Generally, Calvin Klein fragrances are minimalist and straightforward. They appeal to the classics, with simplicity at the forefront and a “less is more” approach. CK is synonymous with a sophisticated and assertive attitude, exuding professionalism with a retro feel.
Calvin Klein fragrances have also been popular for decades -since they started producing colognes in 1981, they’ve brought over 140 options to market!
In this guide, I’ll step you through the best Calvin Klein colognes that have stood the test of time, as well as a couple of modern twists that bring something new to the table.
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Classic Scent
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Top Pick
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Date Night
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4.5
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5.0
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4.6
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$104.00 ($65.00 / Fl Oz)
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$60.00 ($24.00 / Fl Oz)
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- Crisp citrus, subtle spice, and an amber/musk base.
- This versatile fragrance works in the office and for post-work drinks.
- A classic scent that still feels modern in 2024.
- Citrus and green notes combine with a soapy heart and masculine sandalwood base.
- Sophisticated fragrance ideal for professionals who still want to show some personality.
- A balanced blend of spice, musk, and woodsiness.
- Girls absolutely love this seductive and alluring fragrance.
My top pick, CK Eternity, is a crowd-pleaser that rides the line between professional and personality perfectly. It’s fresh and clean, but with enough masculinity in the base to lend a dose of confidence.
Elsewhere, I’ve prioritized scents that project masculinity and authority, and the colognes that are most likely to generate compliments.
So let’s work out which is the best Calvin Klein cologne for you.
Which Calvin Klein Cologne Smells Best?
Calvin Klein Eternity – Best Calvin Klein Cologne Overall
CK One Calvin Klein – Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Versatility
Obsession for Men Calvin Klein – Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Date Night
CK One Summer Calvin Klein – Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Summer
CK Everyone Calvin Klein – Best for Calvin Klein Cologne for Crowd Pleasing
Calvin Klein Eternity Now – Calvin Klein Coconut Fragrance
What’s the Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Men in 2024?
Calvin Klein Eternity – Best Calvin Klein Cologne Overall
Eternity is that type of fragrance that makes me think of a crisp white shirt. Professional but without showiness, and classic without feeling dated.
This underrated gem ties together fresh citrus, soothing lavender, and a musky, rosewood base. It doesn’t smell like anything else in my collection, but that’s not to say it’s particularly out there – Calvin Klein Eternity is a genuine crowdpleaser.
Citrus and green notes combine with a soapy heart and masculine sandalwood base.
Sophisticated fragrance ideal for professionals who still want to show some personality.
| Occasion: Professional with a personality | Longevity: 5 – 6 hours |
| Age group: 20 – 40 | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Year-round | Value for money: 5/5 |
The opening is pretty citrus-forward, with greener floral touches. In the heart, herbs and sweet jasmine combine in a way that smells soapy – with a “just-out-the-shower” clean feeling that will leave you feeling fresh all day.
In the dry down, more masculine elements start to emerge, introducing sweet sandalwood warmth and resinous amber in the base. They lend a valuable streak of sexiness that is crucial in grounding and balancing out the fragrance.
Sophisticated, mature, and refined are the sort of words that spring to mind. It’s a great scent for office wear when you’re trying to remain professional but not at the expense of personality.
In terms of longevity, Calvin Klein Eternity doesn’t quite live up to the name – but it matches expectations for its price at about 5 – 6 hours of meaningful projection.
I’ll tend to give myself a few spritzes before I leave for work in the morning, and then top up on my lunch break with 1 or 2 more. It’s a great reset effect that will power me through until the end of the day.
| Top notes: | Lavender, Lemon, Bergamot and Mandarin Orange |
| Middle notes: | Sage, Juniper Berries, Basil, Geranium, Coriander, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Lily |
| Base notes: | Sandalwood, Vetiver, Musk, Brazilian Rosewood and Amber |
CK One Calvin Klein – Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Versatility
CK One is where you’ll want to start if you’re new to Calvin Klein colognes.
It’s a versatile scent that’s equally suited to a productive day in the office as it is for an evening jaunt on the town. This is a scent that’s noticeable without being too disruptive or controversial.
