If you’ve already read our guide to the best hygrometers, you may have been curious to read about smart sensors. These convenient devices add a touch of the 21st Century to hygrometers with bluetooth or other types of wireless connectivity.
In this dedicated guide, you will discover the Best Cigar Smart Sensors that you can buy online:
- Boveda Butler [Value For Money Sensor]
- Cigsor [Wi-Fi Enabled]
- Sensor Push [Wi-Fi Optional]
- Xikar Purotemp [Radio Hub]
- Meade TM-005X [Radio Hub]
- Govee [Alexa Enabled]
- Inkbird IBS-TH1 [Smallest Device]
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- Country Of Origin: USA
- Type: Bluetooth Smart Sensor
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 2%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 2″ x 11/4″ x 1/2″
- Price: $20 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Boveda continues to provide the strongest offering with its “Butler” smart sensor. Despite its low cost, it comes with a range of features and a versatile build. Although there were some issues – especially with Android devices – we can attest that the latest updates have catered to this.
Running on Bluetooth, the Butler connects directly to your mobile device through its dedicated app. As a result, you have to be nearby to connect to it. Nevertheless, Boveda do explain how it’s possible to set up remote monitoring by using an old smartphone as a Wi-Fi gateway.
Being very easy to setup and use on a daily basis as well as its attractive price point, the Boveda Butler is our current favourite smart sensor. One of editors currently has it set up to two coolidors and three other humidors with no issues.
- Country Of Origin: Switzerland
- Type: Wi-Fi Smart Sensor
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 2%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 7″ x 1″
- Price: $200 [Buy From Cigsor]
A much more premium alternative, the Cigsor is an option for serious collectors. It’s also a large and robust device that runs using AA batteries. Unlike the Butler, it connects via Wi-Fi, which makes it easier for remote monitoring.
However, it is very large and heavy. In fact, it will take the space of an entire cigar whereas the Butler is as small as a typical hygrometer. There are advantages to this in the sense that it nestles inside a collection. Nevertheless, it’s best suited to large collections since it does take a fair bit of space.
If you’re looking for a solid and reliable albeit premium device, the Cigsor is a great option.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Type: Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Smart Sensor
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 3%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 1.57″ x 1.57″ x 0.65″
- Price: $50 + $100 For Gateway [Buy Now On Amazon]
Although not designed just for cigars in mind, Sensor Push’s little hygrometers are a great alternative. You can buy the devices separately so that they run on Bluetooth. However, you can also invest in a Wi-Fi gateway so they can all be remotely connected to your app.
As mentioned above, it wasn’t conceived just for humidors. Therefore, it isn’t quite as accurate but only by 1% compared to the two models above. Still, it can be calibrated to improve its performance.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Type: Radio Digital Hygrometer
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 2%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 3.25″ x 2.5″
- Price: $60 [Buy Now On Amazon]
If you prefer not to have everything dependent on an app on your smartphone, Xikar offers a great alternative. Rather than using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the Purotemp system instead runs through classic radio signals.
This is quite similar to most home weather stations but has instead been conceived for cigars. The way it works is that a main hub assembles the readings from up to three separate sensors within 60 feet. A single kit comes with one sensor so you’ll have to buy the other two separately.
One particular advantage of this is that its battery life is much longer. Similarly, each hygrometer has its own display so they can be checked independently. Therefore, you’re essentially using regular hygrometers but the data can be read together from a single hub.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Type: Radio Hygrometer
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 1%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 4.5″ x 2″
- Price: $33 + $17 [Buy Now On Amazon]
When presenting the Xikar Purotemp, we commented that it functioned much like a home weather station. Well, Meade’s devices are actually weather stations! While that may be surprising, they’re ultimately the same thing made for different purposes.
Furthermore, we’ve discussed with a number of cigar enthusiasts who use these to monitor their collections and they’re delighted with Meade’s build. Like the Xikar, you invest in a main hub and then purchase the sensors separately for your different storage spaces.
While the sensors are quite large, they’re very accurate. Additionally, they can be calibrated from the hub so they can be honed to your needs.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Type: Wireless Smart Sensor
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 2%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 1.57″ x 1.57″ x 0.67″
- Price: $20 [Buy Now On Amazon]
With its very competitive price, Govee has crafted an alternative wireless sensors with some even compatible with Alexa! Two sizes are available. The smaller, cheaper version is overall similar to the Boveda Butler and Sensor Push. While this one is bluetooth-only, the brand claims that it has a range of 328 feet.
Meanwhile, the larger device is Wi-Fi enabled and is even said to be compatible with Alexa. Therefore, you can remotely monitor the levels and even ask everyone’s favourite talking hub the level in your humidors from your living room.
- Country Of Origin: France
- Type: Bluetooth Sensor
- Units: Imperial & Metric
- Includes Thermometer: Yes
- Accuracy: 2%
- Can Be Calibrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 1.4″ Diameter
- Price: $29 [Buy Now On Amazon]
When you first see the IBS-TH1 Mini, you’ll be amazed by its tiny size! This small device is not much wider than the battery that runs it. Nevertheless, it works very, very well for small collections.
Like many of the above devices, it runs on Bluetooth but its range is surprisingly large. Furthermore, you can calibrate it and save on battery life by customising the intervals for sending data to and from the device.
