My current favorites.
I love smelly things. In our culture that’s seen by some as not caring about anything, but I’ve never understood that. We get 5 senses – people can like things that look good, look good, taste good, and taste good but appreciating a good smell, is a bridge too far. I love a good body wash, a good soap, a good candle — anything to make my space smell good. And if you’re the same, you’ll recognize the journey every man embarks on.
It starts small. You grab cheap but good smelling stuff. Then suddenly you’re smelling things before you buy them. Gradually, you start paying $7 instead of $4 for a body wash just because of the smell. You’re still buying stuff at Target or wherever, but then you discover something next-level. One of the top scents that make you stop and go, Oh, wow. Yes, I understand that. They smell good.
But then comes the price tag.
Spending $30 on a bottle of hand soap for the bathroom? No way. It doesn’t fit the budget, and honestly, it’s out of values. This is not happening.
So what do you do?
The problem is, once you’ve smelled something really good, it’s hard to go back. Budget-friendly options now have every quality you can’t quite put your finger on know When you smell it. Whether it’s soaps, candles or body wash, there’s some olfactory quality that’s always present in budget-friendly items.
And for scents that are leanly masculine—wood, tobacco, leather, oud, musk—it’s even more noticeable. Even brands that try to perfect these fragrances on a budget can’t escape this faint Axe-like undertone. Once you catch it, you can’t smell it.
But here’s the thing: You don’t have to deal with this awkwardness, and you don’t have to blow your budget either. I’m always flipping through new options when I find them and after experimenting with all sorts of things, I’ve found these seven affordable fragrances that give off cheap vibes and actually smell good. These are the things that make your routine and your space feel better—without spending like you’re shopping for luxury candles in Soho.
Let’s get into it.
Cedar Balsam Hand Soap
Trader Joe’s ($3.99)
At $3.99, it’s basically a no-brainer. This is technically a limited-time seasonal item for the holidays, and, yes, I get it when I smell it. But if you smell it out of context, you won’t immediately think, “Oh, that smells like December.” It has this cedar scent that just works—good for the price and a welcome break from the floral or citrusy stuff you usually find at the lower end of the hand soap price range.
Palo Santo
Palo Santo, which means “sacred wood,” is an aromatic wood often used to purify spaces or create a calming atmosphere. Unlike a candle or incense, it does not burn continuously. You light it, let it smoke briefly, and then naturally pass it through your place before going out. It’s like a match that smells good—not that it smells like a match, but it has the same effect that quickly affects the scent of a place.
If you’ve ever walked into a fine menswear store like Buck Mason or Todd Snyder, you’ve almost certainly smelled it before. These places are exactly what Palo Santo is looking for in their stores — I know because I’ve smelled it and literally seen them do it. Palo Santo is also an aromatic note, such as musk, oud, or tobacco, often used in things like colognes and candles. Burning the real thing gets you to the concentrated source.
The scent lasts for about an hour or more. What makes it so great is how easy it is to use—no need to remember to blow it up or worry about it burning for long. This shit is cheap too. You can find it everywhere, pick up a little bundle of sticks at farmers markets or honestly, maybe even Whole Foods.
Sandalwood + Cardamom Oil Body Wash
Pigeon Man + Care, $10
I’ve always been a fan of what Dove Men+Care does. I’ve done quite a few of their body washes, and as far as big box store men’s brands go, they really nail that mature scent—something that’s “grandpa” or “teenage.” Feels big without being distracting.
This Sandalwood + Cardamom Oil Body Wash is part of their Restore line, and it’s another solid option. The scent is subtle – woody, but not overly cologne like something from Old Spice or X can be. It strikes a great balance between lather, price, and smell, which I think is what keeps me coming back to this brand. I got it about two months ago and you can see I’m only about half way through.
I have tried others in the line, eg Eucalyptus + Cedarand I’ve never had one I didn’t like. It’s an easy buy, and I’ll definitely pick it up again — although knowing me, I’ll probably get a different scent next time just to see what else they have.
