Finding a chic signature doesn't always equal a premium buy. In fact, these best cheap perfumes strike the perfect balance between quality and price...
When we think of the best long-lasting perfumes or scents touted to be among the best perfumes for women, designer labels and established perfumery brands tend to come to mind, so it can take some searching to find budget-friendly picks that you can trust. But whether you favour perfumes with jasmine or classic rose perfumes, great affordable scents are easier to come by than you might suppose.
So, if you're on the hunt for a deceptively luxe-smelling signature that won't break the bank, we've rounded up 15 popular and unique scents - all of which have been vetted for by our beauty team and cost under £70...
The best cheap perfumes, chosen by our beauty team
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
RRP: £12.99 for 90ml | Notes: Apple, orange, pink grapefruit, rose, jasmine, violet, peony, cedar and sandalwood
Applejuice smells remarkably similar to Chanel Chance for a fraction of the cost and though we did find it slightly less potent than Chance, we love how light and fresh this fragrance is. If you don't like scents that are too powdery or sweet but still want that hint of femininity, this is for you. With fruity top notes mellowed out by a woody base, it manages to strike the perfect balance of youthful and sophisticated.
Reasons to buy: Similar to a popular Chanel scent, offers a unique combination of notes and very affordable
Reasons to avoid: Doesn't look very premium
RRP: £20 for 30ml | Notes: rhubarb, magnolia, jasmine, heliotrope, tonka, maple
Amelia is one of our absolute favourite fragrances for year-round wear as the sweet yet warm base notes work for summer and winter alike. When testing, the maple base notes are what really stuck out. Though subtle, they cut through the floral middle to deliver a sweetened scent that is also distinctly mature. We also found that this perfume becomes richer and warmer as it dries down, making it an ideal pick for colder seasons. Although this perfume is slightly sugary, it is not at all sickly.
Reasons to buy: Luxury aroma, smells sweet without being sickly, fresh notes and sleek packaging
Reasons to avoid: bottle is on the smaller size
RRP: £12 for 100ml | Notes: Bergamot, muguet and musk
A gorgeous balance of floral and musky, this perfume is for those who like typically feminine scents. When testing, we loved how quickly this settled on the skin and that the perfume hardly changed as it dried down. Plus, a little goes a fairly long way with this product, as the misting nozzle distributes the fragrance evenly. We love to liberally douse ourselves in our favourite perfume, and the low price tag of White Musk means that we don't feel bad about doing it.
Reasons to buy: Light, powdery scent that's perfect for everyday wear and 100% vegan
Reasons to avoid: not very long-lasting
RRP: £30 for 30ml | Notes: patchouli, Brazilian orange and Siberian fir
If you are looking for a perfume that will really stand out from the crowd, Karma has to be at the top of your list. To us, its impossibly comforting, thanks to its rich orange and patchouli notes that are powerful enough to last all day long. Despite the minimal notes, Karma doesn't feel like a simple fragrance. When testing, we found this perfume to be distinctively earthy and spicy – quite unusual, while also possessing universal appeal. It is a fragrance that we always notice on others and one that will certainly bring in compliments. Thanks to being a perfume with Patchouli, it feels mature and refined compared to other affordable fragrances, so we recommend it for those who want a strong signature scent.
Reasons to buy: Available in two sizes and as a solid, very long-lasting, unique and features natural ingredients
Reasons to avoid: more on the wintery side, not really for year-round wear
RRP: £49 for 50ml | Notes: champagne, pink peppercorn, lychee, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, bergamot, amber, sandalwood, white musk and cedarwood
This light, floral scent is the ultimate feminine fragrance for day-to-night wear. With hints of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk, OUAI describes this scent as a one-way ticket to LA in a bottle.
When we first smelled Melrose Place we were instantly reminded of the iconic Burberry Her Eau de Parfum due to the floral and woody undertones. However, where Burberry fades fast, Melrose Place lingered; for hours after applying, the sweet top notes were still strong without being overwhelming.
Reasons to buy: features sleek packaging and a light floral scent - plus it's a dupe for a designer fragrance
Reasons to avoid: may be overly sweet for some
RRP: £66 for 50ml | Notes: rose, lotus, lily, fresh flowers and precious woods
One of the standouts on this list, as soon as we first spritzed L'Eau D'Issey we were totally hooked. Inspired by fresh water, this perfume is delicate and crisp with top notes of lotus and rose, though it does not smell floral in the typical sense. It is overwhelmingly fresh with a subtle hint of flowers, ideal for those who want a scent to be noticeable but not too sweet or musky.
