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Men are difficult to shop for, especially when you’re looking for the ideal gift! But why not consider getting him a cologne? A signature scent can complete any look, and the best colognes for men are ones that complement body chemistry while being long-lasting. So if you need help figuring out where to begin in your search for the best men’s colognes, here are some recommendations that have worked pretty well for the men we know.
| Issey Miyake L’eau D’issey Men EDT | Mykonos Sansa EDP | Geparlys Yes I Am The King Le Parfum EDP |
| Best Versatile Cologne | Best for Significant Other | Best for Friends |
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| Top Notes | Pineapple, Green Notes, Mandarin Orange, Papaya, Bergamot, Cardamom And Lemon |
| Middle Notes | Nutmeg, Violet, Orris Root, Jasmine, Lily Of The Valley, Rose And Freesia |
| Base Notes | Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Cedar, Oakmoss, Green Tea And Green Accord |
Calvin Klein’s CK One is a unisex fragrance that features a range of scent notes that might seem overwhelming at first, but dries down into a clean and pleasant scent. You’ll be hit with fruity notes of pineapple, citrus, and fresh greens first, but then it mellows down into a slightly musky, woodsy fragrance that isn’t too assertive.
We would recommend this perfume for those who like clean scents that make them feel like they just stepped out of the shower. Performance is top-notch for an EDT, so expect a subtle scent that lasts just a couple of hours. CK One is one of the best men’s colognes for gifting too as it’s not overpowering like a body spray, and is generally a well-liked scent. It’s also an affordable men’s perfume at less than $40 a bottle, making it a great stocking stuffer this Christmas!
| Top Notes | Bergamot |
| Middle Notes | Sichuan Pepper, Lavender, Star Anise, Nutmeg |
| Base Notes | Ambroxan, Vanilla |
Who hasn’t heard of the Dior Sauvage for Men? It’s an iconic fragrance that offers a bold, spicy scent. And while Sauvage has an EDT, I find that the EDP has that classic, Sauvage fragrance that we’re familiar with.
Expect top notes of bergamot, followed by notes of Sichuan pepper, star anise, and vanilla. Sauvage is known for having base notes of Ambroxan, however, so it may not be a scent for everyone. Nonetheless, Christian Dior Sauvage would be a great choice for a gift as its earthy fragrance can be appealing, and it’s an iconic scent for those who like their perfumes spicy!
| Top Notes | Lemon, Pineapple, Bergamot, Black Currant, Apple |
| Middle Notes | Birch, Jasmine, Rose |
| Base Notes | Musk, Ambergris, Patchouli, Vanilla |
Not sure what’s the best cologne to give a friend with sophisticated tastes? The Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Man is a fantastic gift choice because it appeals to a wide range of tastes, but it’s not too expensive with a price tag of under $40. The initial citrus burst is refreshing, while the dry-down reveals a sophisticated blend of smoky birch, musk, and a hint of pineapple. Plus, it’s one of the most long-lasting colognes that stays on for at least 10 hours – office to club, with freshness guaranteed!
| Top Notes | Saffron, Jasmine |
| Middle Notes | Amberwood, Ambergris |
| Base Notes | Fir Resin, Cedar |
If you’re looking for a gift that’s both sophisticated and a little unexpected (just like your bestie), Armaf Club De Nuit Untold is a great option. Other than the holographic bottle that adds a touch of fun, it’s also a gender-neutral scent that’s great for matching with your entire clique. Unlike Intense Man’s (#3) lemony top note, Untold has initial notes of saffron and jasmine flowers, which makes it a softer, more comforting unisex cologne. Its dry-down reveals notes of amberwood and cedar, developing the scent into a woody and slightly smoky fragrance.
| Top Notes | Lavender, Birch |
| Middle Notes | Violet |
| Base Notes | Woodsy, Musk |
For many men’s cologne connoisseurs, the Hugo Boss Bottled EDT is a memorable one. It’s often noted as a “starter” perfume that opens the gates to other designer fragrances. That being said, perhaps it’s time to up the man’s fragrance game!
