The 20 Best Selling Men’s Colognes, Tested by Grooming Editors

Best Modern Masculine Scent

Dior Sauvage

Best Musk Scent

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

Launched in 2003, Polo Blue is the epitome of a masculine “blue” fragrance, an exceedingly popular category in men’s cologne because of its wearability and versatility. Known for its lightweight, fresh and clean vibes, this scent is your perfect, crowd pleasing everyday scent that starts out fresh and clean and dries down to a subtle masculine woody-musk. It’s never offensive and always appropriate.

NotesCucumber, melon, mandarin orange, basil, sage, geranium, suede, woodsy notes, musk

Best Clean Scent

Calvin Klein One

Best Clean Scent

Calvin Klein One

Billed as the first unisex fragrance when it was released in 1995, CK One captured the fresh, subtle vibes of the era—and continues to be one of the most popular colognes to this day. It’s citrusy, floral, bright and has an overwhelming clean feeling that’s ideal for summer weather and daytime wear.

NotesLemon, green notes, bergamot, pineapple, cardamom, jasmine, violet, nutmeg, orris root, freesia, musk, cedar, sandalwood, oakmoss, amber

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Best Citrus Scent

Armani Beauty Acqua di Giò

Best Summer Scent

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme

The quintessential summer fragrance, this is a sunny, bright citrus bomb that screams warm weather. It’s exactly what you think of when you imagine a summer cologne—crisp, fresh citrus like bergamot and mandarin orange, a hint of woody spice from juniper and rosemary and a smooth finish of rosewood and oakmoss to ground it to your skin. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a fresh fruit salad.

NotesGrapefruit, bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, juniper, pepper, rosemary, Brazilian rosewood, musk, incense, oakmoss

An Iconic Going Out Scent

Versace Eros

The IYKYK Scent

Creed Aventus

Reading the notes on this iconic cologne can be a bit misleading. Yes, it has a fruity element thanks to notes like apple, black currant and pineapple, but you’ll be surprised if you assume it’s just a cloud of sweetness. This cologne is uber masculine and walks a fine line between traditional and modern. Even over a decade after its release, it’s one of those If You Know You Know colognes that’s always going to be a crowd pleaser.

NotesBergamot, black currant, apple, lemon, pineapple, patchouli, Moroccan jasmine, birch, musk, oakmoss, ambroxan, cedarwood

Most Versatile Scent

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

Best Sandalwood Scent

Le Labo Santal 33

Perhaps the ultimate niche fragrance success story, Santal 33 catapulted Le Labo from indie perfumer into household name. To this day, the instantly identifiable sandalwood fragrance is one of the brand’s best sellers for the simple reason that it’s incredibly wearable while still smelling unique and hip. It’s one of those rare fragrances that kept its street cred the more popular it became. Cool might as well be in its DNA.

NotesSandalwood, leather, papyrus, Virginia cedar, cardamom, violet, iris, amber

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Best Long Lasting Scent

Versace Dylan Blue

A Warm Weather Scent That Stands Out

Yves Saint Laurent Y

What sets this crowd pleaser apart from other fresh colognes on this list is the aldehydes in the top note, which give this a bit of clean soapy quality. It’s light and pleasant, perfect for warm weather, and is inoffensive enough to wear on pretty much every occasion. It’s a the perfect daytime scent that toes the line between subtle and statement-making.

NotesAldehydes, ginger, bergamot, mint, lemon, apple, violet leaf, pineapple, sage, geranium, ambergris, musk, cedar, balsam fir, vetiver, incense

Best Blend of Citrus and Spice

Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey Pour Homme

Best Blend of Citrus and Spice

Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey Pour Homme

Another iconic fresh scent of the 1990’s, this cologne has stood the test of time and remains a best seller because it’s identifiable and unique. The Yuzu note adds sweetness to the crisp citrus and the unique mix of spices and herbs make what could be a very straightforward fresh cologne into something much more elegant and layered.

NotesYuzu, lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange, cypress, blue lotus, nutmeg, lily-of-the-valley, saffron, ceylon cinnamon, Tahitian vetiver, musk, cedar, sandalwood, amber, tobacco

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A Scent that’s Sweet, but not too Sweet

Hugo Boss Hugo Man

A Scent that’s Sweet, but not too Sweet

Hugo Boss Hugo Man

This versatile cologne is anchored in woods, making it a mature, masculine daytime cologne that’s not overwhelming or aggressive. The sweetness of apple and the floral lavender help to lighten up all the woods at the base. It’s a mature scent for a guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously—perfect to office wear.

NotesGreen apple, lavender, pine, woody notes, balsam fir

A Cozy Classic

Calvin Klein Obsession

A Cozy Classic

Calvin Klein Obsession

Widely considered one of the best men’s colognes of all time, Obsession is a warm, spicy, deeply layered fragrance that smells just as modern today as it did when it was first released in 1986. Where other Calvin Klein fragrances may be known for their freshness, this one is cozy and masculine and is best worn in the winter sitting next to a roaring fire (but is just as appropriate anywhere else).

NotesCinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, myrrh, nutmeg, carnation, Brazilian rosewood, pine tree, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, vetiver

A Fresh Daytime Scent

Davidoff Cool Water

A Fresh Daytime Scent

Davidoff Cool Water

The scent that launched a thousand aquatics, when Cool Water hit the scene, it changed the game for men’s cologne. It has since become a bona fide cologne icon and for good reason. The fresh, aromatic, aquatic scent is the ultimate watery cologne that’s both instantly fresh and incredibly masculine thanks to the musk, tobacco and cedar at the base. It remains one of the best daytime colognes available.

NotesSea water, lavender, mint, green notes, rosemary, calone, coriander, sandalwood, neroli, geranium, jasmine, musk, oakmoss, tobacco, cedar, ambergris

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The Date Night Go-To

Azzaro The Most Wanted

A Festive Favorite

Paco Rabanne 1 Million

If Versace Eros is a party scent, this is its counterpart. Instead of fresh, One Million is spicy, warm and a little sweet tempered at the base with woods and patchouli. It’s an undeniably masculine cologne that still feels young and approachable. It’s perfect for winter, especially festive parties or intimate get togethers.

NotesBlood mandarin, grapefruit, mint, cinnamon, spicy notes, rose, amber, leather, woody notes, Indian patchouli

Best for Formal Environments

Montblanc Explorer

A Woodsy Scent You Can Use for Years

Valentino Uomo Born

What sets this cologne apart is the mineral saltiness of the opening. It’s a unique introduction to a fragrance that is familiar enough to be crowd pleasing (fresh and woody) but feels youthful at the same time. It’s a modern interpretation of traditionally masculine vibes that’s exceedingly wearable, especially during the day, no matter how old you are.

NotesMineral notes, violet leaf, salt, ginger, sage, woody notes, vetiver

A Timeless Daily Scent