Dior Sauvage is a versatile cologne, perfect for any season or occasion. But, you might be put off by the cost and want a cheaper alternative that still captures Sauvage’s essence, so I’ve tested some similar fragrances to recommend the best alternatives.
The best Dior Sauvage alternative is Armaf Ventana. It smells 95% similar to Dior Sauvage, featuring that iconic woodsy-citrus blast and lasting a respectable six hours, all at a more affordable price.
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Long-lasting Scent
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Best Overall
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Smooth Sauvage
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4.2
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4.8
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4.5
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$31.54
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- Top-tier longevity at over 10 hours of consistent fragrance. Strong performer.
- Smoother compared to Dior Sauvage - rounds out some of the rougher edges.
- Very similar to the original Dior Sauvage - around 90% likeness.
- Excellent value for money in terms of quality and performance.
- A touch sweeter and softer than Dior Sauvage - but still very close.
- Smells impossibly expensive for the low price tag.
For those who prefer a warmer, creamier take on the Sauvage DNA, Pride of Armaf is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for someone looking for a subtle variation on the classic scent.
If budget isn’t a concern, Prada’s Luna Rossa Carbon is a fantastic option, offering a smoother, gentler alternative with impressive longevity, lasting up to ten hours.
I’ll step you through the 8 Dior Sauvage alternatives that I’ve enjoyed the most, and discuss when and where I recommend deploying these scents.
Best Dior Sauvage Alternatives for Men in 2024
- Best Overall: Armaf Ventana Pour Homme
- A Hidden Gem of Dior Sauvage Imitation: The Pride of Armaf for Men
- A Smoother Version of Dior Sauvage: Prada Luna Rossa Carbon
- An Alternative With a Twist of Pine: Ajmal Zeal
- Best Alternative from Dossier.co: Aromatic Star Anise – Dossier
- Lighter and Zestier Alternative: Dylan Blue Pour Homme by Versace
- Rooted in the Sauvage DNA For Shower Freshness All Day: YSL Y Eau de Parfum
- A Touch of Spice Sauvage Alternative: Armani Code Absolu
1. Armaf Ventana Pour Homme – Best Dior Sauvage Alternative Overall
Very similar to the original Dior Sauvage - around 95% likeness.
Excellent value for money in terms of quality and performance.
When I used Ventana Pour Homme, my first reaction was genuine laughter. I found it funny how close it was to Sauvage, and I really can’t see why anyone would pick up the original when Ventana exists.
Unless you really want that Dior clout, in which case, good luck to you. It almost smells identical.
It shares all of the keynotes that make the original special – I’d say around 95% to Dior Sauvage.
You get the iconic Sauvage sense straight away with an aggressive ambroxan blast in the opening. It smells sharp, in-your-face, and has no problem making an entrance.
Within half an hour, the harshness dies away to make space for a warmer mid-section with floral freshness from lavender and geranium.
The most noticeable difference between Ventana and Dior Sauage – perhaps the only real change, in terms of notes – is the absence of pepper. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference, though. It’s just as crisp, fresh, and alluring as Dior Sauvage in every other way.
The dry down has that familiar, woodsy feel emerging from the base of cedar and vetiver. The amber note does exactly what it should, mellowing out and brightening up some of the harsher masculine woods.
Sure, it’s not as long-lasting of a fragrance, but Ventana is no slouch, either. 6 – 7 hours of significant fragrance from a budget cologne is good going, and above average for the price point.
If I were to be super picky, I’m struggling with this bottle design a little. Sure, the scent is what really matters – but the feels like a missed opportunity to produce something a little more beautiful.
The bars on the front feel a little like a car’s front grill, and I think the faux leather wrap does more harm than good.
- Check out our guide to the best Armaf colognes here
| Ventana Pour Homme EDP | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Grapefruit, Lemon and Mandarin Orange |
| Middle Notes: | Lavender, Geranium, Vetiver and Patchouli |
| Base Notes: | Cedar, Amber and Precious Woods |
2. The Pride of Armaf for Men – A Hidden Gem of a Sauvage Alternative
A touch sweeter and softer than Dior Sauvage - but still very close.
Smells impossibly expensive for the low price tag.
Pride of Armaf is not quite as similar to Sauvage as Ventana Pour Homme, but it does share a bulk of the same DNA. The opening notes smell similar to the Dior original, but throughout the 6-hour lifetime Pride begins to go its own way, and ends up smelling like a Sauvage flanker.
It feels like a version of Sauvage where the ambroxan freshness has been replaced by touches of cinnamon and nutmeg to develop a fragrance that smells warmer, creamier, and slightly softened.
Pride of Armaf is slightly sweeter than Ventana from lemon and bergamot in the opening, with notes of tonka and sandalwood from the base that arrive surprisingly early, and stick around to the end.
