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If you’re searching for the best cologne for men, either for yourself or a loved one, you’ll want to seek out a fragrance that’s not only long-lasting and pleasant-smelling but also speaks to who you or your loved one is.

My first love, for example, wore Drakkar Noir. I know you’re laughing (maybe I am, too), but whenever I smell it now, with its notes of coriander, lavender and treemoss, I instantly recall its spicy and woody profile — sweet and a little dark, like him.

I encourage you to think about the kind of man you’re buying cologne for, who he is, when and where you want him to sport this fragrance, and most importantly, what the scent should reveal about him.

Is he the strong and silent type (I always recommend something woody for these), or is he the type people would describe as the life of the party (go fresh here)? This type of profiling may seem laborious, but it will ultimately help you find the right scent profile for the man in question.

To help you narrow your search down to the main contenders, I asked the men of Post Wanted for their top picks, as well as sniffed my way through copious bottles and leaned on my keen nose that has always had an appreciation for different aromas and the stories they tell. While I love a niche fragrance, the roundup below is filled with crowd-pleasers; colognes that most would agree deserve to be part of someone’s scent wardrobe for their longevity, attitude and overall likeability. If you’re blind buying (and of course you are, because you’re shopping online), you’ve come to the right place.

Don’t forget to check out gift guides for men, luxury gift guide and gifts for husbands for more ideas.

Crafted for confidence, our own Senior Editorial Director, Barret Wertz, says that this cologne is meant for “power players,” and I wholeheartedly agree with him. It has a cult following for a reason and shy guy types need not apply (get it, cologne, application, haha?).

It’s aromatic, thanks to the top notes of pink pepper and lemon, but also woody because of cedarwood and oakmoss in its base. Its middle? Contains pineapple, jasmine and patchouli, making this men’s fragrance truly an olfactory adventure, equally invigorating and attention-grabbing with pops of sweetness thrown in for good measure. Without a doubt, it’s perfect for men who are distinct, slightly intimidating and live by the motto: kick you-know-what and take no prisoners.

Key Notes: Lemon, Pink Pepper, Apple, Black Current, Jasmine, Pineapple, Cedarwood, Oakmoss, Musk

Spicy and sweet, most would agree that Azzaro’s The Most Wanted Parfum is perfect for winter or nights when you’re hoping for something…adult to happen. Anchored by a base of bourbon vanilla, it also includes energetic red ginger for a fiery first impression. Do not wear unless you’re prepared for compliments.

Key Notes: Red Ginger, Toffee, Woods, Bourbon Vanilla

Bright, warm and citrusy, Versace Eros is an invigorating fragrance with universal appeal. While characterized as warm and spicy, I’d argue that its notes of Italian lemon zest and green apple make it read on the fresher side, though in the dry down, the cedarwood and vanilla can certainly be detected. Any time I smell this, I picture a man who always wears a classic grey suit to work with a blue button-up beneath — it’s not exactly hypnotic, but it’s nice and has a way of making someone feel intentional in their overall presentation. If you’re buying someone a fragrance gift and are not sure what to go with, most would agree that this will be happily accepted.

Key Notes: Mint, Italian Lemon Zest, Green Apple, Tonka Beans, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Oak Moss

Described by one reviewer as “like a party for your senses,” Tom Ford’s Wood Oud is also a favorite of editors and cologne aficionados for its smoky and exotic profile. Its blend of Eastern spices and sandalwood creates a captivating first impression, while its dry down is soft and slightly sweet. If a cologne could smell serious, this would be it, suited for those who dine at Kappo Masa but are too sophisticated (and grown) to advertise it on their socials.

Key Notes: Oud, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Cardamom, Amber, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vetiver

Fresh, with slightly aquatic undertones, Dior’s Sauvage is sexy but approachable — think the fashion equivalent of a fitted white tee but with more edge. Its opening notes include Caribbean bergamot and pepper, giving it a bright and zesty sort of initial impression. However, in my opinion, it’s the notes of lavender, vetiver and patchouli that make it more interesting, as they ground the airiness of the top notes.

This cologne is powerful without being overwhelming, provided you don’t overapply, and it really sticks. While a touch youthful (the top chord is undeniably… exuberant), this will also work for mature men still possessing that spirited swagger we associate with young 30-somethings. In fact, I may buy a bottle of this for my dad, who, to his delight, can still run circles around most of my middle-aged counterparts.

Key Notes: Bergamot, Pepper, Sichuan pepper, Lavender, Geranium, Ambroxan, Cedar, Labdanum

La Nuit is French for “at night,” and while this YSL cologne is enticing enough to be worn after hours, I’d encourage users to try it during the day to see how many compliments it garners. Crafted with notes that seem contradictory (think bright bergamot, herbaceous lavender, spicy Cardamom and earthy Vetiver), it’s warm, mysterious and alluring enough that it almost seems wrong to sequester it to only evening wear.

While I wouldn’t gift this to someone under the age of 30 (there’s something too mature about it), the freshness from its first impression gives this cologne a vigor that makes it ideal for those go-getter types — you know, the ones working 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., who still have the energy to hit the gym after, and then meet their boys at Death & Co — only after they’ve returned to their apartments to shower and reapply this gem, of course.

Key Notes: Cardamom, Bergamot, Lavender, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Coumarin, Amber

Picture driving down Route 50 in a Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, warm wind in your hair, cacti to your right and left, while the sun beams down on you — that’s DS & Durga’s Sweet Do Nothing, only it’s inspired by West Texas landscapes and all the things that make you want to give up your corporate job to become a cowboy.

