Smelling your best is a very important way to attract women. However, not everyone has the budget to spend on trying colognes that may not suit them. That’s why it’s no wonder that plenty of guys out in today's dating market are looking for the best cheap cologne for men
To help you get a better understanding of what to wear to attract women, we will take a look at the science of smell and attraction, the best cheap cologne for men, and where/when you should wear it.
The Science of Smell and Attraction
If you’re on the fence about which cheap men’s cologne suits you, or if you need cologne at all, you may want to look at some sociological studies and biological factors about using cologne in the first place.
First, there’s an interesting study conducted by the School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool that found that men who wore fragrances were able to alter their self-confidence positively and affected the judgments of their visual attractiveness by women.
Another study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2015 investigated the effects of several different fragrances, including cologne, on women's sexual arousal. The study found that the scent of Good & Plenty candy (licorice or anise) was associated with increased vaginal blood flow and subjective sexual arousal in women, as well as the scent of cucumber. However, the study did not specifically investigate the effects of cologne on women's arousal.
Research by leading cosmetic researchers and manufacturers found another interesting anomaly: perfumes and colognes that complement our natural body odors and pheromones actually increase our chances of sexual selection when compared to control groups.
There’s also the science of memory there’s tied to scent. A large majority of women associate the scent of their significant other with positive feelings just from the scent. Research shows that scents bypass the thalamus and go straight to the brain's smell center, known as the olfactory bulb (which is directly connected to the amygdala and hippocampus). This offers an explanation of why the smell of something can immediately trigger a detailed memory or even intense emotion - both useful mechanisms for finding a viable partner.
Tip: Wearing a fragrance may increase your odds of having another sexual encounter with a woman if you left a garment at her house or left traces on her bed sheets. It may seem manipulative, but having these scents left over at her residence will more likely trigger positive feelings about you long after you’ve left
Last, there’s also just the plain economics of cologne. Being able to afford luxury products speaks for itself (even if the cologne is relatively inexpensive), as it shows that you can afford more than just basic necessities. Cologne shows that you take your presence and how you present yourself to people seriously - a definite signal of a high-value man.
The Best Cheap Cologne for Men
Now that you understand the science behind why cologne is such an effective tool in dating and finding sexual partners, it’s important to understand that the best affordable men's cologne is also tied to when you use it.
The effectiveness of a particular cologne in different situations can be attributed to several factors, including the fragrance notes, concentration, and personal preference. Different fragrances contain different scent notes, which can vary in intensity, duration, and character. Some fragrances may have citrusy or aquatic notes, which can be refreshing and energizing, making them suitable for use in the gym or during physical activities. Other fragrances may have warm and sensual notes, such as musk or amber, which can be more suitable for romantic settings like a date.
The concentration of a fragrance can also affect its effectiveness in different situations. Eau de toilette, for example, is a lighter concentration of fragrance that is more suitable for daytime use or in settings where a stronger fragrance might be overpowering, such as at work. On the other hand, Eau de Parfum or Parfum are more concentrated fragrances that are more suitable for evening wear or romantic occasions.
To help you make the right decision, we’ve created a list of the best affordable colognes for certain situations and scenarios throughout your day.
The best affordable cologne for a first date
Choosing a cologne for a first date can be tricky, as you want to make a good impression without overwhelming your date with a strong scent. Here are some affordable colognes that are suitable for a first date:
Nautica Voyage
This is a fresh and clean scent that is perfect for a casual first date. It has notes of green apple, water lotus, and cedarwood.
Adidas Dynamic Pulse
This is a sporty and energetic scent that is perfect for a more active first date. It has notes of citrus, mint, and cedarwood.
Old Spice Classic
This is a classic scent that has been around for generations. It has a clean and masculine scent with notes of citrus and spice.
Remember, when applying cologne, less is often more. A couple of sprays on the neck and wrists should be enough to give you a subtle and pleasant scent that your date will appreciate.
The best affordable cologne for the gym
When it comes to choosing a cologne for athletic men, you'll want to choose a scent that is refreshing, invigorating, and energizing, without being overpowering or distracting. Then again, having a bright scent that wafts over to a woman you’re trying to attract over by the squat rack or treadmill can alert her to your presence and get her to show you indicators of interest.
Here are a few options to consider:
Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani
This popular cologne is a fresh and citrusy scent that is perfect for active men. It features notes of bergamot, neroli, and green tangerine, with a base of cedarwood and musk.
L'Homme Sport by Yves Saint Laurent
This cologne is designed specifically for athletic men, with a refreshing and invigorating scent that combines notes of bergamot, ginger, and vetiver.
Invictus by Paco Rabanne
This cologne is designed to evoke the feeling of victory, with a bold and energizing scent that combines notes of grapefruit, sea salt, and bay leaf.
Cool Water by Davidoff
This classic cologne has a fresh and invigorating scent that combines notes of peppermint, lavender, and oakmoss. It's perfect for wearing to the gym or for everyday wear.
Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren
This cologne has a fresh and sporty scent that combines notes of melon, cucumber, and musk. It's perfect for wearing to the gym or for everyday wear.
The best affordable cologne for an important meeting
Choosing the right cologne for an important meeting is important as it can help boost your confidence and leave a positive impression. Plus, many professionals use colognes for the same reason you are, and may make judgments on your business proposal if you smell “off”.
Remember, when applying cologne for an important meeting, you want to keep it subtle and not overpowering. A light spritz on the neck and wrists should be enough to give you a subtle and pleasant scent that will leave a positive impression.
Here are some affordable colognes that are suitable for an important meeting:
Kenneth Cole Black
This is a sophisticated and elegant scent that is perfect for a business meeting. It has notes of amber, musk, and mandarin.
Nautica Blue
This is a fresh and crisp scent that is perfect for a professional setting. It has notes of bergamot, pineapple, and jasmine.
Armaf Club De Nuit
This is a bold and masculine scent that is perfect for a high-stakes meeting. It has notes of bergamot, lemon, and musk.
The best affordable cologne for young men
Choosing a cologne for a young man means you want to choose something that is youthful and energetic but not too overpowering. Wearing a complex scent may be incongruous with a young man, making it seem like you’re trying to be more sophisticated than you actually are.
Here are some affordable colognes that are suitable for young men:
Adidas Moves
This is a sporty and fresh scent that is perfect for young men. It has notes of pineapple, black pepper, and sandalwood.
Tommy Hilfiger Tommy
This is a classic scent that is perfect for young men who are looking for a fresh and clean scent. It has notes of mint, lavender, and grapefruit.
Nautica Classic
This is a refreshing scent that is perfect for young men who want to smell clean and masculine. It has notes of bergamot, lemon, and sage.
Curve for Men
This is a modern and edgy scent that is perfect for young men who want to make a statement. It has notes of citrus, lavender, and sandalwood.
Remember, when choosing a cologne for a young man, you want to choose something that is appropriate for your age and style.
The best affordable cologne for older men
Choosing the right cologne for older men can be tricky, as you want to choose a fragrance that is classic, sophisticated, and not too overpowering. Wearing a sportier cologne, stick as ones geared towards younger men, may make you seem like a “try hard” or “out of touch”.
There’s also the aspect of choosing a cologne that a woman’s father, uncle, grandfather, or other paternal figure wore in order to conjure up a positive association – especially among younger women.
Here are some affordable colognes that are suitable for older men:
Aramis Classic
This is a timeless scent that is perfect for older men. It has notes of leather, cinnamon, and sandalwood.
Old Spice Classic
We had to mention this twice! This is a classic scent that has been around for generations and is perfect for older men who want a traditional and masculine fragrance. It has notes of citrus, spice, and musk.
English Leather
This is a classic and refined scent that is perfect for older men who want to smell fresh and clean. It has notes of citrus, lavender, and leather.
Canoe by Dana
This is a classic scent that has a woody and musky aroma. It has notes of lavender, lemon, and sandalwood.
The best affordable cologne for hitting up singles bars and events
If you’re looking for a competitive advantage when it comes to picking up women, a pheromone-based cologne can be the answer. Remember that having a pre-tested pheromone profile may subconsciously attract women in a matter of seconds – something that’s very useful when you’re approaching women at a singles bar, or during a speed dating event.
Pheromone-based colognes are designed to enhance a man's natural pheromones, which are the chemicals that the body produces to attract others. While there is no scientific evidence that pheromone-based colognes work, some men choose to use them to enhance their fragrance and attract potential partners. Plus, there’s the placebo effect that can give you an edge.
Here are some popular pheromone-based colognes for men:
Pherazone
This is a popular pheromone-based cologne that claims to contain a blend of seven different pheromones. It is said to help attract women and improve confidence.
Nexus Pheromones
This is another popular pheromone-based cologne that claims to contain a blend of seven different pheromones. It is said to enhance attraction and improve social interactions.
Alpha Dream L II K
This is a pheromone-based cologne that contains a blend of androstenone, androsterone, and androstenol. It is said to enhance attraction, confidence, and social status.
Raw Pheromone Cologne
Here's another pheromone-based cologne that claims to contain a blend of human pheromones that can help attract women. It is said to improve confidence and social interactions.
Final Word on the Best Affordable Men's Cologne
Ultimately, the best cheap cologne for men is a question of what’s actually cheap for your income range and the benefits it may provide (ie. getting a new job, finding a partner, feeling more confident).
As a great way to explore different scents, be sure to visit your local fragrance store or order a variety of cologne testers (small vials of cologne) from eBay or Amazon. By using the testers, you can easily try out new scents in a variety of settings to enhance your repertoire of scents and actually get some feedback. With time and experience, you’ll eventually determine which cheap cologne for men works for you.
