- in Colognes by Jason Hall
5 Best Calvin Klein Colognes for Men - Reviews of Top Fragrances
Calvin Klein started one of the most iconic fashion brands in history in the late 1960s.
Known for its “ck” logo, jeans and causal clothes, the brand branched out to perfume and cologne in the 1980s.
The company has produced over 140 fragrances over the years.
Calvin Klein’s jeans and fragrance ads were among the most controversial
of the 1990s. The brand’s unisex ck cologne and its Obsession line gave the
products an androgynous image.
Its popular ‘90s colognes sell briskly even today, though younger people like them for their “retro” appeal.
We have compiled a list of the best Calvin Klein colognes for men that can help you in case you're looking to buy a cologne for yourself or as a gift.
Best Calvin Klein Man Cologne - Quick Reviews
Cologne | Rating |
|---|---|
About Calvin Klein Cologne
Calvin Klein colognes have a noticeably fresh and clean smell, tending toward citrus with light spice or musk. Their signature aromas contain notes of patchouli, citrus and vanilla. Sillage and longevity usually rank in the moderate to high range, except for one or two fragrances.
What to Expect from Calvin Klein Cologne
The brand skews toward younger users. You’ll like Calvin if you’re in your 20s or 30s.
The brand can certainly be used by middle-aged men in their 40s, but it’s not geared for older men.
Characteristics of Calvin Klein Colognes
Most Calvin colognes contain a lot of notes to get your attention, but the blends work well together. The signature scents are clean and fresh – none of the fragrances rate as overpowering or unusual.
Some of the primary notes in Calvin Klein colognes:
- Pineapple
- Patchouli
- Amber
- Pepper
- Musk
- Green Tea
- Plum
Although Calvin Klein remains known for its fresh and clean scents, the brand uses wild-card notes like plum and green tea to give fragrances their fresh but spicy smell.
Calvin Klein men’s fragrances usually go best with summer weather or casual outings. All the colognes can be used in office or business situations.
Contemporary and flirty in a subdued way, you can use ck one or any other ck colognes for dating. The scents have a more general appeal and may not fit your idea of a romantic fragrance, but they have a pleasant smell that women love. Many female reviewers say they like some men’s CK colognes enough that they would buy them for their own use.
Calvin Klein fragrances qualify as the most mainstream of all men’s colognes. (You can find knockoffs of most major ck colognes in 99 cent stores – but don’t buy those.). Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this shows that Calvin Klein fragrances have stood the test of time.
5 Best Calvin Klein Colognes for Men - Reviews
Rating
PROS
- Classic but subdued
- Long-lasting
- Heavy sillage
CONS
- May be too spicy for younger users
- Too synthetic
General Overview
Calvin Klein released Obsession for Men in 1986. The TV commercials for this cologne bore the memorable slogan “Between love and madness lies Obsession”. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Obsession reigned as a modern, and soon to be iconic, fragrance.
The top notes in this spicy scent include coriander, lavender, cinnamon, lime and grapefruit. The flowery and forest-oriented middle notes accentuate the citrus and join cinnamon in making the cologne spicy. Nutmeg, jasmine, carnation, pine tree, myrrh, sage and Brazilian rosewood help complete the middle notes. Red berries add a sensuous character to the cologne.
Patchouli, amber, vanilla, sandalwood and other base notes reign in some of the floral power. Obsession has a smoky and spicy aroma that lasts six hours or more after you apply the cologne.
Best for
Older men (over 40), or younger users looking for a nostalgic scent.
Verdict
Strong and spicy Obsession will remind you of the ‘80s and ‘90s if you’re old enough to remember them. Avoid this cologne if you’re looking for a subdued ocean or citrus scent. Wear Obsession in abundance at the club and lightly in the office if you prefer heavy, long-lasting cologne.
Rating
PROS
- Clean and contemporary
- Unisex – for men and women
- Moderate longevity and sillage
CONS
- Synthetic
- Simple
- Wears out quickly on some users
General Overview
The first Calvin Klein cologne designed for men and women, ck one debuted in 1994. One of the most widely-advertised colognes of the 1990s, its top notes of pineapple, mandarin orange, bergamot, papaya, cardamom and lemon give it the clean and alluring fragrance both sexes love.
