8 Men's Colognes Similar to Acqua di Gio
Updated January 2023
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Liam Carson
It is a widely known fact that Acqua di Gio by Armani is one of the most popular colognes for men. With a fresh and energizing burst of citruses and marine notes that push away the heat of the summer sun, Acqua di Gio by Armani stands among some of the best summer choices. It is an excellent staple for any collection. You can wear it on almost any occasion with ease, even when you are in the office!
However, if you are looking to refresh your nose without straying too far from your comfort zone, these Acqua di Gio-similar colognes will undoubtedly be great choices.
Summary List
Colognes Similar to Acqua di Gio Ranked by Cologne Critic
Why we chose it
More than just a cologne that smells like Acqua di Gio, Eternity Aqua for Men by Calvin Klein stands out from the crowd thanks to its ozonic and fresh marine vibe. This affordable cologne will be a fantastic choice for gentlemen who look for a feel-good option.
The composition is mainly citrusy-marine with a slight ozonic touch. It opens with a blast of fresh and green notes, along with a subtle hint of cucumber and lotus flower. As it dries down, the note of lavender adds a clean and fresh aroma that makes the whole composition more attractive and formal. After about an hour or so, the base notes of sandalwood and clean musk will reveal themselves, putting a sensual woody finishing touch to the cologne.
This is perhaps the best cologne that shares the same vibe as Acqua di Gio. Some might even say that it is better than Acqua di Gio! It does suffer from a relatively moderate sillage and longevity, so spray liberally. It is perfect for all occasions.
Our Take
Looking to feel fresh and clean? Lacoste Essential is a great option! Though many would consider it a clone of Acqua di Gio, there are more than enough differences that make Lacoste Essential a pleasant surprise.
The cologne starts with a citrusy blast of bergamot, tangerine, and a touch of tomato leaf, which gives the composition a slightly vegetal touch. The notes of rose and pepper will spice the cologne up a little, adding depth. The base is a contrasting combination of dark patchouli and bright sandalwood.
Lacoste Essential performs well in most situations, but it works best as an everyday choice, especially in summer. The cologne features average sillage and longevity.
Our Take
Those who are deterred by the price of Acqua di Gio could consider this cheap alternative. Described by many as a slightly spicier version of Acqua di Gio, 360° Red by Perry Ellis is the perfect “dumb grab” for a hot summer day.
Upon the first whiff, this cologne will amaze you with its characteristic citrusy-spicy blast, with cinnamon and cloves being quite prominent. There is also a fresh and classy touch from the note of lavender, which gives the composition a clean vibe. As it reaches the base, the scent becomes increasingly woody due to the classic patchouli-clean musk combo.
It is a very wearable cologne, so it should go well with most occasions although this scent does not last long, and it sits closer to your skin.
Our Take
Another modern classic from the brand Bvlgari, Aqva evokes the coolness and the freshness of the sea, putting you in a calming trance.
The opening blast is a burst of citruses and watery notes that immediately transport you to the vast ocean. Unlike Acqua di Gio, the note of seawater is very prominent in this composition, evidently thanks to the influence of the ambergris note. The base notes are noticeably headier than Acqua di Gio, with notes such as benzoin and amberwood taking the helm. Altogether, it is still a great fresher for summer, but there is a deeper and more formal drydown that takes it up a notch.
The cologne is a great date night’s scent. It boasts impressive longevity, but the sillage is rather average.
Our Take
Another great classic that never seems to have lost its charm! True to its name, Light Blue is a delightful aquatic and citrusy cologne for hot summer days.
The opening blast will quickly freshen up your day with the notes of Sicilian lemons and apples. There is a slightly fresh woody hint from the note of cedarwood. The middle notes of roses and jasmines form a floral medley that adds depth to the composition. As it dries down, the cologne becomes more and more woody thanks to the clean musk-cedarwood combo.
Light Blue is noticeably even more casual than Acqua di Gio, so don’t hesitate to spray liberally on any outing occasion. The longevity and sillage are both just average.
Our Take
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme is perhaps one of the first colognes, and one of the most popular ones as well, to make use of the note of yuzu, a unique citrusy fruit from Japan. This note has made l’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme a rather unique cologne to possess.
It first opens with an aromatic medley of citruses and herbal notes, of which the most prominent one is the note of yuzu. It gives the whole composition a zen touch that sets it apart from the colognes mentioned above. As it dries down, the cologne becomes a bit more floral, before settling on a clean musk base.
If you want to make a good impression, l’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme will definitely be a great choice. It possesses very long-lasting longevity but average sillage.
Our Take
Blue Homme by Armaf is a straight-up clone of Acqua di Gio Armani, so it makes sense that the similarities between the two are uncanny. If you need a good alternative for Acqua di Gio, this one is probably the safest around.
The fresh opening blast contains notes of citruses such as bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit. The note of neroli helps to accentuate the freshness and the cleanness of the composition as a whole. There is also a prominent presence of the note of lavender, a staple in most men’s colognes. The cologne settles on a woody and slightly musky base, which is a classic combo.
Armaf Blue Homme is a great casual scent, but you might want to wear something else on your first date, as this one does not really stand out. The longevity and sillage can be a bit problematic, as both are on the weaker end of the scale.
Our Take
This one is another easy-to-love cologne from the house of Paris Hilton. It shares a lot of similarities with Acqua di Gio Armani. However, there are still certain unique selling points that make it a worthy addition to your collection.
Like most citrus colognes, the opening is a strong blast of fresh notes such as bergamot and lime. However, in Just Me, there is a distinctive presence of the note of blackcurrant, which adds a sensual and fruity touch to the composition as a whole. The spicy notes of cloves and nutmeg are also quite prominent. The drydown of the cologne is noticeably airier and dryer than most thanks to the note of incense.
Inexpensive and easy to use, Just Me is a great choice for a casual outing with friends and family. Both the longevity and sillage are just average.
It is hard to topple Acqua di Gio Armani as the top casual summer fragrance for men, but these colognes are certainly worth your time. Each of them is similar to Acqua di Gio in the vibe, but each is also unique in its own way. Whether you are looking for a suitable alternative or you simply look to expand your collection, these colognes are excellent choices!
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Researched by a team of fragrance experts.