The 12 Best Deodorants for Men

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Everybody sweats, but no one wants to smell like they sweat, you know? It’s one of those things about being human: Sometimes the most important bodily functions are the most embarrassing. And even though sweating is a good thing, body odor is not—and no one wants to be that guy with the funk. Luckily, body odor is a fully preventable ailment, which is where a good deodorant comes in.

Before we go further, let’s get one thing clear: deodorants do not technically stop or prevent sweat. That’s a antiperspirant’s job. And to be an antiperspirant, a product must include aluminum (it’s the only FDA-approved ingredient to actually stop sweating). But the best deodorants these days will include some ingredient to curb sweating, even if they won’t stop it completely. So, if you’re not so concerned with the sweat factor or you just don’t feel good about putting aluminum on your skin (a lot of people don’t), then a deodorant is for you.

Deodorants come in all forms from sticks to sprays to creams and beyond. Finding one that is right for you may take some trial and error (plus, everyone’s body chemistry is different), but we promise there is one out there for you. This list of the very best we’ve tried is the perfect place to start.

Natural Plant-Based Deodorant

Corpus is our top pick because it checks pretty much every box you want in a deodorant. Not only does it effectively control odor for hours and hours thanks to the combination of odor-fighting vegetable enzymes and a variety of high end-smelling fragrances (we’re partial to the woody Santalum version), but it’s also suitable for sensitive skin due to a baking soda-free formula that instead uses tapioca starch and diatomaceous earth to soak up wetness. It also goes on clear and doesn’t leave greasy or oily residue on your clothes, which is almost as important as how it smells.

Whole Body Deo Aluminum-Free Deodorant Stick

We loved this from almost the first moment we tried it because it is a true multi-purpose product. Yes, it’s a great deodorant with a refreshing and natural-smelling fragrance that helps control odor all day. It’s a smooth, clear stick that leaves no residue that could stain your clothing and it needs no time at all to dry. It’s also suitable to use anywhere on your body from the neck down—even areas like your groin. Best of all, it’s anti-chafe, which is great for your pits and anywhere else that you might get chafe-related irritation.

Total Body Deodorant

This one can also be used anywhere on your body and the spray format makes it easy to apply to hard-to-reach areas. We are particularly partial to deodorant sprays because they tend to be easier to use and also tend to dry quicker than sticks—and this one certainly dries quickly with almost no residue whatsoever. There are three varieties of scents, all of which smell great without being overpowering (we’re partial to the cucumber and avocado, ourselves.)

Aluminum Free Deodorant

Yes, we know, a fragrance-free deodorant sounds counterintuitive, but where other brands relay on added fragrance (sometimes a lot of it) to mask odor, this deodorant is packed with ingredients that stop it at the source. We’re talking things like diatomaceous earth, aloe juice, prickly pear oil, tapioca starch and pre- and probiotics to help balance odor-causing bacteria under your arms. And yes, the plant-based formula actually works.

Roll-On Deodorant

Another unscented wonder, this roll-on uses prebiotics to help balance the skin’s microbiome (to control odor-causing bacteria) and alpha hydroxy acids to help gently exfoliate the skin under your arms (it sounds crazy, but it can also help control odor). Add in a dash of other skin-beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and you have an effective deodorant that also helps improve the quality of your skin. We were shocked at how long it actually kept us fresh-smelling (like all day long) without a hint of added fragrance.

Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Men

A few swipes of this aluminum-free deodorant are enough to keep your pits smelling fresh all day long, which is really the most important thing in a deodorant, isn’t it? It comes in two scents, both of which smell like much better versions of your classic deodorant scents, but it’s not just the fragrance that keeps away BO. The brand says it uses “advanced deodorizing technology” to eliminate odor-causing bacteria and whatever that is, it works. There’s also Brazilian arrowroot powder to help absorb wetness and a host of plant-based oils to help moisturize your skin.

Extra-Strength Aluminum-Free Deodorant

This “extra strength” natural deodorant gets the job done without the help of things like aluminum, parabens, or sulfates, and it works like a dream. Not only does it go on smooth without clumping (important if you’ve ever tried a natural deodorant), but the variety of scents smell fancy AF (allow us to recommend the santal and vetiver, which smells like a luxury cologne). More than that, though, the formula actually does keep you smelling good and fairly dry for hours and hours.

The Deodorant Gel

If sticks aren’t your thing, this gel is a perfect alternative. It contains alpha hydroxy acids that help to exfoliate the skin underneath your arms and control odor, and there’s niacinamide to help strengthen your skin’s barrier plus soothing chamomile extract. The formula goes on pretty wet, but dries quickly—just make sure you allow a bit of time before getting dressed to avoid any unsightly stains. The gel formula feels soothing and cooling on your skin and the subtle eucalyptus scent smells fresh but isn’t overpowering.

ND1 High Performance Natural Deodorant

Okay yes, this is an expensive deodorant but it’s the best smelling of the bunch, so we say treat it like a fragrance and reserve it for special occasions. The luxurious, cologne-like bergamot and neroli scent is worth the price on its own, but the formula itself is a close second. It’s aluminum-free but contains tapioca starch, Amazonian brown clay, and zinc to help control wetness. Plus, there’s a fancy ingredient called niodor which limits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Rest assured, it keeps you fresh even when things get hot.

