The 10 Best Tom Ford Colognes in 2023, Tested by Grooming Editors

The addition of oud takes any fragrance into immediate Fancy With A Capital F category-something Tom Ford knows very well. One of the most popular from the brand, this cologne is all about the woods for that smokey, earthy vibe but the addition of oud adds a richness that makes it anything but basic.

Testing Notes: Easily one of our favorites in the entire collection, this rich and luxurious cologne has incredible staying power. A few spritzes of the ultra-concentrated juice are enough to last all day and into the night (maybe it’s the oud) and evolves throughout the day into a deep, sensual but still daytime appropriate scent. In fact, we can’t think of an occasion that this elegant, luxurious cologne wouldn’t be appropriate for.

Vanilla gets a bad rap in men’s fragrance because it tends to lean sweet—and hardly anyone above the age of 12 wants to smell like a cookie. But thanks to the smokey, rich tobacco in this scent, which somehow marries perfectly with the vanilla and vanilla-ish tonka bean, the vibe you get from this cologne is warm and sexy. There’s even some wood sap and ginger in there to round it out with a little zip.

Testing Notes: Typically, we stay away from super sweet fragrances—or “gourmand” scents as fragrance heads call them—but this is one we just can’t quit. Yes, there is a little sweetness (there’s too much vanilla for it not to be) but it comes across more mature, warm and sexy than any other vanilla colognes we’ve tried. It’s probably the very healthy dose of tobacco, which takes it into a smokey, vibey category instead of to the kitchen. It’s not our go-to, but it’s up there—especially in cold weather.

Mr. Ford’s namesake fragrances are usually all about making a statement with big, bold scents. This one, however, takes a more subtle route. The brand calls it “meditative” which is code for subtle and chill. It’s all about the palo santo: woody and grounding but also somehow smokey and mysterious at the same time.

Testing Notes: Compared to other Tom Ford colognes, this one doesn’t last quite as long—and that’s a good thing. We found the more subtle vibe good for everyday wear, even during the summer when many of the heavier scents feel a little too much. A few sprays in the morning gradually fades by midday, but still left a lingering scent on our skin that was apparent only when someone stood extra close. Sometimes, after all, you don’t want a cologne that announces itself before you even enter a room.

Tom Ford colognes may be synonymous with luxury, but this scent captures that feeling at about half the cost of others in the collection. It’s technically unisex, but leans rugged and masculine thanks to the combination of leather, patchouli and vetiver that call to mind cowboys and Western vistas. In no way a cheaper version of the real thing, this cologne smells just as elegant on skin as Mr. Ford’s others—we promise.

Testing Notes: The scent itself is one of our favorites for everyday wear because it’s masculine and sexy, but not aggressively so. It’s slightly less potent than some of the other creations, which could be why it’s priced slightly lower and is definitely why it doesn’t last quite as long. But if you reserve the more expensive bottles for special occasions, this one is perfect to spritz on every morning.

When Tom Ford does fresh, it’s not just any old citrus scent. Inspired by the mediterranean coastline, this citrus and woody cologne is anything but one note. There are bright notes of citrus to evoke the sun and the natural foliage of Italy, aquatic notes to bring to mind the ocean and woody notes like the driftwood you’d find strewn on a natural beach. It’s a lightweight fragrance that won’t overpower but instead transport.

Testing Notes: Compared to most the other Tom Ford colognes we tried, this one is lightweight with less staying power—but that’s by design. It’s fresh and airy, with just a hint of water and wood, which makes it perfect for summertime—when you don’t want a heavy, dense cologne on your skin anyway. It’s the olfactory equivalent of opening the window to a Tuscan villa first thing in the morning—intense at first and then gradually fades away as the sun gets stronger. Wear it to outdoor parties, dinners al fresco and waterside rendezvous.

Any time you see the word Parfum without the “Eau de” it’s a signal you’re in for a concentrated, intense cologne—and this is no exception. Not for the wallflower type, this bold spicy scent is confidence in a bottle. Think of it as the olfactory equivalent of your best power suit. Spray it on whenever you need an extra dose of self possession and you’ll notice you stand up straighter and heads turn when you enter a room.

