paco rabanne

Phantom vs Phantom Parfum Comparison

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Phantom is a release from Paco Rabanne that has become very popular with the public since its release. It’s one that I don’t completely understand personally, but enough folks seem to enjoy the scent. Anyway, the brand has followed up the original Phantom with a newer Parfum version in 2023.

Which of these robot bottled colognes smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy? I’ve tested each and the following are my results.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Phantom Parfum wins on opening, projection, longevity, and overall scent, while versatility is basically a tie.

Buy Phantom Parfum if you want the fresher, stronger, and better-performing version with a smoother citrus opening and longer-lasting projection.

Buy the original Phantom if you specifically prefer the apple note and slightly juicier tropical sweetness, but overall Parfum is the better buy.

Category Phantom Phantom Parfum Winner
Opening Apple, lemon, lavender, vanilla, and a juicy semi-tropical sweetness Lemon, bergamot, rhubarb, cardamom, and a fresher colder citrus opening Phantom Parfum
Projection Strong start, then quickly falls to moderate and later lighter Stronger start and stays upper-moderate for much longer Phantom Parfum
Longevity Around 6–7 hours Around 8–9 hours Phantom Parfum
Versatility Autumn/winter, younger, casual, nightlife Autumn/winter, younger, casual, nightlife Push
Overall Scent Nice opening, but becomes a more average patchouli-heavy sweet scent later More of the best parts of Phantom with stronger performance and better citrus freshness Phantom Parfum
Best For Fans of the original apple-heavy Phantom opening Those who want the stronger, fresher, better-performing flanker —

Tale of the Tape: Phantom vs. Phantom Parfum

Phantom

Notes include: lemon, lemon zest, lavender, patchouli, vetiver, apple, smoke, and more

Click here to try: Phantom by Paco Rabanne

My Full Review: Phantom

Phantom Parfum

Notes include: bergamot, lemon, rhubarb, cardamom, lavender, patchouli, vanilla, geranium, balsam, cedar

Click here to try: Phantom Parfum

Read my review: Parfum

Opening

With Phantom, I actually kind of like the start. Phantom kicks things off with apple and lemon notes, creating a juiciness that is quite nice. The aroma is semi-tropical and sweet, with the way it ties together.

Under that, is lavender and vanilla, further pushing the aromatic creaminess.

That juicy citrus fruit opening will be pushed out by a drier and earthy aroma. The juiciness fades, and patchouli will have its time to shine, with an herbal sort of spice coming together. It dirties it up, and yes, there is a touch of smoke.

With Parfum, we get a stronger use of the citrus up top. That lemon, bergamot, and semi-tropical aroma is back, longer lasting, and better than the original.

With that, you get a rhubarb and cardamom in lieu of the apple note. Once the fruitiness has toned down, this one feels fresher and colder. Slightly greenish undertones, in the early stages.

Which is better? I think Parfum is preferable. I like the start of the original, but I think that Parfum is more appealing in comparison.

Edge: Parfum

Projection

The original Phantom starts off quite strong, but will pretty quickly decay into something moderate, and finally a lighter scent that I can catch whiffs of.

It wasn’t a sillage powerhouse, but could be decent.

With Parfum, I do get a bit of a stronger start. Not by much, though. However, the real value with it, is how long it lasts at a higher level.

Phantom Parfum doesn’t just quickly fall off and it will be in the upper moderate range of projection for a large portion of the wear.

Edge: Parfum

Longevity

With the original Phantom, I could get 6-7 hours of wear on my skin. It wasn’t great, but it was fairly solid, as a fragrance.

The Parfum version will go a bit further. During testing, it lasted 8-9 hours. Not a ton of extra time, but it is noticeably stronger and lasts longer.

Phantom Parfum easily takes this.

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

I don’t think there’s any real distinction here. Both are built better for the autumn and winter months. Neither is going to hold up well in the heat and humidity.

