A cheap perfume does not have to be a bad one, or an obscure one. The picks below are the names most people already half-know, the ones on most high-street fragrance shelves, and each sits at the low end of the prices our UK retailers list for a full bottle. They are here because our verdicts back them, not because they were the cheapest thing we could find.
Everything here is an original rather than a copy of something pricier, drawn from the verdicts on our own perfume pages, compiled from wearer reports. A few of them split opinion hard, and where they do, we say so.
The best cheap perfumes for women
Calvin Klein Euphoria - Eau de Parfum
Dominique Ropion, Carlos Benaïm and Loc Dong built this in 2005 around pomegranate and persimmon over orchid and lotus, on mahogany, amber and violet.
Our verdict calls it divisive: some find the dark, woody floral irresistible, others find it too heavy or dated. Smell it before you commit to a full bottle.
Britney Spears Fantasy - Eau de Parfum
James Krivda built this in 2005 on kiwi, litchi and quince over white chocolate, cupcake and jasmine, on musk and woods.
A legendary pop-gourmand, in our verdict's words: sweet, fruit-forward and edible rather than subtle.
Aquolina Pink Sugar - Eau de Toilette
Shyamala Maisondieu built this in 2004 around raspberry, orange and bergamot over cotton candy, strawberry and liquorice, on caramel, vanilla and musk.
This one splits people hard: pure childhood joy to its fans, an overwhelming burnt-sugar wall to everyone else. There is no polite middle version of Pink Sugar, and the people who love it love it fiercely.
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea - Eau de Toilette
Francis Kurkdjian built this in 1999 on lemon, bergamot and mint over jasmine, fennel and oakmoss, settling into tea, amber and clove.
Our verdict calls it a divisive 90s cheapie: fresh and citrus-forward to some, closer to a cleaning product to others. It performs more like a body mist than an eau de toilette, but at this price you can spray it freely.
Avon Far Away - Eau de Parfum
René Morgenthaler and Xavier Renard built this in 1994 on coconut, ylang-ylang and peach over jasmine, gardenia and rose, on vanilla, sandalwood and amber.
Potent vanilla-peach nostalgia for some, a fragrance that sends others running for the hills. Nobody disputes the longevity.
Moschino Funny! - Eau de Toilette
Antoine Maisondieu built this in 2007 around bitter orange, red currant and pink pepper over tea, peony and jasmine, on cedar, musk and amber.
Our verdict calls it sunshine in a bottle: sparkling, breezy and genuinely carefree, without the caveats most of this list needs. If you want a safe, cheerful recommendation for someone whose taste you do not know, this is it.
The best cheap perfumes for men
Davidoff Cool Water - Eau de Toilette
Pierre Bourdon built this in 1988 on lavender, mint and sea water over neroli, geranium and jasmine, on oakmoss, cedar and tobacco.
Our verdict calls it the quintessential aquatic-fresh masculine, still unbeatable for daily wear decades later. This is the closest thing on the list to a universal safe buy.
Nautica Voyage - Eau de Toilette
Maurice Roucel built this in 2006 on apple and green notes over lotus and mimosa, on musk, cedar, oakmoss and amber.
Our verdict does not hedge, calling it one of the greatest budget aquatics ever made: crisp, versatile and with nothing to apologise for.
Afnan 9pm - Eau de Parfum
Apple, cinnamon and lavender over orange blossom and lily of the valley, on vanilla, tonka, amber and patchouli.
A gourmand powerhouse: loud, sweet and club-ready, and built to be noticed rather than to blend in.
Calvin Klein Obsession for Men - Eau de Toilette
Cinnamon, lavender and coriander over myrrh, nutmeg and carnation, on amber, vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli.
Our verdict calls it a spicy amber powerhouse that bottles eighties masculinity without apology. It is not one for minimalists.
Rasasi Hawas - Eau de Parfum
Apple, bergamot and lemon over plum, cardamom and orange blossom, on ambergris, musk, patchouli and driftwood.
Our verdict calls it a super-charged fruity-aquatic that grabs attention with juicy fruit and citrus, built for warm weather and casual wear. It is bold and energetic rather than refined.
Lalique Encre Noire - Eau de Toilette
Nathalie Lorson built this in 2006 on cypress over vetiver, into cashmere wood and musk.
More wearers have rated Encre Noire than any other perfume on this list, and they do not agree: a cult vetiver bomb that reads as a gothic masterpiece to some and an unwearable, dirt-like mess to others. Sample it before committing.
The ones that work on anyone
Calvin Klein CK One - Eau de Toilette
Alberto Morillas and Harry Frémont built this in 1994 on bergamot, lemon and pineapple over violet, jasmine and freesia, settling into musk, cedar and tea.
The iconic unisex citrus-green scent, crystalline and soapy, and still a 90s legend. Our verdict is clear that it is fleeting and quiet, which suits the easy, clean way most people wear it.
4711 Original - Eau de Cologne
Wilhelm Muelhens created this original eau de cologne in 1792 on lemon, bergamot and orange over lavender and rosemary, settling into neroli and petitgrain.
Our verdict calls it fantastic for what it is: a bright, classical citrus-herbal pick-me-up that does not pretend to last all day. More than two centuries on, that is still the appeal.
Calvin Klein CK Be - Eau de Toilette
René Morgenthaler built this in 1996 on lavender, mint and bergamot over jasmine, peach and magnolia, on musk, sandalwood and cedar.
Our verdict calls it the ultimate unisex skin scent: ultra-clean, soft and quietly confident without ever shouting for attention. If the rest of this list feels too loud, this is the quiet alternative.
Buying for someone else
If you are buying for someone else, our guide to affordable fragrance gifts picks from the same end of the market, with gifting in mind.
