The Best Cheap Colognes That Save You Money – Full Review
Affordable colognes are often plagued with the idea that their price signifies a lack of quality.
Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many of these colognes win over their more expensive counterparts.
This review will describe how they smell and perform so that you can make the right choice for you.
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Table of Contents
Our Picks
David Beckham Instinct
Price: $19 USD
Bottle Sizes: 74mL
Top Notes: Vetiver, Bergamot, Mandarian Orange, Star Anise, Pimento, Cardamom, Patchouli, White Amber
Scent Profile: David Beckham Instinct opens with dominant vetiver, offering a clean, slightly soapy freshness. Citruses and spicy pepper add brightness and warmth, while the dry down features amber and warm woods for a subtle, clean finish.
Seasonal Use: Best suited for warm weather due to its fresh and clean profile. Lacks depth for colder months.
Performance: Lasts 4-5 hours with moderate projection, suitable for daily wear in warmer climates.
Lacoste L’Homme
Price: $30 – $44 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL & 150ML
Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Rhubarb, Sweet Orange, Quince
Middle Notes: Ginger, Almond, Black Pepper, Jasmine
Base Notes: Vanilla, Woody Notes, Cedar, Amber, Musk
Scent Profile: Rhubarb and ginger create a warm, subtly sweet opening, followed by crisp apple and creamy almond in the heart. Warm amber and vanilla in the dry down enhance its charming and sweet aroma.
Seasonal Use: Versatile across seasons but particularly suited for colder weather due to its warm and sweet notes.
Performance: Average longevity with moderate projection, suitable for day-to-day wear in varied climates.
Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui
Price: $31 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Lavender, Juniper Berries, Sage, Sage, Galbanum, Caraway, Anise, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Carnation, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Geranium, Cedar, Vetiver, Cyclamen
Base Notes: Leather, Oakmoss, Labdanum, Sandalwood, Musk
Scent Profile: Opens with a clean, soapy aroma from intense greens, lavender, and aldehydes. Develops into a richer blend with green moss and leather, supported by sweet floral notes in the dry down.
Seasonal Use: Offers nearly all-season versatility but may feel heavy in peak summer heat.
Performance: Excellent longevity and moderate projection, ideal for formal or evening wear.
Perry Ellis 360 Red for Men
Price: $28 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Top Notes: Lime, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Orange, Cloves, Nutmeg
Middle Notes: Lavender, Coriander
Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar, Oakmoss
Scent Profile: A vibrant burst of lemon and lime, enriched with cinnamon and clove spices for a warm kick. Lavender and a woody base provide a fresh and dry finish throughout wear.
Seasonal Use: Perfect for summer with its refreshing citrus and spicy notes, though may lack depth in colder weather.
Performance: Good longevity for its price range, suitable for daytime casual wear.
Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct
Price: $29 – $52 USD
Bottle Sizes: 30mL & 100mL
Top Notes: Melon, Tonic Water, Gin
Middle Notes: Violet Leaf, Sichuan Pepper, Citruses
Base Notes: Musk, Suede, Amber
Scent Profile: Opens with fresh, semi-sweet melon and citrus notes, underscored by gin nuances. Develops into a musky sweetness with suede in the base, maintaining its fresh appeal.
Seasonal Use: Best in warm weather for its fresh and inviting profile, ideal for daytime wear.
Performance: Moderate longevity with average projection, suited for casual and office settings.
Calvin Klein One Shock
Price: $30 – $47 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL & 200mL
Top Notes: Lavender, Clementine, Cucumber
Middle Notes: Cardamom, Pepper, Basil, Osmanthus
Base Notes: Tobacco, Amber, Patchouli, Woody Notes, Musk
Scent Profile: Cardamom spice dominates the opening, with subtle tobacco and amber notes and a hint of clementine freshness. Develops a warm, spicy backbone with a sweet, amber finish.
Seasonal Use: Ideal for fall and winter due to its warm and spicy notes, though may be too heavy for summer.
Performance: Moderate longevity and projection, suitable for evening wear and cooler days.
F Black by Salvatore Ferragamo
Price: $27 – $32 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Top Notes: Lavender, Apple
Middle Notes: Black Pepper, Coriander
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Labdanum
Scent Profile: Opens with sharp black pepper and lavender, balanced by crisp apple and tonka bean sweetness. The dry down reveals clean and soapy lavender accords.
Seasonal Use: Best suited for cooler temperatures, offering a sophisticated and mature aroma.
Performance: Moderate longevity and projection, suitable for formal and evening occasions.
Rochas Man Rochas
Price: $55 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Top Notes: Lavender, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Cappuccino, Raspberry, Jasmine, Cedar, Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Scent Profile: Sweet and gourmand with prominent coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and fruity raspberry notes. The dry down features a warm amber and woody base.
Seasonal Use: Best for cooler weather due to its sweet and cozy profile.
Performance: Above-average longevity and moderate projection, ideal for evening wear.
Versace The Dreamer
Price: $24 – $36 USD
Bottle Sizes: 50mL & 100mL
Top Notes: Juniper, Tarragon, Artemisia
Middle Notes: Iris, Lily, Flax
Base Notes: Tobacco Blossom, Amber
Scent Profile: Opens with intense tobacco and green notes, accented by sharp herbal spices and lavender. Sweetens into a floral heart and settles with a robust tobacco base.
Seasonal Use: Versatile for year-round wear, though performs best in moderate climates.
Performance: Average longevity with moderate projection, suitable for day-to-night wear.
