We guys are simple creatures sometimes. We often think of fragrances as “manly” or “non-manly,” and that’s as far as it goes for us. That said, if you want to feel (and smell) your best, you should invest in the industry’s finest. Enter the best Prada colognes, an all-time classic in the fragrance industry.
No list of the best colognes for men would be complete without Prada. This stuff lasts a long while, it smells like a dream, and it’s unlike anything else on the market. On top of that, there are so many different Pradas out there, I guarantee there’s no guy on the planet who wouldn’t enjoy at least one.
Many guys write off brands like Prada because it just plain sounds expensive. Sure, some of their perfumes come with a hefty price tag, but they offer more affordable options than you might think. Besides, I don’t think they have a single product that isn’t worth every penny, so go all out.
With that said, here are the best Prada colognes you can buy.
Key Takeaways
This took tons of research—fun research, but research nonetheless. I genuinely can’t remember how many reviews I read. But the verdict is in. For me, Luna Rossa Carbon is the best Prada cologne because of how versatile it is.
Whether it’s a business meeting or a night out with friends, this stuff covers a rich tapestry of smells, from lavender and bergamot to pepper and coal. All that without burning a hole in your pocket!
Gym bros can also go for Prada Luna Sport, a great day-to-day perfume that works best in a workout environment. The smell alone is enough to keep you pumped for your workout, and the subtle ginger and vanilla notes are pleasant without getting obnoxious for other gym-goers.
Why it’s great: Picking the best Prada perfume is like picking a favorite child, but Luna Rossa Carbon wins out. It starts off by hitting you with a gentle whiff of bergamot, and the next thing you know, the lavender and patchouli start kicking in.
This is the best of the best Prada colognes. There are loads of little scents at work here, but they all bounce off each other flawlessly. Not to mention, the price is incredibly fair for how rich the smell is.
Who is this for? Whether it’s a night out or a company meeting, I can’t think of a bad time to apply some Carbon. When you consider how rich the formula is, this perfume isn’t overpowering in the slightest, so feel free to use it whenever.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some users report that the smell fades quickly sometimes, but these things happen with toilette spray. Be sure to give it an extra spritz when you apply it, and you should be fine.
Top Notes: Bergamot, pepper | Middle Notes: Lavender, coal, soil tincture, metallic | Base Notes: Ambroxan, patchouli | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: I’m a big fan of aquatic, “beachy” perfumes, and Luna Rossa Ocean is exactly that. The elegant blend of iris and sage feels like a summer breeze, and it makes this a genuine example of a unisex perfume. Unlike the breeze, though, the smell is quite long-lasting, not to mention noticeable without being too much.
Who is this for? Looking for a perfume that the ladies are sure to notice? Look no further. This is one of the best Prada colognes. And as far as fragrances go, this might be one of the gentlest perfumes that guys can get away with using. Definitely go for it if you find traditionally “manly” perfumes a bit too strong.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Like I said, the smell is more subtle than most other Prada perfumes, so it isn’t for everyone. Still, this is a feature, not a bug, so it’s hard to even call it a flaw.
Top Notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, artemisia | Middle Notes: Lavender, iris, saffron, suede, sage | Base Notes: Musk, caramel, patchouli, Haitian vetiver | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: As soon as you look at the bottle on this one, you know you’re in for something different. Like with its older cousin, the original Prada Amber, the notes of mandarin orange and tonka bean are always a treat.
The difference is that the hints of musk and myrrh give this one a slightly different edge.
Who is this for? As you might expect for the price, the palette of notes is incredibly varied here. If you enjoy catching subtle whiffs of a dozen different notes each time you apply it, then this is the perfume for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best Prada colognes. However, if you’ve smelled the original, you may feel that this is more or less a milder version of the original. In my mind, though, this is what gives it a masculine note despite the “flowery” note list.
Top Notes: Neroli, cardamom, bergamot, mandarin orange | Middle Notes: Musk, Myrrh, vetiver, geranium, orange blossom | Base Notes: Sandalwood, patchouli, tonka bean, labdanum, saffron, vanilla, leather | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: It’s no surprise that one of the best Prada colognes would be such a big seller on Amazon. Just as the sleek packaging suggests, you’re dealing with a manly cologne here – the amber and musk combo is testosterone if I ever saw it, and there’s a nice hint of bergamot and patchouli to balance things out.
Who is this for? If you want a single spray in the morning to get you through the whole day, then this is the perfume for you. This is one of the best Prada colognes. It’s probably the longest-lasting pick on our list, and with a brand like Prada, that’s saying something.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Luna Rossa Black is great, but you don’t want to go overboard with it. If you apply a little too much, the scent might get a bit overbearing for some. Pretty hard to mess up if you go for only one or two squirts a day, though!