Where Hugo Boss Bottled was made to be a subtle, relaxing fragrance that makes you feel like you’re walking through an apple orchard, the Hugo Boss Bottled Night EDT features a classic, masculine scent that soothes your high spirits. It has a clean and forest-like fragrance that exudes confidence with its soapy, powdery vibe. It’s the perfect cologne for men who enjoy the great outdoors, or simply someone who prefers classic scents.
| Top Notes | Sage, Mandarin, Orange, Saffron |
| Middle Notes | Caramel, Tonka Bean, Tagete |
| Base Notes | Vetiver, Cedar, Ambroxan |
Armaf is on a roll as having some of the best men’s colognes in Singapore, especially with their more vibrant and youthful scent, the Odyssey Mandarin Sky EDP. This men’s cologne smells less like a vitamin C supplement, and more like that fresh basket of oranges you pick straight from the orchard! What’s more, its beautifully-designed bottle includes a leather sleeve – ready for gift-giving!
Its notes of sage and mandarin dry down to reveal sweet caramel and tonka bean (which smells like vanilla) for a citrusy, slightly gourmand fragrance that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet. Not to mention, its base notes of vetiver and cedar help maintain its woody vibe long after the top notes dissipate, leaving you with a men’s perfume that is youthful but still sophisticated. So, if you’re gifting perfume to someone younger or has a more youthful aura, the Odyssey Mandarin Sky EDP would make a great choice.
| Top Notes | Moss, Peach, Black Tea, Osmanthus |
| Middle Notes | Rose, Tuberose, Narcissus, Toffee |
| Base Notes | Cedarwood, Orris Root, Vetiver, Dark Chocolate |
Obsessed with Mykonos perfumes? Now your man can match your vibe with this Mykonos Sansa perfume! The Mykonos Sansa EDP has one of the most complex and interesting blends of notes I’ve ever smelled. With its unexpected blend of fruity, floral, and woody notes, it’s a scent that’s both refreshing and mysterious. It’s a great way to elevate his everyday routine or add a touch of romance to a special occasion. Plus, it’s encased in an absolutely gorgeous bottle with a matte-black base and rose gold accents, making it one of the best colognes for men to give as a gift to your husband, fiance, or boyfriend. Gift this perfume before your holi-date night for a truly special occasion!
| Top Notes | Mint, Green Apple, Lemon Zest |
| Middle Notes | Tonka Bean, Ambroxan, Geranium |
| Base Notes | Madagascar Vanilla, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Oakmoss |
Versace’s Eros EDP might be one of the most popular but overlooked designer scents in the market, but its popularity stemmed from somewhere! It’s not only a great perfume, but it’s also one of the best men’s cologne to give as a gift to your husband or partner as it gives off an alluring (and sexy) scent that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
What’s more, this perfume isn’t aggressive like body spray. So imagine him stepping into a room, leaving a trail of fresh, invigorating scents with warm notes of tonka bean and vanilla creating a seductive drydown. Plus, its signature blue bottle gives off a touch of class that’s great for gifting.
| Top Notes | Yuzu, Lemon, Bergamot, Tarragon |
| Middle Notes | Water Lily, Nutmeg, Lily of the Valley |
| Base Notes | Sandalwood, Vetiver, Tobacco |
Issey Miyake L’eau D’issey for Men is a versatile fragrance that is refreshing yet leaves a sophisticated vibe as it develops. This perfume is clean and smells like a yuzu tree on a rainy day, making it a great gift for any man in your life. Plus, it’s one of the best men’s cologne for all occasions, whether they wear it on a special occasion or as their everyday scent! It helps that this fragrance was crafted by perfumer Jacques Cavallier, known for creating some of the most timeless and versatile scents that’s easy on the nose. If you’re gifting this perfume over the holidays, you can rest easy knowing that it’s a well-loved fragrance made by one of the most renowned perfumers!
