The Best Men’s Cologne 2020 – February Updated List [Reviews]

1. MONTBLANC Legend Eau de Toilette

The Montblanc Legend Eau de Toilette was birthed in 2011 as an homage to the Montblanc’s revolutionary Meisterstrück pen. One of the most affordable fragrances for men in Montblanc’s range, it is overshadowed by its sister product Individuel but continues to hold its own faithful following. Drawing from multiple aromatic notes, this Fougère fragrance draws in notes of fruity and aquatic scents to deliver a fresh aroma.

Opening on head notes of citrusy verbena and bergamot, giving way to lavender and pineapple, the scent opens fresh and flavourful. The product presents heart notes of Geranium, Rose and Apple and oakmoss which shapes the body of the fragrance into the beloved scent of freshly-mown hay. This is where the scent begins to get its fresh aquatic notes that draw from the rose and apple undertones. The subsequent base entails scents of sandalwood and tonka bean, finishing with a woodsy flavor. The earthy tonka bean provides a light vanilla note and a sweet finish.

The rise of this multitude of notes is structural, not in the least linear that is seen in some overdone scents. While this one is not too strong a scent, the sillage may be a little weak for some people’s taste. While the scent lasts long enough, it may require a refresh halfway through the day.

Our Verdict:

This one stands as one of the best men’s cologne of 2020 and is suitable for wear throughout the year, but its aromatic notes are better suited to spring. Given its subdued tone, it is perfect for office use where you won’t overwhelm yet rightly impress the people in your vicinity.

2. Kenneth Cole Black, 3.4 Fl Oz

One of the best mens cologne for 2020 is the Kenneth Cole Black, which opens with a rush of mandarin and tarty ozone, with a spicy ginger note balanced by a cooler mint and fresh basil. A sharp citrusy spike gives way to heart notes of lotus flower mixed with cedar leaves, still drawing from spicy notes of nutmeg and depth of incense smoke.

The scent hits just the right spot as it ends with notes of musk, violet, a suede leather note, and saltier and earthier ambergris. The combinations arouse a young spontaneity, feeling energetic and exciting.

Our Verdict:

With an ample wear time of 6 hours, a gentle refresh brings the scent back home for full day wear. Perfect for wear throughout the year, except in the coldest weather where the warm notes can feel overwhelming.

3. Sauvage by Christian Dior Eau de Toilette for Men

Not drawing from its namesake Dior’s 1966 classic, Sauvage is a bold fragrance for men, targeting young users. Developed by François Demachy, Sauvage opens on notes of fresh mint, a burst of bergamot and exciting pepper, and can be received as a sharp fragrance.

Overall, however, the headnotes are light and balance the sharpness with low depth. As the heart notes begin to develop, one can pick out aromatic notes of lavender, mild geranium and little earthy patchouli. This last note provides the blend with a nice body and substance with its earthliness, while the scent remains mild enough not to overpower. A hint of vanilla emeri also emerges, although exceedingly faint.

Nevertheless, the pepper and lavender start to develop an interesting harmony, inducing a balanced spicy freshness. For the base notes, the scent draws from a musky base, with strong notes of fresh sea-breeze ambergris. An oily note of labdanum rounds the scent which is quite delicious for the palate. And when you think this already is the best men’s perfume you have tried this year, a cedar wood note extends to hit the nail on the head.

The scent impresses with its mildness with a combination of spice and warm notes can easily overpower if not balanced. The scent is most detectable in closer encounters, so you are good to wear it year-round for work without overpowering a board room. This one of the best men’s cologne that lasts long and your peers can detect the notes long after a busy day at work.

Our Verdict:

Sauvage’s aromatic composition much closely appeals as a spring and summer blend, yet is wearable throughout the year. It would also make an ideal fragrance for evening wear, blooming as the sun starts to set on a warm summer day.

4. Jean-Paul Gaultier Le Male – Best Cologne For Men

This scent right here is for the bold in you! Opening on loud and rather bitter citrus notes, this is the one that makes the head turns, only in a good way.

The fragrance opens on a light grapefruit note which is more powerfully masked by bitter bergamot and contrasting cardamom notes. Spicy cinnamon and dirty cumin are balanced by a fresher lavender and orange blossom yet the base notes tame that chutzpah in the end. Balanced by the sandalwood and cedar, tonka and amber, and a vanilla body bring the diametrically-opposed notes in the top and middle to an agreement.

