20 Cheap Fragrances That Are Actually Great


Fragrances can be very expensive, depending on the ones you buy. There are, however, a whole bunch of affordable fragrances that smell amazing and don’t lack in quality.

Cheap Fragrances Aren’t Necessarily Bad Fragrances

When people think of cheap fragrances, they usually have a bad image of them. But most of the time, this is unjustified. Of course, not every fragrance is of high quality or smells good, but most are, even the cheap ones.

When a fragrance is low in price, this doesn’t always mean it is low in quality. There are many, many cheap fragrances on the market that are actually pretty good. Houses like Armaf or Calvin Klein have a wide selection of cheaper fragrances. And their fragrances sell in high quantity and are very popular. This just shows that a cheap fragrance doesn’t mean poor quality.

The main thing cheap fragrances are usually lacking in is longevity. Most cheap fragrances wear of a bit quicker than other, more expensive fragrances. This is because of the quality of the ingredients, which is usually a bit lower. This, however, doesn’t mean the overall fragrance is of poor quality. Most qualitative differences are only noticeable when you’re actively looking for it.

For most people, the cheaper fragrance will just smell good, which is what you’re going for when you wear a fragrance, to smell good.

1. Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Men

Scent: Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Man is an amazing fragrance. It is best known to have almost the same exact scent as Creed Aventus, but only for a fraction of the price. You still get the fruity opening, along with a woody vibe when the fragrance starts to dry down. The dry down is also very good. A sweet, musky scent that lasts a long time.

Notes: The top notes of Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Men are lemon, apple, and blackcurrant. The middle notes are jasmine and birch. The base notes are vanilla, ambergris, musk, and patchouli.

Best for: Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Man can really be worn all year long. The scent of this fragrance is so versatile, it doesn’t really suit any season better than the other. This fragrance can also be worn to almost any occasion imaginable. With Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Man, you’ll always have an appropriate fragrance. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

2. Montblanc Legend Spirit

Scent: Montblanc Legend Spirit is a great woody fragrance with a fresh, aquatic background. The opening of this fragrance is exceptionally well, but the dry down is nothing short of great either. The woody, aquatic scent is very appealing to most people and it will last you a good while!

Notes: The top notes of Montblanc Legend Spirit are pink pepper, bergamot, and grapefruit. The middle notes are lavender, cardamom, and aquatic notes. The base notes are sandalwood, cedarwood, cashmere wood, oakmoss, and white musk.

Best for: Montblanc Legend Spirit is a woody, aquatic fragrance. This combination can really work all year long. During the summer you get the aquatic vibe with a woody tone, and during the winter you get a woody vibe with an aquatic tone. It also works great during both spring and fall. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

3. Salvatore Ferragamo F Black

Scent: Salvatore Ferragamo F Black is a very masculine fragrance with an old school, yet modern vibe around it. The scent is a really nice mix of pepper and lavender, creating for a floral, yet spicy mix.

Notes: The top note of Salvatore Ferragamo F Black is lavender. The middle notes are black pepper and coriander. The base notes are labdanum and tonka.

Best for: Salvatore Ferragamo F Black is quite heavy on the lavender in this fragrance, making it perfect during the spring, fall, and even winter. You can definitely pull this fragrance off in the summer, but the other seasons work better for it. This fragrance also shines in the evenings. This fragrance would be a fantastic choice when you’re out clubbing for example. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

4. Nautica Voyage

Scent: Nautica Voyage is a clean, aquatic fragrance. This fragrance reminds you of oceans and seas. It is an amazing aquatic fragrance with a few fruity notes in there as well.

Notes: The top notes of Nautica Voyage are green leaves and apple. The middle notes are mimosa, lotus, and marine notes. The base notes are cedarwood, oakmoss, musk, and amber.

Best for: Nautica Voyage is a perfect summer fragrance. The aquatic, fresh, and slightly fruity fragrance goes hand in hand with hot temperatures and summer events. Doesn’t matter if you’re going to the beach, to the pool, or basically any other summer activity, Nautica Voyage has you covered. And for an amazing price as well. Nautica Voyage is probably the cheapest fragrance on this list. You can check out the current price over here on Amazon!

5. Sean John Unforgivable

Scent: Sean John Unforgivable is a very nice, fruit, salty fragrance. This fragrance bears some resemblance to Creed Millesime Imperial, which is an amazing fragrance. Sean John Unforgivable has the same sort of fruity, salty, oceanic vibe going on, which produces an amazing scent.

Notes: The top notes of Sean John Unforgivable are basil, citrus, and lavender. The middle notes are sea moss, cashmere, iris, and clary sage. The base notes are sandalwood, amber, and tonka beans.

