10 Best Work and Office Colognes for Men
Updated January 2023
How We Found the Best Work and Office Colognes
5 Experts Interviewed
25 Fragrances Tested
Top 10 Picks
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Liam Carson
Guys – listen up. If you’re only wearing your cologne once a month when you’re trying to impress that special someone, you’re seriously missing out. Colognes are more affordable and accessible than ever, so you don’t need to be holding back – colognes are every day appropriate.
The range of different colognes are now so vast that you can find one to suit any occasion, and why shouldn’t you smell great in your workplace? Research shows that the people we meet respond highly to scents and aromas, not to mention the positive effect it has on our own self-esteem. Smell good, feel good!
We’ve pulled together a list of our top picks when it comes to the best men’s office cologne – read on for our top ten recommendations!
Summary List
Office Fragrances Ranked by Cologne Critic
Why we chose it
Bottled by Hugo Boss is a comfortable yet elegant option, guaranteed to be subtly enjoyed by colleagues and clients without overpowering. Bottled was first brought on the scene 20 years ago, so it is a firm favorite and long-established addition to many men’s collections.
Bottled descends from the woody aromatic fragrance family, with subtle notes of apple, cinnamon, plum and bergamot. Accompanying a crisp, tailored suit, you can’t go wrong.
This fragrance is understated enough to wear in an office environment, but some mark this perfume down for its lack of longevity. If this is important to you, you may need to look elsewhere.
Key Notes
- Woody
- Vanilla
- Fruity
Our Take
Creed Original Vetiver exudes a warm Mediterranean breeze, providing a warm, citrus and spicy scent. For this reason, it attracts an older crowd – sophisticated and subtle. Fans of Creed Original Vetiver praise this for being a fresh, ‘out of the shower’ scent.
This fragrance is suitable for use in summer or winter. Still, in our opinion, it truly sets itself apart in the colder months of the year because of the spiciness.
Another solid choice when it comes to longevity, Creed will usually last the entire day, leaving you feeling fresh and invigorated.
For alternatives you may check out our Creed Aventus Clone list.
Main Accords
- Woody
- Citrus
- Aromatic
Our Take
Montblanc’s Individuel is definitely one for the younger crowd. From the first spray, you get a scent of sharp raspberries followed by vanilla and leather musk notes for a sweet yet unmistakably masculine vibe. The fragrance leaves a beautiful scent trail wherever you go, drawing many compliments.
Many fans of Montblanc claim that if you like Joop! Homme or Creed Original Santal, this will fit nicely into your collection.
Montblanc Individuel is a delightful, unburdened, luminous oriental scent for every situation and every occasion. Sweet and robust, but not heavy or dense.
Bottled descends from the woody aromatic fragrance family, with subtle notes of apple, cinnamon, plum and bergamot. Accompanying a crisp, tailored suit, you can’t go wrong.
This fragrance is understated enough to wear in an office environment, but some mark this perfume down for its lack of longevity. If this is important to you, you may need to look elsewhere.
Main Accords
- Sweet
- Aromatic
- Fruity
Our Take
Despite its rather masculine name, Yves Saint Laurent L’homme provides a relatively delicate fragrance. Many fans consider this a signature scent – a staple that will remain in your cologne collection for many years.
Yves Saint Laurent L’homme has top notes of ginger, bergamot and lemon, with middle notes consisting of pepper, basil and violet leaf. Read our guide below on why lemon makes an excellent choice when it comes to choosing an office fragrance.
Bold in character with a spicy kick, this is more suited for daily winter use. It is also the best all time favorite of doctors and medical professionals.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Warm Spicy
- Aromatic
Our Take
As a world-renowned Italian fashion house, Prada has created a jaw-dropping scent that combines masculinity with undeniable freshness.
Iris and patchouli are the main notes here which provide a sweet yet unintrusive aroma. As is true for most Prada fragrances, the scent is soapy, creamy and powdery.
This fragrance is genuinely long-lasting – a few sprays are usually good to see you through to the end of the day. In our test, this is definitely one of the longest-lasting men’s fragrances for office wear. An inoffensive crowdpleaser, making it a solid choice for day to day use for any successful business men.
