The 16 Very Best Men’s Deodorants and Anti-perspirants

Protection type: Anti-perspirant | Application type: Roll-on

Certain Dri is two of our experts’ favorite brand for excessive sweating. “One of the keys when you’re using it is to apply at night,” Fenton says. “You want the aluminum to settle down in the sweat glands,” which is harder to do during the day when you’re actively producing sweat. Because it’s so strong, both Fenton and Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali of Hudson Dermatology recommend starting slowly — every other night at first — to avoid irritation. “There’s a cumulative effect as it settles into the pores,” Fenton notes, so using it every 48 to 72 hours may be all you need.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick

Former Strategist associate editor Daniel Varghese started using this Arm & Hammer unscented deodorant because his mother wouldn’t buy him Axe in middle school. Since then, he has been a loyalist. As someone who describes himself as “really sweaty,” he finds it helps him sweat less, especially if he reapplies.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick

If you have particularly sensitive skin but still need a strong antiperspirant, Jaber, Hartman, and Bhanusali recommend Vanicream. It has a high concentration of aluminum to prevent sweating, but it’s free of all fragrances, dyes, lanolin, parabens, and pretty much any other potentially irritating ingredients. “If someone has eczema or contact dermatitis, I recommend this,” says Hartman.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick

For guys who don’t need the most powerful anti-perspirant or who find it irritating to their skin, Fenton says Mitchum is “one step down” in intensity from the strongest stuff and very effective for controlling wetness and odor.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick

The experts say unscented products are generally the best for sensitive skin, since chemical fragrances and even essential oils can be irritating for some people. For those folks, Jaber and Bhanusali specifically recommend this fragrance-free Dove stick, which is also alcohol-free and contains moisturizing ingredients. This stick is also one of our top-recommended deodorants for women. (Four experts told us the active ingredient in Dove, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex, is less irritating on the skin than some of the harsher chemicals in other deodorants.) Dove’s line for men currently lacks an unscented anti-perspirant deodorant, but those who would prefer something from that line can find a lightly scented one further down on this list.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Roll-on

Ban is another company known for making gentle products. Its fragrance-free roll-on deodorant comes recommended by celebrity groomer Ronnie Peterson, who says he has “been using it for the past eight years.” The roller ball dispenses a thin layer of clear liquid with each application, so the product should absorb quickly without leaving any white residue behind.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick

People with chronic dryness often find that anti-perspirant deodorants dry them out even more. That’s why Hartman recommends this newer option from Old Spice to all of his patients who complain of dry skin. Its formula includes moisturizer and the same less-irritating ingredient (aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex) found in the Dove anti-perspirant deodorant, above. As someone whose skin reacts badly to aluminum, Hartman adds that this is what he uses himself; his son, who has atopic dermatitis, also uses it.

Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick

Personal trainer Andrew Flores — who “likes to sweat” while working out — is another fan of Dove’s anti-perspirant deodorants. He says they’re stronger than the Right Guard anti-perspirants he used to use, which would never last him a full gym session. This particular stick smells great (“like laundry”) even after a heavy workout, according to Flores, who adds that it leaves no marks and causes him no irritation. He also appreciates its value, noting that a four-pack breaks down to just $3.50 per stick.

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick

I don’t sweat excessively, so I’ve never needed to use anti-perspirants before — the majority of the products I’ve tested in this list are deodorants. After testing more than a dozen in the past few years, I always recommend this one from Ursa Major first, because it smells super fresh and doesn’t stain my clothes. It’s also made with the same mint and eucalyptus that’s in my favorite bar soap (which is also made by Ursa Major), so it pairs well with my overall scent. Beightol told us that, after trying out a bunch of natural deodorants, this eucalyptus-scented stick is the one that works best for him. “I swear by it,” he says. The deodorant contains hops, which, “while great for making beer, is also effective at fighting bacteria and microbes,” he adds.

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick

This fall, I reached a point in my deodorant hunt where all I wanted was an extremely bare-bones deodorant: no more “clean” scents (which often end up having a nauseating soapy smell), no creamy deodorant sticks that leave my armpits wet, and no sprays that double as light colognes. I found this aluminum-free one at my local drugstore and immediately liked its subtle, barely-there scent, which has hints of palo santo and frankincense. And while it’s not an anti-perspirant, it feels dry on my skin (even more so than other natural sticks that claim to have a dry application). It’s become my go-to daily deodorant.

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick

This aluminum-free deodorant comes recommended by programmer Michael DiSanto, who has been using it for the past year and likes it for its wide variety of complex scents. “Previously I’d pretty much used Old Spice all my life, which did the job, but I didn’t really consider that there was a wider scent world on offer,” he says. “It feels less chemical-y and higher quality when you’re using it and it’s nice to have a few different scents available.” It also gets the stamp of approval from his partner, Strategist writer Kitty Guo, who says it “smells amazing” and is “stronger and way more sophisticated than Old Spice.” DiSanto has tried the Calle Ocho, Matia, and Sterling scents so far, and says that when he runs out, he’ll get refills (the brand sells refillable sticks of each scent).

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick

I’ve used this aluminum-free stick from Method Men as my daily deodorant because it has a fresh, subtle earthy scent that doesn’t smell overpowering. As an active person, I sweat every day, so I look for deodorants that don’t leave smells or stains on my workout clothes. This one fulfills both needs. After a few months of testing, I did notice that I was going through two of these sticks per month — much faster than with other deodorants. So if you use your deodorant sparingly, this one might be a better option for you.

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Spray

I’ve used this aluminum-free spray for the past two years. I use it as a deodorant spray and a light cologne, but I like to pair it with a roll-on deodorant: As a sweatier guy, I need the extra layer of deodorant to feel comfortable, but only using OffCourt’s spray might work best for folks who are generally drier.

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick

I’ve also used this stick from Native as my daily deodorant — I like that it’s discreet and fragrance-free, so it doesn’t get in the way of other scents. This is a great natural option for people with more sensitive skin. Fenton reminds us that “even scented deodorants without anti-perspirant can be irritating” because of the chemicals that may compose their fragrances. So those with sensitive skin who would prefer a natural deodorant should look for one without fragrance, he says. For those reasons, Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon uses this aluminum-free deodorant daily. “I wanted something with a light or no smell, and something that didn’t feel like it left residue,” he says. “Native’s deodorant doesn’t really have much scent. The smell is there, but it’s not as potent as something from Old Spice or Right Guard.” Former associate editor Louis Cheslaw uses Native’s deodorant, too. According to him, one stick lasts for months, “goes on dry, and is irritation-free.”

Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick

Strategist writer Erin Schwartz likes the deodorant from Baxter of California, which has a gel formula that dries clear and doesn’t stain clothing. The formula contains a blend of tea-tree and witch-hazel extracts, which have antibacterial and toning properties. Previously they stuck to Tom’s of Maine, but after using this one for about a year, they’ve switched over to the Baxter of California full time. “The best thing about it is that I don’t really notice it,” they say. “And it smells nice.” The brand describes the scent as a citrusy, herbal musk, which Schwartz says is accurate.