You’ll like its citrus and green tea opening as a refreshing wake-up call. Musk, amber and oakmoss follow the fruity top notes. The opening is a bit like the fresh feeling after a shower, with the addition of natural skin scent a few hours later.
The musky base notes provide a softer sillage about an hour after application. You may find a hint of powdery sweetness during drydown.
Best for
Hot summer days, nights throughout the seasons. Good for work and play.
Verdict
An easy-to-use fragrance for all ages, you can wear Calvin Klein ck one for any occasion. Classy, but appropriate for casual situations as well, it’s not a surprise that ck one has kept its popularity more than two decades after its heyday.
Rating
PROS
- Refreshing and modern
- Moderate longevity and sillage
- Great summer cologne
CONS
- Generic
- Watered down
General Overview
Some users say Calvin Klein Eternity for Men Aqua resembles a generic version of Polo Blue, while others like it as much if not more than the Ralph Lauren product.
Top notes include citrus, lotus, green leaves and cold cucumbers for a fresh smell to remind you of sea breezes.
Lavender and the rarely used plum and Sichuan pepper add a slight tang. The base notes of Guaiac Wood, Patchouli, sandalwood and musk add a smoky undercurrent.
Eternity for Men Aqua has a fresh, warm drydown to contrast the fresh, oceanic opening.
Best for
Young (or young-thinking) men. Use Eternity Aqua for lounging or casual wear. You can wear this fragrance in the spring or summer, and consider it for dates because many women like the smell.
Verdict
Eternity for Men Aqua offers a warm, comforting but sexy smell. The plum and pepper, though not overpowering, make this cologne different from its closet aquatic competitors. A pleasant-smelling cologne, you can use Eternity for Men Aqua for daily activities, but may want to reserve a spicier or more original scent for special occasions.
Rating
PROS
- Sexy and masculine, but subtle
- Fresh and spicy
- Moderate longevity and sillage
CONS
- May not last long on some users
General Overview
Top notes of green tea, jasmine and musk give Truth by Calvin Klein a warm, spicy aroma. Unlike many other CK fragrances, this one has a handful of notes, and the combination is impressive. The green and wet scent features middle notes of basil, sandalwood and cardamom.
Red pepper and more patchouli complete the formula, which has been described as “dewy” and “smelling like freshly-cut grass” by users. Truth opens with a pleasant smell of wet leaves, and then becomes spicy and floral. The drydown veers into soapy, smooth territory.
Best for
Truth by Calvin Klein is best for casual use, but this pleasant, green scent can be used in the office or for daytime wear.
Verdict
Fresh and green, Truth by Calvin Klein suggests meadows and open fields. You’ll like Truth if you enjoy the smell of a garden after a light rain.
Rating
PROS
- Masculine and sexy
- A spicy, herbal blend
- Good for all seasons
CONS
- Soft sillage
- Weak longevity
General Overview
A woody, aromatic fragrance, Calvin Klein euphoria features warm ginger and pepper as its top notes. Middle notes of black basil, cedar and sage contribute to its forest undertones, with Brazilian redwood, patchouli, amber and suede as the base notes.
You’ll like Calvin Klein euphoria if you’re partial to masculine scents with a light, spicy overtones. The smell and sillage can be a bit soft, so you may need to reapply the cologne every few hours. The scent may only last one hour on some users.
The fresh spicy smell becomes stronger on drydown.
Best for
Casual wear. You can wear Calvin Klein euphoria year-round, but it smells best in the fall or cool weather. For a younger age group (20s-30s). Good for the office or a leisurely dinner.
Verdict
Calvin Klein euphoria has a sweet, soft aroma. The peppery blend is complemented by woody notes, for an overall well-blended and inoffensive scent. Euphoria’s poor sillage and longevity make this fragrance a dud for many users, despite its pleasant smell.
Wrapping Up
Calvin Klein Eternity, ck one, euphoria, Truth and Obsession rank as some of the brand’s most popular best colognes. To pick the right cologne for you, try one on and let it soak into your skin.
You’ll need to see how long the cologne will last on your skin, and how it will change over time. Everyone’s skin chemistry is different, so you should try cologne on before buying it.
