The best cologne for men might vary across budget, preference, and occasion, but each operates in service of the same fundamental goal: helping you smell really good. Cologne formulations differ substantially from one scent to the next, but what unites the greatest of the genre is their ability to smartly punctuate your personality—and enhance everyone else’s experience while they’re at it. The opposite is true of bad colognes, too (if you’ve ever been stuck in the elevator with a colleague doused in Axe body spray you know exactly what we mean), so it’s especially important to choose wisely. The choosing part is where we come in. Landing on the best men’s cologne for you starts with understanding fragrance families, and identifying which ones work in any given context. Woody, citrus, or aromatic colognes, for example, tend to wear well as daily “signature scents”—the smell your coworkers, friends, and the guy at your local bodega associate with you.
“Woody fragrances have depth, richness, and are more [inherently] masculine,” says Leila Zagwolsky, co-founder and CEO of the perfume discovery platform Luxury Scent Box (LUXSB). Aromatic and citrus colognes, on the other hand—scents Zagwolsky describes as “bright, refreshing, and energizing”—are better suited to year-round wear. They’re also better candidates for your signature scent than, say, a sensual spicy or leather option, though those sultrier formulations have their time and place. Regardless of what you’re looking for in a cologne—an everyday go-to, a gloomy-day pick-me-up, a special-occasion statement-maker—there’s a superlative, compliment-eliciting option here with your name on it, each one sprayed, tested, and ultimately loved by us.
The Best Cologne for Men 2026, According to GQ
Best Cologne Overall: Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 EDP
Let everyone else have Santal 33—in my book, Thé Matcha 26 is the Le Labo scent to beat. I can never quite tell if it's more smart or playful, more introverted or sexy. In reality, it's all of those and more, which makes it such a platonic signature scent for the fella with an equal amount of layers. In the time since its debut, I've converted half a dozen friends to the cause, and I’m happy to take partial blame if half a million more make the switch, too—it's exquisite in every way, and more than deserving of its rank here. Many notes in the bottle, zero notes from me (or the smattering of other GQ editors who absolutely swear by this scent).
| Vibe | Sophisticated architect |
| Key Notes | Citrus, fig, woods |
Best Classic Cologne: Ralph Lauren Polo EDT
There’s a reason the original Polo continues to hold strong nearly half a century into its existence: It manages to be both sexy and professional, a versatile woody-aromatic scent that works in almost every context. Better yet, because there are so many remixes of the OG, wearing the version that started it all still feels as refreshing as the latest launch. Plus, the entire line of Ralph Lauren colognes are an absolute cheat code when it comes to scent versatility, and gifting any of our favorite bottles would be a surefire hit.
| Vibe | Worldly polo player |
| Key Notes | Pine, patchouli, leather, tobacco |
Best Iconic Cologne: Chanel Bleu de Chanel EDT
Even if you weren't aware of it at the time, you've probably caught a whiff of Chanel Bleu at one point or another—and likely haven't forgotten it since. Its pleasant omnipresence tends to conjure happy memories from those who smell it, especially in passing. (It reminds me of an ex-boyfriend who was all-too-fun and none-too-serious—exactly what I needed him to be.) Senior commerce editor Ian Burke keeps a small bottle in his Dopp kit for easy spritzes when traveling, and I always treat myself to a huff when I amble into Sephora, if only to feel 22 again. How's that for time travel?
| Vibe | Happy-go-lucky teenage heartthrob |
| Key Notes | Citrus, resin, sandalwood |
Best Long-Lasting Cologne: Guerlain Vétiver Parfum
When it comes to describing this aromatic and woody fragrance from Guerlain, one word comes to mind: strong. Not only does this scent come across as bold, powerful, and intense, it's literally strong, as in, “one or two spritzes will last all day.” With a high oil concentration and notes of vetiver, smoke, Tonka bean, licorice, and wood, this fragrance was made in to mimic an infused gin—just without the scowl-inducing, face-puckering reaction you'd get from putting your nose to a bottle of Tanqueray.
| Vibe | Pounding negroni after negroni in a swanky Midtown hotel |
| Key Notes | You guessed it: vetiver |
Best Unisex Cologne: Calvin Klein CK One EDT
By any metric, this is the unisex cologne. It’s great for couples who share scents, especially when both parties prefer wearing something down the middle. It's fresh, easygoing, and perfect for pretty much every scenario we can think of—and (like everything that's hot right now) it was super popular in the 90s and early 2000s. I think of CK One as the perfect weekend warrior, too—when all I want to throw on is a beefy hoodie and shades, it's mine to enjoy.
