With good quality designer colognes often running well over $100, we know it’s tricky to smell good on an affordable budget.
This guide includes our pick of the best cheap cologne for men that are a beautiful balance of quality and price. These are bottles from a range of well-known designers, brands, and celebrities that you can still get for an affordable price.
Are There Good But Inexpensive Men’s Perfumes?
So you’ve spent more than you should have for the holidays, or you’re doing some serious scaling back on your expenses and something has to give. Dealing with financial realities doesn’t mean you have to compromise on smelling good.
These inexpensive cologne options for men might not be the cheapest of the cheap but you’ll be getting a quality fragrance at an affordable price.
Of course, you can also keep your eyes on bargain bins, where incredible deals can sometimes still be found.
Best Cheap Cologne and Where to Wear Them
The Classic: 4711 Original Eau de Cologne
This classic bargain fragrance is apparently still made according to a secret recipe from the late 18th century (yes, it’s been around that long).
While 4711 Original Eau de Cologne lacks staying power, it more than compensates with its uplifting and nostalgic mix of lemon, bergamot, and orange oil. More than a fragrance, it’s a superb pick-me-up tonic.
Best Masculine Scent: Antonio Puig Quorum EDT
Originally launched in 1981, Quorum packs an old-school power punch with dominant notes of oakmoss, leather, tobacco, artemisia and sandalwood.
This bargain fragrance is super-masculine stuff, irresistibly earthy and is as far from generic as you can get. It’s not often you will find quality at this price, so hunt it down now.
Best Wood: Jeanne Arthes Cobra Man EDT
There’s more complexity to this woody-aromatic fragrance than its price tag suggests. It opens with notes of citrus, orange blossom and rosemary. The heart is quite unusual and features notes of ginger and angelica among the more familiar cinnamon and lavender.
The base is warm and cozy, with notes of sandalwood, tonka bean and vanilla bringing smoothness. Jean Arthes is a French fragrance company that’s based in Grasse, the heartland of French perfumery. Another option from the brand well worth sniffing out is the leather-licious Colonial Club Legend EDT.
Best Cheap Cologne For the Car-Lover: Jaguar For Men EDT
It all started with Jaguar for Men EDT for the British luxury car manufacturer. Launched in 1988, this EDT was created by none other than master perfumer Thierry Wasser (now Guerlain’s in-house perfumer). It’s an old-school treat with a herbal and soapy character after the citrus opening has subsided.
The good news is that it celebrated its 30th year on the market in 2018. It’s also ridiculously cheap – roughly half the price of a designer fragrance. Jaguar, like most other automotive fragrance brands (Mercedes-Benz. Porsche, Bentley, Ferrari) has a very respectable portfolio of reasonably priced products.
Best for the Gym: Adidas Ice Dive EDT
Sometimes we all need a trusty spray n go when we hit the gym. And Adidas Ice Dive EDT fulfills that need perfectly.
It’s suitably fresh, cool, and sporty, with notes of mint, grapefruit, lavender, yuzu, and lemon, among others. It’s a teeny-weeny on the synthetic side, but gents, look at that price.
Best Cheap Cologne for Date Night: Antonio Banderas Power of Seduction
He’s been in the biz of seduction for 20 years and is one of Puig’s big money-spinners, so Antonio Banderas knows what will have commercial and relatively enduring appeal.
Power of Seduction, his latest fragrance, opens with a fresh n fruity blast of bergamot and apple notes. It then morphs into an aromatic focus, with notes of lavender and sage. There’s also a big patchouli note lurking in here. While this typically masculine fragrance won’t be winning any awards for originality, it’s undeniably good quality at the price.
Best Sweet-Smell: Zara Tobacco Collection Rich Warm Addictive
A seemingly simple composition of tobacco, coconut, sandalwood, honey and cedar notes, it yields so much more than its structure suggests.
