I have a cabinet humidor that holds about 3,500 cigars. But it costs a lot of time and money to stock it. My brother-in-law has a 6,000-count humidor. It’s massive. Some people don’t want a humidor that big, or don’t even smoke enough to justify it. Whatever the case, your cigars still need to be stored properly. You’ll have to keep them in an airtight container, with the right humidity levels — called RH or Relative Humidity. That’s where humidor alternatives come in handy.
Just because they have to be stored correctly, doesn’t mean they must be stored in a wooden humidor or a specific design. Some cigar enthusiasts actually use what’s called a Tupperdor. It’s really a fancy name for something like plastic Tupperware that seals tight. You can store your cigars in big plastic storage bins, small jars or containers, or uniquely made low-cost humidors, such as an acrylic humidor jar that seals. You just have to do it right.
How do I store my cigars?
Cigars need to be stored in a humidor, or a humidor alternative, at the correct Relative Humidity (RH). That’s because the tobacco leaves inside the cigar need moisture to retain their natural oils. Those natural oils are what give you flavor and experience while smoking. A dried-out cigar, or a cigar that’s too humid, won’t burn right.
So, you need to store them in a container with the appropriate humidity. But what are the accepted RH levels? Most experts recommend between 62 RH and 70 RH. A sweet spot, and where I like to keep my Cigar Oasis set, is 65 RH.
If you don’t want to bother with an automatic humidifier system, like a Cigar Oasis or a Hydra, you can simply grab some Boveda packs. They come in different RH formats, so choose the one you want and drop one or two in your container. Depending on how big the container is and how many cigars you have, you can adjust RH easily.
5 humidor alternatives
1. An electric temperature-controlled humidor
Size: Medium
Like everything you’ll find on this list, these come in a few different designs. I have one that’s all-black and it is in my office. I use it to store more finicky cigars because I live in Florida where it’s hot and humid already.
The example model from Manastin has a 40-liter capacity, four shelves for storage, and a built-in precise humidity control system. There’s a drawer on the bottom where you put your distilled water or Boveda packs for humidity. But also, it’s compressor cooled so you can adjust the temperature to stay below 70 degrees. It’s ideal for warmer climates, storing Cubans, and anyone who wants a medium-sized humidor alternative.
More casual smokers might go with something like a desktop humidor. They’re exactly as described. Small, wooden humidors that are meant to be stored on a desk, display, counter, or in a cabinet. They usually have a glass top so you can peer in, and hold about 20 to 30 cigars, sometimes more or less.
They’re inexpensive compared to larger humidors and they’re easy to care for, as long as the lid seals airtight. You can simply throw a Boveda pack or similar gel pack inside and that’s all you need. Again, they come in different styles, some with extra fixings like hidden drawers. The example I picked from Bald Eagle is simple and reliable. It holds 20 to 25 cigars comfortably.
Remember earlier how I mentioned the plastic storage bins? Well, it’s the same idea here except this kind was specifically made for storing cigars. The bin from our example, from CIGARLOONG, holds up to 100 cigars across two layers — there’s a top shelf.
It’s completely transparent, so you can see your entire collection stored within. It also has a built-in hygrometer for measuring the RH. The tray or shelf is made of cedar, which is excellent at retaining moisture. In fact, that’s why most humidors have Spanish cedar inside. This low-effort storage bin would be great when you have a big collection but don’t want to overdo it.
You could use your own jar, but there are also pre-made jars available, like the one in our example. It’s transparent, and it comes with a hygrometer and humidifier. Of particular note with this model, however, is the retaining ring seal with a rubber gasket. That helps ensure it remains air-tight when closed so your cigars stay properly humidified.
It holds around 15 to 20 cigars, so it’s not for huge collections but that’s okay. It’s a great choice if you got some cigars from your buddies and want to store them a bit longer than usual, without emptying your bank account.
A traveldor or travel case allows you to keep your cigars humidified while you’re on the move. They work great for vacations, cruises, or even trips to a family member’s home for the holidays. Cigar Caddy is one of the more well-known brands, but there are others.
The one in our example holds 10 Churchill-sized cigars with protective foam inserts to keep them from being damaged. The case is also super tough, waterproof up to 100 feet, and temperature resistant — from -10 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
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