14 Best Cheap Perfumes and Affordable Fragrances That Smell Luxe

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1

Best Cheap Celebrity Perfume

Ariana Grande Ariana Grande Cloud Pink Eau de Parfum

Ariana Grande Cloud Pink Eau de Parfum

1

Best Cheap Celebrity Perfume

Ariana Grande Ariana Grande Cloud Pink Eau de Parfum

Ariana Grande’s perfume collection has the same level of hype on TikTok as the Tom Ford and Bacarrat Rouges of the world TBH. Legit, everyone is obsessed with Cloud, leading to the launch of Cloud Pink in 2023. It’s got the same sweet, bubbly jasmine-forward scent, with a whole lotta fresh berry notes that feel perfectly aligned to Ari’s whole vibe.

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 1, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “I own A LOT of perfumes including several from Ariana Grande. Cloud Pink is my #1 and it is very feminine and youthful. I plan to buy several bottles in the future!!!”

2

Best Cheap Fruity Perfume

Dime Malibu Night Eau de Toilette

Malibu Night Eau de Toilette

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Best Cheap Fruity Perfume

Dime Malibu Night Eau de Toilette

I imagine this is exactly how it smells to sit atop a blanket on a beach in Malibu and watch the sunset while sipping on rosé and nibbling on a spread of fruit. Specific, I know, but that’s just the vibe of Dime Malibu Night, an affordable EDT with a mix of sweet vanilla and coconut cream and raspberry and tropical fruit notes.

  • Type: Eau de toilette
  • Size: 1.7 oz

Glowing customer review: “I love my Dime perfumes, because I know I can wear a fragrance that doesn’t harm me and smells exactly the way I want a perfume to smell- soft, rich, warm and yummy! Malibu Night is my fave!”

3

Best Cheap Gourmand Perfume

Good Chemistry Coffee Cloud Eau De Parfum

Coffee Cloud Eau De Parfum

3

Best Cheap Gourmand Perfume

Good Chemistry Coffee Cloud Eau De Parfum

Cons
  • Only lasts a few hours on me

If Ariana Grande Cloud had a baby with the richest, most fancy coffee on the planet, it would smell like Coffee Cloud (apt name, right?). Its only got three notes (bergamot, espresso, and cedarwood), but they combine to give a grounded, smooth scent that smells way more expensive than it is, IMO.

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 1.7 oz

Glowing customer review: “The smell is simply intoxicating and I can still smell it 12+ hrs later. This plus the amazing price point makes this fragrance a huge win for me 🙌”

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Best Cheap Hair Perfume

Phlur Mango Mood Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Mango Mood Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

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Best Cheap Hair Perfume

Phlur Mango Mood Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Cons
  • Doesn’t last very long if you so you’ll prob want to reapply throughout the day

I’m fully obsessed with Phlur’s entire fragrance assortment (ILY with my whole <3, Somebody Wood), so I was very intrigued when they launched hair and body mists. This is a super juicy mango scent with an added vanilla and brown sugar sweetness that is so playful and fun, which makes perfect sense to just spritz into your hair throughout the day. The formula is really light and airy and doesn’t make my hair sticky at all, all the while giving me a pretty long-lasting scent.

  • Type: Body spray
  • Size: 3, 8 oz

Glowing customer review: “I absolutely love the smell of this fragrance. It lasts a while too when you spray it. I honestly love to spray it into my hair; I feel like it lasts a lot longer in my hair. Just an overall yummy fragrance.”

5

Best Cheap, Fresh Perfume

Elizabeth Arden Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau de Parfum

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau de Parfum

5

Best Cheap, Fresh Perfume

Elizabeth Arden Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau de Parfum

When I first started hoarding collecting perfumes, I added this affordable scent to my cart on a whim to try out a fresh, green perfume. Turn’s out, it’s still one of my favorites…110+ perfumes later. I just love how crisp and clean it smells, while still giving off some warmth, thanks to musk and amber base notes.

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 3.3 oz

Glowing customer review: “Have used this product for several years and love the light clean tones. Never fails. Get many compliments.”

