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 out over their more expensive counterparts.
This review will describe how they smell and perform and if they’re the right choice for you.
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Table of Contents
#16 – David Beckham Instinct – Best Budget Cologne
Vetiver dominates the opening. It remains the star of the show for the rest of wear. Right off the bat, warm vetiver is bright and clean with a slightly soapy tinge.
It is hard to find a fragrance that emphasizes cleanliness so much.
As vetiver leads, citruses with spicy pepper play second fiddle. They are sweet and strong but never overpowering.
A clean opening to an exotic heart. Vetiver mixes with cardamom and star anise, amplifying the spiced and sweet accents.
Finally, vetiver, amber, and warm woods create the entire scent in the dry down. They are subtle and lack depth but are the most prevalent.
Does David Beckham Instinct smell good? Yes, it wouldn’t have made the best cheap men’s colognes list if it didn’t. On my skin, it lasts for 4 – 5 hours with okay projection but can only be used as a warm-weather fragrance.
#15 – Dunhill Century Blue
Dunhill Century Blue is a mellow blue fragrance. It’s easy to wear and a great dumb-reach fragrance for an affordable price.
If designer blue fragrances are too expensive, then this is the #1 affordable blue fragrance I wear.
Like any blue fragrance, the opening is prominently ambroxan. Accompanied by light and fresh iris with a nuance of saffron spice. It is cool, clean, and cozy, never too heavy.
As the scent develops, mandarin orange adds a citric touch.
In the base and for the rest of the wear, ambroxan is the only accord. It is slightly warm and ambery but primarily fresh and clean.
Dunhill Century Blue is exclusively a warm-weather fragrance. It isn’t unique but has excellent mass appeal.
#14 – Lacoste L’Homme
Simple yet addictive. This is an uncommon fragrance. Yet, one that is easy to wear and should be known by the masses.
Right from the start, the emphasis is subtle warmth and sweetness. This is mainly attributed to zingy rhubarb and ginger. I particularly like this combination because they are both “hot.”
Thus, they grab attention and provide an exciting, refreshing nature.
As the scent develops, crisp apple amplifies the sweetness. Then creamy almond smoothes over all notes described. The sweetness never gets heavy but rather attractive and charming.
Once in the dry down is an alluring duo of warm amber and vanilla.
Both add depth but also amplify the warm and sweet accents that are already present. Lacoste L’Homme is warm and sweet with fleeting zingy nuances for the rest of the wear.
Is this the best-smelling Lacoste cologne? No, not overall, but when you think about the quality you get for the price, it is one of the better Lacoste’s.
On my skin, I get average performance but near all-season versatility. It only struggles on the coldest days of winter.
#13 – Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui
So, you asked for the 80s in the bottle, and you got it. A very clean and masculine aroma, great for older gentlemen on a budget.
The opening is soapy and bitter. This comes from a combination of intense greens, lavender, and aldehydes. The lavender is the driving force behind the soapiness.
While the greens and aldehydes duo give the slightly bitter touch. Don’t confuse bitter with bad. It is just sharp, in a very clean and herbal way. Like, that’s 80s power.
As the scent progresses, it really only has two phases. In the dry down, the greens get darker and richer. This is from the addition of green moss and a prominent leather base.
Mixing with the leather accord are sweet and subdued florals. They are the main reason this scent never gets too heavy. The rest of the wear is leather and greens with woody nuances in the background.
Excellent performance for an affordable cologne. Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui has nearly all-season versatility. Just don’t wear it on the hottest days of summer.
#12 – Perry Ellis 360 Red for Men
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Is this an Acqua di Gio dupe? You could make a good argument that it is with the addition of cinnamon.
A vibrant blast of lemon and lime leads the opening. The addition of cinnamon and clove spice is almost immediately after the first spray.
Both exude an overwhelming degree of freshness. As the top notes settle, they do gain more character. However, for the entire wear, they are intense.
Now I know you’re probably thinking, “Yuck! Cinnamon and citrus.” Yet, the spice is more about an exciting, warm kick than anything else.
The spiced notes get more intense in the dry down. Always staying fresh, warm, and smooth.
Finishing off the development are touches of lavender and a woody base. Here the emphasis is on fresh and dry.