Best for: Sean John Unforgivable is best worn during the summer, especially at night. This aquatic fragrance isn’t like most other aquatic fragrances. This one has a mysterious depth in it, making it work great at night. This fragrance is a perfect casual fragrance for any man during the summer nights. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

6. Lacoste Blanc

Scent: Lacoste Blanc is a sweet, creamy fragrance with a lot of white flowers in it. These white flowers combined with the creamy sweetness create a unique and creative fragrance. Even though the fragrance is sweet, it isn’t overpoweringly sweet, making it much more versatile.

Notes: The top notes of Lacoste Blanc are grapefruit, cardamom, rosemary, and cedar leaves. The middle notes are tuberose, ylang ylang, and olibanum. The base notes are atlas cedar, vetiver, leather, suede accord, and georgywood.

Best for: Lacoste Blanc is best worn as a casual daytime fragrance during the summer or late spring. The fragrance has a creative vibe coming from it, making it work even better with people who are known to be creative. It also has a bit more of a youthful vibe to it, but it can definitely be pulled off by an older man. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

7. Davidoff Cool Water

Scent: Davidoff Cool Water has been around for a very long time now, and it is still a relevant fragrance. The fresh aquatic, yet spicy fragrance still holds up to this day as an amazing aquatic fragrance.

Notes: The top notes of Davidoff Cool Water are lavender, coriander, peppermint, rosemary, and orange blossom. The middle notes are jasmine, oakmoss, geranium, and sandalwood. The base notes are amber, musk, sandalwood, and cedar.

Best for: Davidoff Cool Water is an amazing fragrance for casual daytime wear during the summer. The fresh, aquatic scent, enhanced by a slight spiciness, works amazingly with high temperatures. It isn’t overpowering or offensive, just noticeable to the point where it is a pleasant whiff. It is also extremely inexpensive. You can check out the current price over here on Amazon!

8. Versace Blue Jeans

Scent: Versace Blue Jeans has been around for quite a while now. The scent you’re getting with this fragrance starts off with a sweet, citrusy scent. This later dries down to a woody scent, which stays quite linear from there on. Overall, you’re getting a citrusy, woody fragrance with great performance.

Notes: The top notes of Versace Blue Jeans are citrus and galbanum. The middle notes are juniper, lavender, jasmine, violet, and nutmeg. The base notes are cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, and musk.

Best for: Versace Blue Jeans is a great fragrance for younger guys. The fragrance has a great youthful vibe to it, making it much more appealing on younger guys. The sweet, citrusy, and woody scent works best during the fall or spring. During this time, it isn’t extremely warm or cold, giving both the citrus and the woody notes to project nicely. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

9. Zara Vibrant Leather

Scent: Zara Vibrant Leather is a fantastic, fruity, fresh fragrance. You really get a fresh, almost pineapple-like scent, even though there is no pineapple in there. The opening of Zara Vibrant Leather is somewhat similar to that of Creed Aventus as well. It is truly a great fragrance.

Notes: Zara Vibrant Leather has only three notes. The top note is bergamot. The middle note is bamboo. The base note is leather.

Best for: Zara Vibrant Leather is a great summertime fragrance. The fresh, fruity scent works great when the temperatures are a bit higher. It isn’t offensive or overpowering, but definitely very noticeable. Zara Vibrant Leather isn’t available online at this moment, so if you’d like to try this fragrance, you should go to a Zara store. The fragrance is very affordable over there and you’re getting a great, long lasting scent!

10. Armaf Tres Nuit

Scent: Armaf Tres Nuit is a fragrance with close resemblance to Creed Green Irish Tweed. The scent you’re getting with this fragrance is a clean, classic, and green scent. The scent is reminiscent of a green countryside and perfectly portrays it through the scent.

Notes: The top notes of Armaf Tres Nuit are lemon, verbena, and iris. The middle notes are lavender, violet, and spicy notes. The base notes are ambergris and sandalwood.

Best for: Armaf Tres Nuit is an amazing warm weather fragrance. The green and clean scent is in no way offensive or overpowering, but more subtle and inoffensive. This makes it perfect for high temperatures, as you’re not drowning yourself or anyone else with the scent. It is also much more affordable compared to Creed Green Irish Tweed. If you’re interested, you can check out the current price over here on Amazon!

11. Mercedes Benz Black Leather

Scent: Mercedes Benz Black Leather is mainly a leathery fragrance. But there is also a nice sweet and warm undertone, giving the fragrance a bit of depth. But, the leather is definitely the main star in this fragrance, giving it a luxurious vibe.

Notes: The top notes of Mercedes Benz Black Leather are bergamot, suede, and orris. The middle notes are sage, incense, and patchouli. The base notes are labdanum, leather, and amber.