6

Best Cherry Cheap Perfume

Fine’ry Not Another Cherry Fragrance Perfume

Not Another Cherry Fragrance Perfume

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Best Cherry Cheap Perfume

Fine’ry Not Another Cherry Fragrance Perfume

Cons
  • A couple of reviewers said the cherry note smelled medicinal

If you love a particular cherry-scented expensive perfume (*cough* Tom Ford Lost Cherry), you def have to try this cheap alternative. It’s not exactly the same, IMO, but it’s so similar and actually lasts even longer on my skin. It’s a boozy, cherry almond that’s legit ~delectable.~

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 2.02 oz

Glowing customer review: “Seriously so impressed with the price and the smell! If you’re thinking about buying it, do it. Cherry and amaretto and just so delicious. The staying power is impressive too.”

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Best Beachy Cheap Perfume

Eau de Juice Beach, Please Body Mist

Beach, Please Body Mist

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Best Beachy Cheap Perfume

Eau de Juice Beach, Please Body Mist

Okay, yes, bias-alert, this perfume was developed by Cosmopolitan, my employer. But I am a free woman!! And I actually, genuinely love this beachy scent. It’s filled with coconut water, pineapple, hibiscus, and vanilla—all of which simply smell like sinking your toes in the sand on a hot day. But because it’s a body mist, it’s still light and bright, not heavy or cloying, which is ideal for spraying on before running into the waves, bb.

  • Type: Body spray
  • Size: 8 oz

Glowing customer review: “I honestly love it. It reminds me of my Grammy when I was younger at the beach. It smells so nice but it’s only a mist so it doesn’t last that long, but I love it still. I recommend. ❤️”

8

Best Cheap Body Spray

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

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Best Cheap Body Spray

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Fans of the famed Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, gather ’round: Chierosa ’62 is the exact same scent in a super affordable body mist. Cosmo beauty contributor Mary Honkus ranked it her #1 amongst the other Sol de Janeiro perfumes. According to Honkus, “It perfectly encapsulates the essence of joyful, summer days. It smells warm, nostalgic, and familiar. And though it features just three key sweet notes—pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla—it manages to leave a big impact on the skin without veering into headache-causing territory.” Plus, she says it lasts surprisingly long for a body mist when she spritzes it on her clothes.

  • Type: Body spray
  • Size: 3.04, 8.1 oz

Glowing customer review: “If you love the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, you NEED this! It has the same warm, sexy salted caramel vanilla scent, and it layers so well over the cream!”

9

Longest-Lasting Cheap Perfume

Billie Eilish Eilish Eau de Parfum

Eilish Eau de Parfum

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Longest-Lasting Cheap Perfume

Billie Eilish Eilish Eau de Parfum

Recently, I quickly sprayed Eilish a few times on my wrists before heading out the door for an event. Hours later, before my Uber even left my stoop, he asked me what perfume I was wearing. And about 30 minutes into the ride, he asked me to write the name in his phone so he could order it for his wife, because it smelled “so lovely.” So trust me, a few sprays, and you’ll smell like this vanilla-centric perfume for ever.

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “This is a wonderful fragrance if you are into sensual, warm vanilla scents. This one has a hint of musk immediately after spraying, almost masculine-y musk, but upon drying down, it’s a sweet vanilla scent that just reminds me of being wrapped in a cozy cashmere sweater.”

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10

Best Cheap Perfume for Fall

Mix:Bar Vanilla Bourbon Perfume

Vanilla Bourbon Perfume

10

Best Cheap Perfume for Fall

Mix:Bar Vanilla Bourbon Perfume

Cons
  • May be too heavy in the spring and summer, so it’s a better scent for colder months

Ever since I sprayed this perfume for the first time a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been in love. There’s nothing sugary or over the top about this scent. It’s warm, deep, and a little sexy, thanks to bold notes of sandalwood, vanilla bean, bergamot, and jasmine. IMO, it’s the perfect warm or fall perfume.

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 1.7 oz

Glowing customer review: “It is not super sweet, but it’s still very vanilla and sort of warm—not cold or aloof. There is a lovely vanilla smell that dries down with hints of an almost cocoa smell.”

11

Best Cheap Citrus Perfume

Vera Wang Embrace Eau de Toilette Spray

Embrace Eau de Toilette Spray

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Best Cheap Citrus Perfume

Vera Wang Embrace Eau de Toilette Spray

If you’re used to seeing $$$ Vera Wang dresses on ‘Say Yes to the Dress’, you’ll prob be shocked at how inexpensive this citrus perfume from the famed designer is. One spritz of this fresh-smelling perfume is all you need—your skin will be left with the perfect combination of pear, green tea, and florals (think: freesia, peony, and orange blossom). Plus, it’s got a subtle hint of musk and sandalwood to finish it all off.

