Desktop Humidor Recommendations

[Jfeath74]

Looking to make an upgrade on my Desktop Humidor, I currently have a cheap glass top I got on Amazon for $30. Does anyone have a recommendation? Doesn't have to be super cheap (like the one I have now) but at the same time I don't have the coin for an Ellie Blue or anything along those lines... 

[rcarlson]

Daniel Marshall has several excellent desktops that are affordable, particularly if you find a dent and scratch which is heavily discounted.  I've had mine for years and still haven't found whatever blemish knocked the price down to something like $250 from $450.  Love mine.      

[Stump89]

Really depends on what you are looking for in terms of capacity.  Also if you're looking for temperature control you may consider looking into a wineador or something like that.

[shaffer22]

I have an Adorini that I got for a good deal. It seems well made and kept a consistent humidity and temperature level, at least for a desktop humidor. I mainly use it for dry boxing these days. 

[Ptowncigar]

1 hour ago, rcarlson said:

Daniel Marshall has several excellent desktops that are affordable, particularly if you find a dent and scratch which is heavily discounted.  I've had mine for years and still haven't found whatever blemish knocked the price down to something like $250 from $450.  Love mine.      

I can’t agree more. I’ve had my “blemish” Daniel Marshall humidor for years and still don’t know what’s not perfect about it. 

[Jfeath74]

I have a wineador and use a desktop for smoking stock. Current is 50 but thinking of going to the 100-200 range. I like the Daniel Marshalls, but most I see are in the $600+ range. I need to decide what I'm willing to pay, I just keep thinking of what cigars I could fill a cheaper humidor with the money i didn't spend!

[prodigy]

I have a wineador and use a desktop for smoking stock. Current is 50 but thinking of going to the 100-200 range. I like the Daniel Marshalls, but most I see are in the $600+ range. I need to decide what I'm willing to pay, I just keep thinking of what cigars I could fill a cheaper humidor with the money i didn't spend!

They have private stock on their website. Email them to see what's available. I think my 165 count was like 350 or 400.

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[Guest Nekhyludov]

This is what I have for a desktop. It has always worked flawlessly for me and looked great. Nice middle-of-the-road price, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Crown-James-Alexander-Humidors/dp/B009GMYO5U

I've also always had good experiences with Adorini products.

[Elvis]

A nice desktop humidor is a thing of beauty, however, it's not always the most practical option. Are you buying singles or boxes? Are you smoking them now or do they stay in the desktop humi for months on end?

The challenge of a desktop humi is finding one that looks good, seals well and doesn't break the bank. That's tough to do although @Nekhyludov may have just done exactly that.

However, I've come to the conclusion that desktop humidors are for a different era where men smoked 5 cigars a day at their desk and just reached in and grabbed a smoke whenever the mood struck them. A cigar probably never lasted more than a week in an desktop humidor near an active smoker -- I don't think these were simply never meant to store a cigar for months on end.

I can't remember the last time I used a desktop humi. If I'm looking for a cigar, I pull one from out of the bundle (cab) or from the dress box. I don't think there is a more suitable option for long(er) term storage for a cigar than it's original packaging. There's plenty of options for storing boxes from a coolerdor or winedor to an Aristocrat Cabinet humidor.

Hope this helps!

 

[prodigy]

A nice desktop humidor is a thing of beauty, however, it's not always the most practical option. Are you buying singles or boxes? Are you smoking them now or do they stay in the desktop humi for months on end?
The challenge of a desktop humi is finding one that looks good, seals well and doesn't break the bank. That's tough to do although@Nekhyludov may have just done exactly that.
However, I've come to the conclusion that desktop humidors are for a different era where men smoked 5 cigars a day at their desk and just reached in and grabbed a smoke whenever the mood struck them. A cigar probably never lasted more than a week in an desktop humidor near an active smoker -- I don't think these were simply never meant to store a cigar for months on end.
I can't remember the last time I used a desktop humi. If I'm looking for a cigar, I pull one from out of the bundle (cab) or from the dress box. I don't think there is a more suitable option for long(er) term storage for a cigar than it's original packaging. There's plenty of options for storing boxes from a coolerdor or winedor to an Aristocrat Cabinet humidor.
Hope this helps!
 

