The 6 Best Chanel Perfumes, According to Experts

Words by Jamie Wilson

There’s more to Chanel scents than just N°5. These are the iconic brand’s fragrances worth adding to your collection.

You can’t really call yourself fragrance-obsessed until you own a bottle of Chanel’s classic No. 5 parfum. Developed in 1921 with perfumer Ernest Beaux, it was the brand’s first and undoubtedly most legendary fragrance.

Timeless in every way, the scent evokes the essence of femininity and embodies Gabrielle Chanel’s initial request: “A woman’s perfume, with a woman’s scent.” Just owning a bottle makes you feel like you’re part of an elite beauty club. And that’s just one of the reasons why we’ve named it one of the best perfumes for women.

Shop the Best Chanel Perfumes

MOST ICONIC

Chanel N°5 Parfum

It wouldn’t be right to dive into a list of the best-selling Chanel perfumes without paying homage to the one that started it all, Chanel No. 5 parfum. Created in 1921, the next interpretation of the legendary scent wouldn’t come to life until 1986 when Chanel perfumer Jacques Polge created a fuller rendition which would become the eau de parfum. Now, there are a total of five interpretations of this iconic perfume.

BEST WARM, FLORAL SCENT

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum

Sensual and bold, it’s no surprise that Levy refers to this ambery fragrance as a popular signature scent. She explains, “This eau de parfum is sophisticated and has a loyalty that is well deserved.”

Customer review: “Love this smell. Always get compliments when I wear it. Not sure about other people’s bodies, but the scent definitely stays on me for hours!” —AABY1

MOST VERSATILE SCENT

Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

Blue de Chanel’s woody, aromatic scent isn’t reserved just for men: “Since its launch, Bleu De Chanel eau de parfum has been a best-seller in the US, and I am actually aware that some women buy it for themselves,” Levy adds.

Customer review: “This smells amazing. It opens with a very fresh, clean scent that smells like grapefruits but evolves into a warm, masculine, sensual scent. I can’t stop smelling this cologne on me, and it easily lasts all day.” —sephorauserrrr

BEST EVERYDAY FRAGRANCE

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Parfum

Chanel’s fruity-floral Chance eau tendre eau de parfum features notes of grapefruit and rose that are delicate enough for daily wear.

BEST WARM, WOODY SCENT

Chanel Bleu de Chanel Parfum

“This Parfum is very special because Olivier Polge (the perfumer) was actually able to reinvent his father’s iconic fragrance and build on its success,” Levy says of the full perfume version of Bleu de Chanel.

Customer Review: “I got this as a sample and loved it…then I got on to see about ordering a full sized and realized it is a MAN’S Parfum. I don’t care I am ordering it for me anyways.” —vernb2

BEST SPRING-INSPIRED SCENT

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette

The brand’s eau de toilette version of its coveted Chance Eau Tendre is another hit scent among fragrance fans. “I love it as a light, spring scent perfect for daytime,” says Levy. “I have fond memories of its iconic campaign for all of Chance.”