When searching for a niche unisex perfume, Vilhelm and Ex Nihilo often come up among enthusiasts. Both offer high-quality scents, but with different positioning, pricing, and specialties.
This guide provides a direct comparison between the two brands, based on real data from the collections available on Papique. We analyze price ranges, sizes, best sellers, and each brand's strengths to help you make an informed choice.
The products we talk about
Brand Positioning and Philosophy
Vilhelm positions itself as an artistic perfumery brand, offering a wide range of unisex Eau de Parfums. Ex Nihilo features both Eau de Parfum and perfume extracts, focusing on refined compositions and exclusive formats.
- Vilhelm offers 108 unisex perfumes on Papique, emphasizing woody, leathery, and fresh notes.
- Ex Nihilo presents 91 unisex perfumes, including Eau de Parfum, extracts, and gift sets, with a focus on citrusy, fruity, and floral scents.
Price Ranges and Available Sizes
Vilhelm's prices start at €184 for the 20 ml size (e.g., Morning Chess Eau de Parfum 20 ml, currently unavailable) and go up to €569.57 for the 100 ml (Opus Kore Eau de Parfum). The most common sizes are 50 ml and 100 ml, priced between €322 and €488.75.
Ex Nihilo offers a broader price range: starting at €206.77 for The Hedonist 10 Years 30 ml, up to €762.45 for 100 ml extracts, and over €1000 for some rare extracts. Sizes include 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, and gift sets of 5 x 7.5 ml.
Best Sellers and Specialties
Top Vilhelm sellers include:
- Morning Chess Eau de Parfum (woody, available in 50 ml at €322 and 100 ml at €488.75)
- Smoke Show Eau de Parfum 50 ml at €322
- Mango Skin Eau de Parfum 100 ml at €488.75
Standouts from Ex Nihilo are:
- Blue Talisman Eau de Parfum 100 ml at €547.4
- Lust in Paradise Perfume Extract 50 ml at €537.62
- Jasmin Fauve Eau de Parfum 100 ml at €291.64
Vilhelm is known for its woody and leathery interpretations, while Ex Nihilo also offers perfume extracts and gift sets, with fragrances leaning more towards floral and citrus notes.
Who Each Brand Suits Best
Choose Vilhelm if you want a broad collection of unisex Eau de Parfums focusing on woody, leathery, and fresh notes. Prices are high but consistent with niche artistic perfumery, with 50 ml and 100 ml sizes being the most common.
Ex Nihilo is ideal if you're looking for perfume extracts, gift sets, or citrusy and floral fragrances. It offers more variety in sizes and a wider price range, catering both to first-time buyers and those seeking an exclusive experience.
Summary comparison
| Aspect | Vilhelm | Ex Nihilo |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | €184 (20 ml, unavailable) - €569.57 (100 ml) | €206.77 (30 ml) - €1124.06 (50 ml extracts, unavailable) |
| Best Sellers | Morning Chess, Smoke Show, Mango Skin | Blue Talisman, Lust in Paradise, Jasmin Fauve |
| Sizes | 20 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml | 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, gift sets 5x7.5 ml |
| Specialties | Unisex Eau de Parfum, woody/leathery notes | Eau de Parfum, perfume extracts, gift sets, citrus/floral notes |
| Who It's For | Those seeking artistic woody and leathery perfumes | Those wanting variety in sizes and perfume extracts |
| Number of Unisex Products | 108 | 91 |
| Average Price 50 ml | €322-342 | €381-537 |
Discover all Vilhelm and Ex Nihilo unisex perfumes on Papique · Profumi unisex Vilhelm (108)
Discover all Vilhelm and Ex Nihilo unisex perfumes on Papique · Profumi unisex Ex Nihilo (91)
Frequently asked questions
What is Vilhelm's most popular perfume?
Morning Chess Eau de Parfum is among the best sellers, available in 50 ml and 100 ml.
Does Ex Nihilo only offer Eau de Parfum?
No, Ex Nihilo also offers perfume extracts and gift sets, in addition to Eau de Parfums.
Which brand has more size options?
Ex Nihilo provides a wider variety of sizes, including 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, and gift sets.
Are Vilhelm and Ex Nihilo prices similar?
Vilhelm's prices are high but more consistent; Ex Nihilo has a wider range with extracts exceeding €700.
Can I find unisex perfumes with fresh notes?
Yes, both Vilhelm and Ex Nihilo offer unisex perfumes with fresh notes, like Morning Chess and Blue Talisman.
Shipping to over 60 countries from Italy: outside the EU duties and taxes are included in the price (DDP), no surprises at delivery. Returns within 14 days of delivery. Newsletter discount code: 4RARE. Prices and availability updated on 2026-11-04.