| Top Notes | Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Pink Pepper, Bergamot, Aldehydes, Coriander |
| Middle Notes | Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine, Melon |
| Base Notes | Incense, Amber, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Amberwood, Labdanum |
The Chanel Bleu de Chanel EDP is another one of those designer colognes that is timeless, well-rounded, and loved by many. It starts off with the freshness of grapefruit and lemon, then dries down with scents of jasmine, sandalwood, and other warm notes. It’s a light and ageless scent that can be worn everyday, so you can be sure your recipient will remember you each time they use it. Besides, its simplicity gives it a great advantage over more complex fragrances: it’s an ideal everyday perfume that isn’t assertive, so it makes a great gift for your dad or relative who doesn’t like the overpowering smells of other men’s colognes.
| Top Notes | Lemon, Nutmeg, Coriander |
| Middle Notes | Tonka Bean, Lavender, Iris, Violet |
| Base Notes | Frankincense, Moss, Musk, Sandalwood, Vetiver |
Gifting perfume to someone close to you? Geparlys Yes I Am The King Le Parfum EDP will surely make them feel like royalty! Plus, at a price below $40, this perfume makes a great gift for that relative or friend you just can’t seem to find the right gift for. It’s a warm, woody scent that starts off with spiced lemons, and dries down with notes of musk, sandalwood and vetiver. Middle notes of tonka beans gives this perfume a touch of vanilla for playfulness and warmth.
Overall, it’s a safe scent to choose as a gift. It’s not too overpowering or avant garde that it would be intimidating, but it’s also not too subtle or basic. Fancy name aside, Geparlys Yes I Am The King Le Parfum EDP can be the perfect gift to your friend with a flair for staying fashionable! It comes in a gift-ready bottle that includes a gold crest embedded into the glass, too!
It’s important to know how to spot a good cologne for men, especially when you’re not sure which scent to choose! Here are our tried and true tips on picking out a quality fragrance that you’re sure he’ll love:
First thing’s first. If you’re going to know anything about perfumes, you’ll need to be familiar with scent notes. Scent notes will describe how a perfume smells like when you first apply it (top note), let it develop (middle note), and leave it on (base note). Knowing the scents you like and which notes go well together will help you find the best men’s cologne to give to your special someone.
It’s important to know the difference between types of fragrances. Eau de toilette (EDT) is less concentrated than eau de parfum (EDP), while parfum has the highest concentration of fragrance oils:
| Type of Fragrance | Concentration |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5%-15% |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15%-20% |
| Parfum | 20%-30% |
If you’re looking for a scent that lasts, I recommend looking for men’s colognes labelled EDT and above as these will give you longer-lasting results with more complex notes. It’s also worth mentioning that EDTs, EDPs, and Parfums aren’t just different in fragrance concentration, but also in complexity. They can have different notes, even if labelled under the same perfume.
Cologne is an intimate gift, so it’s best given to someone close to you or someone you look up to. If you’re gifting men’s perfume to someone else, here’s my tip to getting them the perfect scent to match their aura: Choose a scent that reminds you of the recipient You can also base your gift on the cologne they currently use, or what scents they generally prefer. Gifting a men’s cologne that reminds you of them helps to evoke memories, and make the gift more thoughtful or special.
With so many perfumes out there, we hope this list helped narrow down the most scent-sible choice for your gift-giving this Christmas season! Remember that everyone’s noses are different, so finding the best perfume for men will depend on your recipient’s preferences and tastes. We think that these fragrances would also make a great secret Santa gift idea for your friends and family at your next Christmas gathering. Otherwise, amp up the festivities by feasting on the best Christmas hams and drinking some of the best instant hot chocolates!
This article was updated on 30 October 2024. Additional research done by Janica Ng.
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