- 400 Cigar Capacity
- Interior LED Lighting
- Built-In Hygrometer
- 250-Cigar Capacity
- Adjustable thermostat
- Humidity tray and hygrometer
- 250-Cigar Capacity
- Built-in heater
- Digital temperature controls
- 200-300 Cigar Capacity
- Analog hygrometer
- Adjustable thermostat
- Net capacity 1.4 cu. ft.
- Glass door with UV protection
- Activated charcoal filter
If you are a cigar aficionado, there’s no better place than a cigar cooler to store your growing stogie collection. These temperature-related vessels give you full control of your storage environment. When you’re packing away expensive stogies, heat and moisture are lingering threats. We developed this guide, which included five of our favorite cigar coolers for humidors, in hopes of improving your smoking experience and salvaging those delicate, expensive smokes. These refrigerated appliances are excellent investments for anyone looking to expand their cigar collections.
Table of Contents
NewAir CC-300 Cigar Cooler – Editor’s Choice
The front and center temperature control panel enables users to drop the cooler’s temperature down to a brisk 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Users can also utilize the cool blue LED light to illuminate the contents of the cooler. A built-in hygrometer makes for easy real-time monitoring of the cooler’s internal temperature and humidity levels. The fan-driven cooling system is super quiet and vibration-free, making this a perfect option for your bedroom or office.
The four adjustable drawers and two shelves are made from premium Spanish cedar. The NewAir’s digital display makes it easy for users to check and adjust the settings. You can rest easy knowing your cigar collection is well regulated. If you live in a warm climate and don’t want to compromise your cigar collection, the NewAir 400 will help you protect it from the elements. This device uses just 120 volts of power to maintain your preferred temperature around the clock.
Whynter CHC-120S Stainless Steel 250-Cigar Cooler – Best Bargain Option
The Whynter utilizes fan-driven cool air to reduce the temperature and mitigate moisture. It boasts a built-in hygrometer and a digital control panel. The removable Spanish cedar shelves and drawers fend off pests and mold. The temperature settings range from 50 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, making it easy for all users to maintain their optimal storage temperatures.
Despite its low price, the Whynter’s stainless steel door and all-black panels make for a stunning, sophisticated presentation. Internal LED lighting provides optimal visibility. You won’t have to feel your way around the back of the cooler.
NewAir Cooler and Humidor – Best Lock Option
You can adjust the internal temperature to achieve your desired temperature. This is one of the most affordable and reliable temperature-regulating storage options on the market.
Whynter CHC-172BD Elite Touch Control Stainless 1.8 cu.ft. Cigar Humidor – Consumer Favorite
Behind the UV-resistant glass on the front door, there are three Spanish cedar drawers as well as two adjustable shelves made of the same pest-resistant material. Cool air constantly circulates throughout the 1.8-cubic feet interior with the help of a powerful 100-volt fan. There is room for over 350 cigars inside this small storage container.
You can use the digital touch control to adjust the humidity and temperature in one-digit increments. This simple machine will protect your fragile investments from bugs, moisture, and heat. Like most Whynter products, this cooler looks great from the outside. You’ll want to display your front and center.
Liebherr XS-200 Freestanding Humidor/SS – Best Upgrade Option
It has a built-in lock and a dimmable LED light. The digital control panel makes it easy to fine-tune the settings. The Liebherr offers 1.4 cubic feet of storage. That is enough space for roughly 200 cigars. If you are a small-time cigar collector with extra money to blow, then the Liebherr is an excellent option.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Cigar Cooler
Capacity
Most of the cigar coolers we came across held 200 to 500 cigars. Adjustable shelves and drawers enable users to play around with a cooler’s storage space. In most cases, 1.4 to 2 cubic feet of storage is enough for the average collector. Even cigar shops don’t put all their eggs in one basket.
Ultimately, it’s best to find a cooler with a capacity that’s a bit bigger than your actual collection.
Temperature Control
According to the experts, cigars need to be stored at temperatures between 64 and 70 degrees. Low temperatures slow the aging processes. Like fine wines, high-quality cigars improve with age. Most coolers have exterior temperature displays and controls. You should be able to adjust the temperature in one-degree increments. Most coolers boast fan-driven cooling systems that circulate cool air. Look for coolers with quiet, vibration-free cooling systems.
Humidity Control
Make sure that your cooler of choice has a built-in digital hygrometer. This will help you to track and adjust the humidity inside the cooler. You will also need to purchase a suitable humidifier. Most cooler manufacturers advise users on how to choose a humidification agent.
