8 Best Selling Men’s Colognes – Popular Fragrances For 2023

Men’s cologne has raked in billions of dollars in profit, is worn by men across the world, and, simply put: smells damn good. It’s a dependable option you can reach for no matter the occasion, with unparalleled versatility and a head-turning scent profile. These colognes take all of the guesswork out of smelling like the best man in the room every single time.

But now for the million-dollar question: what is the best selling men’s cologne? This article reviews eight industry-changing options that are well worth considering if you’re hunting down your next signature scent.

Keep reading to discover colognes that will level up your fragrance game with a single spritz.

Key Takeaways

What’s the best selling men’s cologne, you may be wondering. The quick answer is Dior Sauvage. It’s amassed a cult-like following and its annual earnings have continued to increase since its release in 2015. This year-round scent is a dependable option for men of all ages and has received plenty of critical acclaim, which has crowned it as the best selling men’s cologne today.

Our Top Picks

silhouette of a person lifting a bottle of CK one — calvinklein / Instagram

Dior Sauvage is by far the best selling men’s cologne. Don’t believe me? Ask any guy you know; I bet he’s owned a bottle (or three). This easy scent has been around since 2015 and has rapidly become a masculine staple in the fragrance world.

In fact, Marie Claire published a staggering statistic about Sauvage: in 2021, a bottle of the cologne was purchased every three seconds, raking in more than $4.5 million every single day. Since its release, this Dior fragrance has been a chart-topper as the best selling men’s cologne of all time.

Dripping in seductive luxury, Dior Sauvage hits all the sweet spots. It’s an overwhelmingly fresh scent, with notes of punchy bergamot and earthy driftwood. Dior put it best when they described Sauvage as a “breath of fresh air.” If you’re craving a scent you’ll never tire of, this is the way to go.

You’ll quickly find that some of the best selling colognes for men are under $50, even when it comes from a considerable brand name. Light Blue by D&G is a prime example. However, the accessible pricing doesn’t come at the expense of the scent.

It embodies everything we love in a top-notch fragrance, like ease of wear and versatility, with a killer scent profile to match. Opening with clean citrus, followed by herbaceous heart notes and a musky core, Light Blue will carry you anywhere life leads… especially if it’s under a baby blue sky.

Crisp and alluring, Polo Blue is certainly a best selling men’s cologne. In addition to having over 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this Ralph Lauren fragrance has been on the market for twenty years, well-loved by gentlemen across the globe.

Whether you tuck it in your gym bag or spitz it on before work, this energizing scent is ideal for daily wear. It’s overwhelmingly fresh, thanks to the citrus and sage, with enough depth to it from the patchouli and suede heart notes. Every whiff will transport you somewhere bright, making it a must-have to get through the longest, hottest days.

Originally released in 1994, CK One had a rapid rise in sales. Within the first year, the scent amassed a whopping $90 million, shooting it to the top of the fragrance charts. Today, this Calvin Klein cologne still sees plenty of admiration, carrying on the flame as a best selling cologne for men.

One sniff and it’s simple to understand why CK One is a fan favorite. In fact, it could be a pheromone cologne, it’s just that good. It’s heavy on citrus for invigoration, with unique notes of green tea and nutmeg for a bit of spice. As one of the most refreshing scents on the market, it’s no wonder why this cologne is considered iconic.

This best selling men’s cologne is a timeless addition to any collection. As the second male fragrance released by Chanel, it’s been adored since its inception, and after more than a decade, it’s just as loved as when it was first introduced.

Bleu de Chanel is no stranger to accolades and awards. Commonly thought of as one of the best men’s colognes of all time, this woody scent is extremely popular with gentlemen across the world. In fact, the Fragrance Foundation denoted it as the Fragrance of the Year in 2019, showing how beloved Bleu de Chanel remains after all this time. Laden with notes of sandalwood, cedar, and citrus, this year-round scent is a top choice.

I actually stopped by the Jo Malone store in Casablanca the other day in search of their best selling cologne for men. The warm sales associate immediately reached for Lime Basil & Mandarin. After a quick smell, it was easy to understand why.

This cologne sets itself apart from other options. Yes, it’s fresh and full of citrus, but the depth of the scent goes much further than many other bright fragrances. The peppery basil and woody heart create a well-rounded cologne that’s more sophisticated than watery Eau de Toilettes. What’s more, it can be layered with other Jo Malone fragrances to create a long-lasting cologne that’s distinctly you.

