Afnan 9PM vs Rasasi Hawas Ice: Which Should You Buy in India? (2026)

Two of the most searched men's fragrances in India, priced within ₹90 of each other — and both built around apple. So which one should you actually buy? It comes down to one question: when will you wear it?

The quick answer

Buy Hawas Ice if you want one fragrance for daytime, office and Indian heat.
Buy 9PM if you want a sweet, warm fragrance for evenings, dates and winter.

They are priced almost identically, so the decision is about when you will wear it, not what you will spend.

Afnan 9PM vs Hawas Ice: side by side

Afnan 9PM — the warm crowd-pleaser

Both open on apple, but 9PM turns warm fast. Cinnamon and lavender carry the opening, then it settles into a vanilla, tonka and amber drydown that most wearers call the best part. It is one of the most-rated fragrances in its class, at 4.33 out of 5 from more than 18,000 votes on Fragrantica.

Reviewers consistently describe it as sweet, youthful and a strong compliment-getter, and it is often compared to Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male. The common criticism is that it is very widely worn, and the sweetness can turn cloying if you overspray.

Rasasi Hawas Ice — the fresh everyday

Hawas Ice keeps the apple but pairs it with lemon, bergamot and star anise, then cardamom and plum in the heart. The base is musk, amber, driftwood and moss, drier and cleaner than 9PM's vanilla. If you like it, the rest of the line is worth exploring in our complete guide to Rasasi Hawas.

Reviewers highlight its projection and longevity, and several call it the fresher and more versatile of the two. Its opening can read sharp to some noses, but it is the one people reach for every day.

The deciding factor in India: weather

This matters more than anything else on the table. 9PM's vanilla and tonka are built for cool air. An Indian reviewer from Kolkata noted that in humid heat it turns cloying, and limited it to winter use. Other reviewers agree it is too heavy for hot days.

Hawas Ice is the opposite: fresh enough to wear through an Indian summer without becoming heavy.

If you live somewhere hot and want one bottle for most of the year, Hawas Ice is the safer choice. If you already have a daytime fragrance and want something for evenings and winter, 9PM fills that gap.

Which should you buy?

• Office, college, daily wear → Hawas Ice
• Evenings, dates, parties → 9PM
• Indian summer → Hawas Ice
• Winter → 9PM
• Your first fragrance → Hawas Ice, for versatility
• You like sweet, vanilla scents → 9PM

Can't decide? Many buyers own both, one for day and one for night. The pair costs ₹5,890, less than a single designer bottle. For how these two houses compare more broadly, see our Lattafa vs Rasasi vs Afnan guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Afnan 9PM or Hawas Ice better?

Neither is better overall. Hawas Ice is fresher and more versatile; 9PM is sweeter and warmer. Choose by season and occasion.

Which lasts longer, 9PM or Hawas Ice?

Both perform strongly for their price. Reviewers frequently rate Hawas Ice's projection higher, while 9PM lasts especially well on clothes. Skin chemistry and weather make a big difference.

Can I wear Afnan 9PM in summer?

It is best kept for winter and cool evenings. Its vanilla-heavy base can feel cloying in Indian heat and humidity.

Is Hawas Ice good for the office?

Yes. It is fresh, clean and suited to daytime, one of the most office-friendly fragrances in its price range. Keep it to two or three sprays.

Are these perfumes original?

At The Scent Stories®, both are 100% authentic, factory-sealed and brand-packaged. You can check the batch code on the box against the bottle using our authenticity checker.

Sources

Note pyramids, launch years and fragrance families: Fragrantica entries for Afnan 9PM and Rasasi Hawas Ice. Performance and wear notes are summarised from Fragrantica community reviews, checked September 2026. To verify any bottle you buy, use our batch code authenticity checker.