Interior Construction
Most cigar coolers contain shelves and drawers made from Spanish cedar. First off, Spanish cedar has a lovely woody aroma. Cedar contributes flavor and aroma to your cigars. This incredible wood can handle high humidity without developing rot or mold. What’s more, it deters common cigar pests.
Most cigar coolers contain a set of drawers and shelves made from Spanish cedar. In most cases, you can adjust the height and position of the storage to accommodate a variety of packaged and loose cigars of varying sizes.
Aesthetics
Most of the cigar coolers we came across boasted stainless steel front doors with glass viewing windows. Black trim and accents help to create an even sleeker aesthetic. While humidity and temperature should be your main considerations, it doesn’t hurt to have a fabulous presentation. It’s great if a cooler gives you an upfront look at what’s inside. Dimmable LED lights make it even easier for collectors to show off their stogies.
FAQ Cigar Coolers for Humidors
How should you keep cigars cool?
Most experts believe that storing cigars at 60-65%F is the best way to cool down expensive stogies. In such a way, cooled cigars may maintain the aroma and post-ripening features, and be protected against bloom, pests and mold.
To keep the required cool temperature level in a humidor, most aficionados use special devices – cigar coolers.
Such a unit may be a very appealing choice for people who reside in particularly hot and arid climates, providing in-built temperature regulation.
While it has already been said many times, a cigar cooler has the greatest advantage in regulating temperature. Many storage styles, like wooden humidors, appear not to have any insulation at all.
Therefore, keeping a constant temperature of about 70F can be very challenging. In comparison, certain persons tend to hold cigars that are intended to mature at lower temperatures. Given the large variety of temperature regulation provided by cigar coolers, you would also be able to get this.
Cigar coolers are often built to be airtight, just like traditional refrigerators, unlike most glass humidors and cabinets. Hence, if you want to be able to comfortably admire your set, they also provide a fascinating choice. Basically, using a cigar cooler is one of the simplest ways to cool down cigars almost effortlessly.
How to season properly a Whynter cigar cooler?
Whynter cigar coolers are quite popular among U.S. cigar smokers. Like all humidors and cigar storage devices, these coolers have to be seasoned occasionally. Most experts believe that seasoning of this useful device has to be done in such a way:
- Take all the shelves out. Wipe the device and shelves down with distilled water and baking soda. Use shot glasses and a few sponges. Set for 66F;
- Put the plastic container with distilled water on the device’s bottom;
- Wait 1 day until it dries completely;
- Wipe down again on the second day;
- Use 65% RH humidity packs by Boveda to season a cooler. About 320 g (4-5 Boveda packs) should be placed behind the shelves/boxes on the bottom and middle sections;
- One the next day put away the plastic container;
- Check the relative humidity level;
What is the best temperature to keep cigars?
Too cold and the temperature shock will break your cigars until you light them. You may get too hot and suffer from an infestation of a cigar beetle or even rotten cigars. Therefore, at an optimum temperature of about 70F, cigars should be kept.
In tiny humidors, the temperature is the hardest part to regulate since they are typically not fitted with temperature regulation equipment, so an excessive amount of care is needed to store your cigars better. Keep them out of direct sunshine as the temperature can rise quickly and the cigars can dry out. The temperature (as far as you can) should be at a steady amount. In addition, for Boveda bags, you may want to retain a steady humidity level.
Is it safe to put cigars in your refrigerator?
While you would be advised by certain cigar smokers to store your cigars in the freezer, this should be prevented! In no time, the cold, dry air in the refrigerator would dry out your cigars, and that is the reverse case of what you want. Don’t bring them in the oven, though much quicker than the fridge would cook them out.
A typical Ziploc bag and a damp sponge are everything you need if you are only searching to store a cigar without a cooler nearby. Only take a big freezer bag and bring it inside with the sticks. Then wet the fresh sponge and drain any extra water from the ring. In the pocket, put the sponge and close firmly.
Some researchers claim that to stop mold, such stogies should be kept in a fridge. Although a fridge has more humidity than the average space, for more than a few days at most, you shouldn’t store cigars in it.
What is the fastest way to season a humidor?
Check the easiest way to season a humidor or cooler for cigars, if you don’t have a seasoning kit. The best thing is that the only things you have around the house are required.