| Vibe | A Saturday at home with your boo |
| Key Notes | Green tea, musk, lemon, jasmine |
Best Vanilla Cologne: Tobacco Vanille EDP
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If you think that spritzing a vanilla scent will make you smell like a scoop of ice cream, you're sincerely missing out on a wide array of fragrances that can elevate your already impeccable look. The thing about vanilla is that it pairs well with so many other fragrance notes, which means that the best vanilla scents don't smell just like an ice cream parlor. Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille does this the best, in our opinion, bringing the leather-like aroma of tobacco to the sweeter vanilla notes, creating a pairing that can best be described as smoking a cigar while eating a crème brûlée.
| Vibe | Dark and mysterious, but sweet underneath it all |
| Key Notes | Vanilla, leather, black pepper |
Best Bergamot Cologne: D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What EDP
If you're looking for a bright and uplifting scent, look no further than bergamot. It's one of the most popular fragrance notes, which means there are more than plenty of options out there with bergamot as their defining feature. Take a peek around the GQ offices and you're likely to find a bottle of D.S. & Durga's I Don't Know What EDP on one of our desks—along with a few of our other favorite scents from the brand. And, while I Don't Know What is terrific on its own, it's also a “fragrance enhancer” (meant to layer whatever existing scent you might already have on) and while that might sound gimmicky to the uninitiated, it really does work.
| Vibe | Pleasantly stoned at the vintage store |
| Key Notes | Bergamot, vetiver |
Best Summer Cologne: YSL Trench
“YSL Trench isn’t your typical citrus-floral,” Michael Stefanov, one of GQ's resident cologne experts, writes. “It’s laced with soft, almost sweet undertones that make it feel powdery, woodsy, airy, and bright. It opens with tangerine and bergamot, layered over iris (powdery and floral) and neroli (for a burst of fresh citrus) before settling into a warm base of musk and cedar. A fig note threads through it all, adding a subtly sweet, creamy edge. It’s citrusy and floral but also musky, spicy, and quietly complex—an easygoing cologne you can wear from sun-soaked afternoons in the park straight into date night.”
| Vibe | Five glasses of wine at the park hang |
| Key Notes | Bergamot, fig, iris, neroli, cedar, musk |
Best Office-Friendly Cologne: Acqua di Parma Colonia EDC
You want your office scent to smell good, but not so good where everyone can't get any work done because of the unrelenting assault on the nostrils. You don't want anything that can come off as too sexy, but you also don't want something boring. That's where Colonia comes in. The scent features the golden trifecta of citrus fruits: lemon, bergamot, and orange. It's fresh and clean, and an inoffensive way to let people at work that you mean business—but in a good way. Colonia is as classic of a scent as they come, and we're sure it'll be in the rotation even when you're far from the office.
| Vibe | Everyone's office bestie |
| Key Notes | Bergamot, rose, patchouli |
Best Date Night Cologne: Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP
Date night—whether it's your first or fiftieth—calls for a scent that's moody, but still a tad sweet. Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP from Maison Francis Kurkdjian checks those boxes, and then some. “Francis Kurkdjian's reputation-making Baccarat Rouge might not be the buzziest scent on the market anymore, but it's definitely the ritziest,” senior commerce editor Avidan Grossman says. “If you don't want to smell like a perpetually fapitzed Upper East Side doyenne, you, friend, should reconsider a lot more than just your scent profile.”
| Vibe | Sultry but sweet |
| Key Notes | Jasmine, saffron, amberwood, cedar |
Best Woody Cologne: Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver EDP
Over a decade-plus of grooming coverage, there are only two bottles of fragrance that I've used to the last drop. One isn’t on this list (shoutout to the brilliant Arquiste Nanban, a wintry staple); the other is Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver, the best expression of Hermès’ iconic cologne. I went through an entire bottle in just a few months, and it remains one of the best buys you can make for yourself, your partner, or your son. It's a reliable, invigorating, and head-turning masculine scent that's perfect for all scenarios and seasons—and it should be triple the price.
| Vibe | Hot tennis instructor |
| Key Notes | Vetiver, Sichuan pepper, green bergamot |
Best Fresh Cologne: Diptyque Eau de Minthé EDP
No scent is fresher than this. Wearing it is like stepping out of the best shower of your life, wrapping yourself in the plushest robe on the planet, and ordering room service on the company tab. It might be a pinch too buoyant for some fellas, but it’s catnip for anyone who might be in the suite (or, heck, the shower) with you when that room service arrives. And don't be fooled by the name: This doesn't smell like a bottle of Listerine—it's herbal, aromatic, and uplifting.
