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Best aftershave gift sets for men in the UK
By the buychecked team · Updated 9 October 2026 · Prices refresh daily from the retailer feed
A good aftershave gift set gives you a full-size bottle of a well-known fragrance plus something extra, usually a travel spray, a deodorant or a shower gel in the same scent. The trick is working out which extras are worth having and whether the main bottle is the size and strength he will actually use.
Our top pick is the Boss Bottled EDT 100ml set, which pairs a large main bottle with a 10ml travel spray and a matching shower gel. If you are on a tighter budget, the Ralph Lauren World of Polo collection gives three different 40ml fragrances in one box, which is a safe bet if you are not sure what he likes.
Below are seven men's fragrance gift sets across budget, mid-range and premium prices, plus a plain-English guide to EDT, EDP and parfum so you can tell what you are paying for.
How we chose
We have not smelled or worn these fragrances as part of putting this guide together, and we do not rate how they smell. We shortlisted the sets by comparing the published contents of each box, the bottle sizes, the fragrance concentration (EDT, EDP or parfum), price and the retailer's product information across all the men's gift sets we list. The aim is to help you choose the right format and value for the person you are buying for. Which scent he will enjoy is a separate question, covered in the advice below.
1. Best overall
Boss Bottled For Men EDT 100ml Gift Set
£69.00 at Perfume UK · best for a generous, all-round gift
Boss Bottled is one of the best-known men's fragrances in the UK, which makes it a low-risk gift. This set gives you the large 100ml eau de toilette, a 10ml travel spray for a gym bag or hand luggage, and a 100ml shower gel in the same scent. That combination covers home, travel and the bathroom shelf without padding the box with extras he will not use. It sits in the mid-range price band, and because the main bottle is 100ml it tends to work out better per millilitre than the 50ml version of the same set.
✓ Pros
- Full 100ml main bottle
- Travel spray and shower gel included
- Widely recognised fragrance, so a safe choice
✕ Cons
- Eau de toilette strength, so expect to reapply later in the day
- No deodorant in this version of the set
2. Best budget
Ralph Lauren World of Polo Travel Spray Collection 3 * 40ml Gift Set
£28.00 at Perfume UK · best for trying three different fragrances
If you do not know his taste, this is the sensible choice. Rather than one large bottle, the World of Polo collection includes three 40ml eau de toilettes: Polo Red, Polo Blue and Polo Black. That adds up to 120ml of fragrance in total, at the lowest price of any men's set in this list. 40ml is still a usable size, not a sample, so he can wear each for a while and work out which one he would buy again in a bigger bottle.
✓ Pros
- Three different fragrances in one box
- Lowest price band of the sets we compared
- 40ml bottles are big enough for regular use
✕ Cons
- No body products included
- Smaller bottles run out sooner if he settles on one favourite
3. Best for travel
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio For Men EDT 50ml Gift Set
£58.00 at Perfume UK · best for frequent flyers and commuters
Acqua di Gio is one of Giorgio Armani's best-known men's fragrances, and this set is the simplest one here: a 50ml eau de toilette and a 15ml travel spray. The travel spray is larger than the 10ml sprays in most other sets, which matters if he is away a lot. Both are small bottles, which helps with airport liquid limits (check your airport, as UK rules now vary). It is in the mid-range price band.
✓ Pros
- Larger 15ml travel spray than most sets
- Both bottles fit hand luggage rules
- Well-known fragrance from Giorgio Armani
✕ Cons
- Only two items, with no body products
- 50ml main bottle is on the smaller side for the price
4. Best complete grooming set
Paco Rabanne 1 Million EDT 100ml Gift Set
£57.00 at Perfume UK · best for someone who likes a matching routine
Paco Rabanne's 1 Million set gives the most product in one box of the sets we compared. Alongside the 100ml eau de toilette you get a 150ml deodorant spray and a 10ml travel spray, so he can wear the same scent throughout the day. Deodorant is arguably more useful than shower gel because it is used every day and helps the fragrance feel consistent. It sits at the lower end of the mid-range.
✓ Pros
- Three items including a full-size deodorant
- Large 100ml main bottle
- Strong value for the amount included
✕ Cons
- Eau de toilette strength
- No shower gel, if that matters to him
5. Best eau de parfum set
Mont Blanc Explorer Eau de Parfum 100ml Gift Set
£70.00 at Perfume UK · best for longer-lasting wear at a mid-range price
Most men's gift sets are built around an eau de toilette. The Montblanc Explorer set is a rare mid-range option with an eau de parfum at its centre, and a big 100ml bottle of it. EDP has a higher concentration of perfume oil than EDT, so it generally lasts longer on the skin and needs less reapplying. The set also includes a 7.5ml EDP miniature and a 100ml shower gel. If you want the strength of an EDP without paying premium prices, this is the one to look at.