Parfum isn’t different enough to change what the Phantom DNA is all about. Skews younger, casual, can be worn out at night, etc.

To me, this is a tie.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these Paco Rabanne fragrances do I prefer?

Phantom never did much for me. I didn’t completely hate it. I enjoyed the apple and lemon peel notes, after the initial spray. When those two blend with everything else it’s nice.

After that, Phantom was basically just an average scent. Nothing really stood out about it.

Phantom Parfum gives me more of the parts that I like, with more performance.

Parfum doesn’t completely win me over to the Phantom line, as I personally still don’t want a bottle of either. However, I do like it more than the original.

Note:  If you still can’t decide between these two, you could get a similar fragrance to the original Phantom for cheaper by the Dua Brand called: Error 414. Then, buy Phantom Parfum also. 

The dry down is a big dose of vanilla, some woods, and a now generic sweetness from the top notes. That initial ‘tropical’ scent isn’t there anymore and it has the same vibe as any number of Paco Rabanne scents after that.

In the end, if you liked the original Phantom, you should try Parfum. If you didn’t, I don’t think you need to put Parfum through its paces. Even if, it is the best between them.

Winner: Phantom Parfum

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Phantom if:

You prefer the original Paco Rabanne Phantom DNA
You like apple, lemon, lavender, vanilla, and juicy sweet openings
You enjoy the more tropical fruity feel at the start
You do not mind average performance after the opening fades
You mainly care about the original opening rather than the full wear experience

Choose Phantom Parfum if:

You want the better overall fragrance
You prefer stronger citrus with bergamot, lemon, rhubarb, and cardamom
You want better projection and longer-lasting performance
You like fresher, colder openings with smoother development
You want the best version of the Phantom line based on this comparison

Paco Rabanne Phantom FAQ

Which Paco Rabanne Phantom should I buy first?

This is a line that I think that you should try before spending. Again, I’m not a big fan of any of these, but the answer is probably Phantom Parfum or maybe Phantom Intense. I haven’t tried every single release as of now, but those would be my picks if I had to purchase a Phantom cologne.

Is Phantom more fruity than Phantom Parfum?

Actually, Parfum has more of an initial fruitier kick and it also lasts longer. That’s part of its appeal for me in comparison to the original. But, Phantom comes across as sweeter, while Parfum is more citrusy.

Are Phantom and Phantom Parfum very similar?

They are quite similar. The differences are that Parfum is a smoother experience and the dry down periods are different with how they smell. Woods and vanilla, mostly.

1 Million vs 1 Million Royal

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1 Million has been a staple men’s fragrance from Paco Rabanne for a long time now. The original eau de toilette formulation has spun off many flankers under this banner, including the commercially successful 1 Million Royal.

But, the question is, how do these colognes compare? Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: 1 Million vs. Royal

1 Million

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my Full Review: 1 Million by Paco Rabanne

Royal

Notes include: mandarin orange, bergamot, cardamom, lavender, violet leaf, cedar, sage, benzoin, patchouli

Buy from Amazon: Royal

Read my full review: 1 Million Royal

Opening

1 Million EDT opens up with a blend of leather, rose, and its citrus notes (orange and grapefruit). This combination gives the fragrance a sort of  grape bubblegum like aroma.

It’s sweet and warm, with an ever increasing spice coming from mostly cinnamon, but also a cooling mint.

All of this is surrounded by the embraced of an amber note, helping to give 1 Million some of its boldness and thickness.

1 Million Royal opens up with a blend of notes vying for your attention. The mandarin orange and bergamot citrus are sitting on top of the mix, giving this an initial lightness and brightness.

Underneath, the warm spiciness of the cardamom and benzoin notes are already coming through. Royal will have more of a cardamom spice versus other notes here, but early I get a decent amount of sage and a touch of patchouli.

The latter, is only noticeably if I really focus and basically press my nose up against where I sprayed.

