In this article, I explore cheap colognes for men that smell great. Here’s my list, featuring fragrances that all cost less than $100. Read and find your favorite!
Disclaimer: all fragrance recommendations are based on my personal subjective opinions. I’m not an expert with comprehensive knowledge of all fragrances, so reviews on this site are influenced by forums, friends, and personal experience. I’m not affiliated with any stores or brands, so purchasing decisions are yours. Use the information at your own risk.
Finding the perfect fragrance doesn’t have to drain your wallet. In fact, some of the most impressive men’s colognes on the market are surprisingly affordable. These 8 best cheap colognes for men prove that quality isn’t always tied to a hefty price tag. Whether you’re looking for a fresh everyday scent, a bold evening fragrance, or something versatile enough to wear year-round, the following picks stand out as affordable fragrances that smell far more expensive than they actually are.
Versace Man Eau Fraiche
Eau Fraiche is a legendary scent crafted for everyday wear. Moreover, it could be a perfect suit for cool guys who love a laid-back, effortless vibe. The perfume starts off with aquatic notes, along with zesty citrus and a little spicy ginger. The citrus gives it an uplifting, lively feel, while the aquatic scent keeps it modern and clean. As it settles, you notice a warm, aromatic mix of sage, spicy cardamom, and a touch of pepper. The scent then dries down to woody accords like cedarwood and patchouli, with a hint of musk, creating a smooth, sensual finish.
- Likability: 9
- Originality: 7
- Longevity: 7
- Projection: 6
- Wow Effect: 8
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Lemon, Bergamot, Carambola, Cardamom and Brazilian Rosewood | Cedar, Tarragon, Sage and Pepper | Musk, Woodsy Notes, Saffron, Amber and Sycamore.
Ideal for: 20-45 years old.
Where to wear: office, friendly meetups.
Price: 50-60$
Versace Man Eau Fraiche is a perfect choice for spring and summer. It has a fresh and clean vibe that works particularly well in warm weather, especially as the citrus and aquatic notes shine through. However, it’s not well-suited for formal evening events or colder seasons, since it’s quite light and can easily get lost in heavy clothing or chilly air. Although it may not be the most unique or longest-lasting fragrance available, it remains highly approachable and clean-smelling, which explains why many fans of fresh scents really appreciate it.
Encre Noire Lalique
Encre Noir is a dark, woody, and earthy fragrance with a distinctive inky, vetiver-forward profile. It evokes imagery of a damp, mossy forest after rain, wet soil, and fallen leaves, creating a mysterious, gothic, and melancholic mood. The scent features prominent vetiver, cypress, and cashmere woods, often described as smoky, rooty, and slightly resinous.
- Likability: 9
- Originality: 9
- Longevity: 7
- Projection: 7
- Wow Effect: 9
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Cypress | Vetiver | Cashmere Wood and Musk.
Ideal for: 25+ years old; mature, confident men.
Where to wear: evening, formal, or moody outdoor settings in cooler weather.
Price: 30-40$
Like I mentioned earlier, Encre Noir is ideal for guys who love dark, earthy, and mysterious scents. It probably will attract people with a gothic, contemplative, or brooding sense of style. Therefore, it’s ideal for confident men looking for a unique, atmospheric signature. Though some may find it too dry or sharp, and performance can vary based on batch and skin chemistry.
By the way, Encre Noir is featured on our list of the best men’s colognes for Christmas gifts in 2025. Curious to know which other perfumes made the list? Just click on this link to find out.
Lanvin L’Homme
Lanvin L’Homme is a really well-done, clean, and put-together fragrance. The opening is dominated by fresh citrus mixed with a very pleasant, non-medicinal lavender and a touch of mint. After about 15-20 minutes, it settles into a beautiful, slightly herbal and peppery heart. Nevertheless, the scent remains clean, resembling high-quality soap, but in the best way possible. You smell like you just stepped out of a really nice shower. The dry-down is perfect. The sandalwood, musk, and a whisper of vanilla come through, adding a soft, warm depth that keeps it from being just a linear fresh scent.
- Likability: 9
- Originality: 8
- Longevity: 7
- Projection: 6
- Wow Effect: 7
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, Neroli and Mandarin Orange | Mint, Sage, Pepper and Cardamom | Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Amber.
Ideal for: 25+ years old; reliable, composed men.
