So, you’ve experienced the perfect smoke — you’ve found the cigars with the perfect aroma and flavor. However, they need a great storage solution, too. Without properly caring for your cigars, they can lose their quality over time, making it hard for you to expand your collection. 

You’ll want a good smoking experience, and humidors can help make that happen. That said, some types are better than others. Explore this guide to learn all about humidors and how you can select the best option.

What Is a Humidor?

A humidor is a box, storage or room with controlled humidity and temperature that lets you store your cigars and improve their longevity. You need a humidor for your cigars if you don’t intend to smoke them for longer than two weeks.

Without proper protection and storage, cigars can lose their flavor and quality, affecting the smoking experience. Humidors are handy for cigar enthusiasts and beginners alike, whether you’re looking to build and grow your cigar collection or just need a temporary storage solution on the go.

Benefits of a Humidor

A cigar contains tobacco leaves that expand and contract depending on the humidity of their environment. As such, the way you store cigars affects their flavor and quality. For instance, dry and hot conditions can make a cigar taste like ash when burnt. Cigars can lose their aroma when they’re dried. You may even encourage the growth of tobacco moths and beetles as they thrive in warm environments with high humidity. 

Additionally, extremely humid environments can produce mold and waterlog your cigars. Wrappers can also become sticky and trickier to remove. Finding the right balance is essential, and humidors ensure that your cigar’s environment remains adequate and consistent. A humidor offers the following benefits:

• Enhanced quality and flavor: With a humidor, you can preserve the cigar’s freshness and retain its natural flavors. Cigars can even develop complex flavors over time, depending on their arrangement inside the humidor. Different flavors placed side by side can result in mixed flavors. 
• Preserved oils: Humidors preserve the cigar's essential oils and prevent that bitter taste when smoking. Properly stored cigars burn more evenly, and dried-out cigars are almost impossible to smoke. With the right humidity in their environment, you won’t need to rehydrate your cigars, which can be taxing.
• Better organization and appearance: A beautiful humidor also displays your selection of cigars elegantly. It makes organizing your cigars easier, especially if you have multiple types and flavors. It helps maintain the appearance of your cigars by preventing the cracking and peeling of their wrappers. Plus, it keeps the aroma of your cigar separate from your space.

How to Store Cigars With Your Humidor

Getting the most out of your humidor involves setting the right cigar storage conditions. You need to experiment with the humidity and temperature inside your humidor to determine what’s right for you.

You may have heard of the 70/70 rule, which suggests that the relative humidity (RH) should be at 70% and that the temperature should be at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this rule is outdated as it’s not always applicable, considering the changing seasons. These settings can be too cold for the winter and too hot for the summer.

As a rule of thumb, the higher the RH, the softer your cigars will be. The lower the RH, the firmer the cigars. Soft cigars can cause burn problems, while low RH and temperature can cause cigars to lose their moisture. Cigars with thick wrappers may do well with lower RH due to the high amounts of oil. When identifying the best way to store cigars, consider the size of your humidor, the type of cigars, your preferences, the seasons and your culture. 

In the United States, cigar enthusiasts set around 68%-72% humidity levels. Temperatures are usually at 64-70 degrees Fahrenheit. You should avoid going above 75 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent tobacco beetles and mold growth. Additionally, refrain from placing your humidors in direct sunlight. Some modern humidors come with digital touch panels for you to easily monitor and adjust these settings.

135 Rule of Cigars

The 135 rule states that your humidor’s temperature (in Fahrenheit), when added to the RH, should equal 135. For instance, if your temperature is at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, your humidity should be set to 65%. It’s an improvement from the 70/70 rule and serves as a guide for beginners. However, you can make adjustments as you go depending on your preferences. Just don't go above the 75-degree cap to avoid mold and tobacco beetles.

How Humidors Work

Humidors have systems that enable you to adjust humidity and temperature, but the complexity of these systems varies. Suppose you have a walk-in humidor, which is essentially another room in your house allotted for your cigars. This will require huge water reservoirs compared to smaller humidors. You’ll also need an appropriate humidifier, hygrometer and thermostat for peak performance.

When selecting a humidor, consider whether it has a:

• Passive humidifier: Passive humidifiers don’t require an external power source and are the simplest, lowest-maintenance option. You may find them in humidity packs, and they are mostly suitable for smaller humidors.
• Active humidifier: Active humidifiers require an external power source. They come with advanced technologies like sensors and fans to automatically adjust and maintain humidity levels.
• Electronic humidifier: Electronic humidifiers are more high-tech, offering temperature controls and digital displays. Unlike other humidifiers, electronic humidifiers make it easy to accurately set and monitor humidity levels. You’ll find them with electronic humidors. 
• Gel humidifier: Gel humidifiers are typically backups and are simple to use. You only need to add distilled water to the gel, and the gel will slowly release moisture into the air over time. 
• Bead humidifier: Bead humidifiers use a special type of silica gel. This gel also releases moisture into the air but absorbs it when necessary. This absorption and release of moisture is called a two-way humidity control.

