from Givenchy’s Gentleman lineup, the Gentleman Eau de Parfum Réserve Privée is warm, ambery, and woodsy. It’s a whisky-inspired fragrance, so you get that booziness from the whiskey note, but it’s not overly intoxicating. Chestnut and iris shine in the middle notes, creating an unexpected (but enticing) blend of chocolate and nuts. Amber and cedarwood on the dry down add hints of vanilla, cream, and woods. Not to mention, the longevity and performance of this EDP are seriously impressive.

11. Louis Vuitton Imagination

Making its way into the fragrance game is Louis Vuitton. And with drops like Imagination, LV will certainly be one to watch. Talk about a crowd-pleaser. Imagination opens like all good citrus colognes do, with a burst of Calabrian bergamot, citron, and Sicilian orange. It adds warmth and spice with Nigerian ginger, Tunisian neroli, and Ceylon cinnamon before an imaginative base of ambrox (a sensual ambery accord), Chinese black tea, and Sicilian cedar. 

No, you’re not dreaming. Imagination really smells that good with loads of ambrox that harmonizes alongside citrus and tea. It’s smooth, light, and super pleasing. Essentially, it’s summer in a bottle. 

12. The Nue Co Mind Energy

New from The Nue Co, Mind Energy is an invigorating blend of clary sage, juniper, pink peppercorn, geranium, and clove. But it’s not all about smelling good. The warm spices literally stimulate neural pathways to enhance mental performance, clear brain fog, and increase your energy levels (hence the name). 

This is one of the best perfumes for men who want a functional fragrance. Not only is it formulated with vegan, non-toxic ingredients, but it makes you feel more focused and ready to take on the day. Throw this in your work bag or keep it by your desk for whenever you want a caffeine-free pick-me-up. 

13. Bon Parfumeur Eau de Parfum 001

Let’s take it back to the basics—elevated basics, that is. With Bon Parfumeur’s Eau de Parfum 001, you get a refreshing scent that also happens to be cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients (win-win). It celebrates timeless, fresh fragrance notes such as citrus, herbs, white florals, and musk.

A bright blend of bergamot, citron, mandarin, and rosemary kicks it off before dissipating into the balmy heart of neroli, petitgrain, jasmine, and lavender. Its base of orange blossom and musk is airy yet comforting. Consider this your citrus comfort blanket. Wear 001 on its own or get experimental and layer it with your other favorite perfumes.

14. Byredo Mister Marvelous Eau de Parfum

One of Byredo’s best-selling perfumes for men, Mister Marvelous is a citrus-led twist on a woodsy, masculine fragrance. Bergamot, mandarin leaves, and neroli flower are delectable in the opening, packing that citrus punch. A heart of bamboo and lavender is clean and gentlemanly, while its base of amber and a strong dose of cedarwood is outdoorsy. Don’t judge a book by its cover: This one is so much more than just a citrus cologne. 

15. Versace Dylan Blue Pour Homme 

Amidst the vast category of blue fragrances, Dylan Blue stands out as a modern, refreshing cologne that perfectly encapsulates the sensations of the Mediterranean. This masculine masterpiece includes notes of Calabrian bergamot, grapefruit, fig leaf, and marine notes, so you immediately get the sense of cool aquatics. 

Black pepper, papyrus wood, patchouli, and violet leaf add depth and maturity to the fragrance’s heart. The dry down is a dream with mingling notes of incense, musk, saffron, and tonka bean. This is a great buy for young guys who want a fresh, crowd-pleasing fragrance that can be worn anywhere and everywhere.

16. Heretic Dirty Hinoki 

A fascinating blend of grounding Japanese Hinoki wood, aromatics, and (you guessed it) more woods, Dirty Hinoki is like taking a walk through an ancient untampered forest. You get lemon, cedar, nutmeg, thyme, and pine on the opening, so a sense of woods is already present. Hinoki and cypress are the heart of this fragrance, giving it its characteristic aroma. 

On the dry down, you’ll find a blend of woods, including elemi resin, wormwood, fir, and balsam. The overall effect is quite meditative, thanks to the inclusion of calm notes like thyme and frankincense. If you gravitate towards woody fragrances, add this to your cart.

17. Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Club Eau de Parfum

Here’s an invitation to Ralph’s Club. This powerful and alluring scent builds around fresh, woody notes that are unmistakably masculine. On its opening, you’ll smell grapefruit, lavandin (a potent lavender-like scent), and an apple accord. Clary sage, geranium, and orange blossom make up the heart, while a base of Virginian cedarwood, Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and cashmeran is warm and inviting. 

Ralph’s Club has an aromatic presence that is fresh and earthy and a woods dry down that is modern and mature. Grown men flock to this fragrance (we don’t recommend it for young guys just starting out with cologne), as do the ladies. 

