It is no secret that as we boys grow into teens, we've realized the need for things like deodorant and cologne. But, sometimes as teenage boys, we have and do struggle to understand the difference between an appropriate and inappropriate amount.
Many of us have choked on the excessive amount of fragrance teenagers have spritzed on. Not only is picking the right amount vital but so is the scent. Some mainstream products are just not the same. So, here are my top ten picks of the best colognes for teenage guys:
- Best Clean Scent
- Best For Everyday Wear
- Best Oriental Scent
- Best Floral Scent
- Best Fresh Scent
- Best Woodsy Scent
- Best For Elegance/Most Classy
- Best Refreshing Quick Scent
- Best Unique Blend
- Best Long Lasting
Let's take a quick look at each cologne with my list of pros and cons for each and all the little details to see why they're at the top of my list.
The List: Best Cologne For Teenage Guys
Best Clean Scent
Nautica Voyage EDT provides a clean scent that echoes the beachy tone of its brand. It follows the trend of aquatic, citrusy ingredients as it combines a locus with musk and cedarwood.
You could call Nautica Voyage the best cologne for teenage guys that's also affordable. Its scent is refreshing and clean while not overpowering like competitors Axe and Old Spice.
PROS: Clean, not too overwhelming, flexible usage
CONS: Common fragrance, not long-lasting
- For: Men
- Seasons: Spring, Summer
- Wear it: Day
- Launched: 2006
Best For Everyday Wear
Adidas Moves For Men EDT was released in 1999 and has been considered a best cologne for teenage guys, and especially for fifteen-year-old's, since. The ingredients changed slightly from the original release in the nineties.
By utilizing ginger ale, rose geranium, cedarwood, cyclamen, and a few other ingredients Adidas provides an easy-going smell that is not overpowering but perfect for everyday use. Moves For Men EDT is one of the best colognes to wear to school.
PROS: Practical, lasting scent
CONS: Different from the original scent
- For: Men
- Seasons: Spring, Summer
- Wear it: Day
- Launched: 1999
Best Oriental Scent
Lucky Brand is generally more known for their jeans and clothes, but their cologne Lucky You is pretty popular by itself. While many colognes focus on the earthly oriental smell, Lucky You sets itself apart by utilizing bamboo stems.
Lucky You has stayed true to its original formula even over twenty years later. This cologne is versatile and is perfect for whatever the wearer wants.
PROS: Lasts a long time, strong but not overwhelming oriental scent
CONS: Requires extra pumps to last long
- For: Men
- Seasons: Spring
- Wear it: Day
- Launched: 2000
Best Floral Scent
Michael Jordan was good at many things, and with some help, his cologne, 23, turned out pretty good too. This floral scent is composed of fig leaf, magnolia, black currant, watermelon, and grapefruit, among other things.
Though this cologne is on the newer side, it is still almost twenty years old and going strong. It may not be exactly like the original, but the scent has changed in a way that has made it more appealing.
PROS: Good, appealing, not overwhelming scent
CONS: Different smell than original, does not last crazy long (3-5 hours)
- For: Men
- Seasons: Summer
- Wear it: Day
- Launched: 2004
Best Fresh Scent
Cool Water by Davidoff provides a fresh scent guaranteed to be a cologne that can help any teen boy alleviate a smelly issue. One of the top classic aquatic scents, Cool Water combines mint, lavender, cedarwood, jasmine, amber, geranium, and tobacco.
This cologne gives an almost straight-out-of-the-dryer scent that combats any teen boy smell. The crisp, clean scent has stayed the same since its initial release in 1988.
PROS: Fresh scent, classic, not overpowering, but powerful enough to create good sillage
CONS: Not the most long-lasting
- For: Men
- Seasons: Winter, Spring
- Wear it: Day or Night
- Launched: 1988
Best Woodsy Scent
Abercrombie & Fitch is a brand not necessarily known for fragrances, but Fierce is one of its anomalies.
Fir, sandalwood, lemon, orange, rose, and oakmoss are the main tones of Fierce. It creates that woody smell that gained popularity in the two-thousands.
PROS: Woody scent, long-lasting
CONS: Can be overpowering
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall, Summer, Spring
- Wear it: Day or Night
- Launched: 2002
Best For Elegance/ Most Classy
Acqua Di Gio is one of those classic scents that is one of the best for sixteen-year-old boys. Acqua Di Gio was one of the first citrus/aquatic scents that started an entirely new trend from the end of the nineties to the beginning of the twentieth century.
