Tupperdor vs Humidor: Which Should You Use?
Tupperdor vs Humidor: Which Should You Use?
The tupperdor vs humidor debate comes up in almost every beginner cigar forum. Both store cigars at the right humidity. But they work differently, cost different amounts, and suit different situations. This guide breaks down exactly when to use each — and which one wins for your needs.
A tupperdor costs less than $30 to build and can outperform cheap wooden boxes. A desktop humidor looks better, ages cigars more deeply, and scales as your collection grows. Read on to find out which is right for you.
What Is a Tupperdor?
A tupperdor is a food-grade airtight plastic container used to store cigars. Most people use a Sistema, Lock & Lock, or similar polypropylene box. You add Spanish cedar sheets and Boveda packs inside, and it works like a humidor.
The name comes from "Tupperware" and "humidor." It is not a brand — it is a style of DIY cigar storage. Cigar smokers have used tupperdors for decades as a budget-friendly alternative.
You can find the right box at any grocery store or on Amazon. The setup takes less than five minutes.
How to Set Up a Tupperdor
Setting up a tupperdor is straightforward. You need three things: an airtight plastic container, Spanish cedar sheets, and Boveda humidity packs.
Here is the step-by-step tupperdor setup:
- Choose your container. Pick a food-grade polypropylene box with a tight-sealing lid. A 5–10 liter size holds 20–50 cigars easily.
- Add cedar sheets. Place one or two Spanish cedar sheets inside. These cost $10–20 on Amazon. Cedar gives cigars their classic aroma and helps repel tobacco beetles.
- Add a Boveda pack. Use a 65% or 69% RH pack depending on your preference. One 60-gram pack handles up to 25 cigars. See our Boveda cigar humidity packs guide for size recommendations.
- Season if needed. Unlike a wooden humidor, a tupperdor does not need seasoning. The polypropylene walls do not absorb moisture, so you can add cigars right away.
- Add cigars and close the lid. Check the humidity after 24 hours with a hygrometer. Adjust with additional packs if needed.
Total cost: around $15–30. That covers the box ($8–15), cedar sheets ($10–20), and a starter Boveda pack ($5–10).
Why Polypropylene Holds Humidity So Well
Polypropylene is non-porous and completely airtight. It does not absorb or release moisture the way wood does. This is the key physics difference between a tupperdor and a cheap wooden humidor.
Many budget wood-veneer humidors have poor seals. The wood swells and shrinks with temperature changes, letting humid air escape. A polypropylene tupperdor stays sealed no matter what.
This means a tupperdor often maintains more stable humidity than a $30–50 entry-level wooden humidor. Pair it with Boveda packs and the cedar sheets buffer any tiny swings. Learn more about keeping the right levels in our cigar humidity guide.
The Limits of a Tupperdor
A tupperdor has real limits. The biggest one is aging.
Spanish cedar does more than smell nice. In a cedar-lined humidor, the cedar walls breathe slightly. They release and absorb terpenes over years. This creates a micro-environment that influences how a cigar develops and ages.
Cedar sheets in a tupperdor help with aroma. But they are not the same as solid cedar walls surrounding your cigars on all sides. If you plan to age cigars for three or more years, a properly seasoned cedar-lined humidor gives better results.
The other limits are practical. A tupperdor looks like a food container. It does not display well on a shelf or desk. It also has no lock, no hygrometer slot, and no aesthetic appeal. For a collection you want to show off, a wooden humidor wins on appearance every time.
Tupperdor vs Humidor Comparison Table
| Dimension | Tupperdor | Desktop Humidor |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | $15–30 | $50–200+ |
| Humidity stability | Excellent (airtight polypropylene) | Good to excellent (depends on seal quality) |
| Aging capability | Good for under 2 years | Better for 3+ years (cedar micro-environment) |
| Portability | High (lightweight, stackable) | Low to moderate (bulky, fragile) |
| Cedar aroma | Partial (cedar sheets only) | Full (solid cedar lining) |
| Appearance | Basic / utilitarian | Attractive / display-ready |
| Best for | Budget beginners, travel, overflow | Long-term collectors, display collections |
Desktop Humidors: What You Get for More Money
A quality desktop humidor gives you solid Spanish cedar walls, a fitted hygrometer, and a tight hinge seal. Brands like Quality Importers, Prestige Import Group, and Adorini build reliable units in the $50–200 range.
The cedar lining does two jobs. First, it buffers humidity naturally — cedar absorbs and releases moisture slowly, smoothing out swings. Second, it contributes to long-term aging by creating a stable, aromatic micro-environment around your cigars.
A good humidor also looks great on a desk or bar. If you smoke cigars regularly, own 50 or more at a time, or plan to age premium sticks for several years, a desktop humidor is worth the investment. Browse our best cigar humidors list to find the right size and price point.
Which Should You Choose: Tupperdor or Humidor?
Choose a tupperdor if: You are just starting out. You want to spend under $30. You have fewer than 50 cigars. You plan to smoke them within two years. You travel often and need a portable option. A tupperdor with cedar sheets and Boveda packs is genuinely excellent short-term storage.
Choose a desktop humidor if: You smoke regularly and build a collection. You want to age cigars for three or more years. You care about how your storage looks. You own 50+ cigars and need more space. The cedar aging environment and aesthetic value justify the higher price.
The verdict: For beginners and budget buyers, start with a tupperdor. It stores cigars just as well as a cheap wooden box — often better. When your collection grows past 50 sticks or you start buying premium cigars to age, upgrade to a cedar-lined desktop humidor. The two options are not rivals. Many experienced smokers keep both.
Read our complete guide on how to store cigars for more detail on temperature, light, and long-term care.
FAQ
What is a tupperdor?
A tupperdor is a food-grade plastic container — usually polypropylene — used to store cigars at the right humidity. It is a DIY alternative to a wooden humidor. You add Spanish cedar sheets and Boveda packs inside. The airtight seal keeps humidity stable without seasoning or calibration.
Can you age cigars in a tupperdor?
Yes, you can age cigars in a tupperdor for up to two years with good results. For longer aging — three years or more — a cedar-lined humidor is better. Solid cedar walls create a micro-environment that influences how a cigar develops over time. Cedar sheets in a tupperdor provide some benefit, but they are not a full substitute for cedar walls.
How do you set up a tupperdor?
Start with an airtight polypropylene container (5–10 liters works for most collections). Add one or two Spanish cedar sheets from Amazon. Place one or two Boveda packs at 65% or 69% RH inside. Add your cigars and close the lid. No seasoning is needed — check humidity after 24 hours and adjust. Total cost is $15–30.
Is a tupperdor as good as a humidor?
A tupperdor is as good as — or better than — cheap wooden humidors for short-term storage. Polypropylene is non-porous and airtight, so it holds humidity more stably than poorly-sealed wood-veneer boxes. For long-term aging or display, a quality cedar-lined humidor has advantages a tupperdor cannot match.
Conclusion
The tupperdor vs humidor question has a simple answer: use whichever matches your budget and timeline. A tupperdor is the smartest way to start storing cigars without overspending. It holds humidity well, sets up in minutes, and costs under $30. For serious aging or a growing collection, a desktop humidor with Spanish cedar lining gives you more over the long run.
Either way, the key is consistent humidity. Boveda packs make that easy in both options — learn which size you need in our Boveda cigar humidity packs guide.
Once you have your setup running, use the Humidorist humidity tracker to log your humidity readings and get reminders when your Boveda packs need replacing. It takes 30 seconds to set up and keeps your cigars in perfect condition year-round.