✓ Pros
- Eau de parfum concentration
- Full 100ml main bottle
- Miniature and shower gel included
✕ Cons
- 7.5ml miniature is smaller than the travel sprays in other sets
- Less of a household name than Boss or Armani
6. Best premium
Prada Luna Rossa Ocean for Men Le Parfum 100ml Gift Set
£93.00 at Perfume UK · best for a special occasion gift
This Prada set is the most expensive in our list, and the reason is the concentration. Luna Rossa Ocean here is a 'Le Parfum' version, which sits at the stronger end of the scale, above both EDT and EDP. You get a full 100ml bottle and a matching 10ml travel spray. There are no body products, so you are paying for the fragrance itself. It is a good choice if he already wears a fragrance regularly and you want to give him something richer.
✓ Pros
- Highest concentration of the sets we compared
- Large 100ml bottle plus travel spray
- Prada branding suits a bigger occasion
✕ Cons
- Premium price band
- No shower gel or deodorant
7. Best classic
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male EDT 75ml Gift Set
£55.00 at Perfume UK · best for fans of long-established fragrances
Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male is one of the most recognisable names in men's fragrance, and this set includes the 75ml eau de toilette, a 150ml deodorant spray and a 10ml travel spray. The 75ml bottle is a middle size between the 50ml and 100ml options in other sets. It is mid-range on price.
✓ Pros
- Three items including deodorant
- Well-known fragrance name
- 75ml main bottle is a useful middle size
✕ Cons
- Eau de toilette strength
- Not the best value per millilitre compared with 100ml sets
EDT, EDP, parfum and cologne: what the letters mean
The labels describe how much perfume oil is in the liquid. Eau de cologne (EDC) is the lightest, often around 2 to 5 percent, and fades quickly. Eau de toilette (EDT) is usually around 5 to 15 percent and is the most common strength for men's fragrance. Eau de parfum (EDP) is usually around 15 to 20 percent. Parfum, sometimes sold as 'Le Parfum' or 'Elixir', is the strongest, often 20 percent or more. Exact figures vary between brands, so treat these as a guide.
Higher concentration usually means the fragrance lasts longer and sits closer to the skin, and it usually costs more per millilitre. It can also smell different, not just stronger, because brands often adjust the formula between versions. That is why Boss Bottled EDT, EDP and Parfum are sold as separate products. If he already likes a particular fragrance, check which version he wears before buying.
What should be in a good gift set
The main bottle is what he will use most, so start there. A 100ml bottle generally gives far better value per millilitre than 50ml, and many sets cost only a little more for the bigger size. Then look at the extras. A travel spray of 10ml or more is genuinely useful. A full-size deodorant gets used daily. Shower gel is nice to have but is the extra people tend to care least about.
Be wary of sets that pad out the box with very small miniatures or items he will not use. Compare the contents list, not the size of the packaging.
Choosing a fragrance when you do not know his taste
The safest option is to buy what he already wears, so if you can, look at what is on his shelf. If not, a set with several different fragrances, such as the World of Polo collection, lets him try a few and settle on one. Well-known names like Boss Bottled, Acqua di Gio and Armani Code are popular for a reason and are less likely to miss than something niche.
If you can get to a shop, spray a tester on a paper strip or your own wrist and wait at least 20 minutes. Fragrance changes as it dries, and the first few seconds are not a reliable guide.
Storing and using aftershave
Fragrance keeps best away from heat, light and steam, so a bedroom drawer or cupboard is better than a bathroom windowsill. Kept well, a sealed bottle will last years and an opened one should stay fine for a long time.
Apply to clean, moisturised skin on pulse points such as the neck and inner wrists. Do not rub wrists together afterwards, as it does not help and can dull the opening of the scent. Two or three sprays of an EDT is plenty for most people, and fewer for an EDP or parfum.
FAQs
Is EDP better than EDT?
Not better, just stronger. EDP has a higher concentration of perfume oil, so it usually lasts longer and needs fewer sprays. EDT is lighter, often cheaper, and many people prefer it for daytime and warmer weather. The two versions of the same fragrance can also smell slightly different.
Is aftershave the same as eau de toilette?
In the UK people often say 'aftershave' to mean any men's fragrance. Strictly, an aftershave is a lighter splash or balm used after shaving, while eau de toilette and eau de parfum are fragrances. All the gift sets in this guide are built around EDT, EDP or parfum, not aftershave balm.
Are fragrance gift sets better value than buying the bottle alone?
Often, yes. Sets frequently cost little more than the main bottle on its own, so the travel spray, deodorant or shower gel is effectively a bonus. Prices move a lot, especially around Christmas and Father's Day, so compare the set with the standalone bottle before you buy.
Can I take a fragrance gift set on a plane?
Travel sprays of 10 to 15ml fit within UK hand luggage liquid rules. A 100ml bottle is at the limit, and deodorant sprays and shower gels count towards your liquids allowance too. If in doubt, pack the main bottle in hold luggage and keep the travel spray with you.
How long does an aftershave gift set last?
It depends on how much he uses. At two or three sprays a day, a 100ml bottle typically lasts many months. A sealed bottle stored away from heat and light keeps for years, so it is fine to buy a gift set well ahead of a birthday or Christmas.
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