As we move along, the spiciness will tone down. I start to get a greater ratio of the lavender versus the cardamom and the benzoin will also begin to claim the top spot.

Which do I like more? While Royal has a very good opening act, that I enjoy greatly. I still prefer what the original Paco Rabanne 1 Million brings to the table.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

1 Million EDT used to be quite a strong fragrance. If we were talking about older bottles, it’d take this category for sure. Now, it’s still got a strong start, but moderates much more quickly than in the past.

Royal isn’t a heavy fragrance. Though, it has a lot more power than you think that it does. It’s kind of diffuse and the cloud that it creates around you is much more like a mist for most of the wear.

I’d say at its peak, Royal is probably a 5-8 foot radius cologne, in terms of its projection. After that, it’s going to spend a ton of time in that 3-4 foot range. Not bearing down on you, but I’ve noticed it hanging around without having to press my nose to my skin.

Which packs more punch? Nowadays, these two are about even with what they provide. 1 Million EDT feels a bit heavier, but it doesn’t project itself any further in my experience with each.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Older bottles of 1 Million would last well past 10 hours on my skin. With my latest bottle, that number sits closer to 8. It’s taken a step back for sure with its performance.

Royal, on the other hand, gets me about 8-8.5 hours of wear. Has never been a super long lasting cologne, but it matches what I get with the EDT.

In this category, I’ll call it an even match.

Edge: Push

Versatility

So, neither of these fragrances are going to be an office wear scent or something for formal occasions. Pretty much casual scenarios, nightlife, etc.

Each feels more appropriate in autumn and winter. However, they can also been worn at night in the spring, if it’s not too hot or humid out.

Both of them trends younger, but neither is completely juvenile. Both have more of a fun and mass appealing style versus being anything too refined or serious.

I don’t really see a distinction in this category either.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two colognes do I prefer?

It’s a very even match in terms of how each fragrance performs. But, which one of them smells better?

With Royal, I do like the change of pace. I like the warmth and spiciness that it provides, while still having some of the citrus notes and the benzoin in the dry down period.

I go back and forth between preferring 1 Million Elixir and Royal. Those are my 2nd and third favorites from the line, based on what’s available right now.

However, I still like the EDT a bit more than those two. Prive was my favorite, but now, 1 Million EDT is still the one that I’d go with.

I enjoy the opening act with the leather and citrus a bit more than the start of Royal. With the newer cologne, the opening is my favorite part of it, but it’s still not as good as 1 Million. Plus, the original is better in the dry down.

It doesn’t have the same power that it once did, but it is the more interesting fragrance for the entirety of the wear. Royal has a great start, but the rest of it isn’t nearly as good.

So, I’m picking the original 1 Million here.

Edge: 1 Million

1 Million Royal by Paco Rabanne

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1 Million Royal is the latest flanker fragrance of the highly popular line by Paco Rabanne. It was released in 2023 and slowly seems to be getting more attention. It took me a while just to get a hold of the bottle, since it was only recently released in the US a week or so before writing this. How does Royal smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a try?

1 Million Royal Overview

Notes include: mandarin orange, bergamot, cardamom, lavender, violet leaf, cedar, sage, benzoin, patchouli

Buy from Sephora: Royal

million royal review

My Full Review

Here’s how Paco Rabanne describes it: Powered by your inner confidence, enter the 1 Million Royal kingdom with the ultimate fragrance of defiant self-expression, made for you by Paco Rabanne. Unconstrained by convention, find the freedom to live by your own rules with 1 Million Royal: a flamboyant fresh woody blend that collides with a distinctive sensuality to unleash what makes you uniquely you. Claim the stage; you’re the king. It’s time to rise.

1 Million Royal opens up with a blend of notes vying for your attention. The mandarin orange and bergamot citrus are sitting on top of the mix, giving this an initial lightness and brightness.

Underneath, the warm spiciness of the cardamom and benzoin notes are already coming through. Royal will have more of a cardamom spice versus other notes here, but early I get a decent amount of sage and a touch of patchouli.