Diesel makes more than jeans, and Only the Brave is a scent that’s well worth considering. Especially if you’re hunting for colognes for young men—or at the very least, want to give the impression that you’re not a total geezer.

Only the Brave is a personal favorite of mine, and I can attest to the fact it’s a cologne that women love. It’s easy to wear but plenty seductive, inviting whoever you’re with to draw closer to get a better smell. Opening with lemon before dissolving into rosemary and amber, Only the Brave is unmistakably masculine and a powerful scent in the world of best selling colognes for men.

As far as niche fragrances go, Le Labo Santal 33 has a cult-like following. While it had a precarious rise to fame (as brilliantly detailed in this history), today, Santal 33 has solidified itself as one of the most highly sought-after, trending fragrances.

Santal 33 put sandalwood colognes on the map. As warm as a campfire on a summer night, this cologne is smoky, spicy, and just a tad floral for a unique, instantly recognizable scent. What started as a candle over time grew into the signature fragrance of New York City and beyond.

a bottle of ralph lauren polo blue on top of a rock — ralphlaurenfragrances / Instagram

What to Look for in the Best Selling Men’s Colognes

Scent

Luckily, most of the best selling men’s colognes are crowd-pleasers in the scent department, with overwhelmingly fresh, clean, and masculine notes. This makes it pretty easy to wind up with a fragrance you’re going to vibe with.

However, if you’re looking for specific notes like bergamot, sandalwood, or musk cologne, it’s worth diving a little bit deeper into the scent profile of whatever fragrance is on your radar.

Remember, scent majorly impacts the seasonality and overall wearability of a cologne. If you’re looking for something for daily wear year-round, stick with punchy citrus colognes and fresh herbs.

Rather opt for a cold weather nighttime scent? Lean into smokier notes of tobacco, amber, and leather, which can come into play as the sun goes down and the temperatures begin to drop. Even better if there’s a bit of vanilla cologne for some irresistible sweetness.

Size

Size is also worth considering because it can be super risky to drop over $100 on a cologne you’ve never smelled before. If you’re shopping for the best colognes for men (especially online), it pays to start small and work your way toward bigger sizes.

However, if you know for a fact that you love the scent and are looking for a daily fragrance, it may be worth investing in a larger bottle since you’ll be using it frequently. On the other side of the same coin, if you’re shopping for a special occasion or a seasonal fragrance, you probably don’t need 100 milliliters of cologne you only plan on wearing once in a while.

Travel often? Consider one of the best solid colognes that you can take on the go.

Price

A few factors impact the cost of the best selling colognes for men.

First and foremost is the cologne itself. Some scents have garnered such esteem that the price has been driven way up (see Santal 33, for example). That said, many of the colognes on this list hover around a solid mid-range price point for an accessible way to smell good.

Another major price impact is the type of cologne. Concentrated colognes are generally going to be the most expensive type of fragrance, followed by Eau de Parfums and finally, Eau de Toilettes. If you’re a big fan of a scent but are questioning the price, it’s worth looking into different iterations within the same family.

Dior Sauvage, for example, comes in a cologne, Eau de Parfum, and an Eau de Toilette, with prices to match. You can expect slightly different notes with an overall very similar scent profile.

Finally, size is one of the most influential factors when it comes to the price of colognes. Smaller bottles are obviously going to be much less expensive than a jug of the stuff. So depending on your budget, you may want to stick with a small size or invest in a decent supply with a larger bottle. This is especially true if you’ll be wearing the cologne daily or if it’s your signature scent.

a bottle of Dior Sauvage on top of a branch — diorbeauty / Instagram

Final Verdict

The final verdict on the best selling cologne for men is Dior Sauvage will always take the cake. In less than a decade, this fragrance transformed the cologne industry. Worn globally by men of all ages, Sauvage transcends differences to unite gentlemen under a single common scent. It’s dependable, well-loved by women, and reasonably priced, making it a top choice in the world of the best selling men’s colognes.

FAQ

- Dior Sauvage is overwhelmingly the best selling men’s cologne of all time. While it came out in 2015, it still dominates the fragrance market today and is beloved by men across the globe.