The 10 Best Chanel Perfumes of 2023 – UK Cosmopolitan

Chanel products are a favourite in just about every perfume cabinet. For anyone who is passionate about beauty, Chanel's creations are like a balm. Beyond the fact that Chanel fragrances are superb and timeless, every bottle seems to hold a piece of the house's history and heritage – and that is what makes them so special. Everyone has met someone who wore, or still proudly wears, Chanel No. 5, because it has settled into our collective memory as the very embodiment of elegance and glamour. But what if I told you that Chanel is so much more than No. 5? There are surely Chanel fragrances you have never heard of, or never had the chance to smell.

To put together the following ranking of Chanel perfumes, the editors of Cosmopolitan UK and beauty editor Beth Gillette quite literally sniffed their way through every Chanel fragrance. Read our take on timeless perfumes such as Bleu de Chanel and Coco Mademoiselle, along with our verdict on a few hidden gems (including my new favourite autumn scent).

Here is a quick overview of our picks:

The 10 best Chanel fragrances

1. BEST CHANEL PERFUME OVERALL: Chanel – Coco Mademoiselle EDP
2. BEST CHANEL PERFUME FOR SUMMER: Chanel – Chance Eau Fraîche EDP
3. BEST ROSE-SCENTED CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privée
4. BEST PERFUME OF ALL TIME: Chanel – N°5 EDP
5. BEST FRESH CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Chance Eau Tendre EDP
6. BEST WOODY CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Bleu de Chanel Parfum
7. BEST CHANEL PERFUME FOR THE EVENING: Chanel – Coco Noir EDP
8. BEST CHANEL PERFUME FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER: Chanel – Coco EDP
9. BEST FLORAL CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Gabrielle EDP
10. BEST NATURE-INSPIRED CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Chance EDT

We have something to say about each of them, and up next you will read about our absolute favourite. If you want useful tips for choosing your perfect Chanel perfume, be sure to keep reading.

1. BEST CHANEL PERFUME OVERALL: Chanel – Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum

Pros

• The fragrance our editors liked most.
• Some found it fairly conventional, but it has a beautifully clean scent.

Cons

• Some testers found the patchouli too dominant.

According to the editors of UK Cosmopolitan, Coco Mademoiselle is hands down the best Chanel perfume. As luck would have it, Coco Mademoiselle is also the personal favourite of Veronica Lopez (Cosmo's sex and relationships editor), and she recognised it instantly in the blind test. Coco Mademoiselle smells clean and soft without any single note or fragrance family taking the spotlight, because everything is so seamlessly blended (perhaps because the orange and rose notes balance out the dark, smoky patchouli). If there is such a thing as a "clean girl aesthetic" scent, this is it.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Orange, patchouli, Turkish rose.

Find Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP at the ESSENSA online store.

2. BEST CHANEL PERFUME FOR SUMMER: Chanel – Chance Eau Fraîche EDP

Pros

• Lots of testers said they loved this scent.

Cons

• Some testers felt it doesn't last very long on the skin.

Could there be a better compliment than "You smell nice"? That's exactly what a guy told me when we went on a date and I was wearing this scent. Then a stranger in the supermarket queue. Then my Uber driver. Then a colleague. The compliments just kept coming – and I completely understand why. This crisp citrus fragrance is perfect for summer. It smells cheerful and radiant, and my New York colleagues clearly agreed.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Lemon, pink pepper, jasmine, iris, patchouli.

Find Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche EDP at the ESSENSA online store.

3. BEST ROSE-SCENTED CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privée

Pros

• Reviewers praised how airy and light it is.
• Reviewers highlighted its lovely rose notes.

Cons

• In our tests it didn't last as long as the original Coco Mademoiselle.

I get that the earthy, slightly bitter smell of patchouli isn't for everyone. (Admittedly, I can't relate!) If that sounds like you, be sure to try L’Eau Privée – a Coco Mademoiselle flanker that our testers generally adored. It smells soft and floral, but not powdery or "grandma-ish" (no offence intended). Instead, the warm undertones of white musk turn it into a sweet rose. Keep in mind that this scent sits very close to the skin and doesn't project far, so don't expect everyone in the room to notice it when you walk in. But when someone is close to you – during a hug or a handshake, say – your fresh scent comes through beautifully.

Type: Eau Pour la Nuit (a light, skin-close scented water)
Notes: Mandarin, rose, white musk, jasmine.

Find Chanel Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privée at the ESSENSA online store.

4. BEST PERFUME OF ALL TIME: Chanel – N°5 EDP

Pros

• Testers loved its nostalgic character.
• Many consider the bottle truly iconic.

Cons

• Definitely one of the stronger perfumes.

Chanel No. 5 is without doubt the most famous fragrance there is. It is unquestionably a classic, and it smells like one. Yes, it reminded every tester in our office of their grandmother, while also being quite powerful and powdery. When the testers found out it was Chanel No. 5, they all said it took them back in time, because they had a sister, aunt, cousin or some other relative who used to wear it.

To make this Chanel perfume feel lighter and fresher, I think it works best layered with other scents. My favourite combination? I always get compliments when I wear a tiny drop of Chanel No. 5 with a spritz of Chanel Chance, because they bring out the best in each other.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Aldehydes, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood.

Find Chanel N°5 EDP at the ESSENSA online store. To learn more about the history of Chanel, read Introducing an Icon: Coco Chanel's Extraordinary Journey.

