It’s no secret that perfumes are pricey—some of today’s most popular options cost upwards of $400. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t great alternatives on the market. Truth be told, a lot of what differentiates luxury perfumes from affordable ones comes down to branding and ingredients, and not necessarily performance (more on that later). This means that opting for a wallet-friendly buy over a designer one doesn’t always mean you’re getting a product of lesser quality. 

We firmly believe that smelling great doesn’t need to come at such an astounding cost, which is why we made it our mission to find the best affordable perfumes. We tested two dozen perfumes that cost less than $100 at our lab in NYC as well as at home, evaluating each one based on its scent, wear, performance, and packing. We also consulted with Gabriela Chelariu, a senior perfumer at Firmenich, to learn more about what to consider when buying affordable perfumes, as well as what truly makes them different from their luxury counterparts. Ahead, we’re sharing the ones that impressed us the most. 

Glossier You Parfum
PHOTO: Sephora
What We Like

  • Beautifully combines warm, floral, and musky notes 

  • Great for all occasions 

  • Long-wearing 

  • Chic packaging 

  • Available in three sizes

Fragrance Family: Warm, skin scent | Highlighted Notes: Pink pepper, iris, ambrox | Size: 0.27, 1.7, 3.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those on BeautyTok will be familiar with this viral fragrance from Glossier. It was one of the first modern “skin scents” that re-popularized the category (skin scents harmonize with your skin to enhance your natural scent), and we’ve been huge fans of it since its release. Notes of pink pepper, powdery iris, and multidimensional ambrox create a fragrance that’s equal parts fresh, warm, floral, and musky. It’s potent but not overpowering, and perfect for any occasion. While all fragrances smell slightly different on everyone as they mesh with your unique body chemistry, this one in particular smells quite different from person to person. This could be a bonus since it makes it truly a personal fragrance, but could be misleading if you love the way it smells on someone else—it may smell entirely different on you. 

During testing, it performed beautifully. (Read: no staining, oily residue, or fast fading.) It warms up and transforms a bit on your skin as you wear it, but it remains detectable all day long. If you’re looking for a great everyday scent that’s well-loved by people with a wide range of fragrance preferences, we highly recommend checking it out. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


Phlur Missing Person Perfume
PHOTO: Sephora
What We Like

  • Florals are balanced by musky and sweet notes

  • Lasts nicely throughout the day 

  • No oily residue 

  • Weighted magnetic cap makes packaging functional and chic

Fragrance Family: Floral | Highlighted Notes: Musk, bergamot nectar, neroli blossom, orange flower, blonde wood | Size: 0.3, 1.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As the most popular member of the Phlur fragrance family, Missing Person stands out for its floral and musky character. A burst of neroli blossom, orange flower, and jasmine are balanced out by warm musks and sweet woods. It’s delicate and feels like an elevated take on someone’s natural skin scent. The brand says, “If nude were a perfume, this is it.” And we agree, it’s subtle and wearable for all occasions, though some might find it to be too faint. 

It applied nicely with no residue or staining, and we found that it lasted throughout the day, fading gradually as the hours passed. We love the packaging—it has a sleek and functional design that features a weighted, magnetic cap. If you’re looking for a floral fragrance that’s not heady or overpowering, we think you’ll be pleased with this one. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


Clean Classic Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like

  • Clean, warm scent 

  • Nice for year-round wear 

  • Detectable on the skin but not overpowering 

  • Available in three sizes 

Fragrance Family: Fresh | Highlighted Notes: Citrus, floral cotton accord, marine, musk, amber | Size: 0.34, 1, 2.1 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Fresh scents are a fragrance collection staple because they’re suitable year-round for day and night. This one is grounded by soft musk and amber, ensuring it doesn’t come off too soapy. Cotton flower accord and a marine note give it its true fresh identity, while notes of citrus and orange flower provide brightness. It’s a soft, clean sheets type of fragrance that feels comforting and familiar. 

On the skin, it’s present without being overpowering, and we love that it warms up a bit throughout the day. We found that it left a bit of a residue on fabrics, so we recommend applying this one directly to your skin. If you’re looking for a classic clean fragrance to introduce into your fragrance rotation, we highly recommend this one. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


LAVANILLA Pure Vanilla
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like

  • Warm, familiar-smelling 

  • Potent but not overpowering 

  • Wears nicely throughout the day

Fragrance Family: Warm | Highlighted Notes: Pure vanilla, tonka bean, coconut, grapefruit, lavender | Size: 1.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Vanilla perfumes evoke a warm, familiar feeling, and this one encapsulates that perfectly. Pure vanilla and tonka bean sits at the heart of the fragrance, while coconut, grapefruit, and lavender provide a baby boost of freshness. It’s very vanilla-forward, but we appreciate that it’s not super candied or saccharine. 

It warms on the skin beautifully and lasts well, fading just subtly throughout the day. We did notice that the actual juice leaves a bit of a sticky residue on the skin, so keep this in mind before you start spritzing. But if you’re a true vanilla fan, this pick is bound to suit your fancy. 