  • Type: Eau de toilette
  • Size: 1 oz

Glowing customer review: “I have been using this product for several years; it is very light and not overwhelming, exactly like the smell of green tea and pears!”

12

Best Clean Cheap Perfume

Pacifica Flower Moon Spray Perfume

Flower Moon Spray Perfume

12

Best Clean Cheap Perfume

Pacifica Flower Moon Spray Perfume

Yes, vegan and cruelty-free perfumes exist, and no, they don’t have to be ridiculously expensive. Take this one, for example, that’s under $22. The blend is inspired by the full moon with notes of jasmine, vanilla, and peach that are flirty, soft, and sweet.

  • Type: Body spray
  • Size: 1 oz

Glowing customer review: “I was blessed with this gorgeous perfume recently and oh my I am OBSESSED. A little goes a long way and the scent is heavenly.”

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13

Best Cheap Musky Perfume

Glossier You Eau de Parfum

You Eau de Parfum

13

Best Cheap Musky Perfume

Glossier You Eau de Parfum

Why’s it called “You”? Well, it’s literally just supposed to smell like you—only a bit better. A warm blend of musk, ambrette, and ambroux link up with iris root and pink pepper in this cheap perfume from Glossier to create a scent that’s fresh and clean with juuuust the right amount of spice. It’ll draw people in without being in your face.

  • Type: Eau de parfum
  • Size: 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “This perfume is much stronger than what I’d normally use, and I initially thought it’s a bit overpowering for me, but god it smells so good I can’t get enough—it fades so beautifully and smells like the skin of someone you’re falling in love with!”

14

Best Floral Cheap Perfume

Philosophy Pure Grace Nude Rose Eau de Toilette

Pure Grace Nude Rose Eau de Toilette

14

Best Floral Cheap Perfume

Philosophy Pure Grace Nude Rose Eau de Toilette

A lot of floral perfumes can be overpowering with heavy powdery notes. Thankfully, that’s not the case with this affordable perfume from Philosophy, a flanker on their O.G. Amazing Grace perfume range. Pure Grace Nude Rose definitely goes into flower-shop territory, but it’s grounded with some woody cedarwood, earthy musk, and fresh ambroxan. It gives the scent this very clean and classic vibe. Because it’s an EDT, the lasting power isn’t outrageous, but I find it’s lovely to spritz on my clothes and get a whiff throughout the day.

  • Type: Eau de toilette
  • Size: 2 oz

Glowing customer review: “I have been stopped by other women to find out what I’m wearing and where can they get this beauty perfume. I am complimented many times always when I am hugged.”

How to pick the best cheap perfume:

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Identify your favorite notes.

Some like it sweet, some like floral, some like it warm, and some like it fresh. The first steps to choosing the best cheap perfume for you are to identify your personal taste and know what notes work for your vibe and your body chemistry.

Think about a scent’s intensity.

Most perfumes fall into two categories: eau de parfum (EDP) or eau de toilette (EDT). An EDP contains more fragrance oil than an EDT, meaning the EDP is more concentrated and will last longer on the skin. If you want something less fragrant, opt for an EDT or even a body mist. A body mist is the lightest form of fragrance and is typically cheaper too.

Start small.

Don’t want to spend a ton of money, but have a taste for the pricey stuff? Hey, not to worry, there’s a hack: opt for the travel size or a rollerball perfume. That way, you don’t have to spend a ton, and you can decide if you like how the perfume wears on your body and if you should invest in the larger size.

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Why trust Cosmo?

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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing perfume stories that range from 2024 perfume trends to the best Le Labo pefumes. She’s an authority in all perfume categories, but is an expert when it comes to cheap perfumes after testing dozens over the years to fill her extremely vast fragrance collection.

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best vanilla perfumes and the best new perfumes, and feels especially knowledgeable in cheap perfumes thanks to her extensive perfume collection. She regularly tests and analyzes perfume on herself for efficacy to assess new products and brands.

Headshot of Beth Gillette

Beth Gillette

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months. 

Headshot of Siena Gagliano

Associate Editor

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC’s newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you’ll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.

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