Versace Eros vs Polo Red Cologne Comparison

It’s been a little while since I have done a cologne comparison and so I thought that I’d present a head to head match up between a Versace and a Polo scent. Eros vs. Polo Red. Both of these colognes are highly popular fragrances that have been released in the past 3-4 years and usually occupy a similar pricing point. I like both and have owned (own) both of them before. Which one is better? Which is the better performer? Is one worth a purchase?

Tale of the Tape: Eros vs Polo Red

Versace Eros 

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver

Read my Eros review

Shop Amazon for: Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Polo Red Tale of the Tape

Notes of Polo Red: grapefruit, italian lemon, cranberry, saffron, sage

Try Polo Red: Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Red Ralph Lauren Review

Opening

The opening of Eros is like a heavy, cool, and gourmand blast that then begins to warm up rather quickly. Polo Red is sweet and warm with a candy-like lemon and cranberry combo. I really like Polo Red in the opening but I feel that Eros is just more interesting, even if it can be overpowering.

Update: Eros now seems to have more of the lemon up top than previously, at least to my nose. It’s more of a citrus mint up top, whereas the was more balance and a creamier tonka/vanilla aroma, in the very early stages.

Polo Red starts with that citrus and cranberry sweet/sharp blend. It’s bright and sits on top of plenty of amber.

Which one is better? I’d probably still go with Eros, but it’s less clear cut than it had been previously.

Edge: Eros

Projection

Versace Eros is an absolute monster in this regard. Polo Red is on the lower end of moderate with how it projects. I often have to double up on the application of Red, just to make it stand out. Eros never has that problem.

Update: Eros is still better with the sillage than Polo Red, but it isn’t as strong as it was in the initial bottles.

Edge: Eros

Longevity

My biggest gripe with Polo Red has always been the longevity issues. It works rather well when I double up but can have the tendency to just give out sometimes.

Eros is not only loud and bold, it also has always gotten very great wear anytime I’ve put it on. Even if you don’t like Eros, it simply performs.

Update: Eros has also lost some of its longevity, but again, still better than Red.

Edge: Eros

Versatility

Polo Red is good in the spring and summertime. I think it works decent enough in the colder months also. Red is a nice casual wear that is safe for the office but can be worn on dates without problem.

Eros…I can’t call it an office scent (it could be done, technically), but it is an in your face type of fragrance. Eros is also a cold weather scent, it can get somewhat ugly in the heat. Gotta give the nod to Polo.

Edge: Polo Red

Overall Scent

I’m going to go with Eros. However, I really do like wearing Polo Red…it’s just got some performance issues. Eros isn’t really a cologne for everyone nor is it for ever situation but there are plenty of guys who will appreciate it.

It is a rich, bold, and very nice gourmand that is built for romantic wear. It’s the better of the two. However, nowadays I might go with Polo Red Extreme as my first choice from these line of scent. I’m still fairly high on Versace Eros, just not to the same extent.

Winner: Eros

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.