6 best deodorants for men of 2023

Jul 01, 2023

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Whether you want to stop sweat in its tracks, go fragrance-free or enjoy citrus scents, check out these affordable and award-winning deodorant picks.

Sweating is a natural bodily function which helps regulate body temperature. While sweat itself is odourless, it’s the bacteria living on our skin which feed on it that create the characteristic niff that we call body odour.

Combating both the sweating process and its olfactory effects is a multi-billion pound industry and there are hundreds if not thousands of products to choose from.

For many of us, picking one involves little more than a cursory scan of the relevant supermarket shelf before grabbing either a familiar brand or a product on offer.

Nothing wrong with that of course, but if you’re looking for something with a little more appeal, or simply want to go with the convenience of buying in bulk, we’ve got you and your sweaty armpits covered.

Read more: Sun hats for men to sport this summer

Read on for some very affordable old-school — if not Old Spice — stalwarts that you can buy in handy multiples and some higher-end armpit aromatising exotica that will set you back a bit more.

Complements Hugo Boss aftershave

Works as a standalone scent

Look classy on the bathroom shelf

Not a cheap option if used every day

If you’re a fan of Hugo Boss’ The Scent aftershave, then it makes sense to match your deodorant to it so that you don’t end up exuding a mix of competing aromas in work or social situations. Even if you don’t use that particular aftershave, this deodorant body spray may actually work as a substitute. No, it’s not cheap, but Hugo Boss never is.

If you use it every day it will work out a pretty expensive way to keep yourself smelling fresh but many will use this only when going out for an evening or attending special occasions.

As such it makes a sensible purchase when you plan to be at close quarters with friends, family and colleagues and want to create more of an impression.

Very well priced

Virtually fragrance-free

Convenient bulk purchase

Bland scent

Dove Men Care is a trusted and respected name in toiletry products and this antiperspirant deodorant is no exception, garnering an impressive 4.7-star average rating on Amazon. It comes in a six-pack and claims to offer 48-hour protection while protecting against skin irritations thanks to a formulation that is one-quarter moisturiser.

It’s very lightly scented, indeed almost fragrance free, and uses a twist base to push up the stick before you simply rub onto the underarm area and you’re good to go. A simple, effective, affordable product that seems to get the job done for a lot of men, its wallet-friendly price point makes it so that you can keep one in your gym bag at all times.

Classy looking product

Plenty of bathroom shelf appeal

Pricey

This is the best-selling men’s deodorant on the Harrods retail site and a popular choice at John Lewis. It’s a roll-on from Le Labo and is scented with a couple of classic essential oils; lavender and bergamot.

At £25 a pop it’ll be more of a ‘going out’ choice for many but is formulated with antioxidants, vitamin E and plant-derived glycerine and the makers claim that one application will last all day long.

Environment-friendly choice

Pleasantly scented

Cheaper alternatives are available

The market for more skin and environment-friendly men’s toiletries has boomed in recent years and this product from Brickell is riding that wave.

This product is not only an aluminium-free deodorant but it’s also alcohol-free and doesn’t contain bicarbonate of soda.

As a natural deodorant, it contains bergamot and lemon peel essential oils to create a herb and citrus scent and uses natural blockers to absorb sweat and deter odours. Garnering a respectable, if not stellar, 3.9-star rating on Amazon it is said to be good for oily, combination, sensitive, dry and normal skin.

Great value

Claimed 48 hour protection

Not everyone likes the scent

The makers of Lynx XL Bodyspray claim it will give you 48 hours of odour protection which could be useful in some situations.

If true you could potentially make this product last twice as long by using it only every other day. But, unless you’re on a major economy drive, generally we’d say daily showers and deodorant applications every 24 hours are the way to go!

The product is also said to have ‘high definition’ essential oils scents of oud wood and fresh vanilla. Amazon buyers seem impressed with this keenly priced multi-pack, giving it an impressive 4.7-star rating.

Convenient multi-pack

Very affordable

User-friendly gel stick

Ideally needs to dry on skin before dressing

For those who prefer a gel to a spray or roll-on deodorant this product from Gillette is a winner.

It goes on easy, smells good, works well and it’s credentials are fully endorsed by Amazon reviewers who give it a very impressive average 4.8-stars.

Its enduring popularity can mean that it pops in and out of stock, so it’s worth coming back here regularly to check on availability.

There isn’t necessarily a single best deodorant for men and indeed you may even want to select an ‘everyday’ and a ‘going out’ option.

For the former, we think the Lynx XL body spray is both a convenient and very affordable option when ordered in a six-unit multipack from Amazon.

For special occasions, depending on your personal scent preferences, we reckon this deodorant spray from Hugo Boss hits the olfactory sweet spot. It’s also, in our opinion, the best-smelling deodorant for men on our list.

If you want something that is not only highly effective at managing perspiration but places a high emphasis on being both kind to your skin and the environment then the Brickell natural deodorant is a great choice. For those prone to irritable skin, this may be the best deodorant and also a great pick for men who sweat a lot.

Anecdotally, it seems that sales of portable air conditioners have boomed this summer and, given that everyone’s sweat glands seem to be working overtime, we’d wager that antiperspirant and deodorant sales have done the same.

But climate warming considerations aside, in practical terms, it’s a great idea to make these toiletry purchases online to give you one less item to add to your supermarket shopping list.

Prices updated on 07/07/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

A seasoned journalist based in Glasgow, Mark Appleton specialises in automotive and cycling content. Spending much of his time in the Highlands with his young daughters, he is equally at home writing about outdoor pursuits, photography and kids’ products.