This is our buying guide on the three best humidifiers for cigar humidors in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth, hands on reviews, for each humidifier.
Xikar Crystal Humidifier
- Easy to install and use
- It comes in two sizes (2 oz. and 4 oz.)
- Can humidify up to 150 cigars
- Ideal for beginners
- Works with regular tap water
- Slow and steady humidification
- Efficient humidification process
- Maintains constant humidity at 70%
- Refill after two months
- Crystals are long-lasting
- Reasonably priced
- Readily available
- Compact and easy to store
Cigar Oasis Excel Electronic Humidifier
- Beginner-friendly
- Compact and easily portable
- Powerful fan for even humidification
- Back-lit digital display
- Features a water cartridge
- Comes with a USB power adapter
- Built-in thermometer
- Adjustable humidity levels
- Straightforward to install and run
- Fast and efficient humidification
- Features a built-in LCD humidistat
- Reduces musty odors
- The fan is controlled via a sensor
Boveda 2-Way Cigar Humidifier
- Fast and effective humidification
- Works automatically
- Long-lasting effect
- Can be reused after rehydrating
- Option to choose the number of packs
- Adjustable relative humidity levels
- Hassle-free operation
- Does not require gels, beads, water, or PG solution
- Works well with all types of humidors
- Retains cigar flavor and essential oils
- Patented 2-way technology
- Reabsorbs extra moisture in the humidor
- Ease of use and maintenance
Diving into this article, I’ll share my top three picks for the best cigar humidor humidifiers in 2022.
If you’re as keen about preserving the quality of your cigars as I am, you’ll know that maintaining a 70 percent humidity inside a humidor is crucial. It’s a humidifier that does this job and keeps your cigar fresh while ensuring a longer burn time.
In my quest for the perfect humidifier, I’ve put numerous options through their paces. I’ve found the Cigar Oasis Excel Electronic Humidifier to be the best. It was a breeze to set up, packed with tons of smart features, and most importantly, let me adjust the humidity to my liking.
But here’s a word of caution – since it’s an electronic model, it suits larger humidors best.
If you have a smaller humidor like I do, I’ve found that crystal and bead humidifiers do a sterling job.
Read on as I share more insights on the best humidifiers for humidors. Trust me, your cigars will thank you!
Cigar Oasis Excel Electronic Humidifier
BEST OVERALL
My Experience at a Glance
The top spot on my list is claimed by the Cigar Oasis Excel Electronic Humidifier, and there are quite a few reasons for that.
This electronic humidifier by Cigar Oasis Excel is small yet powerful – a perfect companion for small cabinet cigar humidors and end-table humidors. Despite its modest size, it has a Herculean capacity for humidification and sets up with an ease that requires no drilling.
Design
I must confess, I’ve fallen for the aesthetic of this humidor humidifier. Though it’s tucked away inside the humidor, I find its stylish demeanor charming. The metallic look with a matte, powder-coated finish echoes a classic appeal.
Size
Compact yet capable, this humidifier fits snugly in most humidors. It’s versatile enough to cater to any humidor size between 1-4 cubic feet, meaning it can provide humidification for a range between 75-300 cigars.
Humidification
The humidifier’s robust fan does an outstanding job circulating air, ensuring even humidification throughout the entire humidor. Plus, the fan is potent enough that rotating cigars isn’t a concern anymore!
The humidifier employs an integrated sensor to automatically measure the relative humidity inside the humidor. This data is then used to control the air circulation, maintaining the desired level of humidity.
With this feature, your cigars stay evenly humidified and fresh, no matter how long they hibernate in the humidor.
Maintenance
The Cigar Oasis Excel comes with a pre-treated water cartridge. Maintaining the humidifier is a cinch – just top up the water cartridge (I recommend using distilled water) when it’s low.
Spanning the entire length and width of the unit, the cartridge has the capacity to hold ample water, lasting between 2 and 4 months on a full tank!
Special Features
The humidifier sports a back-lit LCD, a handy tool to keep track of the humidity level in your humidor and maintain the ideal conditions. The LCD is also equipped to send out alerts when the water level gets low, ensuring you never forget to refill the humidifier!
The in-built thermometer lets me monitor the humidor’s internal temperature while the large soft-touch buttons make adjusting humidity levels a breeze.
