Despite the differences we may have in our cigar preferences, certain standards do apply to all cigar smokers. For instance, your choice in a humidor and mine boils down to the same key considerations: Quality, effectiveness, aesthetics, and unless you are Jeff Bezos' wealthy ass, price point.
But what about size? Isn't bigger always better? Well, not necessarily...
There are actually quite a few reasons why a humidor pequeño can be the right choice. For the seasoned cigar collector, having a stogie backup supply at a separate location is never a bad idea, especially when your primary, larger humidor is overflowing with cigars. Those who don’t smoke all that often will also appreciate a smaller humidor, for a massive box loaded with only six sticks is a pretty pathetic sight to behold.
Small humidors also provide a fantastic solution for those who may be first getting into collecting and smoking cigars. While their more modest price point may make them more attractive to certain shoppers, it's the easy learning curve that comes with them that warrants even more credit.
But a small humidor doesn’t always mean entry-level, or cheaply made. There’s a place for small humidors in the life of even the most veteran cigar enthusiast. Those of you who own a collection of relojes de pulsera know full well that there's a perfect timepiece for every occasion, and the clever cigar collector also recognizes this fact. There’s always room for a humidor that is sleek, lightweight, and ultra-reliable, you just need to find the right one for your personal needs.
¿Por qué invertir en un humidor pequeño?
While there is no accounting for personal taste, a lot can be ascertained from online cigar shoppers and their buying trends. In fact, there are only three reasons why people will typically shop for a small humidor, and each one makes a whole lot of sense.
For Convenience & Discretion
May it be hidden inside a desk drawer, displayed on a bookshelf, resting on a bar back, or kicking it on a countertop, small humidors are king when it comes to convenience and space-saving. Easy to move at a moment's notice, pint-size stogie storage solutions offer a low-key way to properly store cigars in a secondary location. Oftentimes, this translates to the humidor serving as a backup supply, or an overflow box for when the primary humidor is in need of rotation or is just flat-out overloaded.
Having a small backup humidor also allows you to keep a few go-to stogies handy for unexpected celebrations, unannounced visits, or for simply storing a few sticks you happened to pick up at the local cigar shop while on your lunch break.
Para el nuevo aficionado a los puros
Then there is the new cigar enthusiast, who only owns a small collection of cigars, but really wants
A humidor that isn’t at least 30% filled with cigars runs the risk of having the humidity inside run amuck. Tobacco, as well as the cigar cellophane often surrounding it, is a selectively permeable product. So absorbing and releasing moisture is what cigars do all the way up until they are set afire. The fewer cigars in your humidor and the bigger it and the humidification system inside are, the higher the risk of you having soggy stogies.
So if you’ve just begun your cigar journey and have, say, a dozen cigars on hand, placing them in a fully functional and properly seasoned Klaro Military Humidor is only going to result in a bad burn. In contrast, a 25-count humidor, with its smaller internal air space, less hardcore humidification setup, and lower relative humidity (RH) rating is ideal for this sort of scenario.
For the Budget-Minded Individual
Although smaller cigar humidors may often equate to a more manageable price point, that doesn't necessarily mean they are going to be poorly constructed from leftover wood scrap. It also doesn't mean that poor college kids are the only ones purchasing these affordable storage options either.
As previously mentioned, even seasoned cigar collectors with thousands of stogies at their disposal typically have at least one or two small humidors handy for overflow and easy accessibility. And while the elite will surely splurge on bank account-crippling bespoke units inlaid with petrified wood and the cremated ashes of their slain enemies, the vast majority of hardcore stogie collectors often opt to keep things in the $50–100 range when selecting a miniature humidor. Why? This leaves more money for the reason why we have humidors in the place: Premium cigar blends.
Cigar Nerd Note: Both small and full-size humidors are somewhat standardized now in terms of design. Spanish cedar is pretty much a given, hygrometers are now labeled a necessity, and the technology behind the sistemas de humidificación is more advanced and accurate than ever. These things and more are what humidor shoppers should beware of when selecting a new stogie storage unit. No matter the size or style of humidor you are considering, take your time, shop smart, and make an educated investment.
Popular Small Humidor Styles
Here at Klaro, we engineer patented humidor designs with the cigar smoker in mind. This applies to everything from our flagship 288-liter Airo Fridgador Cabinet, to the revolutionary small-scale cigar humidors we ship every day. The latter of which we will discuss in brief in the paragraphs that follow.
Classic Desktop Humidors
When you think of small humidors, the rectangular desktop design is probably what comes to mind first, and there's a really good reason for that. Low-profile and easy to obtain and maintain, the classic desktop humidor lives up to its name by being small enough to sit unobtrusively on top of a desk. Due to reduced vertical dimensions, desktop humidors also tend to make ideal candidates for drawer storage. Sometimes it is best to keep those smokes out of sight or under lock and key, hence these slimmer standardized dimensions.