Top Notes: Bergamot | Middle Notes: Patchouli, angelica | Base Notes: Amber, musk, coumarin | Type: Eau de Parfum
Why it’s great: Ideally, a real man should be in touch with his sensitive side. I’m huge on powdery perfumes like L’Homme Prada because they really bring out that side of guys. There’s a definite barbershop quality to the scent with this one, thanks to the mix of neroli, black pepper, and violet.
Who is this for? This is one of the best Prada colognes. If you’re a fan of rich-smelling perfumes, then you may want to give this a shot.
The blend of smells is genuinely impressive, all without being too much for your nose (or anyone else’s). There’s no wrong time to wear it, and I’d go as far as to say there’s no wrong guy for it, either.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although I don’t personally see it, a lot of guys say L’Homme Prada smells too “sweet” for guy cologne. I’d personally describe the smell as clean, but it’s all a matter of taste.
Top Notes: Neroli, black pepper, cardamom, carrot seeds | Middle Notes: Iris, mate, germanium, violet | Base Notes: Amber, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Nobody likes that one guy at the gym who smells like a cologne bath. Still, you want something to keep you fresh, which is where this Prada men’s cologne comes in.
The gentle transition from ginger to lavender is exactly what you need to keep you energized during a tough rep. Your gym neighbors are bound to love it, too!
Who is this for? As the name suggests, this is a subtle enough fragrance to wear during a workout. That said, I find it incredibly pleasant for any occasion, so you can even spritz some before hitting the town for a few drinks. This is one of the best Prada colognes you can get.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is another one of those “black sheep of the product line” perfumes. I wouldn’t exactly call that a flaw – just be aware that you’re getting something gentler than most other Prada perfumes.
Top Notes: Juniper berries, ginger | Middle Notes: Lavender | Base Notes: Vanilla, tonka bean | Type: Eau de Toilette
Buying Considerations for the Best Prada Colognes
Smell
The best Prada colognes tend to be rich in bergamot, patchouli, and amber. The exact formula varies wildly from product to product, but if you’re a fan of these notes, then Prada might just be the brand for you.
Season
The nice thing about Prada colognes is that there’s no wrong season to wear them. Ranging from herbal and summery to musky and woody for the colder seasons, this brand covers a lot of ground. For the most part, though, you shouldn’t really focus on the season too much – just buy whatever works best for you.
Type
With less perfume oil in the formula, Eau de Toilette colognes tend to linger for only 4 to 6 hours, and the smell is usually on the milder side. Eau de Parfum, on the other hand, can last you the entire day, and it usually has a stronger smell.
How We Chose
When it comes to fragrances, there are lots of ways companies try to deceive potential buyers. From promising a long-lasting smell to flat-out lying about the formula, we at Fashionbeans have seen some shady stuff in our research.
To bring you our picks for the six best Prada colognes, we consulted forums, videos, user reviews, and the Prada website before finalizing our list.
Company reputation: Does the company have a proven track record with other products? It goes without saying that Prada is a classic, which is why we’re doing a full article on them.
Customer reviews: Are buyers satisfied with the products? Sure, a company can talk the talk, but the voice of the people is what really matters here.
Price: Does it make sense to pay what the brand is charging for the product? Sometimes, companies go overboard with the pricing because of their long legacy, but we like to showcase accessible picks whenever possible.
Transparency: Is the manufacturer open about the manufacturing process? After all, the last thing we want is for our readers to have an allergic reaction because of the product formula.
Why Trust Us?
Andrej is a fragrance enthusiast. In his time as a trusted writer at Fashionbeans, he’s covered brands from Issey Miyake to Tom Ford. Now, he can add Prada to his repertoire.
Andrej is nothing if not diligent. To compile this list of the best Prada colognes, he spoke to experts in the field, consulted his own collections, and read hundreds of consumer reviews. If there’s anyone you can trust with cologne recs, it’s Andrej, without a doubt.
Final Verdict
And that concludes our list of the best Prada colognes. Prada Luna Rossa Carbon has to be my favorite – for a super-fair price, you’re getting a rich cocktail of smells that lasts a very long time by cologne standards.
FAQ
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Yes, Prada perfume is some of the best in the industry. The best Prada cologne strikes the perfect balance between masculine and sensitive, so it’s hard to find a guy who wouldn’t enjoy one of their products. Not to mention, the ladies love it, so get to buying!
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As far as perfumes go, Prada’s products genuinely live up to the marketing claims. Their Eau de Toilette options are guaranteed to last you six hours a spray, so you won’t need to reapply it throughout the day. Eau de Parfum picks (like Luna Rossa Black) can often linger well into the next day if you spray some on your clothes.
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