A lot of guys (and maybe even most guys) think that the best deodorant for men is whatever happens to be on sale at the drug store.
But that’s a problem, because some of the very best men’s deodorants and antiperspirants either aren’t available at the drug store, don’t go on sale very often, or both.
Making matters worse, price isn’t always indicative of quality:
Some cheap deodorants are great, while others are ineffective and potentially even harmful.
To help you sort out the diamonds from the rough, in this post I’ve rounded up some of the very best deodorant for men who want their pits to stay dry and smell fresh.
The Absolute Best Men’s Deodortants
Breaking Down the Best Antiperspirants & Deodorants for Men
Overall Best Deodorant for Men ↓
Dr. Squatch Fresh Falls Men’s Deodorant
Features:
- 5 Stars on Dr. Squatch
- 189 ratings
- Natural deodorizers
- Smooth glide application
- Includes moisturizers like jojoba and shea butter
Like their line of natural, cold-process soaps, Dr. Squatch’s line of all natural deodorants is among the best on the market.
They’re free of harmful chemicals and artificial ingredients and packed with natural ingredients like arrow root powder, charcoal and probiotics that will keep you feeling dry and smelling fresh all day.
After conducting a pretty comprehensive review of Dr. Squatch’s deodorants awhile back, I found the Fresh Falls scent to be my overall favorite, with the Pine Tar scent a (very) close runner up.
Overall, all three of the Dr. Squatch deodorants I tried performed exceptionally well, easily out-performing the cheap drugstore deodorant sticks I had previously been using.
Score a Deal:
Use code GENT20 to get 20% off orders of $20+ or subscription purchases on Dr. Squatch’s website.
Helmm Deodorant
Features:
- 4.7 Stars on Helmm.com
- Dermatologist approved
- Free of parabens, phthalate, talc, triclosan and sulfates
- Refillable (and rather bad-ass) leather-lined vessel
Helmm’s deodorant isn’t the cheapest, but it’s one of the best men’s deodorant on the market.
Helmm carries deodorant in four distinct fragrances developed by Cecile Hua, an award-winning French perfumer, all of which are designed to be lighter and fresher smelling than drugstore brands.
Plus, it’s customizable. Once you choose your scent, you can then choose what kind of deodorant you want to have scented:
An all natural deodorant that prevents odor, an aluminum-free sports deodorant that provides active protection, or an antiperspirant and deodorant combo for maximum protection.
When you add the quality and customization to the fact that the refillable sticks are environmentally friendly, Helmm basically becomes a no-brainer for anyone who wants to step up his scent game
Best Natural Deodorant for Men ↓
Native Deodorant
Features:
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 44,095 ratings
- Aluminum-free
- Cruelty free
- Available in 8 natural fragrances
No deodorant on Amazon has as many reviews as Native.
Of the 44,000-plus ratings it’s received so far, more than 86% of them are 4- or 5-stars, making it not just the best natural deodorant for men, but one of the best overall.
Free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates or talc, Native’s natural deodorant is made from naturally derived ingredients like baking soda and tapioca starch that neutralize bacteria-causing odors without clogging up your sweat glands.
Plus, it comes in multiple scents that include a range of fresh-smelling ingredients, from coconut oil and vanilla to cucumber and mint.
Best Antiperspirant for Men ↓
Degree Men UltraClear
Features:
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 11,433 ratings
- No artificial dyes
- Motion-activated
Free of artificial dyes, Degree’s UltraClear men’s antiperspirant is designed to go on, well, clear, so it won’t stain or leave unsightly streaks on your clothes.
It also uses what Degree calls “MotionSense” technology, meaning it responds to motion, so the more you move, the harder the antiperspirant works.
Longest Lasting Mens Deodorant ↓
Gillette Cool Wave
Features:
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 11,546 ratings
- Clear Gel
- Lasts for 48 hours
Gillette’s Cool Wave is one of the antiperspirant deodorants that comes as a gel rather than a deodorant stick.
The best long lasting deodorant for men, it’s designed to protect against both odor and sweat for a full 48 hours and uses Gillette’s “Scent XTend” technology to keep you smelling fresh all day.
Best Men’s Deodorant for Sensitive Skin ↓
Dove Men +Care Antiperspirant Deodorant
Features:
- 4.8 Stars on Amazon
- 6,349 ratings
- Contains Vitamin E
- Helps retain skin moisture
As part of Dove’s Men “+care” line, this antiperspirant deodorant combo is designed to be tough on sweat but soft on skin.