For an inexpensive fragrance, 360 Red has outstanding performance. A great summer scent but doesn’t have enough oomph to last in the cold temperatures.
#11 – Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct
Abercrombie and Fitch First Instinct EDT is a sexy, masculine young man’s fragrance. It is an easy-to-wear and likable cologne, one of the sexiest on this list.
The opening is led with a cocktail-like freshness. The initial smell is a blast of semi-sweet melon and fleeting citruses. In the background, gin nuances are also present.
At first, I thought this would be a tropical scent, but after smelling it, it really isn’t. The main emphasis in the opening is semi-sweetness and freshness.
As the scent matures, it maintains its degree of freshness and, in the base, adds a masculine tone. This comes from a duo of musk and suede that fuse with the sweetness.
To my nose, it has a very alluring vibe, like a sexy, aquatic sweat in the summer.
For the rest of the wear, it is masculine and musky sweetness.
So what about wear? The longevity is slightly below average, and the projection is average. This is exclusively warm weather and day wear. It’s not a summer scent but performs best in the heat.
#10 – Calvin Klein One Shock – Best Cheap 90s Cologne
One Shock starts with a hefty dose of cardamom spice, a subtle mixture of tobacco and warm amber, and a fresh clementine note in the background.
Cardamom is the most dominant and will be retained for the rest of the wear. However, over time it loses strength.
The amber and tobacco were fleeting at first. They were present almost in equal parts with cardamom for a couple of minutes but then died down.
The clementine note is not fleeting. It gives a fresh nuance to the top notes, then completely fades after the mid.
Within a few minutes, a unique mixture of lavender and cool cucumber takes over the amber and tobacco. While the fresh clementine is momentarily the most prominent.
As the wear continues, the freshness fades. Warm amber and tobacco come back in full force. The cardamom spice still lingers but only gives the dominant notes an intriguing touch.
There is a significant sweetness that sneaks in as One Shock dries down. The rest of the wear is sweet, amber, tobacco, and faint spice.
The dense sweetness can be quite cloying in the summer. Yet, this makes for an outstanding fall and winter cologne.
#9 – F by Ferragamo Black Salvatore
Are you a mature man who needs an affordable formal occasion fragrance? F by Ferragamo Black Salvatore is not simple, nor is it complex, just enough to be classy.
The first spray is attention-grabbing. There is an equal blast of sharp black pepper and lavender. The pepper isn’t “sneeze-inducing,” but it sure is invigorating.
Think of it like jumping into a cold shower. It provides a nice contrast to the calm and classy lavender.
For the rest of the wear, this duo dominates.
As the scent progresses, there are additions of crisp apple and tonka bean nuances. Both are fresh and sweet. Yet, the idea of each is to amplify the qualities of lavender.
As the dry down develops, lavender becomes dominant and more complex.
At first, it came across as fresh and sweet, but now that the pepper has faded, it gains clean and soapy qualities.
The rest of the wear is all about classy lavender with its new accents. Everything from the top and mid are just supporting nuances.
F by Ferragamo Black Salvatore is best suited for colder temperatures. A man of any age can pull this off, but it best fits the maturity of middle-aged men and older.
#8 – Rochas Man Rochas
Suppose you wanted a cheap fragrance that has a gourmand and seductive charm. In that case, you’ve come to the right place. Rochas Man is definitely an attention magnet, so how does it smell?
From the first spray, you’ll immediately notice that this is a sweet fragrance. There are many notes working together to create this sweet accord.
Faintly in the background are hints of cocoa and vanilla. Almost instantly is an intense coffee note with fruity raspberry and soothing lavender.
At first, it is all about the coffee note, but over time familiar vanilla gains strength. As this happens, the entire scent rests on a warm and light amber backbone.
In the dry down, the light amber backbone with woody accords create the base. A soothing aroma of vanilla and lavender sits on top. Coffee is still present, but vanilla has become dominant over scent development.
For the entire wear, vanilla had a powdery and creamy nature.
The performance here is good. Slightly above average. For hours this projects moderately yet creates a consistent bubble. As for wear, this can get to be too much in the heat. But all other times, it works great.
