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Summer is all about freshness, good vibes, and calming breezy nights. However aside from that, Summer is one of the most important seasons to smell great, and leave a great first impression on anyone you may come across.
The best summer fragrances are designed specifically to complement the beautiful weather. They demand balance and present themselves in a light-hearted manner, making everybody who comes across you want more, instead of putting them off.
In the following list, you’ll find our preferred selection of the best summer fragrances, that’s based on our personal preference, and what the internet has deemed popular.
What are the Best Men's Summer Fragrances?
What makes a good summer fragrance?
The best summer scents usually differentiate by two main characteristics:
- Airy consistency: Meaning summer fragrances are light yet expressive, and the best of them are of an Eau de Toilette level of concentration.
- Floral or fresh: Out of most ingredients used in perfumes flowers and citrus notes have long been synonymous with the summer season.
However floral fresh fragrances and those of airy consistency, are not always good fragrances, as many cheap generic scents, share those exact characteristics.
How to find the best summer fragrance for you
To find the best summer fragrance for you, find ingredients that you like and enjoy, and look for notes that make you feel fresh and clean.
Start with the notes that you know you already love then don’t be afraid to experiment with other new notes and ingredients.
Browse your options and then go out and try them for yourself and see if they work for you.
Classics are always a safe play when it comes to summer fragrances, some of the best summertime fragrances that you’ll find on this list are of classic status.
In-Depth Men's Summer Fragrance Reviews
Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi
Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi Review
Starting our list with a balanced citrusy scent, Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi combines Orange blossom followed by grapefruit and Tom Ford’s signature touch.
Although we prefer masculine scents, Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi is a unique unisex fragrance inspired by the beauty of the famous Amalfi coast. However, we sense that it projects better on men, due to its lack of sweetness and fruitiness.
Opening on notes of Lemon and orange blossom, the scent slowly shifts towards a whole new character of mint, thyme, and wildflowers.
Being one of the best Tom Ford fragrances, Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi it’s perfect for layering with other Tom Ford fragrances.
While the fragrance may not be an everyday use fragrance due to its simplicity and extravagant price tag.
We recommend Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi, for formalwear, special occasions, and seductive nights out.
Top Notes: Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint, Basil, Tarragon, Black Currant
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Shiso, Coriander, Black Pepper
Base Notes: Musk, Vetiver, Civet, Labdanum, Amber
What we liked
- Sophisticated characteristics
- Seductive and energizing
- Perfect for everyday use
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Forever Pour Homme
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Forever Pour Homme Review
Opening on grapefruit and sour-sweet notes, D&G Light Blue then shifts to include light violet florals and a realistic, natural, clean scent.
While the original Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue inspired many different flankers, this is by far our favorite.
It is one of the well-balanced scents we advocated for early in the introduction, and this is the perfect representation of a well-rounded Dolce Gabbana scent.
Whether you’re a fan of everything trending or you’re simply looking for a perfect everyday scent, Dolce Gabbana Light Blue is a perfect summer fragrance you won’t want to miss out on.
Although this is a staple summer fragrance list it is actually a cologne that’s perfect for any and every season.
We could totally see anyone rocking this fragrance in the summer or springtime it might be a bit too light for the winter but other than that the fragrance is an all-year scent.
Top Notes: Grapefruit, Mandarin
Middle Notes: Sea water, Juniper
Base Notes: Musk, Amberwood
What we liked
- Crowd-pleasing and popular
- A balance of diverse notes
- Perfect for office and formal wear
Creed Royal Water
Creed Royal Water Review
Royal water is by far one of the most underrated Creed fragrances, it is a unisex scent, made specifically for lovers of the aqua notes. You’ll want to take advantage of this beautiful, energizing, light-hearted scent.
Reminding us somewhat of Azzaro chrome and Versace Eau Fraiche in its vibrant freshness, creed royal water is the definition of a light airy fragrance.
Although Creed is known for creating some of the best unisex complexions, royal water is leaning more towards a masculine cologne than it is unisex.
While the prominent notes are citrus and bergamot, green notes of basil and peppermint dominate the scent at its dry-down.
Just like any other Creed cologne or perfume, Creed Royal Water enjoys impeccable longevity and excellent Silage for its breezy formulation.
Creed Royal Water works phenomenally well as a casual scent for the extremely hot weather and times when you need a boost of clean freshness to keep you going.
This vibrant, clean, and understated classic was created as a tribute to Britain’s young royals, the next generation of the House of Windsor heirs.
Top Notes: Citruses, Mint
Middle Notes: Juniper Berries, Basil
Base Notes: Musk, Ambergris
What we liked
- Expensive smelling, quality notes
- Sensual and polarizing
- Royal status
Chanel Allure Sport Eau Extreme
Chanel Allure Sport Eau Extreme Review
Chanel Allure Sport Eau Extreme is most definitely an ultra-versatile fragrance that you can wear during the high summer heat, colder, fall days, and any night-based occasion as well.
Although the complexion of this fragrance is one of the most youthful and energizing, the longevity is slightly disappointing.