Formulated to protect against irritation, it contains vitamin E and Dove’s “triple action” moisturizer, which retains the skin’s natural moisture and keeps your armpits feeling comfortable.
Best Smelling Deodorant for Men ↓
Old Spice Deodorant for Men
Features:
- 4.8 Stars on Amazon
- 11,028 ratings
- Pure Sport Scent
- 24-hour odor protection
In the typically tongue-and-cheek tone we’ve come to expect from Old Spice, they describe their Pure Sport scent as “the crisp, clean scent of achievement.”
And with more than 11,000 reviews and a nearly perfect 4.8/5 rating from Amazon users, it seems like customers tend to agree.
As part of Old Spice’s “High Endurance,” collection, it’s designed to protect against odor for up to 24 hours.
Best Cheap Deodorant for Men ↓
Speed Stick Deodorant for Men
Features:
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 13,740 ratings
- Aluminum-free
- Designed for all skin types
- Relaxed fit
What was it that James Bond said in Skyfall again? Ah, that’s right:
“Sometimes the old ways are the best.”
Ever reliable, Speed Stick has been the go-to affordable deodorant of men for generations, and with good reason.
Its clean masculine scent, 24 hour protection and aluminum-free formula just get the job done.
Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant
Features:
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 2,206 ratings
- No artificial fragrances or preservatives
- Woodsy, fresh scent
Another natural deodorant, this one from Tom’s of Maine is also cruelty free and contains no silicone, dye, microbeads or artificial fragrances.
It uses a combination of odor-fighting hops (yes, like your favorite beer; no, you can’t get drunk off it) to provide natural, 24-hour odor protection.
Best Men’s Spray Deodorant ↓
Dove Men+Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant
Features:
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 3,122 ratings
- 6 unique scents
- Free of aluminum chloride
For those who prefer spray deodorants to sticks or gels, Dove’s offers an aerosol version of their popular Men+Care line.
With this six pack you can try out half a dozen different scents, then pick your personal preference and stock up on it next time.
Hawthorne Natural Deodorant
Features:
- All natural ingredients
- Eucalyptus scented
- Relaxed fit
I had never used a natural deodorant before and was a little skeptical that it would stand up to the (embarrassingly sweaty) test, but Hawthorne impressed me when I put this deodorant to the test awhile back.
As I wrote at the time, “I was kind of blown away by how good it is.”
| Deep Dive:
Manscaped Anti-Chafing Men’s Ball Deodorant
Features:
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 4,754 ratings
- Moisturizing Ball Deodorant
- Infused with natural ingredients
- Not as weird as it sounds!
And now, a brief pause to address an important issue: your balls. And more specifically, their scent.
While the other men’s deodorants on this list are meant to be applied under your arms, Manscaped’s “Crop Preserver” is for a less deodorized, but arguably much more important part of your body, your balls.
Whether you’re playing sports or just wearing a tight pair of boxer briefs on a hot summer day, your boys can get sweaty, and when they do, it smells less than appealing.
If you’re planning (or just hoping) for a romantic rendezvous, throw on some ball deodorant to make sure your package is as appealing as possible.
| And speaking of your boys…
- Check out our round up of the best men’s pouch underwear to find the perfect pair to house your (yep, we’re going for it) perfect pair.
MARLOWE. No. 024 Natural Deodorant
Features:
- 4 Stars on Amazon
- 443 ratings
- Fresh & Woodsy Scent
- Cruelty-free
- Made in the USA
When I tried out Marlowe’s natural deodorant, the first thing I noticed was that the stick was white, which gave me pause.
In the past, the only white deodorant sticks I’ve used have been cheap drug store brands, which inevitably led to white marks on my dark shirts.
But Marlowe went on clear, and stayed that way the entire day. The scent is a little strong, so it’s not the best option if you plan on wearing cologne over top of your deodorant.
But it’s great if you want to skip the cologne altogether and just let the natural, vaguely woodsy-smelling scent speak for itself.
| Deep Dive:
Jack Black Pit Boss Deodorant
Features:
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 2,402 ratings
- Invisible solid stick
- Designed for sensitive skin
Jack Black has been a go-to men’s skincare brand for years, so it’s no surprise that they’ve expanded their offering to include an antiperspirant and deodorant for men as well.
