Hermès H24 vs. Terre d'Hermès: Which one should you buy?

The Hermès H24 and Terre d'Hermès showcase two distinct visions of masculinity from the luxury house Hermès. Terre d'Hermès is an iconic, earthy, and mineral-rich fragrance that smells classic and grounded, while H24 is its modern successor, offering a clean, metallic, and botanical profile that feels futuristic and distinctly urban.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you decide which of these masterfully crafted scents is the right choice for you.

Terre d'Hermès

Launched in 2006, Terre d'Hermès quickly became a landmark men's fragrance, celebrated for its perfect balance of earth, air, and water. A modern classic created by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, it captures a raw yet sophisticated ruggedness inspired by nature with its signature blend of citrus, woods, and minerals. It remains one of the most respected and popular men's scents for its versatility and timeless quality.

• What it is: An iconic Eau de Toilette with a woody, mineral, and citrusy profile designed to evoke the connection between man and earth.
• Key notes: Orange, Grapefruit, Pepper, Geranium, Vetiver, and Cedar.
• Price: Around $90 to $130 for a 100ml bottle.
• Scent Profile: Opens with a burst of photorealistic orange zest that quickly evolves into a mineral, flinty accord blended with spicy pepper. The fragrance dries down to a rich, warm base of vetiver and cedarwood, creating an earthy, sophisticated, and distinctly masculine trail.
• Longevity & Projection: Famed for its excellent performance. It easily lasts 7-8 hours on the skin with solid projection for the first few hours, making its presence known without being overpowering.
• Pros: Timeless and incredibly versatile for all seasons and occasions. Exceptional longevity for an Eau de Toilette. Widely praised and award-winning. Smells natural and high-quality. Great value for a luxury fragrance.
• Cons: A victim of its own success, its popularity means you will likely smell it on others. The initial earthy "flint" note can be sharp for some. Can be perceived as leaning more mature.

This is the ideal choice for someone wanting a signature scent that is dependable, sophisticated, and suitable for nearly any scenario, from the boardroom to a weekend getaway.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/collections/fragrances/terre-dhermes

Hermès H24

Introduced in 2021 as the first major men’s pillar fragrance from Hermès since Terre d'Hermès, H24 marks a deliberate shift from earth to the city. Crafted by perfumer Christine Nagel, it’s a bright, botanical, and vibrant scent with a unique metallic edge. H24 captures the essence of a modern man in an urban environment - energetic, fluid, and forward-thinking.

• What it is: A contemporary Eau de Toilette with a fresh, botanical, and metallic aroma that challenges traditional fragrance structures.
• Key notes: Clary Sage, Narcissus, Rosewood, and a synthetic molecule called Sclarene.
• Price: Approximately $120 to $150 for a 100ml bottle.
• Scent Profile: H24 is a burst of fresh, green energy. It opens with vibrant clary sage and florals, but its defining feature is the sclarene molecule, which imparts a sharp, metallic "steamed iron on fabric" aroma. This creates a perfume that smells clean, futuristic, and uniquely warm.
• Longevity & Projection: Offers moderate performance, lasting around 5-6 hours. The projection is lighter, creating a more intimate scent bubble that stays closer to the wearer, making it very suitable for professional or enclosed settings.
• Pros: Unique and truly modern scent profile that stands apart from typical men's colognes. Excellent for office or indoor wear due to its moderate projection. Fresh and invigorating - perfect for spring and summer daytime use. The sleek bottle is refillable.
• Cons: The distinctive metallic note of sclarene can be polarizing. Lighter longevity compared to its classic counterpart. A higher price point for its moderate performance. Less versatile for formal or evening occasions.

This fragrance is perfect for the style-conscious individual who prefers a unique, clean, and forward-thinking scent for daily wear and isn't afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/collections/fragrances/h24

Hermès H24 vs. Terre d'Hermès Comparison

Scent Profile & Notes

This is the most significant difference between the two fragrances. Terre d'Hermès is a masterpiece of natural elements. It smells of damp earth, citrus orchards, and mineral rocks, grounded by rich woods. Its construction is traditional but flawless, creating a feeling of stability and timeless masculine elegance.

