A cigar humidor is more than just an attractive place to store a dozen of your favorite stogies. As the name implies, cigar humidors are designed to keep cigars in an atmosphere of perfect humidity. An ideal humidity of around 65 to 70 percent is necessary to keep the tobacco fresh. Some humidors are also designed to keep cigars at an ideal temperature; ideal temperature may be less important than ideal humidity, but many cigar aficionados insist on it nevertheless.

Traditionally, cigar humidors were made from cedar wood (most frequently Spanish-cedar wood). Cedar wood is a very popular choice for storage of all kinds, since its pleasant fragrance mingles well with everything from winter sweaters to expensive cigars. Some cigars are even encased in Spanish-cedar sleeves before being displayed and sold.

Modern cigar humidors are often made of plastic instead of wood. Preparation (sometimes known as 'seasoning') and maintenance of your humidor will depend on the type of material used. Some cigar enthusiasts use a damp sponge, apple, or shot glass full of water to season their humidors. Each humidor manufacturer should give detailed information on preparing and maintaining their particular products.

Many accessories can be used to help maintain the perfect humidity in your cigar humidor. These include hygrometers, which read and display humidity just as thermometers read and display temperature. Humidifiers are also popular humidor accessories. Humidifiers create the humidity that is then 'trapped' within the humidor.