11 Best Zara Perfumes for Men in 2024

Zara is known for producing fragrances “inspired by” high-end fragrances- and they do a great job.

Some of the best Zara colognes smell 90% similar to their designer counterparts but at a fraction of the price.

My top pick this week, Vibrant Leather, is very similar to Aventus by Creed, for a fraction of the price.

Similar to Tobacco Vanille
Best Overall
Smells like YSL
4.5
4.8
4.3
$48.30 ($14.21 / Fl Oz)
$47.00$34.02 ($16.76 / Fl Oz)
$66.70 ($19.62 / Fl Oz)
  • An affordable scent that evolves and develops over time.
  • Authentic tobacco notes conjure spice and plenty of masculine bite.
  • Very similar to Aventus by Creed - but just a fraction of the price.
  • Citrus and bergamot combine for a masculine and professional-smelling fragrance.
  • Sweet amber and warming cardamom combine beautifully in this successful cologne.
  • Smells really close to YSL L'Homme, in my opinion.
Similar to Tobacco Vanille
4.5
$48.30 ($14.21 / Fl Oz)
  • An affordable scent that evolves and develops over time.
  • Authentic tobacco notes conjure spice and plenty of masculine bite.
Best Overall
4.8
$47.00$34.02 ($16.76 / Fl Oz)
  • Very similar to Aventus by Creed - but just a fraction of the price.
  • Citrus and bergamot combine for a masculine and professional-smelling fragrance.
Smells like YSL
4.3
$66.70 ($19.62 / Fl Oz)
  • Sweet amber and warming cardamom combine beautifully in this successful cologne.
  • Smells really close to YSL L'Homme, in my opinion.
03/08/2024 01:11 am GMT

Sure, you’ll have to make some allowances in terms of performance. Most Zara colognes will need to be reapplied to survive the whole day, but you can’t really expect more. Either way, they still last longer than most other colognes in this price range.

Zara have have produced over 200 fragrances up till now, which might leave you wondering where to start.

Luckily for you, I’ve narrowed it down to the 11 best Zara perfumes for him.

My Top Zara Colognes
My Top Zara Colognes

In this guide, I’ll be covering which colognes are best for imitating certain designer scents, alongside a few unique fragrances that bring something new to the table.

So- let’s get into it!

TOP PICKS

Best Zara Perfumes for Him in 2024

Vibrant LeatherThe Creed Imitator

Tobacco Collection RWABest for Class on a Budget (Tobacco Vanille)

Night Pour Homme IIIBest for Nightlife (Yves Saint Laurent Imitator)

Cherry SmoothieA Subtle Tom Ford Lost Cherry Alternative

Gourmand Addict – A Tom Ford Bitter Peach Smell-a-like

Zara Lisboa – An Acqua di Gio Alternative

Vibrant Leather Oud Best for Retro Feel

Men’s W/End till 3:00 AM & till 8:00 PMBest Value for Money

Man GoldBest for Confidence and Seduction

Vetiver Pamplemousse Best for Energizing Citrus


Best Zara Perfumes for Him

Vibrant Leather – The Creed Aventus Alternative

Vibrant Leather is a masculine and professional-smelling fragrance, delivering CEO confidence and authority.

Vibrant leather
Top Notes:Bergamot, Citruses
Middle Note:Bamboo
Base Note:Leather
Zara Vibrant Leather Fragrance Notes

If you’ve always wanted to get into Creed fragrances but can’t afford them, this is the cologne for you.

Vibrant Leather opens up with the iconic combo of bergamot and zesty lemon and lime. This freshness fades within an hour or two into a wood, musky aroma. 

The leather in the name is rather quiet. I interpret Vibrant Leather as a fresh and clean fragrance, rather than the dark leather the name prepares you for.

As you’d expect for a cheaper cologne, it doesn’t pack quite as much of a punch as its designer inspiration. Vibrant Leather wears as more a light Eau de Toilette than a powerful Eau de Parfum. It’s a watered-down interpretation, but you can’t expect anything more for the price. 

You’ll get an hour or so of solid projection before Vibrant Leather retreats to skin-scent territory for a further 4-5.

Even with that in mind, Vibrant Leather is a cologne I would recommend to basically anyone. For a hilariously low price, you’re blessed with a real compliment-collecting fragrance that is truly versatile.

