From smoking barbecues to freshly cut grass, the sweet smells of summer are a scent to behold. So who are you to be letting the team down? To ensure you’re in tune with the heavenly aromas sweeping the nation, you’ll need to make sure you’re wearing your very best summer cologne.

You want something light, ideally citrusy. Maybe even a little tropical. Basically, you’re after the kind of fragrance that puts you into holiday mode, even if it’s wet and blustery outside.

But choosing a new summer scent is not to be taken lightly. Which is why I’ve stepped in to help you narrow down your overwhelming options. So grab those shades, slip on the swim shorts, and start making your way through my list of the best summer colognes for men.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

After a long winter of wet weekends and warm, musky smells, it can be refreshing for the soul (and your olfactory taste buds) to switch up your fragrances. But with endless colognes on the market, finding your favorite scent can take quite some time. To help, I’m going to highlight the best summer colognes for every budget and eventuality.

From Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue to Tom Ford’s Costa Azzurra Acqua, these are the smells that will transport you to paradise regardless of where you end up. Get it right, and with one simple spritz, you could be sipping wine on the French Riviera or frolicking on the sun-drenched beaches of Cuba. Sound good? Let’s get started.