*Sniff, sniff.* Smell that?
Yeah, that’s the guy who just walked past you at the bar who’s now chatting that cute girl up.
He’s sucking up all the attention.
Why? Because he smells like a man.
Fragrances, when chosen correctly, can take you from a 7 to a 10 in seconds. Having a proprietary aroma, one that blends well with your body heat and sweat (yes, seriously), helps you establish your dominance in a social setting and up your appearance—without changing any of your apparel.
In this guide, I’ll show you some of the best cedar colognes to help you get the respect and admiration you deserve.
Key Takeaways
For this roundup, I looked through dozens of brands, ingredients, and price points to zero in on the best cedar colognes that don’t cost many hundreds of dollars (looking at you, Creed Aventus).
My top overall pick is Cremo’s Blue Cedar & Cypress eau de toilette based on its summery scent and thousands of positive customer reviews, followed by Oak City Beard Company’s budget Woodland Ranger Solid Cologne.
Why it’s great: The scent brought about by the Cermo Blue Cedar and Cypress Cologne Spray is what every gentleman should smell like. The refreshing blend of blue cedar wood, cypress, and citrus zest gives the impression of a complex aromatic forest.
This top finisher among the best cedar colognes is also long-lasting but not overpowering. Men who sport this will get compliments from people wherever they go. The spray application is also convenient, providing just the right amount of fragrance with each use. A sprinkle here and there should do the trick.
This cologne is one that stands out and exudes charm—all for under $25.
Who is this for? If you’re looking for a reliable cedarwood cologne that won’t have you feeling like you just went broke, then get this. It’s also great for summer, as it has some hints of citrus.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The scent lasts just a few hours, so spray it two to three times for a full workday.
Top Notes: Blue Cedar and Cypress | Middle Notes: Floral | Base Notes: Wood | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: The St. James of London Cedarwood and Clarysage Cologne adds a fresh twist to understated British elegance. Its warm, gentle scent from Atlas cedar wood is supported by the sweetness of botanical oils. It combines soothing, earthy elements with a hint of spicy pepper and notes of Bay Rose and Geranium.
This is one of the best cedar colognes you can get your hands on. It’s a well-balanced fragrance that’s masculine, clean, and subtle. You can wear it throughout a sweaty workday, so you’ll stay fresh no matter how hard you grind.
Who is this for? Any guy who wants a top-tier light scent that still smells unique.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The scent doesn’t last too long and often needs reapplication.
Top Notes: Atlas Cedarwood | Middle Notes: Spicy Pepper | Base Notes: Bay Rose and Geranium | Type: Spray
Why it’s great: If confidence, seduction, and elegance have a scent, then it’s the Ralph Lauren Polo Red Parfum. It sports the aroma of the woods, spiced ginger, and clary sage, which leaves the impression of sensuality and sophistication.
It’s fit for adventurous and confident guys who love the adrenaline of open roads and the unknown. The scent is powerful enough to catch people’s attention even when they’re not close. Despite its strong, rich aroma, it’s not overwhelming to the nose and doesn’t have that choking smell other perfumes have.
Spraying twice or thrice on pulse points is enough to last an entire day. You won’t be emptying the bottle anytime soon, so it’s well worth the $114 price tag.
Who is this for? The perfect outdoor cologne that men can wear on hot summer days.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This one of the best cedar colognes. You’d expect nothing less from Ralph Lauren. Know, though, that this is quite an expensive perfume. However, the fragrance lasts long, so it’s quite negligible.
Top Notes: Amber and Woody | Middle Notes: Absinthe, Cedarwood Base Notes: Musk | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: The Oak City Beard Company Woodland Ranger solid cologne is travel– and budget-friendly and comes in a convenient one-ounce screw-top tin. Crafted in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, it provides the subtle fragrance of the woods.
This is one of the best cedar colognes. It’s made with the right blend of pine, cedarwood, and fir, so you’ll smell rugged and manly wherever you go. The scent is noticeable enough but not overpowering, even when applied multiple times.
For best results, swipe your fingers across the surface and apply it to your wrist, elbow, and neck. The pocket-sized shape of this cologne means that you can carry it around and reapply it whenever you need to.
Who is this for? If you love the smell of cologne but hate the fact that it’s liquid, this solid bar will work great for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Solid cologne may not be as convenient compared to spray bottle ones, as it takes a while to apply.
Top Notes: Pine | Middle Notes: Cedarwood | Base Notes: Fir | Type: Solid
Why it’s great: Men who love a more robust, rugged scent should go for the Dr. Squatch Fireside Bourbon Cologne. Inspired by the brand’s signature scented soap, this fragrance can have any guy smelling rich, woody, and warm.
