Nothing boosts confidence like a great-smelling cologne, but you’ll feel a lot better about smelling better when that cologne doesn’t cost you $200 per ounce. In the not-so-distant past, a phrase like “best cheap cologne” was an oxymoron, but that’s no longer the case. Today, you can find sophisticated colognes under $50 from familiar favorites like Nautica as well as designer labels like Calvin Klein.
Why spend over $100 on cologne when you can get sophisticated men’s cologne for under $50? We’ve tried many colognes at this price point and we promise you there’s plenty to love in the cheaper cologne market.
At the same time, for around $50, you can find smaller bottles of designer cologne from fashion houses like Versace. That means you don’t have to compromise on quality or intensity of fragrance, only quantity. But if you only wear cologne sparingly, then having less won’t be a problem.
As you shop, keep in mind the traditional branding of fragrances: eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. The first will have the highest concentration of perfume oil and the third will have the least, with eau de toilette somewhere in the middle. Because perfume oil is expensive, even the best inexpensive cologne will generally be either an eau de toilette or an eau de cologne. The term cologne is generally used as a shorthand for all fragrances for men, even those technically labeled as eau de parfum.
So, while we respect you fancy gentlemen out there dropping $330 on a 1.7-ounce bottle of Byredo cologne, most guys live in a more modest market. If you do too, check out our roundup of the 17 best cheap colognes below. Nearly everything is priced $50 or under, with a handful of options costing a bit more than $50. No matter the price, one of the benefits of buying cheap cologne is that even if you don’t like the fragrance, you’ll only be out $50 instead of $200.
1. Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray
For a great modern take on traditional masculine fragrances, check out the Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray. This cologne subtly shouts confident Mediterranean man to anyone privileged enough to get close to you, with top notes of citrus, a floral heart of sage and hyacinth, and base notes of amber and musk.
A 1.7-ounce bottle will cost you $70, but if you only need to use designer cologne on special occasions, then the 1-ounce bottle can be yours for $55. Alternatively, you could trust Amazon and get 1.7 ounces for well under $50.
Who It’s For: Men who want a fragrance that smells musky, slightly floral, masculine, sophisticated, and expensive.
Buy: Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 1 oz $55
Buy: Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 1.7 oz $70
Buy: Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 1.7 oz $37.20
2. Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche Eau De Toilette Spray
Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche first splashed onto the scene in 1982 and never looked back, courtesy of its signature masculine fragrance. There are seven ingredients in the top notes alone, never mind the 13 other ingredients in the heart and base notes. But you won’t just smell manly with this eau de toilette cologne either: Per ounce of cologne, in a 6.7-ounce bottle, Drakkar Noir is one of the best values on the market, especially when you consider its enduring popularity and high-quality fragrance.
Just be aware that Drakkar Noir’s fragrance is strong, and though we dig it, it might be a little strong for you or your significant other, especially if you’re prone to over-applying.
Who It’s For: Men with the self-confidence to wear a bold, nostril-catching fragrance.
Buy: Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche Eau De Toilette Spray $43.12
3. Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men
Alas, we think your money is better spent on Drakkar Noir, but for one of the best cheap colognes, you can’t do much better than Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men. Designed to remind of the adventurous man on land and sea, this is a lovely aquatic fragrance, with top notes of green leaves, apple, and lotus; a heart of jasmine and water lily; and base notes of musk, sandalwood, and cedarwood. But, as always, you get what you pay for: The fragrance doesn’t last very long and it’s not that potent to begin with, so you may end up re-applying more often than you’d like. Even so, for its great price-per-ounce value, Nautica Blue is still one of the best cheap colognes.
Who It’s For: Men who love being on the water and traveling to far-off places.
Buy: Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men $18.68
4. Hawthorne Work and Play Colognes
Hawthorne’s claim to fame is its personalization-based product selection and refill subscriptions. Before you can browse most of Hawthorne’s products, you have to take a personality and grooming quiz, which Hawthorne uses to tailor to your needs products from its various grooming lines, such as deodorant, body wash, soap, shampoo and conditioner and, of course, cologne. (You don’t have to buy all of the products, tempted as you may be.)
And Hawthorne means business: You literally cannot go to the website and buy the cologne off the shelf without taking the quiz. But while that might seem like an inconvenience, it’s actually a great solution to the common problem most guys have: not knowing what kind of cologne they would want. Once you’ve taken the quiz, Hawthorne presents you with versions of its Work and Play colognes it thinks match your personality and likes. You can buy both for $100 or just one for $50. And the colognes offer a great value, with 1.7 ounces of cologne for each bottle.