18. Montblanc Legend Eau de Parfum

Montblanc’s most legendary perfume (see what we did there?), Legend, is an ode to the iconic masculine scent—leather. While the original Legend fragrance is well-loved, the EDP version has more depth, nuance, and longevity compared to the EDT. 

Montblanc balances the fragrant burst of bergamot and violet with the laidback freshness of woods, jasmine, and magnolia. The trail of woods and clean florals continues into the base, where notes of damp oakmoss and smoky leather shine.

This is a go-to scent for many guys because it’s easy to pull off. The fragrance is clean yet masculine and has superb projection and longevity. Oh, and did we mention ladies love this scent? It has one of the best combinations of citrus, woods, and earth you’ll find. For the price and compliment factor, you really can’t beat it. 

19. Malin+Goetz Dark Rum Eau de Parfum

You’ll love this aromatic ode to bay rum if you’re into masculine, boozy perfumes. Dark Rum is a fresh, modern take on rum’s traditionally dark, spicy aroma. It opens with bergamot, plum, and anise. Plum is a standout note in men’s perfume; it lends a lush fruitiness that is sweet and sensual and pairs perfectly with the booziness of rum. 

Leather, rum, and vanilla are a warm, alluring combination that fuses with a base of patchouli, amber, and milk. The timeline is soft, boozy, and fruity. You can wear it all day long in the chill fall and winter months or as a date night scent in spring and summer. 

20. D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass

One of D.S. & Durga’s most triumphant fragrances, Cowboy Grass is inspired by the wild American West’s sights, smells, and adventures. You get a sense of the western landscape with notes like wild thyme, sagebrush, and grass. Note: You will get the smell of grasses, shrubbery, and herbs upon application. 

The scent is truly unique, balancing the ashiness of thyme and vetiver with the freshness of bergamot and the warmth of benzoin. Cowboy Grass is a great summer scent that is surprisingly wearable. You don’t have to live on the west coast to enjoy its outdoorsy, grassy vibe that is ideal for daytime wear.

21. Floris Honey Oud Eau de Parfum

Sweet like honey. Honey Oud by Floris combines precious ingredients like honey, rose, and oud wood into a smooth fragrance formula that is soft and luxurious on the skin. Bergamot adds a freshness to honey’s inherent sweetness in the opening. As the top notes fade, oud, patchouli, and rose come front and center. 

The oud continues in the dry down alongside amber, labdanum, musk, and vanilla. Delicious enough to eat, this is one of the most comforting scents on our list. The luxurious oud backdrop progresses throughout the fragrance timeline, softened by the powdery florals, musk, and golden honey. If you’re looking for a realistic honey scent, this is it. 

22. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt

One of the most iconic Jo Malone scents, Wood Sage & Sea Salt is everything you want in a beachy aquatic fragrance. The harmonious blend of sea salt, marine notes, and seaweed is fresh and textural. The scent is deepened with sage, ambrette seeds, and juicy grapefruit. 

The overall effect is lovely, light, and likable. The freshness of the sea and citrus makes it effortlessly clean and airy—the perfect combination for a summer scent. Bonus: If you really love the fragrance, you can diffuse it throughout your home with Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt candle.

23. Aesop Tacit Eau de Parfum

A contemporary interpretation of classic cologne notes, Tacit is one that has made waves. Bottled inside its sleek, amber-colored are crisp green and citrus notes reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast. 

It opens with clove, basil grand vert, and yuzu. Yuzu is the star of the show here, showcasing its bright and uplifting personality. An aromatic heart of rosemary, mint, and fennel is fresh, earthy, and slightly spicy. A warming base of cedarwood, vetiver heart and amber adds complexity and woodiness to this earthy unisex perfume. Like all Aesop fragrances, the scent is natural and spa-like. 

24. Timothy Han / Edition She Came to Stay Eau de Parfum

Inspired by Simone de Beauvoir’s novel “She Came to Stay,” this perfume by Timothy Han is a warm fougere. Fougere (French for “fern”) is an olfactory family typically composed of a citrus top note, aromatic heart, damp oakmoss, and the hay-like scent of coumarin. 

In She Came to Stay, you get the citrus top with notes of geranium, basil, and lemon that burst with zingy freshness. A heart of nutmeg and clove adds that spice. On the dry down, you get the warm, woody aromas of vetiver, cedar, labdanum, oakmoss, and patchouli. 

Beautifully crafted and balanced with natural fragrance oils, this is easily one of the best perfumes for men who want a pleasant, green, and crisp signature scent. It’s perfectly unisex, so your girl will love it too. 

25. Rochas Moustache Eau de Parfum

If you’re looking for a warm, vanilla fragrance that doesn’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with Rochas Moustache EDP. This overtly masculine fragrance opens with tantalizing spicy, fruity notes of mandarin and pink pepper. 

