The 20 Best Colognes for Men to Try for Summer 2025

Armani Acqua Di Giò is a scent inspired by the intensity, mystery and depth of the deep blue sea, and it comes personally recommend by beauty and cultures editor Chelsea Candelario's brother, Christian. "This cologne smells very elegant and professional. While the scent is a little strong than most colognes, it doesn't feel overwhelming and lasts all day. It also has a nice and sleek design—plus, the bottle size is perfect to last me a long time," he writes. Consisting of notes like white musk, cedar and patchouli, it definitely gives "signature scent" vibes.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: lime, lemon, bergamot, jasmine, orange, mandarin orange and neroli
• Middle Notes: cyclamen, coriander, violet, nutmeg, rose, mignonette, jasmine, calone, peach, freesia, rosemary, hiacynth
• Base Notes: white musk, cedar, oakmoss, patchouli and amber
• Sizes: 1.4 ounces, 2.4 ounces, 4.3 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

Christian also recommends this cologne from Jo Malone London, which has a blend of coconut and water as its main notes. "It has a more lighter scent that reminds me of summer vibes, which makes sense considering it's called 'Beach Blossom.' The smell isn't that strong but lasts enough for most of the day," he says. There are two different sizes available (1.7 ounces and 3.4 ounces), so if you like it enough, you can definitely make the upgrade to a larger bottle.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: coconut, water,
• Middle Notes: lime
• Base Notes: tonka bean
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 2.4 ounces, 4.3 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

I'd actually go as far as to call Sauvage one of the sexiest scents of all time thanks to its citrus blend, and woody mixtures of geranium, elemi and ambroxan. A couple pumps of this, and you'll instantly be feeling like you're Denzel Washington. Actually, I can't quite guarantee feeling like Denzel Washington, but you get where I'm going.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: pepper, calabrian bergmot
• Middle Notes: vetiver, patchouli, geranium, elemi, sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper
• Base Notes: ambroxan, cedar and labdanum
• Sizes: 1.0 ounces, 3.4 ounces, 2.0 ounces, 6.8 ounces
• Type: eau de toilette

Buyers have described Elysium as having an ocean scent with a hint of luxury and opulence. Consisting of a note mixture that includes grapefruit, lemon, juniper berries, rose, jasmine, leather and even vanilla, what you get in return is an elaborate scent that will have everybody asking where you got it from (and then heading to the store to grab one for themselves).

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, lime, thyme, artemisia
• Middle Notes: vetiver, juniper berries, black currant, apple, pink pepper, cedar, cypriol oil or nagarmotha, lily-of-the-valley, rose and jasmine
• Base Notes: labdanum, leather, vanilla, benzoin, ambergris
• Sizes: 3.4 ounces
• Type: parfum

An iconic scent in the fragrance world that has certainly made an impact, he'll get a lot of wear out of this bad boy because it's a parfum, so it will last pretty much the entire day. If you're looking for an office-friendly scent that still makes an impact, this is your guy.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: bergamot, lemon, mandarin, ylang-ylang, blackcurrant
• Middle Notes: lotus wood, orchid, fruity notes, floral notes
• Base Notes: sandalwood, chocolate, incense, patchouli, vetiver
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: parfum

YSL's Homme de Parfum is a nifty little affordable fragrance that you can enjoy year-round, given its wood-like blend of bergamot, bitter orange, lavender and geranium. What's more, the reviews are stellar, with one raving, "I was on the hunt for a nice every day cologne for my boyfriend, testing many scents. I did a lot of research, and this one wasn't even on the top of my list. It's unexpectedly good!"