All you need is a shot glass and purified water. It is incredibly essential to have pure water since it lacks some form of a chemical substance that can spoil your cigars. For starters, your tap water might have several healthy drinking pollutants, however for months to years, you don’t really want these contaminants applied to the wood in your humidor, far less the cigars.
Distilled water is applied for aquariums much of the time, but if you own a freshwater aquarium, you should find such water at home. At a nearby drugstore, you will buy purified water for around $2.00-$3.00 for a gallon, which will be enough. Truly, you only require 2 shot glasses.
You would need a minimum of 5 days to fully season a cigar humidor. It really depends, though on the scale of your humidor as well as the atmosphere in which your humidor would be kept. Making sure there is ample time for your humidor to suck up as much humidity as the Spanish cedar wood requires.
You will want to pick up a Boveda humidification kit and a ziplock bag if you have any fresh cigars on a deck that require to be seasoned, then you can take your time to season your humidor without having to think. Otherwise, for a few days, they need to be perfect.
You ought to review your hydrometer after a week or so; the gauge reads humidity. -You are good to go until it reads from 67 – 72%.
Is it safe to put cigars in a wine cooler?
Many wine drinkers realize that at about 70 percent humidity, the optimal storage conditions for wine are 55F. This suggests that the temperature of the wine cellar is usually too cold to store cigars.
If you’re in a hurry and need to hold your cigars fresh momentarily, keeping wine and cigars together is okay for a limited period (like a couple of days). But it gets tricky to store wine and cigars for an extended time. At 70 percent relative humidity (RH) and 70 degrees, cigars need to be preserved.
Here are a few items to bear in mind if you plan to use a wine fridge to store cigars:
1) Turning the wine fridge into a humidor or having a “wineador” is the safest choice. For cigar preservation, humidified wine coolers are ideal because they are built with airtight refrigeration seals and also have climate-controlled equipment that makes it simple for your cigars to sustain a constant temperature and humidity.
For cigar cooling, what most wine coolers miss is cedar shelving. Cedar is suitable for the aging of luxury cigars because it responds well and repels cigar beetles with moisture. The next move will be to substitute the metallic grills with cedar wood shelves if you have a thermoelectric wine cooler. Wood gives a degree of protection and is also included in the humidor of the desktop. If you use glue for the racks, it should be odor-free and non-toxic so that the consistency of the cigars is not compromised.
2) If on the other side, you plan to keep the cigars in the wine cooler for a long period, then it is advised that you actually change the wine cooler and store only cigars in the same cooler, not both wine and cigars. This will guarantee that the cigars’ consistency is not ruined.
If the temperature is kept at 55F, the humidity in the cigars might be sucked out over time, and if you lit them up, you would not believe how fiercely they could smoke.
A thermoelectric one is the strongest wine cooler you can have since they control the temperature best and to hold cigars, it is far simpler to adjust them.
3) Condensation will occur occasionally, but you can use the beads to suck up some drops of water because they can sip onto the cigars.
You should place your cigars in the wine cooler after everything is finished, and rest assured that they will be fine. To ensure the temperature stays right, you may also need to test them from time to time.
Video Tutorial: Whynter 120S cigar cooler review
What criteria did I apply?
There are 2 key types of coolers:
- Compressing systems for quick chilling, but they keep the air very dry – that’s why many cigar users do not choose these appliances for expensive items;
- On the contrary, thermoelectric gadgets provide a slower cooling effect, but the humidity levels are more stable;
I added different models to our guide so you could compare the features, pros, and cons. So, basically, capacity, humidity, and temperature are the key characteristics to focus on when you buy a cigar cooler for humidors.
NB: Also, follow the instructions on how to use these appliances. There are many different models and each has its tricks you ought to learn. I sincerely hope that this review will be helpful for everyone who should buy a cooler for humidors to store cigs fresh for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Cigar coolers offer optimal temperature and humidity for your most delicate collection. We hope you enjoyed our rundown of the top cigar humidifiers on the market. If you’re in a rush, be sure to check out the NewAir CC-300 Cigar Cooler. This cooler offers the perfect balance of regulated temperature and humidity. If you live in a climate with high humidity and/or heat, a cigar cooler is a no-brainer. Drop a comment below to share your experience with cigar coolers. Of course, the Whynter CHC-120S Stainless Steel 250-Cigar Cooler is a great option for collectors with limited budgets. Let us know which cooler appealed to you! Stay tuned for more cigar-related content!