Mahogany Teakwood Intense 3-Wick Candle
Bathing and body workon sale for $10
I’ll admit, I’m incredibly new to Bath and Body Works. Sure, it’s been in every mall I’ve ever been near, and I even bought gifts there in my younger years. But for yourself? Never really left my mind. Honestly, it was the kind of store where I would go in, grab what I needed, and get out as quickly as possible.
Lately, though, I’ve been wasting time and ending up browsing. Turns out, they’ve really expanded their men’s line. Not everything is a hit — some of it falls into the trap of “masculine marketing” with names BourbonBut overall, there’s a lot to like.
On this particular day, they were running a deal where all 3-wick candles were $10. So, I picked up the Mahogany Teakwood Intense. First impression? It smells amazing – premium and masculine without being overpowering. And at ten bucks for a large, three-wick candle, it felt like a good buy.
What surprised me was the performance. I burned it for a while one day, the next day when I came home the scent was still noticeable. I’m not new to candles, whether they’re cheap or expensive, and I can honestly say I’ve never had an experience like this before. The scent lasts, and it doesn’t smell cheap or artificial- it’s really impressive.
A bonus? The sticker on the jar peeled off cleanly, leaving me with this sleek, matte frosted black glass that didn’t look out of place after more expensive decorations. It’s like finding a clearance-style piece that blends seamlessly with higher-priced items.
Now, here’s what I’ve figured out about bath and body work — it’s basically J.Crew for fragrance stuff. The full price is not the actual price. The next time I went in, the candles weren’t on sale, but all the body care items were $5.95. They’re always running some sort of deal, so don’t pay full price.
Avoid aerosol colognes (even the scents I love in spritzer bottles or candles have a cheap x-cologne vibe in aerosols for some reason). I haven’t tried their body wash yet, but I’m sure I will at some point.
Overall, the Mahogany Teakwood Intense candle was a nice surprise, and I will definitely be back to see what else they have to offer.
C+ Surf Body Wash
Method male$11.48 for a 28 oz
I picked up the Method Man C+ Surf Body Wash, as it was on sale at the time. I’ve tried it while finishing the second bottle, and this is the case: it’s a little brighter than Dove Men+Care, leaning a little more cologne-y but still firmly in the “soap” category. It’s not overpowering, doesn’t drip badly on the skin, and subtly looks, smells and feels premium.
What does the ocean + surf smell like? It’s not floral, citrusy or woody. Just “clean” without going into “laundry detergent” territory. The bottle is big, and I love the design- it looks great in the shower.
In terms of leather, Do Man + Care has the edge, but the method holds its own. It’s a solid choice, especially if you catch it on sale.
Vetiver + Amber Hand Wash Refill
Method Gel Hand Wash Refill$8 for a 32 oz
I went through an entire letter of it before I remembered to photograph it. For around $8, you get a liter of soap that smells surprisingly premium. This is probably the closest you’ll get to something like Aesop at Target prices.
I would definitely repurchase this, especially for refilling the glass bottle. Easy choice.
Incense from the global market
Global market
I have become a fan of World Market Incense after trying a few different varieties. They have cones and sticks (pretty sure that’s it), and what I love is that they’re super budget-friendly with nice packaging. They offer the classic scents you’d expect but also some more curated, unique options.
For me, especially with budget incense, I like to smell it before I buy it. Cheap incense can be hit or miss—what one brand calls “sandalwood” may be off-putting on another. This is what got me into World Market’s options in the first place: My fiance got some as a gift, then I found more in the store and was surprised at how cheap they were.
The packaging is a bonus. For example, the orange shown here comes in a nice glass jar with a clear label. It’s the kind of thing that looks good sitting out—no need to hide it. If you’re in World Market, it’s definitely worth a look.
What are some of your current favorites? Continue the list in the comments below!