An added perk is the micro-USB port that connects to a USB power adapter, freeing you from the need for a nearby socket. Powered by a thin ribbon cable, it doesn’t interfere with the humidor’s sealing.
In my experience, the effective fan also keeps musty smells at bay, simplifying the cleaning process.
Given all the features and benefits the Cigar Oasis Excel Electronic Humidifier provides, it’s no surprise it’s my top pick for the best humidifiers for cigar humidors in 2022.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Compact and easily portable
- Powerful fan for even humidification
- Back-lit digital display
- Features a water cartridge
- Comes with a USB power adapter
- Built-in thermometer
- Adjustable humidity levels
- Straightforward to install and run
- Fast and efficient humidification
- Features a built-in LCD humidistat
- Reduces musty odors
- The fan is controlled via a sensor
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Only 60% accuracy for a humidity reading
Xikar Crystal Humidifier
BEST BUDGET
My Impressions at First Sight
I was immediately drawn to the Xikar Crystal Humidifier due to its long-lasting performance and incredible efficiency – two features that are vital for maintaining cigar freshness. What’s more, the Xikar delivers on both these fronts without breaking the bank!
This cigar humidor humidifier is housed in a round 2 oz. or 4 oz. polycarbonate jar. What’s inside the jar is what really caught my attention – a unique polymer gel that’s able to absorb more than 450 times its weight in moisture! The result? Quick, enduring cigar humidification.
Humidification
The 2 oz. jar can regulate humidity for up to 75 cigars, and the 4 oz. jar can manage up to 150 cigars. With this humidifier, I’ve been able to create an ideal environment for all my cigars!
The Xikar humidifier utilizes the gel to maintain a stable 70% humidity, slowly and steadily releasing moisture into the humidor.
For even better cigar humidification, I found that Xikar’s premixed propylene glycol solution works wonders.
Design
The Xikar humidifier is impressively compact, allowing me to store it practically anywhere. Besides, it’s incredibly straightforward to use and install – just unscrew the top and place it in the humidor.
Despite its compact size, this little humidifier has had a significant impact on the quality of my cigars. It works so efficiently that I’ve found there’s no need for a larger humidifier to keep my cigars in perfect condition.
Special Features
What I appreciate the most is that whichever liquid I use for my Xikar humidifier lasts up to 90 days without a refill. Once filled, I’m assured of three months of consistent humidification.
The gel in the Xikar Crystal humidifier looks like sea salt when dry and becomes gelatinous when activated. As the gel shrinks due to moisture loss, I can easily tell when the humidifier needs a refill.
I also discovered it works perfectly well with regular tap water. So, no need to hunt down distilled water.
I can wholeheartedly agree with the fan base that this humidifier is truly top-tier! Compact, reasonably priced, yet performing all the functions of a high-end humidifier for cigar humidors, it is indeed a star performer.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- It comes in two sizes (2 oz. and 4 oz.)
- Can humidify up to 150 cigars
- Ideal for beginners
- Works with regular tap water
- Slow and steady humidification
- Efficient humidification process
- Maintains constant humidity at 70%
- Refill after two months
- Crystals are long-lasting
- Reasonably priced
- Readily available
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Requires Xikar’s PG solution for optimum performance
- Some dark spots in the gel
Boveda 2-Way Cigar Humidifier
BEST PREMIUM
First Look
The Boveda Cigar Humidifier is a breath of fresh air compared to the previous humidifiers I’ve tried. It’s an all-in-one pack that offers the optimal humidification solution for cigars.
This humidifier has been specifically engineered to provide a consistent and steady rate of humidity to your cigars, ensuring you get to savor their true flavor!
One of the striking advantages of the Boveda humidifier is that it requires no maintenance – bid farewell to guesswork! All I had to do was pop the Boveda pack into my humidor on top of my cigars, and they were all set.
Humidification
The Boveda humidifier features a patented two-way humidity control that automatically adds or absorbs moisture into your humidor—keeping your cigars safeguarded at all times. The icing on the cake? It doesn’t need gels, beads, water, or PG solution.
