Guide
Best fragrances for winter
Heavy, cosy scents that hold up in the cold. These are the highest-scoring fragrances for winter in Scent Hub's when-to-wear model, which scores every fragrance from its notes, how far it projects and how long it lasts. It is ranked on composition, not on reviews or marketing.
For winter, the model rewards gourmand, amber and leather notes and marks down aquatic, green and citrus. Each score is out of 100, for everyday wear, averaged across day and night. Fragrances with fewer than 4 notes are left out, and no more than 2 come from any one house, so the list is a spread.
Top picks
The 15 highest-scoring fragrances at any price.
- 1Hiram Green ArboléNiche · EDP · woody and gourmand · 63/100
- 2Liis Choux ChouxNiche · EDP · gourmand and woody · 63/100
- 3Carner Barcelona Palo SantoNiche · EDP · woody and gourmand · 63/100
- 4Commodity Paper BoldDesigner · Parfum · woody · 63/100
- 5Snif Naughty NonnaDesigner · EDP · gourmand · 62/100
- 64160 Tuesdays Over the Chocolate ShopNiche · EDP · gourmand · 62/100
- 7Experimental Perfume Club Tonka SesameNiche · EDP · gourmand and woody · 62/100
- 8Kilian Black PhantomLuxury · EDP · gourmand and woody · 61/100
- 9DS & Durga BowmakersNiche · EDP · woody and amber · 61/100
- 10Lattafa Cookie CraveBudget · EDP · gourmand and woody · 61/100
- 11d'Annam Vietnamese CoffeeNiche · EDP · gourmand and amber · 61/100
- 12Lalique Encre NoireBudget · EDT · woody and musk · 61/100
- 13Snif Sweet Ash SuperDesigner · EDP · woody and gourmand · 61/100
- 14Essential Parfums Ambre LatteNiche · EDP · gourmand and woody · 60/100
- 15Giardini di Toscana Bianco LatteNiche · EDP · gourmand and musk · 60/100
Best on a budget
The 10 highest-scoring budget fragrances.
- 1Lattafa Cookie CraveBudget · EDP · gourmand and woody · 61/100
- 2Lalique Encre NoireBudget · EDT · woody and musk · 61/100
- 3Lattafa Choco OverdoseBudget · EDP · gourmand and amber · 60/100
- 4Ariana Grande Lovenotes Vanilla SuedeBudget · EDP · gourmand and musk · 60/100
- 5Victoria's Secret Pink Diamond ShimmerBudget · EDC · gourmand and woody · 58/100
- 6Afnan Portrait RevivalBudget · EDP · gourmand and woody · 58/100
- 7Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 IntenseBudget · EDC · gourmand and woody · 57/100
- 8Victoria's Secret Bare VanillaBudget · EDP · gourmand and woody · 56/100
- 9Demeter Maple SyrupBudget · EDC · gourmand and musk · 56/100
- 10Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean NoelBudget · EDC · gourmand and musk · 56/100
Worth the splurge
The 8 highest-scoring niche and luxury fragrances.
- 1Hiram Green ArboléNiche · EDP · woody and gourmand · 63/100
- 2Liis Choux ChouxNiche · EDP · gourmand and woody · 63/100
- 3Carner Barcelona Palo SantoNiche · EDP · woody and gourmand · 63/100
- 44160 Tuesdays Over the Chocolate ShopNiche · EDP · gourmand · 62/100
- 5Experimental Perfume Club Tonka SesameNiche · EDP · gourmand and woody · 62/100
- 6Kilian Black PhantomLuxury · EDP · gourmand and woody · 61/100
- 7DS & Durga BowmakersNiche · EDP · woody and amber · 61/100
- 8d'Annam Vietnamese CoffeeNiche · EDP · gourmand and amber · 61/100
Want it cheaper?
Every fragrance page lists what costs less and smells close to it, with anything sold as a dupe marked. Search for a fragrance to see its cheaper alternatives.
More guides
- Best fragrances for springFresh florals and green, light enough for warming days.
- Best fragrances for summerCitrus and aquatic scents that stay bright in the heat.
- Best fragrances for fallWarm spice, wood and amber for cooler days.
- Best fragrances for schoolClean and quiet, because the air is shared all day.
- Best fragrances for workPolished and easy on the people sat near you.
- Best fragrances for the gymLight and fresh, nothing that fights with sweat.
- Best everyday fragrancesEasy to wear nearly anywhere, in any season.
- Best fragrances for a dateWarm, close and a little bit memorable.
- Best fragrances for a night outLoud and long-lasting, built for a crowded room.
- Best fragrances for formal eventsRefined and confident, from weddings to interviews.