From puffing on the occasional cigar on holidays and special occasions to partaking in a smoke break more frequently, cigar lovers need one thing to keep their stogie in tip-top smoking shape — a humidor.
Cigars are made from natural, organic matter, which means they are prone to deterioration. But like wine, cigars often get better as they age. That is if they’re stored properly, which means inside a functioning humidor. The natural oils in a cigar will dry up if not kept moist, regardless of whether you purchased the cigar at the corner shop or the finest cigar store in Havana. With a high-quality humidor, cigars can last up to five years. Cigars not kept in a humidor are likely to dry out, rot, or even become infested. So yeah, you’re going to want a humidor.
There are several things to look for when buying a humidor. First, you must decide whether you want a unit that will work for home use or travel. A smaller, travel-sized humidor is better suited for someone who wants to bring their cigars with them on vacation or buy cigars while they’re traveling. Cigar World suggests deciding on how many cigars you want to store at one time and then going a size bigger. They also suggest looking for a humidor with a secure seal, which is something we kept in mind when choosing the three humidors on our list.
Now that you know why you need a humidor, it’s time to look at which humidor will best suit your needs, and we found the best for you!
1. Glass Top Handcrafted Cedar Humidor
On top of offering top-notch storage for your cigars, this nifty humidor can also store your smoking tools. From lighters to cutters, you can utilize this humidor to do more than just keep your cigars fresh. However, it still does that part well. Featuring capacity to fit up to 50 cigars, this humidor is magnetically sealed and maned from Spanish cedar.
Pros: Made from Spanish cedar and is magnetically sealed.
Cons: Cigar compartment isn’t the largest, so if you have a larger collection, or want space between your cigars while you store them, another option would be better.
2. Mantello Cigar Desktop Humidor
Don’t let your cigars get in the wrong hands’ thanks to the lock and key that comes with the Mantello Cigar Desktop Humidor. The stylishly designed humidor comes with Spanish cedar lining, a tempered glass top and solid brass hinges for a finish that is both classic and durable.
Pros: The Mantello holds up to 100 cigars and includes a humidor, a humidifier, a removable tray with divider, and a felt-lined bottom.
Cons: Unlike the Whynter, the Mantello can’t be set to a specific temperature they prefer for their humidifier.
3. Quality Importers Desktop Humidor
If you want a small humidor that can keep your cigars fresh while also looking like an attractive piece of decoration for any room, we recommend the Quality Importers Desktop Humidor. The tempered glass top allows users to see their cigars, which are kept at the ideal temperature thanks to the front mounted glass hygrometer with a brass ring. With gold-plated corners, a scratch-resistant bottom and an engravable brass nameplate, this humidor makes a great gift for any cigar connoisseur.
Pros: This humidor is available in five colors, including red and blue.
Cons: This is the smallest humidor on our list and only holds between 25 and 50 cigars.