Best for: Mercedes Benz Black Leather is perfect for casual wear during the cold months. This leather fragrance isn’t leaning towards formal or informal, making it great for casual wear. It also has the sweet and warm undertone, along with a strong leather scent, making it work better during the colder days. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

12. Joop! Homme

Scent: When Joop! Homme was first introduced, people were wondering if it was actually a man’s fragrance. The bottle was pink, paired with a sweet scent that wasn’t usual back then. However, the sweet, cherry-like scent has withstood the test of time and is now a classic, cheap fragrance.

Notes: The top notes of Joop! Homme are bergamot and cinnamon. The middle notes are orange blossom, jasmine, and honeysuckle. The base notes are sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, amber, tonka bean, musk, and vanilla.

Best for: Joop! Homme is a sweet fragrance with outstanding performance. It has a lot of base notes that attribute to this great longevity. The sweet scent works best during the colder months, but it is definitely not a bad choice to wear in the evenings. One thing to keep in mind with this fragrance is that it is strong. You don’t want to overuse it. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

13. Calvin Klein CK One Shock

Scent: Calvin Klein CK One Shock is a chocolaty, fruity, and floral fragrance. You also get a nice tobacco scent as well. The combination of all these notes create a beautiful fragrance. It is somewhat fresh, yet has a mature sweetness as well.

Notes: The top notes of Calvin Klein CK One Shock are clementine, purple lavender, and cucumber. The middle notes are osmanthus, black pepper, cardamom, and basil. The base notes are chocolate, tobacco, ambreine, cashmeran musk, and patchouli.

Best for: Calvin Klein CK One Shock is a great fragrance for people who want to try tobacco fragrances. It is a great fragrance to wear casually, as it just does everything alright. Nothing too big or offensive, but nothing too noticeable as well. Overall, Calvin Klein CK One Shock is a great fragrance for casual wear, especially during the fall or winter. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

14. Glenn Perri Unpredictable Adventure

Scent: Glenn Perri Unpredictable Adventure has a smokey, somewhat woody fragrance. It bears a resemblance to Creed Aventus, but it isn’t the exact same. This fragrance has a smokey, yet fresh scent that isn’t exactly the same as Creed Aventus’ scent.

Notes: The top notes of Glenn Perri Unpredictable Adventure are blackcurrant, apple, pineapple, and bergamot. The middle note is jasmine. The base note is patchouli.

Best for: Glenn Perri Unpredictable Adventure is a fragrance you can wear all year long. It does have more of a smokey and pine vibe to it, making it lean a bit more towards the colder months. However, you really can wear this all year long. Glenn Perri Unpredictable Adventure has a bit more of a youthful vibe to it as well, making it fit better with some younger guys. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

15. Jil Sander Sun For Men

Scent: Jil Sander Sun For Men is very similar to suntan lotion, only a bit sweeter and creamier. This fragrance is very interesting, as it is both fresh, sweet, and warm. Wearing this fragrance really creates a nice atmosphere around you.

Notes: The top notes of Jil Sander Sun For Men are calone, bergamot, and rosemary. The middle notes are cardamom, musk, nutmeg, and plumeria. The base notes are cedarwood and amber.

Best for: Jil Sander Sun For Men is a perfect summertime fragrance. The unique, fresh, and sweet scent works perfectly in hot weather. Wearing this fragrance kind of takes you back to a nice summer day at the beach. Jil Sander Sun For Men is suitable for any man. Even women can pull this fragrance off, even though it is a masculine fragrance. It is also very affordable. You can check out the current price over here on Amazon!

16. Montblanc Individuel

Scent: Montblanc Individuel is a fresh, spicy, and floral fragrance. The scent can smell a bit synthetic when smelled up close, but nothing bad. When this fragrance starts to dry down a bit, you start to get more of a sweet scent. Overall, Montblanc Individuel is an amazing fragrance, especially for the price.

Notes: The notes of Montblanc Individuel are geranium, raspberry, jasmine, orange blossom, and violet.

Best for: Montblanc Individuel is the perfect fragrance for a guy who is a little on the dressed up side. Another place this fragrance works great is at the office. Montblanc Individuel also works great all year long. Be careful though, when it is really hot outside, you should leave this fragrance and go for another. The synthetic sweetness is not nice during hot weather. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

17. Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua

Scent: Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua has, as you might expect, an aquatic scent. There are a lot of aquatic notes in this fragrance that creates a great, aquatic scent with a peppery, woody edge. Although you mainly get a fresh aquatic scent, there is definitely some more depth to this fragrance.

Notes: The top notes of Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua are cucumber, citrus, water lotus, and watery green leaves. The middle notes are plum, pepper, red berries, lavender, and white cedar. The base notes are sandalwood, guaiac wood, patchouli, and musk.