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: bergamot, bitter orange
• Middle Notes: geranium and lavender
• Base Notes: N/A
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: parfum

If you want to smell like a slightly more modern version of the 1990s and 2000s, then my suggestion is to go with this highly rated Tommy Fragrance—a cologne that is cool, smooth, retro and fresh. Made with a lavender, cranberry and apple blend, one buyer says, "I bought this for my husband for Christmas, and he smells just as good as he did when I met him nearly 26 years ago. The glass bottle looks exactly like it did in the '90s too. Glad this is still being made!" You can never go wrong with a classic smell.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: lavender, mint, grapefruit, bergamot
• Middle Notes: cranberry, rose, apple
• Base Notes: cactus, amber, cottonflower
• Sizes: 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de toile

I consider Creed Aventus a tried-and-true cologne classic—a staple of the fragrance community, if you will. The scent features a rich, eclectic blend of scents like birch, oak moss and vanille, and it's that very mixture that has made it such an attractive cologne for decades. Not to mention, there's more than enough to last you for ages if you splurge on the 8.1 or 16.5 ounce bottles (and you don't have to apply a lot for it to be noticeable).

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: pineapple, bergamot, black currant, apple
• Middle Notes: moroccan jasmine, rose, patchouli, rose, birch
• Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, vanille
• Sizes: 0.34 ounces, 1.7 ounces, 3.3 ounces, 8.1 ounces, 16.5 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

Anchored by top notes of pineapple, bergamot and rhuburb, alongside middle notes of paprika, iris and jasmine, it weaves tropical and floral notes with a bit of spice. Granted, it costs a bit more than some other fragrances, but the investment price is well worth it considering the unique scent and parfum-caliber longevity.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: pineapple, bergamot, rhuburb
• Middle Notes: paprika, iris, jasmine
• Base Notes: cinnamon, oakmoss, amber, vetiver, styrax, vanilla, french, virginia cedar
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: parfum

Originally launched as a woman's fragrance in 1988, Eternity has since taken over as one of the go-to men's fragrances, and it's safe to say every cologne-loving man has, at the very least, given it a try at some point. That also means if he isn't in this category, that you should definitely change that soon. Containing bergamot and mandarin orange as some of its top notes, basil and orange blossom squeezed into the middle and vetiver and musk for its base, Eternity smells like a dream.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon, lavender
• Middle Notes: sage, juniper berries, basil, geranium, coriander, jasmine, orange blossom, lily-of-the-valley, lily
• Base Notes: sandalwood, vetiver, musk, brazilian rosewood, amber
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

Versace Eros has been thriving as one of the top colognes for men since 1992—that's over thirty years of dominance, folks! And even after all these decades, it remains the standard for a cologne that naturally emits love  and sensuality, as it has a woody, somewhat musky scent that is easy to layer. Eros is always a good choice, if you ask me.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: mint, green apple, lemon
• Middle Notes: tonka bean, ambroxan, geranium
• Base Notes: madagascar vanilla, virginian cedar, atlas cedar, vetiver, oakmoss
• Sizes: 0.03 ounces, 0.16 ounces, 0.17 ounces, 0.30 ounces, 1-ounce, 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces, 6.7 ounces
• Type: Eau de Toilette

This fragrance just oozes with appeal, as it blends together sexy sophistication with a fruity scent for a rare smell that you are unlikely to get with any other cologne. From the attractive design of the bottle, to the scent, DATE will have him hooked all the way through. Or as one buyer says, "A very good fragrance best suited for colder weather, but it also works perfectly for summer evenings as well."

Fast Facts

• Notes: juniper berry, bergamot, lemon, mandarin orange
• Middle Notes: patchouli, cardamom
• Base Notes: vetiver, agarwood
• Sizes: 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

Bleu de Chanel is also another staple in the cologne community, and if you are a fan of the Chanel brand as a whole, it is definitely worth him trying out for bragging rights. This fragrance has intoxicating citrus blends mixed in with a slightly woody sandalwood scent that will give him an airy smell that will have people asking why he smells so darn good.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: citrus notes, pink pepper vetiver
• Middle Notes: grapefruit cedar labdanum
• Base Notes: ginger, sandalwood, frankincense
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces, 5 ounces
• Type: eau de toilette

Another option from Armani he'll be sure to appreciate. Having launched in 2004, it's one of the quintessential fragrances from the 2000s that have transitioned just as well into the 2020s. That might be thanks to its blend of lemon and bergamot, which has buyers praising its wondrous smell. "This was a large bottle at a bargain price," one reviewer shares. "Fast shipping and yep, now my son smells just as nice as his dad!'

