Guide
Best fragrances for work
Polished and easy on the people sat near you. These are the highest-scoring fragrances for work 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 work, the model rewards citrus, aquatic and woody notes and marks down animalic, gourmand and amber. Loud fragrances lose points here, because work means sharing the air. Each score is out of 100, daytime scores only, since work is a daytime thing, averaged across all four seasons. 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.
- 1Floris LimesNiche · EDT · citrus and musk · 70/100
- 2Acqua di Parma Colonia EssenzaPremium · EDC · citrus and woody · 69/100
- 3Chanel Eau de ColognePremium · EDC · citrus · 69/100
- 4Nest Seville OrangeDesigner · Parfum · citrus · 69/100
- 5Jo Malone Fig & Lotus FlowerPremium · EDC · woody and aquatic · 69/100
- 6Aesop VirērePremium · EDP · green and citrus · 68/100
- 7Frédéric Malle Cologne IndélébileLuxury · EDP · citrus and musk · 67/100
- 8Di Ser AkanesasuLuxury · EDP · citrus and floral · 67/100
- 9Nishane CologniséNiche · EDC · citrus and floral · 67/100
- 10Véronique Gabai Eau du JourNiche · EDP · citrus and green · 67/100
- 11Liis LucienneNiche · EDP · aquatic and citrus · 67/100
- 12Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Nerolia VetiverDesigner · EDT · citrus and woody · 67/100
- 13Acqua di Parma Colonia FuturaPremium · EDC · citrus and woody · 66/100
- 14Zara Fleur d'OrangerBudget · EDP · citrus and floral · 66/100
- 15Elizabeth Arden Green Tea YuzuBudget · EDT · citrus and green · 66/100
Best on a budget
The 10 highest-scoring budget fragrances.
- 1Zara Fleur d'OrangerBudget · EDP · citrus and floral · 66/100
- 2Elizabeth Arden Green Tea YuzuBudget · EDT · citrus and green · 66/100
- 3Elizabeth Arden White TeaBudget · EDT · musk and green · 66/100
- 4Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl NowBudget · EDT · musk and citrus · 65/100
- 5Gap HeavenBudget · EDT · floral and musk · 61/100
- 6Tommy Hilfiger Tommy NowBudget · EDT · woody and fresh spicy · 60/100
- 7Nautica BlueBudget · EDT · woody and floral · 60/100
- 8Rasasi Hawas AtlantisBudget · EDP · woody and aquatic · 59/100
- 9Zara Saffron Orange FlowersBudget · EDP · citrus and musk · 59/100
- 10Armaf Tres NuitBudget · EDT · woody and green · 59/100
Worth the splurge
The 8 highest-scoring niche and luxury fragrances.
- 1Floris LimesNiche · EDT · citrus and musk · 70/100
- 2Frédéric Malle Cologne IndélébileLuxury · EDP · citrus and musk · 67/100
- 3Di Ser AkanesasuLuxury · EDP · citrus and floral · 67/100
- 4Nishane CologniséNiche · EDC · citrus and floral · 67/100
- 5Véronique Gabai Eau du JourNiche · EDP · citrus and green · 67/100
- 6Liis LucienneNiche · EDP · aquatic and citrus · 67/100
- 74160 Tuesdays The Orange TreeNiche · EDP · citrus and floral · 66/100
- 8Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne ForteLuxury · EDP · citrus and green · 66/100
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 winterHeavy, cosy scents that hold up in the cold.
- Best fragrances for schoolClean and quiet, because the air is shared all day.
- 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.