It’s on the sweeter side of things, but who cares when this EDT is so smooth and creamy. Zara has numerous examples of cool cheapies like it, so it would be time well spent to visit your local store or the website for more options.
Best Oriental: The Body Shop Activist EDT
This one has been around for over 23 years – and for good reason.
A light oriental with a clean, fresh vibe, it features standout notes of green grass, citruses, amber, spices and woody notes. It doesn’t have the most impressive staying power and projection, but at the price, a couple of re-sprays is not a problem at all.
While you’re in The Body Shop mode, look out for White Musk EDT. It’s a highly rated Body Shop classic that features notes of lavender, jasmine, geranium, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean and, course, musk.
Best Celebrity Fragrance: Gold Jay-Z EDT
Celebrity scents are often surrounded by a cloud of self-limiting snobbery. All we can say is sniff around and you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find.
If you’re expecting a mega-dose of bling-meets-street cred, loud and proud, from Gold Jay-Z EDT, prepare yourself for an unexpectedly sophisticated, albeit sweet, scent that features a very agreeable pink pepper note front and center.
Other discernible notes in the eclectic mix include blueberry, violet leaf, vanilla, cardamom, lavender, and grapefruit. It’s good to be wrong (sometimes).
These affordable colognes offer men the opportunity to express their unique style without breaking the bank. With a diverse range of budget-friendly colognes available, smelling good doesn’t have to come with a hefty price.
How to Choose a Cheap Cologne That Doesn’t Smell Cheap
Great picks are only half the battle. Here is how to shop the budget aisle without ending up with something that announces its price tag.
Opt for Citrus and Bergamot Blends
David Beckham’s Instinct EDT is a good choice for everyday usage. It has light citrus notes mixed in with vetiver for a hint of a dark, woodsy finish. This scent works well in seasons like fall and spring because it does not require someone to apply a lot, with the citrus and bergamot notes leading the way.
David Beckham’s Instinct EDT can be worn anywhere without the scent being overbearing to others. The key to more affordable colognes is to not spray a lot, as it contains a higher alcohol base than EDP colognes.
For colognes under $50, you’re likely getting EDT, which has 5-8% less fragrance load concentration than EDP. In this situation, anything that has a citrus and bergamot blend is always a winner, as citrus-based scents are intense and are comparable to more expensive offerings. Aqua-based scents are also a good option.
– Chuck Holliday / Founder and Perfumer / Made Lifestyle Collection
| PROS | CONS |
| An inexpensive distinctive men’s scent | Some find it too light, and it doesn’t have staying power |
- For: Masculine
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Seasons: Appropriate for warmer weather, especially summer
- Scent potency/Appropriate for: A subtle scent suitable for either a romantic evening out or the workplace
- Price: $
- Launched: 2005
- Perfumers: Alain Astori & Beatrice Piquet
Match Scent with Personality
The Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette is a personal favorite for budget-friendly colognes. We can have it for under $50 for 3.4 fl. oz. It’s timeless, super fresh, and just the right amount of masculine. It also has this lightness that never feels too strong but still gets noticed. Hundreds of compliments have been received for Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette, and they keep rolling in.
The top tip when picking a cologne is to always go with what feels like “you.” Matching your scent with the personality you have is important. If you’re outgoing, maybe a bold, spicy scent is your thing. If you’re more conservative, then a mellow, woodsy aroma could be a better choice. And remember, there’s no rule saying you can’t change it up depending on your day or mood. So mix it up and enjoy!
– Danilo Miranda / Managing Director / Presenteverso
| PROS | CONS |
| Wearable on a daily basis, perfect for any occasion and for outdoor environments | Not a year-round fragrance, and it’s overly common |
- For: Masculine
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Seasons: Appropriate for warmer weather, especially summer
- Scent potency/Appropriate for: Ideal for a night out or the office
- Price: $$
- Launched: 2008
- Perfumers: Alberto Morillas
Bring a Friend for Second Opinion
Only the Brave Diesel—I love this cologne because of the smell and the feedback I get from other people. It’s always nice when you know that everyone appreciates how you smell, rather than it just being nice to you and no one else. My top tip is to take a friend with you when going; it’s always good to have a second opinion, as it’s everyone else that will be smelling the cologne on you.