It’s also less harsh than Ventana, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something 100% safe and accessible.
Wearing Pride of Armaf makes you feel like you’re wearing a $100 cologne. It’s one of a handful of fragrances I would actually recommend as a blind buy – you really can’t go wrong with this compliment-ripe cologne that smashed my expectations.
Armaf colognes aren’t nuclear, they’re not weak scents either. Ventana has a little more punch and great sillage, but you’ll still get 6 hours of life out of Pride of Armaf – and probably more in warmer weather.
While Ventana might be slightly more popular, Pride of Armaf is a bit of a hidden gem.
| The Pride of Armaf EDP | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Bergamot, Lemon and Lemon Verbena |
| Middle Notes: | Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Oakmoss |
| Base Notes: | Tonka Bean, Vanilla and Sandalwood |
3. Prada Luna Rossa Carbon – A Smoother Version of Dior Sauvage
Top-tier longevity at over 10 hours of consistent fragrance. Strong performer.
A smoother version of Dior Sauvage that rounds out some of the rougher edges.
If you’re someone who has tried to like Dior Sauvage but has found it a little brash or overpowering, this is the fragrance for you. Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is a smoother, more gentle version of the classic fragrance.
While Dior Sauvage sprints out the gates and smacks you on the face, Luna Rossa Carbon takes the same DNA and makes it a little less obnoxious.
If Sauvage is the designer suit and the gold chain, Luna Rossa Carbon is the reserved business partner with the black tie. Equally impressive, but far more gentle.
The ambroxan freshness in particular is toned down, but the blend as a whole is incredibly well-balanced and will collect plenty of compliments.
For me, Dior Sauvage is just a little too loud for office wear, but I’d be perfectly comfortable with this smooth scent from Prada. It just feels a little more “sensible”.
Also, unlike other colognes on this list, Prada Luna Rossa Carbon can actually compete with Sauvage in terms of longevity and great sillage.
You’ll get around 8 hours of fragrance from a few sprays in the morning, and I normally receive a few compliments a week from colleagues – or even when I’m just commuting into the office.
- Click here to learn more about the best Prada colognes
| Luna Rossa Carbon by Prada | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Bergamot and Pepper |
| Middle Notes: | Lavender, Metallic Notes, Coal, Watery Notes and Soil Tincture |
| Base Notes: | Ambroxan and Patchouli |
4. Ajmal Zeal – A Dior Sauvage Alternative With a Twist of Pine
Similar to Prada Luna Rossa Carbon, Ajmal Zeal presents the essence of Dior Sauvage DNA in a way that feels a little more toned down, refined, and natural smelling than the original.
The ambroxan and pepper combination that can feel a little overpowering for some is replaced by a pine freshness that maintains a bit of bright bite without turning overly woodsy.
It opens with a bit of a citrus blast that mellows within 20 minutes or so. It’s zesty and a little acerbic, but not enough to be off-putting at all. It’s just energizing, like a freshly squeezed orange.
By hour 2, you’ll start to notice shades of vetiver slide into the frame, which linger on throughout the dry down and lend Zeal some of its longevity. You get up to 7 hours of fragrance out of Ajmal Zeal, which is super impressive from a breezy citrus scent at this price range.
In terms of quality, Ajmal Zeal is comparable to western houses like Dunhill or Montblanc – it smells like it operates in that mid-tier price territory.
I have to admit that I think Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is the superior scent for a chilled-out Dior Sauvage alternative, but Ajmal Zeal puts up a great fight for just a third of the price.
Unless you love pine notes. In which case, Ajmal Zeal is still the way to go.
Plus, the bottle looks amazing. It’s a beautiful glass design, and very impressive for something so cheap.
| Ajmal Zeal EDP | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Pine Nut, Lemon and Bergamot |
| Middle Notes: | Pine Needle, Lavender and Geranium |
| Base Notes: | Vetiver and Patchouli |
5. Aromatic Star Anise – Best Sauvage Dossier.co Alternative
Dossier is not shy about taking “inspiration” from designer colognes, so this scent smells very similar.
Aromatic Star Anise straddles the sweet and spicy line that makes Dior Sauvage so special and offers a refined and sophisticated representation of modern masculinity.
The fragrance rumbles open with top notes of bergamot, pepper, and the titular star anise for a spicy start that still feels moderated and controlled.
Then, a floral heart of lavender, germanium, and nutmeg lends the sensual herbaceousness that many people love in the original Dior Sauvage. It’s a soft florality that is more about balancing the spicy elements than anything inherently feminine.
The familiar amber wood base brings a familiar end to the journey, but the base notes do lack the muskiness of the original – which I think contributes to the shorter lifespan when you compare it to Dior Sauvage.