| Vibe | Showering at a 5-star hotel |
| Key Notes | Mint, geranium, patchouli |
Best Floral Cologne: Aesop Rōzu EDP
Yes, their soap is divine, but in case you weren't aware, Aesop is also a heavy hitter in the cologne game. Rōzu is a deep, woody classic that's practically engineered for fall and winter. With a healthy dose of vetiver, rose, and sandalwood, this is a go-to cold weather staple. Whenever I wear Rōzu, I swear that some of my high school AP Calculus knowledge comes back into focus. It sounds corny, but it really does make me feel, well, smarter. Maybe I should give the debate team another go after all.
| Vibe | Math professor who’s kind of a babe |
| Key Notes | Rose, sandalwood, vetiver, shiso |
Best Spicy Cologne: Dior Sauvage Elixir Parfum
Please, don't write of Sauvage just because of the memes. Of all the bestselling Sauvage expressions out there, Elixir excites me the most. I find the licorice and nutmeg notes to be perfect for the colder months of the year, the darker half of the day, and any date nights throughout. It has a nice bite, too—a signature licorice-tinged zing that makes it memorable. Memorable on date night…that’s a decent sell, no?
| Vibe | The movie producer everyone’s talking about at Cannes |
| Key Notes | Licorice, lavender, nutmeg |
Best Leather Cologne: Malin + Goetz Leather EDP
GQ-favorite grooming brand Malin+Goetz has conjured an approachable—dare we say…polite?—way to wear leather, while still announcing to the world that you are, in fact, just as confident as you are sexy. I love that this expression offers so many notes besides just raw, dripping leather. Despite that sex appeal, though, nobody will call you out for wearing it to the hardware store (or in the middle of May).
| Vibe | DILF at a PTA meeting |
| Key Notes | Leather, sandalwood, incense |
Best Musk Cologne: Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur EDP
Musc Ravageur is aptly named, in that it evokes exactly what it advertises: musk-infused sex appeal—but in a playful enough manner that won't overwhelm your date. I wouldn’t wear it to the office, but I would wear it if I wanted to suggest—politely, of course—to someone special that I have the place to myself that evening. It’s a nice way to broadcast your complexity without coming on too strong, if you catch my musky drift.
| Vibe | Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine on a Tinder date in Calgary |
| Key Notes | Musk, vanilla, amber, sandalwood |
More Colognes We Love
Loewe
Eau de Toilette - 7
Loewe describes its 7 EDP as being inspired by “inspired by the furthest reaches of outer space.” While we can't venture that far to understand what that means, we can describe the cosmic concoction inside the bottle. It's fresh yet woodsy, bringing a certain edge and vivacity that makes us which we could suit up and reach the cosmos ourselves. For now, our nostrils will just have to take us there metaphorically.
Byredo
Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum
Woody and citrus notes come together to create a scent that's like a refreshing dip in the lake during the spring. Byredo knows how to craft a fragrance, and this one is exceptionally well designed to be appealing for all noses.
Creed
Green Irish Tweed Fragrance
For most who are getting into colognes, Creed is their entryway into the luxury scent game. You've probably heard of best-seller Creed Aventus, but Green Irish Tweed should be on your radar, too. It's overtly citrus on the front, but it's balanced out by lavender and geranium—two amazing floral notes—before the lasting impression is of cedarwood and oakmoss.
D.S. & Durga
Golfjazz
Silly name, incredible fragrance. I think this smells like a basketball—or the inside of a fancy sporting goods store—in the absolute best way possible. Grassy, leathery, and distinct, this is your father's cologne: the one you steal off the top of his dresser when you're home for the holidays.
More Colognes We're Testing
We're always testing new fragrances as they come out, and because there are so many of them, we can't include all of them in our best-of list—at least not yet. Here are a few standout releases that we're currently spritzing on ourselves, and maybe they might get elevated to a “best” distinction soon.
- D.S. & Durga Cognac Reign: Cognac Reign is one of our favorite new releases from the brand, combining sweet, boozy cognac with lush and warming woods, both of which harken back to the time of the royals where the good times rolled and the liquor flowed.
- Amouage Opus XVI Timber: Luxurious (not just in price but in aroma) and easy to wear, Opus XVI Timber brings woods, spices, resins, incense and leather to the forefront crafting a scent that we're pretty sure was designed for cooler months ahead. Its long-lasting appeal leads to a rollercoaster of fragrance notes, each as appealing as the last.