Byrdie/Jessica Juliao

Ouai Dean St. Eau de Parfum
PHOTO: Sephora

Fragrance Family: Citrus | Highlighted Notes: Mandarin, lemon, grapefruit, apricot, musk, rose | Size: 1.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A lot of citrus scents can come off as overly tart or biting, but this one is extremely well-balanced, thanks to notes of apricot, musk, and rose. Upon first spritz, you’ll immediately recognize its citrus identity, but as it warms on the skin, a subtle sweetness and depth develop. It’s fresh and juicy, and unlike a lot of citrus perfumes that feel more suitable for daytime, we think this one is great to take from day to night.

It did create minor staining on some fabrics, so we recommend spritzing it directly on your skin. It wore nicely throughout the day and was still detectable on the skin after several hours of wear. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


All Saints Sunset Riot Eau de Parfum
PHOTO: Nordstrom
What We Like

  • Potent but not overwhelming 

  • Beautifully combines woody, floral, and musky notes

  • Wears well throughout the day

Fragrance Family: Woody floral | Highlighted Notes: Amber, orange flower, pink pepper, rose, cedarwood | Size: 3.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Not known

If you like earthy, wood-forward scents with depth and a floral kick, this perfume from All Saints was made for you. Unlike some woody scents that can come off sharp or even spicy, this one is well-rounded thanks to amber, orange flower, and rose notes. It’s grounded in a cedarwood base, but the floral additions that become more noticeable as it dries give it a fresh twist. It smells expensive and in line with high-end options, but at less than $100, it’s just a fraction of the cost. 

During testing, it did leave a stain on satin fabrics, though it was undetectable on other fabrics. It lasted well on the skin, and we like that the bottle is minimal and chic. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


Oakcha Sweet Addict
PHOTO: Oakcha

Fragrance Family: Sweet, floral | Highlighted Notes: Vanilla, rose, pink pepper, marshmallow | Size: 1.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Appropriately named Sweet Addict, this fragrance is, well, very sweet. But not in an artificial candy kind of way—in more of a soft, romantic sense. Vanilla and marshmallow give the fragrance its foundational sweetness, and notes of rose, pink pepper, and bergamot provide depth and brightness to round it out. Because it’s an extrait de parfum, the most concentrated type of fragrance, the stuff is potent. 

Once on the skin, it warms up and a subtle musky quality emerges. It lasts well throughout the day with minimal fading, and we love that the colored glass bottle it comes in feels heavy and luxe. This fragrance is perfect for those who gravitate towards sugary, more traditionally feminine scents. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


By Rosie Jane Rosie Eau De Parfum
PHOTO: By Rosie Jane

Fragrance Family: Musky, skin scent | Highlighted Notes: Nude musk, sweet rose | Size: 0.25, 1.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Having a fresh and musky, perfect-for-any-occasion scent in your fragrance wardrobe is a must. It’s the go-to choice when you’re running out the door, it’s ideal when other more dynamic scents aren’t speaking to you, and it’s even fitting when you want to smell nice before hopping into bed. The brand says it feels like “sleeping in your birthday suit—nude and translucent,” and we couldn’t agree more. It has a simple blend of nude musk and sweet rose notes that marry to create a fresh, understated, slightly sensual skin scent. It’s noticeable but never too intense. 

We found that it created a slight residue on skin and clothing, but we’re willing to overlook this because of the stunning fragrance and impressive wear. It wore beautifully on our skin and clothing throughout the day. If you’re in the market for a simple fragrance that you can spritz on with abandon, this is the one for you. 

ZARA Rose Gourmand Perfume
PHOTO: ZARA
What We Like

  • Nice balance of floral, spicy, and warm notes 

  • Potent but not overpowering 

  • Bottle is elegant and functional 

Fragrance Family: Floral, gourmand | Highlighted Notes: Carnation, jasmine, rose, caramel, vanilla, musk | Size: 2.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Date night calls for a fragrance that makes you feel sexy and confident. This one from Zara did that for us during testing, thanks to a combination of floral, warm, and spicy notes. It opens with a burst of vanilla and florals—carnation, jasmine, and rose—that give it a warm and romantic quality. Once it settles on the skin, that vanilla note fades (we wish some of it stuck around), lending to a more spicy and musky dry down

It lasted well on our skin and didn’t create an oily residue on fabric swatches. We were also impressed by the elevated and functional packaging (the atomizer creates a fine mist), especially given the affordable price tag. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


Ariana Grande God Is A Woman Eau de Parfum
PHOTO: Ulta

Fragrance Family: Fruity | Highlighted Notes: Pear, ambrette, Turkish rose, vanilla, sandalwood | Size: 1, 1.7, 3.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cloud Eau de Parfum by Ariana Grande might as well have its own fan club, but we highly recommend not sleeping on this one from her line. God Is A Woman is characterized by a bold pear note that’s immediately detectable upon the first spritz. That unique juicy and fruity note is complemented by ambrette, vanilla, and creamy sandalwood, leading to a warm and sweet scent. It does have a bit of a candied quality on the skin, which some people might find too youthful, but we appreciate how bright and playful it is. 