The fragrance has been around for longer than we can remember, and we mainly recommend is a fragrance for teenagers and young men in their 20s. It was one of our favorite first-ever fragrances, which worked as an introduction to summer colognes.
One of the classic fragrances that were huge in the early 2000s but lost traction over the years, Chanel Allure Sport Extreme is a good blind buy for many tastes and preferences.
It is minty, and fresh, with hidden notes of seductive leather and wood. Chanel Allure Sport Extreme is the best representation of an old-school masculine crowd-pleaser.
Eau Extreme does give you a different take from the original Sport, but during the dry down is when these fragrances really start to smell similar.
It is certainly seductive and mass appealing, this is a men’s fragrance that the ladies will absolutely love, and demand more of.
This is an easy-to-wear, all-around versatile sort of scent. The sillage isn’t amazing and it’s not really what we’d call extreme, but the performance still remains pretty good.
Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Mint, Cypress, Sage
Middle Notes: Pink Pepper
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar
What we liked
- Sophisticated characteristics
- Sensual and polarizing
- Perfect for everyday use
Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme
Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme Review
Bvlgari Aqua is a scent for every and any occasion, which can be taken both as a formal and casual wear scent. It’s one of our personal favorites on this list and one of the best summer colognes to exist for a long time.
It’s important to say that Aqva Pour Homme Marine could easily pass as a Chanel fragrance; it has that cleanness, radiance, and snappiness that can be found in some Chanel creations.
We love it mainly because it balances a woody fragrance, in a way that no other summer fragrance does.
A little bit like Paco Rabanne Invictus, Bvlgari aqua is a fragrance designed to appeal to the masses, making it a perfect office, and everyday wear.
Advertised as a fragrance that is “designed to evoke the natural freshness and vitality of the ocean.”
We completely see the resemblance of the deep blue ocean in this fragrance, as it dries down to develop a tangy, slightly dirty character.
The scent starts off with a very dark aroma of the realistic ocean, but in a beautiful way, with heavy notes of mandarin orange, petitgrain, realistic saltwater from the ocean (very salty), and a hint of seaweed.
With excellent longevity lasting anywhere from 5 to 8 hours and great sillage, Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme is the perfect casual designer fragrance to place in your glove compartment.
Wear it every day or just when you’re trying to feel light and clean, Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme is for the classy and chic of men.
Top Notes: Water Notes, Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Sage
Middle Notes: Sea Notes, Ambergris, Apple
Base Notes: Benzoin, Amberwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood
What we liked
- Sophisticated woody notes
- Perfectly formal
- Perfect for office/work use
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake Review
A whole new concept for summer fragrance L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake, is a Japanese fragrance that escapes the airy norms.
An all-time classic from the 1990s, this fragrance inspired so many others both in flankers and fragrances from outside of the brand.
While the best version of the scent is the intense L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, this fragrance it’s designed with barbershop characteristics.
Classified as a woody aquatic fragrance creator Jacques Cavallier, carve the masterpiece from tobacco Amber and delicate touches of saffron and Sandalwood.
A fragrance along the lines of Givenchy only gentlemen, and Maison Marginal Replica Sailing Day.
It is a complete aura of simplistic essences, with Japanese Yuzu and Tobacco being the main base note characteristics.
This top-value fragrance offers moderate Sillage, excellent longevity, and an overall breathtaking clean sense inspiring positivity throughout your day.
Top Notes: Yuzu, Lemon, Bergamot, Lemon Verbena, Mandarin Orange, Cypress, Calone, Coriander, Tarragon, Sage
Middle Notes: Blue Lotus, Nutmeg, Lily-of-the-Valley, Saffron, Bourbon Geranium, Ceylon Cinnamon, Mignonette
Base Notes: Ambergris, Sandalwood
What we liked
- Old school simplistic smell
- Ladies pleaser for its classic notes
- All season fragrance
Nautica Voyage
Nautica Voyage Review
Nautica Voyage is one of the most advocated summer fragrances that are known amongst this newest generation.
The balance of Woody, fruity, and airy qualities qualify this fragrance to be amongst the list of the seven best popular fragrances for men this summer.
This scent smells like the ultimate versatile fragrance to wear during summertime, as the notes of cucumber apple crisp give you a feeling of cleanliness making you want more.
If it wasn’t for this fragrance’s rather weak projection and average longevity, Nautica’s voyage would be a near-perfect fragrance.
While literally, any man could rock this fragrance, it could make up a perfect everyday casual scent.
Reminding us somewhat of Azzaro chrome and its light spiciness, Nautica voyage is the best compliment-getter on this list due to its mass-appealing formulation.
And even though this fragrance is one of the most popular on this list, we’ve never said it is overused or overrated.
Instead, the fragrance is a timeless classic appropriate for any age, any time, accompanying any sort of style or fashion.
Top Notes: Apple, Green Leaves
Middle Notes: Lotus, Mimosa
Base Notes: Musk, Cedar, Oakmoss, Amber
What we liked
- Great value
- Masculine and airy
- Perfect for everyday use