Prada L’Homme vs Acqua di Gio

For this cologne comparison entry, I want to take a closer look at two different Italian designer fragrances, Prada L’Homme vs. Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani. Which one of these popular men’s scents, smells the best? Has the better performance? Is more versatile? And is the top buy?

Tale of the Tape: AdG vs. Prada L’Homme

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 

Prada L’Homme

Notes include: iris, amber, geranium, patchouli, neroli, violet, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: Prada L’Homme Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Prada L’Homme

Opening

Prada L’Homme opens up with a fresh and powdery blend of floral notes, led by iris. Violet and neroli play a fairly big part and this clean aroma is surrounded by warm amber. It is fairly sweet with a woody cedar and slight peppery base.

Acqua di Gio opens with citrus and sea breeze. Tangerine and bergamot lead the way and they are joined by jasmine floral aromas and marine notes.

Which is better? I like how Acqua di Gio opens, but L’Homme has a really great, and refined smell. It is really simple, but the execution is near perfect.

Edge: Prada L’Homme

Projection

Neither of these fragrances is a beast in terms of how it projects. They are both solidly in the moderate camp. You’ll know that they’re there, but won’t dominate a room with them. Pretty equal in my experience.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, both scents are pretty good, but not spectacular. I get 6-7 hours of wear with both of them, on my skin. Their performance is near identical. AdG has slipped a bit in the last few years and doesn’t have the same power as the older formulation. L’Homme, on the other hand, just never has been that powerhouse fragrance.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these scents can cover a lot of the same ground. You can wear either of them year round, AdG, may be slightly better in heat but not significantly. They are solid daily wears, that can also venture into the evening.

However, the Prada cologne, is more of a mature scent. Younger guys can wear it, but it will fit better with those in their late 20s and up, than will Acqua di Gio.

Edge: L’Homme

Overall Scent

Acqua di Gio is a really nice fragrance and probably one of the better starter fragrances for younger guys. It’s got a classic citrus aquatic smell with nice woody undertones. The performance is solid and it is a well-known commodity, having been a best seller for two decades.

However, Prada L’Homme is a better smelling fragrance. It is a straightforward cologne, that could probably be a unisex scent, with a classy powdery aroma that is super fresh. L’Homme is a clean daily wear, that will fit in much more in a business environment, than will AdG.

Most younger guys, will want to go with the Armani scent. Honestly, if I were in my early 20s, I’d probably pick that one as well. Though, if you like a floral with masculine qualities, then go with Prada. The performance of both is about the same, but L’Homme just has a better quality and fragrance.

Winner: Prada L’Homme

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.