Vibrant Leather
$47.00 $34.02 ($16.76 / Fl Oz)

Very similar to Aventus Creed. Does an excellent job for a fraction of the price.

Citrus and bergamot combine for a masculine and professional-smelling fragrance.

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03/07/2024 11:50 am GMT
Occasion: Creed Aventus fansLongevity: 5 – 6 hours
Age Group: 23 – 40Projection: Light
Season: Year-roundValue for Money: 5/5
Vibrant Leather – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

Tobacco Collection RWA – Tobacco Vanille Imitator

For the price, RWA is almost unbelievably good. Too good. It’s a supreme, tempting aroma from start to finish, with solid projection and longevity.

Zara RWA
Top Notes:White Rum, Tobacco Flower
Middle Notes:Peony Wood, Tobacco Leaf, Cardamom and Cloves
Base Notes:Bourbon Vanilla
Zara Tobacco Collection Rich Warm Addictive Fragrance Notes

The tobacco in this blend is realistic, sweet tobacco flower just like in Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille.

It’s rounded out by warm and creamy vanilla opens up, with touches of rum and cardamom and cloves lending spice and warmth to the heart.

This is no generic, linear tobacco blast, that’s for sure. 

It is the perfect cologne for Gents looking to exude a luxurious sense when they’re suited up; whether you’re making deals in the office or seducing at an up-market bar.

There’s surprising and welcome depth in this fragrance, with layers evolving and changing over time.

If you have no money to smell a million bucks, I say to you: buy this warm and cozy scent from Zara.

Tobacco Collection: Rich Warm Addictive
$48.30 ($14.21 / Fl Oz)

An affordable alternative to Tobacco Vanille that evolves and develops over time.

Authentic tobacco notes conjure spice and plenty of masculine bite.

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03/08/2024 01:11 am GMT
Occasion: Smelling expensive on a budgetLongevity: 5 hours
Age group: 25 – 35Projection: Moderate
Season: Fall/WinterValue for Money: 5/5
Tobacco Collection RWA – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

Night Pour Homme III – Best for Nightlife – Yves Saint Laurent Imitator

Night Pour Homme has a “fizzy” cola sort of vibe. I’ve always loved resinous, amber, cardamom-infused fragrances, and this Zara cologne fits the bill 100%.

Top Notes:Cardamom and Bergamot
Middle Notes:Lavender
Base Notes:Amber and Cedar
Zara Night Pour Homme III Fragrance Notes

If you’re a fan of Yves Saint Laurent, this one is for you. It’s 90% of the way similar to L’Homme, and a great alternative.

I am shocked by the resemblance- if you hadn’t worn either fragrance regularly, I doubt you’d be able to tell the difference at all. 

A word of warning- the first 5-10 minutes are sort of rough. It starts SUPER synthetic and chemically, and doesn’t smell particularly good.

Night pour home with box

After 10-15 minutes, everything settles down and this initial harshness fades away. 

There’s a touch of iris which lays across the fragrance profile like a racing stripe. It sticks out, draws attention, but enhances rather than distracts. It’s this floral undertone that differentiates it from YSL’s L’Homme.

Oh, that and the performance. For such a low price, you know that performance isn’t going to be able to stack up against high-end designer houses like YSL. 

Nevertheless, you’re going to get the standard Zara output of 4-5 hours, which is very respectable at this price point.

Night Pour Homme II
$66.70 ($19.62 / Fl Oz)

Sweet amber and warming cardamom combine beautifully in this scent.

90% similar to YSL L'Homme, for a fraction of the price.

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03/07/2024 05:31 am GMT
Occasion: YSL L’Homme fansLongevity: 4 – 5 hours
Age group: 25 – 35Projection: Moderate
Season: Year-roundValue for Money: 5/5
Night Pour Homme II – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

Vibrant Leather Oud – Best for Retro Feel

A twist on my top pick, Vibrant Leather Oud is one of the best Zara colognes I tested. It’s got an 80s/90s feel and reminds me of a classy nightclub where you’re dressed to the nines.

A crisp Armani shirt, an enormous watch, leather moccasins with no socks- Vibrant Oud is the Zara fragrance you’d choose for flexing on the haters.

Top Notes:Bergamot
Middle Notes:Incense and Woodsy Notes
Base Notes:Oud (Agarwood)
Zara Vibrant Leather Oud Fragrance Notes

Compared to the original, Vibrant Leather Oud is a little toned down in terms of brightness. This is a deeper blend that replaces the sweet citrusy bergamot with smoky, mysterious incense. In that sense, it’s a touch more masculine- but less clean and business appropriate. 

Zara Vibrant Leather Oud opens with a mandarin note combined with dark oud. The oud here is similar to modern interpretations like Tom Ford’s Oud Wood. It’s unpolarising and cleaned up for a western audience, for sure. 

Once it settles down, Vibrant Leather Oud mellows into woody incense, tempered with a hint of amber. Like the original, I don’t get much leather from this fragrance. There’s a hint in the base, but the overriding sense is soapy woodiness from the Oud.

The performance is slightly improved from the original, but only marginally. The projection is longer (you might get two solid hours), but the overall longevity is much the same. If you get 5 hours, you’re doing well.

Even with that in mind, Vibrant Leather Oud still represents obscenely good value.

If this were like a Versace fragrance with improved longevity, people would go crazy for it. 

Vibrant Leather Oud
$70.04 ($35.02 / Fl Oz)

Deeper and more masculine than the original Vibrant Leather.

A streak of smoky, mysterious incense adds a seductive quality.

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03/07/2024 05:09 am GMT
Occasion: A classy club nightLongevity: 4 – 5 hours
Age group: 21 – 35Projection: Moderate
Season: Fall/WinterValue for Money: 4/5
Vibrant Leather Oud – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

Need to know: What does Oud smell like?


Cherry Smoothie – A Subtle Tom Ford Lost Cherry Alternative

For a fragrance that costs far less than the Tom Ford version, Cherry Smoothie is really impressive. The cherry and almond top notes are vibrant and natural-smelling, but this time there’s a touch of plum or berries, too.

Cherry Smoothie by Zara

The classic cherry/almond combo, but this time with a touch of berries.

A more subtle scent for intimate encounters and indoor environments.

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Occasion: Intimate environmentsLongevity: 6 Hours
Age group: 25 – 40Projection: Subtle
Season: Year-roundValue for Money: 4/5
Cherry Smoothie – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

The heavier, boozy quality of the Tom Ford original is also notably absent, so this is a great choice for anyone put off by alcoholic undertones.

As you’d expect from a budget scent, the performance here isn’t exactly beastly, but you’ll still get around 6 hours out of this fragrance. The main difference is that the projection is a little lighter. It’s like a more intimate version of Lost Cherry, detectable when you’re 2 – 3 feet away rather than filling the room with fragrance.

Top Notes: Cherry, Almond and Plum
Middle Notes: Heliotrope, Hawthorn and Peru Balsam
Base Notes: Vanilla and Tonka Bean
Zara Cherry Smoothie Fragrance Notes

Zara Gourmand Addict – A Tom Ford Bitter Peach Smell-a-like

Okay, this is technically a women’s fragrance, but hear me out.

Zara Gourmand Addict
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Occasion: Energy and FruitinessLongevity: 6 Hours
Age group: 18 – 25Projection: Moderate
Season: Spring/SummerValue for Money: 4/5
Zara Gourmand Addict – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

Gourmand Addict smells like peach iced tea – light, sweet and fun. It’s the kind of scent that feels youthful and optimistic, so I’d recommend it as a budget pick for Gents in their early to mid 20’s on a sunny holiday.

It’s not as masculine as other scent son this list, but there is some chocolate and patchouli in the base that lends a bit of seriousness to the dry down.

You could happily wear Gourmand Addict as a date fragrance if you’re going out for fun cocktails in the sun. This carefree fragrance will pick up compliments for any Gent confident enough in his masculinity to not need a cologne to be manly on his behalf.

Men and women alike will ask me what I’m wearing and they’re always shocked when I tell them it’s a high-steet scent.

Top Notes:Mandarin, Orange and Bergamot
Middle Notes:Peach, May Rose, Blackcurrant and Jasmine
Base Notes:Woodsy Notes, Patchouli and Benzoin
Gourmand Addict Fragrance Notes

Zara Lisboa – An Acqua di Gio Alternative

Lisboa is another example of Zara colognes punching well above their weight in terms of price.

Zara Lisboa
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Occasion: Breezy FreshnessLongevity: 3 – 4 hours
Age group: 25 – 40Projection: Light/Moderate
Season: SummerValue for Money: 3.5/5
Lisboa – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

It smells about 85% similar to Acqua di Gio, with the same airy, aquatic feel that I love in the Armani cologne. In this breezy cologne, clean citrus and florality descend into woods with a hint of spice.

I’d recommend this as a daily-use fragrance that you can spray without thinking, perfect for spring and summer.

Girls seem to love it too, by the way. If I wear Lisboa to the office, it’s only a matter of time before I receive compliments from female colleagues. 

Longevity is similar to the current Acqua di Gio at 3 – 4 hours, which might sound a little underwhelming. But remember this Zara scent is cheap enough to load yourself up with a few more sprays to get the longevity you’re looking for.

Top Notes:Lemon, Grapefruit and Orange
Middle Notes:Jasmine
Base Notes:Woodsy Notes
Lisboa Fragrance Notes

Men’s W/End till 3:00 AM & Men’s W/End till 8:00 PM- Best Value for Money

These two colognes come as part of a pair pack designed to guide you through an entire day of revelry.

W/END till 8.00 PM & W/END till 3:00 AM
$46.39 $44.00 ($12.94 / Fl Oz)
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03/07/2024 05:39 am GMT

W/End till 3:00AM

Let’s look at the “night” partner first. W/End to 3:00AM is like a minimalist version of vibrant leather. It still revolves around top notes of pineapple and bergamot, but it’s cleaned up and restrained.

Occasion: Late-night escapadesLongevity: 4 – 5 hours
Age group: 18 – 28Projection: Moderate
Season: Year-roundValue for Money: 5/5
W/End till 3:00AM – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

I’d bracket this more as ambiguous musky citrus than something that would make you exclaim “pineapple!” in the way VL or Creed Aventus might. 

This light fragrance has “I just got out of the shower” vibes, emphasizing freshness for daytime activity. 

As time goes by there’s a bit of development from semi-sweet florals like lavender and violet, and the heart livens up through a pinch of black pepper. It sits on top of a powdery base of cedar with a hit of sweet amber. 

Standard longevity and projection of 4-5 hours. Are you noticing a theme developing with Zara colognes?

Top Notes:Pineapple and Bergamot
Middle Notes:Lavender and Violet Leaf
Base Notes:Cedar
W/End Till 3:00AM Fragrance Notes

And now, onto its partner in crime…

W/End till 8PM

Men’s W/End till 8:00PM is an aquatic and aromatic day scent that women seem to love to be around. 

Occasion: Casual daytime datesLongevity: 4 – 5 hours
Age group: 18 – 28Projection: Moderate
Season: Fall/WinterValue for Money: 5/5
W/End till 8PM – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

My girlfriend literally grabbed hold of me during my test day and wouldn’t let me go until I told her what I was wearing.

Then, the same thing happened to me in the checkout aisle later that day. Okay, this time the lady wasn’t quite as insistent, but you get the point. W/End 8:00PM makes women sit up, take notice and pay attention.  

Till 8:00PM has that Invictus-style pineapple bursting forth in full glory. When it combines with mandarin orange in the opening, the result is a sweet peachy delight.

Top Notes:Mandarin Orange and Pineapple
Middle Notes:Lavender and Pepper
Base Notes:Amber and Leather
W/End till 8:00PM Fragrance Notes

Gun to my head, W/End 3:00AM is my favorite of the two. It smells like Bvlgari Aqva Atlantique, and is a great option if you want a fresh and tropical cologne without spending a fortune. 

The quality/cost ratio is high across all the best Zara colognes, but that’s never been more obvious than with the W/End twin pack deal.


Man Gold – Best for Confidence and Seduction

Man Gold is a classic “sex appeal” fragrance and doesn’t smell anywhere near as cheap as it is.

Zara Man Gold
$44.00 ($16.30 / Fl Oz)
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03/07/2024 10:14 am GMT
Occasion: Candlelit seductionLongevity: 5 hours
Age group: 25 – 35Projection: Strong
Season: Year-roundValue for Money: 4/5
Man Gold – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

The opening is rich and chocolatey, with fresh citrus perched on top of a dark, gourmand balsamic. Despite the sweetness, the overriding sense is one of masculinity and confidence.

After 5-10 minutes the games begin. In come strong spiced elements of dry cinnamon and warm cardamom, and Man Gold starts to smell as precious as gold itself. Touches of incense enhance this luxurious sense and lend a mysterious, brooding quality.

Projection-wise, Man Gold does a little better than the other Zara colognes on this list. It’s a loud fragrance, and you’ll get 2-3 hours of arms-length fragrance from the initial application. Longevity is roughly what you’d expect, clocking in around 5 hours. 

Top Notes:Lemon, Balsamic
Middle Notes:Cinnamon, Incense and Black Cardamom
Base NotesEbony Wood, Amber, Patchouli
Zara Man Gold Fragrance Notes

Vetiver Pamplemousse – Best for Energizing Citrus

Vetiver Pamplemousse is a fatally attractive grapefruit cologne. It’s all about energizing and sharp grapefruit, uncomplicated aside from a couple of touches of greenery.

Vetiver Pamplemousse
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Occasion: Office freshnessLongevity: 4 hours
Age group: 25 – 35Projection: Light
Season: Spring/SummerValue for Money: 3.5/5
Vetiver Pamplemousse – Best Zara Perfumes for Him

It might be the most accurate and realistic grapefruit I’ve ever found in a cologne. Most budget fragrances confuse the note by adding lemon and lime, where the result is just a general citrus sense.

Vetiver Pamplemousse surprised me with its quality right away, with an authentic grapefruit smell that captures the bitterness of the rind and the juice of the flesh. It sort of reminds me of the white spongey section under the skin.

In the dry down, you start to notice subtle notes of green vetiver, which serves as a softener to the acerbic grapefruit accord. Still, the vetiver is nowhere near as prominent as the name might lead you to believe.

Overall, it Vetiver Pamplemousse punches way above its price bracket. It performs similarly to some of the best Jimmy Choo colognes – but for half the price. There’s no alcohol sense that you often find in cheaper fragrances.

This is a pleasant and natural-smelling cologne that I don’t tire of throughout the day. That said, I do find myself having to reapply it. At the risk of repeating myself, Zara produces high-quality fragrances- but their longevity is not top-tier.

You’re looking at 4 hours or so before it fades away. I tend to spray once before work, once at lunch, and then again when I’m leaving the office. At this price, you can permit yourself to spray it at will and without guilt. 

This zesty pick-me-up is best for spring and summer days and evenings. It is neither suited to nor capable of cutting through a frigid winter’s day.

P.S if you’re looking for a grapefruit heavy cologne but need better performance, you should check out Light Blue Pour Home – one of the best Dolce & Gabbana colognes.

Top Notes:Grapefruit, Sweet Mandarin
Middle Notes:Green Vetiver
Base Notes:Cedar, Vetiver Root
Zara Vetiver Pamplemousse Fragrance Notes

FAQ- What You Should Know About the Best Zara Colognes

The Zara cologne selection in-store

Are Zara Colognes Worth It?

Zara offers some of the best value-for-money perfumes for men I’ve ever come across.

They’re most known for producing scents inspired by notorious fragrances from high-end designer brands. They actually manage to get pretty close to the originals.
 
The twist is that Zara fragrances cost far less than the colognes that inspire them.

What is the Best Zara Men’s Fragrance?

Vibrant Leather is the best Zara Men’s fragrance. It’s the most popular and mimics Aventus by Creed which is one of the world’s best fragrances, period.

However, my personal favorite is the tobacco-inspired Rich Warm and Addictive. It’s such a great expression of warm amber-y goodness, and has better longevity than Vibrant Leather.

Are Zara Fragrances Long-lasting?

For the price, Zara colognes perform admirably. You get 4-5 hours of high-quality fragrance. 

They outlast many budget offerings, where you’ll often only get 1-2 hours.

You’ll be disappointed if you’re looking for the 10-12 hour longevity you can expect from designer houses, but your wallet will thank you. 

Which Zara Perfume Smells Like Creed?

Vibrant leather is an unashamed Aventus Creed imitation that does an excellent job for a fraction of the price.

I think that anyone who doesn’t have experience wearing both fragrances would struggle to tell the difference.


How to Buy Zara Colognes

Zara is a European company, so we aren’t blessed with masses of stores in the States. To save yourself a drive across the country, I’d recommend ordering online.

You’re also more likely to get the cologne you want this way, rather than settling for whatever they have in stock in-store.

I’ve included links to the best prices I could find from reputable retailers, so you can buy with confidence that your cologne is legitimate and will actually arrive. Zara colognes are cheap enough that it’s not worth using a sketchy website just to save a few dollars.


What’s Changed?

We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.

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