While a classic cherry wood exterior and Cedro español coaming and inlaid interior earmark Klaro's humidor analógico de cerezas as a timeless vintage design, we have found that many people opt to upgrade to the digital versions of the cherry wood humidor.
However, for those looking for something a bit more modern and macho-looking, the Humidificador MAG is a fantastic small humidor option, as is its carbon fiber-clad Klaro Kingston counterpart.
And while its capacity levels may border on being too big to be categorized as a desktop humidor, Klaro’s best-selling Renzo Glass Top continues to earn praise for its straightforward design and stocky size. What also makes the Renzo a great option as a desktop humidor is its accesorios para humidores cajón para cutters, lighters, and a cigar carrying case.
New-School Small Humidors
Like all products nowadays, there’s always room for experimentation when it comes to designing a small humidor from scratch. This has led to the rise in what is commonly called a "hybrid humidor." These styles typically stray from the beaten path a good bit, while still working extremely well as a secondary, affordable small humidor option.
Ammo Cans
First up is the repurposed ammo can, or as we like to call them here at Klaro: Smoke Cans.
Available in both a 50 Cal humidor size, as well as a slimmer 30 Cal Smoke Can configuration, these small humidors bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "bulletproof construction." With their waterproof silicone seals, latching hinges, Spanish cedar trays, integrated Klaro hygrometers, and clever Hydro Pack slots, the Ammo Can blends clever small-scale cigar storage design with superior outdoor security and practicality.
Tarros humidificadores
Taking the whole cigar storage game in a vertical direction is the Cylindor Glass Tube Humidor design. These humidor jars also use silicone gaskets for a tight seal and rely upon a humidification pack, but favor a fully transparent approach than the rugged Klaro Ammo Can.
Aesthetically speaking, this style of small humidor harkens back to that old-fashioned, turn-of-the-century general store look. Easily the smallest footprint out of all of the miniature humidors being discussed today, the vintage perfect appeal of this design makes it an outstanding desktop piece as well as a stylish cigar enthusiast bookshelf accoutrement.
Humidificadores acrílicos
Now, if the whole glass tube look isn't your schtick, but you still fancy the idea of showing off every angle of your stogie collection, then acrylic humidors are the way to go.
Klaro's Felix Acrylic Humidor is a prime example of what a premium product in this segment should entail. Blending modern machined looks with Spanish cedar shelf inserts, pre-calibrated humidification packs, and our patented hygrometer system makes this option the epitome of a hybrid humidor.
Humidificadores portátiles
The importance of a portable cigar humidor cannot be overstated. These miniature stogie storage units offer everything cigars need for a safe and successful weekend getaway, a holiday or bachelor party, or any sort of business trip. So if you plan on taking a few smokes with you to share with friends or business acquaintances, consider securing one of the following travel humidor options first.
The Flint Cigar Travel Case
Holding up to five cigars, the Klaro Flint Travel Case is perfect for both cigar storage and on-the-go, while still keeping those smoking accessories handy. This is a one-stop shop for everything you need for a great evening on the road or at your local cigar bar. Mesh pouches for humidity packs magnetized lighter and cutter sleeves, and the ability to stow larger cigars inside have all helped make this one of our best-sellers. The internal hard-shell protective design, full-grain Italian leather, and YKK zipper make this a durable option, regardless of whether you are traveling, partying, or just throwing some blends in a desk drawer at the office for safekeeping.
Maxwell
With its durable hard-shell case, soft vegan leather exterior, locking latches, and hardcore hinges, Maxwell is a travel humidor that not only ensures your cigars are protected, but absolutely crushes when it comes to dry boxing. Why? Because no other cigar travel case packs this amount of Spanish cedar, and in such a specialized way as well.
In case you missed the memo, Spanish cedar wood not only provides the perfect environment for preserving the aroma and flavor notes of premium cigars, but it also does a bang-up job of absorbing and releasing humidity. So by taking those properly humidified stogies, and stuffing them in a cigar travel case such as this, you are allowing them to gradually reduce in humidity while improving in aroma and flavor.
Furthermore, the contoured machined interior of these genuine Spanish cedar wood walls excels at keeping larger cigars secured tightly behind Maxwell's elastic bands. Maxwell loveven tapered figurado cigars.
Cigar Nerd Note: Portable humidors can also operate as your alternate office storage spot for cigars when you’re away from home. Just note, that you might have to replace humidification packs if you plan on this being a frequent storage spot.
Puffs de despedida
But it's ultimately up to you to find what works best for your cigar smoking and storage needs. Ask questions, read reviews, explore traditional and hybrid humidor styles, and don't be afraid to experiment with a couple of different small humidor designs if your finances and interests permit. It is indeed possible to house a smaller number of cigars with just as much protection and aesthetic appeal as a full-size humidor. You just need to go out and get it.
