
By: Catherine Reed – February 2024
When you head to the office, you want to look – and smell – your best. But picking the right cologne for work is, well… tricky.
Think about it like this. Have you ever wandered into an office and immediately ended up overpowered by someone’s cologne?
I certainly have, and when you’re in a workplace, there’s no escape from intense aromas like that. Your nose burns and you may even be allergic to it. Yikes!
Ultimately, you don’t want to be that guy, which is why choosing the best work and office colognes requires some finesse.
Luckily, it’s easy to go in the right direction. If you’re looking for the best cologne for working a man, our top pick is Dior Homme Cologne. It’s a citrusy aromatic scent that’s undeniably fresh and clean, but it also has some musk in the mix for a masculine edge. A perfect complement to the working man without being overpowering.
Not sure if Dior Homme Cologne is the ideal choice for you? No problem. There are plenty of amazing colognes for work out there.
If you’re after the perfect workplace scent, here’s a closer look at Dior Homme, along with 12 more of the best work and office colognes for men we picked out.
- Our List of Best Work and Office Colognes
- #1. Best Overall: Christian Dior Dior Homme EDC
- #2. Best Value: L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme EDT
- #3. Best for Summer: Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue EDT
- #4. Best for Winter: Tom Ford Beau de Jour EDP
- #5. Best for Mature Men: Acqui di Parma Colonia EDC
- #6. Best for Young Men: YSL Y for Men EDP
- #7. Best for Working Outdoors: Chanel Bleu de Chanel EDP
- #8. Best for Freshness: Blue Atlas Atlantis EDP
- #9. Best Traditional: Ralph Lauren Polo Green EDT
- #10. Most Uplifting: Versace Eros EDT
- #11. Best Subtle Scent: Prada Amber Pour Homme EDT
- #12. Best Year-Round: Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profondo EDP
- #13. Best High-End: Creed Green Irish Tweed
- What Makes a Cologne Good for the Office?
- How to Choose Which Cologne You Should Wear to Work: A Buyer’s Guide
- How to Apply Cologne for the Office Effectively
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
Our List of Best Work and Office Colognes
#1. Best Overall: Christian Dior Dior Homme EDC
Review
For the best everyday cologne for work, Dior Homme Cologne is hard to beat. Just like a crisp, white button-up shirt, it’s a timeless choice for broad appeal. But it’s not overly stuffy either, making it ridiculously versatile.
As a cologne spray, Dior Homme also isn’t overpowering, which helps it work well for the office. You get some intriguing notes that are incredibly fresh, like bergamot and grapefruit blossom. There’s also a touch of white musk to keep things grounded and undeniably masculine.
Sizes
You can find a 4.2-ounce cologne spray bottle with reasonable ease.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.6-star rating, with many appreciating its clean, refreshing aroma that’s just a touch sexy.
#2. Best Value: L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme EDT
Review
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme is an excellent choice if you want a fantastic-smelling scent but don’t want to break the bank. With top notes of mandarin orange and yuzu, it opens with a lovely citrus aroma. There are also touches of seawater, cardamom, and sage in the mix, keeping it grounded while giving it a slight aquatic scent.
At the base, you have amber and vetiver. That means it’s very well grounded and suitably masculine, but the scents are balanced in a way that leaves the fragrance feeling accessible and not overpowering.
Sizes
You can find 1.35-ounce, 2.5-ounce, 4.2-ounce, and 6.7-ounce bottles, and they’re all incredibly affordable. For example, the 4.2-ounce option is less than $50 in many cases, which is why this is an excellent choice for budget-conscious men.
Overall Rating
Plus, customers give it a 4.7-star rating, with many saying it draws in plenty of compliments and leaves them feeling fresh and uplifted all day.
#3. Best for Summer: Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue EDT
Review
With Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue, you get an office-appropriate scent that’s a particularly solid choice during the summer. It has a Mediterranean feel but is also very masculine, allowing it to bring some drama without going overboard.
