15 Deodorants That Actually Do Their Job
Men aren’t necessarily known for the effort they put into finding the best deodorants for their body, but according to a 2019 survey by MRI-Simmons and Statista, almost 80% of Americans wear deodorant at least once a day, so this seems like something most guys pay close attention to.
Much like an elite shower gel, these routine body fresheners say a lot about our personal hygiene and body care regimen. Smelling good — or rather, not smelling bad — certainly plays a vital role in our everyday affairs, but so does killing bacteria and reducing sweat. Hence why we are recommending what we consider to be the best deodorants for men right now.
The first step is familiarizing yourself with the essential difference between deodorant and antiperspirant:
- Deodorant: Fragrance is combined with acidic or salty ingredients such as alcohol, witch hazel, zinc oxide, and baking soda to kill bacteria-causing odor, and absorb sweat, although the main function of deodorant is to help keep your sweat from smelling.
- Antiperspirant: Aluminum compounds such as aluminum chloride or aluminium chlorohydrate are used to physically block sweat glands, preventing the flow of sweat. It’s these aluminum ingredients that cause yellow pit stains in your shirts.
Next, it will benefit you to make note of the questionable ingredients found in many pharmacy-branded and white-powered deodorants and antiperspirants that should be used sparingly or avoided:
Thankfully, the market is flooded with several fragrant, organic, refreshing, and sweat-absorbing options to make the swapping process more enticing come every new season. To save you some research time, we narrowed down the selection based on consumer feedback, expert reviews and of course, first hand experience. Now it’s time to take a whiff of our picks for the best deodorants for men.
Best Deodorants for Men
Best Overall Deodorant for Men
Schmidt’s Sandalwood and Citrus Natural Deodorant
We are obsessed. Featuring even more magnesium to help neutralize odor, Schmidt’s sandalwood and citrus natural deodorant might just be the best smelling deodorant we have ever worn. The clean and refreshing scent of citrus and spicy sandalwood with hints of spearmint and linen kept our pits smelling great for days. Yes, days.
Promising Review: “Review from my husband who I bought this for: He says it WORKS really well and he’s been very surprised by it. He’s a firefighter by trade and says it holds up when he sweats while at work. Let me just tell you that for him to like something a lot is rare, so when he gave this deodorant a two thumbs up, you can be sure that it’s a genuinely positive review from a very discerning guy! Highly recommended!” — ALC
Best New Deodorant for Men
Disco Deodorant
We will admit proclaiming something as the best new brand is ballsy, but we wouldn’t say it if we didn’t mean it. Using natural vegan ingredients, sustainable production, and cruelty-free practices, the brand tops it all off by actually being both effective and affordable. The fresh eucalyptus scent is crisp and soapy upfront which helps keep that clean feeling all day long.
Promising Review: “This is one of the best smelling deodorants I’ve tried. It feels good to apply and doesn’t make your skin itchy or leave a film. 10/10 would recommend.” — Zach
Best Budget Deodorant for Men
Speed Stick Deodorant
Listen, we can write all day long about how deodorant works and which one to buy, but if you’re saving coins and don’t want to stink, this is a great place to start.
Promising Review: “It’s a classic product that I’ve been using since middle school. I’m ok with the scent – I know it’s a personal preference. It does help me to stay cool and clean throughout the day. On top of that, it’s aluminum free, so it won’t stain your clothes. For roughly $1 each pack, this is a great value for the money.” — Ryan
Best Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Men
Native Deodorant
If you like an aluminum-based underarm treatment, chances are a lot of that is the good grip it gives while you swipe — it’s almost like you know it’s getting to work. If you want that solid antiperspirant feel without an aluminum result, Native fits the bill nicely. With over 40,000 reviews and 85% percent of them five-star, we’re not the only ones that think it’s a good aluminum alternative. Tapioca starch, baking soda, and magnesium hydroxide work together to absorb wetness all day. Other key ingredients include coconut oil, shea butter, and probiotics.