That may be the only thing that might swing you away from Aromatic Star Anise: longevity. I only get 3 – 4 hours per application with this scent.
Now – that isn’t bad, considering the price. But you’d struggle to say it’s good, either. Just meh.
On the plus side, all Dossier fragrances are produced ethically. With cruelty-free and vegan principles at the heart of their business, your new cologne with help you do good while you smell good.
| Aromatic Star Anise | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Bergamot, Pepper, and Star Anise |
| Middle Notes: | Lavender, Nutmeg, and Geranium |
| Base Notes: | Patchouli, Amberwood, and Vetiver |
Dior Sauvage Alternatives
If you’re looking for something that will smell similar to the iconic fragrance without being a direct Dior Sauvage knockoff, I’ve got you covered.
Here are 3 excellent fragrances if you already happen to have Dior Sauvage in your rotation:
6. Dylan Blue Pour Homme by Versace – Lighter and Zestier Sauvage Alternative
Fresh and clean scent with a hint of sweetness and a subtle smokey element.
This versatile and masculine scent collects way more compliments than the price might suggest.
Versace Dylan Blue is an enchanting aquatic scent designed to mimic the cool Mediterranean breeze – and it’s a great pick for anyone looking for something a little less typical than Dior Sauvage.
The composition starts with top notes of grapefruit, fig leaves, and bergamot that smell clean and fresh.
This soft, fruity combination develops into a heart of violet, ambroxan, pepper, and patchouli, with an aquatic sense throughout that keeps the scent feeling light, airy, and uncluttered.
The combination of Tonka bean, musk, saffron, and incense makes the calming, endnote smell so enjoyable.
It’s got a lot of versatility, and you can wear it in the evening or during the day, casual or dressy. It has a moderate sillage for masculine freshness that will linger on throughout the day.
Like Dior Sauvage, Dylan Blue is a long-lasting cologne. Just add a spray or two to your pulse points in the morning, and you’ll smell masculine and fresh all day.
Plus, the deep blue bottle with a gold cap and a medusa seal makes it a beautiful addition, even as an object.
- Check out our favorite Versace colognes here
| Versace Dylan Blue EDT | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Calabrian Bergamot, Water Notes, Grapefruit and Fig Leaf |
| Middle Notes: | Ambroxan, Black Pepper, Patchouli, Violet Leaf and Papyrus |
| Base Notes: | Incense, Musk, Tonka Bean and Saffron |
7. YSL Y Eau de Parfum – Rooted in the Sauvage DNA For Shower Freshness All Day
A versatile favorite almost guaranteed to collect compliments.
The alluring, powdery dry down really lasts all day.
- Sweeter, creamier – better for sophisticated moments.
- Powerful projection – go easy on the trigger.
YSL Y exists in the same genre of sharp blue fragrances as Dior Sauvage, but the prickle arises from a herbaceous blend of apple and sage rather than the pepper you find in the original.
The ambroxan, fresh-out-of-the-shower sense is back in full force, with a universally clean-smelling appeal that works for men across generations. It’s always good to smell fresh, and it never feels like a bad time to wear Yves Saint Laurent’s Y.
Y was formulated around and named after Generation Y (those who were born in the 1980s and 1990s) and does a great job of capturing that sense of young professional energy. It works in the office but will collect compliments by the water cooler, too.
Just like Dior Sauvage, the simple ingredients in the blend also make it a versatile perfume that you can use for almost any situation. It might not be the mindblowing showstopper for a private party or the coziest fragrance for cuddles on the sofa – but it will perform to an 8/10 standard in both scenarios.
You’ll get 10 hours of life out of Y, which is plenty to keep you smelling fresh over a full day at the office. Handle with care: anything more than 3 sprays might be too loud.
Just be aware that it’s more of a general confidence booster than something I would call a signature scent. You won’t win any prizes for groundbreaking originality here, but you will get a very versatile fragrance that is unlikely to offend anyone.
- Learn more about the best YSL colognes here
| YSL Y Eau De Parfum | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Aldehydes, Bergamot, Ginger, Mint and Lemon |
| Middle Notes: | Apple, Violet Leaf, Sage, Pineapple and Geranium |
| Base Notes: | Ambergris, Musk, Cedar, Vetiver, Balsam Fir and Incense |
8. Armani Code Absolu – A Touch of Spice in a Classy Alternative
Code Absolu is a bombshell of an Eastern cologne. The top notes are warm, balanced, and smooth—like cashmere. It’s a gorgeous scent, one that easily transitions through seasons.
Armani Code is a spicy scent with notes of amber and eastern spices. The fragrance is beautifully balanced and very smooth.
Seductive, good-enough-to-eat vanilla is the main event here, making Armani Absolu a perfect aromatic fragrance for winter or date night.
