If you’re looking for some great gift ideas but don’t know what to buy, why not settle for a classic: cologne.
To help find the best cologne for men, we’ve researched the top-selling and best-smelling colognes that will make the perfect gift for your favorite man. (You can see the best fragrances for women here.) Looking for more gifts? Check out our favorite gifts for men, gifts for women, and our favorite Nordstrom gifts.
If you *completely* don’t know where to start finding the right cologne for him, Sephora can actually help you. It sells its own cologne sampler that lets your guy smell 12 different sample sizes of cologne, then gives him a certificate he can trade in for a full-size bottle of his favorite. In our opinion, this is an unbeatable deal.
A clean woody fragrance, this Chanel fragrance has a 4.8-star rating for a reason: citrus and amber notes complement each other perfectly, while cedar wood adds a punch. “I actually have about 100 bottles of cologne and this is one of my go-to colognes for everyday wear,” wrote one reviewer. “Perfect for business people like me who have to wear a suit and need a cologne for the day.” So, if you’re looking for an everyday fragrance that you can wear in a lot, consider this one.
If you’re looking forward to warm days by the fire in winter rather than snow and cold temperatures, this Maison Margiela cologne needs to be on your vanity soon. With vanilla, chestnut and clove aromas, it is a woody, sweet scent. Designed for comfort and sensuality, it is the ultimate cold weather fragrance.
You wouldn’t think of rosemary as an ideal cologne ingredient, but this Armani Beauty fragrance is an aquatic-inspired option that’s very fresh and clean. Acqua Di Gio is perfect for men who don’t want a strong woody scent.
One of the most unique colognes on the market, Dior Sauvage contains hints of ambroxan, Sichuan peppercorns and Reggio Bergamot, perfect for men who want to stand out from the crowd.
With ginger, tobacco and cocoa, this high-end Tom Ford cologne is the ultimate sweet and spicy scent for those who can’t choose between the two.
With more than 43,500 “likes” on Sephora.com, it appears the hefty price tag hasn’t deterred consumers from trying it. “I can smell it on my skin for hours and it’s exactly what I want and expect from a luxurious fragrance,” wrote one reviewer. It’s good value for money, for sure.
Named after the ancient Greek goddess of love, Versace Eros uses mint leaves, lemon zest, and green apples to create a fruity, joyful vibe—no woody notes at all.
For a refreshing and energizing scent for a long work day, this is definitely your pick. “It’s masculine without being overly musky, and as other reviewers have pointed out, there’s something about it that sets it apart,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s fresh, but a little sweet. , masculine, but not overpowering.”
Don’t let the name fool you: this smell doesn’t smell like marijuana!
Instead, the budget-friendly option boasts aromas of kumquat, plum, vanilla and musk for a sultry, fruity scent. It’s a warm option that reminds us of cozy blankets and delicious hot chocolate.
AllSaints’ Sunset Riot fragrance for unisex aims to juxtapose calm sunsets with tumultuous chaos, so the fragrance is woody and floral. It is both masculine and feminine, with aromas of pink pepper, orange blossom and cedar.
If the bright golden bottle doesn’t appeal to you, this fragrance definitely does: this Paco Rabanne cologne has aromas of rose, musk, cinnamon, mint, patchouli and white wood.
This results in a multi-layered scent, starting with a citrus top note, spicy middle note and woody base note – everything you need in one fragrance.
Versace Dylan Blue, which uses fig leaves to give it a unique edge, is the most popular product with a 4.7-star rating at Sephora.
Other interesting additions include violets and black pepper, which add a sultry touch to an otherwise modern fragrance. Described by one reviewer as “clean, masculine, sexy without being too sweet or powdery,” it’s a great option for those looking for something a little different.
Le Labo describes Santal 33 as an open flame inspired by the American West. With rich woody notes of cardamom, iris, cedar and leather, the fragrance is addictive and has been described by one reviewer as “the scent of the gods”.
Designed as a contrasting experiment, this YSL fragrance uses cardamom, cinnamon and cedar wood to create a spicy note with subtle woody notes. A truly seductive scent, in every sense a fragrance for a special date.
Inspired by Byredo’s Indian-bred founders, Black Saffron combines aromas of Asian grapefruit, juniper, black violet, raspberry and vetiver to create a tough, fruity scent.
Sage, spice, toasted almonds and citrus flavors make this spicy cologne perfect for those who want a strong, pronounced scent.
The warm floral scent of this Tom Ford Black Orchid Cologne will make you feel sophisticated and luxurious all night. If its truffle, black orchid and plum flavors don’t appeal to you, the stunning golden bottle certainly will.
This mineral woody cologne from Jo Malone is flavored with amber seed, sea salt and sage. With its fragrance stories centered on windswept shores or rugged cliffs, this cologne is meant to be as vibrant and spirited as a raging ocean wave.
This warm and spicy fragrance from Burberry is refreshed with citrus trees and violet leaves, paired with cedar and white pepper. Its clean and fragrant scent makes it perfect for everyday use. With a 4.8-star rating, Sephora reviewers absolutely love this cologne.
Aromas of bergamot, petitgrain, cedar and musk underline this intensely masculine scent. Shoppers love the scent, with one reviewer writing: “My boyfriend and I both love the scent; it has great staying power and it smells really irresistible to him.”