You get bright touches from grapefruit balanced with smoky spiciness thanks to notes of incense, black pepper, and saffron. There’s a touch of musk in the mix, along with some sea-inspired aromas that feel very well-matched to the warmer part of the year.
Sizes
Dylan Blue is available in 50 ml and 100 ml bottles, which are two of the most popular cologne sizes.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.5-star rating as they appreciate its versatility and how it gives them an incredible confidence boost.
#4. Best for Winter: Tom Ford Beau de Jour EDP
Review
During the winter, you need to find a scent with more fragrance oils, ensuring the aroma lasts during winter conditions. But you also need to make sure the cologne is office-appropriate and not overpowering. Fortunately, Tom Ford Beau de Jour delivers without going overboard.
With Beau de Jour, you get classic masculine notes like amber, oak moss, and patchouli. Plus, there’s a touch of lavender and geranium for some softness, making the scent incredibly clean smelling. You’ll also find some herbal notes for freshness, as well as a bit of woodiness.
Sizes
Both 50 ml and 100 ml bottles are available, so getting the right size is easy.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.6-star rating, mainly due to the classiness of the scent and its staying power.
#5. Best for Mature Men: Acqui di Parma Colonia EDC
Review
When you’re looking for an office scent that feels energetic but refined, Acqua Di Parma Colonia is a stellar option. It has a mature feel with a touch of sensuality, and it’s noticeable without taking over an entire office or conference room.
With Acqua di Parma Colonia, you get an intriguing mix of hot pepper and ylang-ylang, giving it an herbal spiciness. Sweet orange and bergamot introduce a bit of sweetness, while moss brings in some earthiness. You also get vetiver, patchouli, and musk for an undeniably masculine edge.
Sizes
You can find 1.7-ounce, 3.4-ounce, and 6-ounce bottles, giving you plenty of size options.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.5-star rating, with many praising Acqua di Parma Colonia for its versatility and refined aroma.
#6. Best for Young Men: YSL Y for Men EDP
Review
Now, it’s normal to worry that an EDP is too much for the office, as it has more fragrance oils than a cologne or EDT. But with YSL Y for Men, that’s not an issue.
This highly energetic and youthful fragrance won’t overwhelm the room, making it an excellent choice for young men looking for an office-appropriate fragrance.
With YSL Y for Men, you get bergamot and ginger for sweet spiciness. Sage adds an earthy, slightly smoky quality, while cedar and musk give it a masculine edge. There are white aldehydes in the mix, too, which makes this cologne smell very clean and fresh.
Sizes
You can find Yves Saint Laurent Y for Men in 60 ml, 100 ml, and 200 ml bottles, giving you some options when it comes to size.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.5-star rating, stating that they appreciate its longevity but also its subtleness and accessibility.
#7. Best for Working Outdoors: Chanel Bleu de Chanel EDP
Review
For the best cologne for working outside, check out Chanel Bleu de Chanel. It’s refreshing and a touch spicy, featuring notes of ginger, nutmeg, and pink pepper. Plus, there’s cedar and sandalwood in the mix, giving it a nice, woody aroma.
You also get incense and vetiver in the mix, along with a fresh touch of mint and grapefruit.
The reason Bleu de Chanel is an excellent choice for men who work outdoors is that it’s refreshing but a bit more potent than some other fragrances on this list. As an EDP, it has a higher concentration of fragrance oils, so you get more projection and sillage. But since you’re working outside, you don’t have to worry about overwhelming a room, which makes this an excellent choice.
Sizes
You can find 1.7-ounce, 3.4-ounce, and 5-ounce bottles without an issue.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.4-star rating, noting it offers exceptional longevity and that the fragrance is very well-balanced.
#8. Best for Freshness: Blue Atlas Atlantis EDP

Review
Sometimes, you want a masculine fragrance that’s undeniably fresh and clean. That’s exactly what Blue Atlas Atlantis brings to the table.
The scent is inspired by Bali’s coastal jungles. There are notes of blackcurrant, lemon, and bergamot to keep it bright, while clary sage, peach, and apricot add an approachable, herbal-touched sweetness. You also get oak moss, musk, and ambrette seed at the base, giving it a masculine flare.