Put it this way – if Dior Sauvage feels “blue”, Armani Code Absolu is closer to “gold”.
The scent opens with mandarin and apple over a bed of suede. Moments later, orange blossom adds a sweet breath of floral air.
I’d best describe the scent first hour as juicy and bright—the fragrance of a freshly peeled orange. After that, nutmeg and carrot seed gradually add their lovely woodsy notes to the mix.
Those heart notes help to keep the blend from being too overly sweet. The bitter almond and dry suede help balance Absolue and conserve its masculinity, rather than becoming just a typical attention-seeking vanilla bomb.
- Check out this guide to the best Armani colognes
| Code Absolu by Giorgio Armani | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Green Mandarin and Apple |
| Middle Notes: | Nutmeg, Orange Blossom and Carrot Seeds |
| Base Notes: | Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Suede and Woody Notes |
What to Look For in a Good Dior Sauvage Alternative
Dior Sauvage is one of the best men’s fragrances of all time, and as far as I can tell it’s successful for three main reasons:
Versatility
Dior Sauvage is one of the few colognes you can genuinely wear all year round. Okay, it might be a bit much for those couple of weeks in summer when everything is just too hot, but you get the idea. It is not a fragrance that’s pigeonholed by a season, which makes it a good pick to buy in bulk for better value as a year-round signature fragrance.
Performance
Dior Sauvage is a notorious performance beast. It lasts for over 10 hours, which will have you covered for a full day.
Longevity is normally where most budget scents fall down, so any suitable Dior Sauvage cologne needs to last at least 6 hours to be practical for daily wear.
| Fragrance | Longevity in Hours |
|---|---|
| Armaf Ventana | 6 – 7 hours |
| The Pride of Armaf | 6 hours |
| Prada Luna Rossa Carbon | 10 hours |
| Ajmal Zeal | 7 hours |
| Dossier Aromatic Star Anise | 3 -4 hours |
If performance is a priority for you, it’s probably best to consider Prada Luna Rossa Carbon, which lasts up to 10 hours per application.
It’s the more expensive option on this list, but its impressive longevity means each spray goes further and a bottle lasts longer. Otherwise, Amraf’s Ventana and Pride both last a respectable 6 hours and are cheap enough that you can easily reapply them after work to refresh yourself.
While Dossier’s Star Anise smells very similar to Dior Sauvage, its longevity is disappointing at 3 – 4 hours. If you want to pick up compliments throughout the day, there are better choices available for the price.
- Check out our comparison of Dior Sauvage EDT vs EDP for more.
High Compliment Factor
People – and particularly women – seem to love being around Dior Sauvage. Any successful alternative needs to have similar head-turning qualities, otherwise what’s the fun?
Sure, Dior Sauvage is not one of the most niche fragrances in the world, and most people have probably smelt it once or twice before.
But we have to remember that most people aren’t genuine frag-heads and spend a lot less time than you or I wondering about the subtleties of notes or batch variations.
Does it smell good? Because that’s more than enough for most strangers you’ll meet. They usually won’t care about your “famous perfumes”.
Which Dior Sauvage Alternative is the Best Value for Money?
The best-value Dior Sauvage alternative is Ventana by Armaf. It happens to be the cheapest, as well as the most faithful Dior Sauvage imitation (95% similar). It’s a win-win.
However, if you find it’s out of stock, pride of Armaf is a solid backup. It’s like Dior Sauvage’s softer, more mature older brother – about 85% similar.
If price is your primary concern, you’ll probably want to skip Prada’s Luna Rossa Carbon. It basically costs the same as Dior Sauvage – but it makes up for the price tag with an impressive 10-hour longevity.
Consider Picking up a Decant of the Real Deal From Microperfumes.com
If none of these scents are jumping out at you, maybe consider getting a sample decant of the real deal instead.
Stores like Microperfumes will let you order 2ml vials of fragrances for just a few bucks so you can try out designer colognes without blowing the bank.
The most affordable place to try genuine samples of designer colognes - starting at 99 cents.
A huge range of the most popular colognes, with quick and easy shipping options.
Once you’ve tried Dior Sauvage, there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love and be able to justify splashing out on a full-sized bottle. At least, that’s what happened to me.
FAQs:
What is the Best Dior Sauvage Alternative?
The best Dior Sauvage alternative is either Pride of Armaf or Ventana (also by Armaf). Both colognes are 90% similar to Dior Sauvage with their own little twist.
What is the Cheapest Dior Sauvage Alternative?
The cheapest Dior Sauvage cologne that’s still worth buying is Ajmal Zeal. Excellent value for money on this underrated scent.
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
5th June 2024: This guide was overhauled with changes to our recommendations, latest reviews, and was re-fact checked to make sure our reviews are as up to date as possible.
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