We love that this perfume's combination of notes is perfectly balanced to create a smell that is familiar yet striking, without being overwhelming.
Reasons to buy: it's a timeless scent with long-lasting power
Reasons to avoid: you'll never want to wear another perfume
RRP: £19 for 90ml | Notes: pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel and sandalwood
For those who want to channel the brightness of summer year-round, Cheirosa 62 is a perfect scent for summer, thanks to its sweet and light top notes. However, the salted caramel and sandalwood base notes work just as well for the colder months, bringing a touch of warmth and spice to your everyday scent. If you tend to gravitate towards anything pumpkin spice-related as we approach fall, you will love Cheirosa 62. Another sweet perfume, this is one for those who want a noticeable and youthful smell to rival the best vanilla perfumes. And as a perfume body spray hybrids that can also be used on the hair, Sol de Janeiro fragrances really give some bang for your buck.
Reasons to buy: it's convenient for travel, budget-friendly and adaptable for both your hair and body
Reasons to avoid: Doesn't last as long as traditional perfumes
RRP: £62 for 50ml | Notes: ambrette seeds, ambrox, pink pepper and iris
Glossier You is a standout for any taste. It's made up of mainly base perfume notes, which means it will last longer and allows more of your natural scent to blend in, creating your unique 'You' aroma. The idea is that this perfume smells slightly different on everyone and for that reason, You is a particularly tricky scent to describe. Both fresh and musky, peppery and light, it is the ultimate fragrance for those who want a bit of everything in their smell, but don't want anything that will overwhelm the nose. We found that it was easy to forget you're wearing this perfume, but it remerges through the day and the true beauty of You is that while you may become accustomed to the smell, passers-by will be struck by the subtle freshness of it.
Reasons to buy: It's the perfect everyday scent that is both long-lasting and smells slightly different on everyone
Reasons to avoid: may be too subtle for some
RRP: £29 for 30ml | Notes: mandarin, cherry, almond, bergamot, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, jasmine, sandalwood and white musk
Reminiscent of YSL Libre Eau de Parfum but at less than half the price, Orb of Night is the perfect sexy scent for evening time that definitely smells more exorbitant than it is. The top notes of cherry and almond offer a subtly sweet aroma, whilst the musky base notes add night-time attraction. When we tested it, we were surprised by how strong the scent is, however it settled after a few minutes to become much more subtle and floral on the skin. This is certainly a fragrance that improves with time, thanks to the different layers that reveal themselves slowly.
Reasons to buy: Perfect, long-lasting evening fragrance
Reasons to avoid: Not as adaptable to daytime
RRP: £12.99 for 90ml | Notes: orange blossom, coffee, peach and raspberry
Though we think there is no going wrong with any of the best Zara perfumes, Gardenia is one of the most popular picks thanks to its similarities to YSL's Black Opium. With a dark, evening-time feel, it is one of the best cheap perfumes to wear for special occasions or nights out when you want to feel expensive without actually having to break the bank. With no distinction between top, middle and base notes, the scent hardly alters from initial spritz to the end of the day - a pro if you like to keep a consistent smell from day to night, but a con if you prefer more complex scents that develop as they dry down.
Reasons to buy: has universal appeal and is suitable for any occasion
Reasons to avoid: no top, middle and base note distinction
RRP: £60 for 30ml | Notes: clove oil, pink pepper, orange flower petals, chestnut accord, gaiic wood oil, vanilla accord and cashmeran
This fragrance really does exactly what it says on the tin, smelling identical to a glowing, crackling fireplace that instantly carries you to a cozy Holiday setting. With top notes of clove oil and pink pepper, the spice-infused eau de toilette is unmissable. It is a particularly strong scent that will set you apart from the floral and powdery perfumes that are usually popular but it does settle, adding a rich and flattering warmth to the skin. On testing, it lingered both on the skin and in the air for hours after spraying, leaving that familiar and authentic bonfire-like smell on our clothes too.
