Polo Blue vs Ultra Blue Cologne Comparison

For this installment of my head to head fragrance match ups, we have two entries from Ralph Lauren: the original Polo Blue EDT vs. Ultra Blue. Which smells better? The original or its newer flanker cologne release? I have tested out both of them, and as usual, will break down each to some key metrics and declare an ultimate victor.

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Ultra Blue or Polo Blue EDT? Tale of the Tape

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

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Ultra Blue

Notes include: lemon, salt, amber, bergamot, basil, verbena, sage, juniper

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue 2.5 Fluid ounce Eau De Toilette

Read my review: Ultra Blue

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Opening

Polo Blue EDT starts out with a crisp blend of melon and cucumber. It’s chilled with a hint of tangerine and amber. To me, it’s always felt kind of bland. It’s nice but not anything spectacular.

I do like that crispness, slight spice, and semi-aquatic feel. On a summer’s day, it can be quite invigorating, even if it isn’t super unique or exciting.

Ultra Blue goes with lemon and salt at the opener, which ain’t much more exciting. It is more of an aquatic and the saltiness is sort of like an ocean breeze. Ultra Blue tracks closer to the EDP version of Blue.

Which is better? Ehhh, it’s a tough call, as neither are great but I think I enjoy the original Blue more here. Ultra Blue tries to go for more of the herbal freshness, with oceanic elements.

That’s not a bad thing, but the execution, isn’t amazing. Pretty good, enjoyable, but I’ll still go with Blue EDT for the starting portion.

Edge: Polo Blue

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Projection

The original Polo Blue isn’t a beast, the sillage is moderate for much of the wear, but overall quite solid. You’ll notice it and so will others. I get good performance from the EDT, in this regard. It’s definitely not meant to be a projection monster, but it does give you

Ultra Blue is really kind of weak. It’s somewhat moderate for maybe an hour and then turns into a skin scent. Ralph Lauren fragrances can be so hit or miss, with the power.

Ultra Blue is one of the releases, that is pretty noticeably weak. Particularly when compared to the rest of the Polo Blue lineup, which aren’t that powerful themselves.

It’s kind of surprising, as the other Blue scents are around the same with their sillage. Ultra Blue sort of falls flat.

Edge: Polo Blue

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Longevity

Polo Blue always lasted about 7-8 hours on my skin, which is a very respectable amount of time. Blue EDT is at least above average, each time that I’ve worn it. It hasn’t disappointed me, at any time.

While Ultra Blue has weak sillage, it actually stays on the skin for 6 hours, which is a bit weird. However, it is such a light fragrance that its lack of sillage really undercuts how long you think it lasts, since you’re not smelling it all of the time.

Neither one of these colognes peters out early. Blue still wins it fairly easily, with both the hours it can last, and its sustained strength.  But, it’s also true that neither is an absolute performer, on the skin.

Edge: Polo Blue

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Versatility

Both scents are spring/summertime wears, since they share a common DNA. I’d wear either casually. They could both be worn at an office or for school. They sort of share the same space.

They can technically go year round, but fit in much better during the warmer months. The summer is the peak of Polo Blue’s powers, it’s really a nice and simple wear for that time.

Each is a very versatile wear, that can serve as a daily cologne, for many guys. No clear winner here.

Edge: Push

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Overall Scent

Ultra Blue isn’t a bad smelling cologne. Actually, I quite enjoy the aroma. The lemon, the saltiness, swimming in amber with just a hint of sage and basil sitting underneath. It’s nice. The sillage is just bad and it offers no real advantage over either Polo Blue EDT or EDP.

I’m not even that much of a fan of the original Polo Blue EDT because I find it to be pretty boring. It does smell good and has nice performance, which versus Ultra Blue, that’s all that you really need.

Polo Blue EDT is the winner here, but I’d take the EDP over either of these. Actually, if you were leaning towards Ultra Blue, the newer Deep Blue is closer to that but with better performance. Much more oceanic and with a nice mango note.

I think nowadays, my number one and two from this line would be Blue EDP or Deep Blue. Really depending on the day, which would take that first spot. EDT is fine and can be an easy to wear scent, but it pretty easily takes the win here.

Winner: Polo Blue