I disagree 100%. I take my cigars from the cab or dress box into the desktop a few at a time. They consistently smoke better when theyve sat in the desktop for a minimum of one week. No maximum time, as the conditions are perfect and there's no need to be worried if they are in there for more than a month. Long term box storage conditions, and smoking now conditions, are two different conditions for me. I don't like grabbing a stick straight from the cabinet humidor and lighting up. Not saying your wrong, but it's not what I do.

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[rguinn]

Here’s my desktop. Love it!

https://www.prestigeimportgroup.com/salvador-desktop-humidors.htm

 

 

[cigcars]

4 hours ago, Ptowncigar said:

I can’t agree more. I’ve had my “blemish” Daniel Marshall humidor for years and still don’t know what’s not perfect about it. 

    * HERE! HERE!  Same here!

[BarryNY]

I received a 165 count Diamond Crown for my 60th birthday and I use it as my desktop.  It holds perfect humidity and when you close the lid you can actually hear and feel the seal.  They run over $450.

The Daniel Marshall is gorgeous and if I were to buy a desktop humi today - that is what I would get.  The scratch and dent program is definitely what you want.  I believe that their $1095 limited edition Burl 165 count is being sold for $595 - $100 = $495.  I've spoken to them before and +/- 50% of list is the best you'll see.  I think they show current stock under their "cash for clunker" discount program.  That is where I got the price above....no need for the clunker LOL....

The key here for you is the size.  Although a 165 count size sounds like a lot of cigars - you'll most likely only have 75-100 in there and it will look filled.  Keeping the humidor more than half filled aids in maintaining the stable RH% environment.  Either of these 2 products are heirloom quality and I would expect them to basically last forever.

If you drop down to the 125 count size - you're looking at about $250 for either of these brands. 

Depending on your addiction to this hobby and if you decide to collect to age for personal consumption or investment purposes - you'll be buying storage on an as needed basis.  Trust me when I tell you - everything you buy for storage will be "not enough room" over time.  Just like your wife will say "you never have enough closets" when shopping for real estate - well the same can be said for cigar collecting storage...

Where you will store your aging stash will determine what type of storage you'll need.  The Aristocrat type of cabinet humidor is phenomenally gorgeous and well made and would put most furniture buffets and wall units to shame - if you're storing upstairs then bite the bullet now and spend the dough - you'll be happy you did over time.

If you're planning on keeping storage stock in a basement like me - then your options are endless.  From winedors (don't get less than the 28 bottle size) to coolidors (don't get less than the 125 quart size) to "cheaper" cabinet styles - you'll be adding storage over time.

Unfortunately for me my wife finally put her foot down with...as she calls it "the whole cigar crap" when I told her I was going to have a 4' x 6' walk in constructed in the basement for about $4,000.  Instead I was forced to cobble together all sorts of storage purchased over time. 

Started with 1 newair 28 bottle winedor, then got a cheap 24" cabinet humidor on sale, then another 28 bottle newair on sale then the Avallo end table unit from a good friend and finally the two new additions (end table and 48" cabinet) from a craigslist " I couldn't pass them up" price - I think I'm done for a very long time...not to show off but here is what I'm working with right now.  I think I'm all in for about $2,500 for everything you see below including the active humidification.  I probably could hold about 7,500 cigars...I have 2,000 right now.

Never in my life did I ever think I would have this many or need the room for so many cigars when I bought my first box of Cubans...I keep telling the wife "what else returns a consistent 8-10% annual return"?

