Wood framed boxes with a Spanish cedar interior are the most popular type of personal humidors.  The wood exterior provides an attractive and resilient enclosure for the cigars.  The Spanish cedar interior is popular because it has traditionally been used to package and box cigars.  Spanish cedar has a subtly spicy and slightly sweet aroma [in contrast to American Red cedar which is pungent].  Spanish cedar became the primary method for packaging cigars in Cuba because it was insect resistant, plentiful, cheap and hygroscopic, just like cigars.  The aromatic quality of Spanish cedar  adds a distinctive aroma to a humidor, which is then imparted to the cigars.  It is important to note that Spanish cedar is not necessary for the proper conditioning of cigars; it is merely popular for historical, practical, and/or romantic reasons.   The peril of Spanish cedar is  that, when not properly processed,  it  can release sap which will ruin your cigars.  Additionally, dry cedar can absorb oils and moisture away from well conditioned cigars.

A sealed interior humidor can be a made of plastic, glass, tin or any sealed wood that is not hygroscopic.  Ultimately, the most important characteristic of any humidor is that they have a tight seal.

The following sections will help you understand the features that constitute a fine humidor.