5 Colognes Similar to Acqua di Gio (2023) Full Review
Acqua di Gio.
The most popular and best-selling fragrance for men.
This review will describe the five best colognes similar to Acqua di Gio. I will detail their smell, performance, and anything else you need to know. Dupes are frowned upon by some, but these ones are too good to be ignored.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Yet, we only endorse fragrances we’ve personally used or are highly recommended by trusted peers. You can learn more about our Disclaimer & Disclosure here.
Table of Contents
#5 – Bentley for Men Silverlake
The opening starts with an uplifting citric freshness. It is mainly lemon with a zesty tinge of sourness. In the background is cool mint, providing masculine greenness and helping balance out the intensity of the lemon.
The overarching emphasis in the opening is fresh spices. An airy and ozonic violet leaf adds to the mid, bringing pepper nuances. The violet leaf supports the freshness of the lemon, while the pepper note supports a more robust spice accord.
Citruses and spices recede in the dry down. Airy violet leaf remains with new additions of amber wood and musk. The rest of the wear is sweet and effervescent with the warmth of amber and musk.
Silverlake lasts eight hours on the skin with moderate to light projection. The first two hours push out two to three feet for the first two hours. After this period, it recedes to a light ambiance of less than a foot for the rest of the wear.
This is exclusively spring and summer wear for all occasions. I enjoy this as a formal occasion and date night fragrance as it is exceptionally fresh but still retains the class to stand out in those situations.
#4 – Armaf Blue Homme
The opening is all about citruses. The scent tree has five listed; it is difficult to definitively say which note is the most prominent. The overarching emphasis is bright and fresh. In the background, a clean and floral neroli breaks up the monotony of the intense citruses.
The mid has new aromatics and spices. The dry down comes quickly. The dry down has weakened spices, and the rest of the wear is musky aromatics. It is a simple scent with little to no scent development.
The longevity is in the three to four-hour range. It pushes a foot at its peak for half an hour. After this period, it becomes a skin scent. This is exclusively spring and summer wear for all occasions.
#3 – Franck Olivier Blue Touch
The opening starts very bright with intense citruses. More so than Acqua di Gio, this heavily emphasizes citruses. As the scent develops, aromatic greens, florals, and musk emerge. The general idea is a very fresh scent. The dry-down finishes off with woody additions and less citrus.
This is a lot brighter of a fragrance than Acqua di Gio. The performance is great for a citrus-based fragrance. Six to seven hours on the skin with light projection. The first three to four hours, it pushes out two feet. After this period, it is a subtle ambiance for the rest of the wear.
#2 – Paris Hilton Just Me for Men
Just Me for Men starts with a unique mixture of blueberries and citruses. The blueberries, being the most prominent, give a slight sweetness. This type of accord won’t be found in Acqua di Gio. Within a few minutes comes a fresh grass and sea breeze accord. The sea breeze is similar to the marine accord in Acqua di Gio.
The fun only begins in the mid and dry down. There is warm spice, smoky woods, and subtle white floral. The spice is aromatic sage and warm clove; the smokiness is incense with woods that will only strengthen. Lastly, the lotus white florals are smooth and creamy, blending all together.
Wood, amber, and patchouli add depth and darkness to the base. It is an excellent contrast to the brighter fresh accords from earlier in the wear. This is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
This lasts six hours on the skin, with moderate projection for the first hour. It pushes out two to three feet. After this period, it recedes to a light ambiance for the rest of the wear. This is exclusively spring and summer wear for all occasions.
#1 – Perry Ellis 360 Red for Men
A vibrant blast of lemon and lime leads the opening. Cinnamon and clove spice are added almost immediately after the first spray. Both exude an overwhelming degree of freshness. As the top notes settle, they 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.
360 Red for Men lasts eight hours on the skin with moderate projection, pushing out one to two feet for the first few hours before receding. This is exclusively worn in the spring and summer. As for occasions, it is all.
Final Words
Do you need all of the Acqua di Gio clones? No, one will be fine. They all have their own respective tweaks but the same Acqua di Gio idea. Some on this list are slightly darker, and others brighter. They are ranked, but #1 and #5 are close.
Whichever one you choose, it gives you a similar Acqua di Gio smell for a fraction of the price.
After you try a cologne similar to Acqua di Gio, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.