Reasons to buy: warm and cosy, offers a very unique scent that is long lasting and perfect for autumn/winter
Reasons to avoid: specific, so may not appeal to some
RRP: £50 for 40ml | Notes: peach, mandarin, red spider lily, jasmine sambac, vanilla and benzoin
This fruity Jimmy Choo fragrance is one of the more mature scents on this list, ideal for those who want a sophisticated yet soft perfume that will last all day. With top notes of peach and orange, plus fragrant jasmine middle notes, this natural and clean smell is noticeable without being overbearing. The main thing we noticed when testing this perfume is how it changes on the skin. After a few minutes, it settled to become the perfect soft daytime scent. This only improved throughout the day, as it left a lovely clean, and natural smell on our clothes and skin. We also found that this fragrance leaves a beautiful glowy sheen on the skin after application.
Reasons to buy: is mature but equally a light and fresh scent that lasts
Reasons to avoid: not our favourite packaging
RRP: £58 for 30ml | Notes: rose, star anise, orange blossom, ginger, vanilla and amber
Just as the best Jo Malone perfumeis instantly recognizable, Classique is a scent that is known and loved by many, which is why it is one of our favourites. A floral yet hearty scent, it is a typically feminine fragrance that would suit almost any age or occasion, from 30th birthday gift to a romantic anniversary present, making it the perfect all-rounder. We found that Classique is the ideal transitional perfume thanks to its mix of hearty amber and soft rose that work in harmony.
Reasons to buy: ageless and iconic scent with beautiful packaging
Reasons to avoid: don't get as much for your money as other scents
RRP: £50 for 30ml | Notes: blackberry, grapefruit, succulent pear, jasmine, lychee, blue wisteria, white woods, musks and coconut water
A subtly floral yet woody scent, Daisy Dream is delightfully fresh and light, reminding us of crisp and sunny winter mornings. When testing, we were reminded of L'Eau D'Issey in terms of the light yet alluring smell on the skin, however, Daisy Dream features berry top notes which makes for a more typically fruity-floral scent. If you are shopping for perfume for someone else, we think Daisy Dream is the perfect safe pick that is bound to be adored by the receiver. The only downfall, which is common when shopping for affordable designer fragrances, is the small bottle.
Reasons to buy: adored in the perfume world, is long-lasting and features beautiful packaging
Reasons to avoid: may run out quickly
RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: tangerine, bergamot, orange blossom, jasmine, lavender, vetiver, amber, tonka bean and musk
Offering a reminiscent impression to the cult-favourite YSL Libre, this sparkling scent opens with bursts of sunny tangerine and orange blossom, which then give way to more intense and alluring notes of jasmine, lavender, vetiver, amber and musk. It's chic and sexy, making for both a great day and night-time signature. Like Gardenia, this perfume smells far more expensive than it actually is, making it a true staple in your routine, which you can repurchase without guilt.
Reasons to buy: affordable, chic and similar to the likes of YSL Libre
Reasons to avoid: may not last as long as other perfumes
How we tested the affordable perfumes
Every perfume included in this guide was tried and tested by us to give you the best possible idea of what each scent is like. We paid attention to factors such as how the scent lasts, how it changes throughout the day, and how much you really get for your money. We have also taken into account the brand, packaging, price, and occasion each scent can be worn for. Despite the subjectivity of scents, our guide will tell you what you need to know to make the best cheap perfume purchase for you.
A small selection of the fragrances we tested for this guide.
How to choose the best affordable perfume
As Cathy Newman, Marketing and Customer Experience Director at The Perfume Shop explains, selecting a perfume is a very personal choice, so says to, "always go with what appeals to your senses and style and you can't go far wrong,"
That said, Newman also adds that: "Understanding fragrance ingredients and families is key," as once you settle on your favourite family out of floral, sweet, woody, and fresh, you'll know that you're more likely to enjoy fragrances within it. As for finding an affordable perfume specifically, while we've proven the options are plentiful, there also a few other tips to keep in mind...
- Bigger is better: “If you’re shopping for a fragrance it’s always better to buy the biggest bottle that you can afford. A 100ml bottle will always give you a much better cost per wear than a 30ml bottle, for example," says PerfumeDirect.com’s Head of Ecommerce, Jonny Webber.
- Don't depend on duty free: “In the past, the airport duty free shop would be the perfect place to stock up on a bargain holiday scent – but the days of duty-free always giving you the best deals are behind us. Do your research before you go on holiday to see how your favourite fragrance compares online to the price you will be paying at the airport to guarantee the best deals."
- Search clearance sections: “The clearance section is where you will find the best deals. Brands will discontinue scents, remove certain sizes or packaging may change. The clearance section is therefore a great place to look for the best deals on your favourite scents. You might also find out-of-season gift sets in there – if you’re someone that starts their Christmas shopping six months early you might find some fantastic deals."
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