A hygrometer measures the humidity levels inside your humidor. This way, you can understand whether you need more moisture or if you need to absorb excess water. Hygrometers can be analog or digital, but digital ones are more accurate. They’re typically placed on the lid or front of the humidor. You should check your hygrometer every two to three weeks.

Humidors also need a good seal to maintain their humidity, and some humidors have better seals than others. For instance, wood can sag over time, so wooden humidors with trays for storage can “leak” and allow dust to enter, affecting the quality of your cigars. The key is to find high-quality humidors that can last you a long time.

Additionally, humidors don’t always come with a built-in thermostat. However, a thermostat tells you the cigar storage temperature conditions and regulates them as needed. If you have a small humidor, you can purchase a small thermostat and simply place it inside the humidor. You can choose more advanced thermostats for larger humidors.

Types of Humidors

All humidors serve the same purpose. However, some types are better than others depending on your use case and preference. Consider the varying features when selecting an option.

According to Size

The size of the humidor influences its capacity and complexity for humidification. When selecting a humidor based on size, consider your needs now and in the future.

Regardless of the design, various humidor shapes and sizes can be categorized as:

1. Desktop humidor: Desktop humidors are compact boxes that can hold several cigars at once. Because of their size, you can keep your cigars within reach, making them a convenient option. You can place one on your office desk or by your bedside table, for example. Desktop humidors can be passive humidors, wherein they use passive humidifiers. This option is ideal for both beginners and cigar enthusiasts.
2. Cabinet humidor: As the name suggests, cabinet humidors are shaped like a cabinet and are ideal if you have a large cigar collection — a selection that doesn’t require its own room, yet. Because cabinet doors are typically made with glass, it’s a great way to showcase your cigar collection. Cabinet humidors also have more advanced climate control compared to desktop humidors. 
3. Walk-in humidor: Walk-in humidors are rooms you build specially for your cigars. It’s not a room with multiple cabinet humidors, but rather an entire room with controlled humidity and temperature. It’s the most expensive humidor and is best for cigar enthusiasts with large collections of cigars.
4. Portable humidor: Portable humidors can either be pocket humidors or travel humidors. A pocket humidor has airtight compartments that protect your cigars from the environment. It fits in your pocket, but this also means it lacks the cigar humidification system other humidors have. Meanwhile, a travel humidor is a little larger and has room for accessories like cigar cutters. It also comes with a small humidification system and a locking lid. 

According to Design

Humidors are available in various designs, so whether you want classic or modern options, you can find one that suits your preferences. The construct of the humidor affects where the humidification system is placed.

Here are some of your design options:

1. Single-chamber humidor: Single-chamber humidors are traditional and time-tested options, usually made of wood or acrylic. They come with classic designs and are simple, easy to maintain and don’t take up too much space. They can store 25-30 cigars and usually have space for your accessories. The humidification device is typically found on the underside of the lid.
2. Humidor jar: A humidor jar is another simple yet inexpensive option, making it a great alternative to single-chamber humidors. These jars are typically made of glass, ceramic, porcelain or acrylic materials. Plus, they come with tight seals and have affixed locking clasps. You’ll have to be mindful of storing your cigars, however. Since your cigars will be placed in the jars vertically, this can increase the damage to your cigars. You should also be careful with having too much humidity in this small space.
3. Multi-tier hinge top humidor: Multi-tier hinge top humidors are taller compared to single-chamber humidors since they have multiple stackable trays inside. They're ideal for cigar lovers who collect multiple cigar types but don’t necessarily need a full-blown cabinet or walk-in humidor. You might dislike mixing flavors of your cigars, so this compartmentalization is perfect for keeping flavors intact. Having multiple stacks also leaves more room for your accessories, like cedar hydro sticks and cutters. The hygrometer is usually placed at the upper tray or is externally mounted.
4. Napoleon humidor: Napoleon humidors also have multiple “trays” like multi-tier hinge top humidors. However, these trays are rolling or sliding drawers that you pull outward. Classic designs come with a wooden lid, but modern versions come with a glass top. Napoleon humidors also have extremely detailed artwork and inlays, so they can work as beautiful displays. 
5. Glass top humidor: Thanks to their transparent lid, glass top humidors are popular for their practicality. You get to see and admire your cigar collection without having to open your humidor. You can also easily view the hygrometer by simply looking through the glass. Glass top humidors typically come in smaller sizes, making them suitable for those just starting out with their collection.