When you are a stogie user, a common problem you face is where and how to keep cigs intact. The stogies age due to improper storage, the hot/cold factor is extremely essential. Therefore, if you must keep your favorite product for a few seasons, you won’t do without a special cooler for humidors. This small appliance protects cigars from any fluctuations in temperature. The nasty thing about temperature is that it affects the humidity rate too.
If you destroy the proper rate of temperature, you may forget about the exceptional smoking experience. Coolers for humidors are irreplaceable if you intend to apply very expensive stogies from time to time. I hope that the following rating and review will guide in the specific niche of cigar coolers for humidors.
The first positions of SmokeProfy rating for coolers:
- NewAir CC-300 provides the capacity for 400 pieces and in-built hygrometer;
- Whynter CHC-120S also has a separate thermostat, hygrometer for keeping 250 cigars chilly;
- NewAir CC-100H – another in-built heater and digital controls;
I learned this lesson a long time ago, having your cigars cooled makes them way better. Having a cigar set at the perfect temperature keeps it from ever-deteriorating and is a great way to hold multiple humidors in once place.
I’m new to the cigar world and really appreciate your reviews they are great and super informative. I seasoned my New Air for 2 weeks worth the 84% Boveda packs. Now I have the 69% in there (4) 320gram but the unit won’t drop below 75% what do recommend? I would like to reach the 70/70… thank you!
Hello, Harry! I have this and it takes a while for your humidity to drop after you season it. If you set the temp around 68 degrees 77% humidity isnt that bad for this device my cigars have always burned easy and evenly. Also open the door and leave it barely open just a small crack that should help adjust it. Eventually mine humidity dropped down to around 71%.
Just remember you dont have to be perfect with the 70/70 rule. I try to keep them around 68 to 69 degrees and around 70 to 72% humidity. This device is great because it has an air tight seal so relatively the humidity will be alittle higher. Also I would not put no more than 4 boveda packs in it. I normally do 3. You should be fine just gotta be patient with it. Just remember the beetles will not hatch as long as temp is lower than 72 degrees. The machine is airtight so it will be hard to grow mold. Higher humidity will make cigars burn slower and un evenly and will go out more. I’ve experimented with a ton of different temps and found a sweet spot. The more cigars you have in there the more it will absorb most of the humidity. I wait 2 days after I seasoned it before I put cigars in it. In fact I put old cigars in it they were alittle on the dry side and the high humidity rehydrated them after a week. Have any questions message me ok. I would try to get that humidity down to around at least 72%. Also keep it around 68 degrees that’s plenty for cigars. Remember higher temps will increase the humidity and keep the cigars on the lower shelf and put your older ones up top because humidity rises. Just google and do the research like it did and ask alot of questions at the cigar shops because those guys will beable to give you the best advice. I actually brought my cigars into a shop and had the owner inspect them and lightly squeezed them and he said it was perfect. He said the higher humidity wouldnt hurt them but you dont wanna leave them in that higher humidity that long. I was running around 68 degrees and 74% humidity after I seasoned it and he said that wasnt to bad. Air tight units make a different because it deosnt give bacteria and mold a chance to breathe and there fore mold cant grow. Beetles cant hatch at 70 degrees the warmer the temp the higher the chances for cigar beetles but like I said this unit is air tight. Just keep it around 68 degrees and eventually the humidity will be where you want it.
I wasn’t that into cigars a few years back but then I saw the NewAir CC-300 400 at a friend’s house. He is a big lover of cigars and has all these cool gadgets and his energy was/is contagious so I got into it as well. I don’t smoke as often as him but each time I do, it’s a special moment.
My in laws have the Whynter Huumidor and really love it. It’s a solid cooler/humidor. I’d say it’s worth the cost.
NewAir CC-300 400 is really good and helps to maintain a constant humidification system for cigars so easy. I’m grateful to smokeprofy for finding time to review it. If you love your cigar get NewAir, they are the best cigar coolers for humidor
I am a big fan of cigars. There is nothing that I enjoy more than the sweet aroma, taste, and aftertaste of my favorite Cuban cigar. To get this perfect combination for each puff, it’s essential to keep them fresh in between puffs with an immediate burst of cool humidity from your mouth or nose when you inhale through the stogie before blowing out some smoke rings, which are shaped like giant doughnuts without holes in their centers.
I bought a thermoelectric humidor so that I can store all my precious cigars inside, in addition to using temperature control technology and absorbent material just as one would use if they were drying clothes by hanging them outside on laundry day during summertime weather down here where we live at our house south.