HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON · 2026
Obsession vs No. 5 Eau de Parfum
Which should you buy? Full side-by-side breakdown of notes, performance, seasons, value, and our verdict.
QUICK VERDICT
Both perform at a similar level, but Obsession delivers it for noticeably less money — making it the better value pick. Choose No. 5 Eau de Parfum only if you specifically prefer its note profile.
PERFORMANCE METRICS
84/100
Longevity
78/100
79/100
Sillage
75/100
34%
Day Wear
45%
66%
Night Wear
55%
26%
Spring
25%
9%
Summer
20%
30%
Autumn
30%
35%
Winter
25%
333
Value (lower price wins)
91
Obsession
Top
mandarin orange, bergamot, vanilla
Heart
jasmine, orange blossom, coriander
Base
amber, vanilla, musk
No. 5 Eau de Parfum
Top
Aldehydes, Bergamot, Lemon, Neroli
Heart
May Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Iris
Base
Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Patchouli
Shared Notes (3)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Obsession or No. 5 Eau de Parfum better?
Both perform at a similar level, but Obsession delivers it for noticeably less money — making it the better value pick. Choose No. 5 Eau de Parfum only if you specifically prefer its note profile.
Which lasts longer, Obsession or No. 5 Eau de Parfum?
Obsession lasts longer. Obsession is rated very long lasting (10-12h) while No. 5 Eau de Parfum is rated long lasting (7h - 9h).
Do Obsession and No. 5 Eau de Parfum smell similar?
They share 3 notes: bergamot, vanilla, jasmine. There is meaningful overlap in their character.
AdeGbe is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission from retailers such as Amazon, FragranceNet, Sephora, and Lookfantastic. This never affects the price you pay, and it never influences our reviews, scores, or rankings — our editorial verdicts are independent.