The 24 Best Colognes for Men in 2024, Tested by Grooming Experts

The best boardroom fragrances are bold and authoritative without being too aggressive or off-putting. This strikes just the right balance. Warm, velvety notes of cardamom, amber, and sandalwood—dialed all the way up. It’s intense, but that’s the whole point. It’s spicy and masculine in a way that commands attention but won’t overpower the room (even though it’s extreme).

The older, more mature brother of Sauvage, this version is ultra-concentrated, has more staying power, and smells spicier thanks to notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom

Anchored in three different kinds of cedar with a bonus helping of pine needles, this big scent is all about the woods—without the campfire or lumberjack vibe.

It’s like international travel in a bottle—tropical fruit, paradise garden, exotic spices, and smoky tobacco. Cheaper than most overseas fares, too.

At first spray, you’ll smell fresh citrus. But as it dries, you’ll find a powerful earthy-woodsy base. It’s a solid, well-balanced starter cologne if you’re not sure you’re a cologne guy.

If you’re going to go for a wood fragrance, you can’t go wrong with classic smooth, sexy sandalwood. This elegant concoction is really heavy on the sandalwood, in a very good way, with a spicy hit of ambrette seed and a warm dose of myrrh.

This bold scent may have shades of the classic Noir, but it’s definitely not your dad’s Drakkar. This new version is tempered and modernized with botanicals like sage and bergamot and a subtle suede note. It’s attention-grabbing but not in-your-face.

Not only is this deep, mysterious fragrance completely intoxicating, but the bottle itself is a heavy, luxurious conversation piece that is ideal for a bathroom counter or dresser. The combination makes it the ideal gift, something they (or you) would love to display and love to wear even more.

All of The Nue Co’s fragrances are meant to harness the effects of nature on our bodies and this new water-inspired scent is no exception. The water, marine fragrance helps is meant to mimic how relaxed we feel in and around water, and yes, it actually works (and smells great, too).

Forget everything you think you know about AXE. This body spray, part of the brand spanking new Fine Fragrances Collection, has more in common with your designer cologne than the body spray you remember from high school. Not only does a few spritzes of this help deodorize and keep funk away all day, but it leaves you smelling fresh with just a hint of elevated florals.

The perfect weekend scent is a little bit of everything: relaxed, fresh, sexy and unexpected. At first this fragrance hits you with a burst of freshness, but as it dries down a clean, sexy element from the cedarwood and patchouli emerges. Spray some on in the morning and let it take you all the way through Saturday night.

This fresh fragrance nabbed the top spot at our 2022 Grooming Awards for its eternal wearability. Green mandarin and sage lend a subtle scent that makes an impression—and the bottle is refillable.

Think of this subtle scent as a modern take on freshness. It’s less citrus heavy but instead contains lavender and a “denim accord” that smells like fresh jeans right out of the dryer. It’s an unexpected clean vibe that’s effortlessly cool.

This fragrance is an icon for a reason—it’s just plain good. The fresh, luxurious mix of grapefruit, cedar and sandalwood is masculine without being in-your-face and ideal to wear during the day when you want something a little more subtle. That essential combination is what makes it one of the top selling men’s fragrances in the world.

Deeper woods like sandalwood might be mainstays in men’s fragrances, but don’t sleep on cyprus. It has a lighter, more subtle wood quality that makes this scent somehow warm and fresh at the same time. The musk at the base becomes more pronounced as it dries down, lending this scent a sexy, mysterious quality.

Sabah may be known for their worldly leather shoes and slippers, but this new scent captures the wanderlust spirit of the brand perfectly. The woody, leather, spicy scent calls to mind walking through open air markets or sitting down to a spice-laden dinner in an off-the-beaten-path restaurant. Plus, the size is small enough to pop in your flight-ready dopp kit.

If you’re having trouble picking between a fresh scent and a heavier leather cologne, why choose? This luxury fragrance is the best of both worlds: a burst of freshness at the top and then a deep, woody base with a healthy dose of sexy leather. It’s one of those scents that keeps evolving the longer you wear it—in a very good way.

Everything Bravo Sierra makes is about performance and this fragrance is no exception. It’s incredibly wearable, like a greatest hits album of the best notes in men’s cologne, and strong enough that you’ll smell great but not so strong that you’ll clear a room. It’s bright and optimistic, ideal for daytime wear or a post-gym spritz to keep your energy high.

If you think fresh scents are only appropriate for daytime, think again. This cologne’s ginger, citrus, and bergamot make for a fresh first spray, but then it’s tempered by deeper notes like patchouli, oakmoss, and musk for a smoother, velvety vibe that goes well with a tuxedo.

Any time you see the word “sport” on cologne, it usually means it’s kicked up with citrus and freshness. This new sporty scent has that, of course, but it’s blended with amber and spices for a more modern, unexpected take on the idea. You’ll give off an aura of approachability and chill.

Read more: Best Perfumes for Women