Ariana Grande Thank U Next vs. 2.0 Comparison

In the process of setting up to review most of the perfumes released by Ariana Grande, I realized that Thank U, Next now had a flanker scent called ‘2.0’. I’ve already had experience with the original and liked the way it smelled, so I had to order a decanted sample from eBay to check it out. Now, I will compare these two perfumes in this post, before deciding on which is the better bet.

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Tale of the Tape: Thank U, Next vs. 2.0 Perfume

Thank U, Next

Notes include: pear, coconut water, macarons, pink rose, raspberry, musk

Click here to try: Ariana Grande Thank U, Next Perfume 3.4 oz

Read my full review: Thank U, Next

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Thank U, Next 2.0

Notes include: pomegranate, strawberry, apple, marshmallow, musk, sandalwood, orchid, jasmine

Read my review: Thank U, Next 2.0

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Opening

Thank U, Next kicks things off with the pear and raspberry notes coming out juicy and sparkling. This is paired with a sweet coconut water and warm baked macarons. It has a fresh and juicy aroma, but later will develop more of a warm creaminess.

I really like the two notes up top, but the coconut really comes through on my skin and its watery aroma gives this perfume a cleanliness that is very nice.

Meanwhile, 2.0 comes out with a bold and juicy accord of its own. Pomegranate, apple juice, and strawberry really run away with things early on and that’s what I mostly get. There is some marshmallow in there, but that will be more distinct later.

Which is the better opening act?

I really enjoy how Thank U, Next starts out, as it doesn’t give me the sour or pickle aroma that some people get. It’s actually lovely, on my skin.

That being said, I really like the strong and juicy fruit start to 2.0. It’s just a notch above the original and takes this category.

Edge: 2.0

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Projection

I initially thought that 2.0 was going to have the stronger sillage, as it does start off with more power and a greater ability to project.

However, that quickly changes as Thank U, Next 2.0 really has a lighter moderate sillage for much of the wear. Then, becomes a skin scent. It’s actually pretty abrupt with how it just falls off.

The original has a strong sillage, not insanely powerful, but it does have a nice radius of aroma. Even when it dries down, it’s still in the upper range of moderate.

2.0 came out swinging, but loses this category.

Edge: Thank U, Next

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Longevity

On my skin, the original will go 7-8.5 hours in total. Again, not a complete beast, but this Ariana Grande fragrance will get the job done.

Thank U, Next 2.0 is hitting the 5 hour range for me. That’s pretty disappointing, in comparison, and this perfume seems to have some performance issues on the whole.

Squeezing out 5 or 6 hours might not be the end of the world, for some people, but the original easily takes this one.

Edge: Thank U, Next

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Versatility

I don’t really think there is much distinction in this category. Both of these perfumes are pretty versatile in terms of the climates, in which they can be worn. Spring and summer mostly, but I think 2.0 is better in hotter temperatures. While the original, would come across better when it’s cooler.

Casual and daytime wears, with the ability to venture into the night, depending on the occasion. Neither is a formal perfume, but have a wider age range of wear, versus some of the other Ariana Grande options.

No winner here.

Edge: Push

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Overall Scent

It’s kind of funny how these two fragrances don’t really smell like one another. Sure, they share the musk note and have a very similar structure, but everything else is quite different.

When I first sprayed 2.0, I thought for sure that I would like it more so than the original. I like Thank U, Next and think it’s one of Ariana’s best, but 2.0 was about to take its place on the list.

Then, things changed pretty fast. Not that it turned into a bad fragrance, but just something that didn’t really have much that stood out.

First, much of the fruit notes up top fade away. Then, it’s about the marshmallow and musk, with floral highlights (mostly jasmine). Kind of well-tread territory for Ariana Grande perfumes.

Add to that, the performance isn’t all that good. The sillage turns weak and it hangs around for a mediocre amount of time.

Personally, I like the original Thank U, Next more overall. I get great performance from it and it projects from my skin well.

It also falters into a vague sweetness/musky stage later on, but you at least get plenty of time with the top notes. The raspberry, coconut, and pear notes are really nice. It’s semi-aquatic and has a sparkling essence.

Neither is too big on the floral notes, but I get more jasmine from 2.0 than I do the rose in the original.

To me, the first one is better. 2.0 seemed like it had a good shot, but it ultimately blew it. It’s not a bad scent, I like the way it smells in totality…it just loses this matchup.

I will say, that if you do get that pickle sort of smell from the original, 2.0 will be the better option if you must have one of them. But, I’d really just go find another perfume, if that’s the case.

Winner: Thank U, Next