The latter, is only noticeably if I really focus and basically press my nose up against where I sprayed.

In comparison to 1 Million Elixir, this also has a sweetness and amber-like heart thanks to that benzoin. However, Elixir is much sweeter, floral, and vanilla based.

Royal seems to have something giving it a light vanilla effect, but the note isn’t actually listed (probably benzoin, creating that sensation).

Royal also shares plenty of similarities with Le Male Airlines by JPG. I have a full bottle of that fragrance and they definitely overlap.

Notably, they share notes of: cardamom, lavender, citrus, and cedar. But, they aren’t exactly the same in terms of smell. Airlines is sweeter and much more cardamom dominant. The cardamom itself seems to be a different type in Royal, spicier with less of the citrusy facets.

I like Royal more than Airlines thus far.

As we move along, the spiciness will tone down. I start to get a greater ratio of the lavender versus the cardamom and the benzoin will also begin to claim the top spot.

That’s mostly what the dry down is all about. A sort of fuzzy vanilla amber aroma of the benzoin, lavender, the remaining cardamom, and a generic fresh woody cedar note.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Royal isn’t a heavy fragrance. Though, it has a lot more power than you think that it does. It’s kind of diffuse and the cloud that it creates around you is much more like a mist for most of the wear.

3-4 hours into the wear I can still smell it on me and I’ve had one other person comment positively on it during my first initial test. This was hours after I had sprayed it on my arm, not even on the usual pulse points.

I’d say at its peak, Royal is probably a 5-8 foot radius cologne, in terms of its projection. After that, it’s going to spend a ton of time in that 3-4 foot range. Not bearing down on you, but I’ve noticed it hanging around without having to press my nose to my skin.

On me, this lasts somewhere in the 8-8.5 hour range. Good enough for most uses, but not incredible either.  Royal is actually a parfum concentration and the performance basically reflects that higher level of perfume.

It does fall slightly short of what I got with Elixir. Almost the same sillage, but Elixir lasts up to 10 hours on me.

Seasonally, probably going to be more of an autumn and winter wear. It’s actually nice in moderate temperatures, so, spring will be fine in most places. That’s especially true in the evenings.

It’s about to officially be summer here in a few days, which has limited a lot of my testing to indoors, as it’s not a fragrance that is built for the heat. It’s actually not terrible, since Royal isn’t overly thick and heavy, just not ideal.

1 Million Royal does skew more towards being a nightlife fragrance, but it isn’t completely out of place in a variety of other situations. It’s just not really a formal type of cologne.

It can really be worn by a man of any age, since it doesn’t have the same level of candy-like sweetness that some other fragrances in the 1 Million series can. It’s very much like 1 Million Prive, in that regard.

As I wrote earlier, I’ve already gotten a complement on Royal and this one indeed feels like it’s going to have mass appeal. I think that I’ll use my bottle mostly for casual and nightlife wear.

Overall Impressions of 1 Million Royal

Overall, do I like 1 Million Royal? Yes, to me it’s on par with Elixir. I do notice the similarities, but these are ultimately different fragrances. Royal is warmer, spicier, and doesn’t have that Elixir sweetness.

I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this and was worried that I’d have a full bottle of the stuff just languishing on my shelf. Royal turned out to be better than I expected and I will get plenty of use out of it.

It’s actually much closer to Le Male Airlines than the other 1 Million scents. It’s like they fused that Gaultier cologne’s DNA with some of the 1 Million fragrances’ and then added more benzoin. All resulting in 1 Million Royal.

I think that the opening is really great. The citrus gives it a nice energy and the balance of the spiciness, benzoin, and lavender is near perfection at that point. Enough sweetness to not be overwhelmed in either the spicy or sweet direction.

Performance is solid. Not a monster projector, but Royal does have a nice ability to project and leave a scent trail. Longevity is about what you’d need in most scenarios.