Where to wear: work, everyday wear
Price: 25-35$
All things considered, Lanvin L’Homme is a reliable foundation piece in your wardrobe. If you want a fragrance that turns heads and leaves a trail, this isn’t it. Rather than being a flashy statement piece, Lanvin L’Homme is the perfume you’ll reach for constantly because it always works. This scent is about subtlety rather than making loud announcements. Moreover, at just $30 a bottle, Lanvin L’Homme ranks among the best affordable colognes ever.
Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette
Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc is a versatile, refreshing perfume that is really great for anyone looking for a light, everyday perfume. The fragrance opens with fresh, citrusy grapefruit and a touch of ylang-ylang, creating a bright, clean, and slightly sweet vibe with herbal rosemary. In the heart, creamy tuberose and ylang-ylang blend into a soft, floral-musk bouquet with hints of warmth from woody and suede accords. The drydown features cedar, vetiver, and leather, giving a dry, earthy, and masculine depth.
- Likability: 8
- Originality: 8
- Longevity: 6
- Projection: 6
- Wow Effect: 9
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Grapefruit, Rosemary and Cardamon | Ylang-Ylang and Tuberose | Virginia Cedar, Suede, Vetiver and Leather.
Ideal for: 15-30 years old, teenagers, young adults.
Where to wear: daily wear, office, summer walks, gym.
Price: 55-65$
L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette is fresh and clean, with citrus notes and subtle woody hints. It’s perfect for summer and everyday wear thanks to its light, energizing vibe. Although its longevity isn’t great (only a few hours), it’s easy to wear to the office or out for a walk. In general, Lacoste Blanc smells like fresh laundry or linen.
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Issey Miyake
L’Eau d’Issey is a timeless, unique, and brilliantly balanced citrus-aquatic-floral fragrance. The opening is a little sour and incredibly refreshing. If you’ve ever had a proper yuzu-based drink or condiment, you’ll recognize it instantly. For the first 15-20 minutes, it’s a pure, unadulterated citrus rush that cuts through humidity like a knife. The heart is a beautiful, gauzy blend of white florals. Underneath that, there’s a subtle, almost spicy warmth from nutmeg and a whisper of tobacco. The dry-down is a soft, musky, slightly woody veil that just smells clean. It’s the scent of a white shirt on a warm, sunny day after a shower.
- Likability: 10
- Originality: 8
- Longevity: 8
- Projection: 7
- Wow Effect: 8
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Yuzu, Lemon, Bergamot, Lemon Verbena, Mandarin Orange, Cypress, Calone, Coriander, Sage and Tarragon | Blue Lotus, Nutmeg, Lily-of-the-Valley, Bourbon Geranium, Saffron, Ceylon Cinnamon and Mignonette | Tahitian Vetiver, Musk, Cedar, Sandalwood, Amber and Tobacco.
Ideal for: 35-45 years old; calm and collected mature men.
Where to wear: office, museum, classical music concert.
Price: 40-50$
Wearing L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme is like catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in years. This fragrance has been around since 1994, and there’s a reason it’s still on shelves when so many others from that era have faded into obscurity. For the price you can find it at discounters ($30-40 for a big bottle), it’s still an incredible value and a masterpiece of perfumery, unquestionably making it one of the best cheap colognes for men ever.
Roma Uomo Laura Biagiotti
Roma Uomo is a sleek, versatile fragrance that captures the warmth of a sunny Italian afternoon. The initial spray is really lovely splash of bergamot and orange. Mixed in is a touch of lavender and a cool hint of mint. After about 20 minutes the citrus calms down. There’s a touch of pepper and cardamom in the mix, and distinctive, slightly creamy, nutty undertone. It all settles into a super cozy base of sandalwood, musk, and a soft vanilla. It’s warm, a little creamy, and has the perfect masculine vibe that feels timeless.
- Likability: 8
- Originality: 8
- Longevity: 8
- Projection: 7
- Wow Effect: 9
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Basil and Laurels | Heliotrope, Jasmine, Juniper Berries, Balsam Fir and Geranium | Benzoin, Sandalwood, Cedar, Patchouli, Amber, Musk, Oakmoss and Massoia Wood.
Ideal for: 30-45 years old; thoughtful, calm, mature men.
Where to wear: romantic dates, evening dinners.
Price: 40-50$
Moreover, Roma Uomo Laura Biagiotti doesn’t just smell good. It also feels like a warm, sun-drenched afternoon walking through Rome, past orange trees and old stone buildings. By all means, Roma Uomo is incredibly evocative, and at the same time, it’s charming and effortlessly elegant. If you’re looking for a signature scent that’s distinctive but never overpowering, this might just be your new Italian getaway in a bottle.