- Prada Paradigme Eau de Parfum: Paradigme brings a complex blend of complementing scent profiles—bright, spicy, fresh, warm—to a snazzy green bottle that's as quick to switch up on you as a sneeze is about to come and go.
- Diptyque Lazulio: Lazulio starts off with a punch of tart rhubarb before it dissipates into something softer and sweeter, finally ending on an earthy vetiver note with a tinge of aromatic rose. It's crisp yet warm, powdery yet fresh. For a new year-round scent, it's hard to go wrong here.
How to Find Your Signature Scent
Your signature scent is the one you wear most often—to the office, to after-work drinks, to re-up on toilet paper at the bodega down the street. Think of it as your olfactive personality. “A signature scent becomes your identity,” says Leila Zagwolsky, co-founder and CEO of perfume discovery platform LUXSB. “Fragrances are not only part of our lives: they’re as individual as a favorite song or pair of jeans.” Here's how to zero in on the best signature scent for you.
Understand notes and fragrance families
Familiarizing yourself with scent families and key olfactive notes is a great starting point—as is understanding which ones work best as “everyday” scents. At the onset of your journey, Zagwolsky recommends considering woody, aromatic, or citrus fragrance, which work across most occasions and tend to be less polarizing. (Yes, cologne can be polarizing!)
Consider the vibe
In the fragrance world, the same notes can manifest differently depending on how they're employed—so it’s also important to understand a scent's ever-elusive vibe. Is it designed to transport you to the sun-dappled beaches of a private island? Or conjure memories of a rainy day spent indoors? If you're looking for an everyday scent, steer clear of any vibes that immediately read as overly powerful or expressive.
Ask around
This one's simple: If you like how someone smells, ask them what they're wearing. You don't need to jack their signature scent wholesale, but compliments have a way of loosening people's lips—and they might put you onto a fragrance that feels more distinctly you.
Use the web
Websites like Fragrantica can help you discover new scents or those similar to fragrances you already know about; they're a great place to search by brand, season, and fragrance family. (We're also fans of Fragrances of the World always-helpful matching tool.)
Try before you buy
Have a scent in mind? Double-check if the brand behind it offers samples before you commit to a full size. Discovery sites like LUXSB are great platforms for building a low-cost fragrance library, too, if you want few options in the starting lineup once you land on a star player.
Understanding Cologne Types
Ever wondered about the difference between an “EDT” and an “EDP?” It's not actually all that complicated. The primary differentiator comes down to the percentage of perfumed oils used in the product, which dictates how brands classify their scents. These days, we tend to treat “cologne” as a catchall term for any men’s fragrance, but technically speaking, the term is just one of many you should know about. These are the rest.
Eau Fraiche
1-3% perfume oil concentration. Very few fragrances are true eau fraiches these days; those that are classified as such will last for just an hour or two.
Cologne/Eau de Cologne/EDC
3-5% perfume oil concentration. We tend to refer to the broader category of men’s scents as “colognes," even when they don’t fall in this range.
Eau de Toilette/EDT
5-8% perfume oil concentration. Shop in this range or higher if you want a scent to perform past lunchtime. (And yes, the translation from French is literally “toilet water”. We promise you'll still smell great.)
Eau de Parfum/EDP
8-15% perfume oil concentration. This wide range of concentrations makes EDPs the hardest category to predict in terms of longevity and performance. Either way, an EDP or eau de parfum intense should be noticeably stronger than an EDT.
Parfum/Extrait de Parfum
Parfums tend to be in the 15-30% perfume concentration range, but they can climb up to 40% before a brand switches to “pure parfum oil”. Some extraits and parfums are described as “eternal”—but remember, that’s not necessarily what you should be looking for.
The classifications above aren't an exact science, of course, but the concentration levels they allude to are a solid indicator of where to set your expectations, and how much a fragrance will cost.
Common Fragrance Notes
Oud
Meaning “wood” in Arabic, oud (or “oud wood”) smells exactly like you think it would: woodsy. It's a commonly beloved fragrance note for men, but when paired with something sweeter or more floral, it helps to add a depth that's great for all people, not just those looking to project masculinity.
Bergamot
What's bitter in taste is actually quite sweet and delicious on the nose. Bergamot offers a fine citrus note that's fresh on the nose, and when it's paired with something like oud, there's a wonderful dissonance that makes you think about your fragrance all day long.
Vetiver
Often considered a “manly” scent, vetiver has a distinct smoky aroma to it that's often compared to incense or cigar smoke.
Leather
Why would you want to smell like leather? The same reason that “leather” is a positive attribute when describing wine. Think more vintage sofa than ratty old handbag though, and that's what you'll get when you douse yourself in this intoxicating scent.