The Pit Boss deodorant stick uses a non-irritating formula that guards against wetness and odor while protecting sensitive skin.
Each & Every Natural Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Features:
- 4.4 Stars on Amazon
- 9,467 ratings
- Made for sensitive skin
- Includes essential oils
Safe for all skin types, Each & Every’s natural deodorant is made from six clean ingredients and enthused with essential oils.
It comes in multiple scents and uses plant-based recycled material for the packaging, so in addition to helping you fight body odor it’s also eco-friendly.
Mitchum Antiperspirant Deodorant
Features:
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 6,824 ratings
- 48 hr protection
- Quick drying
Mitchum’s antiperspirant/deodorant combo comes with what Mitchum calls its “triple odor defense,” meaning it keeps you dry in moments of heat, motion and stress.
It’s formulated to dry quickly upon application and provide up to 48 hours of protection.
Schmidt’s Charcoal Deodorant
Features:
- 4.4 Stars on Amazon
- 4,701 ratings
- All natural
- Uses charcoal as active ingredient
- 24-hour protection
Free of aluminum, Schmidt’s charcoal magnesium deodorant uses ingredients like activated charcoal, magnesium and essential oils like tea tree and lavender to provide natural protection.
Unlike pretty much every other deodorant, this one comes with specific instructions on how to apply it:
You hold it under your arm for a few seconds to soften the essential oils with your body heat, then swipe once or twice to apply.
Nivea Men Roll On Antiperspirant & Deodorant
Features:
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 1,069 ratings
- Contains ocean extracts
- 48 hour protection
Nivea is a skincare brand that made a big push into the world of men’s products a few years back when they launched their Nivea Men line.
Their spray deodorant is designed to keep you cool under pressure and protect against excessive sweating born from stress and other emotional triggers.
Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant for Men
Features:
- 4.2 Stars on Amazon
- 2,440 ratings
- Alcohol Free
- Aluminum Free
- Contains Aloe
Oars + Alps’ award-winning natural deodorant is made from natural ingredients and free of the aluminum, alcohol and baking soda that can sometimes cause skin irritation and rashes.
It comes in three scents (Fresh Ocean Blast, California Coast and Eucalyptus Spearmint) and is designed to glide on clear, without leaving pit stains.
You Know the Best Deodorants for Men
Now learn how to look like your best self
Now that you know the best men’s deodorants and antiperspirants on the market, you’ll be able to keep your sweat in check and smell sharp all day.
But while scent is certainly important, the truth is that it’s only one aspect of your overall self-presentation.
If you really want to put your best face forward, you need to know how to nail all the other important details that add up to make a big impact on how other people perceive you.
Enter your email address below and I’ll send you a head-to-toe checklist that will help you present the most poised and polished version of your self.
It outlines the nine most important details you need to nail if you want to put your best face forward.
Don’t Let the Other Guys Out-Dress You
Find out how to look sharp and stand out ↓
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More Men’s Grooming Advice from Irreverent Gent:
- The 25 Best Men’s Skincare Products & Brands on the Market
- How to Look Handsome and Attractive
- In Review: Dr. Squatch Soap
- How to Shave Your Back by Yourself (Safely & Smoothly)
- Lumin Skincare Products Review: Are they worth the money?
- The 13 Best Shaving Soaps for Men
- Can you use Nair on your balls?
- The (Absolute) Best Foil Shavers on the Market
- The 15 Best Smelling Dr. Squatch Soap Scents
- How to Shave Your Pubic Hair with an Electric Razor
- Foil vs Rotary Shavers – All the Key Differences, Explained
- The Best Beard Butters for Smooth, Soft, Healthy & Handsome Beards
- The Best Beard Growth Kits for a Full, Manly Mane
- How to Grow a Beard Faster – The Definitive Guide
- The Absolute Best Electric Shavers for Black Men
- The Best Beard Oil for Healthy, Handsome (& Kissable) Beards
- The 12 Best Trimmers for Shaving Your Balls
- The 17 Best Bar Soaps for Men
- The Absolute Best Clippers for Fades
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- The 15 Best Clippers for Bald (& Balding) Head Shaving
- Beard Balm vs Beard Butter – The Key Differences, Explained
- The 13 Best Razors for Shaving Your Head
- The 19 Best Clippers for Black Men
More Picks for the Best Men’s Deodorant From Around the Net*:
*The internet, not the Sandra Bullock movie.
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Banner image via pressfoto / Freepik