– Steven Wright / Co-Founder and Chief Editor / Lifestyle to the MAX
| PROS | CONS |
| Perfect for men with a touch of sweetness, energetic summerish scent | Lacking distinction, too sweet for some, and overly common |
- For: Masculine
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Seasons: Appropriate for warmer weather, especially summer
- Scent potency/Appropriate for: Perfect for any occasion
- Price: $$
- Launched: 2009
- Perfumers: Alienor Massenet, Olivier Polge, Pierre Wargnye
Consider Ingredients and Scent Type
The best cheap cologne for men I like is Kenneth Cole Reaction by Kenneth Cole. It has a unique scent that I find appealing, and it is priced within the range of $10-$50. The top notes are melon, watermelon, green apple, lemon and lime which create a refreshing aroma that combines hints of spicy sweetness. The base notes for the Kenneth Cole Reaction cologne are musk and sandalwood, which add an earthy yet woodsy scent.
When choosing a cheap cologne, it is important to consider a few factors. First, look at the quality of ingredients used, as this will influence the overall scent of the cologne. Second, consider what you are looking for in terms of scent. Different colognes will provide different scents, such as woody, spicy, or fruity.
– Keith Sant / CMO / Eazy House Sale
| PROS | CONS |
| Airy, invigorating, and summer cologne | Too generic with weak projection |
- For: Masculine
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Seasons: Perfect for warmer weather
- Scent potency/Appropriate for: Warm summer date nights
- Price: $$
- Launched: 2004
- Perfumers: Frank Voelkl
Choose Versatile and Affordable Options
Nautica Blue is a great workhorse option. I have used it for years – being the best cheap cologne for me. It’s not overpowering and feels completely appropriate for almost any occasion that is not at the black-tie level. 3.4 ounces comes in around $20, give or take, so it’s incredibly easy to justify using it often.
– Trevor Ewen / COO / QBench
| PROS | CONS |
| A reasonably priced fragrance with a fresh and invigorating aroma, it features a crisp profile with woodsy undertones | It is highly synthetic, and there are other distinctive choices within the price range |
- For: Masculine
- Sillage: Very poor
- Longevity: Good
- Seasons: Perfect for warmer weather
- Scent potency/Appropriate for: A delicate and invigorating scent, ideal for daily use
- Price: $
- Launched: 2005
- Perfumers: Maurice Roucel
Use the “Sniff Test”
One of my personal favorite colognes for men on a budget is Hugo Boss’s The Scent For Men. It’s a modern yet timeless scent that contains notes of lavender and ginger, balanced with nuanced cardamom and exotic Maninka fruit.
A tip when choosing cologne is what I like to call the “sniff test.” Put simply, find something that smells good, and don’t be afraid to ask for honest opinions from friends. Everyone has their own preferences, so getting those initial reactions can help narrow down what works best for you in the long term.
– James McNally / Managing Director / SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]
| PROS | CONS |
| A rich nighttime fragrance combined with more delicate, invigorating elements | Poor longevity and sillage |
- For: Masculine
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Seasons: Perfect for fall
- Scent potency/Appropriate for: Soft, subtle, masculine, with a touch of sweetness, ideal for every day
- Price: $$
- Launched: 2015
- Perfumers: Bruno Jovanovic & Pascal Gaurin
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Richard Goller is a fragrance and grooming blogger. His blog is called Fragroom. A senior editor with 20 years' experience, his blog allows him to combine two of his passions: engaging content and the always-intriguing world of fragrances. When he isn't blogging, you'll find Richard indulging in his newly found passion for balcony gardening.
