7 Best Affordable Perfumes, Ranked

1. Glossier You

For a perfume that’s uniquely your own, you can’t go wrong with Glossier You. Formulated to wear differently on each individual, this perfume is best described as “your scent but better.” Perfectly blending spicy and sweet base notes, You gives your skin a subtle but impactful aroma.

Glossier’s “You” fragrance has become something of a social media darling, with its chic pink ombré bottle popping up in countless Instagram posts. But as InStyle points out, it’s what’s inside that bottle that’s truly earned this scent its cult following. The genius lies in its ability to adapt to each wearer, creating a personalized fragrance experience at a fraction of what you’d pay for a custom-blended perfume.

The scent journey is quite the adventure, according to Elle magazine. It opens with an energetic burst of pink pepper that tickles your senses before mellowing into a powdery iris heart note. The base brings a grounding woodsiness from ambrette seeds, creating a versatile fragrance that transitions seamlessly from day to night.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of You, according to Woman & Home, is its mysterious way of playing hide and seek throughout the day. While you might think the scent has disappeared, it has a delightful habit of making surprise appearances hours after application. And while you may become “nose-blind” to it yourself, prepare for compliments from others who catch its subtle, fresh trail.

2. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist

It only takes one sniff of this Sol de Janeiro mist to fall in love. This warm and sweet hair and body fragrance is ideal for affordable everyday wear, and it’s versatile enough for just about any season or occasion.

If you’ve ever caught yourself sniffing your arms after applying Sol de Janeiro’s famous Bum Bum Cream, you’re in for a treat. As InStyle reports, the brand has perfectly captured that addictive scent in a mist form, creating an irresistible blend of salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla that’s both delicious and sophisticated. Just remember to keep the bottle upright to prevent leaks, and resist the urge to over-spray – a couple of spritzes will do the trick.

Cosmopolitan praises this affordable fragrance mist as a must-have addition to your scent wardrobe, noting its versatility as both a body and hair perfume. The lighter concentration makes it perfect for those who prefer a more subtle approach to fragrance, while still delivering those delectable warm notes of vanilla and caramel.

Value-conscious shoppers will appreciate what Woman & Home points out about this mist – it comes in generously sized bottles of either 90ml or a whopping 240ml, making it one of the most affordable options per milliliter. While you might need to refresh the scent midday or before evening plans, the wallet-friendly price point makes frequent reapplication a non-issue, especially given its convenient plastic packaging that’s perfect for tossing in your bag.

StudyFinds Associate Editor Sophia Naughton is a fan of this fragrance. “As someone who doesn’t like wearing an intense perfume, this is perfect for me,” says Naughton. “I always thought it was over-hyped by friends and on social media, but I spritzed some on myself for the first time in a Sephora and was instantly hooked. I couldn’t stop smelling my wrist where I sprayed it. The scent reminds me of the beach.”

3. Philosophy Amazing Grace

If you’re a floral lover, Philosophy’s Amazing Grace perfume is a must-try. It’s the perfect mix of clean and flowery without coming on too strong, reviewers say. Cosmopolitan loves how this affordable scent manages to capture the essence of a flower shop without any of the cloying intensity that often plagues powdery florals. Plus, it has impressive staying power – a rare find in this price range.

Best Products perfectly captures the essence of this cult-favorite, describing it as “spring in a bottle.” The combination of bergamot, muguet blossoms, and musk creates an airy fragrance that’s both understated and memorable – the kind of scent that could easily become your signature.

Though we’re approaching winter, Harper’s Bazaar suggests this perennial favorite as the perfect way to welcome warmer days. While floral fragrances work year-round, there’s something especially fitting about Amazing Grace during spring, with its universal appeal that seems to work beautifully on everyone who wears it.

