KingChii Humidor 8/33/48/70/130/145/425L: Compare & Review
Hey, guys, Wes here from Smoke Dock. So, you’re looking at the KingChii humidor lineup. It’s a solid choice, but I get it—their model list is confusing. They’ve got this tiny 8L box, a beastly 425L cabinet, and a half-dozen sizes in between (the 35L, 48L, 70L, 130L, and 145L). It’s a lot. I’ve had my hands on pretty much all of them, and my goal here is to give you the real-world, no-BS breakdown to help you figure out which one (if any) is the right move for you. Let’s get into it.
Compare of 8/33/48/70/130/145/425L KingChii humidor
| Model | Realistic Capacity | Temp Range (°F) | Humidity Range (%) | Humidification Built-in | Materials | Price (USD) | Best For | Key Pros | Key Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KingChii 8L | 40-50 | — | 60–84 | Yes | Spanish cedar interior (implied) | 111.99 | Starters, desktop/office | Portable; flexible RH; very affordable | Basic features; limited capacity |
| KingChii 33L | — | 59–72 | Locks at setpoint (e.g., 68) | Yes | Alloy steel; Spanish cedar shelves | 239.99 | Growing hobbyists; box buyers | Excellent RH control; wide temp range; sturdy build | Higher price vs entry; larger footprint |
| KingChii 48L | — | Dual (heat & cool) | Manual (packs) | No | Spanish cedar; tempered glass door | 295.99 | Users wanting dual-temp, quiet operation | Dual temperature; solid build; quiet | No built-in humidification; average value |
| KingChii 70L | 400+ | 61–72 | 65–78 | Yes | Alloy steel; thick Spanish cedar | 399.99 | Medium–large collections | Large capacity; solid temp/RH control; premium feel | Bulky; expensive vs small models |
| KingChii 130L | 500+ | — (held at 65°F in test) | — (held at 65% in test) | Yes | Premium steel; thick Spanish cedar; strong door seal | 1,099.00 | Serious collectors; long-term aging | Exceptional stability; high capacity; premium build | Very expensive; heavy |
| KingChii 145L | — | 61–71 | 65–75 | Yes | Heated (anti-fog) tempered glass; cedar | 999.99 | Advanced collectors; showcase piece | Precise control; luxurious design; large capacity | High price; large & heavy |
| KingChii 425L | — | Dual temp (pros) | Held 66–70 in test | Yes | Dark mirrored glass; cedar shelves; touchscreen | — | Mega-collectors; lounges; retail | Massive capacity; quiet compressor; great circulation | Top-biased lighting |
My review of KingChii Humidor
Before I jumped on the KingChii, I was using a big traditional wooden humidor. Every winter, it was a total nightmare. The heat in my house would come on, the humidity would crash, and I’d be re-seasoning Boveda packs or water pillows every two weeks. I was constantly stressed about my collection. That’s the main reason I switched. My goal wasn’t ‘style’ or ‘features’—it was stability. And that’s exactly what these units deliver. I set my 70L to 68% RH, and it just… stays there. The heater, the AC, a nor’easter… it doesn’t care. It just holds the line. That alone is worth the price.
What I wasn’t expecting was how quiet it is. I was braced for a mini-fridge hum, but it’s practically silent. And I’ll be real, it doesn’t hurt that it looks incredible. That tempered glass and cool blue light is a total showpiece. My wife, Maren, who hated my old wooden box, actually called this one ‘elegant.’ But here’s the bottom line: they aren’t cheap, and you’re going to feel the price tag. But you’re not just buying a box; you’re buying peace of mind. And since they have everything from a tiny 8L for your desk to a massive 425L cabinet, the only real question is how much peace of mind you need.
8L KingChii Humidor Review
The 8L is what I call the perfect “I’m done with tupperdors” upgrade. I snagged one for my office desk, and for its price tag (around $111.99), it’s an absolute steal. It’s a fantastic entry-level piece that just plain works.
This is a no-brainer if you’re just getting into cigars, or you just want a small, reliable stash for your office like my buddy Reid. But I’ll be blunt: if you’re already buying by the box, you’re going to be frustrated with the size inside a month.
- Portable: This thing is tiny in the best way. I had it on my nightstand, then my office bookshelf… it fits anywhere.
- Effective humidity control: That 60%-84% humidity range is surprisingly flexible. It handles different cigar types with no problem.
- Affordable price: For around $100, you just can’t complain. It does the one job it needs to do, and it does it well.