Best for: Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua is an amazing summer fragrance. The fresh, aquatic scent works perfectly with high temperatures. Fragrances like this one are perfect to wear when you’re going to the beach, for example. On top of the amazing scent, the fragrance is also quite affordable. If you’re interested, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

18. Bentley For Men Intense

Scent: Bentley For Men Intense is a very good and cheap leather fragrance. Besides a great leather scent, you’ll be able to pick up a sweet, boozy scent as well. The combination of sweetness, leather, and booziness creates an incredibly masculine, luxurious scent.

Notes: The top notes of Bentley For Men Intense are black pepper, incense, and geranium. The middle notes are clary sage, labdanum, and leather. The base notes are cedarwood, patchouli, and sandalwood.

Best for: Bentley For Men Intense is a great fragrance for evenings and for the colder months, especially fall. The scent of this fragrance is a bit on the strong side, making it perfect for milder temperatures. This fragrance is a bit of an attention grabber, though. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!

19. Nikos Sculpture

Scent: Nikos Sculpture is a clean, yet sweet fragrance with a soft oriental vibe. This fragrance is quite appealing to most people, which is what you’re looking for in a fragrance. This fragrance stays linear throughout its lifetime, but that isn’t a bad thing if the scent is already great!

Notes: The top notes of Nikos Sculpture are bergamot, orange blossom, and coriander. The middle note is a rich blend of cedar. The base notes are vanilla, tonka bean, and ambrette seeds.

Best for: Nikos Sculpture is a great fragrance to wear during the transitional seasons like the fall and spring. The sweet, oriental scent doesn’t really fit in with the hot summer days, but it also isn’t the best for the cold winter days. It does work great with the other two seasons, though. This fragrance is also extremely cheap. You can check out the current price over here on Amazon!

20. La Rive Password

Scent: La Rive Password is a nice, floral fragrance. It has some freshness to it as well, but you mostly get a nice, floral scent that will last you a good while. The performance isn’t the greatest, but it definitely isn’t too bad, considering the price.

Notes: The top notes of La Rive Password are bergamot and violet. The middle notes are violet and jasmine. The base notes are cedarwood and musk.

Best for: La Rive Password is a great fragrance to wear during the spring and summer. The fresh floral scent goes hand in hand with these seasons. The scent isn’t offensive but more of a fresh, floral whiff every now and then. La Rive Password is also extremely cheap. You can check out the current price over here on Amazon!

Should You Purchase Cheap Fragrances

Purchasing a cheap fragrance is an amazing way to fill up a hole in your collection without having to spend loads of money. Cheap fragrances aren’t necessarily bad fragrances. Many cheap fragrances are actually quite good. The thing that is lacking in those cheap fragrances is usually longevity. This is made up for by the fact that you can apply more of the fragrance, or that you can just reapply throughout the day. Because the fragrance is so cheap, spraying a bit more isn’t something to think about twice.

Do make sure, however, to not drown yourself in the fragrance. Overapplying is still possible and it won’t make you smell good.

When you feel like your collection is missing a fragrance, going for a cheap fragrance might be the best course of action. Purchase a cheap one and see if it is something you actually want, need, or even use. It is a great way to test a new spot in your fragrance line-up without having to pay a much higher price.

Another great benefit of these cheaper fragrances is that you can easily purchase them without having to fell regret. Maybe you want an extra summer fragrance. Going for a cheaper one might be the best choice, as you still get a new fragrance to shake up your collection, without having to pay full price. And if the fragrance doesn’t really fit you, you only paid a little bit.

Because of these reasons, I think that purchasing a cheap fragrance is a great idea. Most smell very good anyway, leaving you with a great fragrance and some more money!

Conclusion

Cheap fragrances aren’t necessarily bad fragrances. Of course, not all of them are great, but there are many amazing, cheap fragrances. These fragrances are perfect to fill in a gap in your fragrance collection. Maybe you’re looking for an extra summer fragrance, or maybe a different night time fragrance, just to shake things up a bit. Going for a cheap fragrance can fill in this gap without you having to pay a lot of money.

The fragrances on this list are all very good. Of course, they can lack a little bit in quality, but that is expected from the price. But most of the times, you won’t event notice the lesser quality unless you actively search for it. The fragrances on this list all serve a purpose. There is a fragrance for almost any situation and if you want to save a little money, I highly recommend you check a few of these out.

Jasper Pieterse

Hi, my name is Jasper and I've been a long time fragrance fan. Ever since 2014, I started to get a huge interest in fragrances and I've had my nose on countless of different fragrances. I'm excited to share my experiences!

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