I recommend giving this one a try, if you’re a fan of the 1 Million series. It’s different of course, but that same sort of vibe and style is present here. I’m glad that I bought it.

1 Million vs. 1 Million Parfum Comparison

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1 Million EDT is still a best seller after all of these years. Of course, that means that Paco Rabanne is going to continue to release new flanker versions under its banner. The latest is 2020’s 1 Million Parfum. How does it compare? Which smells better? Which cologne lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: 1 Million vs. Parfum

1 Million

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my Full Review: 1 Million by Paco Rabanne

1 Million Parfum

Notes include: grapefruit, solar leather, tuberose, pine, resin, amber

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne One 1 Million Pure Parfum Natural Spray For Men 100ml / 3.4oz

Read my Full Review: 1 Million Parfum

Opening

1 Million EDT opens up with a mix of leather, rose, and citrus (orange and grapefruit), that gives the fragrance a sort of  grape bubblegum like aroma. It’s sweet and warm, with an ever increasing spice coming from mostly cinnamon, but also mint.

All of this is surrounded by the embraced of an amber note, helping to give 1 Million some of its boldness and thickness.

Meanwhile, 1 Million Parfum somewhat mimics the opening of the EDT, but really taking it in a different direction. The opening act is when these two are at their most similar.

Parfum kicks things off with grapefruit and what Paco Rabanne refers to as ‘solar leather’. Basically, trying to recreate the sensation of sunlight (which it does) and the familiar leather note.

Along with that, there is a noticeable tiare flower, with which the solar notes blend and help to give this a somewhat tropical vibe up top.

Which start is better? It’s a close call for me. But, I do like the way that Parfum opens up and gives it a new twist, so I’ll lean that way.

Edge: Parfum

Projection

Which of these two has the greater sillage and strength? If we’re talking about the classic formulations of the EDT, I’d say that it had the advantage.

However, I don’t think the newer bottles have the same punch that it once did. As such, Parfum will take this category. The EDT isn’t weak, but I think that Parfum’s high point is greater than the original now.

Parfum isn’t elite, but it is well above average. EDT nowadays, still has a rather bold start, but will become much more moderate at a faster pace than it used to originally.

Edge: Parfum

Longevity

Again, the EDT used to give me a lot more than its current formulation. Back in the day, it was easily over 10 hours on my skin.

Now, it is usually between 8-10, depending on the scenario. Still very good, but not a marathon performer.

Parfum also hits that 8-10 hour range. Yes, the concentration is higher with Parfum, but on me it doesn’t translate into a longer wear.

Update: Now, 1 Million EDT, seems to only hit 8 hours with my latest bottle. It doesn’t really stretch to that 10 hour mark. So, I’m changing this to a Parfum win.

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

So, neither of these fragrances are going to be an office wear scent or something for formal occasions. Pretty much casual scenarios, nightlife, etc.

Each feels more appropriate in autumn and winter. However, Parfum has the edge in that, it can venture deeper into spring than 1 Million can. Parfum can’t venture into the high heat but it’s tropical aspects do lend itself decently to warmer weather.

I will also say, that Parfum does feel a bit more grown up and mature than the EDT. It’s got a well put together style in comparison than the attention grabbing EDT.

Edge: Parfum

Overall Scent

It does look like a clean win for 1 Million Parfum. However, in terms of overall experience, I’d still go with the EDT.

While I like the opening act of Parfum slightly more, I don’t think it holds up for the duration. The latter stages become more about tuberose and ambergris, which lessens its appeal for me.

I like the opening act, I like the leather and pine freshness, but the dry down is just okay. And that, is what most of the wear will be with Parfum.

With the original 1 Million, it would’ve been an easy win for it, based on older bottles. Still, I’d rather wear it over the newer Parfum. I like the sweetness, the spice, leather, and hints of rose.

