Let's be real here: Perfumes can get pretty pricey. Sometimes, a high-end fragrance might run you over $300. There's no denying that fragrances are a worthy investment—good ones last a long time and often wear better—but that doesn't mean that some of the more affordable fragrances aren't incredible in their own ways.
I love my expensive and luxe fragrances, but I also feel like everyone needs an affordable option, too, one that you wouldn't mind wearing every day and spritzing with abandon. Sometimes, we all just want to drench ourselves in perfume and not feel like we're wearing $35 worth in one day.
Luckily, there are quite a few affordable (under $100) fragrances to choose from. In fact, many of them smell just as good as, if not better than, the pricier picks. These fragrances are complex, have great wear time, and are unique enough to please even the pickiest people. And you might even feel a little jolt of joy knowing you didn't spend a fortune on them. Keep reading for the best fragrances out there that won't break the bank.
Key notes: pink pepper, ambrette seeds, ambrox, iris
Glossier You is one of the best skin scents out there. It smells different on everyone—it leans a little bit floral, a little bit warm, and a little bit bright, but it relies on your own body chemistry to complete the scent.
Key notes: lavender blossom, pear, bergamot, crème de coconut, praline, vanilla orchid, musks, blonde woods
Hailed as a dupe for Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540, this scent smells like it comes with a much bigger price tag. In our perfume test, one editor said, "As it sits on the skin, it really mellows out. It remains sweet but in a more relaxed way. It becomes a bit muskier too."
Key notes: sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood
This perfume oil is a best seller for a reason. It's a warm and inviting fragrance thanks to notes like cedar and sandalwood, and the spicy and earthy notes make it truly irresistible.
Key notes: ambrette, violet, cashmere musk
Gourmand's perfumes are vegan and cruelty-free. This one is the most perfectly balanced woodsy floral. With notes like ambrette, musk, and violet, it's a dupe for some much pricier fragrances on the market.
Key notes: amber, bergamot, white musk
This is the most versatile scent in my perfume collection. It's soft and warm and works for absolutely any occasion.
Key notes: sugared petals, creamy vanilla, warm musks
Since its launch, this fragrance quickly skyrocketed to the best-seller list at Ulta, and it's stayed there ever since. With nearly 2000 five-star reviews, this scent is the perfect combination of sweet and sultry.
Key notes: cedar, pine, olibanum
Looking to amp up both your beauty and wellness routines? This "functional fragrance" not only smells like walking through a forest at dawn, but it also works to help you destress thanks to phytoncides, which help reduce anxiety and stress. This scent is a meditation session in a bottle.
Key notes: salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla
When a $38 fragrance goes viral on Tiktok, I pay attention. This mouth-watering scent will make you smell like a dessert shop in the best way possible.
Key notes: clove oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accord
Quite literally the scent equivalent of sitting in front of a roaring fireplace with a stiff drink and a cozy blanket, this perfume is warm and cozy.
Key notes: tangerine, lemon, amber
Recently voted the best newcomer in our best perfumes test, this scent is bursting with freshly juiced citrus. If you wish every season was citrus season, this is the scent for you.
Key notes: driftwood, sea salt, seaweed
Skylar is another clean fragrance brand I love. Salt Air is the fragrance equivalent of driving down the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down. Just like its name suggests, it's inspired by the sea and salty air.
Key notes: bergamot, muguet blossoms, musk
Philosophy's classic floral fragrance has notes of lily of the valley and musk. The scent is soft, delicate, and perfect for everyday wear.
Key notes: mandarin, floral cotton accord, amber
There's truly nothing better than the scent of fresh laundry, so Clean Reserve did us all a favor and bottled it. Spray this on to smell impossibly clean and fresh.