Main Accords
- Floral
- Woody
- Powdery
Our Take
Bleu de Chanel opens with the freshest of citrus notes including a delicious grapefruit spritz, accompanied with pink pepper, bergamot and mint. Drying exposes amber, wood and cedar notes and creates a long-lasting scent – something that will stay with you for the whole of the workday.
With this fragrance, Chanel has really created a wow factor lacking in most of its competitors. The bottle design is very exclusive, and we love the snap of the magnetic lid as you place it back on the bottle. The downside, it’s definitely one of the pricier options on our list – but in our opinion, it can be more than justified.
This fragrance definitely leaves you feeling sharp, smart and stylish, ready for whatever the day throws at you.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Woody
- Balsamic
Our Take
A mature fragrance for the sophisticated man – some label this as autumn in a bottle. Picture the oranges and browns of fall as you spray this woody aromatic fragrance on each morning. As the name suggests, this is an earthy aromatic with fruity touches.
It’s an excellent choice for formal or informal settings. Actually, it’s probably one of the best fragrances to wear in a conservative environment such as the office, due to its versatility.
A classic and multipurpose scent packaged in an extraordinarily great way. This one suits the dapper gentleman, oozing elegance, intelligence and sophistication. Hermes Terre d’Hermes is one of our top contenders when it comes to the best office cologne.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Woody
- Fresh Spicy
Our Take
This is one of our firm favorites due to its superiority when it comes to freshness. This is the kind of scent you purchase once, and then it never leaves your collection. A beautiful and classic scent without being powdery or overwhelming.
First launched in 1994, L’eau D’issey exudes a masculine and woody scent featuring Japanese Yuzu, bergamot, lemon and tarragon. This is a real citrus powerhouse.
Some Issey Miyake fans claim that when they wear this to their workplace, they can get exactly what they need. Perfect for a high-pressure environment where keeping a cool head is essential.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Fresh
- Aromatic
Our Take
Eau Sauvage provides an incredibly fresh and ‘green’ fragrance, with undertones of lime, basil floral and woody notes. The scent is for some, on the weaker side, faint rather than short-lasting. Still, it is definitely a case of quality over quantity.
Timeless, masculine, modern, sophisticated and unbelievably sexy, this fragrance exudes confidence, even if you are lacking. The versatility of this fragrance means it always makes sense to buy the bigger bottle. A real head turner, in a good way, it will encourage passers-by to ask what you are wearing, so they can pick it up too.
A classic choice for the office environment all year round.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Fresh Spicy
- Aromatic
Our Take
Versace Pour Homme is best described as an uplifting scent – fresh and crisp, emitting a citrusy vibe. Many customers compare this to Allure Homme Sport by Chanel, and we kind of agree, so it doesn’t make sense to own both. The advantage of Versace Pour Homme is that it is somewhat ‘fresher’ than Homme Sport, as it smells less dense and creamy.
This is an excellent choice if you want to establish a signature workplace scent for yourself as some claim it exudes approachability – a perfect choice for the office.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Aromatic
- Fresh Spicy
Other Colognes We Considered
Expert Tips
Believe it or not, this is a very common question. As a general rule, if you’re attending an interview, it’s best to go fragrance-free. You can never be sure how someone may react to your scent, particularly if it is heavy. In these scenarios, it’s always better to play it safe.
That being said, if you’re already well established in your role, the answer is absolutely! We always advise going for a lighter, more subtle fragrance. Once again, cologne is extremely personal – what may be appealing to you may be very offensive to someone else. Understated is key – just check your office doesn’t have a perfume policy first!
Scents don’t only help us to smell great, they can also have a positive impact on our daily lives. When it comes to memory, there are a few scents which studies have shown have memory-boosting functions.
In a University Study, researchers found that filling a room with the aroma of rosemary helped students to score 7% better on memory tests. Peppermint, on the other hand, helps sustain attention and enhances the accuracy of our memories – who would have thought!
Lemon has proven itself to heighten the senses, decreasing the level of human error. A recent study in Japan showed that when office workers made over 50% less typing errors when their environment was filled with the sweet smell of lemon.
Jasmine works to re-energize our bodies and improve our mood. A Thai research project showed that the scent of Jasmine worked to enhance emotions and boost productivity.
Citrus Scents including orange, tangerine and Japanese Yuzu can work to increase alertness and shorten response time – perfect for those days when you are feeling far from your best.
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Researched by a team of fragrance experts.