Made from naturally sourced Cedarwood Virginia, Geranium, and Patchouli, it will have you feeling like a champion all day. It’s also free of harmful chemicals like phthalates or polyclinic musks, helping you avoid skin irritations and other bodily complications.
Although this is one of the best cedar colognes, it’s a bit on the stronger side, often very noticeable upon first spray. It does, however, settle into a soft masculine scent with a touch of pine and leather.
Who is this for? The robust, woodsy, musky, and soft scent makes it a great choice for avid fans of Dr. Squatch’s soaps.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The scent can get a bit strong when applied too generously. A good three-to-four squirts will do the trick.
Top Notes: Rich | Middle Notes: Woodsy | Base Notes: Warm | Type: Liquid
Why it’s great: The Olivina Men Barrel and Oak Natural Fragrance Cologne brings the essence of masculinity in a bottle of oil-based fragrance. The outdoorsy aroma of rich cedarwood, bourbon accord, and smoky vanilla will have you smelling good anywhere you go.
The sweet notes of lemon and lavender add a bit of floral sophistication to the entire blend. One or two spritzes of this fine cologne can last all day and night, making it an ideal everyday fragrance for hardworking men.
The ingredients that make up this perfume are 100% natural oils, making it more subtle than synthetic ones. It is, however, far more healthy for your skin and the planet, making it one of the best cedar colognes in that regard.
Who is this for? A pure masculine scent made from natural oils will make any man smell great and feel good while wearing it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The subtle aroma may not be noticeable if applied sparingly and lasts less than other cologne brands.
Top Notes: Cedarwood | Middle Notes: Bourbon Accord | Base Notes: Lemon and Lavender | Type: Eau de Toilette
Buying Considerations For the Best Cedar Colognes
Smell
Of course, smell will be the main factor when deciding what men’s cedar cologne to go for. You want a cologne that smells absolutely fantastic without being overpowering or too unique. It’s best to go with understated, clean fragrances that uplift your outfit but aren’t too bold.
Season
The time of year will also factor into your buying decision. Lighter fragrances are better for the warmer weather, and darker scents work better in the colder months. Perhaps the worst thing you can do is stick out like a sore thumb by giving off a scent that doesn’t match the setting.
Style
Cedar cologne is best when it’s appropriately paired with the right clothes. If you have a burly, manly sense of fashion, then you don’t want a cologne that’s light and fruity. Similarly, colognes that are too dark and deep won’t work well with breezy summer outfits. Think about what gear you feel best in when finding a complimentary cologne.
How We Chose
As a men’s style and grooming writer, I interact with hundreds of brands each month and get hands-on testing with a wide range of products. To find the best cedar colognes, I searched through Amazon to find the best sellers, focusing on these three aspects:
Scent: How a cologne smells is certainly dictated by personal preference, but there are certain fragrances that objectively smell better than others. I prioritized fresh, manly ingredients and extracts when selecting the best cedar colognes.
Customer Reviews: The world of cologne is filled with empty promises and low-quality oils. Some brands claim to be high-end “luxury” while simply putting inexpensive fragrances in a pretty bottle with a nice logo.
To get to the core of the quality of a product, I looked at how real people said they performed based on their experience. I’d never recommend a product that didn’t have vetted positive feedback.
zzPrice: Sure, you could spend several hundred dollars on a small bottle of cologne from a well-known brand, but you don’t need to. All of the colognes I picked were under $100 to ensure that you don’t spend unnecessary money on something that won’t make you smell better.
Why Trust Us?
Joe Niehaus has been writing about products online for several years. He focuses on men’s gear, grooming, and lifestyle products at well-known publications like Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, Men’s Health, and more.
He also has a keen understanding of the men’s fragrance market, testing over 10 brands from small niche performers such as Caswell-Massey all the way up to globally recognized brands like Byredo and Jo Malone.
Joe’s process involves speaking with industry experts, doing real-world trials, and poring over customer feedback. His guides are more than simple lists; they are curated recommendations based on his years of experience in product testing.
Final Verdict
The best cedar colognes for men speak to your individual needs and flair. You need a scent that will give you confidence and gain respect among your peers. My top pick is the Cremo Blue Cedar and Cypress Cologne Spray because of its approachable price tag, bestselling status, and extraordinary customer feedback.
FAQ
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Cedar that’s found in cologne smells natural and woody, giving off a manly fragrance.
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Yes, cedar is most often associated with manly, woody smells that are primarily found in men’s fragrances.
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