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14 Best Summer Fragrances for Men

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By Ben McKimm - Guide

Published: 1 May 2024

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Summer is all about hot days and long nights made better by summer fragrances carried on the sea breeze. You’ll want something to keep you smelling sharp by the beach on a hot day, cool in the air-conditioned office you work in, and playful enough to work hard on weekends when partying is expected. Ultimately, you want to smell fine the whole time and our list of the top summer colognes for men will mix with your body’s natural oils to create a delicious and vibrant scent.

Best Summer Fragrances for Men at a Glance

Our list of the best summer colognes for men goes like this:

• Best overall: H24 Eau de Parfum by Hermes
• For value for money: Green by Coach
• For something luxurious: Galloway by Parfums de Marly
• For a great gift: Dior Homme Sport by Christian Dior

Now you’ve read our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.

RELATED: These are our favourite fragrances for men right now.

1. H24 Eau de Parfum by Hermes

Price: from AUD$216

• Pros: The quintessential ‘green’ fragrance for summer. There’s a delightful clary sage on the first spray before the oakwood moss takes over through the heart and on the dry down. Performance is great at six hours on the skin and you get all of this for an affordable price.
• Cons: Very fresh and green, it works for 90 per cent of men, but some find it a little too youthful.

Where else to start but one of the best designer fragrance houses on the planet? Hermes. The brand’s standard H24 scent is a thing of beauty, but in our testing, we found the H24 Eau de Parfum adds another element of performance, projection, without taking anything away. It’s green and pleasant, full of clary sage on the first spray, and it leaves a delightful oakmoss on the dry down. We’ve also included H24 Herbes Vives lower down on this list, but if you love this ultra-green smell, check it out too.

Performance is also outstanding and we found one-metre projection, meaningful sillage, and longevity of at least five hours on the skin which is a triumph for fresh summer scents. You could even get more on the clothes. We’d recommend four to six sprays on the neck and wrists and you’ll be set. Don’t worry too much about over-spraying, but you might find the scent becomes too woody if you do.

Wear this one every day of the week to work, class, and at night on formal occasions. It’s at the top of our list because of its smell, performance, and wearability. Age-wise, we’d happily recommend this one to men between the ages of 20-60 years old. Interestingly, the bottle is refillable and crafted from recycled glass. Meanwhile, the box itself is made entirely of recycled fibres.

Notes: Sage, dense high-tech moss, and warm and vibrant sclarene

2. Green by Coach

Price: from AUD$120

• Pros: Unique Kiwi scent immediately after spraying which is perfect for summer. It’s great value for money compared to the designer options on our list and is often complimented in public.
• Cons: Not very long-lasting and needs a few top-up sprays every three to five hours. It’s also not the strongest fragrance and the projection and aroma are generally lacking.

Green by Coach is one of the best value-for-money fragrances on our list with strong notes of Kiwi on the nose on the first spray. The fragrance settles on the skin with middle notes of rosemary and geranium which mellows out before the classic cedar base notes take over.

Performance-wise, we didn’t find it long-lasting on skin or clothes and could barely mark it at four hours on the skin. Still, projection is good after four to six sprays and sillage is solid, especially at this price point.

With a price less than half of the Tom Ford and Parfums de Marly options on our list, it strikes a good balance for those with value in mind. It’s a typical green scent, but it’s one that you’d happily wear every day to work, the office, or around the house on the weekend. If the occasion calls, you could get away with it at a formal event. Perfect for men between the ages of 20-40.

Top notes: Kiwi and Bergamot
Middle notes: Rosemary and Geranium
Base notes: Cedar and Moss

3. Vetiver Musc by Narcisco Rodriguez

Price: from AUD$153

• Pros: Lovely musk that pairs with aqua-like citrus and lavender. Strong performer with more than eight hours of longevity and great projection and sillage. Affordable as well!
• Cons: Hard to fault, but not a great choice for younger gents aged less than 20 years old.

The perfect fragrance for the start of summer when the weather is just starting to warm up, Vetiver Musc might be niche, but it’s full of premium notes like oceanic citrus, lavender, cedar and patchouli on the dry down. It leans towards musk through the heart after 5 to 10 mins, however, it’s not a musk that turns you off like 724 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian, we think the vetiver has something to do with it. There’s no apparent ‘vetiver’ as the name suggests, so don’t be concerned if that’s something that makes you sneeze.

