15 best affordable perfumes under £35 that smell luxurious

We know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – or a perfume by its bottle – but when it’s likely to sit on your bathroom shelf for a good few months, it’s hard not to. And this M&S perfume wins hands down on the best bottle design, looking much more expensive than £15.

As for the scent, we were equally impressed. Inspired by the Greek island of Santorini, the citrus smell is a blend of mandarin and bergamot with basil, olive, iris and cedar (85 per cent of which are ingredients from natural origin). So, if you can’t quite get a holiday in this year, this may be the next best thing.

Coming in at under £5 (thanks to a very handy sale), this perfume is a real bargain buy. Housed in purple shiny lips, it’s punchy, preppy and leans into the fun side of fragrances. The scent is sweet, yet not in a sickly way, as ginger and coffee balance out liquorice, almond, blackcurrant and toffee, giving it a dessert-like scent that’s incredibly moreish. Being an eau de parfum, it is quite standout in scent and will last around six hours. So although the bottle is small, a little goes a long way. And who can complain when it comes under £5?

For those looking for luxury labels on a budget, look no further, for we’ve found an absolute steal with this Coach scent. Sweet yet slightly spicy, it combines fruity scents of pineapple and citrus with fiery pink pepper, soft jasmine, rose tea and crystal musks. And, being an eau de parfum, it lasts almost all day, as just a few spritzes should have you swimming in the scent. The bottle leans into the luxury label with the horse-drawn cart logo embossed onto the front, a sweet flower chain hanging off of the side (which can also be used as a keyring) and a smart twisting nozzle which locks the bottle from any accidental spritzes.

Scentology fragrances look much more expensive than they actually are, with a sleek minimalist bottle that’s incredibly beautiful. But, of course, the smell is what it’s really all about. Pomelo and neroli perfectly captures the sweetness of flowers with the sharpness of fruit for a softly scented fragrance that sits in between the two. It’s light and airy yet still packs a punch (again, it’s an eau de parfum), and the undertones of musk make it a little more mysterious. The brand is our go-to for penny-pinching scents, and we find they make the perfect presents for friends who love their fragrances too.

All of these perfumes would make for a fabulous gift, but this one seems particularly perfect to give as a present, thanks to its gorgeous gift box and bottle. Of course, it comes from Next, the high street stalwart that stocks almost everything from fashion to homeware. But the brand’s perfume offering is just as impressive, and we were lucky enough to try almost all of them. Picking out just a couple to include in this guide, this flowers fragrance was one of our favourites. Sitting firmly within the floral fragrance sector, it’s fresh, it’s light, and it’s certainly sweet enough for summer, welcoming in the warmer months with a welcoming scent of flower fields.

Boots stocks a number of penny-pinching perfume brands – most of which are included in this list – but La Librarie would have to be our favourite. Not only does it look incredibly expensive with a minimalist bottle and gold cap, it smells like a luxury scent too. Iris blends with orange, vanilla, bergamot and praline to give a subtly sweet scent that’s soft, elegant and in no way overpowering, yet still lasts all day. It’s the kind of smell that will have you repeatedly sniffing your clothes – exactly as our tester did – and give you an instant sense of calm no matter what the day throws at you. We couldn’t ask for more than that.

If you love the bestselling Sol de Janeiro bum bum cream (£16, Lookfantastic.com) you’re sure to fall for this fragrance. Leaning into its customer’s wishes, to have the sweet scent of the brand’s bestselling beauty products in perfume form, Sol De Janeiro started selling fragrances, and they seem to be flying off of the shelves.

Described as a perfume mist – which is most likely an eau fraiche if using technical terms – it’s incredibly light and airy, meaning it won’t last for the longest time but will work wonders when topped up throughout the day. Food-like scents make up the main proportion, with pistachio, salted caramel and almond sitting as the key notes, so trust us when we say it will make your mouth water.