Crisp citrus, subtle spice, and an amber/musk base.
This versatile fragrance works in the office and for post-work drinks.
A classic scent that still feels modern in 2024.
| Occasion: Perfect for beginners | Longevity: 7 hours |
| Age group: 18 – 30 | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Year-round | Value for money: 4.5/5 |
On the top notes, we’ve got bright citrus in the form of lemon and mandarin orange. The heart is more floral, with violet and jasmine at the fore.
It’s all rooted in a base of amber and musk, with a light spiciness from a subtle nutmeg accord. There’s a subtle green tea in the dry down too, if you’re looking for it.
This is a great choice for a professional or a switched-on student looking for something sharp and youthful, but not at the expense of sophistication.
It’s stood the test of time since 1994 but still feels fresh and modern. At the peak of its popularity 20 years ago, around 20 bottles were being sold per minute – so yeah, it was pretty popular, to say the least.
I go into more detail in my full CK One review here.
| Top notes: | Lemon, Green Notes, Bergamot, Pineapple, Mandarin Orange, Cardamom and Papaya |
| Middle notes: | Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine, Violet, Nutmeg, Rose, Orris Root, and Freesia |
| Bottom notes: | Green Accord, Musk, Cedar, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Green Tea, and Amber |
Obsession for Men Calvin Klein – Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Date Night
Obsession for men is nostalgically referred to as “’80s in a bottle”, capturing the hedonism and allure of the decade. It’s an opulent and provocative fragrance that girls go nuts for.
If I feel like I haven’t been complimented on my scent for a couple of days, this is one of the fragrances I’ll reach for to put that right.
A balanced blend of spice, musk, and woodsiness.
Girls absolutely love this seductive and alluring fragrance.
| Occasion: Date night seduction | Longevity: 3 – 4 hours |
| Age group: | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Fall/Winter | Value for money: 4.5/5 |
It opens up with top notes of mandarin and bergamot, before moving into an exotically spiced heart enveloped in myrrh, lavender, and sage. There’s substantial wood and musk in the base notes which give the composition some sensual growl.
The issue here is that the longevity could use some work; I struggle to notice the scent 3-4 hours after application. That said, the scent produced for that time is more than worth the hassle of reapplication.
- Check our guide to the best colognes for attracting women here
| Top notes: | Cinnamon, Lavender, Coriander, Mandarin Orange, Lime, Bergamot, and Grapefruit |
| Middle notes: | Myrrh, Nutmeg, Carnation, Brazilian Rosewood, Pine Tree, Sage, Jasmine, and Red Berries |
| Base notes: | Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli, and Vetiver |
CK One Summer Calvin Klein – Best Calvin Klein Cologne for Summer
CK One Summer is a yearly aquatic release that just screams day trips to the beach. It’s marketed as a unisex scent, but don’t let that put you off. There’s not a shade of femininity here, it’s just an energizing blend that appeals across the board.
| Occasion: Kicking it by the beach | Longevity: 4 – 5 hours |
| Age group: 18 – 35 | Projection: Light |
| Season: Summer | Value for money: 4/5 |
Sweet and bitter top notes of lemon and grapefruit precede a heart of rhubarb, eucalyptus, and watermelon.
The bottle itself is just as wavey as the scent. Don’t worry, you’re not going blind. This bottle has a distorted font that mimics the visual effect of a heatwave. For a touch of personalization, it comes with a set of summer stickers you can use to customize the bottle.
| Top Notes: | Watery Notes, Lemon and Grapefruit |
| Middle Notes: | Rhubarb, Watermelon, and Eucalyptus |
| Base Notes: | White Woods, Ambroxan, and Peach |
CK Everyone Calvin Klein – Best for Calvin Klein Cologne for Crowd Pleasing
Everyone is a fragrance with a point to prove, quite literally.
