Boveda
Humidity Control Without the Guesswork
A premium cigar is constantly exchanging moisture with the air around it. Too dry and the tobacco can lose flavor, burn too quickly, and develop cracked wrappers. Too wet and cigars can become difficult to keep lit, swell, split, or develop mold. Boveda was developed to help keep that environment stable automatically.
Boveda
Humidity Control Without the Guesswork
A premium cigar is constantly exchanging moisture with the air around it. Too dry and the tobacco can lose flavor, burn too quickly, and develop cracked wrappers. Too wet and cigars can become difficult to keep lit, swell, split, or develop mold. Boveda was developed to help keep that environment stable automatically.
Dr. Albert Saari
Co-Founder | Co-Inventor
Robert Esse
Co-Founder | Co-Inventor
Tim Swail
Co-Founder | EVP of Sales
Sean Knutsen
Co-Founder | CEO
Born From a Better Way to Store Cigars.
A humidor maker looking for a better way to protect his own collection approached retired General Mills chemist Dr. Al Saari. Saari worked with packaging specialist Robert Esse to combine a salt-and-water solution with a membrane capable of holding liquid while allowing water vapor to pass through. Cigar enthusiasts and business partners Sean Knutsen and Tim Swail later helped turn that idea into a company. Boveda® New Official-Site
The company began in 1997 under the name Humidi-Pak, working out of a suburban home and introducing its humidity-control technology primarily through the cigar industry. During the 2000s, cigar manufacturers including Lane Limited and A. Fuente Cigar Co. began placing the product in cigar boxes, while retailers started using and selling it themselves. The improved product eventually took the name Boveda, Spanish for “vault.”
Born From a Better
Way to Store Cigars.
A humidor maker looking for a better way to protect his own collection approached retired General Mills chemist Dr. Al Saari. Saari worked with packaging specialist Robert Esse to combine a salt-and-water solution with a membrane capable of holding liquid while allowing water vapor to pass through. Cigar enthusiasts and business partners Sean Knutsen and Tim Swail later helped turn that idea into a company. Boveda® New Official-Site
The company began in 1997 under the name Humidi-Pak, working out of a suburban home and introducing its humidity-control technology primarily through the cigar industry. During the 2000s, cigar manufacturers including Lane Limited and A. Fuente Cigar Co. began placing the product in cigar boxes, while retailers started using and selling it themselves. The improved product eventually took the name Boveda, Spanish for “vault.”
Dr. Albert Saari
Founder | Co-Inventor
Robert Esse
Founder | Co-Inventor
Tim Swail
Founder | EVP of Sales
Sean Knutsen
Founder | CEO
What Makes them Different?
Humidity Control That Works in Both Directions.
Traditional humidification systems commonly focus on adding moisture. Boveda’s system uses a water and salt solution sealed inside a water vapor permeable membrane to respond to the environment in both directions.
It Adds Moisture When Needed
When the environment becomes too dry, Boveda releases purified water vapor.
More Does Not Mean Wetter
Boveda says using additional packets will not push the humidor beyond the stated RH; additional packs can instead increase the system’s capacity and potentially extend how long the packets remain effective.
It Absorbs Moisture When Needed
When humidity rises above the packet’s target, Boveda pulls moisture back out of the environment.
Safe Around the Cigars
Boveda states that its packets can be placed directly alongside and can safely touch cigars.
What Makes them Different?
Humidity Control That Works in Both Directions.
Traditional humidification systems commonly focus on adding moisture. Boveda’s system uses a water-and-salt solution sealed inside a water-vapor-permeable membrane to respond to the environment in both directions.
It Adds Moisture When Needed
When the environment becomes too dry, Boveda releases purified water vapor.
More Does Not Mean Wetter
Boveda says using additional packets will not push the humidor beyond the stated RH; additional packs can instead increase the system’s capacity and potentially extend how long the packets remain effective.
It Absorbs Moisture When Needed
When humidity rises above the packet’s target, Boveda pulls moisture back out of the environment.
Safe Around the Cigars
Boveda states that its packets can be placed directly alongside and can safely touch cigars.
Key Takeaways
There are no reservoirs to fill or sponges to wet. Place the appropriate Boveda in the cigar-storage container, close it, and allow the packet to regulate the environment automatically.
