If you’re looking for a gift idea for your Valentine but just don’t know what to get, why not play it safe and go for a classic: fragrance. Gifting the best cologne for men can be a great way to give an ultra-personal and long-lasting gift they’ll cherish every time they wear it.
We know — nailing down the perfect Valentine’s cologne can be quite daunting. Everyone has different likes and preferences when it comes to fragrance. Luckily, there are plenty of great options for you to choose from.
To find the best colognes for men, we researched the bestselling — and best-smelling — top-rated scents of 2024 that’ll make an excellent gift for your favorite guy. (You can see the best perfumes for women here.) Along with these 23 picks, we’ve also answered some frequently asked questions when it comes to wearing cologne, since the world of fragrance is vast and varied and you don’t want to get caught wearing too much cologne.
How to apply cologne
There are a few techniques for how to apply cologne, and ultimately, it’s up to personal preference. Generally, you’ll want to spritz from 6 inches away from your body so the fragrance can hit specific points without being too concentrated. It’s also important to apply cologne to your skin rather than to your clothes. This will help the fragrance last longer, and as you wear it throughout the day, the fragrance will react with your skin’s pH and the notes will settle. This is why the same fragrance may smell different on two people.
One spritz on each of the pulse points — the neck and the inside of each wrist — is a good guideline for applying cologne without overdoing it. If you like particularly bold scents or if you’re sensitive to smell, you could also opt for spraying one wrist, then dabbing that wrist on the opposite one as well as the neck. However, be careful not to rub the fragrance around too much, as this is believed to degrade the fragrance molecules, effectively changing the way the cologne smells.
How long does cologne last?
Cologne’s longevity depends on a number of factors. The ingredients of the fragrance itself will affect the wear time. Alcohol-based colognes will have a shorter wear time than fragrance oils. This is because it’s the oils in fragrances that carry the aromatic compounds, so the higher the oil content, the stronger and longer lasting the perfume. In fact, colognes have a lighter concentration of oils than perfumes, which is what sets the two fragrance categories apart. So, if you’ve ever wondered about the difference between perfume and cologne, it’s the concentration of fragrance oils, not necessarily the gender to whom the products are being marketed.
Your skin also has an affect on how cologne wears. Sweat can interfere with how cologne smells, so it’s best to apply it to clean skin. In addition, dry skin won’t hold on to fragrance as well as moisturized skin, so remember to use a neutral body lotion before spritzing your fragrance too.
The environment is another factor to take into account. Fragrances don’t project as much in colder climates, so you may feel like reapplying your cologne to make a stronger impact. On the other hand, fragrances will carry further in warm, humid climates; however, since sweat is more likely a factor in those conditions, your fragrance may wear off faster.
Can you bring cologne on a plane?
Whether you’re traveling with cologne as a holiday gift or packing it for yourself, bringing fragrance on a plane can be tricky. The biggest factor to keep in mind here is that the TSA only allows liquids of 3.4 ounces or less in carry-ons. If you’re planning on bringing a full-size bottle of cologne, you may need to check your suitcase. Travel-size colognes or refillable fragrance atomizers are another option for making sure your cologne gets through security.
Best colognes to gift (or wear) for Valentine’s Day
If you look forward to winter for warm days by the fire instead of the snow and cold temperatures, this Maison Margiela cologne needs to be on your dressing table ASAP. With notes of vanilla, chestnut and clove, it’s a woody, sweet scent. Designed to be comforting yet sensual, it’s the ultimate cold-weather fragrance.
One of the most distinctive colognes on the market, Dior Sauvage contains hints of ambroxan, Sichuan pepper and reggio bergamot, making it perfect for the man who wants to stand out from the crowd.
With a name like Smoking Hot, you can expect this vanilla and tobacco-forward fragrance to be a sexy scent. Warm, woody and spicy, it features a touch of apple to balance the rich notes.
For a romantic aroma that is a nice nod to Valentine’s Day, give your man roses in the form of this bright and enticing fragrance. It reimagines rose, blending it with grapefruit and a woody accord for a fresh and masculine take on the flower.
Our favorite colognes for men
A clean, woody fragrance, this Chanel scent boasts a 4.8-star rating for a reason: The citrus and amber notes complement each other perfectly while the cedarwood adds an element of punch. “I have literally about 100 colognes, and this is one of my go-to colognes for everyday wear,” writes one reviewer. “Great for business folks that have to wear a suit like me and need a day cologne.” So, if you’re looking for an everyday fragrance you can get a ton of use out of, consider this one.