The end result is very fresh and clean but also a tad sensual. That’s why it’s one of the best workplace colognes. It will leave you feeling incredibly confident, but you won’t have to worry about it being too much.
Sizes
You can find it in a 3.4-ounce bottle, which is ideal for keeping at home or even tucked away in a desk drawer.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.6-star rating, with many appreciating its refreshing and playfully fruity – but also well-grounded – aroma.
#9. Best Traditional: Ralph Lauren Polo Green EDT
Review
If you appreciate Ralph Lauren Polo cologne, Ralph Lauren Polo Green is a solid choice for any man who wants a more traditional fragrance with an outdoorsy edge. You get plenty of woody notes, especially pine, which let you bring the outdoors inside.
With Ralph Lauren Polo Green, there’s also thyme, tarragon, and basil for freshness and dashes of patchouli and oak moss for earthiness. Tobacco and leather are part of the mix, too, which makes the end result suitably masculine.
Sizes
As for bottle sizes, you can find 4-ounce and 6.7-ounce ones without issue.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.6-star rating, noting the uniqueness of the fragrance and its masculine profile.
#10. Most Uplifting: Versace Eros EDT
Review
Many men want a cologne that leaves them feeling energized and uplifted. For them, Versace Eros might be the perfect math. It’s crisp, vibrant, and highly accessible, making it very easy to wear. It’s also got a masculine edge that gives you some swagger.
The main notes you’ll likely notice are mandarin, lemon, geranium, sandalwood, and mint. Together, they create a refreshing aroma that’s sure to improve your mood.
There’s also some apple and vanilla for a bit of sweetness, which makes the fragrance fresh and a tad bit sensual.
Sizes
When you’re shopping, you’ll likely come across plenty of 50 ml and 200 ml bottles, making it easy to get your perfect size.
Overall Rating
Customers give Versace Eros a 4.7-star rating, with many people valuing its versatility and solid longevity.
#11. Best Subtle Scent: Prada Amber Pour Homme EDT
Review
When you want a work-appropriate cologne that’s slightly detectable but not outright noticeable, Prada Amber Pour Homme is an excellent choice.
Once you it on, it simply smells crisp, clean, and fresh, never heavy. There’s also a soft quality to the aroma, which is why it’s a go-to option for men who want a subtle scent.
As you’d expect, there are amber notes in Prada Amber Pour Homme, but they’re offset by bright citrus notes, keeping it lively. There’s also a touch of geranium for softness and a bit of cardamom for warm spiciness.
Sizes
Technically, Prada Amber Pour Homme is discontinued, but there are plenty of 50 ml and 100 ml bottles still available today.
Overall Rating
Customers give this fragrance a 4.6-star rating, with many stating this scent leaves them feeling confident and clean.
#12. Best Year-Round: Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profondo EDP
Review
Let’s face facts: changing your cologne with the seasons is sometimes a bit of a pain. Well, with Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profondo, you don’t have to switch things up.
Why? Because it works all year round!
Overall, the fragrance profile is refreshing and versatile. You get citrus notes for a bit of zest, rosemary for freshness, cypress for a woody touch, and amber, patchouli, and musk for grounding. The end result is masculine without being overpowering, putting it in the sweet spot.
Sizes
You can get 0.5-ounce, 2.5-ounce, and 4.5-ounce bottles, making getting the right size a breeze.
Overall Rating
Customers give it a 4.6-star rating, with many saying they love it so much it’s become their signature scent during every season.
#13. Best High-End: Creed Green Irish Tweed
Review
If the idea of investing in a cologne doesn’t scare you, then Creed Green Irish Tweed is definitely worth a look.
Yes, it’ll cost you several hundred dollars for a bottle, but Creed is known for excellent longevity. Just one spritz can last up to 10 hours, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Green Irish Tweed features bergamot for brightness and peppermint for freshness. You’ll also find lavender and germanium in the mix, which keeps things soft. Sandalwood and oak moss bring a masculine edge to the aroma, as well as some earthiness.
