What is the best way to apply colognes for men?

It's best to spritz it directly onto clean, dry skin—after a shower is ideal—targeting pulse points like the inner wrists and neck. Hold the bottle three to six inches from your skin and try not to exceed four pumps.

Do I need to buy new men's cologne for my wedding day?

You don't have to, but it could be fun to experiment for this special occasion. If you find a new scent for the big day, you’ll be reminded of this memory every time you wear it after the celebration. Of course, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and at ease at your wedding—if you want to try a new cologne, give it a few test runs ahead of the event so you're sure it doesn't overwhelm you.

When buying colognes for men on Amazon, how can I tell if it is an authorized retailer?

You want to ensure you're buying from a verified seller on Amazon rather than an unverified retailer or seller. Verified sellers will have a link under their product’s name directing you to visit that brand’s store.

The 26 Best Colognes for Men of 2024

In This Article

Enduring Classics Masculine and Rugged Fresh and Clean Timeless and Sophisticated

Elegant and Formal What To Look For Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust Brides

Black Friday Deals

Tom Ford Oud Wood, $139 (was $270)
Byredo Bibliothéque, $175 (was $251)
Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum, $94 (was $129)

See More Deals: The 30 Best Early Black Friday Deals for Brides and Wedding Guests, From $12

Some men wear the same cologne for years, and others swap out scents depending on their mood or the occasion. If you're a groom or you're shopping for one, consider the different types of fragrance profiles. The most popular fragrance families include citrus, woody, aromatic, aquatic, leather, and gourmand. While citrus scents are fresh and uplifting, woody fragrances are earthy and grounded, perfect for those who love the great outdoors. Aromatic colognes blend herbs and spices, and aquatic scents give notes of an ocean breeze. Leather fragrance families are bold and spicy, and gourmand colognes are warm and comforting, appealing to those who love the scent of sweet treats.

We researched the best options online to help you find your ideal cologne for the wedding day and beyond. After testing dozens of colognes, we determined our final selection based on longevity, freshness, ingredients, value, and quality.

Enduring Classics

Enduring classics feature a crisp, refined scent that boasts woody, cedar undertones, so a man who appreciates complex and nuanced fragrances will favor this option. These typically have a more subtle finish than other scents yet are still strong enough for everyday wear or special occasions and garner compliments from anyone passing.

“Le Labo ANOTHER 13 Eau de Parfum and Byredo Bibliothèque are two scents I adore on men; they are musky and sensual and still allow you to smell like him. Chanel Bleu de Chanel is one of the most popular colognes with grooms for its woody and fresh citrus aromas that have what we call silage, to last all day and night, with just one spritz.” —Jill Di Donato, Brides Associate Editorial Operations Director

Masculine and Rugged

Masculine and rugged colognes feature woody notes mixed with cedar, leather, neroli oil, and tobacco. Think dark, smooth, and intimate aromas that are as romantic as they are virile.

"Fragrance is genderless and subjective as any person can wear any scent that appeals to them (and their significant other). Fragrances marketed as masculine tend to favor darker, smoky notes like tobacco, tonka bean, and cedar. Tom Ford comes to mind as the quintessential creator of masculine and rugged cologne." —Jill Di Donato, Brides Associate Editorial Operations Director

Fresh and Clean

So fresh and so clean—these colognes are for the man who prefers subtle to overpowering. He may be sensitive to fragrance but still wants to wear cologne. You find earthy and verdant notes as well as beachy ones to conjure sea and surf or the forest just after a rainfall.

"I'm a longtime Byredo fan, and Mojave Ghost captures a clean musk that's crisp and light. I was very excited to try Louis Vuitton's Lvers by Pharrell Williams, which he says was like capturing sunlight in a bottle. When my boyfriend had it on, I couldn't get enough." —Jill Di Donato, Brides Associate Editorial Operations Director

Timeless and Sophisticated

A gentleman requires a sophisticated scent. Find fragrances from classic French houses known for their master noses. Think clary sage, deepened by juniper and black pepper, refined and chic.

"I like a rugged guy who can still clean up nice. A sophisticated scent like the Hermès H24 accentuates both warm, woody notes with its rosewood and sage and a sensual allure of narcissus in the embodiment of an eau de toilette." —Cher Checchio, Brides Copy Editor

Elegant and Formal

These scents are ideal for special occasions as they are elevated and intense. With citrus finishes, woody musks, pepper, and cedarwood define this aromatic genre. Ideal for the black-tie affair, these scents are rich and luxe and meant to linger.

"As one of my favorite scents for men's cologne, you can't go wrong with a cedarwood and spicy blend. If you want a fragrance that's masculinity in a bottle, opt for The One by Dolce&Gabbana with its warm, inviting notes." —Cher Checchio, Brides Copy Editor

What to Look for in Colognes for Men

Consider the Blend, Not Singular Notes: First, decide if you'd prefer a woody fragrance or something with fresh and uplifting notes. Please don't get stuck on single ingredients, as cologne gets its scent from the blended profile, not singular notes. So, don't discount a scent because you have notions about a singular note.
Longevity: Do you want a fragrance that lasts all day or lingers for a few hours between spritzes? If you're unsure what the best scent is, it's also wise to test out fragrances at a department store counter or boutique. Just don't try too many at once—take breaks with fresh air and a whiff of coffee beans, which are said to help reset and neutralize smells.

Perfume Concentration: Eau de Toilette has a lower concentration of perfume oil, which means it tends to have a lighter scent. It is also less expensive but doesn't last as long. Eau de Parfum has a higher concentration of scent and lasts longer but often costs more.

FAQ

What is the best way to apply colognes for men?

It's best to spritz it directly onto clean, dry skin—after a shower is ideal—targeting pulse points like the inner wrists and neck. Hold the bottle three to six inches from your skin and try not to exceed four pumps.
Do I need to buy new men's cologne for my wedding day?

You don't have to, but it could be fun to experiment for this special occasion. If you find a new scent for the big day, you’ll be reminded of this memory every time you wear it after the celebration. Of course, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and at ease at your wedding—if you want to try a new cologne, give it a few test runs ahead of the event so you're sure it doesn't overwhelm you.
When buying colognes for men on Amazon, how can I tell if it is an authorized retailer?

You want to ensure you're buying from a verified seller on Amazon rather than an unverified retailer or seller. Verified sellers will have a link under their product’s name directing you to visit that brand’s store.

Why Trust Brides

Jill Di Donato is the associate editorial operations director for the Beauty and Style Group at Dotdash Meredith. She writes about bridal trends, gifting, beauty, and style for Brides and has been with the brand since 2022.

Commerce writer Madison Barber is a beauty, skincare, and fragrance expert. She updated this article to ensure each recommendation was up to Brides standards for readers seeking a men's cologne.