If you’re looking for an easy, sexy fragrance at a steal, your best bets are the best Playboy colognes. For nearly two decades, the iconic brand that put out its first magazine issue in 1953 has been steadily releasing some 40-odd colognes, some to greater success than others.
But let’s face it, even their least successful fragrance is the closest most of us will ever get to the Playboy Mansion. That ain’t a bad deal.
As for the great ones, they’re approachable, they’re sweet, and—unlike the classmate that sold my now-husband a 1975 issue of Playboy for $30 in the boys bathroom—they’re affordable. Like, really affordable. The priciest on this list won’t set you back even $20.
Of course, as you might imagine, none of the scents are super complex. But they’re definitely delicious. Intoxicating, even. The easiest way to woo the woman you’re sweet on—though dinner and drinks and courteousness won’t hurt, either (I promise).
Now, let’s take a peek at the top 7 Playboy colognes money can buy.
Key Takeaways
For this assignment, I began poring over hundreds of photos, customer reviews, and even my own bathroom cabinet (and my husband’s) until I whittled it down to the 7 finalists you see here.
Overall, the best Playboy cologne is Playboy New York because it’s a pleasant, slightly masculine everyday scent with a light, fresh, and sweet profile that everyone seems to love. For an intoxicating, boozier scent, try King of the Game.
Why it’s great: Intended to evoke the dynamism of New York, this Playboy cologne is surprisingly approachable. A sensual mix of wood, fruit, and spice notes, it’s the perfect masculine aroma for Spring, Summer, and Fall. It’s a vinyl, aromatic, and vanilla fragrance that is light, airy, fresh, and sweet.
A pleasant scent that leaves a leafy green and vanilla smell on the skin. Like a cozy blanket, it’s heavy in the dry down, thanks to tonka bean and vanilla. Though it may be safe and somewhat linear, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser, definitely one of the best Playboy colognes.
Who is this for? Ideal for the confident, elegant man who craves a pleasant, everyday masculine scent.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although it’s not necessarily bold, it’s an inoffensive fragrance that is both subtle and muted.
Top Notes: Vinyl, aldehydes, lime | Middle Notes: Green apple, elemi resin, black pepper | Base Notes: Vanilla, vetiver, tonka bean | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: This scent is perfect for a cool, rainy day, so it’s no wonder it bears the name of foggy London Town. Its warm, spicy, woody, citrus aroma is what you crave in the cooler months.
Reviewers seem to love it because it’s well-balanced and pleasant with reasonable performance. Like a golden retriever puppy, it’s soft, warm, innocent, and playful. And unlike most other Playboy colognes, it’s not overly sweet.
Here is subtle tonka cognac sweetness blended with spicy saffron and cinnamon for plenty of warmth. This smooth and creamy aromatic scent is sure to garner some compliments.
Who is this for? Blended for the gentleman charmer who is just a little bit bad. Spritz it on before work, running errands, or a cozy coffee date.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This isn’t a nightlife or going out scent but a pleasant, reliable choice that’s not without its charms.
Top Notes: Mandarin orange, galbanum, grapefruit | Middle Notes: Cinnamon, anise, saffron, opoponax, green notes, myrtle | Base Notes: Cognac, tonka bean, Virginia cedar | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Like a bit of buttered fruit loaf fresh from the toaster, there’s something irresistible about King of the Game. As the name implies, it’s intoxicating, with a spicy booziness that is slightly sweet.
This is one of the best Playboy colognes. The opening is lemony and sweet, with a burst of apple in the middle and cardamom throughout, giving it an energy drink vibe.
It may be fruity, but it’s still manly and musky. Perfect for a night out in the shoulder months, it’s a rather unique mix is the kind of scent that women love.
Who is this for? For the younger guy who wants them to lean in close and say, “mm, you smell delicious.”
Flaws but not deal-breakers: No crazy projection here, but it does boast a solid 7 hours of longevity.
Top Notes: Cardamom, black pepper, lemon | Middle Notes: Granny smith apple, coffee | Base Notes: Vanilla, patchouli, cedar | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Although most Playboy colognes are for the youthful fellow, the warm and dark allure of Play it Wild carries a whiff of maturity. Similar to Paco Rabanne 1 Million, it’s a sweet and fruity cologne with hints of warm, spicy, and amber. That fruitiness is notable in the opening, mingled with hints of citrus.
The dry down is all warmth thanks to leather, tonka bean, and amber. Notes of chocolate are present throughout. This is one of the best Playboy colognes. Sweet like sugar with a bit of spice, it’s got just the right amount of class.
Who is this for? A sexy scent for the guy who demands attention, Play it Wild warms the skin in Fall and Winter.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although it lasts a long time, there isn’t a huge amount of projection here.
Top Notes: Nutmeg, grapefruit, lemon | Middle Notes: Cinnamon, pineapple, blueberry, dark chocolate | Base Notes: Leather, tonka bean, amber | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: It’s hard to imagine a scent called Hollywood being underrated, but here we are. This oriental-woody fragrance is somewhat of a hidden gem with a delightful aroma that works all year long.
It opens with a citrusy spark tinged with aromatic notes of thyme and elemi before entering its calming, floral heart that gives off elegance and subtleness while finally drying down into a comfortable, warm, and erotic finish.