Musk
Musk, which was once harvested from the glands of the musk deer, is now created artificially, and it's often described as earthy and sweet.
Neroli
Another citrusy scent, neroli offers more of a “green” tinge than bergamot, so it smells like freshly cut grass that might've seen an accident of spilled orange juice.
Patchouli
With a bit of a spicy-sweet aroma, patchouli is often associated with bad smells. But these days, patchouli-forward scents are a complex blend of wood, musk, and spice.
Orris
One of the more floral fragrance notes there is, orris has a sweet flower-like aroma that can be balanced out by some darker, heavier notes to cancel out any reminders of grandma's old perfume.
Tonka Bean
We describe a lot of scents as sweet, but between florals and citruses, that can mean anything. When it comes to tonka bean, you'll get something that leans more vanilla, with a hint of baked goods.
How We Tested (and Chose Our Winners)
Testing colognes is one of the best parts of this gig. Writing for GQ affords me access to new scents as soon as—and sometimes, well before—they hit the market; at any given point in time, my personal collection includes dozens of gleaming, unopened bottles. Testing all of them is a full-time job in and of itself, so I keep on ongoing tally of which formulas feel best for which occasions. (You'd be surprised by how many of them don't pass the simplest sniff test, regardless of where I'd wear 'em.)
In compiling this guide, I kept a particularly close eye on context and budget; not every guy wears cologne the same way or for the same reasons, and the breadth and depth of this list is designed to reflect those differences. Generally speaking, I evaluated each winning pick on the basis of its universal appeal, factoring in a mix of opinions from my sources in the fragrance community, to ensure that every scent included here will leave its wearer looking—and feeling—like the absolute best version of himself.
Men’s Colognes FAQs
What is the best men’s cologne?
According to GQ, the best men’s cologne for year-round wear is Le Labo Thé Matcha 26, which imbues a smart and sophisticated formula with a welcome dose of subtle sex appeal. We consider it the platonic signature scent for its four-season versatility, too—it's ideally suited for professional and personal settings, along with every context between.
What is the best way to test a cologne?
Fragrance notes evaporate over time and aromas can change, so if you're trying a new cologne for the first time, you need more than a first impression. “It’s important to let the fragrance dry-down on skin [before making a final decision],” says Zagwolsky. “Wait a few hours and smell your skin again. If you can imagine yourself wearing this fragrance for a certain occasion or [a specific] mood, it’s a keeper.”
What is one underrated fragrance family that men should consider?
Zagwolsky recommends trying gourmand fragrances, like vanilla colognes, which are often perceived as cold-weather-oriented. Many vanilla scents, Zagwolsky says, can be worn year-round, too. Look for notes that that make you drool, like vanilla, chocolate, almond, honey, and caramel.
How do I spray cologne?
The biggest question guys have when it comes to applying fragrances is: Just exactly how do I do it? Some guys will spray it in front of them, then walk into the spritz, while others will spray themselves all over like it's going out of style. But here's what you should really do: Apply directly to skin, particularly at your pulse points: the wrists and neck. These are the “warmest” parts of the body, which will help your scent achieve its maximum potential of smelling good. Make sure to apply your cologne at least six inches away so that it can spread, so it's neither too concentrated nor underwhelming. And finally, start with one spritz before applying more. Don't be the guy who overdoes it on the cologne and forces everyone to keep their distance so they don't get a headache from the scent.
How often should I reapply cologne?
Depending on the strength of your fragrance, you may not need to reapply your scent at all. If you're using an EDP, you're most likely good for the whole day. On the other hand, if you're using an EDT you might want to give yourself another spritz every four to six hours. And because of its weakest concentration of perfumed oils, eau de colognes can be re-spritzed most often, say every other hour.
Can I apply too much cologne?
Yes. As we mentioned when teaching you how to apply your scent, start with one spritz before going for a second (or even a dreaded third). You can absolutely apply too much fragrance and not know it as your senses get adjusted to the scent to the point where you can't notice it anymore—but believe us, the people around you can, and if you wonder why people keep moving away from you, it's almost a certainty it's because you over-fragranced.
About Our Tester
Adamy Hurly has been covering the grooming industry since 2013. For most of that time, he's been GQ.com’s primary grooming contributor, too. For this article, Adam also spoke at length with Leila Zagwolsky, co-founder and CEO of perfume discovery platform LUXSB, to solicit her insights on signature scents and fragrance wardrobes.
Production Credits
Photographs by Bowen Fernie and Natalie Piserchio
