Smelling good doesn’t have to mean spending big. The best affordable colognes for men deliver the same sophistication and staying power as their pricier counterparts—without the sticker shock. “Great fragrances exist at every price point,” says Bérénice Watteau, perfumer at DSM-Firmenich, a European fragrance maker. “What makes a scent truly interesting is not just the cost of its ingredients, but the creativity of the perfumer. A beautiful idea can be expressed in many ways.” To narrow down the best budget-friendly colognes for men (all under $115), I tested a mix of editor favorites, affordable designer picks, and under-the-radar dupes. Take our pick for best overall, Armani Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette, a timeless, clean scent with fresh marine notes that never goes out of style. Below are the ones that stood out for their wear time, complexity, and crowd-pleasing appeal. You can also check out our list of affordable perfumes for more budget-friendly fragrance finds.
The best affordable colognes, at a glance
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How we tested
To find the best cheap colognes, we considered fragrance notes, pricing, and how long each scent lasted on the skin (at least five hours of wear). We focused on options under $115 that offered impressive complexity and quality without the luxury markup. Scents that evolved beautifully on the skin—and lasted through a whole day—earned top marks.
The best picks were elevated and wearable, and they felt far more expensive than they actually were.
Best Overall: Armani Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette
Scent family: Fresh aquatic | Notes: Bergamot, jasmine, rosemary, cedarwood, patchouli | Size: 1 oz., 1.6 oz., 3.3 oz., 5 oz., 6.7 oz.
Originally launched in 1996, Acqua di Giò remains one of the most iconic men’s fragrances of all time. It strikes the perfect balance between clean, sensual, and timeless, making it just as wearable now as it was nearly three decades ago. Inspired by the Mediterranean coast, the scent opens with zesty bergamot and sea breeze, then settles into a warm, woody base of patchouli and cedarwood.
Light, breezy, and endlessly versatile, this fragrance transitions effortlessly from day to night. Its crisp bergamot, herbal rosemary, and soft white musk give it universal appeal. It’s masculine but never overpowering, sophisticated but not fussy. This is the kind of cologne that earns compliments without trying too hard.
Best Long-Lasting Cologne: Hawthorne Canary Diamond
Scent family: Woody/aromatic | Notes: Smoked pineapple, sea salt, petitgrain, vetiver, musk | Size: 1.7 oz.
If you want a cologne that goes the distance, this one delivers. With a vibe similar to scents like Creed Aventus ($495) or Mont Blanc Explorer ($158), Hawthorne Canary Diamond offers a sophisticated, long-lasting fragrance at a fraction of the cost.
Like Aventus, it centers around pineapple—specifically smoked pineapple—for a scent that’s bold, complex, and surprisingly refined. “Pineapple is a very underused note in fragrance,” says Tynan Sinks, beauty writer and cohost of Smell Ya Later. “This one not only makes it the hero of the scent, it smokes the pineapple for a sweet, charred, nearly caramelized fruit that’s even more rare than the note itself.” He adds that the layers of salt, green petitgrain, and woody vetiver balance that juicy center, creating something innovative and addictive.
Best Under $20 Cologne: Nautica Voyage
Scent family: Fresh | Notes: Green apple, mimosa, cedarwood, water lotus, musk | Sizes: 3.3 oz., 6.7 oz.
This light, watery “freshie” is a classic for good reason. It smells good on everyone, works for every occasion, and echoes the crisp energy of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. The blend of green apple, cedar, and florals evokes the feeling of cool water and sun-warmed skin. The light and airy scent is actually a top fragrance trend our editors have noticed in 2025.
“It’s clean and uncomplicated—a perfect option for any guy who doesn’t want to think twice about what he’s spraying as he walks out the door,” notes Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith.
Best Fruity Cologne: Noyz Sh**ty Day Eau de Parfum
Scent family: Aromatic | Notes: Eucalyptus, bergamot, coconut water, fig, clary sage, violet, lavender, tonka bean, salt, amber, cedarwood | Sizes: 1.69 oz.
Noyz makes standout unisex scents, and Sh**ty Day is the breakout favorite. The star here is fig, a note that often appears in luxury favorites like Diptyque Philosykos and DS&Durga Debaser. Its salted fig heart note is crisp and refreshing, complemented by ocean air, eucalyptus, and “sea-soaked woods.”
If you usually gravitate toward marine or aquatic scents, this one’s a fun way to switch things up. It’s energizing, clean, and wearable for everyone. Noyz Unmute EDP fragrance was also one of Glamour’s best perfumes for women and won a 2024 Glamour Beauty Award, so the brand comes with serious editor cred.
Best Woody Cologne: Maison Louis Marie No.09 Vallée de Farney
Scent family: Woody | Notes: Grapefruit, orange, black pepper, cedarwood, patchouli | Size: .50 oz.
Smith describes Vallée de Farney as “a forest on the first nice day of spring.” The perfume oil opens with a peppery bite before easing into an earthy blend of patchouli and vetiver. It smells like tree trunks, sun-warmed leaves, and crisp air after rain. Whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I reach for this to boost my mental clarity. Unlike many perfume oils, this one projects beautifully and lasts for hours. The travel-friendly rollerball is perfect for touch-ups, making it a sophisticated pick for everyday wear. We recommend it as your next vacation fragrance.
