How to Tell if Your Humidor Humidity Is Too High

A humidor protects cigars by maintaining a stable environment, but more humidity is not always better. When humidity stays too high for an extended period, it can affect how your cigars burn, alter their flavor, and often encourages mold growth. 

Fortunately, a few simple signs can tell you when it is time to make an adjustment. 

What is Relative Humidity (RH)?

Relative humidity (RH) measures how “full” the air is with moisture, expressed as a percentage. For example, 70% RH means the air is about 70% of the way to being completely saturated with moisture at that temperature. Since warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air, temperature and humidity are closely connected. In a humidor, maintaining the proper relative humidity helps keep cigars from drying out or becoming overly moist, preserving their flavor, burn quality, and overall condition.

What Is the Ideal Humidor Humidity?

Most cigar enthusiasts store their cigars between 65% and 70% relative humidity (RH), depending on personal preference and the cigars they smoke. At Vigilant, we generally recommend starting around 67% RH, which provides an excellent balance between long-term preservation and smoking performance.  

Small fluctuations are normal. A reading of 68% one day and 66% the next is seldom a cause for concern. The goal is to maintain a tight and consistent range rather than chasing an exact number. 

Signs Your Humidor Humidity Is Too High

If your humidor consistently reads above 72% RH, watch for these common warning signs: 

• Cigars feel unusually soft or spongy  

• Cigars become difficult to draw 

• They burn unevenly or require frequent relighting 

• The wrapper appears swollen or slightly raised 

• A musty odor develops inside the humidor 

• Mold begins forming on cigars or interior wood surfaces  

A temporary increase after seasoning a new humidor or adding freshly purchased cigars is normal. Problems usually develop when humidity remains elevated for days or weeks rather than hours. 

What Causes High Humidity in a Humidor?

Several factors can cause humidity to climb above the ideal range. 

A humidification system may simply be set too high. Many electronic systems allow you to adjust the humidity set point and lowering it a few percentage points often solves the problem.  

Other common causes include: 

• Overfilled humidification reservoirs  

• Too many humidity packs for the size of the humidor  

• Unusually warm temperatures  

• Limited airflow inside the cabinet  

• Recently seasoned wood releasing moisture  

Large cabinets also need good air circulation. Blocking vents or tightly packing shelves can trap moisture in certain areas and create uneven humidity throughout the cabinet. 

How to Lower Humidity in a Humidor

If your humidity stays too high, don’t panic. Most situations can be corrected with a few simple adjustments. 

Start by confirming your hygrometer is reading accurately. You can do this by purchasing or borrowing an independent hygrometer and comparing the readings. We typically recommend this one because it offers a good balance of accuracy and affordability. 

If your hygrometer is reading accurately try these steps: 

• Lower the humidity set point if your system is adjustable.  

• Remove excess humidity packs or reduce the amount of distilled water if using an electronic system.  

• Allow the humidor to air out briefly by opening the door for a few minutes.  

• Check that vents and fans have unobstructed airflow.  

Avoid making several changes at once. Give the cabinet time to stabilize before making another adjustment to isolate variables. Humidors respond gradually, and frequent adjustments often create larger swings than the original problem. 

The Bottom Line

High humidity won’t ruin your cigars overnight. However, when humidity remains elevated for an extended period, cigars can absorb excess moisture, making them more difficult to light, harder to draw, and more susceptible to mold. When paired with elevated temperatures, excessive humidity can also increase the risk of tobacco beetles hatching. 

A humidor performs best when it maintains a consistent environment rather than the highest possible humidity. 

If your cigars begin feeling soft, burning poorly, or your hygrometer regularly reads above 72% RH, it’s worth making a few small adjustments before the problem becomes more serious. If you’d like further guidance, explore our humidor care page for more information and tips for maintaining a steady environment.  

Whether you use a desktop humidor or a large custom cigar cabinet, reliable humidity control and proper airflow are far more important factors in protecting your collection than just chasing a constant perfect humidity reading. 

With more than 30 years of experience designing custom cigar storage, Vigilant understands what it takes to maintain stable humidity for collections of every size. If you’re planning a new humidor or want to learn more about our proprietary humidification technology, browse our catalog or schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our cigar storage experts. 

Explore our collection of handcrafted humidors, from desktop models to fully custom installations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What humidity is too high for a humidor? 

Humidity that stays around 75% or higher increases the likelihood of burn problems and mold. Most collectors prefer to stay between 65% and 70% RH.  

Why do my cigars feel soft? 

Soft cigars usually indicate they have absorbed too much moisture. Check your humidor’s humidity level and verify that your hygrometer is reading accurately before making adjustments. 

Can high humidity in a humidor cause mold? 

Yes. Extended periods of excessive humidity can create conditions that allow mold to develop on cigars or interior wood surfaces. 

How often should I check my humidor humidity? 

For most collectors, checking your hygrometer once or twice a week is enough. Electronic monitoring systems make it easy to spot trends before they become problems.

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Author Bio

Charles Griffiths, Co-Founder & President

Charles “Charlie” Griffiths founded Vigilant in 1995. First conceptualized over cigars with a friend, Charlie designed the first electronically controlled humidor, the Reliance End Table. From humble beginnings in a garage in Portsmouth, NH to collaborating with the world’s finest clubs and hotels, Charlie has led Vigilant to become the premier provider of custom wine and cigar storage.

As President of Vigilant, Charlie continues to guide the company into a bright future, spearheading product innovation, design, and craftsmanship while drawing on decades of firsthand experience. His passion for solving complex storage challenges, combined with a deep understanding of the industry, continues to shape wine and cigar storage today.