Yes, The Right Body Spray Can Replace Your Cologne (2024)

BODY SPRAYS ARE criminally underappreciated and, in some unwarranted cases, looked down upon. We’ve never understood that mentality because we believe that the best grooming products serve multiple functions and most body sprays hit that mark. They typically sit between deodorants and cologne in a unique place that’s both functional and aesthetic. So if you think that body spray is just a superfluous product, think again.

Most modern body sprays contain deodorizing ingredients similar to what you’ll find in your underarm deodorants that help not only kill existing odor, but also prevent future odor from forming. What sets body spray apart from your typical deodorant, however, is that they’re meant to be used on parts of your body other than just your pits. Not to mention, they tend to smell better too.

We’re talking cologne-quality scents like the kind you’d usually find in bottles exponentially more expensive. They’re ideal as both a substitute for cologne and, in many cases, a supplement to a traditional fragrance. Plus, what we like most about body sprays, is that they’re often more travel-friendly because who, after all, wants to lug a heavy glass bottle of cologne around with them all day? So if you haven’t thought about a body spray in a while, now is the time to revisit them. We promise you’ll be impressed.

How We Selected

For the past three years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the best-performing body sprays. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of body sprays to the test and evaluated their effectiveness, scent and price point. We also considered top-reviewed men's body sprays that had over 100 five-star ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.

Body sprays, like deodorants, will often use different kinds of ingredients to help kill odor. This innovative body spray contains your typical deodorizing ingredients to squash odor, but also contains prebiotics that help reduce the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria, even as you sweat. Not to mention, the long-lasting scent is subtle but stays with you for hours and hours. It’s truly a double-whammy of odor protection.

Body sprays are ideal for a quick refresh after a long day, a hard workout or really any time you’re feeling a little less than fresh. This watery, aquatic scent is instantly refreshing and just a a spray or two is enough to instantly make you feel like you just stepped out of the shower.

This smoky, sweet, bourbon-y scent is boldly masculine in a way that’s both traditional and modern. This is a rich scent that’s strong, even in a body spray format, so a little bit will last you literally all day long and into the night. And, like any good body spray, it’s elevated enough that it can absolutely stand in for cologne.

Instead of trying to cram a bottle of cologne into your Dopp kit, opt for this body spray instead. It’s the same fresh scent as the Allure Sport you’d get out of the bottle, but in a much more travel-friendly aluminum can. It’s slightly more subtle in finish than the cologne, but if we’re talking body sprays as cologne replacement, this one is basically identical.

Sometimes you want to use a body spray as just a little topper, instead of the main event. This lightweight, subtle spray isn’t bold in the way you would expect from a cologne, but gives you a nice fresh feeling, especially when applied right out of the shower. Think of it as icing on the cake.

A few sprays of this and you’re instantly energized thanks to the zingy, spicy scent of bergamot, cardamom, nutmeg and more. The scent is multi-faceted like your favorite cologne and evolves with you throughout the day in a way that not many other body sprays achieve. Think of it, truly, as an aerosol cologne.