4. Vera Wang Princess

If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of fragrance, Vera Wang’s Princess is a great place to start. With a near-universally appealing blend of fragrance notes, it’s an affordable and enjoyable first perfume for just about anyone. Vera Wang’s Princess isn’t just another perfume – it’s a mood in a bottle. As Best Products points out, this affordable fragrance combines an unexpected mix of waterlily, chocolate, and guava, anchored by warm amber and vanilla. The result? A light, sweet scent that makes you feel like royalty without requiring a royal budget.

According to Fragrance X, Princess has that rare quality of being instantly recognizable after just one spritz. It’s a playful blend that speaks to your inner youth, regardless of your age, weaving together notes of apples, apricots, and mandarin oranges with a generous helping of vanilla. The iconic heart-shaped bottle perfectly captures the scent’s feminine spirit and powdery-sweet chocolate undertones.

StyleCraze celebrates Princess as the perfect springtime scent that awakens your inner royal. The amber-floral composition leaves a lingering trail of vanilla, wood, and amber that feels both sophisticated and youthful. And let’s talk about that bottle – it’s as magical as the accessible price point that’s helped make this fragrance a fan favorite.

5. Ariana Grande Cloud

Don’t underestimate celebrity fragrances! Reviewers love Ariana Grande’s Cloud perfume for its longevity, fragrance notes, and aesthetically appealing bottle — and of course, the affordable price point. Ariana Grande has proven herself to be more than just another celebrity with a perfume line. As Harper’s Bazaar declares, she’s earned her crown as the reigning queen of celebrity fragrances, with Cloud becoming a viral sensation that transcends both age and income brackets with its captivating sweet-and-spicy gourmand profile.

According to Allure, Cloud opens with an enchanting blend of lavender, pear, and bergamot before settling into a seductive mix of warm musk and coconut. The impressive longevity of this eau de parfum proves that Grande knows exactly what she’s doing in the fragrance world.

While Grande’s R.E.M. Beauty line might grab headlines, InStyle argues that Cloud is the true dark horse of her beauty empire. The scent performs like a perfectly composed song, with notes of lavender blossoms, pear, and crème de coconut harmonizing with deeper elements of praline, vanilla orchid, and musk to create what they cleverly call “a vibrato for your nose.”

6. Billie Eilish Eilish

Billie Eilish fans aren’t the only ones who will fall in love with her debut fragrance. With classic vanilla notes and an exciting blend of spices, Eilish is a perfect perfume for day or night wear. Elle praises this delectable vanilla creation for its unexpected spicy edge, noting how beautifully it works as a base that can be layered to achieve your perfect level of warmth.

In the crowded landscape celebrity beauty launches, Eilish’s fragrance stands out from the pack, according to Cosmopolitan. The scent journey begins with an almost masculine musk before mellowing into a sweet vanilla that feels like wrapping yourself in your favorite cashmere sweater.

Harper’s Bazaar confirms that Eilish achieved exactly what she set out to do – create a fragrance that feels like a warm embrace. The combination of vanilla, spice, and cocoa creates a true gourmand experience, all housed in a bottle so dramatically sculptural it doubles as vanity decor.

7. OUAI Melrose Place

For a luxe feel on a budget, OUAI offers fragrances that pack an impressive punch that goes well beyond their price range. Specifically, experts love Melrose Place for its sweet scent reminiscent of far pricier perfumes. This scent is like capturing a slice of Los Angeles luxury in a bottle. Woman & Home calls this light floral the ultimate day-to-night fragrance, blending bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk into a bold yet feminine scent that’s guaranteed to attract compliments.

According to Who What Wear, this fragrance proves that clean scents can be unexpectedly sophisticated. While OUAI markets it as capturing the essence of “L.A. sunsets and valet parking,” reviewers find it’s more understated – a clean, champagne-tinged floral that lasts about four hours and plays well with others when layered. It’s the kind of safe blind buy that works perfectly for everyday wear.

IPSY celebrates Melrose Place as the perfect solution for floral fragrance lovers who don’t want to switch scents when the sun sets. The rich rose base, enhanced by its sophisticated notes makes it a versatile choice that seamlessly transitions from morning meetings to evening events.