#7 – Versace The Dreamer
Believe it or not, Versace is actually an affordable fragrance house. This is a popular scent, but the even more popular ones can still be purchased for under $60 at discounters.
The opening is moderately intense. Tobacco is present immediately. However, the intensity comes from the green and rose notes paired with tobacco.
You’re a few minutes into the wear at this point, and it is all about the greenness. A sharp herbal spice and lavender start to push through.
Quickly, The Dreamer transitions into the mid, where it gets much better. The sweetness is amplified, and a variety of florals come through.
Tobacco moves to the forefront of the fragrance and remains dominant for the rest of the wear.
Tobacco is exceptional in the dry-down. It becomes more profound and adds to the other dry and woody base notes. For the rest of the wear, this is the focal point of the cologne.
On the edges, lingering floral and herbal notes support the base.
This is one men’s perfume that I often see at Tj Maxx. So next time you’re there, check out the fragrance rack. The performance is average, and this can be worn all year round.
#6 – John Varvatos Vintage
The bottle says vintage; does that mean it’s old? Released in 2006, it is just geared more toward mature men.
Vintage’s opening feels chaotic. The general idea is a heavily spiced aromatic blend. Though strong, it is exceptionally refreshing. Faint fruity tones linger in the background. For a while, the opening is fresh.
As the scent progresses, the juniper becomes present. In the opening, this was most likely the fruity nature, but it has been better developed.
At this point, it comes across as gin nuances but is still fruity. In the background, earthy patchouli and a hint of florals add a nice contrast.
In the dry down, Vintage only gets better. It’s gourmand, warm, and alluring. Heavy tonka bean adds to the mid-notes. And I pick up a note almost reminiscent of caramelized chocolate.
There aren’t any cocoa notes listed in the scent profile, but it has the accent. Dominant woody tonka bean is paired with slightly herbaceous resins.
The resins are new, but the herbaceousness plays off the backbone of the mid-notes.
The performance is average, but the versatility is good. This is worn for nearly all occasions in any season except summer.
#5 – Zara Tobacco Collection – RWA
On multiple occasions, Zara has created excellent scents for an affordable price. If you are looking for a Creed Aventus clone, Vibrant leather does an excellent job. Now, back to Tobacco Collection – RWA.
It is, precisely as the name suggests, rich, warm, and addictive.
A hefty dose of honey sweetness leads the opening but is gone within no time. About a minute into the wear, a strong coconut note pushes through and comes to the forefront.
For the bulk of the heart, it is just slightly sweet coconut. If you read other reviews, this is the least liked part.
Faint tobacco is very light. It sits in the distant background and never really comes out to play. As the dry-down develops, tobacco gets slightly stronger.
Yet, not enough to be prevalent. The still-sweet nature rests on a pleasant sandalwood and cedar base.
Now let’s talk performance. The scent pushes out for half an hour, then retreats closer to the skin. Yet, it can be very alluring for special occasions in the colder months.
#4 – Minotaure Paloma Picassio
Minotaure is another old-school fragrance, released in 1992. Yet, it has stood the test of time.
The initial blast is aldehydes with faintly fresh bergamot. The subtle ambiance that it creates is delightful. It surrounds you in this light cloud of scent. Candied fruits and florals sit underneath.
After a few minutes, they become more prevalent. The freshness of the florals washes over the sweetness and creates an alluring charm.
As the scent progresses, glimpses of vanilla notes are buried throughout the smell. After several hours of fleeting vanilla and the opening notes, the dry down develops.
It is a delightful and warm blend of sandalwood, cedar, and amber. Just a simple base – warm and woody.
The performance here is overall average. Not much else can be said. As for wear, it is an all-season and occasion cologne if you moderate your sprays in the heat.
#3 – Encre Noire by Lalique
Hey there, Mr. Mysterious. This is the type of vibe that Encre Noire by Lalique gives off. It’s a darker fragrance with interesting qualities. To me, it smells more expensive than it is.
For first-time users, the opening can be quite misleading. It starts off as bright and pine-forward. You’ll be like, “Oh, this is going to be a fresh, woody fragrance.” That couldn’t be further from the truth.
The bright cypress and vetiver quickly get hit with a dark nature-based duo of woods and mosses. When this duo presents itself, they are the significant focus for the rest of the wear.
