BestCigars.com & Cigarbid Review: Worth It?
BestCigars.com and Cigarbid are two of the names that show up most often when smokers search for cheap cigars online. They're built around the same basic promise — heavily discounted, closeout, and overstock cigars — but they get there in different ways. One is a straightforward discount storefront. The other is a live auction site.
This guide covers what each site actually is, how their pricing models work, and where they fit next to the retailers we typically point readers toward.
What BestCigars.com Actually Is
BestCigars.com is a discount-focused online cigar retailer, not an auction or a review site. Like most budget-tier cigar sellers, it leans on closeout pricing, bundled samplers, and frequent promo codes rather than a curated boutique catalog. That model works well if you already know the brand and size you want and just need the lowest price on it.
The tradeoff is the one every discount cigar site shares: inventory and promotions change constantly, and stock on a specific band or vitola isn't guaranteed. If you're comparison shopping, check the live site directly for current pricing and coupon terms before assuming last month's deal still applies — BestCigars.com posts its own current promotions on-site.
What Cigarbid Actually Is
Cigarbid is a live auction site for cigars, not a fixed-price store. It runs on a "Yankee Auction" format, where several identical cigars are listed in the same lot and the highest bidders win at the price they bid — not a single winner-take-all sale. Some lots also run as "Free Fall" auctions, where the price drops in real time until a buyer locks it in.
Cigarbid is owned by the same parent company as Cigars International and CIGAR.com — all three sit under Scandinavian Tobacco Group's U.S. retail operations. That matters for shoppers because Cigarbid's inventory often overlaps with what Cigars International sells at fixed price, just auctioned off instead. Winning bids are typically processed daily or weekly and combined into a single shipment.
Pricing Model Comparison
The two sites solve the "cheap cigars" problem in opposite ways.
| Site | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| BestCigars.com | Fixed discount pricing, coupon codes, samplers | Knowing your total cost before you buy |
| Cigarbid | Live auction (Yankee Auction, Free Fall) | Patient shoppers chasing the lowest possible price |
| Famous Smoke Shop | Fixed pricing, regular sales | Reliable inventory + customer service |
| Cigars International | Fixed pricing, large catalog | Widest brand selection at one retailer |
Auctions can beat fixed-price discount sites on cost per stick, but only if you're willing to watch a listing close and risk losing the bid. Fixed-price sites trade a little on price for certainty — you know exactly what you're paying and when it ships.
How These Compare to Our Affiliate Partners
We point most readers toward Famous Smoke Shop and Cigars International for a simple reason: predictable stock and straightforward checkout beat chasing the lowest possible price on every order. Browse cigars at Famous Smoke Shop — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
That said, BestCigars.com and Cigarbid aren't a downgrade — they're a different shopping style. If you already know your go-to blend and vitola, a discount or auction site can genuinely beat catalog pricing. If you're still figuring out what you like, start with our best cigars for beginners guide first, then shop price once you know what to look for.
Who Should Use Which Site
Match the site to how you actually shop, not just the sticker price.
- Know exactly what you want? Discount sites like BestCigars.com are the fastest path to a lower price with no guesswork.
- Have time to watch a listing? Cigarbid can beat fixed pricing, but only if you're willing to lose a bid and try again.
- New to cigars or unsure of brands? Stick with a full-catalog retailer with clear descriptions and customer support, like Famous Smoke Shop or Cigars International, until you know your preferences.
- Buying a gift or a box for an occasion? Fixed-price retailers remove the risk of an auction closing later than you need it to.
FAQ
Is BestCigars.com legit?
BestCigars.com operates as a standard discount online cigar retailer, similar in structure to other budget-focused cigar sites. As with any online cigar purchase, check current shipping terms, return policy, and age-verification requirements directly on the site before ordering, and pay with a card that offers purchase protection.
Is Cigarbid the same company as Cigars International?
Yes. Cigarbid, Cigars International, and CIGAR.com are all owned by the same parent company, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, though each runs as its own separate storefront with its own pricing and inventory.
Do I need to know cigars well before bidding on Cigarbid?
It helps. Auction listings assume you already recognize the brand, line, and vitola you're bidding on, so Cigarbid works best once you've tried a few cigars and know your preferences. Beginners are usually better served by a fixed-price retailer with detailed descriptions.
Can I get a better deal on Cigarbid than a discount site like BestCigars.com?
Sometimes, but it isn't guaranteed. Auction pricing depends on how many other bidders are watching the same lot, so a popular blend can end up costing close to retail while a less-hyped lot can go well below discount-site pricing.