What Are The Advantages Of Humidor Smart Sensors?
With our ever-increasing interest in (or dependence on) connected devices, it’s no surprise that smart sensors have become quite popular for reading humidity levels in our humidors.
Of course, the main benefit of a humidity smart sensor is simply the convenience. Rather than having to open your humidor and physically check the readings, you can simply refer to an app on your phone or a central hub.
While this doesn’t seem like much more than a gimmick at first, you’d be surprised just how convenient it can be! This is especially the case for people with multiple collections and storage solutions, which may even be in different places!
Similarly, many devices can be set up with alerts. Therefore, you may never need to check them yourself and will just receive a notification if the humidity begins to drop or the temperature is increasing.
Additionally, smart sensors are often easier to calibrate as this is usually done from the app or physical hub. As a result, you won’t be fiddling with confusing knobs and buttons but simply making adjustments through the device.
Overall, we’re very fond of smart sensors as our collections continue to grow. Therefore, we’ll always have one in every humidor and storage solution to make maintenance easier.
A Digital Journal
Furthermore, a smart sensor will provide you with the ability to track the temperature and humidity levels by providing you with automatically recorded history. This is a great feature and a useful way of identifying if you have problems and when they started.
If you’re often away from home or have cigar storage elsewhere, Wi-Fi enabled smart sensors will also allow you to monitor them remotely. Therefore, you can check a collection that is stored in a lounge or office when at home or even on vacation.
Indeed, some even have shock sensors and can tell you if the collection has fallen or has been moved.
That said, they’re not without their drawbacks. Needless to say, technology isn’t perfect and most sensors have their minor quirks. Similarly, they tend to eat up a lot of battery power so it’s important to replace them regularly. Other than that, they’re a great gadget for the keen and tech-savvy cigar enthusiast.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Humidor Sensors?
While smart sensors are great, they’re not perfect! As the old adage goes, the more technology is added, the more things can go wrong. Indeed, some smart sensors do have their quirks.
One of the most frustrating issues for people is usually caused by connectivity. Setting up the sensor to be paired with an app or hub can occasionally have a few issues. Likewise, the sensors may drop out if they’re too far away to provide reliable readings.
However, these are rare if you have a good quality system. Also, be sure to choose a device that uses a connection method that suits your needs. For instance, bluetooth is great at short ranges but may struggle to connect from afar. One advantage of this is that they’re actually portable and can be used when travelling.
Meanwhile, Wi-Fi is more expensive and power-hungry but will allows you to check in on your collection even when elsewhere. As for radio, it’s the most reliable method of wireless monitoring but it only works locally through a hub at home.
Similarly, battery life can be something that can cause some hiccups when using your smart sensors. As the sensor will be constantly sending data out to your device, it tends to consume more power than a regular digital humidor. Yet, the batteries are often the same size so you’ll have to change them more often.
Overall, most devices tend to be pretty good at sending alerts so that you know that it’s time to change the battery. That said, it may occasionally and inexplicably stop working! As such, you need to keep this in mind if you haven’t received any messages for a while.
Finally, the smallest smart sensors tend to not come with a screen. Consequently, you won’t be able to take readings directly from them but will instead have to use your mobile device to check them.
What Next?
Now that you’ve seen the best humidor smart sensors and have learned about using one, why don’t you also check out our related guides below:
- BU Cigars – Home
- Humidors & Cigar Storage Home
- Best Wooden Humidors To Buy Online
- Top Cigar Coolers For Your Home
- How To Build Your Own Humidor
"Excellent resource, thanks. Was looking into a variety of wireless solutions for my collection. This was a huge help, thanks!"Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★
Cigars Contents
Terrific article. I wasn’t aware of smart sensors and this would be a great addition to my older Redford Cabinet. I’m not even sure how long I’ve had it, but the purply blue numbers on the display are fading out. To Bespoke, thank you for all your write-ups. I stumbled upon one earlier today and have been following link after link after link. The vast knowledge you share here is highly appreciated.
Thank you
Hey Jack,
Glad you found this article and our other cigar content helpful! I agree that these sensors are a great bit of technology that is quite affordable when you consider the potential loss of cigars due to inaccurate or faulty hygrometers in the humidor you already have. We also have a ton of cigar video reviews and even a Davidoff Cigars documentary on YouTube if you find you have some free time to fill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBxp5x1UXUw&list=PLfsWHCy_hDdq-Cir85QVpMqilLi9mMCH8
Best,
Rafael
I have been using SensorPush sensors for many years now. When I got them for my tupperdors (I now have fourteen Sistema based tupperdors, two travel Pelican case based humidors, and one large wooden humidor; that’s seventeen humidors!) but I’m short three sensors.
Aside from having to run different apps, the cost savings of getting Boveda sensors might make sense. When it comes down to comparisons, what would I notice as the differences between SensorPush and the cheaper options?
Hey Tobias,
That’s a ton of humidors! Have you considered getting one large cabinet to store them all, or you prefer to have them segmented in that manner? The Boveda Butler is no longer sold by Boveda and I’m not sure if they’re planning on bringing it back. Given this, I think it’s better to stick with Sensor Push, especially if you’ve found them to be effective for your situation. Are you looking to change for any particular reason other than cost?
Rafael