John Varvatos Vintage
Price: $26 – $36 USD
Bottle Sizes: 75mL & 125mL
Top Notes: Rhubarb, Quince, Pepper, Wormwood, Basil, Fennel
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Juniper Berries, Lavender, Green Leaves, Orris Root, Jasmine
Base Notes: Tobacco, Suede, Balsam Fir, Tonka Bean, Woody Notes, Oak Moss, Patchouli
Scent Profile: Spicy and aromatic, with juniper, herbs, and a hint of fruitiness. It develops into a warm, gourmand blend with prominent tobacco notes.
Seasonal Use: Versatile across seasons except for summer, best for casual and evening wear.
Performance: Average longevity and projection, suitable for everyday use.
Zara Tobacco Collection – RWA
Price: $44 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Notes: Honey, Coconut, Tobacco, Sandalwood, Cedar
Scent Profile: Opens with honey sweetness and coconut, develops into a mild tobacco with sandalwood and cedar base notes.
Seasonal Use: Ideal for colder months due to its rich and warm profile.
Performance: Moderate longevity with a moderate projection, suitable for special occasions.
Minotaure Paloma Picassio
Price: $35 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Top Notes: Fruity Notes, Aldehydes, Bergamot, Galbanum, Tarragon, Coriander
Middle Notes: Geranium, Jasmine, Rose, Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Amber, Cedar
Scent Profile: Opens with aldehydes and bergamot, develops into floral and fruity notes with hints of vanilla. Settles with warm sandalwood, cedar, and amber base.
Seasonal Use: All-season versatility with careful application, ideal for day-to-day wear.
Performance: Average longevity and projection, suited for office and casual settings.
Lalique Encre Noire
Price: $21 – $25 USD
Bottle Sizes: 50mL & 100mL
Top Notes: Cypress
Middle Notes: Vetiver
Base Notes: Cashmere Wood, Musk
Scent Profile: Dark and mysterious with bright cypress and vetiver, deepening into woody and mossy notes reminiscent of a rainy forest.
Seasonal Use: Ideal for cooler weather, offering a unique and sophisticated aroma.
Performance: Above-average longevity and strong projection, perfect for evening and formal wear.
Halloween Man – X
Price: $35 USD
Bottle Sizes: 125mL
Top Notes: Cardamom, Lavender, Lemon
Middle Notes: Coffee, Whiskey, Cinnamon, Leather, Mineral Notes
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Amber, Incense
Scent Profile: Dark roasted coffee with boozy sweetness and leather, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom. Sweetens into a vanillic tonka bean and whiskey base.
Seasonal Use: Best for fall and winter, offering a rich and aromatic profile.
Performance: Good longevity and projection, suitable for evening wear and special occasions.
Boucheron Jaipur Homme EDT
Price: $85 USD
Bottle Sizes: 100mL
Top Notes: Cardamom, Lime, Lemon, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Carnation, Rose, Jasmine
Base Notes: Benzoin, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Cedar
Scent Profile: Opens with citrus, followed by warm vanilla, spices, and florals. Settles into a spicy and aromatic base with amber undertones.
Seasonal Use: Ideal for cooler weather, offering a sophisticated and long-lasting aroma.
Performance: Excellent longevity and projection, suitable for day-to-night wear.
How We Chose These Colognes
When picking the best cheap colognes for men, I dive deep. It’s not just about price; I look for scents that evolve and tell a story throughout the day. They need to have decent performance and a quality scent to make the list.
I listen to community favorites and blend those insights into my choices. Plus, I stick to brands known for their top-notch quality and reputation, ensuring our list is both unique and thoughtful.
Why You Should Trust Us
Besuited Aroma is a frontrunner in fragrance reviews – it’s all we do – and we have knack for finding the perfect fragrances for each list.
With this experience and deep understanding we handpick colognes that excel in both aroma and staying power. Our thorough testing and expertise mean you can trust our recommendations to leave a lasting impression.
FAQ’s
What Does Cheap Cologne Smell Like?
It depends on the cologne. Many will smell synthetic but to varying degrees. If you are new to fragrances, all the best cheap men’s colognes will smell amazing. However, as you get your nose on luxury colognes, they’ll smell more synthetic.
With that said, just because it’s an expensive cologne doesn’t mean it’s better than a cheap cologne.
Is It Okay To Wear Cheap Cologne?
Yes, there is a bad stigma that the more expensive something is, the better it must be. This is not the case; you will often pay a fraction of the price for fragrances to get the same results.
Is There A Difference Between Cheap And Expensive Cologne?
Expensive colognes tend to use higher-quality ingredients. Cheap colognes can also use high-quality ingredients; however, it is less common. Remember, higher-quality ingredients don’t always equate to better-smelling fragrances.
How To Choose The Right Cologne For Men?
I recommend deciding what you will use the fragrance for most. Once you know what you want it for, pick the scent that best fits your personality.
If you are a quiet person, choose a more intimate projecting fragrance. If you are an extrovert, pick a loud scent that will fill the room. Take note that the base notes last the longest.
What is the Best Cologne for Under $20?
The best fragrance under $20 is Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla.
Final Words
With a large collection of fragrances like mine, I can tell you that price is not a great determiner of quality. Any cheap cologne you choose on this list will be outstanding.
Many have a limited ability to command a higher price because they are a lesser-known brand. As you can see, this works to your benefit.
On the flip side, are some random colognes at rack stores just bad? Yes. However, after reading this review, you’re armored with the knowledge of how to smell amazingly and still save money.