Overall, what really makes Hawthorne worth it is the simplicity of the entire cologne process. Even though the colognes might seem pricey, they’re pretty inexpensive overall and still some of the best lower-end colognes. Most importantly, they smell really good — they’re the go-to cologne of Spy E-Commerce Editor Tyler Schoeber.
Who It’s For: Men who want something more personal and customized than off-the-shelf fragrances.
Buy: Hawthorne Work and Play Colognes $50 for one, $100 for both
5. Dollar Shave Club Blueprint 203 Cologne
It’s fresh, crisp, and your writer’s go-to cologne for any occasion that requires something nicer than jeans — it’s the Dollar Shave Club Blueprint 203. With notes of sandalwood, grassy vetiver, golden musk, almondy tonka bean, sage, and cedarwood, this is one of the best cheap colognes for guys who want to smell masculine but don’t think that has to mean smelling ultra woody and leathery.
The downside is the fragrance won’t hold for more than a few hours, unless you want to firehose yourself in this stuff. But that aside, I bought this on a total whim — “An adult dude like myself should always have a good cologne,” I thought — and I have zero regrets whatsoever.
Who It’s For: Men who want a fresh, crisp fragrance suitable for any occasion.
Buy: Dollar Shave Club Blueprint 203 Cologne $50.00
6. Calvin Klein CK Everyone
Calvin Klein is most famous for its iconic white briefs, which are enjoying a major surge in popularity at the moment. However, the brand is also famous for its signature fragrance ck One. You can’t go wrong with a bottle of ck One in your medicine cabinet; however, we would recommend trying out Calvin Klein CK Everyone instead. This eau de toilette is a more modern fragrance, with refreshing notes of citrus, ginger, cedarwood, and fresh water. Not only is the vegan fragrance alcohol-free, but it’s also a “clean” fragrance, meaning it’s earned a Silver Level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
A 1.6-ounce bottle starts at $55, so it’s slightly more expensive than other options on this list, but we couldn’t in good conscience leave it off our list.
Who It’s For: Men who want a cologne that does its part to create a sustainable system of production.
Buy: CK Everyone Starting at $55.00
7. Pi By Givenchy For Men Eau De Toilette Spray
Pi By Givenchy For Men Eau De Toilette Spray was among the highest-rated fragrances we found on Amazon, with more than 2,500 users giving it five stars. And we can understand why. Rosemary, basil, tarragon, neroli, and herbs combine into a lasting, woody, masculine fragrance at a reasonable price for 3.3 ounces of luxury-level cologne. But don’t just take our word for it: One satisfied reviewer called it the “best-smelling affordable cologne out there.”
Who It’s For: Modern men who lean into their masculinity with a warm, complex fragrance.
Buy: Pi By Givenchy For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray $52.06
Buy: Pi By Givenchy for Men $70.00
8. ARAMIS by Aramis Eau De Toilette Spray
ARAMIS by Aramis Eau De Toilette Spray is good for one thing and one thing only: smelling as refined and sophisticated as Aramis of The Three Musketeers, for whom the fragrance is named. With notes of leather, jasmine, amber, sandalwood, clove, and moss, Aramis promises a unique, masculine scent that seems similar to other colognes but just a little more refined.
The cologne is made even better by its totally reasonable price, even for larger 3.7-ounce bottles. Without a doubt, the Aramis Eau De Toilette is one of the best cheap colognes.
Who It’s For: Men who want a unique, refined masculine fragrance that will continue to stand the test of time.
Buy: ARAMIS by Aramis Eau De Toilette Spray $30.49
Buy: ARAMIS by Aramis Eau De Toilette Spray $29.94
9. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau De Toilette
For an affordable size of a premium cologne, turn to Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau De Toilette. Unfortunately, it’s among the more expensive colognes on our list in both absolute and relative dollars, given the 1.7-ounce bottle, but it’s worth every penny. I’ve previously owned this cologne and it smells fantastic. It’s definitely a fresh-feeling cologne inspired by the Mediterranean, with citrus and juniper top notes, a heart of pepper and rosewood, and base notes of muskwood, incense, and oak moss.
If my bottle of this particular pour homme cologne didn’t have a tragic accident, I would still be using this Dolce & Gabbana fragrance today.
Who It’s For: Men who want a sophisticated Mediterranean-inspired fragrance that could never be confused for a cheap cologne.