Sublime Sage Natural Spray Deodorant

It’s hard to beat the convenience of a spray deodorant and this travel-friendly option is one of the best natural versions that we’ve found. It’s packed with ingredients like saccharomyces ferment that help to control odor, lemon myrtle oil that helps to eliminate bacteria, a derivative of castor seed oil that controls the formation of odor-causing bacteria, and more. That’s not even mentioning the scent, which is a soothing and refreshing mix of sage, sandalwood, lemon myrtle, and geranium (which, you’ll notice, are also ingredients in the formula).

The Deodorant Balm

Just a pea-sized amount of this cream is all it takes to keep your pits smelling great all day and into the night. Developed by two West End performers (London’s version of Broadway), this balm holds up even when things get extra sweaty. Natural ingredients like sodium bicarbonate and zinc oxide help squash odor while diatomaceous earth and arrowroot powder soak up wetness. It’s a convenient, travel-friendly deodorant option, but the real stars of the show (apart from its efficacy, of course) are the elevated, luxury-level scent options. They all smell great, but we’re especially partial to the woody, eucalyptus-y After Thunder.

Natural Deodorant

You’ll notice that some deodorants, especially natural ones, tend to use baking soda to help control wetness. The problem is, baking soda can be harsh on skin and cause irritation. This effective natural deodorant doesn’t include it and instead uses cornstarch to soak up wetness in addition to including skin moisturizing ingredients like plant-derived glycerin and aloe leaf juice. The light, fresh scents help to keep your pits fresh but don’t overpower everything.

What To Look For In A Deodorant

Keep in mind that there is a difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant. As a reminder, antiperspirants use aluminum to stop sweat (aluminum is the only FDA-approved ingredient for sweat reduction) and deodorants don’t—they technically only control odor. Sweat isn’t a bad thing (it’s a bodily function that helps cool us down), but if you’re hoping to reduce or stop underarm sweat completely, you’ll need an antiperspirant. If you can tolerate some sweat and just want to control odor, you’ll like a deodorant.

Ingredients: The biggest thing to consider in a deodorant is the ingredients. Body odor is caused by bacteria, which need moist environments to grow and proliferate. A good deodorant should include ingredients that control bacteria and help to control wetness (again, they won’t stop sweating but the can help absorb some of the moisture).

Bacteria Control: You’ll want to look for things like zinc oxide, magnesium hydroxide, pre- and probiotics, or alpha hydroxy acids. These ingredients all work in different ways, but they all help eliminate and control the amount of bacteria under your arms that can contribute to body odor. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is also often used for this, though it’s a common skin irritant in many people, so more brands are shying away from it. If you’ve ever had a reaction to a deodorant, especially a natural one, it could be from baking soda.

Moisture Control: Most deodorants will also include some type of ingredient to help soak up wetness, though won’t completely stop sweating. Look for ingredients like arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, corn starch, diatomaceous earth, or kaolin clay. Baking soda can also help with this, but, as noted above, can be irritating.

As a bonus, you might also find skin-beneficial ingredients to help keep your underarm skin healthy, like niacinamide, vitamins, moisturizers like shea butter and coconut oil, and hyaluronic acid.

Fragrance: Nearly all deodorants will have some sort of fragrance to them (that’s kind of the point), but some will rely on it to cover up odor more than others. Whether the fragrance is synthetic or comes from the natural ingredients like essential oils in the formula, fragrance can be a huge selling point on deodorant. What fragrance you choose is a personal decision, but keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin or tend to get irritated from deodorant, you may want to go for one that is fragrance-free or has minimal added fragrance.

How To Choose A Deodorant

The most important thing when choosing a deodorant is to find one that works. That’s easier said than done, especially in today’s crowded market, so it may take some trial and error. But before you start testing, there are some other things to keep in mind.

Natural or Traditional: Natural deodorants are all the rage and get a lot of attention, particularly if you’re comparing them with antiperspirants that contain aluminum. However, natural does not always equal better for you. Some natural formulas contain ingredients like baking soda and essential oils which are known skin irritants for many people. If a deodorant gives you a rash or you feel irritated under your arms, it means one of the ingredients doesn’t agree with your skin. “Traditional” deodorants, aka synthetic deodorants, tend to use more chemicals, but can also be just as effective and gentle as natural versions. Which one you pick is up to you.

Allergies: If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to look for ultra-gentle formulas that don’t contain things like baking soda. In this case, natural deodorants may be good for you, since they tend to include other soothing ingredients like glycerin, vitamins, and moisturizing plant oils. You should also be aware of added fragrances, though it’s hard to tell just how much fragrance is in a formula until you try it.

Why Trust Us

We’re not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to skincare you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting products that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. Our grooming editor Garrett Munce, along with the rest of the style team, has spent years slathering, smoothing, applying, wearing, and test driving hundreds (thousands!) of skincare products and we are confident that these are the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists) comes from these years of testing. We know that everyone’s skin is different, no two men are the same, and what works for you may not work for everyone else. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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