Bulgarian rose and Atlas cedar play up the fragrance’s seductive side. When you finally get to the base of the fragrance, you’re greeted with the warmth of patchouli layered with benzoin and vanilla. The result is a soft, warm vanilla dry down with lingering hints of wood.

The scent is ideal for cool weather and is great for date night. Overall, it’s a glorious cozy vanilla scent. Compared to YSL’s Tuxedo, Moustache is incredibly similar but for a lower price, so consider trying this one first.  

Common Perfume FAQs

What is perfume? 

Perfume is a liquid mixture of essential oils or fragrance oils designed to be worn on the body and make you smell good. Most perfumes are composed of three smells: top notes, middle notes, and base notes.

What is a masculine perfume called?

Cologne is the umbrella term for masculine perfumes or fragrances geared toward men.

What perfume is most masculine? 

Atlantis by Blu Atlas is a well-rounded masculine scent that appeals to most men and scent preferences. (It is also well-loved by the ladies). Other notably masculine fragrances include Ombre Leather by Tom Ford, Legend by Montblanc, and Sauvage by Dior.

What are the different types of perfume?

Perfumes are categorized into six main groups: perfume or parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, eau fraîche, and perfume oils.

Parfum:

• Parfums have the highest concentration of perfume, at around 20 to 30%. 
• Because of their high concentration of fragrance oils, they can last up to 24 hours on the skin.
• They have a heavier, oilier texture than other types of perfume. 

Eau de parfum:

• Eau de parfums are incredibly popular in men’s and women’s fragrances. They have a fragrance concentration of around 15 to 20%. It has a higher concentration of water and alcohol than parfums, making it less expensive. 
• Eau de parfums last, on average, 6 to 8 hours on the skin. 

Eau de toilette:

• Eau de toilette is a popular men’s perfume category. It has a lighter formula than an eau de parfum, so it is less intense and long-lasting. 
• It has a perfume concentration of around 5 to 15%, making it more affordable than eau de parfums.
• Eau de toilettes don’t last as long on the skin; you can expect 2 to 4 hours of solid wear.  

Eau de cologne:

• Despite its name, most colognes you see on the market will be an eau de parfum or eau de toilette – not an eau de cologne. This category has a light concentration of fragrance, around 2 to 4%.
• Because the concentration is so light, you’ll most often find this category of fragrance used in products such as aftershave. 
• Expect around 2 hours of wear with an eau de cologne; you will need to reapply more throughout the day.

Eau fraîche:

• Never heard of this fragrance category? You’re not alone. Eau fraîche fragrances are a less commonly known type of fragrance characterized by their low perfume concentration, typically around 1 to 3%. 
• These super light fragrances generally last about an hour.

Concentrated perfume oils:

• Perfume oils have gained popularity in recent years as they are a more concentrated (usually 20% fragrance oil) natural fragrance option than alcohol-based perfumes. 
• Perfume oils use carrier oils instead of alcohol, so they are better for sensitive skin types.
• They are also commonly made with essential oils, giving them a more natural scent. 

What makes a perfume feminine?

Feminine (‘pour femme’) and masculine (‘pour homme’) fragrances are primarily based on our cultural and gender associations. Feminine perfumes tend to be sweet, fruity, or floral, with notes such as rose, vanilla, coconut, or jasmine. 

Masculine perfumes, on the other hand, tend to include bold woods, green, or musky notes such as oud, cedarwood, and tonka bean. However, many perfumes are unisex and can be worn by both men and women.

What does masculine perfume smell like? 

Masculine perfumes are fragrances infused with woody, smoky, spicy, green, or aquatic scents (or a blend of multiple scent families). Masculine fragrances put a lot of emphasis on the base note or the dry down—this is where you’ll see a bulk of the masculine notes. A masculine perfume may contain citrus in the opening and florals in the middle notes, but it is the base that largely defines it as masculine. 

Masculine scents often embody characteristically masculine things, such as leather, a smoky bar, musk, the smell of freshly cut grass, or dark woods. Masculine perfumes can transport you to a different time and place (think a London gentleman’s club in the late 1800s) or enhance specific qualities, such as charm, sexiness, or confidence.

What are the most masculine notes in perfumes?

Masculine fragrance notes range from ripe citruses and warm spices to fresh greens and resinous woods. Essentially, there is no one characteristically ‘masculine’ note—there are many. Popular masculine fragrance notes include leather, cedarwood, bergamot, clary sage, tonka bean, pink pepper, tobacco, rosemary, cardamom, iris, and vetiver.

Is vanilla a masculine scent?

Vanilla is one of those perfume notes that can be incorporated into both men’s and women’s fragrances. It is a familiar sweet scent that blends beautifully with characteristically masculine notes such as tonka bean, leather, rum, spices, tobacco, and woods.