Artisan Pure John Varvatos
Artsian Pure is one of those cult-following scents that gets hyped to oblivion by YouTube reviewers and forum veterans alike. The opening is an incredibly realistic, bitter citrus explosion. Imagine tearing into a clementine or mandarin orange, rind and all. After the aggressive top notes settle, Artisan Pure reveals its heart. The citrus remains, but it’s softened and rounded out by a subtle, spicy ginger, aromatic herbs like thyme and marjoram, and a clean, white floral aura. The dry down is a quiet, comforting blend of clean musk, faint woods, and a whisper of amber.
- Likability: 9
- Originality: 8
- Longevity: 4
- Projection: 6
- Wow Effect: 9
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Clementine, Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, Thyme and Marjoram | Petitgrain and Ginger | Woody Notes, Musk, Orris Root and Amber.
Ideal for: 20-50 years old, all-ages fragrance.
Where to wear: beach, a brunch, or a stroll in the park.
Price: 30-40$
Overall, Artisan Pure is a beautifully crafted citrus fragrance that stands apart in a sea of boring freshies. However, its abysmal performance drags the overall score down. It’s unequivocally a warm-weather champion. It shines in the spring and summer heat, especially on scorching, humid days where heavier fragrances would become cloying.
Supremacy Silver Afnan
If you’re after that iconic Aventus vibe but don’t want to spend a fortune, Afnan Supremacy Silver is a top contender. From the first spray, you’re greeted with that familiar fruity explosion of pineapple and citrus. It’s incredibly well-blended, avoiding any harsh or overpowering notes. As it settles, a subtle smoky element emerges, adding depth and masculinity without crossing into too-ashy territory. Over time, it morphs into a musky, slightly woody dry-down.
- Likability: 10
- Originality: 7
- Longevity: 8
- Projection: 8
- Wow Effect: 8
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Pineapple, Black Currant, Bergamot and Apple | Birch, Patchouli, Moroccan Jasmine and Rose | Musk, Oakmoss, Ambergris and Vanilla.
Ideal for: 20-35 years old; smart, stylish young men.
Where to wear: office, casual wear.
Price: 25-35$
If you want the Aventus experience but can’t justify the insane price tag, Afnan Supremacy Silver is arguably the best place to start. It’s one of the few clones that strikes a perfect balance, delivering nearly the same scent profile without feeling cheap or synthetic. In either case, for its price, it’s a fantastic and incredibly affordable men’s fragrance that easily earns its place in any collection.
Bonus: Nautica Voyage
Nautica Voyage is a highly versatile, clean, and masculine fragrance. It opens with a crisp, green apple accord paired with aquatic and green notes reminiscent of freshly cut cucumber and sea breeze. The middle introduces subtle floral nuances of lotus and mimosa, adding a watery, slightly sweet, and airy dimension. The drydown features musk, cedarwood and amber. They ground the fragrance, imparting a warm, woody, and musky undertone.
- Likability: 8
- Originality: 7
- Longevity: 6
- Projection: 6
- Wow Effect: 7
- Cost - Value: 10
Notes: Green Leaves and Apple | Lotus and Mimosa | Musk, Cedar, Oakmoss and Amber.
Ideal for: 15-25 years old, teenagers, college students.
Where to wear: trips to the beach, gym, school or college.
Price: 15-25$
Nautica Voyage undoubtedly has a simple, mass-appealing, summer-ready aquatic vibe. It’s super straightforward and fresh, making it a solid everyday option, especially if you’re on a budget or just starting out with fragrances. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel or be super unique, but it gets the job done reliably and with a certain charm. If you want something casual, fresh, and easy to wear without spending a ton, this one’s definitely worth considering.
FAQ
Q: Are Cheap Fragrances Necessarily Low Quality?
A: Of course not. All the perfumes in this collection have a long history and a solid reputation. While they might feel more synthetic and not as long-lasting as pricier fragrances, they’re generally just as good in quality as perfumes that cost $300–$400.
Q: If They Don’t Last, Should I Just Spray More?
A: Most likely, that won’t make much of a difference. The formula of the perfume doesn’t allow for a longer-lasting scent, even if you use the whole bottle at once. If you’re not happy with how long it lasts, I’d suggest getting some atomizers and pouring a little of the perfume into them. That way, you can refresh the scent as it fades.