Our typical week of testing actually extended longer because we loved this one so much. It hangs around on clothes and we can still faintly smell it days after wear, but on the skin, it’s a similar story with more than eight hours of longevity, good projection of around one metre and soft sillage.

It’s not a scent that we’d recommend to the younger gentleman reading this, but if you’re between the ages of 25-40 it’s perfect for wearing every day.

Top notes: Cypress, Cardamon and Nutmeg
Middle notes: Musk, Bourbon Geranium, Lavender, Red Algae and Frankincense
Base notes: Vetiver, Cedar and Patchouli

4. L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme Solar Lavender by Issey Miyake

Price: from AUD$164

• Pros: Nice alternative to the OG L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme that adds a delightful Sichuan pepper smell on the first spray before lavender on the dry down.
• Cons: Performance is under-whelming and it’s technically not ‘better’ than the OG, merely an alternative.

The classic L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme remains one of the best men’s summer fragrances of all time, but this Solar Lavender version spices things up with Sichuan pepper on the opening and lavender throughout the dry down period (three mins). We wouldn’t recommend running out to get your hands on a bottle if you already have the OG, however, it’s a fair alternative and we love wearing it in the afternoon on a hot summer day. It’s a good alternative to some of the fresher, oceanic and citrus scents we’ve included.

Performance is not great and our tests showed two to four hours of longevity on the skin and slightly more on clothes. Projection is also not amazing, nor is sillage. You’ll want to apply six sprays of this one on the neck and wrists just before you head out, otherwise it’s wasted. If you plan on wearing this at work, we recommend keeping a bottle within arm’s reach at all times as top-ups will be necessary.

We’d happily recommend this one to men of all ages, but its best demographic would be 20-30-year-olds. This is perfect for everyday wear and you’d happily wear it to the office during the week and at all times on the weekend. It’s not the best choice for formal events as it doesn’t perform very well.

Top notes: Sichuan Pepper
Middle notes: Lavender
Base notes: Cedar

5. H24 Herbes Vives Eau de Parfum by Hermes

Price: from AUD$216

• Pros: Outstanding fresh and herbaceous scent that seems to last forever: more than eight hours. Designer-branded but niche and very unique in its notes, safe to blindly buy.
• Cons: If you don’t like green fragrances, it’s best to avoid this one.

If you like H24 Eau de Parfum then check out H24 Herbes Vives which turns the ‘green factor’ to eleven with plenty of herbal freshness (as the name suggests). The pear note is most prominent, but it’s the minty Physcool note at the base that elevates the smell when it comes into contact with water, according to the brand. We tried this for ourselves on a damp arm and there’s a cool feeling that you get on first spray.

We’re not sure if this synthetic (natural smelling) material adds to the performance of the fragrance, but this lasts forever. In our testing, the projection was at one metre for more than three hours, while the longevity itself can be marked at more than eight hours. It’s borderline eternal, which is very impressive for a fresh scent.

This would make a great gift and is one of the rare blind buys that we’d recommend with such a unique scent profile. As far as age groups go, this would suit men aged between 25-60 years and even some women as it’s fairly unisex.

Top notes: Herbal Notes
Middle notes: Pear
Base notes: Physcool

6. Azure Lime by Tom Ford

Price: from AUD$410

• Pros: The freshest summer fragrances we’ve ever reviewed. Lime is dominant but beautifully balanced by the middle musk notes as the fragrance dries.
• Cons: The projection is strong, but for such an expensive fragrance it’s not as long-lasting as options from Parfums de Marly and Creed.

It’s in the name, but you’re instantly brought notes of fresh lime with this Tom Ford fragrance for men. Not only does this make it a great summer cologne, but it offers a unique scent that mimics the most luxurious gin and tonic you’ve ever made. By far the freshest option in the Tom Ford product line-up, the smell begins to round itself out with musk-based middle notes that create longevity on skin and clothes as the scent dries down.

7. Galloway by Parfums de Marly

Price: from AUD$398

• Pros: The ultimate ‘quiet luxury’ fragrance that’s very fresh and classic in its scent profile. Longevity is outstanding (six hours and up) and the balance of citrus and musk is amongst the best we’ve ever tested.
• Cons: It’s a lot of money to spend on a fragrance that flies under the radar. You won’t get compliments from strangers, but you will get noticed by those who appreciate a rounded masculine scent.

