Best Prada Colognes for Men – 6 Luxury Scents for You
It was my very first real fragrance ever.
I had bought it off the official website for full price and was even more impressed when I got it.
Prada L’Homme was my first real fragrance. Since I have collected whole bottles of many listed below. These have all inspired me to create a ranked list of the best Prada Colognes for Men.
It is hard to compete with this class of luxury. Out of all their colognes, one thing stays consistent. They are always unique, likable, and versatile.
This list will review how the best smell and perform.
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Table of Contents
#6 – Prada Luna Rossa Ocean
For years the Luna Rossa line had scents for nearly every situation but one… They lacked a cologne that shined in the summer and is best used at the beach or in the gym.
In 2021, they released Ocean. The newest flanker to the line. It retains the same Luna Rossa Backbone but takes the line more oceanically.
This sure is a compliment beast. It’s a unique, clean scent with an alluring nature. The opening is mainly fresh citrus; it is light and not the focus. Within a few moments, the freshness is amplified with a tidal wave of aromatics.
There are multiple, but the most prominent are lavender and powdery iris. The scent stays linear for the rest of the wear.
One ironic thing is the lack of a prominent aquatic backbone. Sure, the scent is clean but not watery. As the dry down develops, a prominent clean musk adds to the aromatics. This is the addition of seductive that you were waiting for.
Ocean is a straightforward scent and great for men who want more than “just” an office scent.
The performance is average, but versatility and uniqueness are above-average. It can be worn for all seasons and occasions. It does struggle if it’s freezing out, but, for the most part, it does well.
As for uniqueness, it’s a clean scent, but it’s done differently.
#5 – Prada L’Homme L’Eau
You have another fragrance problem. You’re lounging around the house in a clean white T-shirt and grey sweatpants. What’s the perfect cologne for that situation?
Prada L’Homme L’Eau is a fresh, powdery scent that smells like clean laundry. It is not crazy complex, but it sure is delightful.
A blast of freshness leads the opening, mainly from a mixture of iris and neroli. Compared to the original, there is less iris but more powder.
Though the iris is fewer, it is still intense. The minutes after the first spray emphasize cleanliness and freshness more than anything. Think of it like a cold lemonade on a hot day.
Once the L’Eau develops some, it gains subtle depth with woods, amber, and nuances of ginger. Ginger is the most interesting because it has a slightly zingy nature to invigorate the senses.
At this point, it is very airy. This analogy doesn’t do it enough justice, but it is like a fabric refresher.
The dry down always stays warm. It is powdery and floral led from the first few minutes until the end. In the background, ginger slightly amplifies.
The performance is average; it lasts most of the day. As for the season, it is a lighter fragrance and is best worn in summer or the warmer months of spring and fall. In the dead of winter, its projection is nonexistent.
#4 – Prada Luna Rossa
Suppose you wanted to go back to the Luna Rossa roots. You’re blessed with all these wonderful flankers, but what one is the OG? Prada Luna Rossa is the oldest one and has stood the test of time.
The first few minutes are invigorating freshness. This comes from a blend of citrus and lavender. The juiciness of the orange is an excellent contrast to the mellow lavender.
Quickly after the first spray is a dose of spearmint, it slowly gains dominance over time.
Heading into the mid, the mint gains some spice. Luna Rossa was already fresh. Now it is amplified with these additional green qualities. At this point, the scent is always light and airy.
Then comes amber. Usually, this would “weigh down” a scent, but in this case, it doesn’t. Instead, it has powdery/soapy quality that retains the supreme freshness from before.
Amber/ambroxan is getting increasingly more prominent in the dry down. While still retaining its airiness. Light lavender and nuances of mint linger in the background. This trio is the scent for the rest of the wear.
Everything from performance to smell is average, but if you want a steady, eddy fragrance, this is for you. Like everyone always stays, consistency is key.
#3 – Prada L’Homme
Just imagine you’re in a rush and need a fragrance that is easy to wear. The clock is ticking, and you can’t make a decision. Then Boom! You see it, Prada L’Homme. The perfect scent that works for any situation.
The opening is extremely clean, and a bright blast of pink pepper quickly turns into florals. Nuances of pink pepper are still there but fade to the edges.
Within a few minutes, the iris becomes powdery and has a slightly sweet tinge. The scent stays like this for some time, always retaining an ultra-fresh and clean nature.
The dry-down is developed after a few hours and is an entirely different scent. At this point, all of the florals have faded. A creamy woody accord is left and still has a clean nature.
One fascinating aspect of Prada L’Homme is that it will mix with your sweat when you’re working out.
Almost every time I work out, I will be 7 hours into the wear, and as I sweat, I’m enveloped with a creamy woody aroma. This attests to its remarkable longevity.
The projection is average for 7-8 hours but then dies down to skin scent and/or dissipates completely. It is an all-season or occasion wear but doesn’t perform well on the coldest days of winter.
#2 – Prada Luna Rossa Black
It was a tough decision between ranking #1 and #2, but the decision had to be made. Before I get into the scent profile, let me explain. Luna Rossa Black and Carbon both smell equally as good in their own right, but black is slightly less-versatile.
