The 10 best perfumes for men: fragrances that always hit the mark

Choosing a men's perfume is easier when you know what you're after: something fresh for the office, a woody scent with presence for the evening or a spicy one that leaves its mark. Here we've gathered the 10 divain men's perfumes we recommend most often, with their real notes, so you know exactly what each one smells like before you try it.

If you'd rather go straight to what people buy most, take a look at our best-selling men's perfumes: it's the quickest way to see which fragrances other customers choose again and again.

The 10 best men's perfumes from divain

We've aimed for variety: citrus scents that wake you up, timeless fougères, woody fragrances with character and orientals for after sunset. They're all eau de parfum, so a few sprays will carry you through most of the day.

divain-034

divain-034 opens the list because it's one of those perfumes that goes with everything. It starts with cardamom, moves into a heart of bergamot, lavender and cedar, and settles on vetiver and caraway. A clean, aromatic oriental that's never cloying and works just as well with a shirt as with a hoodie.

divain-010

With divain-010, grapefruit, mint and red mandarin bring the spark, but the interesting part comes later: a heart of rose and cinnamon that adds warmth, and a base of woods, amber and Indian patchouli. Fresh on the outside, warm on the inside and very easy to wear.

divain-200

divain-200 is for anyone who wants a perfume with presence without it feeling heavy. A sparkling opening of lime, mint, pink pepper and grapefruit; a heart of ginger, nutmeg and jasmine; and a long base of sandalwood, vetiver, incense, cedar and white musk. Elegant from morning to night.

divain-214

If you're drawn to spicy perfumes, you'll like divain-214. Bergamot, grapefruit and pink pepper give way to saffron, cinnamon and sweet paprika, and everything ends in vetiver, tobacco and leather. Warm, dry and full of personality, ideal for autumn and winter.

divain-234

divain-234 is a modern fougère with a gourmand twist. It opens with cardamom, pink pepper, violet leaves and mint; sage, melon, pineapple, lavender and cinnamon appear in the heart, and the base wraps you in vanilla, chestnut, cedar and guaiac wood. A going-out perfume that doesn't go unnoticed.

divain-331

For those looking for something different, divain-331 plays with lavender in the opening and a heart that's unusual in men's perfumery: iris, ambrette musk and pear. The base of Virginia cedar and vetiver keeps it clean, elegant and close to the skin.

divain-204

divain-204 smells of the sea and long summer days. Grapefruit, marine notes and mandarin up top, bay leaf and jasmine in the heart, and a base of guaiac wood, patchouli, oakmoss and ambergris. Fresh, bright and perfect for the warmer months.

divain-028

With divain-028 you go back to a classic done well. Lavender, mint, cardamom, bergamot and southernwood in the opening; cinnamon, orange blossom and caraway in the heart; and a creamy base of sandalwood, tonka bean, amber, vanilla and cedar. Warm and seductive, the kind that draws people closer.

divain-223

divain-223 pairs ginger, mandarin and bergamot in the opening with a heart of lavender and maninka, and finishes with leather and woody notes. A versatile perfume, with just the right freshness when you apply it and a base with character that lasts all day.

divain-1311

We close with divain-1311, the most original on the list. Bergamot and black pepper to start, coffee and liquorice in the heart, and a woody base with lava and stone notes that give it a very distinctive mineral feel. Perfect if you want an evening perfume nobody else is wearing.

What is the best perfume for men?

It depends on when and how you'll wear it, but if we had to pick just one, it would be divain-034. Its blend of cardamom, lavender, cedar and vetiver appeals to almost everyone, works for the office and for dinner, and never gets tiring even if you wear it every day. If you want something more intense for the evening, look at divain-214 or divain-028.

A tip: always test it on your skin and wait a few minutes. Top notes can be misleading; what you'll really be wearing is the heart and the base.

More picks for men

If you want to narrow things down further, we have other lists designed for specific needs:

• The best cheap perfumes for men for value for money.
• The ones best rated by our customers, based on their reviews.
• The men's perfumes women like most.
• Fresh, understated fragrances for everyday wear.

Frequently asked questions

Which fragrance family should I choose in a men's perfume?

It depends on your style and the occasion. Citrus and aquatic scents are fresh and light, ideal for daytime and hot weather. Fougères, with lavender and aromatic notes, are very versatile. Woody fragrances add elegance, and orientals, with spices, vanilla or amber, are warmer and work best at night and in the colder months.

How many sprays of perfume should a man use?

With an eau de parfum, two or three sprays on pulse points such as the neck, wrists or chest are usually enough. More won't make it last longer and can feel overpowering in enclosed spaces.

What is the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum?

Concentration. Eau de parfum contains more fragrance oil than eau de toilette, so it lasts longer on the skin and leaves more of a trail. Eau de toilette is lighter and usually needs reapplying during the day.