12 Best Polo Ralph Lauren Colognes for Men
Updated January 2023
How We Found the Best Ralph Lauren Colognes
5 Experts Interviewed
16 Fragrances Tested
Top 12 Picks
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Liam Carson
Ralph Lauren is an American brand synonymous with timeless elegance and the preppy ‘New England’ lifestyle. In the 70s, Ralph Lauren Polo partnered with L’Oreal to launch their fragrance collection. Ralph Lauren’s fragrances have become as popular as their ready-to-wear collections. Unlike other brands that start out with a focus on women’s fragrance, the first two Ralph Lauren scents were ‘Polo’ for men and ‘Lauren’ for women in 1978.
The brand quickly became a staple in the world of fragrance and cologne, with 92 perfumes being released between 1978 and 2020. This guide lists the 12 best-selling polo perfume for men, making it easy for you to find the perfect signature scent for you.
Summary List
Ralph Lauren Scents Ranked by Cologne Critic
Why we chose it
The ‘Big Pony’ cologne was released as a four-part fragrance collection by Ralph Lauren to go alongside a ready-to-wear and accessories collection in their ‘Ralph Lauren Polo’ range. ‘No.3’ in the ‘Big Pony’ collection was released in 2010 and is a perfect spring and summer cologne for daytime wear.
This scent contains notes of ginger and mint, with a simplistic formulation that makes it versatile to wear for any summer occasion. The base notes focus on cedarwood and spearmint. Each of the four fragrances in the ‘Big Pony’ collection is made with a character in mind. No.3 is for the adventurous man, designed to give your scents an adrenaline rush. The scent will remind you of days spent outside in nature, with a freshness that is perfect for warmer months.
Main Accords
- Green
- Aromatic
- Warm Spicy
Our Take
‘Polo’ is the first cologne released by Ralph Lauren for men in 1978. Carlos Benaim formulated this fragrance. It has top notes of artemisia, basil, bergamot, caraway, coriander, and juniper berries. In the middle notes, you’ll smell carnation, chamomile, geranium, jasmine, pepper and leather. The base notes house amber, cedar, musk, tobacco, and vetiver.
This fragrance is an ideal cologne to wear during fall and winter as an all-day scent that can see you through from morning to night. Polo still uses the original formulation and is still a classic today. It is one of the best smelling colognes on the market. If you’re in search of a masculine scent that can become your go-to, try the original ‘Polo’ for men, as it contains no floral notes except for the chamomile. We still consider this fragrance to be the best smelling men’s polo cologne from Ralph Lauren.
Main Accords
- Woody
- Aromatic
- Fresh Spicy
Our Take
Another spring and summer fragrance is ‘Polo Blue’, an aromatic twist on Ralph Lauren’s original cologne. It was once again formulated by Carlos Benaim with the assistance of Christophe Laudamiel. ‘Polo Blue’ was launched in 2003 and became an instant classic polo perfume for men. You can wear this as a daytime scent for spring and summer.
The scent opens with top notes of cucumber, mandarin orange and melon. In the middle notes, you’ll find basil, geranium and sage. The base notes give this cologne its masculinity with musk, suede, and woodsy notes. The inspiration behind this cologne was the idea of being able to bottle a blue sky into a scent. You’ll still be able to smell this invigorating fragrance for hours after you spray it.
Main Accords
- Ozonic
- Aquatic
- Aromatic
Our Take
Polo Red Intense is the best polo scent for year-round wear and is a transitional scent that can take you from day to night. The cologne is formulated by Olivier Gillotin and was released by Ralph Lauren in 2015. This fragrance contains top notes of blood grapefruit, cranberry, lemon and saffron. The middle notes open to coffee, ginger, lavender and sage while the base notes give the cologne its spicy accords.
If you’re looking for a cologne with longevity to the scent, Polo Red Intense will last all day long, for almost 24 hours.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Fruity
- Warm Spicy
Our Take
The ‘Big Pony’ collection of colognes from Ralph Lauren has something to offer every man, with four uniquely formulated scents. No.2 is an oriental scent with a focus on chocolate, musk, and spicy notes. As each of the ‘Big Pony’ scents is made for a different man, No.2 is the seductive scent in the collection, making it the most popular in the series of four.