How to Select a Humidor

A humidor is an investment, and there are a few things to consider before making a purchase. Costlier investments are not something you can easily replace, but even smaller purchases need to be well thought out to properly care for your cigars.

Consider the following factors when making your decision:

• Use case: Are you a cigar enthusiast who loves to travel? You’ll need portable humidors, then. Or, maybe you’re a cigar expert with cigar collections already outgrowing your cabinet humidor. You may need to build a walk-in humidor instead.
• Capacity: Suppose you don’t have expansive cigar collections and don’t need a lot of space. Desktop humidors can be more fitting. If you’re only using one type of cigar, you might not even need compartmentalization, making humidor jars suitable. You should also consider whether you want additional space for your accessories.
• Humidity control: Do you prefer having more advanced systems, or can you settle for manual options? A manual design can be more budget-friendly, but an electronic system is a “set-it-and-forget-it” alternative. You should also check whether the seal is of high quality. Poor seals defeat the purpose of getting a humidor.
• Design: Consider the humidor’s aesthetic appeal and material. A design that reflects your personality and taste works great. However, the material should also be sustainable in the long run. The best humidors will be made of high-quality materials to protect your cigars. Some types of wood for humidors are considered top-tier, like those made of Spanish cedar. Spanish cedar comes with a unique aroma that enhances the flavor of cigars. It’s also resistant to molds and insects like tobacco beetles.
• Maintenance requirements: Some humidors are easier to maintain than others. For instance, it’s harder to clean a walk-in humidor than a desktop humidor that sits at your office desk. You’ll also need to maintain the more advanced technologies that a larger humidor will need.
• Budget: The price range for humidors varies, as this depends on the humidor’s functionality, aesthetics and material. The more cigars you have, the larger your humidor should be, which also means you’ll need to make a larger investment. That said, don’t just consider the cost of building or purchasing a humidor. Consider the maintenance costs, such as how much water you'll need for your reservoir, and the cost of all the cigars you plan to purchase.
• Brand reputation: Brands with great reputations can be safer investments. You may consider the likes of Davidoff, Diamond Crown and Daniel Marshall. The brands that offer the finest cigars typically offer the best-quality humidors, as well.

Humidor Maintenance Tips

When you invest in a humidor, you need to learn how to keep it in top shape. This ensures that your humidor remains effective and can last a long time. It also makes the investment more worthwhile.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Season your humidor: Humidor seasoning refers to preparing the humidor for use. You need to set the proper humidity and temperature before placing your cigars inside. Note that you should calibrate your hygrometer and place it away from the humidification system. The humidity near this system will always be the highest. Your hygrometer should be closest to most of your cigars for a more accurate reading. After prepping the humidor, you need to let it sit for 12-24 hours.
• Rotate your cigars: Rotating the placement of your cigars ensures that they all age evenly. This involves switching their positions, whether top to bottom or vice versa, to make sure they’re not resting on the same area at all times.
• Be mindful of airflow: It’s not ideal to overfill your humidor or pack it with cigars. You’ll want to ensure there’s enough space for airflow to avoid mold. This also allows each cigar in the humidor to get the moisture it needs. The rule of thumb is to keep your humidor at half capacity. Consider the sizes of your cigars when determining this capacity.
• Only use distilled water: Tap water comes with impurities that can impact your cigar’s flavor and create molds. Distilled water is also free from harmful bacteria.
• Keep your humidor closed: Your humidification system works to keep your cigars with the right moisture. Controlling the temperature also ensures that the cigars maintain their peak quality. However, if you regularly open your humidor, it defeats the purpose of the entire system.
• Clean your humidor regularly: Just like any other furniture or equipment, you’ll need to clean your humidor regularly. You can use a soft cloth to wipe its interiors, but avoid chemicals that leave behind residues. These residues can affect the flavor of your cigars and can even be toxic to your health.

Get the Perfect Humidor From Corona Cigar Company

Corona Cigar Company offers the best humidors for cigars, and you can choose from a variety of classic designs. Whether you’re looking for a small desktop humidor or a compact one to travel with, you’re sure to find a great option. You may even find some of your favorite brands, such as Daniel Marshall and Davidoff. Since we're a one-stop shop for cigars, you can also check out various humidor accessories and purchase new cigars to go with your collection.

We are the largest and finest virtual cigar store where you can get the best handmade cigars, humidors and accessories at the lowest possible price. We even offer price matching for specific brands. Your satisfaction is guaranteed, or you’ll get your money back! Browse our humidor collection today to get started.