Here is the embodiment of wearable masculinity. Spritz on this killer mix of aromatic lavender, warm vanilla, and fresh bergamot on a slightly cool evening, and you’ll easily confuse it with a higher-end fragrance.
Who is this for? This is definitely for the distinguished gentleman looking for a versatile, aromatic, woody scent.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s not a powerhouse, but this isn’t exactly the scent that craves constant attention.
Top Notes: Bergamot, elemi resin, mandarin orange, thyme, Brazilian rosewood | Middle Notes: Lavender, jasmine, Virginia cedar | Base Notes: Vanilla, musk, sandalwood, amber, vetiver | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Luxurious, glamorous, and seductive, VIP has the allure you’re looking for. It’s got that sweet Playboy DNA, with aromatics and delicious notes of rum. In fact, sweet citrus rum is what first hits your nose, followed by a sweet and powdery white chocolate dry down.
It may boast charisma, but this is more of a close encounter scent. A playful, joyful, and sweet amber fragrance that glows on the skin best in the winter months.
Who is this for? This is one of the best Playboy colognes. It’s a go-to fragrance for the charming fellow who doesn’t take himself too seriously and often finds himself in the right place at the right time.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The opening can be too cloying if over-sprayed, so spritz with caution.
Top Notes: Rum, rhubarb, bergamot | Middle Notes: Red apple, lavender, water notes | Base Notes: White chocolate, tonka bean, sandalwood | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Because they’re predominantly sweet, Playboy colognes aren’t exactly known for being aquatic. However, Ibiza makes a fresh and fruity fragrance with green, aquatic notes reminiscent of—you guessed it—the island known for pleasure and beauty.
In an effort to embody the ethos of rest and fun known in Ibiza, it has a fresh and soapy opening and is smooth and warm with musk and wood at its heart before it transforms to fresh again in the dry down. Boasts a lovely composition with an attractive 8 hours longevity that’s perfect from beach to club.
Who is this for? For the guy looking to embody a luxurious, carefree feeling associated with summer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s sharp, bitter, dry, and salty, like a more synthetic version of Bvlgari Aqua.
Top Notes: Water notes, kiwi, citruses, red berries | Middle Notes: Green notes, lavender, artemisia, tarragon | Base Notes: Nutmeg, suede, black tea, woodsy notes | Type: Eau de Toilette
Buying Considerations for The Best Playboy Colognes
Season
Warm and sweet, Playboy colognes are typically suited to the cooler months. If you are ever in doubt about the best season for a scent, then there are clues within the notes.
Warming spices like cinnamon, saffron, and nutmeg, plus notes of rum, leather, and chocolate, which are commonly found in Playboy colognes, are best in the cooler air of Fall, Winter, and sometimes Spring. However, the citrus and water notes present in Playboy Ibiza make it suitable for heat.
Occasion
Not every scent is suited for every moment, no matter how much or how little you spray. Deep, warm, and sexy scents with notes of booze or chocolate are usually for nights out. Fresher, lighter, airier scents are better suited to daytime activities, like Playboy Hollywood.
However, some scents, like Playboy New York, are easy enough for any time of day. You don’t want anything too rich or overpowering for the office or family time, say.
Price
Fortunately, Playboy colognes are pretty darn cheap. This is great for young guys or simply the cost-conscious fellow. Most can be found for under $15, and some cost a mere $10. If finding a cologne that doesn’t break the bank is what you’re after, then investing in the best Playboy colognes is a must.
How We Chose
With so many Playboy colognes out there, it can be tough to determine which ones are the best. They all claim to smell great, but not all of them carry the same weight.
So, I chose only the best Playboy colognes according to popular fragrance blogs and customer reviews before landing on the top 7 that you see here. I was careful to choose colognes that people loved and bought over and over.
Accessibility: Not every Playboy cologne is easy to snag on the marketplace. And we all know that some websites sell fakes. I was sure to feature scents that are easy to find online and from reputable sites that you can trust.
Customer reviews: Perhaps the most important aspect of choosing a Playboy cologne is how people feel about it. Which name comes up over and over on the blogs? And how do people react in the reviews? Undoubtedly, I weigh customers’ takes heavily.
Transparency: What information is listed about a fragrance? I made sure all the notes were available, including the nose behind the scent, the release date, and more.
Why Trust Us?
Rachel Cascella is a Fashionbeans staff writer with a nose that knows a thing or two about scents. For several years now, she has made sniffing and studying the best colognes out there a top priority.
She combines a love of research and a passion for fragrance to give you pointers on how to find the best colognes under 50 bucks, the best woody scents, and even the best of Dolce and Gabbana colognes.
For this quest, Rachel read countless reviews and spoke to industry experts. She’s nothing if not thorough. Trust us when we tell you that Rachel is the perfect person to recommend the best Playboy colognes. Her word is gold.
Final Verdict
The best Playboy colognes are always affordable, relatively sweet, and have a pleasant profile that most people enjoy. My top pick is Playboy New York because it’s an approachable, everyday scent with a light and airy freshness that is a crowd-pleaser.
FAQ
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Playboy colognes are known for smelling attractive and sweet at a low price point. They’re a great jumping off point if you’re just getting into colognes. They’re also wonderful if you’re on a budget.
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Many scents, including Playboy Hollywood and Playboy London, are great for every day. Just make sure not to overdo it.
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