Boveda vs. Humidor Beads

It’s difficult to overstate just how important humidity is to cigars. Without proper humidification and storage in a humidor, cigars will dry out, crack, lose flavor, and generally become unsmokable after a few days. So it’s key to use products like Boveda Packs or Heartfelt Beads to ensure your cigars stay fresh and humidified. So which should you use in your humidor: Boveda vs. Heartfelt Beads?

The answer to this question is simple: Boveda. Heartfelt Industries is no longer operational as of September 2025. However, other humidor beads and products similar to Heartfelt are still on the market, and it’s worth considering the pros and cons of humidor beads against Boveda packs.

What Are Boveda Packs?

Boveda is a brand that specializes in humidification products. So, when you hear someone talk about a Boveda pack, they technically mean a humidification pack made by Boveda. 

How do Boveda Packs Work?

Once you’ve correctly set up and seasoned your humidor (find out how to do that here), all you need are a few Boveda packs to ensure your cigars stay fresh. How do Boveda packs work? Each pack has a two-way membrane that regulates humidity. Consider this example: if you purchase a 69% humidity pack from Boveda, that pack will release moisture when humidity levels dip below 69% in your humidor. When they go above it, the pack will absorb moisture to remove it. 

You do not need to add water to Boveda packs. You do not need to “activate” them. And they never make a mess. Just toss them in and let them work. 

How Many Boveda Packs Do You Need?

That depends on the size of the Boveda pack and the number of cigars you have. A “small” size 8 Boveda pack, for instance, is intended for five cigars.

How Long Do Boveda Packs Last?

A Boveda pack will usually last for a few months before it dries out.

How Much does a Boveda Pack Cost?

The short answer is that it depends on the size of the Boveda pack and how many you want to purchase. However, for reference, a 10-pack of Boveda 69% packs (small size) costs $15.99.

What are Humidor Beads?

Humidor beads are small beads filled with distilled water (or humidor solution) that release moisture into a humidor to keep cigars fresh. 

How Do Humidor Beads Work?

Humidor beads are filled with distilled water or humidor solution. Over time, that moisture will release from the beads and be absorbed by your cigars. This is how cigars stay fresh. When a humidor bead runs out of distilled water, it may change color, or it may just become dry to the touch. Once that happens, you can usually “recharge” the beads by adding distilled water or humidor solution.

Boveda Packs vs Humidor Beads

Ultimately, whether you want to use Boveda or humidor beads comes down to preference. Boveda packs are fantastic because they’re incredibly easy to use, portable, won’t create a mess, and are fairly cheap. However, you will have to replace them every few months. 

On the other hand, humidor beads are nice because you can refill them as needed. However, they do introduce several factors that can be affected by human error. Failing to refill the beads can cause problems for your cigars. Beads may also spill and damage cigars if you decide to move your humidor. And lastly, using the wrong type of water with a humidor bead can cause your cigars to develop mold.

What product do you like to use to humidify your cigars? Sign up for Cigar World and let us know with a comment