You wouldn’t think of rosemary as an ideal cologne ingredient, but this Armani Beauty scent is an aquatic-inspired option that’s super fresh and clean. Acqua Di Giò is ideal for the man who doesn’t want an overpowering, woody fragrance.
With ginger, tobacco and cocoa, this high-end Tom Ford cologne is the ultimate sweet and spicy scent for the person who just can’t pick between the two. With over 43,500 “loves” on Sephora.com, it seems the high price tag hasn’t deterred consumers from trying it out either. “I can smell it on my skin for hours, which is exactly what I wanted and expected from a luxury fragrance,” writes one reviewer. Well worth the cost, to be sure.
Named after the ancient Greek god of love, Versace Eros uses mint leaves, lemon zest and green apple to bring about a fruity, cheerful vibe — no woody scents in sight. For an energizing scent that’ll provide a pick-me-up throughout a long workday, this is absolutely the option to choose. “It’s masculine without being overly musky, and as other reviewers have noted, something about it just sets it apart,” writes one reviewer. “It’s fresh yet a bit sweet, and manly but not overpowering.”
AllSaints’ Sunset Riot unisex eau de parfum is meant to juxtapose the calming sunset with the chaos of a riot, so this fragrance is woody yet floral. It’s masculine and feminine at the same time, with notes of pink pepper, orange flower and cedarwood.
If the bright-gold bottle doesn’t lure you in, the scent most definitely will: This Paco Rabanne cologne boasts notes of rose, musk, cinnamon, peppermint, patchouli and white wood, among many others. This leads to a multilayered fragrance that starts off with citrus top notes, spicy middle notes and woody base notes — everything you need in one fragrance.
Using fig leaves to give it a unique edge, Versace Dylan Blue is a cult favorite, with a 4.7-star rating on Sephora. Other fun additions include violet and black pepper, which gives a sultry touch to an otherwise modern fragrance. Described by one reviewer as “clean, masculine, sexy and not too sweet or powdery,” it’s a great option for those looking for something that’s a bit outside the box.
While not a new cologne, Santal 33 has developed a devoted following in recent years, especially among city dwellers. Le Labo describes Santal 33 as an open fire, inspired by the American West. With rich and woody notes of cardamon, iris, cedarwood and leather, this fragrance is addictive and described by one reviewer as “the scent of the gods.”
Designed as an experiment in contrasts, this YSL scent uses cardamom, cinnamon and cedarwood to create a spicy scent with subtle woody accents. A true seductive fragrance in every sense of the word, it’s the one scent to try for a special date.
Notes of sage, spices, roasted almonds and citrus make this spicy cologne perfect for those who want a strong, noticeable scent.
The warm, floral scent of this Tom Ford Black Orchid cologne will have you feeling sophisticated and luxurious all night long. And if its notes of truffle, black orchid and plum don’t pull you in, the stunning golden bottle definitely will.
This mineral, woody cologne by Jo Malone has notes of ambrette seeds, sea salt and sage. Its fragrance story focuses on the windswept shore of rugged cliffs for a cologne meant to be as energetic and spirited as the crashing waves.
This warm and spicy scent from Burberry has refreshing notes of mandarin tree and violet leaves paired with cedarwood and white pepper. Its clean yet aromatic fragrance makes it great for everyday use. Giving it a 4.8-star rating, reviewers at Sephora absolutely love this cologne.
Notes of bergamot, bitter orange leaves, cedarwood and musk highlight this strong, masculine fragrance. Shoppers love the smell, with one reviewer writing, “My boyfriend and I both love this scent; it has strong staying power and smells really irresistible on him.”
The best cologne sampler sets
Anyone who’s interested in the world of fragrance will know of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Let him discover his favorite scent from the luxury fragrance house with this eight-piece set. It features cult favorites like warm and sultry Baccarat Rouge 540, crisp and fresh Aqua Universalis and sophisticated and energetic 724.
Who wouldn’t love to receive a Cartier gift? For under $50, this set offers four elegant and sophisticated fragrances for a touch of luxury.
From Jazz Club to By the Fireplace, Maison Margiela makes some of the best unisex fragrances out there, inspired by specific places and vibes. This sampler set includes 10 minis of the brand’s fan-favorite scents, so you get a bit of everything.
A great option for the man who is already into the world of fragrance but wants to try something new, DS & Durga’s captivating scents offer something different from your standard cologne. From gourmand Pistachio to mysterious Debaser, these luxe unisex fragrances are worth a sniff.
From masculine Dark Rum to fruit-forward Strawberry, Malin+Goetz’s six travel-size fragrances offer a range of scent profiles to explore.