This humidifier infuses purified humidity for your cigars. Yet, when there’s excessive moisture in your humidor, Boveda takes care of that by absorbing the surplus. I didn’t need to fiddle with any valves or worry about how much water to add. Simply set it up and sit back.
This humidifier has completely revamped my cigar experience with its effective performance. Boveda’s patented formula employs natural salt and water to ensure precise Relative Humidity (65%, 69%, 72%, and 75%) for your cigar humidor, ensuring your cigars burn, light, and taste just as they should.
This is a multi-purpose cigar humidification system suitable for all types of cigar humidors. From desktop humidors and cabinet humidors to travel humidors, you’ll get excellent value for your money. That’s why I reckon this humidifier is one of the most versatile units out there.
Maintenance
The Boveda control packs are long-lasting, enduring 2-4 months in a wooden humidor and 6-9 months in an airtight humidor. Basically, once the packs are in your humidor, your work is done.
These control packs operate efficiently to maintain consistent humidity levels in your cigar humidors and retain the flavor and oils in your cigars.
Special Features
You also have the option to choose a pack with specific relative humidity suited to different quality cigars. For instance, a relative humidity of 69% is ideal for high-quality, premium cigars, while an RH of 75% is typically used if you’re smoking at high altitudes.
The RH you choose solely depends on your local climate and the types of cigars you enjoy.
In a nutshell, this humidifier caters to everyone and delivers the optimal humidity level regardless of your humidor’s size.
Pros
- Fast and effective humidification
- Works automatically
- Long-lasting effect
- Can be reused after rehydrating
- Option to choose the number of packs
- Adjustable relative humidity levels
- Hassle-free operation
- Does not require gels, beads, water, or PG solution
- Works well with all types of humidors
- Retains cigar flavor and essential oils
- Patented 2-way technology
- Reabsorbs extra moisture in the humidor
- Ease of use and maintenance
Cons
- Humidity level slightly lower than indicated on the pack
- Expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
Investing in a high-quality humidification system can truly enhance the performance of your humidor. Given the vast array of cigar humidifiers available, it’s only natural to have a curiosity about these products.
In the following lines, I’ll tackle some common queries about cigar humidor humidifiers.
What Exactly is a Humidifier for Cigars?
A cigar humidifier is a vital component of any humidor. It’s specifically crafted to regulate the humidity levels inside your cigar storage.
Humidifiers designed for cigar humidors are available in various sizes and styles to cater to every need. You’ll find compact units that only accommodate a dozen cigars, while larger cabinet humidifiers empower you to control and monitor the room’s humidity where your cigars are kept.
Such environmental control is critical to preserve your cigars’ quality. For instance, using a humidifier for cigars prevents them from drying up, thereby retaining their distinctive flavor.
Why is a Humidifier for Cigars Needed?
Without sufficient moisture in the humidor, the tobacco within the cigars will dry out swiftly. Consequently, the cigar will lose its unique taste and aroma, resulting in a less pleasurable smoking experience.
As the tobacco plant hails from tropical climates, it thrives in humid conditions. Hence, to keep their rich flavors intact, your cigars need to maintain enough moisture and be stored in a humid environment.
However, overly high humidity can lead to mold growth in the tobacco. Luckily, cigar humidifiers are an effective solution to this issue.
Cigar humidifiers enable you to regulate the exact humidity levels within your humidor, resulting in cigars that age gracefully yet retain their fresh taste.
Where Should I Position my Cigar Humidifier and Humidor?
The location of your cigar humidifier is crucial, which primarily depends on your humidor’s make and model, as well as your humidifier.
The instructions for placement accompany the humidifier. It’s imperative to go through the user manual before installing the humidifier.
Certain humidifiers need to be situated in the middle of the humidor, while others can be positioned in the back or front. Typically, a humidifier will have its fan pointed at the cigars from the top or bottom to ensure they absorb adequate moisture.
However, all these considerations depend on your humidor’s make and model.
To Conclude
A reliable humidifier skillfully manages the humidity levels in your humidor. Your choice of humidifier will depend on your humidor’s size and the number of cigars you wish to store.
I hope this guide assists you in narrowing down your options and finding the ideal humidifier that can keep your cigars fresh and allow them to age exquisitely.
I’d suggest considering the Cigar Oasis Excel Electronic Humidifier.