5. BEST FRESH CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Chance Eau Tendre EDP

Pros

• Testers loved the prominent grapefruit notes.

Cons

• Some testers found it too citrusy.

Allow me to introduce Chance Eau Tendre: if the thought of drowning yourself in a heavy perfume gives you a headache, this one is for you! Based on our tests, it is essentially Chanel's most pleasant and fresh perfume. But don't let the fruitiness fool you – you can wear it day or night, all year round. You'll smell as if you've just stepped out of the best shower of your life, because the rose and musk balance everything out beautifully.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Grapefruit, quince, jasmine, rose, white musk.

Find Chanel Chance Eau Tendre EDP at the ESSENSA online store.

6. BEST WOODY CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Pros

• Reviewers praised its blend of crisp and woody notes.
• In my testing, it doesn't smell too strong.

Cons

• The most expensive Chanel fragrance on this list.

Technically it is considered a men's fragrance, but do scents really need to be divided by gender these days? It smells exactly as I imagined – woody, spicy, warm and seductive! Hot tip: spray a soft musk and vanilla scent over it to bring out more richness and depth.

Type: Parfum
Notes: Citrus notes, cedar, sandalwood.

Find Bleu de Chanel Parfum at the ESSENSA online store. For more options, browse our men's perfumes.

7. BEST CHANEL PERFUME FOR THE EVENING: Chanel – Coco Noir EDP

Pros

• The longest-lasting Chanel fragrance I have ever worn.

Cons

• I wish the vanilla note added a little more sweetness.

I highly recommend trying Coco Noir if you like the feel of Chanel No. 5 but find it a little too powdery and mature. Its floral, patchouli-based DNA is comparable to No. 5, but white musk and vanilla give it a warmer, more nocturnal mood.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Bergamot, rose, jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, white musk.

Find Chanel Coco Noir EDP at the ESSENSA online store.

8. BEST CHANEL PERFUME FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER: Chanel – Coco EDP

Pros

• I loved how clearly the clove note comes through.
• Testers adore its cosy amber aroma.

Cons

• Some reviewers wished it lasted longer.

After trying it, I packed it straight into my suitcase, because I plan to wear it all autumn and winter. While it has that crisp, clean Chanel signature that makes the scent refined and special, it is still warm and woodsy – exactly what I enjoy in cooler weather. I can't quite pick out every floral note, but I can tell you it is a far more refined fragrance than my usual sandalwood-based autumn scents.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Amber, clove, orange blossom, sandalwood, tonka bean, rose.

Find Chanel Coco EDP at the ESSENSA online store.

9. BEST FLORAL CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Gabrielle EDP

Pros

• Judging by the reviews, it really does draw compliments.
• I loved that the floral notes aren't overpowering.

Cons

• Some testers felt it came across as too youthful.

Have you ever wondered what spring in Paris smells like? I'm fairly sure it smells just like Chanel's Gabrielle. This perfume is packed with floral notes that blend together beautifully into a soft, garden-like aroma. Because it is neither overpowering nor headache-inducing, it now officially lives on my desk.

Type: Eau de parfum
Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, tuberose, musk.

Find Chanel Gabrielle EDP at the ESSENSA online store.

10. BEST NATURE-INSPIRED CHANEL PERFUME: Chanel – Chance EDT

Pros

• Doesn't tickle or irritate the nose.
• Reviewers like the way the flowers and pineapple soften the patchouli.

Cons

• A couple of testers found it a little ordinary.

Did you wear this perfume at university or secondary school, or were you the odd one out? When I smelled it again after more than ten years, I recognised it instantly. Thanks to patchouli, jasmine, hyacinth and iris, it has a strongly green, natural character, with a touch of pineapple sweetness. This is your Chanel perfume if you love a fresh aroma but aren't a big fan of delicate florals.

Type: Eau de toilette
Notes: Patchouli, hyacinth, iris, jasmine, vanilla, pineapple, rose.

Find Chanel Chance EDT at the ESSENSA online store.

How to choose your perfect Chanel fragrance

Start with the fragrance family

Chanel's fragrance collection has something for everyone. I recommend Gabrielle if you are looking for a floral scent. If you want something fruitier and more summery, Chance Eau Fraîche is the better choice – its blend of citrus notes smells genuinely fresh. The cleanest and most understated Chanel perfume we tried, though, is Coco Mademoiselle – ideal if you want a harmonious, light aroma. For more ideas, read Discover the World of Chanel Women's Fragrances.

Think about intensity

If you want a perfume that lasts for hours and is clearly noticeable, choose an eau de parfum rather than an eau de toilette. As a reminder, eau de parfum (EDP) is stronger than eau de toilette (EDT) because it contains a higher concentration of perfume oils. Read more in Understanding Perfume Concentrations.

Just so you know: I absolutely loved the EDP versions of most Chanel perfumes, because I never had to worry about reapplying during the day. That said, you may prefer the EDT versions if you like a softer aroma.

Should you trust Cosmopolitan's picks?

Beth Gillette is an experienced Cosmopolitan beauty editor who has researched, written and edited beauty stories on everything from make-up trends to "Botox in a bottle" serums. She knows every corner of the beauty world, but perfumes and Chanel fragrances in particular – before consulting the other Cosmo editors, she personally smelled every single perfume to put together this comprehensive ranking.