Forming as a super fresh and fruity scent on your skin, this fragrance is for those of you who are not afraid to stand out.

Our Verdict:

This one is one of the most popular men’s perfume for a night out clubbing or an adventure with your friends. Longevity wise, the scent can last an entire night out, but if you love it for the loud energy that it brings to the air as we do, a light refresh can prolong the hint of aggressive notes that makes it a favorite.

5. Coach New York for Men

Coach for men is one of the best men’s cologne of 2020 since Coach has stepped back into the game after its initial failures with affordable fragrances for men. This one opens on fruity notes of bergamot, kumquat, and pear. Surprisingly, the suede base makes an entrance early on with the head notes, calling out to the scent’s true value pretty early in the game. Mingling with the top, the scent forms into a body-ful masculine affair.

As the heart notes of cardamom, coriander, and geranium appear, the scent takes a fresh and spicy turn that lasts for an hour after application. Ultimately, the fragrance forms into the promised leather body with its base notes, detectable from a distance of three to five feet as you walk the streets boldly. The ambergris base in this is beautiful, emboldened by the other base notes of synth woods and the suede that made an appearance in the beginning. The scent finishes with a fresh Haitian vetiver scent, wearing for as long as 8 hours.

Our Verdict:

More of a summer and spring scent, this is one of the top-selling men’s fragrance for 2020, for both formal and semi casual wear. Lay it to rest for a night out, though, you will be good to conquer a client meeting with this bold scent in your cabinet.

6. Polo Cologne Spray By Ralph Lauren – Best Men’s Cologne of all times

This men’s fragrance is one of the most balanced and well-mixed concoctions available on the market this year. Opening on loud notes, it settles gently into a harmonious sensual play of smells.

Its top notes comprise of fresh and woody scents, mixing in some floral notes, making you feel like a walk on a breezy day near the lake and the woods. Hitting strong yet well-rounded notes of pine, juniper, warmer bergamot, spicy cumin and basil, and floral notes of lavender and fresh green notes of Artemisia, the scent opens boldly fresh with undertones of spice that does not overpower. Giving way to slightly more floral and herby notes with a hint of spicy coriander, the heart notes take shape soon after the first spritz. Marjoram, jasmine, carnation, rose and geranium does a balanced dance on the palate, without coming off as a feminine scent with this flowery overdose. A hint of thyme rounds of the heart notes to a green and fresh undertone like a mild day out in the spring. As the base notes begin to shape, the fragrance feels remarkably masculine drawing from heady scents of the forest. Hints of Oakmoss, Patchouli, Cedar, Amber take you out in the woods and bring you back home with a spritz of Leather, Frankincense and the ever loved musk.

Our Verdict:

This is one of the best mens cologne for the money and wears beautifully in warmer weathers, and a single spray can last until your afternoon meeting. Works equally well for casual and formal events, and if you are looking for a well-rounded scent leaning towards a bolder tone, this is perfect for you. Easily recognizable as it has been a strong player in the market for years, selling vintage editions which are rather sharper for the novice, this will make you some new friends.

7. 18.21 Man-Made Men’s Cologne

Another popular scent for men in 2020, the 18.21 Man-Made Men’s Cologne, Tobacco Vanilla Fragrance opens forth dark yet sweet, with red wine and honey, small bits of citrus and a generous yet not-too-much helping of tobacco. The tobacco, as it should owing to the name of the scent, with honey takes the lead and for the first few minutes, that is all you get.

Wait around though, because soon after, the fresh woodsy notes appear to balance this combination out and make sure that the scent doesn’t begin to be tabbed as cloying. The sweet tonka in the blend helps to round it off further. As the product dries down to a skin scent, the red-wine scent becomes more and more prominent, and so does the powdery base as the honey fades. The fragrance leaves a boozy after taste, and if you are a fan of that, this will surely turn out to be one of your favorite men’s cologne.

Our Verdict:

The scent’s longevity is a good 6 hours and boasts a moderate projection which is hard to miss.

8. JIMMY CHOO Man Intense Eau De Toilette

Jimmy Choo’s syrupy, fougère scent is breaking it big in 2020, yet again. This sweet scent is, by all means, one of the most glamorous men’s perfume without coming off as too masculine, yet with a huskiness to it. That means this is the best men’s cologne for a night out with your partner, if not for a boy’s night out.