H24, in contrast, forgoes these earthy elements for a vision of the urban greenhouse. It's built on fresh botanicals like clary sage juxtaposed with a synthetic, warm mineralic note reminiscent of a hot iron on fresh laundry. It's an aromatic fougère that smells fresh, man-made, and vibrant - a clear departure from the pastoral feeling of Terre d'Hermès.

Longevity & Projection

There is a clear winner in the performance category. Terre d'Hermès is known for its impressive longevity and robust projection. Its vibrant citrus opening slowly gives way to a persistent woody-vetiver base that lingers for a full workday. It announces its presence confidently.

H24 is designed to be more understated. Its performance is moderate in both longevity and projection. While the bright opening is noticeable, it dries down to a more personal scent that stays closer to the skin. This makes it an ideal pick for environments where you don't want your fragrance to be intrusive, such as an office or a plane.

Versatility & Occasion

Terre d'Hermès is the definition of a versatile, do-it-all fragrance. It's polished enough for a business suit, casual enough for a weekend, and robust enough to wear in any season, day or night. Its classic character makes it a safe and appreciated choice for virtually any situation.

H24 feels more situational. Its bright, green, and professional character shines during daytime activities, particularly in the spring and summer. It feels perfectly suited for a creative workspace, a morning brunch, or a gym session. While pleasant, its unique profile may not be the first choice for a formal black-tie event or a romantic evening.

Price & Value

Terre d'Hermès is generally more affordable than H24, usually priced about $20-$30 less per bottle. When you consider its superior performance and all-around versatility, Terre d'Hermès offers outstanding value for a luxury scent.

H24's price reflects its status as a newer, innovative release from Hermès. While the quality is undeniably there, you are paying a premium for its modernity and unique scent profile, balanced against more moderate performance.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both fragrances are excellent creations from Hermès, but they occupy different spaces in the world of scent.

Choose Terre d'Hermès if:

• You prefer classic, versatile, and dependable fragrances.
• You appreciate earthy, woody, and citrus-based scents.
• You want strong longevity and good projection from your cologne.
• You need one signature scent that can work for almost any occasion.
• You value an established classic over a modern trendsetter.

Choose Hermès H24 if:

• You're looking for something unique, modern, and forward-thinking.
• You enjoy fresh, green, and slightly metallic or "clean laundry" scents.
• You prefer a more subtle fragrance that is suitable for close-quarters or office wear.
• You are drawn to minimalist aesthetics and live a fast-paced, urban lifestyle.
• You don't mind a scent that is distinctive and potentially polarizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between H24 and Terre d'Hermès?

The main difference is the scent narrative. Terre d'Hermès is a story of nature - earth, wood, and citrus. H24 is a story of the urban environment - clean, botanical, and with a synthetic, metallic edge from the clever use of the sclarene molecule.

Which one lasts longer?

Terre d'Hermès is the clear winner for longevity. The Eau de Toilette consistently provides 7+ hours of wear with strong presence, while H24 is more moderate, lasting around 5-6 hours and sitting closer to the skin.

Which is better for summer?

Both work well, but H24's bright, fresh, and botanical nature makes it slightly better suited for high heat and humid weather. Its invigorating feel is exceptional in the spring and summer.

Which is a safer blind buy?

Terre d'Hermès is the safer blind buy. Its classic woody-citrus DNA is immensely popular and universally appreciated. H24's unique metallic accord can be polarizing, so it's best to sample it on your skin before committing to a full bottle.

Is Terre d'Hermès considered a fragrance for older men?

While often seen as a mature choice due to its earthy vetiver base, Terre d'Hermès is fundamentally timeless. A man of any age who carries himself with confidence can wear it well. However, those seeking a more youthful, vibrant feel might lean toward H24.

What does the "metallic" note in H24 actually smell like?

The best description for the sclarene molecule is the scent of steam coming off a hot iron hitting fresh linen. It's clean, sharply warm, and slightly mineralic, but not cold like metal. It gives H24 its distinctive futuristic and clean aura.

Are there other versions of these fragrances?

Yes. Both have Parfum versions. The Terre d'Hermès Parfum is richer and woodier, while the H24 Eau de Parfum is warmer and tones down the sharp metallic note slightly in favor of oakmoss.

Which is more modern?

H24 is unequivocally the more modern scent. It was explicitly designed by Hermès to capture the spirit of the contemporary man and step away from traditional fragrance structures.