The percentage printed on each packet represents its target relative humidity. For cigar storage, Boveda currently recommends a range generally between 65% and 72% RH, with different options based on storage conditions and personal preference.
Boveda doesn’t simply add moisture. If the environment is too dry, it releases purified water vapor; if it becomes too humid, it absorbs excess moisture.
Key Takeaways
There are no reservoirs to fill or sponges to wet. Place the appropriate Boveda in the cigar-storage container, close it, and allow the packet to regulate the environment automatically.
The percentage printed on each packet represents its target relative humidity. For cigar storage, Boveda currently recommends a range generally between 65% and 72% RH, with different options based on storage conditions and personal preference.
Boveda doesn’t simply add moisture. If the environment is too dry, it releases purified water vapor; if it becomes too humid, it absorbs excess moisture.
HOW DOES BOVEDA WORK?
Water + Salt + A Specialized Membrane
Inside each Boveda packet is a solution of purified water and salts. The membrane surrounding that solution allows water vapor to move through it while retaining the liquid inside.
TOO HUMID
Boveda
absorbs
moisture
TARGET RH
The environment stabilizes
TOO DRY
Boveda releases moisture
HOW DOES
BOVEDA WORK?
Water + Salt +
a Specialized Membrane
Inside each Boveda packet is a solution of purified water and salts. The membrane surrounding that solution allows water vapor to move through it while retaining the
liquid inside.
TOO DRY
Boveda releases moisture
TARGET RH
The environment stabilizes
TOO HUMID
Boveda absorbs moisture
Choose your size
Choose your size
60 Gram Packets
Boveda Size 60 is the standard choice for most everyday cigar storage. Designed for small-to-medium humidors, tupperdors, coolerdors, travel humidors, and humidor bags, each packet provides automatic two-way humidity control to help preserve the flavor, aroma, and condition of your cigars.
Use: One Size 60 Gram for every 25 cigars
Best For:
Small/medium humidors, tupperdors, coolerdors & travel cases
Accuracy:
Maintains target RH within approximately ±2% when properly sized
Replace: Every 3 months
Available RH:
69% | 72%
Explore Size 60 Gram
320 Gram Packets
Boveda Size 320 is built for larger cigar storage or anyone who wants more humidity-control capacity in a single pack. One Size 320 provides the equivalent capacity of five Size 60 packets and works well in medium-to-large humidors, wineadors, and coolers.
Use:
One Size 320 for every 100 cigars of container capacity
Best For: Medium/large humidors, wineadors, coolers & tupperdors
Accuracy: Maintains target RH within approximately ±2% when properly sized
Replace: Every 3 months
Available RH: 69% | 72% | 84%
60 GRAM PACKETS
Boveda Size 60 is the standard choice for most everyday cigar storage. Designed for small-to-medium humidors, tupperdors, coolerdors, travel humidors, and humidor bags, each packet provides automatic two-way humidity control to help preserve the flavor, aroma, and condition of your cigars.
Use: One Size 60 Gram for every 25 cigars
Best For:
Small/medium humidors, tupperdors, coolerdors & travel cases
Accuracy:
Maintains target RH within approximately ±2% when properly sized
Replace: Every 3 months
Available RH:
69% | 72%
Explore Size 60 Gram
320 GRAM PACKETS
Boveda Size 320 is built for larger cigar storage or anyone who wants more humidity-control capacity in a single pack. One Size 320 provides the equivalent capacity of five Size 60 packets and works well in medium-to-large humidors, wineadors, and coolers.
Use:
One Size 320 for every 100 cigars of container capacity
Best For: Medium/large humidors, wineadors, coolers & tupperdors
Accuracy: Maintains target RH within approximately ±2% when properly sized
Replace: Every 3 months
Available RH: 69% | 72% | 84%
Start with
your Humidor
You don’t need to become a humidity expert to protect your cigars. Start with how and where you store them, then choose the Boveda designed for that environment.
Start with
your Humidor
You don’t need to become a humidity expert to protect your cigars. Start with how and where you store them, then choose the Boveda designed for
that environment.
Season your humidor before cigars go in
Season your humidor before cigars go in
STEP 2
ADD 84% RH BOVEDA
Use one Size 60 seasoning packet for every 25 cigars of humidor capacity.
