Polo Red EDT vs. EDP

Polo Red has been used for many releases by Ralph Lauren since the EDT was initially brought to market last decade. Now, they have come out with an Eau de Parfum version after cycling through Intense, Rush, Extreme, etc. The EDP does raise the question, which is better? EDT or the newer bottle? Which lasts longer? Which should you buy?

Tale of the Tape: Polo Red EDP vs Red EDT

Polo Red

Notes include: grapefruit, italian lemon, cranberry, saffron, sage, coffee beans, and amber

Click here to try: POLO RED by Ralph Lauren, 4.2 Fl Oz

Read my full review: Polo Red

Polo Red Eau de Parfum

Notes include: red grapefruit, ginger, cranberry, lavender, sage, cedar, benzoin, oud, resin, musk

Read my full review: Polo Red EDP

Opening

The original Polo Red starts off with a sharp, sweet, and tart blend of notes: lemon, cranberry, and grapefruit. While the cranberry is the strongest note, the lemon is also quite prevalent and there is a growing amber coming from the base.

Meanwhile, Red EDP starts off with the same cranberry and grapefruit sans lemon. Instead, you get ginger and later the sage note begins to take shape.

Between the two, EDP feels more tolerable and not as in your face as the original. The cranberry note is given more space to shine and I always love a good ginger.

I do also like the EDT, it’s just that, the lemon and amber can be a bit much and overly tart and sweet when it’s all blended.

Edge: EDP

Sillage

Both EDT and EDP start off projecting themselves well and as fairly strong overall. Then, each settles into more of a moderate scent. While EDP has the greater concentration of fragrance, it’s actually only slightly better in this regard, when compared with EDT.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Red EDT lasts 4-6 hours on my skin. If I double up, I can get a few more out of the wear. EDP is better, but is by no means elite. 6-7.5 hours is what I’ve been getting out of it. Still, it takes this round.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Red EDP is good fragrance in any season other than the summer. Meanwhile, the EDT is good in spring and can hold up better in summer.

Eau de Parfum feels more grown up, however. Neither is a formal fragrance, but EDP would fit in better in an office environment than EDT. Both have their strengths, but I don’t think either really has an edge.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Polo Red was a really nice release, when it came out years ago. I enjoyed wearing it around and thought that the cranberry note, was an interesting ingredient to use. It has that really tart lemon aroma that gets tempered by amber, as it moves along.

I always wished that the performance was better. It also can become kind of too sweet for its own good, also.

The EDP corrects this. The lemon is gone. You get ginger, sage, and a blend of lavender and benzoin in the base. It feels much smoother and more appealing than the EDT version.

I don’t think it’s a great release, but it does have the edge in this matchup. It’s a nice wear and has enough of the DNA of the original to be enjoyed by fans of EDT. The performance is slightly better, but not elite. Still, all things considered, I’d rather wear EDP.

Winner: Polo Red EDP

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.