Sitting towards the upper end of the high-street, Ted Baker perfumes really are a bargain buy. With 100ml priced just uder £35, you really get a lot of bang for your buck, and they also make for a perfect present housed in a beautiful box. Softer in scent than an eau de parfum, the eau de toilette gives a gentle spritz of scent that compliments the delicate florals of this fragrance just perfectly. Citrus, sweet raspberry, rose and patchouli are the key notes that stand out, giving off the aromas of an English summer garden. While the minimalist pink-hued bottle will sit in pride of place on anyone’s bathroom shelf.

Coming in at only £5, this is one of the lowest-priced perfumes on our list and really packs a punch. Leaning into its name, this wild scent is quite sharp with a fruity fragrance that can’t be missed. So much so that our tester is confident one spritz is sure to do the trick, but as it’s an eau de toilette you may want to take it with you to top up throughout the day. The funky printed bottle adds some fun to the fragrance, making it a great pick for kids and teens, as well as those who don’t take their signature scent too seriously.

One of our favourite high-street fashion stores, & Other Stories stocks on-trend styles that always end up on our wishlists. But you might not know that the brand sells perfumes too, and they’re just as good as you’d expect them to be.

In a travel-friendly 50ml bottle, they’re sophisticated and chic, and if choosing just one our tester turned to The Lost Chapter. Matching the mysterious name, this sharp yet sweet fragrance transported us back to an almost forgotten holiday. Sandalwood sits with papyrus, fig and carrot to create an earthy scent that strikes us of driving through farmers’ fields while on a hot holiday. We’re holding on to it as our go-to come summer, and it even made us feel slightly more serene.

Floral Street is a favourite of fancy fragrance fans, so we’re turning to this trusty travel-sized find that falls within our budget. Of course, 10ml is incredibly small, but for holidays, on-the-go top-ups or those tempted to try the brand for the first time, it’s actually incredibly handy.

While the name may sound slightly avant-garde, it actually sums up the scent just perfectly, as coconut mixes with black pepper and figs to give an incredibly fresh fragrance that mellows out with musks. In fact, it’s instantly recognisable and lingers on the skin and clothes slightly longer than any other options, and our tester fell in love with this scent.

The majority of perfumes on this long list fall under the floral category, but this naughtily named option sits entirely separately. Combining cardamom with orange blossom, cedar and amber, it captures the essence of aftershave combined with the sweetness of a perfume, giving it a genderless feel that our tester couldn’t stop whiffing. The minimalist bottle is also quite beautiful and comes in a luxe-looking gift box, making it a great gift for one lucky recipient.

Musks aren’t for everyone, but those who like them are sure to love this. Combining vanilla, peach and lily with a musk base, the light and airy fragrance effortlessly sits on the skin with an almost natural scent. There’s no overpowering element or artificial fragrance, only a light layer that seems to gently accentuate the skin’s own scent, making it incredibly moreish yet subtle and sophisticated. The bright blue bottle stands out from the crowd, breaking up the sea of minimalist styles. And at under £10, best believe it’s sitting firmly on our bathroom shelves for those days when you need a gentle boost of calmness.

When we think of floral fragrances, we tend to imagine sweet-scented rose or often overpowering blossom, so let us introduce you to something a little bit different. Combining vanilla with praline and patchouli, this scent is quite captivating. Creamy notes mix with the softness of jasmine and earthiness of orris to leave a soft scent that’s sophisticated yet swimming in layers. Leaning into the natural elements, the minimalist bottle is topped with a wooden lid, welcoming in the elements. As an eau de toilette, it’s also a touch lighter than some of our other options, making it the perfect pick for those not after anything too punchy.

Elizabeth Arden has had somewhat of a resurgence in recent months thanks to one very famous book. But the brand shouldn’t be slept on when it comes to scents, and white tea is one of the bestsellers. Combining white tea with rose water, mandarin, jasmine and sage, along with a trio of musks, it’s fresh, it’s sexy, and it’s incredibly elegant, giving off an aroma that we can’t quite get enough of. If fruity scents and floral fragrances aren’t to your taste, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this pick. And coming in just on budget, it’s quite the bargain buy for such a premium label.