Look, we get it. Whether it comes to clothes or books or tech or even fragrance, there is a certain thrill when you have something no one else does. But there’s also something to be said about popularity. Popular things become popular for a reason: because they work. That’s why we all gravitate toward certain products—they just get the job done, and get it done well.
BEST MODERN MASCULINE SCENTDior Sauvage$100 AT SEPHORAREAD MORE
BEST MUSK SCENTRalph Lauren Polo Blue$90 AT SEPHORAREAD MORE
BEST CLEAN SCENTCalvin Klein One$105 AT MACY’SREAD MORE
BEST CITRUS SCENTArmani Beauty Acqua di Giò$115 AT SEPHORAREAD MORE
BEST SUMMER SCENTDolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme$65 AT SEPHORAREAD MORE
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Fragrance is no exception, but it’s also one of those industries where people tend to look down on popularity. We’ve never really understood that. Popularity isn’t a bad thing. Sure, colognes follow trends just like everything else, but popular best selling colognes often transcend trends because they just smell damn good. Really, that’s the only requirement for a cologne, right? It just needs to smell good enough for you to want to wear it.
Whether you’re new to fragrance or a seasoned expert, don’t look down your nose at popular colognes. Sure, you may know other guys that have it or wear it often, but that doesn’t mean it won’t also smell good on you. And, for the record, fragrance has a unique property in that it interacts with your own body chemistry, so even if you’re wearing the same scent as the guy standing next to you, it still might smell different. We’ve compiled this list of the best selling, iconic fragrances because, yes, they’ve earned their well-deserved popularity, but they also deserve a place in your rotation. There’s something here for everyone, which shouldn’t surprise you. They’re best sellers, after all.
BEST MODERN MASCULINE SCENT
Dior Sauvage
$100 AT SEPHORA$235 AT NORDSTROM
This spicy-fresh cologne has taken the world by storm since its debut in 2015 and has become one of the best selling men’s colognes of all time. Sauvage is instantly identifiable thanks to the bit of peppers throughout the fragrance, from the fresh top note to the smooth, ambery wood base. It’s the epitome of what we now think of a modern masculine cologne and is versatile enough to wear both day and night.
| Notes | Calabrian bergamot, black pepper, sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, geranium, elemi, ambroxan, cedar, labdanum |
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BEST MUSK SCENT
Ralph Lauren Polo Blue
$90 AT SEPHORA$90 AT ULTA BEAUTY
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.
| Notes | Cucumber, melon, mandarin orange, basil, sage, geranium, suede, woodsy notes, musk |
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BEST CLEAN SCENT
Calvin Klein One
$105 AT MACY’S$48 AT AMAZON$60 AT WALMART
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.
| Notes | Lemon, 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
$115 AT SEPHORA$89 AT NORDSTROM
No list of the best selling men’s colognes would be complete without Acqua di Gio, which has had a chokehold on the men’s cologne industry since its debut in 1996. One of the most popular men’s fragrances of all time, you can consider this one of the OG aquatic scents that inspired a thousand imitations. The bright, fresh feeling of citrus and florals mixed with sea notes (think: watery minerals) and grounded in soft woods and amber will forever be one of the most wearable colognes for any occasion.
| Notes | Lime, lemon, bergamot, neroli, mandarin orange, sea notes, jasmine, hyacinth, violet, white musk, cedar, oakmoss, patchouli, amber |
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BEST SUMMER SCENT
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme
$65 AT SEPHORA$45 AT WALMART$86 AT ULTA BEAUTY
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.
| Notes | Grapefruit, bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, juniper, pepper, rosemary, Brazilian rosewood, musk, incense, oakmoss |
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AN ICONIC GOING OUT SCENT
Versace Eros
$140 AT SEPHORA$72 AT AMAZON$140 AT NORDSTROM
Yes, Eros may be considered one of the ultimate “going out” colognes—bright, fun, sexy and young—but it shouldn’t be restricted to just the nightclub. It’s a cologne that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with notes that range from fresh citrus to sexy vanilla that intermingle to create a youthful masculinity that anyone can enjoy—whether you’re on the dance floor or heading to your 9 to 5.
| Notes | Mint, green apple, lemon, tonka bean, ambroxan, geranium, Madagascar vanilla, Atlas cedar, Virginia cedar, vetiver, oakmoss |
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THE IYKYK SCENT
Creed Aventus
$95 AT NORDSTROM$495 AT AMAZON$370 AT FRAGRANCEX.COM
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.