We noticed that it started to fade on our skin after about 30 minutes of wear, but because it’s a pretty potent fragrance this wasn’t an absolute dealbreaker for us. If you’re a fan of Miss Grande and you’re looking for a sweet and fruity fragrance at a wallet-friendly price, we think you’ll be pleased with this one. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


Pacifica Dream Moon Spray Perfume
PHOTO: Ulta
What We Like

  • Nice balance of floral, woody, and sweet notes

  • Wears nicely throughout the day 

  • Potent but not overpowering 

Fragrance Family: Floral, woody | Highlighted Notes: Patchouli, pink rose, sandalwood | Size: 1 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Drugstores are not home to a wide variety of perfumes, but this one can be purchased at several drugstores as well as Amazon for the ultimate convenience. It’s a flirty floral, woody, and sweet fragrance that we think teens and young adults will love, aka it’s a great option for someone new to the fragrance world (think sweet sixteen gift). The sweetness gives it a youthful quality, while patchouli and sandalwood provide depth. 

We loved that it was noticeable on the skin and fabrics without being sickly sweet or overbearing, but when we tested it on hair it faded very quickly. The bottle also doesn’t come with a cap, which could make traveling with it a no-go. But if you’re looking to experiment with affordable perfumes (or get a gift for a young perfume newbie) and you/they like floral and woody scents, we do think this one is worth checking out. 

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao


Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
PHOTO: Sephora
What We Like

  • Delicious, warm scent 

  • Great for layering with other products in the same fragrance

  • Available in a large, eight-ounce size

Fragrance Family: Sweet gourmand | Highlighted Notes: Salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla | Size: 3, 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Okay, so we’re cheating a bit here—this fragrance is technically not a perfume since it’s a mist and not an eau de parfum. However, we’d be remiss not to talk about it in a piece centered around affordable fragrances. It’s the mist version of the iconic scent in the brand’s Bum Bum Cream, and we absolutely love it. Salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla work in tandem to create the most delicious and addicting scent. It’s warm and comforting with a bit of a sexy flare. 

Although the mist doesn’t last long on the skin (most mists don’t), we appreciate that the fan-favorite fragrance comes in this mist as well as other products, like the body cream and body oil—so you can layer it up for a more long-lasting experience. Whether you’re already a fan of the scent and want to add the mist to your collection, or you’re new to it and on the hunt for a creamy, warm fragrance, we think you’ll fall in love with this popular pick. 

What to Look for in a Budget-Friendly Perfume

  • Fragrance Type: Perfumes (whether affordable or luxury), are often labeled as eau de parfum (EDP) or eau de toilette (EDT). Eau de parfums usually have higher concentrations of fragrance oil in their water or alcohol base than eau de toilettes, meaning they should last longer. You’ll notice that a lot of affordable fragrances fall under that mist or EDT category, hence why they’re more affordable (they’re less concentrated). But if you’re looking for one that offers longevity, you’ll want to stick with EDPs. All of the options on this list, except for Sol de Janiero Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist, are EDPs. 
  • Notes: Whether or not you like the key notes in a fragrance is essential to determining if you’ll wear it or not. But according to Chelariu, looking at the notes can tell you more than just that. “Ingredients like woods, resins, vanilla, and musk have a high longevity],” she says. However, she warns that this isn’t the only criterion for a long-lasting fragrance—how those ingredients are put together also has a great impact. 

FAQ

  • In addition to marketing and branding, there are a few things that can separate expensive perfumes from affordable options, but there are no standard criteria. “[As] is true for any product, the quality of the ingredients used in creating a fragrance impacts the final result,” explains Chelariu. “The budget for developing a luxury fragrance is of course higher, so as a perfumer, we can use more natural ingredients at a higher concentration in our creations. We can also use more exclusive or rare ingredients and these, like the natural ingredients, are more expensive.” Chelariu also tells us that the fragrance family that a perfume falls under affects the cost. “Rich, woody, amber or opulent fragrances tend to require higher cost ingredients than something more fruity, fresh, clean, or in general more casual that someone can wear easily every day.”

  • The best way to apply your fragrance and ensure it lasts is by applying it both on your skin and your clothing. “Something else you can do is to combine your fragrance with the ancillaries, such as the lotions and shower gels [in the matching scent] to help keep the scent longer on your skin,” says Chelariu. “Well-moisturized skin will retain the fragrance for a longer time. I also like to spray the fragrance in my hair because it retains the fragrance even longer than the skin.” 

  • “When searching for a signature scent it is important to wear the fragrance on your skin because scents develop differently on everyone,” says Chelariu. “The beauty of fragrance is the exploration of finding the notes and scent profiles you are attracted to and seeing how scent can help transform your mood.”

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing fragrances for many years, and she’s tried several options on this list for herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. 

Alyssa also spoke with Gabriela Chelariu to discuss important things to consider when purchasing an affordable fragrance. Chelariu is a senior perfumer at Firmenich and is responsible for the creation of perfumes like Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce for Her, Nest Sunkissed Hibiscus, All Saints Sunset Riot, and more. 

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