- Basic features: Don’t expect surgical temperature control. It’s more of a set-it-and-forget-it deal, which is fine for most, but not for control freaks.
- Limited capacity: That “80 cigar” count is… optimistic. I’d say 50-60, comfortably. It’s definitely just for a starter collection.
33L KingChii Humidor Review
This 35L model is where the KingChii lineup starts to get serious. This is the workhorse I’d point most established hobbyists toward—it’s for the person who has graduated from buying singles to buying full boxes. It’s a rock-solid performer with features that truly matter.
This is the right move for someone with a growing collection who wants a ‘set it and forget it’ system. It’s not cheap at $239.99, but the beastly humidification system and sheer build quality make it feel like a smart investment.
- Excellent humidity control: The built-in humidification system is a game-changer. I set it to 68% and it just locks in. Ideal for long-term aging.
- Wide temperature range: That 59-72°F range is legit. My office gets blasted by the afternoon sun, but this humidor just laughs it off and holds steady.
- Sturdy build: This thing is built like a tank. The alloy steel body and smooth-sliding Spanish cedar shelves feel super premium, not at all flimsy.
- Slightly high price: It’s not cheap. At $239.99, it’ll make you think twice. It’s a definite jump from the entry-level stuff.
- Bulky size: It’s got a definite footprint. This isn’t a “tuck it on a bookshelf” unit. You need to find a dedicated spot for it.
48L KingChii Humidor Review
Okay, I’ve got mixed feelings about the 48L. It’s a decent mid-range unit that excels in some areas but has one baffling omission that holds it back.
If you need a versatile humidor that can both heat and cool (which is a killer feature) and you don’t mind manually handling humidity with Boveda packs, the 48L is a good, quiet choice. But if you want a fully automated system, this isn’t it.
- Dual temperature function: This is the huge win. The ability to both heat and cool is a feature you usually find on more expensive models.
- Sturdy construction: The build is solid. The Spanish cedar and heavy tempered glass door look and feel high-quality.
- Quiet operation: It’s whisper quiet. It uses semiconductor tech, so I had to put my ear right up to it to know it was on.
- No built-in humidification: The deal-breaker for me. At this price ($295.99), having to manually add humidity packs feels like a cost-cutting measure.
- Average value: Honestly, the value just isn’t quite there for me. You can find other units with full automation for not much more cash.
70L KingChii Humidor Review
Now we’re talking. The 70L is the perfect upgrade for someone whose collection is getting “out of hand.” This is a serious piece of gear that fixes the 48L’s flaws and gives you the space to really grow.
For cigar enthusiasts with a medium-to-large collection (400+ sticks), the 70L is a fantastic choice. The $399.99 price tag hurts, but the rock-solid performance and premium build make it feel like you’re truly protecting your investment.
- Large capacity: “486 cigars” is the claim. Realistically, you can easily fit 400+ in here with room to breathe, which is awesome.
- Good humidity and temperature control: The controls are money. The 61-72°F temp range and 65-78% humidity range are more than enough to keep your collection stable.
- Premium materials: This unit just feels expensive, in a good way. The alloy steel case is rigid, and the cedar shelves are thick and aromatic.
- Bulky size: This is a piece of furniture. Don’t think you’re sliding this into a small apartment. It needs its own floor space.
- High price: Oof. That $399.99 sticker hurts. This is for the person who’s deep in the hobby and needs to protect a growing investment.
130L KingChii Humidor Review
This 130L unit is a professional-grade fortress. It’s not for hobbyists; it’s for serious collectors. This is the machine for someone aging high-dollar boxes for years and who needs surgical precision.
If you are a dedicated collector with thousands of dollars in cigars, the KingChii 130L’s quality and insane stability justify the $1,099.00 price. This is an “end-game” unit for those who demand the best.
- Large storage capacity: The 130L capacity is massive. We’re talking 500+ cigars with room to breathe. You can store entire collections in here.
- Stable humidity and temperature control: The stability is insane. I put my own hygrometer in there, set it to 65/65, and it didn’t budge a tenth of a point for a week.
- High-quality materials: Premium steel, beautiful, thick Spanish cedar, and a door seal that’s practically airtight. It just screams quality.
- Expensive: The price. $1,099.00. This is 100% not for the casual user. This is for the 1% of cigar collectors.
- Heavy weight: This thing is a monster. My friend Nolan and I had to move it, and it was a two-man job, easy. You find a spot for it, and it never moves again.