From this point on, woods and mosses only get stronger. Halfway through the wear, Encre Noire gains a damp-like quality. I find it comparable to the smell as you walk through a freshly rained forest.
The entire fragrance has simple yet high-quality notes. Even the performance is above average. Lasting on my skin for 6 hours and projects strongly.
#2 – Halloween Man-X
Halloween Man X is a unique name. If you have any idea why Jesus del Pozo would have named it this, leave a comment below. I would love to hear your theories.
Back to the fragrance, what does Halloween Man X smell like?
A dark roasted coffee aroma dominates the opening. It is a very authentic smell supported by boozy sweetness and leather. This trio is actually a special accord, the blackjack accord created by the perfumer.
As the scent develops, the dark roasted coffee remains prominent and stays that way for the rest of the wear. Prevalent cinnamon and cardamom appear in the drydown and add a warm, spicy backbone.
Into the base, whiskey gains strength and projects with coffee in equal parts. Vanillic Tonka Bean and sweet whiskey combine, creating gourmand goodness.
So, what’s the longevity and projection? Halloween Man X lasts 6 hours on my skin and projects well for a few of those. It’s not the type of fragrance for warm weather, but it can be worn for all occasions.
#1 – Jaipur Homme EDT Boucheron
Jaipur Homme EDT is one of those fragrances that should be more expensive than it is. The smell is fantastic, and the performance competes with designer fragrances.
For the entire wear, it is an old-school and classy aroma. Pleasant citruses lead the opening. Within minutes a mix of warm vanilla, florals, and spices mix and mingle for the rest of the wear.
It is a duo of spices, cinnamon, and cardamom. Cinnamon is the most prevalent of the two. At this point, the citrus top notes have lost strength.
As the scent progresses, it gets spicier and more aromatic. Yet, it is never irritating or overpowering. Once in the dry down, all notes from before are still dominant, and they rest on a warm amber base.
The performance is out of this world for a cologne of this price. It lasts an entire workday and then some. On my skin, the projection pushes out for a few hours and then fades. Yet, it never becomes a skin scent.
It’s pretty intense, so be careful with your sprays. It’s not the best summer scent.
My Experience With The Best Cheap Colognes
All of the above information is my experience with the best cheap colognes.
However, I keep it as objective as possible. This way, you can objectively decide if this is a fragrance you want to purchase or if you’re comparing a few fragrances. Thus, this section is my subjective opinion.
With all of the fragrances above, I’ve never felt that they lacked quality or came off as cheap. There is a difference in quality between these and, say, a $400 Creed, Amouage, and Parfums de Marly.
Yet, I’m sure you could have figured that out.
When I first started collecting, I wanted the cheapest fragrances too. I didn’t know if they’d become part of my hygiene routine. I bought a few that gave me a bad taste for fragrances; I wish I had a list like this.
This list will allow you to make the best choice for you and have a pleasant experience with fragrances. This way, you’ll feel more comfortable in the future choosing fragrances that are more expensive and may push the boundaries.
How to Pick the Right Cheap Cologne for You
When you know what you want, it’s easiest to decide which affordable fragrance is for you. Do you want a perfume for all seasons and occasions or a few cheap fragrances for specific seasons and occasions?
If you know this, you can quickly narrow this list by reading the last paragraph of each mini-review. Here it’ll tell you the type of season. The infographic will then tell you the occasions it’s best for.
Of course, you’re always welcome to smell fantastic whenever or wherever. Yet, I find that when a fragrance is worn for the wrong situation, it doesn’t work as well.
The list of choices you’ve narrowed down. Look at their prominent notes and accords. If you have experience with other fragrances.
Are the prominent accords in your prospective fragrances something you like, or have you ever smelled them before?
If this is the first time you’ve smelled these specific notes and accords. Look at the infographics “Likability & compliments” section. Find a fragrance that has the right wearability for you and is extremely likable.
Picking the right fragrance for you is difficult. I struggle daily, but this list will give you a good start without breaking the bank.
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. If you want a full review, check it out here.
Conclusion
Long story short, was the cheap cologne I bought worth it? Yes, it was. In this case, it was Versace The Dreamer.
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.
What do you think are the best-smelling affordable colognes?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear your opinion!