Testing Notes: Go big or go home, right? Many Tom Ford fragrances have staying power because they’re super concentrated, but this one reigns supreme. It’s one of the most concentrated we tried and stays on skin way longer than almost any of the other scents—even those equally as concentrated. It’s a big, bold cologne that’s mean to grab attention—and it always does. It’s easy to overdo it though, so start with just a spray or two to get just the right amount. Remember, you can always add more, but if you put too much on, your only choice is to hop back in the shower (and scrub really hard).

Read more: Best Long Lasting Colognes

There’s a lot of citrus in this summery cologne, but instead of smelling sharp, it has more of a watery, aquatic vibe—like what it smells like to lounge on a yacht just off the Amalfi coast. It’s a little salty, a little floral, but basically summer in a bottle. You could wear it all year round, but it’s best paired with a swimsuit and vespa like you’re an extra in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Testing Notes: There is no other cologne that we’ve tried that quite captures summer like Neroli Portofino. Take your typical aquatic fragrance and inject it with a dash of La Dolce Vita and you have an elegant summer scent that’s tailor made for warm weather. It lasts a bit longer than some of the other similar scents in the collection - mostly because it’s heavier on florals we think - but it still wont’ last you all day. Wear it beach or poolside or really anywhere you want to feel the breeze in your hair. We wouldn’t recommend wearing it in the depths of winter - but you could take a whiff every now and then to be transported to sunnier times.

If Tom Ford could do an “everyman” cologne, this would be the one. The top note of double lavender gives it a clean, fresh quality while other herbs and florals shine through the warm, woody base of patchouli and amber. It’s somehow unexpected and completely wearable for every type of guy. Think of this as your best bet to always smell on point, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

Testing Notes: Tom Ford’s fragrances are meant to make a statement and, not that this one doesn’t do that, but it’s slightly more mainstream. That’s not a bad thing. It means that this cologne has broad appeal. It was by far the cologne that elicited the most responses from strangers—nearly two to one compared to others on this list. The top note of lavender isn’t floral—instead it comes off clean and fresh and the drydown to patchouli is woody and earthy without being heavy. When we weren’t sure what we wanted to wear, we reached for this and never regretted it.

Leather will always be a staple in men’s fragrance because it just smells tough. In Tom Ford’s world, though, it’s not just tough—it’s elegant. Both leather and suede (it’s softer cousin) are combined in this cologne along with woody notes, warm amber and fragrant jasmine to turn a leather-forward cologne from literal to luxurious. It’s not so much a cowboy’s saddle as it is the soft, buttery leather of a brand new Italian sports car.

Testing Notes: We’ve found that sometimes leather-based colognes can turn a little dense and weird on your skin after they dry down, like you’re wearing an animal pelt, but because this fragrance combines both leather and suede as well as a variety of other woods and florals, it doesn’t do that. It stays rich, earthy and spicy even after the top notes fade away. It’s lasting power is long—we’re talking almost all day—without it being aggressive or in-your-face. It’s one of the most popular in the line for a reason—equally versatile for daytime or nighttime wear.

Infused with a variety of citrus and, of course, the namesake vetiver, this light cologne is ideal for daytime wear. It’s not going to make an entrance, but instead makes you feel fresh and clean, like you just showered with the world’s fanciest soap. Think of it as the super refined version of an aftershave—meant to infuse your skin with a little something extra to finish off your grooming routine.

Testing Notes: Compared to other colognes in the collection, we found that this scent is on the subtle side. It’s not an attention grabber but that’s exactly the point. It’s fresh, clean, and citrusy with a drydown of herbal vetiver that leaves you with a spring in your step. We can see how it would be elegant paired with a tuxedo for a black tie function, but mostly we found ourselves wearing it during the day. In fact, we keep a bottle in our gym bag because it delivers such a fresh just-showered feeling.