Promising Review: “By now, I have tried a lot of different deodorants, mostly harmful types because they’re the only ones that ever held up for me. As a man, I get sweaty and need proper all-day protection. Now that I’m older, I am much more conscious about the products I use on my body and don’t want to be absorbing unnecessary toxins anymore. Unfortunately, every other all-natural deodorant that I’ve used in the past would never keep me smelling good past lunch, let alone all day long! That was then, this is now, and the technology has come a long way. Whatever NATIVE did to get the formula right is a blessing. Not only will it last up to two days, it smells fantastic (citrus and herbal musk) and is hands down my favorite deodorant I have ever used. I advise everyone considering a natural alternative to get over what it costs and buy this stuff right away, you will not be disappointed plus, it can last a couple of months because it only takes minimum application. This is the longest review I’ve ever written, that’s how hyped I am on this stuff! Trust me, it’s well worth the price to pay for good quality, and better health!” — Keith
Best Natural Deodorant for Men
Oars + Alps Sensitive Skin Natural Deodorant
Free from aluminum and alcohol, the lightly scented deodorant uses naturally skin-soothing cornstarch to absorb sweat while leaving behind notes of citrus and amber. Made in the U.S. and cruelty-free, this natural deodorant is also great for sensitive skin thanks to its allergen-free fragrance that works hard, so you can play hard.
Promising Review: “Wasn’t sure what to expect since we’ve never heard of the brand. But we really love it, and yes – even for the price. Great smell, decent strength, all natural and really great packaging. We will definitely get this again and keep using it!” — Justin
Best Smelling Deodorant for Men
Corpus No. Green Natural Deodorant
Corpus deodorants are loaded with certified organic ingredients made from a water-based, long-lasting, cruelty-free, vegan formula that contains naturally derived enzymes, plant extracts proven to significantly reduce body odor. Free from Aluminum, baking soda, and talc, this fresh fragrance is extracted from the root, seed, stem, pulp, and rind of bergamot, lemon, orange blossom and blended with spicy cardamom. It’s undeniably citrus but mysteriously complex.
Promising Review: “So I had been on the search for a natural deodorant and found that either I broke out in my underarms (used magnesium and beeswax) or the smell would last 4 hours max. Living down in Houston you will be sweaty always, so I really needed to find a deodorant that would last. Decided to try this although the price is on the higher side, you DEFINITELY get what you pay for!!! I have currently have the rose smell and absolutely love it! not too strong, but I can smell it all day. Can’t wait to try the other scents as well as I see jasmine is listed in one of them. I also wanted to add that it goes on sooooo incredibly smoothly compared to some of the weird textured natural deodorants I’ve tried.” — Chantelle
Best Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
Ursa Major Base Layer Deodorant
The bevy of high-caliber ingredients found in this unscented cruelty-free gem make it one of the best unscented deodorants you can choose — which is key in the most sensitive skin, since many fragrances are made up of essential oils that can irritate, even with the best intentions. Natural kaolin clay (like that found in oil-absorbing face masks) works to absorb that sticky sweat while hops and saccharomyces ferment neutralize odor. This is also a great option for sensitive skin.
Promising Review: “Bought this for my husband as we’re “lowering our toxic load”… we’ve given all sort of “natural deodorants” a try – none of them really worked out relative to the aluminum starches in regular deodorants. Ursa Major’s actually worked! It works well for his normal sunny, office workday, and even held up during his cardio workouts. I love that this is without too many synthetic chemicals AND that it doesn’t interfere with his natural smell.” — JW
Best Antiperspirant Deodorant for Men
Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick
If you want to banish body odor for a full 48 hours, and never have to worry about your friends catching a whiff of your pits, then Dove Men+Care’s new deodorant should be tops on your list. It uses an alcohol-free formula and an included moisturizer, so you won’t have to worry about skin irritation. It also ditches sulfates, fluorides, and parabens — all the iffy ingredients a lot of lesser deodorants rely on.