145L KingChii Humidor Review
This 145L is a high-end showpiece. It’s designed for the advanced collector who wants a perfect blend of massive capacity and top-of-the-line performance, with a few luxury touches thrown in.
For high-end cigar enthusiasts who want it all—space, precision, and aesthetics—the KingChii 145L is a fantastic (though pricey) long-term investment. The $999.99 tag reflects its luxury features and flawless control.
- Very large capacity: This is the big one. 145L. It’s rated for 650 cigars, and it’s just massive.
- Precise temperature and humidity control: The tech in this one is top-notch. It holds the temp and humidity (61-71°F, 65-75% RH) flawlessly.
- Luxurious design: It just looks incredible. The “hot film tempered glass door” (which means it’s heated so it never fogs up) is a total luxury.
- High price: The $999.99 price is still a major hurdle. You have to be really serious about your collection to pull the trigger.
- Large and heavy: Like the 130L, this thing is a beast. You’d better have a dolly and a friend to get it into its final resting place.
425L KingChii Humidor (2200 Capacity)
I saved the biggest for last. My hands-on time with the KingChii 425L… well, this is a different league. This is a straight-up, luxury-grade cabinet for the mega-collector. The second this thing came off the delivery pallet, I was impressed. It’s over five feet tall, with this beautiful dark mirrored glass finish and a slick, seamless touchscreen. It’s less an appliance and more a piece of high-end furniture.
I got it set up in my lounge, seasoned the acres of cedar shelves, and it dialed in fast. It locked at 70°F and held humidity between 66-70% rock-solid. The compressor is super quiet for its size, and the internal fans do a great job of circulating the air. My only real gripe? The LED lighting looks cool, but it’s all at the top, so the bottom shelves get pretty dark. But that’s a small complaint for what is, hands down, an absolute dream unit for a serious collector.
- Massive 2200 cigar capacity
- Quiet compressor with dual temp range
- Gorgeous cedar aroma and shelves
- Excellent seal and air circulation Great for long-term storage
- Interior light too dim
KingChii Temperature and Humidity Control
That wide temperature range on most of these (as wide as 54°F to 74°F) is fantastic. It means you can keep it in a drafty basement or a hot office and it’ll handle the seasons. The bigger units, like the 130L and 145L, are just surgical with their temp control. The fluctuation is practically zero.
KingChii Humidor Humidity Control
Honestly, humidity control is where KingChii really flexes. The high-end models with their built-in humidification systems and air circulation fans are just ‘set it and forget it.’ That wide 60% to 85% range lets you dial in exactly what you want. Plus, all that Spanish cedar acts as a natural buffer, really stabilizing things.
Built-in humidification system and hygrometer
The models that do have the built-in system are just a dream to use. It’s a complete, closed-loop package: active humidity regulation, fans to move the air, and an accurate digital display. It just takes all the guesswork and anxiety out of the equation.
KingChii humidor cost-effectiveness
So, are they worth the money? In my book, yes. You can always find cheaper humidors, but I guarantee you’ll be sacrificing something—be it the materials, the temperature stability, the seal, or the design. For a serious cigar enthusiast, I’m convinced the extra cash for a KingChii is a smart, long-term investment.
KingChii humidor noise and energy consumption
I was really surprised by this: they’re quiet. Even the big compressor models are just a low, gentle hum. You could easily keep one in your bedroom or office. They’re also super low-vibration, which is crucial for long-term aging. And the best part? My power bill hasn’t spiked at all. They seem to be really energy-efficient.
KingChii humidor storage and display functions
This is a big one for me. These units aren’t just ‘storage boxes’; they’re ‘display pieces.’ The shelves are all adjustable, so you can fit weirdly-sized boxes or stack singles. And that big tempered glass door with the soft blue interior lighting? It’s all about showing off your collection.
KingChii humidor sealing quality
A humidor is useless if it doesn’t seal, period. Well, the seals on these KingChii units are legit. Especially on the mid-to-high-end models, the doors close with a solid, satisfying ‘thunk,’ and you can feel the magnetic seal grab. It’s airtight. This is why they’re so stable.
Final thoughts
So, after living with these humidors, loading them up, and putting them through their paces, what’s my final word? I’m honestly impressed. KingChii has built a lineup that seriously caters to everyone, from the total ‘newbie’ with 50 cigars to the ‘my-collection-is-worth-more-than-my-car’ collector. They look great, they’re quiet, and they flat-out work.