This fragrance lends itself to year-round wear but is ideal for fall and daytime use. While the scent is simple and uncomplicated, it is sensual without being overwhelming. You’ll want to save this cologne for special occasions or when you want to impress someone on a dinner date.
Main Accords
- Warm Spicy
- Chocolate
- Musky
Our Take
This aromatic scent was formulated by Pierre Negrin and launched in 2005. Polo Black is suitable to wear every season, as well as day and night-time use.
The cologne contains sweet notes of lemon, mango, and tangerine. You’ll also find patchouli, sage, and wormwood in the middle notes, while tonka bean and sandalwood form the base notes. If you’re a city guy who wants a scent that bursts with confidence with a sensual note of Patchouli and Tonka bean, add Polo Black to your list.
Main Accords
- Tropical
- Fruity
- Sweet
Our Take
Olivier Gillotin, who also formulated the Intense version of the scent created Polo Red. It is the best smelling men’s polo cologne for fall time, and it is versatile enough to wear during day and night.
The top notes open with cranberry, grapefruit, and Italian lemon. In the middle notes, you’ll find sage and saffron while the base notes of amber, coffee and wood give this cologne its masculine feel.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Fruity
- Amber
Our Take
There is a ‘Big Pony’ scent for every man. If you prefer woody and aromatic colognes, try No.1 from the series. This fragrance was formulated by Yves Cassar and released in 2010.
No.1 is the best polo scent for summer, with notes of lime and oak. No.1 is a refreshing cologne inspired by the game of polo. Formulated with the sporty man in mind who needs a scent that can withstand an active lifestyle.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Woody
- Aromatic
Our Take
Red Extreme is the third cologne in the ‘Polo Red’ collection, launched in 2017 and was again formulated by Olivier Gillotin. This cologne is made for fall and winter wear, lending itself slightly better to night-time use than daytime.
The Red Extreme scent is made up of coffee, blood orange, and ebony wood. If you live for the scent of coffee in the morning, this cologne is for you. As an ‘extreme’ cologne, it has a longer-lasting time and projects further than the other ‘Red’ fragrances by Ralph Lauren.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Coffee
- Warm Spicy
Our Take
Another ‘Polo Red’ fragrance not to be skipped is the ‘Rush’ scent. They released this citrus cologne in 2018, with top notes of grapefruit, lemon, mandarin orange, and pineapple. Polo Red has middle notes of lavender, mint, orange blossom, red apple, and saffron. Like the other scents in this range, Red Rush uses base notes of cedar, coffee, and musk.
It is formulated for spring and summer use during the daytime, this cologne has moderate longevity and isn’t overpowering. If you want a masculine scent that has a fruity twist, give this one a try!
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Fruity
- Green
Our Take
The final ‘Big Pony’ scent, No.4, is a woody aromatic scent.
The fragrance is a spring and summer cologne for daytime wear. It contains notes of grapefruit, mandarin orange, and wood. While the fragrance notes are simple, No.4 has stronger longevity than other scents in the Ralph Lauren range, with a unique scent for the brand.
No.4 is the stylish fragrance in the collection, inspired by the man who is always dressed for the occasion. If you’re looking for a classic cologne with a mix of citrus and woody notes, you should try this fragrance by Ralph Lauren. The Big Pony collection has something to offer every man, whether he’s a gym-goer or a city man.
Main Accords
- Woody
- Citrus
- Aromatic
Our Take
Our final polo perfume for men is ‘Polo Sport’, an aromatic green cologne. It’s one of the older scents on this list. Polo Sport launched in 1994 when Ralph Lauren was at its height of popularity. Harry Fremont formulated this cologne. The fragrance opens to a mix of aromatic and citrus notes, including mandarin orange, lemon, lavender, and mint. In the middle notes, you’ll smell ginger, rose and Brazilian rosewood, along with seagrass.
As you’ll expect with Ralph Lauren scents, ‘Polo Sport’ has base notes of amber, cedar, guaiac wood, musk, and sandalwood. This cologne is best reserved for summertime use, or in the transitional months between spring and summer. This fragrance has a unique scent you’ll be able to smell across the room.
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Aromatic
- Fresh Spicy
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Researched by a team of fragrance experts.