The perfect summer fragrance if you’re looking for a designer option that avoids too much bergamot and chooses fresh crisp citrus, lavender and ambroxan notes instead. In our testing we found the musky middle notes fade quite early as they make room for peppery base notes that add a touch of spice to the citrus mix. Longevity is outstanding and we didn’t have to top-up until lunchtime. If you’re sick of overly powerful fragrances that scream “look at me” this is a great alternative. It’s refreshing in a classic, charming way.

Top notes: Citruses and Pepper
Middle notes: Orange Blossom and Iris
Base notes: Musk and Amber

8. Royal Water by Creed

Price: from AUD$439

• Pros: It might be one of the less ‘in your face’ options from Creed but it’s a classy, luxurious, and masculine scent that’s perfect for everyday wear. The herbal elements and cedarwood base perfectly balance the citrus top notes.
• Cons: As noted by many in the fragrance community, Creed’s quality has gone downhill in the last few years as popularity and demand continue to rise. As good as this fragrance is, it’s sometimes hard to justify buying a larger bottle for everyday use so we’d recommend a smaller bottle.

One of the longest-lasting summer fragrances that we’ve tested, Royal Water by Creed is one to add to your list if you like luxurious scents. If we had it our way we’d be wearing Royal Water in summer and Royal Oud in autumn/fall and winter, it’s that good. That being said, it edges out another great fragrance, Terre D’hermes, for a spot on this list because of its longevity. Some reviews online state that it’s a ‘basic’ scent you can find anywhere, but we strongly disagree. There’s also a herbal element that combines with an ambergris and cedarwood base to form a rounded classy fragrance that you don’t come across very often.

Top notes: Citruses, Lemon Verbena, Mandarin Orange and Bergamot
Middle notes: Basil, Allspice and Cumin
Base notes: Musk and Cedarwood

9. Dior Homme Sport by Christian Dior

Price: from AUD$135

• Pros: Longevity, longevity, longevity. This is an outstanding value option that lasted more than 12 hours in our testing. The notes of lemon and bergamot are nothing short of summer staples and work for everyone.
• Cons: One of the hardest summer colognes to fault because it outperforms its price. If we had to be critical, we generally prefer a citrus-driven scent for summer and the peppery spice and woody base don’t help achieve that here.

Dior Homme Sport by Christian Dior might be one of the best value-for-money options on our list, but it delivers longevity that fragrances two or three times its value cannot. In our testing, we found the scent lasted nearly 12 hours in the summer heat. The lemon top notes are perfectly balanced by middle notes of pink pepper while the base is nice and woody to round out the scent as it dries.

Top notes: Lemon, Bergamot and Aldehydes
Middle notes: Elemi and Pink Pepper
Base notes: Woody Olibanum and Amber

Shop at Dior Shop at Myer Shop at Chemist Warehouse

10. Another 13 by Le Labo

Price: from AUD$148

• Pros: Plenty to like about this fragrance, mainly the beautiful ambrette middle notes that perfectly balance the pear and apple top notes. One of the best Baccarat Rouge 540 alternatives we’ve ever tested.
• Cons: Definitely not a scent to blind buy as many people have trouble smelling the base note of Iso E Super and Ambrettolide.

Often rated as the best fragrance Le Labo has ever produced (we still love Santal 33) Another 13 was created in collaboration with AnOther Mag in limited numbers, however, it was so well received it has stuck around for the long haul. This is unlike any other summer fragrance on our list and is best described by comparing it to another scent legend, Baccarat Rouge 540, in which it shares many of its ambroxan and rusitc notes. Like some reviews online, we did find ourselves going a little scent blind after an hour of wearing this, but others still complimented us on the scent so it clearly has plenty of longevity.

Top notes: Pear, Citruses and Apple
Middle notes: Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Amyl Salicylate, Moss and Jasmine
Base notes: Iso E Super, Cetalox, Ambrettolide and Helvetolide

11. L’Eau by Serge Lutens

Price: from AUD$217

• Pros: One of our friends described this as ‘fresh linen’ and we have to agree. There are notes of salty sea and nautical vibes attached to it for sure, but it remains a quality luxurious musk scent for everyday wear during summer.
• Cons: Musk is a fairly mute note by today’s standards as it’s neither a standout nor groundbreaking scent for impressing anyone, however, sometimes that’s all you want in a great summer scent.