It was released in 2018 and is another cornerstone of the Prada house.
Right from the get-go, you know what this scent is all about. Warm amber and woody Tonka bean are the star’s of the show for the entire wear.
They are prevalent in the opening and only get more dominant as the scent develops.
The opening has a fleeting fresh aromatic touch, but it doesn’t last long. Amber and tonka bean are pumping into the dry-down but meet some new additions.
Powdery vanilla and subtle musk are in the background. Musk is the more prominent of the two, but both add a rich, dark, and sexy aspect to the main notes.
So how’s the performance? Well, it’s average. It gets the job done but is nothing to drool over. The rich nature is best for colder temperatures and nighttime. As I eluded to earlier, this is why it ranks #2.
#1 – Prada Luna Rossa Carbon
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Is this a Dior Sauvage dupe? Well, no. It’s a very similar scent, yet, it’s unique in its own respect.
With Dior Sauvage being so popular, I could argue it’s the better choice. But that’s an article for another time.
Nonetheless, Luna Rossa Carbon is the best Prada Fragrance for Men.
Ambroxan, bergamot, and lavender lead the opening. In the first 5 minutes, the bergamot is the strongest and fades into the background. Ambroxan has a slight metallic nature and will retain this tone for the rest of the wear.
I particularly enjoy this. The citrus contrasts nicely with the more “abrasive” pepper and metallic tone. Yet, don’t worry; neither is overpowering. Into the mid, lavender gains strength and brings a shaving cream aroma.
It is not a 1:1 comparison, but the key here is that it is exceptionally clean. For a large portion of the scent, it is the focal point.
Lavender is retained into the dry down, along with dominant ambroxan. Both work hand in hand to provide not only a rounded and clean aroma but also a very mass-appealing one.
So how did Luna Rossa Carbon get to the top? It is the easiest Prada fragrance to wear, the most popular, and the best choice for any season or occasion.
My Experience With Prada Colognes
All of the above information is my experience with the best Prada 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.
My first Prada fragrance was L’Homme EDT. The one thing that I’ve always loved about Prada colognes is their ultra-high quality. They make few fragrances, but when they do, they try and do it well.
The one downfall I’ve noticed about Prada colognes is their sometimes “shot-y” performance. It’s never bad or good. It just seems to fade in and out over its wear.
This isn’t necessarily bad, but it makes it harder to gauge its projection.
In short, I really love the brand. If I had to choose only one designer brand for the rest of my life. This would definitely be one of my top choices.
How to Pick the Right Prada Cologne for You
If you’ve never smelled any of these or only a few, it may be challenging to determine which is the best for you.
First, let’s determine when and where you want to wear it. If you’re adding to a collection and only want it for the warmer months, then Luna Rossa Ocean, Luna Rossa, and L’Homme L’Eau are your best choices.
From this point, it’s easy. Are you looking for an aquatic, clean, or fresh fragrance? Luna Rossa Ocean, L’Homme L’Eau, and Luna Rossa, respectively.
On the flip side, if you want a winter-focused fragrance. Your best choice is Luna Rossa Black. It has the depth of all scents with its ambery, musky, and woody base.
L’Homme EDT and Luna Rossa Carbon are all-season wearable but just “alright” in the winter. Neither would ever do as well as Luna Rossa Black.
This leads to the last situation. You want all-season and occasion wear. One fragrance for everything. In that case, L’Homme EDT and Luna Rossa Carbon are your best choices.
L’Homme EDT is an more gentlemanly and classy fragrance. Whereas Carbon is more youthful and compliment-getting.
It’s easy to pick the best Prada cologne for you because you’re always assured of outstanding quality. It’s a question of what you want it for and how you want it to smell.
FAQ’s
What is the Most Popular Prada Cologne?
Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is the most popular and the best Prada perfume in production. It’s easy to wear, versatile, and performs better than all other Prada Colognes.
What Does Prada for Men Smell Like?
The best Prada colognes for Men are made with the highest-quality ingredients. They smell luxurious and are commonly known to project fresh, soapy, and clean aromas.
They are not bold fragrances like Tom Ford. Rather they smell mass-appealing and likable.
Which Prada Luna Rossa Cologne is the Best?
Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is the best from the Luna Rossa line and the best Prada cologne for men.
Is Prada Cologne Strong?
The best Prada Colognes for men are not overly powerful. Most will project to an arm’s length for a few hours and stay on the skin for at least 7 hours.
Prada is known for having some of the best office fragrances. For their purpose, Prada Cologne’s strength is ideal.
Final Words
As you may have noticed, a recurring theme among the best Prada colognes for men is a clean and fresh aroma. Prada has proven to be a luxury brand with the highest-quality ingredients.
Only some designer brands can say the same thing for a reasonable price. If you are getting into fragrances and need a place to start, Prada provides some of the best scents to choose from.
If you know Prada, you may have noticed that Prada L’Homme Intense is not listed. It would have been the #1 pick. There have been reports that it has been discontinued.
If you can find Prada L’Homme Intense for a reasonable price, lucky you. It is one of the best Prada fragrances and one I recommend buying.
What do you think of Prada fragrances?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear your opinion!