Best tried and tested fragrances for men that'll set you ahead in the bedroom and boardroom (2025)

Most people use the terms interchangeably, but aftershaves, eau de parfums, men's cologne and eau de toilettes are all different kinds of fragrance. Aftershaves, for example, actually contain less perfume oil in favour of more soothing post-shave ingredients such as aloe vera. They're ideal for sensitive, razored skin and designed to work well with your moisturiser. Since they have a lower oil level (of around one to four per cent), you should expect the best aftershaves to last around three hours.

Eau de toilettes, while containing more perfume oil (around four to eight per cent), still won't last you the whole day. You can expect an eau de toilette spray to linger for around six to eight hours — just don't use it on your skin after a shave as it'll irritate the newly opened pores.

If it's day-to-night scent you're seeking, it's an eau de parfum you want. Infused with eight to 15 per cent perfume oil, they're the fragrances you can smell as someone walks past you on the Tube platform. They're the most effective in terms of both long-lasting scent and — speaking anecdotally — sensual success.

Dior Sauvage is widely considered to be the most popular of fragrances among UK men owing to its versatile fresh, spicy and woody notes. We think British men have great taste: the scent (in its new Elixir format) features on this list too. However, different strokes please different folks, and choosing your favourite fragrance is among the most personal decisions you can make.

To wit, it's tough to pin down the most popular option. Sure, cost plays into decision making, and more affordable fragrances are more readily available to the masses, so in this way, scents like Prada Luna Rossa Ocean and Boss Bottled Parum probably enjoy a spot in most men's rotation. Are they the most popular? Debatable. More aspirational scents like Tom Ford Eau D'Ombre Leather or Hermessence Épice Marine Eau de Toilette could argue their case as the most universally loved.

If you're completely new to fragrance selection, there are a few essential things you need to focus on to get the right choice. First up is scent families. Fragrances sit in four major categories: fresh (your typical zesty, citrus-infused scents), floral (which are lightweight and more subtle), woody (slightly heavier, warmer aromas that are drier), and amber (which can be more masculine).

Within those categories, you have subsets – stay wth us here– of leather, fougere, oud and smoke. This is where your personal taste comes into play. Not everyone will love the potent Oud aromas from the middle east, while others may prefer long-lasting leather scents for every-day wearing.

Finally, you'll need to consider the size of the bottle. We're not all made of cash, and more liquid means more money, so you'll want to ensure you've got enough for your needs. An every-day commuter fragrance will require a larger atomiser bottle, but just keep an eye on the price. For special occasions and dates, grab something sensual and potent and use sparingly.