This cologne is unique in its blend of bergamot, tangerine, neroli, rose, jasmine, and patchouli, among other things. The smell is elegant and classy while casual enough for daily use.
PROS: Smell is clean and classic, versatile
CONS: Does not last the longest (Only 2-4 hours)
- For: Men
- Seasons: Summer
- Wear it: Day
- Launched: 1996
Best Refreshing Quick Scent
The key to a best-selling cologne, especially one catered to teens, is that they leave a refreshing sillage behind. Versace Man Eau Fraiche is one of those colognes that do just that.
This award-winning cologne is a blend of cedar, lemon, amber, and some other key ingredients. Versace presents an award-winning cologne that is not completely overwhelming but does provide a clean, refreshing scent.
PROS: Clean, long-lasting (6+ hours), not overpowering
CONS: Common, popular
- For: Men
- Seasons: Summer
- Wear it: Day
- Launched: 2006
Best Unique Blend
Liz Claiborne created an entire line of Curve colognes that slowly redefined the market, but Curve For Men is the original.
Many men's fragrances utilize strong “manly” scents such as citrus or wood scents, but Curve sets itself apart with ingredients like pepper, pineapple, cactus, and mahogany.
PROS: Lasts decently long, good sillage, different but still pleasing scent than most other men's fragrances
CONS: One of many in the Curve line
- For: Men
- Seasons: Spring, Fall, or Summer
- Wear it: Day or Night
- Launched: 1996
Best Long Lasting Scent
One of the oldest colognes on the list, Drakkar Noir, has been favored as the best cologne for teenage guys by many and for years. While it was released in the late eighties, it is still one of the best colognes for teens available.
The classic scent lasts for almost the whole day. It blends amber, citrus, pine, juniper, coriander, balsam, and patchouli.
PROS: Long Lasting and a Classic, award-winning scent
CONS: Older, popular scent, more common scent
- For: Men
- Seasons: Winter or Fall
- Wear it: Night
- Launched: 1982
What Cologne is Popular For Teenagers?
Teenagers don't always tend to buy their own cologne. More often than not, the parents, girlfriends, or even siblings supply teen boys with cologne.
So it makes sense that the best cologne for teenage guys would be classic, fresh colognes that have been around for a while.
The occasional woody, wintery fragrance does make an appearance, but most of the well-known colognes are clean, fresh, summery scents that will hopefully outlast one season.
Final Thoughts
Colognes often are a hit-and-miss game, but these are all hits that have been around for a long time. When I was a teenage boy I needed a slight shove towards the best cologne for teenage guys, and to get the low-down on these fragrances was essential. Hopefully, it's just what you needed too.
FAQs
What Cologne Do Girls Like on Boys?
It depends on the girl, of course. The scents on this list are pretty broadly crowd-pleasing, so there’s a good chance girls will like them. You can always take a girlfriend cologne shopping with you to get her opinion.
Teenagers do tend to put on too much fragrance, so just remember that less is generally more, especially with stronger and more complex scents.
What’s a Good Age to Start Wearing Cologne?
It obviously depends from guy to guy - some start wearing cologne in high school, others in college, and others when they start their first “real” job.
Cologne is a luxury product that can be pricey, comes in a breakable glass bottle, and should be applied sparingly. Perhaps the best age to start wearing cologne is when a teen can be trusted with it.
What’s the Most Popular Cologne for Teenagers?
Teenagers tend to be trend-chasers, so the exact “in” brand can change very fast. But colognes with light citrus and aquatic notes tend to be the most popular for teenage boys. Scents labeled “blue” or “sport” typically have these notes.
Notes like leather, tobacco, rum, or whisky tend not to work as well on teenagers; they read as a bit mature.
What Are the Most Affordable Colognes for Teens?
If money’s an issue, your local drugstore can be the best place to shop. Most will stock less expensive colognes and perfumes; you may have to look for the fragrance counter or check behind the register.
And keep an eye out for deals at your local bargain stores - you may be able to find a big-name perfume at a substantial discount.
What Scent Do Boys Like the Most?
It obviously depends on the boy. Teenage boys tend to gravitate towards lighter but still classically masculine scents. Notes like mint, mandarin orange, green apple, and tomato leaf are youthful but still manly.
If you’re looking for something a little edgier or less expected, take a look at aromatic and spicy notes like black pepper, ginger, juniper, and bay leaf. These will help you stand out, but you won’t feel like you’re wearing your dad’s cologne
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Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.