Sizes
There are 1.7-ounce and 3.3-ounce bottles available.
Overall Rating
While they are definitely expensive, remember that customers give Green Irish Tweed a 4.2-star rating. They appreciate the fresh, unique aroma and its overall versatility.
What Makes a Cologne Good for the Office?

Photo by Christin Hume
When you’re choosing the best work and office colognes, you need to find a scent that has broad appeal. Ensuring it’s not intrusive is essentially a must, as anything too powerful is likely off-putting to at least some of your coworkers.
Additionally, you want to find a long-lasting fragrance. Ideally, you want to get about 8 hours of wear from a single application, ensuring you don’t have to reapply during the day.
Finally, avoid colognes that are blatantly sexy or overly bold. Generally, it’s better to choose something fresher and lighter, avoiding orientals and other fragrances that are better for nighttime wear.
How to Choose Which Cologne You Should Wear to Work: A Buyer’s Guide

Photo by John Schnobrich
Do you need to find the perfect cologne for work? Luckily, it’s pretty simple.
Step 1: Office Space
First, consider the size of your office. The more confined the space, the subtler your scent should be to avoid it being too intrusive.
Step 2: Office Vibe
Next, think about your office culture. Creative industries can usually give you some room for something more adventurous or unconventional. If your office is more conservative, then going with a traditional cologne is usually the better choice.
Step 3: Personal Style
After that, factor in personal preferences. Are there specific notes that lift you up and leave you feeling confident? If so, see if you can find a cologne that features them.
You’ll also want to consider your skin type. Every person has unique body chemistry, and you need to find a fragrance that works with yours.
Finally, it’s time to think about sillage, projection, and longevity. How noticeable do you want the scent to be, and how long does it need to last? Once you have that worked out, there’s a good chance you’ll know what cologne is best for your workplace.
How to Apply Cologne for the Office Effectively

Photo by Jeroen den Otter
When you’re wearing cologne to work, you need to use the right approach. First, make sure to apply it to pulse points – like the wrists – when your skin is moist. Immediately following a shower or after applying unscented lotion usually works well.
However, when you apply your cologne, use a light touch. Overdoing it is usually considered inconsiderate, as your colleagues have to stay near you throughout the entire day.
When in doubt, focus on keeping it subtle. That way, you smell fresh and clean without assaulting anyone’s senses with your cologne. Be sure to check out our full guide on how to pick and wear colognes like a pro to get things straightened out before you head out.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Dior Homme by Christian Dior is our top choice for the best work and office cologne. It’s distinctly fresh and clean, but it has a masculine edge that’ll leave you feeling confident.
However, all of the colognes on our list are stellar options, too. Consider what you’re after in a fragrance, then review the list to find your perfect match. There are really no right or wrong answers, so have fun with it!
For more ideas on the best cologne for men in varying situations, check out these full guides:
- Top Cheap Colognes for Budget Conscious Men
- Classic Colognes for Classy Men
- Top Cologne Brands for Stylish Men
FAQs
Is It Okay for Men to Wear Cologne to the Office?
Generally, it’s okay for men to wear cologne to the office, assuming they aren’t overdoing it. A subtle fragrance can work in your favor, as it shows you’re dedicated to proper grooming and want to make a good impression on others.
However, some workplaces are fragrance-free. Mainly, that’s because fragrance allergies aren’t uncommon. But in some cases, other factors are in play. In some instances, scents are banned because employees or customers need to be able to detect the scents of products or materials. The chemicals in fragrances may also react with some materials. As a result, companies may adopt scent-free policies, and if yours is fragrance-free, wearing cologne isn’t a smart move.
What Is a Good Smell for an Office?
When you’re selecting a cologne for the office, it’s wise to focus on fragrances that come across as fresh and clean. Usually, that means choosing ones featuring citrus aromas or herbal notes above the others.
However, you can have touches of woodiness and earthiness, too, as well as notes of musk, amber, and others that are classically masculine. Just make sure those notes aren’t the most noticeable part of the scent profile, and you’re likely in good shape.