The best time to wear a nautical, salty scent is during summer and L’Eau by Serge Lutens delivers in spade with notes of bergamot and citrus. We also found plenty of mint and sage on the middle notes which balances this linen-like scent out perfectly. Longevity is as expected and no better or worse than the other Serge Lutens fragrances we’ve tested in the past. Maybe our only critique is that the scent is fairly bland in the sense that it doesn’t scream anything in your face and is merely a luxurious musky scent.

12. Light Blue Summer Vibes by Dolce & Gabbana

Price: from AUD$120

• Pros: One of the best summer fragrances for gifting, the scent is simple, clean, and perfect for hot weather. The projection is solid, as is the longevity at around three to five hours in our testing.
• Cons: So inoffensive and ‘basic’ that it doesn’t stand out as being anything special so don’t expect compliments. As such, we’d say the pricing is a little high.

Finally, we found a great summer scent for men that doesn’t overpower you with citrus at this price point. Often times the more affordable options are headache-inducing, but not here with Light Blue Summer Vibes by Dolce & Gabbana. You’ll love the balancing cypress notes that stand out beyond the basic citrus and base notes of amber wood. Longevity isn’t anything special, but as expected for a fragrance at this price point with our testing showing it lasts three to five hours on skin. It’s also our top pick for gifting as far as summer fragrances go because it’s inoffensive and works for all people because of the lemon.

Top note: Sicilian Lemon
Middle note: Cypress
Base note: Amberwood

Shop at Myer Shop at David Jones

13. Le Beau by Jean Paul Gaultier

Price: from AUD$109.99

• Pros: Coconut! You don’t often come across a fragrance that’s so refreshing and summer-ready. It’s virtually built for Australian summers. While it’s strong on the nose, the projection seems to end within five metres, which is perfect for those who don’t want to come off aggressive.
• Cons: While we didn’t notice it in our initial review, the scent tends to get sweeter the more it dries down. Not a particularly nice sweetness either and it’s more of a coconut ‘fake tan’ that isn’t for everyone.

We can’t get enough of this deliciously summery fragrance. Not only do we love the cheeky bottle, but we love how Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Beau is so iconic that it suits almost every occasion and taste, so much so that we bet that nearly every fragrance-wearing man has purchased it at least once in his life. The predictably muscular scent retains a clean edge thanks to big notes of coconut, vanilla, neroli, and mint, making it an all-rounder we don’t see falling off the ranks anytime soon.

Launched: 2019
Top notes: Bergamot
Heart: Coconut
Base: Tonka Bean

Shop at Jean Paul Gaultier Shop at Myer Shop at Chemist Warehouse

14. Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo di Sicilia by Acqua di Parma

Price: from AUD$160

• Pros: If your idea of summer is Sicily in full blossom then take a look at this scent. Fresh vanilla is the most powerful note, but you’ll also find jasmine and orange blossom. All of this is balanced out by a nuttiness courtesy of almond, cedar, and sandalwood. Different, but exciting.
• Cons: Again, this isn’t a great option if you prefer a citrus-led summer fragrance as the notes are creamier with strong sandalwood at the base.

If you want to transport yourself back to that summer holiday in Sicily, look no further than Acqua Di Parma Blue Mediterraneo Mandorlo. It’s become a popular choice for those who love fresh vanilla and we think it’s the closest smell to the city in full blossom. Beyond vanilla, the middle notes make way for subtle floral waves of Frangipani flower, before white jasmine and orange blossom blend with creamy, sweet notes of almond. You won’t find another fragrance like it on our list.

Top notes: Bergamot, Frangipani, orange blossom, green almond, star anise.
Middle notes: White peach, coffee grains, white jasmine.
Base notes: Bourbon vanilla, light musk, cedar, warm sandalwood.

