Best Nu Dupes & Alternatives 2026
Discover 6 affordable alternatives to Nu by Yves Saint Laurent. Ranked by scent similarity with match scores, shared accords, and notes.
The best affordable alternatives to Nu by Yves Saint Laurent are: 1. Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo (61% match), 2. Le Baiser Du Dragon by Cartier (50% match), 3. Lapidus Pour Homme by Ted Lapidus (39% match), 4. Hersh 2 by Alezz Oud (35% match), 5. Yatagan by Caron (34% match).
Accord Profile
Warm Spicy
100%
Fresh Spicy
57%
Woody
55%
Aromatic
55%
Amber
38%
Powdery
38%
Smoky
33%
Floral
28%
Affordable Alternatives
#161% matchMid-RangeIn curated similar list
Shared Accords
Warm SpicyFresh SpicyAromaticAmberPowdery
Shared Notes (1)
cardamom
#250% matchMid-RangeIn curated similar list
Shared Accords
Warm SpicyWoodyAmber
Shared Notes (3)
jasmine, vetiver, musk
#339% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
Warm SpicyFresh SpicyWoodyAromaticAmber
Shared Notes (5)
bergamot, incense, jasmine, sandalwood, musk
#435% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
Warm SpicyFresh SpicyWoodyAmber
Shared Notes (2)
bergamot, olibanum frankincense
#534% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
Fresh SpicyWoodyAromaticSmoky
Shared Notes (2)
incense, musk
#617% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
Warm SpicyWoodyPowdery
Frequently asked questions
What are the best dupes for Nu?+
The top dupes for Nu by Yves Saint Laurent ranked by accord-and-note similarity: Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo (61% match); Le Baiser Du Dragon by Cartier (50% match); Lapidus Pour Homme by Ted Lapidus (39% match). Each match score reflects overlap in accord profile plus shared notes from Nu's pyramid.
Are dupes of Nu worth buying?+
Dupes target the same accord/note profile at a lower price. The trade-offs are usually shorter longevity, weaker projection, and simpler note development.
How similar are these dupes to Nu?+
Similarity is scored as: accord cosine (40 points), shared notes (30), curated similar-perfumes list (20), and rating proximity (10). A score of 70+ means a strong match; 50–70 is noticeable similarity with its own character; below 50 is a distant cousin.
What accords should I look for in a Nu dupe?+
Prioritize these accords when evaluating a dupe: Warm Spicy (100%), Fresh Spicy (57%), Woody (55%), Aromatic (55%). The closer a candidate's accord strengths match, the closer it'll smell.