Acqua di Gio vs Azzaro Chrome Cologne Comparison

For this men’s fragrance comparison, we are going to be taking a closer look at two insanely popular fragrance from the 1990s, Azzaro Chrome vs. Acqua di Gio. Which of these citrus aquatic scents, is the better wear? Which lasts longer? Which should you buy? I have worn, tested, and reviewed each and will break them down by category before declaring an ultimate winner.

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Tale of the Tape: Chrome vs. AdG

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

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Azzaro Chrome

Click here to try: Men’s Chrome by Azzaro Eau de Toilette Spray – 3.4 oz.

Notes include: neroli, lemon, bergamot, rosemary, pineapple, musk, woods, and jasmine

Read my review: Chrome Review

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Opening

Acqua di Gio opens up with a nice citrus blend of tangerine and bergamot. These two top notes are joined by marine notes of an ocean quality, and then, floral notes of neroli and jasmine.

It’s nice with the sea notes and the citrus. I like the addition of the jasmine, in particular, and the spices which gradually arise during the wear. Having come back to this fragrance after a long absence, the citrus and jasmine really struck me as being fantastic.

Chrome opens with lemon and pineapple, which is a sharper pairing, than is found in AdG. It too, has jasmine and neroli, in the beginning.

Do the two smell similar? Ehh, there are somewhat related but, AdG has a spicier and less sharp profile. Chrome is bright with a vaguely aquatic aroma lurking in there, with more of a soapy/woody scent.

Which is better? It’s really close, as I enjoy both of these colognes and how they start. Ultimately, I think I prefer Acqua di Gio’s opening act, a bit more. The oceanic sea breeze, with the tangerine and bergamot, is what I think gives it a slight edge.

Edge: Acqua di Gio

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Projection

Chrome can strike me as pretty bold, right at the start, but later settles down into a moderate. It’s a pretty similar experience with Acqua di Gio, which is also, fairly moderate. I really don’t see much separation with the current sillage of each.

Older editions may have had a marked difference. Nowadays, they’re basically equals.

Edge: Push

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Longevity

With Acqua di Gio, I get about 6-7 hours of wear, on my skin. It’s respectable, but not amazing. Azzaro Chrome will get me 7-8 hours of wear. It’s not a huge difference, but Chrome is better with how long it lasts.

Update: Trying AdG some more, it seems to be a 5-7 hour range. A few times, I don’t think it reached the six hour mark.

Edge: Chrome

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Versatility

Both of these colognes are great in the warmer months of the year. They really do smell fantastic, when the temperatures rise, but can go year round without issue. Both are good for casual wear, daily office wear, or even to school for younger men.

Neither is much of a nighttime fragrance exclusively, but can venture into that world. Again, there’s not much separation, and they occupy the same niche essentially.

Edge: Push

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Overall Scent

Each of these fragrances, has been a best seller since the 1990s, and there’s good reason for that.

Chrome is a great daily wear cologne, that has a lot of fans, and it does get plenty of complements. It is fresh, upbeat, with aquatic and woody undertones.

It has a soapy clean smell with a unique metallic edge. It’s really easy to just grab and spray on, without much though, and has good performance.

However, if I’m just going on smell alone, I’d give the edge to Acqua di Gio. It is more interesting to me. I like the spiciness, the floral undertones, the oceanic influence, and those awesome citrus notes. It would be my choice, if each were priced the same.

I will say, that you can usually get Chrome for a cheaper price (sometimes, it’s reversed). If that were the major deciding factor, I’d buy that over the Armani cologne. Nonetheless, AdG is the winner of this match up for me. They are extremely close and it’s not a clear cut choice.

Winner: Acqua di Gio