5 Colognes Similar To Kenneth Cole Reaction [Tested in 2024]

Kenneth Cole is known for producing some great-smelling men’s colognes. One of their best colognes to date is Reaction – a perfect summer scent.

If you are into summertime fragrances, then I am sure you adore this fragrance. However, it is common to look for alternatives that impart a similar style but aren’t exactly the same.

So, in this article, I will be covering the best dupes of Reaction by Kenneth Cole.

Keep reading to find out which one best caters to your needs.

What Does Reaction by Kenneth Cole Smell Like?

Released in 2004, Reaction by Kenneth Cole is a quintessential summer fragrance. It was created by Frank Voelkl and has a blend of fruits, citrus, flowers and cozy bases.

The style of the scent is fresh, crisp, and juicy.

Even though the scent is fairly straightforward without many dimensions, it has gained huge popularity since its release, and men still look for fragrances that can impart a similar aroma almost 20 years after its release.

I have included a detailed list of the accords in Reaction below to help you better understand the fragrance and compare it with mine.

Top Notes: Melon, Watermelon, Green Apple, Lemon and Lime

Middle Notes: Patchouli and Lily-of-the-Valley

Base Notes: Musk and Sandalwood

The fruity notes open the cologne with a playful, energetic vibe. The melon, lemon and apple are the most notable during this initial stage.

Gradually a gentle lily and patchouli present the heart of the scent for a brief minute; the scent develops further into smooth musk and sandalwood.

There is a light aquatic aroma engulfed in the fruity freshness of this cologne.

It isn’t particularly expensive and is an excellent fragrance to own.

What Fragrances Are Similar To Kenneth Cole Reaction?

Now that I have told you all the basics about Kenneth Cole Reaction – it’s time to dive into the real game – the ultimate clones of this cologne.

For any popular fragrance in the perfume industry, you will find countless knockoffs, but it is important to know which ones are actually worth buying and can live up to the original scent.

Well, for that reason, I have gathered the top 5 scents that replicate Reaction’s aroma in the best way!

So, here are the best alternatives to Kenneth Cole Reaction:

Nautica Island Voyage by Nautica

The first cologne on the list is Nautica Island Voyage by Nautica, which was released in 2007 and has a very close style and aroma to Reaction.

The fresh citrus and fruity opening really do remind you of the Kenneth Cole scent.

The opening of Island Voyage has an added spiciness that makes the scent very interesting.

The refreshing opening is very delightful and gives you a boost of energy. The core of the fragrance has a floral blend of jasmine and lavender taking center stage.

Eventually, the cedar, sandalwood and musk bring smoothness and ground the scent, making it feel like a complete, wholesome aroma.

It has good performance for a citrus scent, but it is more expensive than Reaction. Nonetheless, I think it is one of the best clones of Reaction with an added spiciness of its own.

When to Wear

As you may know, Nautica Island Voyage is a great summer scent. Especially for outdoors, beach parties or summertime barbeque. You can make the most out of this fragrance in summer and spring, and it’s probably not a great option for the colder seasons.

Why Should You Buy

CK One Summer by Calvin Klein

Next on the list is CK One Summer by Calvin Klein, launched in 2012.

Much like Reaction, One Summer is all about summertime bliss – it is fruity, fun and makes you feel fresh.

The notes that set One Summer apart from the Kenneth Cole fragrance are the bergamot and mint in the opening segment and the woods and rum in the base.

These make the cologne much more interesting when you first pray it – besides the fruity, citrus aroma, there is an added spiciness and minty freshness that is ideal for hot days.

Moreover, the smokey coziness of the driftwood, sandalwood and oak moss is met with the boozy aroma of the rum, making it a splendid uplifting overall scent.

Another great thing about this scent is that it is very budget-friendly, so you don’t have to stress about going big on this.

When to Wear

CK One Summer is the ideal summer cologne for men who like to have loads of fun and party hard. I feel like it suits daytime activities the best and is less suited for formal events and dinner dates.

Why Should You Buy

Curve Appeal for Men by Liz Claiborne

Curve Appeal for Men by Liz Claiborne was launched in 2011, and even though it has some marked differences from Kenneth Cole Reaction, it has the same summertime style and sets the same vibe.

Curve Appeal has a delightfully fruity opening that starts off with some fruity notes of watermelon, orange and pear.

The fruity notes are combined with spicy bergamot and breezy seawater notes, making the initial aroma uber refreshing.

The cologne develops beautifully as the heart notes of cardamom and lavender become more apparent before the scent eventually settles with the grounding base notes of amber, suede, musk and wood.

The overall scent is very well developed and has a salty feel, making you want to hang out by the beach, along with a similar fresh, fruity crispiness that you can find in Reaction.

The cologne has decent performance and comes at a very affordable price range.

When to Wear

Like the other colognes mentioned so far, Curve Appeal is yet another scent that is perfect for summer. It is a fully fun, rejuvenating and delightful scent that works best during outdoor activities on hot summer days.

Why Should You Buy

Dreams Unlimited Sun Fresh by The Body Shop

If you like how Reaction smells on you, then I am sure you will like Dreams Unlimited by The Body Shop. The Body Shop is known to produce affordable colognes that smell delicious, and this one is no different.

Dreams Unlimited is another delicious fragrance that can be worn during hot summers.

To my nose, it replicates the scent of Kenneth Cole Reaction really well. However, I feel like the grounding base notes are missing, which takes away from the overall coziness of the scent.

Dreams Unlimited’s performance isn’t up to the mark, but you cannot expect a massive sillage or high longevity at this price point.

When to Wear

Dreams Unlimited is a proper summer fragrance and complements the hot weather the best. I wouldn’t recommend wearing this in the cooler seasons. It’s best for casual outings and outdoor activities during the daytime.

Why Should You Buy

Vince Camuto Homme by Vince Camuto

The last cologne on the list is Vince Camuto Homme by Vince Camuto, launched in 2014. It is yet another summertime cologne that is very energetic and fun to wear.

This fragrance has a zesty scent similar to Reaction, but it has some added notes which give it a unique twist.

The notes incorporated in this scent are quite uncommon and give it a boozy, woody and aromatic fragrance.

The opening of the cologne is quite strong, and as it develops, the intensity of it stays for quite some time. The heart of the fragrance is pleasantly floral, and it closes with rich cedar, musk, birch and artemisia.

It comes at an affordable price and offers good performance in terms of longevity and projection.

When to Wear

Vince Camuto Homme is perfect for summer, whether it’s outdoors or indoors, you can wear it for any sort of daytime activity. It is very refreshing and fun to wear, so you can pull it off effortlessly.

Why Should You Buy

Conclusion

Well, with that, we have reached the end of this article. But to sum it all up,  Kenneth Cole Reaction is a fantastic summer fragrance – but it is definitely not the only one out there.

If you want a dupe or alternative to Reaction cologne, then you must try out the ones mentioned in this article. I have covered both cheaper and more expensive options that cover a broad range of added notes.

You can find something sweeter as well as something with added spice or mint, whatever floats your boat on the hot summer days.

Make sure to let me know which cologne you decide to go with!