Best Men's Colognes

Versace Eros has been an absolute best seller in the fragrance world, since its release in 2012. It’s still insanely popular to this day. As such, there are plenty of people who are looking for scents, which mimic or come close to what it smells like.

Either because they don’t enjoy one aspect of the cologne or are looking for a cheaper alternative. In this post, I am going to give nine options for men, looking for something that comes close to the aroma of Eros.

Obviously, there are variants of Eros now: EDT, EDP, Parfum, and Flame. I’ll note which of them each selection is closest to as needed. As a default, I’m referring to Eros EDT.

Favorite Scents Like Versace Eros

The Dua Throwback

Greatness by The Dua Brand– I haven’t yet tried this one from Dua, but it’s on my list. Update: I bought a bottle, here’s my review) Greatness is the brand’s impression of the 2012 version of Versace Eros. I really hope that the reviews are correct and this one strikes close to the old bottles of Eros I had in that era.

To me, the older bottles had more balance in the notes, more power, and was just top notch all around. Nowadays, I enjoy Eros much less than my initial love for the scent.

As far as alternatives go, this would be my number one to try, if you want to recreate the Eros aroma and power. I’ve had other bottles from this brand, which have all been very close matches to the designer originals.

Update 2: It did get better, as the months rolled on. Much closer now to the original Eros, than when I initially bought it. So, it can take some time to macerate.

Another Impression Option

Ambery Mint by Dossier- Dossier is another brand that creates impressions or alternative options to popular designer wears. Ambery Mint is their version of Eros. The advantage versus both the Versace and Dua, it’s cheaper.

The price with Ambery Mint is currently $29 (as of this update). So, it’s a steep discount and Dossier is another brand that I’ve had great experiences with.

You get all of the same notes as Eros with this version. The aroma is usually 90% + what you’d get with the designer, but with some slight differences.

If you want the cheapest of a high quality impression of Eros, the Dossier is probably for you.

The Third Impression

Lust by Alt Fragrances– Lust is another inspired take on the Eros sort of style. It’s actually pretty close and also hits for around $30 as of now, like the Dossier above.

It has a nice balance, maybe a bit more spice than its Versace inspiration, early on in the wear. But, after that it comes pretty close to what you’d want. Again, a lot of the inspired by scents don’t have the same depth nor the one to one match in how each note is weighted.

The performance while good, is also a notch below the Versace. Though, at the price point, you could always just add a tad more when you want to wear Lust. The citrus notes are strikingly similar with this one compared to Eros EDT.

Just a Squeeze

Mint Squeeze by Oakcha– Adding a fourth inspired take to the list. Mint Squeeze is Oakcha’s rendition of the Eros EDT formula.

This is one that I have yet to try out, but I’m adding it to the list for now, in case someone wants to give it a go. Oakcha does have a good reputation and this should be an easy cologne to mimic.

It’s price is also about $30 (as of posting).

The Other Eros

Versace Eros Flame for men EDP spray, 3.4 Ounce, Red– Let’s start out the list, with Eros Flame, a flanker fragrance of the original released in 2018. Obviously, this one shares plenty of DNA with its predecessor, but takes things in a different direction.

Flame also opens up with a bright lemon citrus note, but is joined by tangerine, instead of the apple found in the original. Flame has a warmer and woodsier profile, with strong notes of rosemary.

Plus, black pepper taking over for the mint note. I have done a full comparison, between these two colognes, but I do prefer Eros over Flame still.

This one never fully clicked for me. I bought it as soon as it came out, liked parts of Flame, but overall thought it was just fine. Others seem to have this as their favorite Eros release. So, I’ll add it to this list. My Eros Flame Review

The Closest Designer Scent

English Laundry Oxford Bleu Eau de Parfum, 3.4 fl. oz.– Probably the closest thing to a of Eros match, on the market. Similar ingredients yield a similar smell, but still not exact. Oxford Bleu opens up with the same lemon, mint, and apple.

However, the lemon isn’t nearly as strong as in Eros. Beyond that, the tonka bean is ramped up here, and mint is calmed down.

It’s like a quieter cousin of Eros, rather than, a twin brother. Nonetheless, this is a really nice cologne, but don’t expect the same level of performance.

1981 Similarities

Guess 1981 Los Angeles, 3.4 Oz– Guess 1981 has a lot of similarities with its style in comparison to Eros EDT and EDP. It sort of leans more towards the latter.

It starts off with bergamot and plum, a bit sweet and tart. Then, an aromatic blend of ginger and pepper. So, the tartness is in the form of plum instead of lemon, and the bergamot citrus has more of a slightly sour aroma.

It’s fresh and cold at first with a pretty big dose of mint outshining the spices and geranium note. As it dries down, it will feel herbal and warm with an amber base. This is when it really starts to have its Eros-like qualities. Not exact, but still a nice alternative.

It retains its fresh spices, gains woodiness (vetiver and sandalwood), loses much of the fruity sweetness, then comes with an attractive powdery finish.

Creamy Citrus and Floral

Mandarina Duck Black Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– This is the original Mandarina Duck Black, I have the Extreme version, which I think is the better fragrance. However, it’s been discontinued and becoming harder to come by.

The good news, is that, both Duck Black’s are very similar to one another and do give you a related experience to Eros. Duck Black has a citrus opening act with a warmer profile than does the Versace. Pepper is in place of the mint and the other fresh spices.

Here, you get tangerine and grapefruit. The similarities come with the vanilla and tonka bean notes, which gives you a sweet and creamy balance of notes. Yet, this one can be used in the warmer months of the year.

You will get more floral notes with this cologne. Tiare and orange flower.

A Great Alternative

MONTBLANC Legend Night Eau De Parfum, 3.3 Fl Oz– Legend Night is still an underappreciated men’s fragrance, but does share many similarities with the subject of this post.

Legend Night is most like Eros, at the beginning, when it features the vanilla, mint, and candied apple trio.

Update: This seems to be limited as to which stores carry it now, but isn’t officially discontinued, I don’t think (as of this update). You can still get cheaper bottles online.

Don’t expect the same level of citrus, though, but there is still a nice bergamot top note. As it dries down, it becomes a warm and ‘green’ fragrance, with added sage and cardamom.

This is the least similar of the three options, but does occupy the same branch of the fragrance world, as Eros. They have overlapping ingredients and styles, but end up as fairly distinct scents. I do love this stuff and have a full bottle. Legend Night Review

There’s my list of potential Eros alternatives for men, for now. I will come back and update this list, as needed, if any other cheaper options show up on the market. For now, these are your best bets for an Eros-like experience, but if you want the real thing…just get the original.

Best Men's Colognes

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!

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