Promising Review: “Of all the deodorants I’ve ever used (including natural options) this has been my favorite that I keep coming back to. The scent is refreshing, subtle and clean smelling without all the “musk” that so many companies use which I hate. Easily works for 24 hours or more.” — SG2083
Best Unscented Deodorant for Men
Bravo Sierra Unscented Deodorant
If you’re using an unscented deodorant — and not a sweat-blocking antiperspirant — you really need it to fight sweat and odor, since fragrance is a hallmark of many deodorants. That’s why we endorse this Military field-tested, cruelty-free option from Bravo Sierra. By using a plant-based starch powder to absorb sweat and destroy odor causing bacteria, there is no need for aluminium, baking soda, or some fancy fragrance.
Promising Review: “Tested it out a few times so far and have to say this product is OUTSTANDING. Got this because my wife’s nose was sensitive during pregnancy and she was afraid our newborn would be sensitive to other deodorant smells when holding or putting to sleep. Also, I wanted something strong and scentless that could withstand some field exercises and Brazilian jiu jitsu / Muy Thai classes. Even wear it to the office and meetings now without smelling like pepele pew with all the mixture of smells in the room giving me a headache at times. This product is the one. This is the way.” — Julio
Best Cream Deodorant for Men
Type:A Aluminum Free Deodorant
There was a time when, if you wanted to use a cream deodorant, you knew you were just going to get your hands dirty to do so. Not anymore. Type: A deodorant has the thick, rich, creamy texture you want, without the nasty application you don’t. Using sweat activated technology and natural ingredients, this non-toxic, non-Irritating, paraben free deodorant keeps you drier, longer, and feeling fresher.
Promising Review: “Loved: scent (lime) and packaging and application. How it could be better: more scents please. This is the best aluminum-free deodorant out there. It works all work day and I usually reapply for evening as I did with my old store bought aluminum brand. I like that I can throw in my bag and it doesn’t look like deodorant. The value is great compared to other natural deodorants I tried that didn’t work half as well. I also think the feel is really nice. I highly recommended.” — William
Best Deodorant for Excessive Sweating
Art of Sport Rise Deodorant
Is this great for the active guy out there killing it at CrossFit? Sure, but it’s also great for the guy who doesn’t want to use aluminum but still sweats more than most on any given day. Cedar and vanilla scents keep your underarms smelling good, instead of relying on aluminum, talc, or baking soda — none of which are in this deodorant stick.
Promising Review: “I like to use Art of Sport deodorant before and after my workouts (of course I shower after my workout before I put on rise, it’d be crazy not to) — Rise delivers every time. Like most people, even when I’m done working out, I continue to sweat and have had problems with deodorants holding up to the standards I hold myself in and out of workouts. I really like the smell — it’s great. I like that it’s organic (going to help me live a long time) and I like that it’s catered towards athletes — like me.
I’m not going to lie, when I had success with Art of Sport deodorant, I threw out all of my care products and bought the entire set (deodorant, body wash, and bar soap). Trust me — it’s worth it and you’ll feel great everyday!” — Hayes
Best Men’s Deodorant Spray
OffCourt Spray Deodorant
Forget what you think you know about deodorants in a can, or “body sprays.” This is grown up sweat protection formulated for active men with prebiotics and superior odor-absorbing technology. Cleansing agents target bacteria, odor-controlling actives regulate odor production, and deodorizing agents trap odors. All that, and they smell very very good.
Promising Review: “Working as a full-time nurse, the long hours really get you sometimes and you don’t remember it’s been hours since your last deodorant touch up. Got this as something to use to freshen up, and honestly stayed fresh for way longer than my normal deodorant but not super overpowering. Thank you!” — Caleb
Best Organic Deodorant for Men
EO Products Deodorant Spray
Organic deodorants can be harder to come by, even if they can be all-natural. EO offers a selection of certified organic products that really work. Tea Tree oil in this potent spray contains a number of compounds that have been shown to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi which make tea tree oil a valued natural remedy for treating bacterial and fungal skin conditions — or in this case, stinky armpits.
