Cologne Reviews for The Man on a Budget

Smelling good is one staple of being a well-rounded man. And let’s be transparent – expensive colognes can be great staples to your wardrobe, but they aren‘t a necessity. There are options out there that will cost more than an $8 bottle of Axe body spray, but less than Clive Christian Absolute Osmanthus spray (also known as the $10,000 cologne.) We’ve compiled a list of cologne reviews from our most recommended brands to help you find the newest addition to your scent collection. 

Calvin Klein’s Eternity Aqua

Reasonably priced at major retailers and online, Calvin Klein’s Eternity Aqua is a great gateway into the cologne game. With notes of wood and aqua (lavender), it gives you a fresh minimalist smell which won’t overpower. It’s an elegant, daytime scent, beginning with water and wood. It surges into chilled cucumber, green leaves, and lavender as it wears to midday. It finishes with sandalwood and musk. In a word: refreshing.

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Jimmy Choo MAN

Staying in the fresh, easy entry category, you can’t go wrong with Jimmy Choo MAN. The cologne is fresh and powerful, made with a bit more kick than the Eternity Aqua. The signature fragrance has a lavender kick, just like Eternity Aqua, but deviates from there with fruitier textures: honeydew melon and pineapple leaf, for a sweet finish. It’s an elegant, rich, tropical fragrance which has a fun and flirty feel to it. It also has some of the best cologne reviews you’ll find online.

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Paul Sebastian Cologne for Men Collection

Skip the blue and fruity smells and head straight for gold with Paul Sebastian’s Cologne for Men Collection. The gold bottle hints at the deep amber smell, with notes of rose, sage, and jasmine. Pairs wonderfully with a suit and a night on the town. If you’re about to get tapas and head to an underground dive bar, wearing slacks and white Nikes, go for the Paul Sebastian.

While the Eternity Aqua and MAN can be a bit pricier, Paul Sebastian will run you around $50 for a 4oz bottle, which is a great deal.

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Mont Blanc Legend

If you’ve been wondering when we’d get to the classic, traditional black and white no-nonsense men’s cologne, then here we are. It will run you a bit more than Paul Sebastian and MAN, but it is worth it. The Legend fragrance has a depth and mystery that turn heads, a confident air that says “is this seat taken?” It is a definitively masculine smell. At first sniff, sandalwood, tonka, and evernyl greet you. If you stay beyond the “hellos” for some pleasantries, apple and rose meet the nostrils. And finally, after a deep and meaningful conversation, you’ll see the pineapple leaf and lavender. Legend is a deep and masculine fragrance that has an arc to it, just like your moods, just like your conversation.

A bit more expensive than the others, pushing toward $100 for the 4oz, but if it’s the right scent for you, it’s definitely worth it.

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Whatever you choose, developing a “signature smell” can take you a long way. Continue reading up on cologne reviews, experimenting and trying new scents to find what suits you the best.