Best Overall

Malin + Goetz Deodorant

$25

$21 at Amazon$15 at Nordstrom$25 at Bloomingdales

Type: Stick | Key Ingredients: Glycol, eucalyptus, citronellal | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Malin + Goetz’s natural gel deodorant has been a bestseller since 2009 and for good reason. Made with gentle, soothing ingredients, it glides on clear and absorbs quickly without leaving a pesky residue on skin or clothing. Devotees love the scent, a refreshing blend of eucalyptus and citronellal that neutralizes odors without the need for aluminum (it also comes in bergamot and otto, a gender-neutral floral scent). Above all else, they appreciate how reliably long-lasting the formula is. One application and you’ll be set for the next 12 hours.

Best Budget

Arm & Hammer Essentials Solid Deodorant

$27

$24 at Amazon$5 at Walgreens$5 at Vitacost

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, charcoal, rosemary leaf oil | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: Yes

Baking soda, which crops up frequently in natural formulas, is the key ingredient of Arm & Hammer’s Essentials Solid Deodorant. While it might not be popular with sensitive skin types (some find it irritating), there’s no denying that it’s great at absorbing excess moisture, keeping you drier for longer. Our tester reports that the deodorant applied smoothly, leaving no gritty or greasy residue. He appreciated that the formula prevented sweat patches on his T-shirts and did a good job of neutralizing odors, even during a particularly intense gym session. 

Saleam, tester: “Despite not being a traditional aluminum-based antiperspirant, it did help maintain some dryness. I didn’t sweat through my shirt for most of the day, and it kept odor at bay for about five hours before I felt the need to reapply.”

Best Natural

Native Deodorant

$13

$12 at Amazon$13 at Target$13 at Walmart

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, coconut oil, shea butter | Size: 2.65 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: Yes

The natural deodorant category has exploded recently, as more of us have become curious about aluminum-free options. Our tester tried dozens of best-selling natural formulas, and this was his standout favorite. The solid stick formula combines baking soda and tapioca starch to keep sweat at bay, while moisturizing coconut oil and shea butter keep your underarms soft and hydrated. Our tester was effusive about the Native deodorant, praising how effectively it kept odor in check, even during strenuous activities. The scent (of which there are more than 20 options) did wear off somewhat throughout the day, but that didn’t faze him at all, given how well the formula worked in general. 

Saleam, tester: “I stayed odor-free for more than eight hours, even during outdoor activities—I never had to reapply.”

Best Soothing

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick

$10

$7 at Amazon$7 at Target

$10

$7 at Walmart

Type: Stick | Key Ingredients: Dipropylene glycol, sodium stearate | Size: 3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While natural deodorants are often considered a more gentle option than antiperspirants, some can irritate skin over time thanks to the inclusion of ingredients like baking soda. You don’t have to worry about rashes or reactions with this aluminum-free option from Dove. It keeps you smelling fresh for days thanks to deodorizing dipropylene glycol and its long-lasting soapy-fresh scent. Plus, the formula contains skin-soothing glycerin to ensure your underarms remain moisturized. 

Best Splurge

Corpus Natural Deodorant

$26

$21 at Amazon$26 at Nordstrom$26 at Credo Beauty

Type: Stick | Key Ingredients: Propylene glycol, saccharomyces ferment | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Who says deodorants can’t be fancy? Using this natural formula from Corpus is an elevated experience from start to finish. The water-based gel stick glides on beautifully, and doesn’t contain baking soda, making it sensitive skin-friendly (although it does contain essential oils). It utilizes enzymes derived from fermented vegetables and mineral actives to fight odor-causing bacteria, keeping you BO-free all day. Finally, the gender-neutral scent—a blend of rose, citrus, and wood—smells incredible enough to rival your go-to fragrance. 

Best Prescription Strength

Duradry AM Deodorant & Antiperspirant

$35

$28 at Amazon$15 at Duradry.com

Type: Cream stick | Key Ingredients: 20% Aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex gly | Size: 2.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When only a clinical-strength formula will do, we recommend Duradry’s AM Deodorant & Antiperspirant. The formula contains 20% aluminum, a potent concentration that targets the sweat glands and prevents excessive sweating. If you’re dealing with hyperhidrosis (a condition caused by the overstimulation of sweat glands), you might consider the brand’s 3-step system, including a deodorizing body wash, sweat-minimizing gel, and this signature deodorant, for round-the-clock sweat relief.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Drunk Elephant Deodorant Cream

$18 at Ulta$18 at Drunkelephant.com$18 at Kohls.com

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Mandelic Acid, marula oil, shea butter | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

The skin under your arms is thinner and more prone to irritation than elsewhere on the body, and it’s not uncommon to experience reactions after using some deodorant formulas. This option from Drunk Elephant is more gentle than most. It utilizes soothing marula oil and shea butter while omitting common irritants like baking soda, essential oils, or fragrances. Our tester found it a little messy to apply at first, but once he got the hang of it, he was impressed with the formula’s ability to keep him fresh for hours (shoutout to sweat-absorbing, antibacterial arrowroot powder).

Saleam, tester: “It kept me fresh and odor-free for up to six hours during humid weather. I’d say this is a good natural deodorant for days when you’re running errands or going to the gym.”

Best Spray

Oars + Alps Spray Deodorant

$14

$14 at Amazon

Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Methylheptylglycerin, triethyl citrate, saccharomyces ferment filtrate | Size: 4.16 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This natural spray deodorant can be used from head to toe, tackling BO and moisture with its blend of antimicrobial and odor-diffusing ingredients. Like many natural options, the formula requires an adjustment period, but within four weeks, Oars + Alps says your body should begin to produce less sweat. The deodorant doesn’t feel sticky to the touch and won’t leave any residue or yellow stains (common among aluminum formulas) on clothes, but it does have a strong scent that some may find off-putting. 

Best Gel

Gillette Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant

$7

$7 at Amazon$7 at TargetView on Walmart

Type: Gel | Key Ingredients: Aluminum | Size: 3.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’ve never considered a gel antiperspirant, this one might turn you into a convert. Powerful and long-lasting, it keeps sweat at bay for up to 72 hours, and its fresh scent is subtle, never overpowering. The gentle formula keeps your underarms moisturized thanks to dimethicone, and it dries completely clear, meaning no white streaks on your favorite tees. One thing to note: It’s easy to overapply thanks to the twist-up applicator, so start with a less-is-more approach and give it a few moments to dry before getting dressed.

Best Unscented

Mitchum Men’s Triple Odor Protection Antiperspirant & Deodorant Roll-On

$8

$6 at Amazon

Type: Roll-on | Key Ingredients: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 20% | Size: 2.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

The deodorant aisle is notorious for heavy-handed scents, but if you’d rather go fragrance-free, Mitchum’s unscented option has you covered. Featuring a 20% aluminum concentration, it blocks sweat so effectively that you don’t need to mask odors with intense fragrance. The only downside? Because it’s a roll-on, the formula goes on liquidly and a little sticky, so you might need to factor in more drying time than usual.