These three terms get used interchangeably, but they're actually different products. Here's what each one is and which one you should buy.
Decants
A decant is fragrance transferred from an authentic full-size bottle into a smaller spray vial by a third-party seller. Typically sold in 2ml, 5ml, or 10ml glass atomizers. The fragrance is identical to the original — same batch, same juice. Decants offer the best variety and value for testing multiple fragrances.
Samples
A sample is a small vial produced by the brand itself, usually 1-2ml. They're often given away free at department store counters or sold in official sample sets. Samples come in tiny glass vials with a screw cap (dab-on, not spray). Good for a first impression but too small for thorough testing — you only get 2-3 wearings.
Travel Sprays
A travel spray is a miniature version of the full bottle, produced and sold by the brand. Usually 10-30ml in a smaller version of the original packaging. More expensive per-ml than decants but comes with official branding and packaging. Best for travel when you want the full brand experience in a carry-on-friendly size.
Which Should You Buy?
For testing and variety: decants. For a quick sniff before buying: samples. For traveling with a known favorite: travel spray. Most fragrance enthusiasts rely primarily on decants because they offer the best balance of quantity, price, and variety.