| Notes | Bergamot, black currant, apple, lemon, pineapple, patchouli, Moroccan jasmine, birch, musk, oakmoss, ambroxan, cedarwood |
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MOST VERSATILE SCENT
Chanel Bleu de Chanel
There’s a reason Bleu is known as one of the most popular men’s colognes of all time—it’s one of the most versatile you can find. The fresh top note, smooth spices of the middle and the woody, earthy base notes are all crowd pleasers so every moment of wearing this cologne smells great. It’s equally appropriate for both day or night, office or date or anywhere else you can possibly think of wearing it.
| Notes | Grapefruit, lemon, mint, pink pepper, ginger, nutmeg, jasmine, Iso E Super, incense, vetiver, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, labdanum, white musk |
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BEST SANDALWOOD SCENT
Le Labo Santal 33
$230 AT NORDSTROM$99 AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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.
| Notes | Sandalwood, leather, papyrus, Virginia cedar, cardamom, violet, iris, amber |
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BEST LONG LASTING SCENT
Versace Dylan Blue
$140 AT SEPHORA$72 AT AMAZON$75 AT WALMART
If Eros is a party boy scent, then Dylan Blue is his older brother. This crisp, inviting aquatic cologne is appropriate for any and all occasions, even the office. It has great longevity that lasts nearly all day and as it evolves from fresh, citrus to smooth musk and tonka bean, it just gets better. It’s one of the best modern masculine fragrances out there with a popularity to match.
| Notes | Calabrian bergamot, water notes, grapefruit, fig leaves, ambroxan, black pepper, patchouli, violet leaf, papyrus, incense, musk, tonka bean, saffron |
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A WARM WEATHER SCENT THAT STANDS OUT
Yves Saint Laurent Y
$125 AT SEPHORA$82 AT AMAZON$125 AT NORDSTROM
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.
| Notes | Aldehydes, ginger, bergamot, mint, lemon, apple, violet leaf, pineapple, sage, geranium, ambergris, musk, cedar, balsam fir, vetiver, incense |
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BEST BLEND OF CITRUS AND SPICE
Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey Pour Homme
$60 AT AMAZON$49 AT WALMART$113 AT NORDSTROM
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.
| Notes | Yuzu, 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
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.
| Notes | Green apple, lavender, pine, woody notes, balsam fir |
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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).
| Notes | Cinnamon, lavender, coriander, mandarin orange, lime, myrrh, nutmeg, carnation, Brazilian rosewood, pine tree, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, vetiver |
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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.
| Notes | Sea 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
$100 AT SEPHORA$80 AT WALMART$100 AT MACY’S
What makes this one so popular is one simple thing: it’s ultra sexy. Warm, spicy and a little sweet, it’s exactly what you think about when you think of a seductive, masculine cologne—the kind of scent that you reserve for those really special dates where you want to make the best impression possible.
| Notes | Ginger, woodsy notes, bourbon vanilla, green cardamom, toffee accord |
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A FESTIVE FAVORITE
Paco Rabanne 1 Million
$160 AT SEPHORA$87 AT AMAZON$149 AT NORDSTROM
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.
| Notes | Blood mandarin, grapefruit, mint, cinnamon, spicy notes, rose, amber, leather, woody notes, Indian patchouli |
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BEST FOR FORMAL ENVIRONMENTS
Montblanc Explorer
$88 AT SEPHORA$88 AT NORDSTROM$46 AT WALMART
This woody, fresh cologne is like your best fitting suit—masculine, professional and what you put on when you want to feel really confident. It’s the platonic idea of smooth professionalism—the ultimate boss scent. The longevity is great and the sillage is minimal, meaning you won’t overpower the room when you walk in, but those closest to you will know you mean business.
| Notes | Bergamot, pink pepper, clary sage, Haitian vetiver, leather, ambroxan, akigalawood, Indonesian patchouli leaf, cacao pod |
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A WOODSY SCENT YOU CAN USE FOR YEARS
Valentino Uomo Born
$145 AT SEPHORA$123 AT AMAZON$145 AT NORDSTROM
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.
| Notes | Mineral notes, violet leaf, salt, ginger, sage, woody notes, vetiver |
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A TIMELESS DAILY SCENT
Terre d’Hermes
There’s a vintage quality to this mature masculine cologne that makes it feel timeless, which is part of why it’s so popular. Fresh and woody, with a little mineral-ly kick to it, it’s the type of cologne you could imagine your grandfather wearing, but smells just as modern on you. It’s ideal for a daytime signature scent.
| Notes | Orange, grapefruit, pepper, pelargonium, flint, vetiver, cedar, patchouli, benzoin |
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How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men’s Health’s Grooming editors and writers on the best selling men’s cologne. Experts including our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, and our Deputy Editor of Commerce, Christian Gollayan, tried more than 50 men’s fragrances and evaluated their ingredients, application, and just how well they smelled after a day of use. We also considered top-reviewed the best selling colognes that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.
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