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For this latest entry, in our recurring head to head cologne comparisons, we have two entries from Coach New York: Platinum vs. Coach for Men.
Which of these scents is the better option? I have tested out both, reviewed them, and will now match them up in various categories before declaring a winner. Which lasts longer? Which has the better smell? Which is the better buy?
Quick Overview
My Verdict
Coach Platinum is the better fragrance overall. Coach for Men has the better fruity opening, but it becomes too linear and does not perform well enough.
Platinum is not a huge upgrade, but it lasts longer, holds its strength better, and has the more enjoyable dry down with vanilla, leather, and sandalwood.
| Category | Coach for Men | Coach Platinum | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | Opens with pear, kumquat, citrus, amber, light spices, and a bit of suede. The fruity opening is the highlight. | Starts with pineapple, sage, juniper berries, and black pepper, before more vanilla and leather come through. | Coach for Men |
| Projection | Projects around 3-5 feet with a few sprays, but fades sooner. | Projects about the same at its peak, but maintains its strength longer. | Coach Platinum |
| Longevity | Lasts around 5 hours, which is pretty mediocre for the price. | Lasts around 6-7 hours and keeps better reach deeper into the wear. | Coach Platinum |
| Versatility | Very easy to wear, casual, work-friendly, and better suited for heat. | Also very versatile, casual, and work-friendly, but better suited for nightlife. | Tie |
| Overall Scent | Nice and fruity at first, but fairly linear and not very powerful after the opening. | Slightly better overall, with a more enjoyable vanilla, leather, and sandalwood dry down. | Coach Platinum |
Tale of the Tape: Coach for Men vs. Platinum
Coach for Men
Notes include: bergamot, kumquat, ambergris, pear, vetiver, suede, coriander, cardamom, geranium
Click here to try: Coach New York Eau de Toilette Spray For Men, 3.3 Fl Oz
My full review: Coach for Men
Coach Platinum
Notes include: vanilla, sage, sandalwood, pineapple, leather, patchouli, black pepper, geranium, juniper berries
Click here to try: Coach New York Platinum Cologne for Men 3.3 fl.Oz Eau De Parfum Spray
My Review: Coach Platinum
Opening
Coach for Men opens with a blend of fruit notes: pear, kumquat, and other citrus ingredients. This top is surrounded by amber and some light spices.
The pear note leads the way, but the other fruit ingredients are quite nice, and there’s a bit of suede hanging out underneath.
Coach Platinum starts off with pineapple, sage, juniper berries, and black pepper. The pineapple is great at the start, but it goes rather quickly.
Then, really the juniper and spices, are in control with an ever increasing amount of vanilla with some leather.
Which smells better? Both start off nicely, though, I think I prefer the fruits in Coach for Men. The citrus in that fragrance, is just better than what I get up top, from Platinum.
Coach for Men really utilizes those fruity notes well and is the highlight of the wear.
Edge: Coach for Men
Projection
Both are about the same, in terms of sillage. I get projection from about 3-5 feet from both, with a few sprays.
However, Platinum seems to maintain its strength for a longer period of time. So, equal in terms of their maximum, but Platinum is more of a steady hand.
Edge: Platinum
Longevity
With Coach for Men, I only seem to be able to get 5 hours of wear, on my skin. My skin isn’t one to ‘eat’ fragrances, either. So, the performance, seems pretty mediocre.
Platinum will get me 6-7 hours, before it disappears completely. Plus, you still get the better reach, deeper into the wear.
Both of these aren’t that great, for the price that you’ll pay per bottle. Platinum, is at least somewhat passable.
Edge: Platinum
Versatility
Both are pretty versatile. Though, Coach for Men is better in the heat, in my opinion. Both can go casual, be something to wear to work, but Platinum is better suited for the nightlife versus Coach.
For everything else, these two are about the same. I don’t really see much of a clear edge here.
The strengths of these Coach colognes tend to be how mass appealing and easy to wear each of them is. Very pleasing, with a wide scope of opportunity to wear them.
Edge: Push
Overall Scent
Coach for Men is a nice smelling scent. I do like the opening bit of this fragrance, as the blend of fruits, is both juicy and enticing.
If it had some power and some more depth, I’d be higher on it. However, it is a pretty linear fragrance, and one that doesn’t perform well.
Pretty much after the opening, you only really get a bit of coriander and cardamom. The fragrance is nice enough, but it never wows me.
Coach Platinum doesn’t ‘wow’ me, either. However, I think that it is the better of the two. Neither of these scents, is particularly unique, but the smell of Platinum is slightly better overall.
It’s sort of like Luna Rossa Carbon, with added vanilla and leather notes. I do enjoy the dry down, when it’s all about vanilla, leather, and sandalwood. That’s probably the most enjoyable part of the wear.
Platinum also has better performance and strength versus Coach for Men. It’s not way ahead of Coach for Men, but, Platinum is the winner in my book.
Winner: Coach Platinum
Who Should Buy Coach for Men?
Buy Coach for Men if you want the fresher, fruitier, and easier warm-weather option. It is best if you like pear, citrus, amber, suede, coriander, and cardamom. It works well for casual wear, office use, daytime situations, and hotter weather.
Who Should Buy Coach Platinum?
Buy Coach Platinum if you want the better overall choice. It has stronger performance, better longevity, and a more interesting dry down. It is best if you like vanilla, leather, sandalwood, pineapple, sage, black pepper, and a slightly darker casual scent.
Coach for Men FAQ
Which one smells sweeter?
Coach Platinum smells sweeter as it develops because of the vanilla. It also has leather and sandalwood in the dry down.
Is Coach for Men good for summer?
Yes. Coach for Men is the better hot-weather option because it is lighter, fruitier, and fresher.
Is Coach Platinum good for nights out?
Yes. Coach Platinum is better suited for nightlife than Coach for Men because it has more depth, sweetness, leather, and strength.
Which one is better for work?
Both can work for the office. Coach for Men is the safer daytime option, while Coach Platinum works if sprayed lightly.
Which one is more versatile?
Versatility is about even. Coach for Men is better in heat, while Coach Platinum is better for nightlife.
Should I buy Coach Platinum or Coach for Men?
Buy Coach Platinum if you want the better overall fragrance. Buy Coach for Men if you prefer a fresher fruity scent or need something easier for warm weather.
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides. You can also follow me on: YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok!