When it comes to finding the best Bleu de Chanel alternatives, I have tried and tested a wide array of colognes to bring you top-tier recommendations. Here’s my top picks for those seeking an experience akin to Bleu de Chanel without breaking the bank.
One major reason not to opt for Bleu de Chanel is its high price point. Instead, I highly recommend Perry Ellis Pour Homme as the best alternative. This fragrance not only mirrors the sophisticated note profile of Bleu de Chanel but is also a lighter and more wearable scent, perfect for spring and summer.
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Budget-friendly Pick
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Best Overall
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Premium Option
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4.2
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4.8
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4.5
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$46.99
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$94.95
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$38.39
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- The scent lasts on you for up to 6 hours.
- Unlike other products in the same price category, this one does not smell synthetic.
- 90% similar to Bleu de Chanel.
- Smells pricey but not as expensive.
- Smells exactly like Bleu de Chanel.
- Strong projection; the smell stays behind for a while even after you've left a room.
For those who prioritize directly similar scents, Alexandria Fragrances is an excellent alternative, offering a budget-friendly option that I rate with an 8/10.
Similarly, Yes I Am The King by Geparlys is ideal for individuals looking for a strong and lasting impression.
In this round-up, I’ve shared my top alternatives to Bleu de Chanel, focusing on quality, performance, and affordability. Whether you are looking for a fragrance with a similar profile at a lower price or a long-lasting scent that turns heads, these options are sure to meet your needs.
Best Bleu de Chanel Alternatives for Men in 2024
- Best Overall: Perry Ellis Pour Homme
- Best-projecting Scent: Yes I Am The King Le Parfum by Geparlys
- Best Budget Pick: Alexandria Fragrances Bleu Mémoire
- Best for Summer: Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale
- An Extra Touch of Masculinity: Armaf Voyage Bleu
- Best Alternative for Travelling: Parfums Belcam G Eau Blue
- A Clean-smelling Alternative: Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue
1. Perry Ellis Pour Homme – Best Bleu de Chanel Alternative Overall
- 90% similar to Bleu de Chanel, but a little lighter.
- Smells expensive - but it's only a third of the price.
Pour Homme is a 90% similar scent to Bleu De Chanel, capturing all of the intrigue in a slightly lighter way.
It’s the same, well-balanced expression of citrus, musk, woodsiness, and ginger spice that plenty of designer houses have been unable to successfully pull off.
I particularly enjoy the citrusy top notes. If you had to point to one aspect that feels more noticeable, it’s these. They smell just a touch more juicy and noticeable than in the original, at least for the first ten minutes.
After that, everything settles down into a very similar scent palate. Apart from one thing.
Perry Ellis Pour Homme doesn’t have the incense sense you find in Bleu de Chanel. For me, that’s fine.
After a few days of wearing Bleu I find it a little stifling, and removing this ticker element makes Pour Homme more office-friendly if you work in close quarters.
The bottom line is that Perry Ellis Pour Homme smells like it should cost as much as Bleu de Chanel, but it’s only a third of the price.
Longevity is very similar to the original. I find I get around 6 hours from 2 – 3 sprays, which I’m perfectly happy with. Projection is much the same – a nice arms-length bubble of attractive fragrance.
| Perry Ellis Pour Homme | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Bitter Orange, Cardamom, Coriander and Clary Sage |
| Middle Notes: | Lavender, Fir, Mint and Cedar |
| Base Notes: | Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Moss, Amber, Musk and Patchouli |
2. Yes I Am The King Le Parfum by Geparlys – The Best-projecting Scent Alternative
- Smells exactly like Bleu de Chanel with the exception of the introductory bright lemon note.
- This has a scent projection that even after you leave the room, the smell lingers on.
It almost doesn’t bare discussing how Yes I Am The King smells – because it’s pretty much exactly the same as Bleu de Chanel.
The only difference might be a singular bright lemon note in the opening rather than the more general citrus sense in Bleu de Chanel, but beyond that everything is the same.
A gorgeously powdery sense, slithering down a velvety, woody backbone.
The main reason I’m bringing it to your attention is that this stuff really kicks out fragrance. Like, the room still smells Yes I Am The King after you’ve left.
It’s the most intensely projecting scent on this list, and anything more than a couple of sprays in the morning is probably overkill.
I can still smell it on myself the next day, sometimes – so handle it with care (particularly if you want to keep things subtle at work).
There’s also a nice tip of the cap to Bleu de Chanel in Yes I Am The King’s bottle designer. The cap and atomizer work in tandem with a dipole magnet which means it twists to the front on contact with the bottle. Very fun.
| Yes I Am The King Le Parfum | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Lemon, Nutmeg, Coriander |
| Middle Notes: | Tonka, Lavander, Iris, Violet |
| Base Notes: | Frankincense, Moss, Musk, Sandalwood, Vetiver |
3. Alexandria Fragrances Bleu Mémoire – Best Budget Pick
- The aromatic notes stay on you for a max of 6 hours.
- Does not smell synthetic unlike other products in the same price category.
Alexandria Fragrances is fast becoming one of my favorite brands to look for when I’m looking for an affordable and faithful “inspired-by” cologne.
This one is a like-for-like replica of the real thing. Bleu Mémoire stacks up side-by-side with Bleu de Chanel, even if you lose out on a little bit of the balance and nuance. It’s a solid, 8 out of 10 fragrance.
It opens up beautifully, without any of the screechy synthetic sense that other budget fragrances suffer with.
Apply Bleu Mémoire once you get out of the shower for an aromatic freshness that stays with you for up to 6 hours. That’s pretty remarkable staying power for such a cheap buy. It’s like a little 2 ft forcefield of Bleu de Chanel goodness.
| Bleu Memoire | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Aldehydes, Coriander and Pink Pepper |
| Middle Notes: | Melon, Jasmine, Ginger and Nutmeg |
| Base Notes: | Cedar, Amber, Sandalwood, Incense, Amberwood, Patchouli and Labdanum |
4. Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale – Best for Summer
A brighter, breezier version of Bleu de Chanel for summer.
Less emphasis on the smokier incense note.
Acqua Essenzial is very similar to Bleu de Chanel, but a better pick for the height of summer when you want to avoid any rougher notes.
The cool, sweet opening captures the citruses and energizing ginger spice, but brings in a touch of refreshing mint to add a green sense. The dry down gradually brings forth the iconic vetiver and musky masculinity, like it’s revealing a secret.
Like Perry Ellis Pour Homme, the denser incense heart is absent. The texture here is smoother, more aquatic – as if something is tugging a bottle of Bleu de Chael towards Armani’s Aqua di Gio.
Bleu de Chanel feels a little dense and dark by comparison, with Acqua Essenzial airier and lighter.
I’ve got no problems with a longevity of 6 hours on a hot day, and this casual spring/summer Bleu de Chanel alternative projects noticeably enough to pick up a few compliments over the week.
| Acqua Essenziale | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Mint and Lemon Leaf |
| Middle Notes: | Sea Notes, Lavender, Geranium and Rosemary |
| Base Notes: | Vetiver, Musk, Labdanum and Patchouli |
5. Armaf Voyage Bleu – Bleu de Chanel with a Touch of Masculinity
Tremendous longevity. Spray in the morning and you're set for the whole day.
A little thicker, a little darker, a little more mysterious.
The second pick from Armaf, this EDP captures the Bleu de Chanel EDT essence very well.
Unlike the previous colognes in this list, the darker aspects of Bleu de Chanel are maintained in Voyage Bleu – and maybe even dialed up a bit. The incense is a little thicker, a little smokier – and it lends more mystery to the heart.
But the overriding sense of balance between the incense, woodsy, citrus, and spice is definitely maintained enough to make Armaf Voyage Bleu pretty hard to tell apart from the original Bleu.
Apart from maybe an ever so, ever so slightly synthetic sense in the top notes that vanishes after 20 minutes or so. It’s a cheaper fragrance, after all.
P.S In true Armaf style, the bottle here is a little weird. It feels good quality – great sprayer, magnetic cap – but it just looks a little tacky?
| Armaf Voyage Bleu Parfum | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit and Pink Pepper |
| Middle Notes: | Ginger, Mint and Nutmeg |
| Base Notes: | Cedar, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Vetiver |
6. Parfums Belcam G Eau Blue – Best Alternative for Travelling
Electric Blue by Parfums Belcam is similar to Bleu Mémoire by Alexandria Fragrances – another fragrance available for pocket change.
It’s very close to the note profile of the original Bleu de Chanel, notwithstanding a slightly more heavy-handed approach to balancing the ingredients.
You’d only notice that in a side-by-side smell test, though. The powdery woods and astringent spices are all here in a combination that more than punches above its weight
In terms of firepower, I’d say Electric Blue is a little lighter than Bleu de Chanel – definitely more of cologne than a parfum.
It lasts well into the afternoon, which is pretty good for a cheaper fragrance. Sure, it doesn’t have designer Eau de Parfum strength, but you will get 5 hours of use per application – and maybe an hour more if you apply moisturizer first.
The reason I’ve included Electric Blue as my travel pick is the TSA-approved container it comes in. If you want to take colognes abroad with you, I’d recommend Parfums Belcams range more broadly to avoid misplacing any expensive scents in the excitement.
| PB G Eau Blue | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint and Pink Pepper |
| Middle Notes: | Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine, and Iso E Super |
| Base Notes: | Incense, Vetiver, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Labdanum and White Musk. |
7. Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue – A Clean-Smelling 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 twist on the Bleu de Chanel DNA
The composition starts with top notes of grapefruit, fig leaves, and bergamot that smell clean and fresh.
This soft, fruity opening leads 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.
Plus, the deep blue bottle with a gold cap and a medusa seal makes it a beautiful addition, even as an object.
| Versace Dylan Blue | 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 |
Want the Real Deal? Consider a Decant From MicroPerfumes.com
If none of these alternatives are jumping out at you, maybe consider getting a sample decant of the real deal from Microperfumes.com instead.
You can 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 Bleu de Chanel, 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.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Bleu de Chanel Alternative
What does Bleu de Chanel Smell Like?
Bleu de Chanel is an intriguing and inviting modern classic. This well-balanced cologne is distinctive, but not necessarily easy to define.
It’s somehow spicy and fresh, yet also warm and musky. It walks a fine line between these two senses – and does so with style.
A modern-day classic that's got plenty of character, but is professional enough for work, too.
This unique scent profile fits together like a jigsaw puzzle.
- It's ideal for sophisticated evening parties because of its subtle scent.
- It's longevity is approximately 7 hours.
- I picture this worn by a gentleman in a crisp suit or stylish casual clothing.
- I always remember why I adore this fragrance after giving each arm a brief spray.
The different facets of the scent fit together like a puzzle. No one thing stands out and overpowers the rest. Everything just fits together mellowly and with aplomb.
Bleu de Chanel starts with a refreshing grapefruit note that makes you sit up and take notice. Combined with incense and ginger, the result is an energizing composition that tingles the nostrils.
In the base, vetiver is poised against the spicier, fruity elements and they do a great job of mellowing each other out.
The result is a masculine vibe that still feels youthful – there’s no stuffiness here.
It’s a pretty linear scent that remains consistent throughout its lifetime. What you get at the opening is, for the most part, what you’ll be kicking out hours later.
- Check out my full Bleu de Chanel review here and our comparison of Bleu de Chanel EDT vs EDP.
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
4th 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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