Buy: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau De Toilette $56.00
10. Fulton & Roark Tybee Solid Cologne
If you’re actually looking for the best cheap colognes, solid colognes can offer a level of affordability and convenience unmatched by liquid colognes. For a more upscale solid cologne, we highly recommend Fulton & Roark Tybee Solid Cologne. With a fragrance inspired by crisp sea air, the Tybee cologne is fresh as hell and perfect for summer. Amber and musk fill out the top notes, followed by rosewood and cedarwood for an overall clean fragrance.
Our usual dollar-per-ounce test doesn’t quite work with solid cologne, as a single tin only holds 0.2 ounces. However, Fulton & Roark suggests it would take a daily user four months to use up the whole tin, so we believe this more than qualifies as one of the best cheap colognes under $50. Plus, solid cologne avoids over-application, as 100% of the product ends up on your body.
Who It’s For: Men who want a fresh, crisp premium fragrance like in liquid cologne with the convenience of solid fragrance.
Buy: Fulton & Roark Tybee Solid Cologne $42.00
11. Duke Cannon Supply Co. Solid Cologne Balm
The Duke Cannon Supply Co. makes some of our favorite men’s grooming products. The company’s Solid Cologne Balm costs less than most liquid colognes and it’ll likely last longer too. Walk around with the Buffalo Trace bourbon-inspired fragrance and you’ll feel and smell like a masculine badass.
Who It’s For: Men who love the complex scent of bourbon and want to smell manly without breaking the bank.
Buy: Duke Cannon Supply Co. Solid Cologne Balm $19.13
12. Proraso Men’s Grooming Cypress & Vetyver Cologne
Proraso was good enough for our grandparents, so why shouldn’t it be good enough for us? The Proraso Men’s Grooming Cypress & Vetyver Cologne is simultaneously fresh and classic, with notes of bergamot and cypress and a core of cedarwood and vetiver. The end result is a modern, masculine, light, woodsy fragrance that doesn’t forget its roots.
Who It’s For: Men who want to smell fresh from a distance and manly and musky up close.
Buy: Proraso Men’s Grooming Cypress & Vetyver Cologne $36
13. Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette
The Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette is a fresh and sophisticated fragrance inspired by wide-open spaces. You can’t miss the fresh bergamot top note underpinned by the salty, woodsy scent of Ambroxan.
Who It’s For: Men who want to smell like they’ve spent the day on a Mediterranean beach.
Buy: Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette $56
14. Fulton & Roark Blue Ridge Solid Cologne
For one more great option from Fulton & Roark, we also love the Blue Ridge solid cologne. With earthy, woodsy notes of sandalwood, sage, and amber, and a hint of fresh water, you’ll smell like you just stepped out of a mountain river. Well, you’ll smell like the fancy, optimized version of that anyway.
Who It’s For: Men who love the smell of fresh mountain air and sandalwood.
Buy: Fulton & Roark Blue Ridge Solid Cologne $52
15. Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò pour Homme Eau de Toilette
BEST SEA-INSPIRED FRAGRANCE
If the Mediterranean Sea was a fragrance, it would be the Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò pour Homme Eau de Toilette. With notes of bergamot, neroli and green tangerine underpinned by rosemary, persimmon, and patchouli, this fragrance is warm and fresh while woody and masculine at the same time.
Who It’s For: Men who want to smell like they’ve been sailing around the Mediterranean all day.
Buy: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò pour Homme Eau de Toilette $52
16. Fulton & Roark Solid Fragrance Sample Pack
Sample packs are actually a low-key way to get great cologne without breaking the bank. The Fulton & Roark Solid Fragrance Sample Pack contains the brand’s eight permanent fragrances for $20. Not only will you get a lot of use out of the pack, but you might just find a perfect fragrance that you can buy a full tin of.
Who It’s For: Men who want to smell great but don’t know what kind of fragrance to get.
Buy: Fulton & Roark Solid Fragrance Sample Pack $20
17. Jack Black Black Reserve Cardamom & Silver Body Spray
OK, so a body spray is definitely not a cologne, but it does smell great and it is cheap, so it could make for an excellent alternative to traditional colognes. In particular, the Jack Black Black Reserve Cardamom & Silver Body Spray is about as close to a cologne as a body spray can get. For instance, very few body sprays include fragrance notes, but this body spray does because it takes your fragrance as seriously as any cologne. Just spray it on after you get out of the shower for a lasting warm, masculine fragrance of cardamom and red cedarwood, with top notes of bergamot, lavender, and mandarin.
Who It’s For: Men who want to smell great on the cheap without having to worry about applying their fragrance so damn precisely.
Buy: Jack Black Black Reserve Cardamom & Silver Body Spray $35
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