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: lemon, bergamot
• Middle Notes: olive blossom, guaiac wood, star anise
• Base Notes: tonka Bean, leather, tobacco
• Sizes: 2.5 ounces
• Type: eau de toilette

Valentino's Uomo Born in Roma will be his sugar, spice and everything nice with its mineral, sage and ginger notes. A fragrance that exudes confidence that will have him standing a bit taller, he'll always appreciate having this in his rotation. "When I say this this fragrance will have you turning heads…it’s fruity yet masculine with the wood dry down," writes one Nordstrom buyer, who is very clearly happy with his purchase. "I had to buy another one and gift it to a friend for his 30th birthday!"

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: cardamom, red apple, calabrian bergamot
• Middle Notes: bourbon geranium, clary sage, lavender
• Base Notes: patchouli, haitian vetiver, tobacco leaf
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de toilette

Considering the impeccable quality and smell of this fragrance, $65 as a starter price for this cologne almost seems like a steal. In fact, it is a steal. All of the notes bring it home to give this scent a unique smell that is very much unmatched. Plus, it is easily to layer thanks to the dreamy lavender, green apple and patchouli oil blend. I can't see how you would say no to this one!

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: lavender, clary sage, and ginger
• Middle Notes: green apple, mint, cardamon
• Base Notes: vetiver heart, patchouli oil, cashmera
• Sizes: 0.34 ounces, 1 ounces, 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

Honing in on an aromatic scent that's both dynamic and sporty, Prada's Luna Rossa is a sophisticated fragrance that has a relaxed smell that isn't too strong, but with blends of lavender, bitter orange, mint, clary sage and ambroxan, it's still strong enough to where cologne enthusiasts will know exactly what he's wearing.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: lavender and bitter orange
• Middle Notes: mint and clary sage
• Base Notes: ambroxan, ambrette
• Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de toilette

Acqua Di Parma has been on store shelves since 1916, and it will definitely have him dropping checkmates on his opponents with its elaborate scent. "This is a classic...maybe THE classic ," exclaims one Nordstrom buyer, who adds, "In the end, you smell like fine, thrice-milled soap, lavender, sandalwood and bergamot. Never intrusive. Never brash. Never offensive. Never ready to disco til dawn. But never unnoticed and never, ever hated." I honestly don't think I could have said it better.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: neroli, mint, galbanol
• Middle Notes: lavender, rosemary
• Base Notes: vetiver, musk
• Sizes: 3.4 ounces, 6 ounces
• Type: eau de cologne

Just so you know, Gucci has two different versions of their Guilty Absolute scent—one for women, and one for men, and the latter has definitely been worth the investment in for those who have tried it. Boasting a woody mixture of notes that are fiery, this fragrance is definitely sexy, but still offers a hint of subtlety.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: leather
• Middle Notes: patchouli, cypress
• Base Notes: woody notes,vetiver 
• Sizes: 5 ounces
• Type: eau de parfum

Is he even a cologne enthusiast if he hasn't owned Versace Dylan Blue Pour Homme at some point in his life? The answer is...no. And if he hasn't ever worn Versace Dylan Blue Pour Homme, it's time to change that. You have everything you need right in front of you, so go on ahead and purchase right now.

Fast Facts

• Top Notes: ambrox, bergamot, grapefruit
• Middle Notes: black pepper, papyrus wood, incense, mineral musk, tonka beans, saffron
• Base Notes: musk, amber, tonka bean
• Sizes: 3.4 ounces
• Type: eau de toilette