Its top notes of neroli and desert pepper make it fresh and slightly spicy, while heart notes of Texas everbearing fig and orange flower add depth. A base that includes creosote brings a smoky quality that is masculine in that ‘tough guy way’ but also warm. It’s a fragrance that’s noticeable without being loud, perfect for every day but unique enough to stand out to those who smell it up close.

Key Notes: Neroli, Desert Pepper, Orange Flower, Everbearing Fig, Creosote, Texas Cedar, Water Musk

Is Hot Boy Summer a thing? Let’s make it a thing, and let’s keep it going, even in winter, because that’s what Abercrombie & Finch Woods feels like. It’s unapologetically masculine with its lavender, vetiver and musk, plus it has a budget-friendly price point that makes it easy to reach for on a regular basis. For older men, it may feel too young or try hard, but for millennials and below, it will feel nostalgic and comforting, as those in this age range will fondly remember passing the brick and mortar, if only to get a whiff of this pleasing scent.

New York Post Review: ” There were three main fragrances of my youth: Polo Sport, Curve for Men and Abercrombie’s Woods. Over the past 25 years, my fragrance preferences have matured, but I’ve held a deep nostalgia for Woods. It disappeared for a beat and was revived with a different formula for a few years, but it didn’t hit. Finally, last year I learned that the brand quietly brought back a version resembling the wintery, musky Woods I knew back in ’97. I copped a bottle and the first spritz sent me back in time. Now it’s back in my regular rotation and it absolutely holds up. It’s a classic, timeless scent and it comes at an affordable price point.” — Adam Schubak, Commerce Senior Growth Manager

Key Notes: Air notes, lavender, vetiver, musk

In the world of scents, there’s fine fragrance, and then there is fine fragrance. That’s Bond No 9 — a fragrance house I suspect many designers try to duplicate (in price point, anyway) but fail because they just can’t replicate the scent profiles or luxurious feeling the designer is known for. As someone late to experiencing the olfactory offerings of the brand, I promise you, it deserves ALL of the flowers, and its Brooklyn scent is a wonderful place to start. I don’t know if it’s the grapefruit and cypress top notes, the gin in the center or the cedarwood and leather in the base that make it work, but it werks. If you’re searching for something sophisticated, aromatic, a blend of sweet and musky with a slash of fashionable, this is it.

New York Post Review: “I spent years lusting over Bond No 9 fragrances before I finally treated myself to my first bottle. The colorful graffiti bottle design drew me to its Brooklyn scent but the lively notes of citrus and leather (among others) are what keep me coming back to it even as I’ve added additional Bond offerings to my collection. Founder Laurice Rahmé and her team have the uncanny ability of capturing the essence of New York neighborhoods and bottle it. Each one has a unique character, and sometimes it’s good to switch things up, but my heart will always belong to Brooklyn.” — Schubak

Key Notes: Grapefruit, Geranium leaves. Cardamom, Leather, Guaiacwood

I’m personally biased toward this cologne, as it was one of my favorite person’s signature scents. However, I think most people will agree that Acqua di Gio is still a standout fragrance 30 years after its introduction.

It’s aquatic (think Mediterranean seas) and bright (like the sun shining down on those seas) and sexy in this effortless kind of way that’s hard to describe with actual adjectives. It’s a symphony of notes, including neroli and jasmine in the top, sea notes and rosemary at its heart, and oakmoss and white musk in its base. Once you smell it, you want to keep smelling it, and isn’t that the testimony of a quality cologne? Like all the best men I know, it’s complex but warm and something that always makes me feel painfully nostalgic whenever I catch a hint of it on someone.

New York Post Review: “I wore Acqua di Giò as the very first cologne I ever bought. It was one of those things that gets passed down the same way a favorite sports team does. My dad wore it, so when I started working and getting ready for date nights, it was the scent I naturally reached for. Luckily, it turned out to be a great choice. It’s clean, classic, and unmistakable, and I can’t count how many times I got complimented on it. It’s one of those fragrances that just sticks with you in the best way.” — Frank Massaro, Commerce Partnerships Manager

If you’re shopping for a cologne that’s for your brother, nephew or late 20-something-year-old son, Le Labo Santal 33 is the one to go with. It’s not young, per se, but it’s cool, spirited and non-complicated, making it a great option for those just getting serious about their fragrance wardrobe. It wears close to the skin, so it’s also lovely for the office, where you may encounter folks sensitive to louder scents. With notes of violet, iris, Australian sandalwood and leather, it reads to me as masculine, though it’s considered unisex, and is the perfect cologne for days you want to show effort but don’t need to announce yourself at every turn.

Key Notes: Cardamom, Violet Accord, Iris, Ambrox, Sandalwood (Australian), Cedarwood, Leather, Amber 

While there is no official data on which male perfume (aka cologne) attracts the opposite sex the most, according to Scent Bird, women respond best to scents of vanilla, lavender and cinnamon, as well as fresh and woody profiles.

Because of this, it’s no surprise that colognes such as Versace Eros (fresh and sweet), Creed Aventus (fresh and woody) and Dior Sauvage (fresh and spicy) are reported as compliment earners.

Based on the LVMH 2023 Annual Report, Dior Sauvage remains one of the top-selling men’s colognes. It, along with Acqua di Gio and Chanel Bleu de Chanel continue to make editors’ lists, such as ours, and retailers’ for best-sellers.

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