Out of the newer releases in this line, I probably would opt to go with Elixir, if you want something different from the original. I think that one does a better job throughout versus Parfum.

EDT is warm and kind of brash, but I just think that it smells better in totality, when compared with Parfum. It really comes down to how you feel about the back half of Parfum. It’s not my thing, but some people seem to enjoy it.

Winner: 1 Million EDT

Invictus Victory vs Bad Boy

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Invictus Victory is a flanker of the very popular Paco Rabanne cologne. Meanwhile, Bad Boy is the original of Carolina Herrera’s more recent best selling line. Since each of these fragrances has a similar style, they can be the final two picks that someone is deciding between.

On this page, I break down how Bad Boy and Victory compare and contrast with one another, after having tested and reviewed each. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Bad Boy vs. Invictus Victory

Bad Boy

Notes include: white pepper, cocoa, sage, tonka bean, vetiver, pink pepper, grapefruit, and amber

Click here to try: Carolina Herrera Bad Boy EDT Eau de Toilette 3.4oz / 100ml For Men, Black

Read my review: Bad Boy EDT

Invictus Victory

Notes include: pink pepper, vanilla, amber, lemon, tonka bean, olibanum, lavender

Click here to try: Invictus Victory

My Full Review: Invictus Victory

Opening

The opening of the original Bad Boy EDT, strikes quite differently to my nose, depending on whether it is close to the skin or not. Up close, I get a honeycomb like aroma that is dipped in amber and dotted with various pepper notes.

From afar, I really pick up the sweeter and creamier aspects of this scent. Namely, the cocoa and tonka bean.

Invictus Victory starts a lot like the old Pure XS line that Paco Rabanne had put out some number of years before this. Victory has a lemon note up top, with pink pepper, and a dose of incense.

Kind of smoky, but it doesn’t dominate the composition. Up top, it’s a bit of that lemon with a spiciness and smokiness. As it moves on, Victory will start to have a greater use of the vanilla and amber notes.

Edge: Invictus Victory

Projection

Bad Boy has never been a heavy or very far-reaching fragrance whenever I’ve tested it out. It’s more of a moderate fragrance. Not weak, but it doesn’t blow the doors off.

Victory does start off strong and it has a heavier/thicker feeling to it. That more powerful projection will last for an hour or two, before settling into a moderate sillage itself.

Between the two, Victory is stronger at first and still has a slight edge after that. Not much, but it gets the win here.

Edge: Invictus Victory

Longevity

Invictus Victory takes this category as well. On my skin, the Paco Rabanne cologne will last for 8-9 hours, which is pretty good but not elite.

Bad Boy falls a few hours short. At it’s best, I get 7 hours from that fragrance. Again, the upper end of average, but nothing spectacular.

Edge: Invictus Victory

Versatility

Seasonally, they’re both the same with what they bring to the table. Autumn and winter wear mainly, with the ability to venture into springtime, on days where it doesn’t get too warm.

They do both skew younger, have more nighttime vibes than something that you might reach for daily. But, they can cover that base too, if you don’t have a very formal environment you need to go to each day.

Really, there isn’t much separation in this category.  So, I’m calling it a tie.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances is the one that I’d go with, if I had to decide? For me, it’s not too difficult of a decision.

Looking back over at what I like about Bad Boy. The sweetness, the amber, the late stage vetiver, and use of cocoa. It’s kind of messy, when you press your nose to the skin. However, I do enjoy the fragrance while it floating in the air.

It’s just never been much more than that. It’s performance is middling, but it does have a good deal of versatility and this Carolina Herrera scent is very wearable.

But, I’d take Invictus Victory.

Spicy and smoky. Better use of the vanilla note, with maybe a somewhat harsher amber not versus what I get with Bad Boy. The performance is also better.

This isn’t a massive preference for one versus the other. I’d just choose to wear Victory 6 or 7 times out of 10, if all I had were it and Bad Boy.

Winner: Invictus Victory