Promising Review: “As always (unfortunately) you have to pay more for less additives. That terrible reality aside, I’m so very thankful this company exists and is providing a safer and more responsible alternative to the immune-disrupting products available at Walmart and the like. You may have to apply it more than once during the day, but no matter how many times you have to you won’t have to worry about it disrupting your immune system or causing brain damage. Need a better argument than that? Thanks, EO! Keep up the amazing work, we need more companies like you!” — Goodkat
Best Deodorant Wipes
Degree Men On-The-Go Deodorant Wipes
If you’re a guy on-the-go, then sometimes you just want a deodorant wipe at the ready. Degree infused it’s seriously sophisticated odor-fighting technology into these aluminum-free wipes. Designed to pair perfectly in between Degrees leading athlete-approved antiperspirants or all on their own, these make a great addition to glove compartments, gym bags, backpacks, and briefcases — or all of the above.
Promising Review: “My boyfriend decided to give these a try as well and fell in love with the product. These are very affordable and a great product to use after a workout or just to freshen up throughout the day. The scent is refreshing. Highly recommend.” — Shelbyx3
Best Charcoal Deodorant
Duke Cannon Trench Warfare Natural Charcoal Deodorant
The uniquely masculine scent of bergamot and black pepper is a surprisingly awesome combonation and will have you smelling downright fantastic. This alcohol-free, aluminum-free, cruelty-free deodorant not only works hard for you, it helps others too, because a portion of proceeds from the sale benefits U.S. veterans.
Promising Review: “PRODUCT WORKS and def has a masculine scent too.” — VasiKing
Best CBD Deodorant
Each and Every Cannabis and Green Tea Deodorant
CBD deodorant? Don’t mind if we do. The non-psychoactive component of the hemp plant, full-spectrum whole-plant cannabidiol, is grown, chemically-free in the U.S. and known for its soothing and calming effects when applied topically. That means if you trim, shave, or just want refreshed armpits, this is a great “add to cart.” Additionally, lauric acid-packed organic coconut oil has antibacterial benefits and helps nourish, hydrate, and protect even the most sensitive skin.
Promising Review: “I’ve been having issues for years from the use of deodorants that contain unnatural and unhealthy ingredients. I have tried all natural deodorants before and because I am a heavy sweater when I work out they would never work. I would come out of my workouts smelling like I never put deodorant on which is not cute. I wear each and every deodorant daily and still smell fresh even after my workout.” — J.
Best Gel Deodorant
Gillette Deodorant
Sometimes it’s nice to throw it back to the old school gel deodorant style we remember our dads using. And why not go with a brand our dad approved of as well — Gillette. There is a reason this is one of the best-selling deodorants for men, and that is because it works, it smells great, and it doesn’t make you wallet hurt. This gives you 48 hours of sweat and odor protection with Scent XTend technology providing fade resistant scent, the precision engineered formula will keep you fresh. All. Day. Long.
Promising Review: “I’ve had problems with irritation in the past from gel deodorants. I mistakenly ordered this in my prime pantry box thinking it was the advanced solid version, but instead was the gel. I decided to give it a try, and I couldn’t be happier. Not only does this work better than other brands I’ve had, but it also works better than the advanced solid, and requires less to work. I’ve been thoroughly impressed, and would recommend this to anyone needing some serious sweat protection.” — D.J.
Best Deodorant Body Wash for Body Odor
American Crew 24 Hour Deodorant Body Wash
Whether you workout midday, sweat more than others, or you just stink, this is a body wash made for you. By not only washing away stank odors, but also keeping them at bay all day, you set yourself up for smell success when you wash with this tea tree and minty fresh men’s body wash from American Crew.
Promising Review: “I LOVE this stuff and have been using it for years. It definitely is true to its 24 hour deodorant name, even after a long day at work and gym, it still keeps that B.O. smell away. I really like that it’s not heavily scented like most men’s body washes, So I can wear my cologne without having to mix a bunch of scents. Also this stuff lathers really easily, which is a plus for me.” — Indy Guy