 

[Colt45]

I've had the same desktop for nearly twenty years and it still works great. If you google cigar humidors, a number of sites will pop up (I'm always hesitant to post links). You'll notice most sites have the same products, and there are some great boxes for between one and two hundred dollars.

I'd personally ditch any analog hygrometer and foam humidifiers, and go with a digital hygro and beads / bead pucks. Let us know how it goes.

[prodigy]

Also, keep an eye out on eBay. They pop up used and new for great prices. I just won the 20th anniversary chest humidor for 400. It's retail price is over 1000. The humidor was damaged during shipping, so I got a full refund and got to keep the humidor. I am going to send it back to Daniel Marshall to have them repair it for 175. Lots of good deals out there if you are patient, and look for a while.

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[BrightonCorgi]

I'd look for used Dunhill, Davidoff, LV, etc on EBay.  They come up all the time and go for cheap!

[Hemsworth]

I picked up "The Treasure Dome" as an imperfect years ago for a little over $100. I really wasn't expecting much but it is a beautiful humidor, has a great seal and I have had some cigars that have spent years inside. Does a great job at holding the humidity. I think it is a 250 count. As always, ditch the garbage humidifier and hygrometer.

 

 

[Buck14]

$78 on Amazon.  Take the Hygrometer and Humidification devices it comes with and throw them in the garbage.  But, the humidor itself is excellent.  I use 5-6 Boveda packs and a good quality Hygrometer.  I have two of these humidors.  I challenge anyone to find a better 100 count or less humidor on the market for less than $250!

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Importers-Deauville-Humidor-Tobacco/dp/B0055QM9W6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[Colt45]

1 hour ago, Hemsworth said:

I picked up "The Treasure Dome" as an imperfect years ago for a little over $100.

Always liked this one and almost bought one myself. Still available for between $150 - $200 

[BarryNY]

43 minutes ago, Buck14 said:

$78 on Amazon.  Take the Hygrometer and Humidification devices it comes with and throw them in the garbage.  But, the humidor itself is excellent.  I use 5-6 Boveda packs and a good quality Hygrometer.  I have two of these humidors.  I challenge anyone to find a better 100 count or less humidor on the market for less than $250!

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Importers-Deauville-Humidor-Tobacco/dp/B0055QM9W6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

It's Chinese made but since it works well - then great!

[rcarlson]

I got the DM Ambiente 125.  Keep it at the office and it's worked flawlessly.  Anything smaller would present a real challenge.  

[Jfeath74]

Thanks for all the great feedback, I inquired about a Daniel Marshall "Cash for Clunker" which is pretty funny and perfect for this scenario. I like a lot of the other posts too, I think an upgrade is in my near future. I'll post a picture on the forum once I finally pull the trigger on one. @BarryNY I'm in NYC myself, I can help you go through some of that impressive stock, our wife's can vent together! 

[5thStarChicago]

Check out the Savoy Executive series.  They are designed to be used with Boveda packs and have built info holders in the lid for the packs.  They also have a double lipped seal and are made from thick hardwood (interlocking mitered corners, solid and heavy, not cedar laminate over MDF).  I've sold a ton of them and have never had a single complaint.  I think those and the Diamond Crowns are the best value : quality humidors out there. The variety of finishes and veneers are nice too.

Happy hunting! 

 

 

[Jfeath74]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions back in October. It took a while to pull the trigger but i finally decided on the Daniel Marshall Ambiente 125 Cigar Humidor in Matte Black. By trading in my old glass top through the "cash for clunker" program, I was able to get this "blemished" humidor for $295. As a few others have said above, I've searched the humidor top to bottom, in and out and I don't see any blemishes and being that I was looking to get rid of my old piece of junk humidor, it was a perfect match! It served its purpose perfectly, it fits nicely and looks sharp on my wineador, I was able to clear out some room in my wineador for some potential upcoming purchases and it compliments my fantasy football championship trophy oh so well!

 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

That's a beautiful humidor! And a hell of a good value at that price.