STEP 5
ADD YOUR CIGARS + MAINTENANCE BOVEDASwitch to your normal cigar-storage RH once seasoning is complete.
Want to go deeper?
Learn more about properly starting, seasoning, and setting up your humidor.
Read Full Article
STEP 1
EMPTY THE HUMIDOR
No cigars should be inside while seasoning.
STEP 3
CLOSE IT FOR 14 DAYS
Do not open the humidor during the seasoning period, regardless of what the hygrometer says.
STEP 4
REMOVE THE PACKS
Seasoning packets are discarded after use.
STEP 3
CLOSE IT FOR 14 DAYS
Do not open the humidor during the seasoning period, regardless of what the hygrometer says.
STEP 2
ADD 84% RH BOVEDA
Use one Size 60 seasoning packet for every 25 cigars of humidor capacity.
STEP 1
EMPTY THE HUMIDOR
No cigars should be inside while seasoning.
STEP 5
ADD YOUR CIGARS + MAINTENANCE BOVEDASwitch to your normal cigar-storage RH once seasoning is complete.
STEP 4
REMOVE THE PACKS
Seasoning packets are discarded after use.
Want to go deeper?
Learn more about properly starting, seasoning, and setting up your humidor.
Read Full Article
Boveda Basics
Not sure how many packs to use, which RH to choose, or whether Boveda can touch your cigars?
These quick answers cover the most common questions so you can set up your humidor correctly and keep it running with less guesswork.
Yes. Boveda says its packs are safe to place directly alongside cigars.
Using more than recommended will not cause the cigars to exceed the packet's stated RH.
Boveda recommends not mixing different RH levels in the same container.
Boveda identifies 69% as its most universal cigar-storage RH and specifically recommends it for airtight containers including tupperdors, acrylic humidors, coolerdors, and plastic travel humidors.
Explore 69% RH
72% RH is intended for draftier humidors, dry environments, or smokers who prefer a slightly higher moisture profile.
Explore 72% RH
Boveda advises against using other humidification systems at the same time because they can work against one another and reduce efficiency.
Boveda's general cigar guidance currently recommends replacing standard packs around every three months,
although actual longevity varies with container size, seal, climate, and the amount of Boveda used.
Boveda advises against using other humidification systems at the same time because they can work against one another and reduce efficiency.
Boveda Basics
Not sure how many packs to use, which RH to choose, or whether Boveda can touch your cigars?
These quick answers cover the most common questions so you can set up your humidor correctly and keep it running with less guesswork.
Yes. Boveda says its packs are safe to place directly alongside cigars.
Using more than recommended will not cause the cigars to exceed the packet's stated RH.
Boveda recommends not mixing different RH levels in the same container.
Boveda identifies 69% as its most universal cigar-storage RH and specifically recommends it for airtight containers including tupperdors, acrylic humidors, coolerdors, and plastic travel humidors.
72% RH is intended for draftier humidors, dry environments, or smokers who prefer a slightly higher moisture profile.
Boveda advises against using other humidification systems at the same time because they can work against one another and reduce efficiency.
Boveda's general cigar guidance currently recommends replacing standard packs around every three months,
although actual longevity varies with container size, seal, climate, and the amount of Boveda used.
Boveda advises against using other humidification systems at the same time because they can work against one another and reduce efficiency.
Shop Boveda
Now that you know how RH, packet size, and humidor type work together, choose the Boveda that fits your cigar storage.
Shop Boveda
Now that you know how RH, packet size, and humidor type work together, choose the Boveda that fits your cigar storage.
Keep Exploring
Boveda makes cigar storage easier by taking much of the guesswork out of humidity control. Once you understand how RH, packet size, and storage type work together, it becomes much easier to protect the cigars you already enjoy.
Enjoy learning about the Boveda approach?
Explore more brands and discover the people, processes, tobacco, and ideas that make each one different.
Discover More Brands
Keep Exploring
Boveda makes cigar storage easier by taking much of the guesswork out of humidity control. Once you understand how RH, packet size, and storage type work together, it becomes much easier to protect the cigars you already enjoy.
Enjoy learning about the Boveda approach?
Explore more brands and discover the people, processes, tobacco, and ideas that make each one different.
Discover More Brands