Head notes of lavender and melon play on the tones of citrusy orange and mandarin as the scent open on the sweet side. As the scent settles down, warmer spices appear with hints of geranium and Artemisia, locking on notes of black pepper for the macho touch. It’s base notes take a saccharine twist once more to settle into a bold and brave statement. A moderate spritz can last throughout dinner and drinks.

Our Verdict:

This scent is best suited for summer and spring and compliments the warmer nights.

9. HUGO MAN Eau de Toilette

Hugo Man remains one of the best men’s cologne this year in 2020, with the brand continuing to keep its fans interested in this fruity green scent. Hugo opens on a bright mélange, with tones of grapefruit, green apple, and bergamot. A little later on the fresh pine with the mild kitchen herbs thyme, basil, and spearmint join the party for the woodsy feel, giving way to even more greens of sage, cloves, and cedar in the heart notes.

There is lavender and geranium faintly perceivable buried in aquatic aromachems and calone and rum notes giving way to a heady body. The base is anchored by oakmoss and sandalwood. The vetiver gives it the promised grassy smoky finish, and a hint of suede gives it a more rounded masculine finish that makes it a popular men’s cologne for daily use. The green apple and citrusy transition to herbs, woods, moss, and a final aquatic notes all appear with a moderate spritz and the scent lasts throughout the day.

Our Verdict:

Best for Daily use, you will absolutely love it as it is a great cologne according to women in 2020.

10. Tommy Bahama Maritime Men Cologne

Tommy Bahama’s Maritime follows the same aquatic theme that is popular with the brand. This fragrance is a citrusy aquatic and perfect for summer wear. The overall quality of the scent is fresh and uplifting, somewhat inviting in its tone, making it one of the best smelling men’s cologne. Although the notes list some clear florals, the scent in no way steers away from the fresh masculine touch that is demanded by men using some of the most popular colognes on the market today. Top notes of lavender, clary sage, pink pepper and bergamot grace the palate as you spritz it on, giving way to the heart notes after 20 or so minutes as the scent settles.

The heart tones are light, fresh and a balanced floral that doesn’t overpower. Notes of jasmine, water lily, geranium, violet leaf and ambergris create a well-rounded center before the heavy base notes anchor the scent. As the affair settles down, base notes of sandalwood, cedar, musk and moss come together, without losing touch with the freshness that is promised by the product’s name.

Our Verdict:

This scent lasts for up to 6-8 hours and is more of casual wear than formal. Aquatic scents always have a place in the men’s cabinet, and this one takes the boat to the sea.

11. Calvin Klein CK one Eau de Toilette

Calvin Klein’s CK one is often marketed as a scent that works for both genders, but the CK One cologne is surely one of the most popular with men. Top notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, pineapple, papaya, and cardamom, welcome with a mostly citrusy flavor with a hint of spicy warmth, counterbalanced by plumper fruity sides.

Heart notes open to the tune of jasmine, violet, rose, Muguet, freesia, and finally the nutmeg which works the scent back on the masculine balance. For the base notes, you notice warm green tea, oakmoss, cedar, sandalwood, amber, and lastly white musk. The cedar and oakmoss anchor the base while the sweet amber and laundry musk neutralize the effort to let the woodsy notes take space. This scent goes on sweet and bright, moves into floral, and culminates into a clean musk that’s hard to hate.

Our Verdict:

This one remains one of the most popular choices in men’s cologne for working men, and is great wear for an entire day at work, with promising longevity of a full workday. A quick refresh can turn this into a day and night affair, keeping you company for a client dinner.

12. Diesel Only The Brave By Diesel For Men

Diesel’s Only The Brave really is only for the brave as it opens on powerfully citrusy head tones of lemon and mandarin, giving it a zesty start that is joined by a warm coriander leaf for balance.

The heart notes are more floral with a hint of herbs, as labdanum, violet and rosemary join the chorus within 15 minutes of application. As the initial notes subside, masculine base notes waft to the tone of amber and leather, with a woodsy finish of cedarwood. One of the most affordable scents for men, Only the Brave is a top-selling men’s cologne often bought as a gift that is well-loved and cherished.

Our Verdict:

This scent is a winner year-round, but fall to spring time elevate the notes slightly more and we recommend for this to be worn in fall afternoons. The scent lasts decently for 6 to 8 hours, so it is perfect for a night out.