It’s fairly neutral, but deliberately so. The whole idea here is that no matter who you are or what you do, this is a scent that’s going to be compatible.
| Occasion: Feeling fresh and clean | Longevity: 6 hours |
| Age group: 18 – 50 | Projection: Light |
| Season: Year-round | Value for money: 3.5/5 |
Calvin Klein positions it as “a genderless scent for today that celebrates the infinite freedom of self-expression”, and it certainly delivers on that front.
All of the accords here are pleasant, popular, and undaunting. Forest trees, salty sea breeze, and a twist of citrus fruit all coexist in moderation here.
It’s an uncomplicated and clean mineral-aquatic scent that you’ll struggle to find any objections to. A stellar combination of neutral meets natural.
Everyone is clean not just in scent, but technically, too. It’s made from naturally-derived alcohol and is entirely vegan, housed in a recyclable glass bottle that comes enveloped in an elastic logo band that can be worn as an up-cycled bracelet.
It’s not going to win any awards for being the most adventurous bottle out there, but if you want a safe bet and to make a bit of a difference, this could be the way to go.
| Top notes: | Orange Oil and Ginger |
| Middle notes: | Watery Notes and Tea |
| Base notes: | Musk, Cedar, Amber and Patchouli |
Calvin Klein Eternity Now – Calvin Klein Coconut Fragrance
Calvin Klein’s Eternity Now is a coconut-led, tropical storm of punchy sweetness. It’s summery brightness in a bottle, zinging with sharp lime but mellowed by creamy coconut.
It’s sweet, creamy, tropical, and a tiny bit flirtatious.
Like Eau De Solei Blanc but with a citrussy opening - and a more affordable price tag.
Creamy, tropical, and a little flirtatious. Ideal for a casual date.
| Occasion: Tropical relaxation | Longevity: 7 hours |
| Age group: 25 – 40 | Projection: Light |
| Season: Summer | Value for money: 3.5/5 |
For the price Eternity Now is astonishing. It’s one of the cheaper fragrances in my collection, but it stacks up to designer houses.
There’s a distinct mojito vibe, with the lime and coconut meeting a slight alcohol note. The alcohol quality fades within an hour, but it’s still a bit much to wear to the office.
The opening is a soft and sweet medley of creamy coconut and vanilla, cut with a hint of spice from ginger and star anise. The heart introduces cedar and star fruit, with tonka bean emerging in the dry down.
By this point, the coconut is still present but takes a slight back seat. The base is more masculine and mature, emphasizing the Cedarwood and reserved sweetness of vanilla accords.
The smooth cologne straddles the line between cozy and playful to perfection. There’s enough brightness to feel sunny in spring, but the light spice also makes it a viable warmer for fall.
I get well over 7 hours of meaningful projection from CK Eternity now, which is an admirable effort for a coconut fragrance.
- Check out our guide to the best coconut colognes to learn more.
| Top Notes: | Coconut, Star Anise and Ginger |
| Middle Notes: | Star Fruit, Patchouli and Cedar |
| Base Notes: | Vanilla and Tonka Bean |
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Classic Scent
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Top Pick
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Date Night
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4.5
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5.0
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4.6
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$104.00 ($65.00 / Fl Oz)
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$60.00 ($24.00 / Fl Oz)
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- Crisp citrus, subtle spice, and an amber/musk base.
- This versatile fragrance works in the office and for post-work drinks.
- A classic scent that still feels modern in 2024.
- Citrus and green notes combine with a soapy heart and masculine sandalwood base.
- Sophisticated fragrance ideal for professionals who still want to show some personality.
- A balanced blend of spice, musk, and woodsiness.
- Girls absolutely love this seductive and alluring fragrance.
FAQ: Best Calvin Klein Colognes
So, What Should You Do Next?
Calvin Klein has certainly positioned itself as a major player in men’s colognes. They definitely deserve to be taken seriously alongside the ‘premium’ brands.
It’s best to shop for high-end men’s colognes through a reputable retailer to avoid counterfeit products.
I’d recommend shopping through Amazon. They provide competitive pricing, quick shipping times to the US, and a wide range of the best Calvin Klein colognes.
At the time of writing, they have good stock availability, so you can pick up the perfect cologne for your personality!
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
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