As you’ve probably seen, humidors come in all shapes and sizes. From travel-sized versions ideal for carrying your favorite stogie on quick business-trips to the massive walk-in type that require pretty serious professional installation—unless you’re one heck of a handyman. 

No matter where you are in your journey of cigar appreciation, you probably find yourself regularly asking what size of humidor is right for you. And frankly, it’s a good question. All humidors are not equal. Nor are the cigars that we put in them. Different sizes, different shapes, and different types all mean finding the right humidor is important. 

So how can you tell what size humidor is right for you? Let’s look at a few common sizes and decide which ones are going to be perfect for you, your cigar collection, and your needs. 

What is a Humidor?

Let’s take a giant step back and talk about exactly what a humidor is, just so there’s no confusion. A humidor is a storage vessel for your cigars. When properly seasoned—that is, humidified—it creates a perfect environment for your cigars to last. In some cases, aficionados believe that aging in a humidor can even improve the taste of a cigar. 

Cigars need specific environmental conditions to stay in good smoking condition. Too dry, and the tobacco dries out—along with all of the unique oils that create the beautiful flavors and aromas associated with a good smoke. Dry cigars tend to be acrid. Too humid and the tobacco can get moldy and become infested with tobacco beetles. And let’s be real: there’s nothing appealing about any of that. 

Once you have the perfect humidor, you’ll need to season it appropriately and maintain it to keep your cigars in good smoking condition. But before that, let’s talk about some important qualities to consider as you’re shopping for a humidor—not just in the box itself, but where you are in your enjoyment of cigars. 

Qualities to Consider in Your Humidor

Good-quality humidors usually share a handful of really good qualities. They tend to be thick-walled, which allows the humidity and temperature inside to remain consistent. They have tight joints, which again, means that rarely does humidity escape. Finally, they’re most commonly lined with Spanish cedar, a wood related to the mahogany family prized for its absorbent qualities. Though other humidor woods options are popular, Spanish cedar is the gold standard.

But what else should you think about as you’re shopping for your humidor?

How Many Cigars You Have

If you’re relatively new to the hobby, you may not have many cigars in your possession—but trust, you’ll gain more. For that reason, it’s a good idea to think about stepping up in capacity when you’re buying a humidor. Do you commonly keep about 25 cigars on hand? Then it may not be a bad idea to buy a humidor with capacity for 40. 

How Often You Smoke

If you have a rule in your home where you have to smoke the cigars you have before you buy new ones, then you’re unlikely to amass a large collection. And good for you for having that willpower. Humidors are at their best when they’re at least 75% full. The Spanish cedar and the cigars are able to play well with one another and maintain a beautiful humidity. 

If you only smoke or two cigars a month, opt for a smaller size—one that you’ll keep more full more regularly. If you’re the type to enjoy a stogie every day and regularly replenish your collection, choose a larger option. 

What Shapes of Cigars Do You Enjoy Most

Just like humidors, cigars come in a lot of different shapes. When you see capacity numbers for a humidor, it’s usually based on Corona or Corona Gordo sizes. Those are the most traditional-looking cigars you may be able to think of, but they are not the end-all-be-all of cigar shapes. Others, like Churchill and Double Corona cigars, are longer and require more space. Petit Coronas are smaller. As you’re considering capacity, keep in mind the most common sizes of cigars you enjoy so make the most of it. 

Humidor Examples

Let’s consider a few different sizes of humidors. 

Travel Humidor

These small, handy humidors aren’t necessarily meant for long-term storage. They usually hold 2-3 cigars at a time, and are ideal for taking on trips. 

Desktop Humidor

These humidors are on the smaller side, but depending on type and size, can usually store up to about 25 cigars. They’re perfect on a desk at home (or in the office, if that’s within the building rules) and are ideal for pulling out something good to celebrate. 

Personal Humidor

Now we’re getting larger. Personal humidors are great for the casual cigar appreciator who’s moving into a more serious level of enjoyment. They hold anywhere from 25 to near 100 cigars, and are usually a bit more adorned than other options—available in wood, carbon fiber, or even other materials, and with glass tops. 

Walk-In Humidor

When you’re really serious about cigars—and have a very understanding partner—you may graduate to a walk-in humidor. These things are no-nonsense, but also very fun. You can store as many cigars as you can fit, because the size of it is ultimately up to you. There are ways to build your own if you’re a handy type, but they can also be professional built or installed. 

How to Use a Small Humidor

Opting for something on the smaller side? There’s no shame in that. It’s good to know that you only need a few cigars on hand at any moment. While these types of humidors don’t have complex humidifier systems to maintain a specific level of humidity, there’s still an easy way to season your humidor and keep it in good shape. 

You can follow our Guide to Seasoning Your Humidor, but in short, you’ll need just a few things. Our seasoning process is designed to work particularly with our Klaro humidors, but it can work with other humidors as well. 

1. Level your humidor. 
2. Rest the wood tray in the bottom of the humidor.
3. Open the solution, and add solution to each quadrant of the hydrotray. 
4. You’re looking for 68 percent humidity or higher for 12 hours. 
5. After hitting 68 percent or higher for a full 12 hours, open the gel solution packet. Wait 6-12 hours while the crystals soak up humidity. 
6. Analyze the humidity reading. 
1. If the humidity level is 70-75 percent, move on to step 8. 
2. If it’s reading between 65-69 percent, add more solution to each quadrant, then move to step 8. 
3. If it’s below 65 percent, we recommend that you use the Winter and Dry Climate Solution. 
4. If it’s above 75 percent, remove the hydro tray for between 12-48 hours. Then reinstall and determine the reading. 
7. Remove the wood tray from the bottom of the humidor. 
8. Carefully sit the hydro tray on the bottom of the humidor. 
9. Put your cigars in. 

What Are the Best Humidors?

So what are the best humidors? The simple answer is that there’s no easy answer. The best humidor is the one that’s ideal for you. Whether it’s a personal humidor that holds 40 stogies, a wine fridge-sized humidor, or a massive walk-in, only you can decide if it’s best for you. 

Ultimately, you’re looking for a high quality build and something that will last a lifetime. Good craftsmanship can make a humidor last forever—and even be something passed down through the ages. 

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