Shop at Catch Shop at Myer Shop at Selfridges

Alternatives to These Summer Fragrances for Men

The majority of the summer fragrances for men that we’ve recommended have been chosen through extensive hands-on research with a minimum of one week of testing. However, it would be wrong for us to dismiss the great fragrances we’ve worn for shorter periods, including those that gave us a great first impression when tried on in-store and from the brands themselves in smaller ‘tester’ sizes. As such, when we’re able to test the following fragrances in-depth to judge their performance, we’ll more than likely move them up our list. Now, let’s take a quick look at some great alternatives:

• Aqva Homme by Bvlgari (from AU$180): Perhaps the best summer cologne for men who prefer something bold and energetic, Aqva Homme is a sure-fire winner. The fragrance exudes a timeless masculine fragrance with notes of Sicilian mandarin and neroli flower. The aquatic, Mediterranean-inspired creation puts a new spin on aqua colognes, an exotic summer fragrance for men you’d expect to find on a private beach bar on a Greek Island. Need we say more?
• Moonlight in Heaven by Kilian (from AU$385): So fresh and summery, this unique fragrance could transform any ordinary day into a tropical dream. Moonlight in Heaven by Kilian is a leading example of a successful unisex perfume, with dual citrus notes of lemon and mango complemented by lightly spicy tonka beans, resulting in neither a female nor male-dominating scent. If this isn’t enough to have you bowing down in its glory, the heavenly aroma means both you and your partner will feel lighter and carefree upon the first whiff, making it one of the best summer fragrances for men or women, a win-win.
• Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf (from AU$134): For those who like things spicy, Spicebomb is one of the best summer perfumes for men you can get your hands on. Viktor & Rolf’s have seriously outshone themselves with this subtle, summery blend. Bursting with warm notes of leather and tobacco with cool notes like grapefruit and pink pepper, we love how bold and exotic it is. Not only is the fragrance a statement unlike anything else, but the grenade-style bottle is also a statement in itself, and makes for the perfect ornament in any room.
• Dior Homme by Christian Dior (from AU$123): We love the sweet and spicy notes that make this cologne what it is, layered with a citrus fragrance and warm notes of amber and cedar. We also love how it is long-lasting, meaning you can wear it no matter how warm the weather is while feeling confident. A versatile male summer cologne that is as relevant today as it will be 100 years from now.
• Artisan Blu by John Varvatos (from AU$60): Artisan Blu from John Varvatos is one of the best summer fragrances for men who love all things citrus. Bursting with summery notes of geranium, orange blossom, bergamot, and melon, it sure has a kick to it, and that’s why we love it. The base notes balance it out so that it’s not overpowering, with pistachio, tamarisk and patchouli which keep it clean and masculine. Plus, the bottle looks like something you’d find at the bottom of the ocean with a note stuffed inside, yet another reason to add it to the collection!
• Voyage by Nautica (from AU$45): Voyage by Nautica is one of the best summer colognes for men who like fragrant, citrus top notes that combine with base notes of spice and leather. Emulating the soft notes of a cool, ocean breeze, this fragrance captures that seaside essence by way of a refreshing, long-lasting apple and lotus accord too. In our testing, the longevity was medium, driven by notes of wood and musk that bring an additional masculine touch. We’d expect nothing less from the iconic marine lifestyle brand, a valuable addition to any man’s collection.

If you think there’s a fragrance we should test for a spot on this list, please get in touch via our contact form.

Why You Should Trust Our List

When it comes to our list of the best summer perfumes and colognes for men, it goes without saying, that expertise is key. This list has been written and curated by Ben McKimm who has gone hands-on and tested these colognes, ranking them based on their scent profile, performance, and value for money. He’s also taken original photography for those he’s spent an extended amount of time testing. Finally, his opinion has been influenced by the wider editorial team here at Man of Many and reviews via the perfume forum Fragrantica and Australian retailer Myer. He ignored opinions from people on user-generated forums such as Reddit as often they are not experts in the matter and cannot compare and contrast competing products.

Updates to This Article

We periodically update this article when we get our hands on new summer colognes to test. This section is a good way to see when older bottles become discontinued because you might be able to find them on sale at grey-market retailers. It also indicates how some scents we test lose popularity as trends change.

• UPDATE 29/04/2024: We tested four new summer fragrances: H24 Eau de Parfum by Hermes, Vetiver Musc by Narcisco Rodriguez, L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme Solar Lavender by Issey Miyake, H24 Herbes Vives by Hermes. Each of these deserved a spot on the list for their price point, quality, and scent profile. They replaced Voyage by Nautica and Artisan Blu by John Varvatos as they both became hard to find.

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