Best Citrus Cologne: K by Dolce & Gabbana Eau de Toilette Spray
Scent family: Citrus and woods | Notes: Patchouli, cedarwood, pimento, Sicilian lemon, blood orange | Sizes: 1.6 oz., 3 oz.
This cologne is basically confidence in a bottle. It blends citrus and wood with a subtle sweetness, creating a scent that’s both lively and grounded. It leans masculine without being too intense, making it a great everyday signature scent. (Or for a first date, just saying.) Zesty Sicilian lemon and blood orange bring brightness, while patchouli and cedarwood add an elegant, lasting finish.
The crown-topped bottle makes it gift-worthy. It makes this fragrance feel like a gift fit for royalty, a.k.a. your boyfriend, your dad, or, honestly, yourself.
Best Spicy Cologne: Dior Sauvage
Scent family: Woody | Notes: Bergamot, Sichuan pepper, amberwood | Sizes: 1 oz., 2 oz., 3.4 oz., 6.7 oz.
There’s a reason Dior Sauvage is one of the most popular men’s colognes of all time. It opens with bright citrus, marine notes, and warm amberwood, balanced by spicy Sichuan pepper at the heart.
When Lauren Rivera and her now-husband planned their wedding and honeymoon, they each chose a signature scent for the occasion. He picked Sauvage. Three years later, the cologne transports her to that special time. “It brings me back to our honeymoon in Lisbon and Barcelona,” she says. “It triggers those memories in an instant.”
Best for Teens: Billie Eilish Your Turn Eau de Parfum
Scent family: Woody | Notes: Bergamot, cardamom, ginger, peach skin, jasmine, coconut water, sandalwood, captive musks, upcycled Sylvamber | Sizes: 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.
Name a teen who isn’t obsessed with Billie Eilish—we’ll wait. Playful and confident, Your Turn feels made for the next generation of fragrance lovers. The dice-inspired bottle looks great on a vanity, while the scent balances spicy cardamom and ginger with soft musk and creamy sandalwood.
“Your Turn is this balance of bright, spicy, sweet, and earthy that’s always evolving on your skin,” says Sinks. “The peach skin comes through here without turning it into a true fruity fragrance, and the ginger and cardamom add some spicy depth without weighing it down. It’s an effervescent scent that sparkles on the skin throughout wear and makes you look forward to the next time you spray it on.”
Best for Winter: Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla Spray Cologne
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Scent family: Aromatic/warm spicy vanilla | Notes: Cardamom, cashmere wood, tobacco, black vanilla, dark woods, amber accords | Sizes: 3.4 oz.
This $24 cologne smells like a cashmere sweater layered over a worn leather jacket: cozy with just enough edge. The mix of cardamom, black vanilla, and amber gives it warmth and dimension, while the tobacco and woods create a rich dry-down that lingers all night. For how luxe this scent smells, you’d never guess that it’s only $24 a bottle. Spray it this fall before a dinner or date night. Don’t be surprised if someone leans in closer for another whiff.
Best Leather Cologne: Malin + Goetz Leather Perfume Oil
Scent family: Woody | Notes: Lotus, clove, pepper, lily-of-the-valley, green violet, iris wood, orchid, leather, sandalwood, cedarwood, cashmere musk, amber, incense | Sizes: .2 oz.
This leather-forward fragrance takes a softer approach to a traditionally bold note. Floral touches of violet, orchid, and lily of the valley temper the warm leather, amber, and sandalwood, creating a smooth, modern finish. Because it’s an oil, it stays close to the skin and won’t project as much as a spray. The scent lasts for hours, making it ideal for date nights or cozy evenings in.
Best Unconventional Cologne: Snif No Noses Inc. Dead Dinosaur
Scent family: Aromatic | Notes: Gasoline, pink pepper, ginger, magnolia, orris, davana, cedarwood, Peru balsam, amber woods | Sizes: 1 oz., .34 oz.
As you’re hunting for the best men’s fragrances, you’ll probably come across the word “accord” more than once. In perfumery, an accord is a group of notes blended to smell like something else; for example, an amber accord, or, in the case of Dead Dinosaur, a gasoline accord.
This scent is daring, polarizing, and unforgettable. Inspired by the strangely addictive smell of gasoline, it leans into contrast with charred woods, smoky accords, and floral undertones.
“Ever notice how many people love the smell of gasoline? I don’t get it, but I’m one of them,” says Sinks. “This is one of the only fragrances I’ve smelled that interprets that scent into a perfume, and one of the few that does it well. It’s deep and charred and rubbery, like tire tread and gasoline on hot pavement, but has enough heady florals and soft woods to balance it into something hypnotic.”
Frequently asked questions
How much should a decent cologne cost?
According to Darryl Do, senior perfumer at Delbia Do Fragrance Lab, you can pick up a great cologne for under $100. “Now there are various sizes to choose from, like 10ml, 30ml, or 50ml, which will work as an addition to your fragrance wardrobe.”
Is it okay to wear cologne every day?
Yes, and Do encourages it. “Please use perfume and cologne every day—it’s part of your daily ritual to face the world!” he says.
Tips for making cologne last
“If you have an unscented moisturizer, add this after you have applied your cologne,” suggests Do. “This top layer can delay the release of your scent.”
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