One of the most important tools to have on hand for enjoying cigars is a cigar cutter which cuts one end off a cigar so that it may be smoked.
Although some cigars are cut on both ends or twirled at both ends, the vast majority come with one end precut and one end in a “cap” which must be cut off for the cigar to be smoked.
Cigar cutters are all the rage now, especially V-style cutters. As more people begin showing interest in purchasing cigars, more unique cigar cutters are needed.
We have our own preferences on cigar cutters, but we decided to put some of the highest-rated cigar cutters to the test and see which ones come out on top.
These are 7 of the best cigar cutters we’ve tested, with a full review on each one to help you choose (plus 7 honorable mentions). When we want a cigar, these are the cutters we use.
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Best Overall: Alaska Bear Cigar Cutter | This cigar cutter is compact, which makes it easy to store, clean, and use! | Check Price |
 |
Runner Up: Colibri Cigar Cutter | This high-quality cigar cutter uses tools and features that are unique and work well! | Check Price |
 |
Best Design: XIFEI Cigar Cutter | This cigar cutter has the best design. It’s beautiful, shiny, and comes in blue and black. | Check Price |
 |
The Most Durable: Xikar Cigar Cutter | This cigar cutter is durable, with a comfortable grip and sharp blades. | Check Price |
 |
Best for Traveling: Zertone Cigar Cutter | This cutter is great for compact spaces, and we can even clip this onto our bags or belt buckle! | Check Price |
 |
Most Unique Design: The Big Easy Tobacco Co. Cigar Cutter | The Big Easy Cigar Cutter is huge, and has a design that’s sure to spark conversations! | Check Price |
 |
Most Vibrant: CIGARLOONG Cigar Cutter | This bronze-plated cigar cutter has six color patterns to choose from and an engraved design. | Check Price |
How We Narrowed Down the Best Cigar Cutters
There was a lot of thought that went into finding a list of the best cigar cutters because there are so many different types!
The first thing we did when looking for the best cigar cutters was to research the different types. The two most common cigar cutters are v-shaped and guillotine style.
Not all cigar cutters are made with the same material. The cheaper and thinner the material is, the faster it dulls and needs to be replaced.
The most common cigar cutters have stainless steel blades in the bronze or plastic outer cases.
We moved on to the price. On average, a cigar cutter costs about $30. The price is connected to the quality of the cigar cutter, though. The less expensive it is, the lower quality materials are used in the build.
Although these factors are important, we found that the style, design, and size are even more important! Most of the time, we smoke cigars with friends and family in social settings.
This means that the cigar cutter initiates this event, and everyone uses and admires the cigar cutters we supply.
That made us lean toward cutters that work well, look great, and received compliments from our friends.
There are hundreds of cigar cutters available and we had to narrow them down to a manageable list, so we chose to recommend ones that can travel with you or be tucked into your desk humidor for convenience.
Read More: When Were Cigars Made? We explore the intriguing history of cigars in this guide!
Our Top Picks: The Best Cigar Cutters Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Alaska Bear Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Size: Up to 60 Gauge | Cigar Cutting Type: V-Cut | Brand: Alaska Bear | Material: Stainless Steel | Features: Easy to Use, Comfortable Grip | Colors: Silver
What We Liked
- Small size
- Easy to use
- Stainless steel blades
What We Didn’t Like
- Blade needs to be sharpened frequently
Our favorite cigar cutter comes from Alaska Bear and proves that simplicity is often the best solution.
This cutter features a double-blade guillotine that will slice cleanly through just about any type of cigar. This means that we can deal confidently with torpedoes, rounded cigars, or capped cigars.
The hole diameter is a fraction over 20mm. This translates to all cigars up to 60 ring gauge. We’ll later review some models below that are ideal for cutting larger cigars.
The stainless steel build extends to the blade and gives us a cigar cutter that’s built to last. However, that being said, we did notice that the blade dulls over time.
It comes in a beautiful bag which makes it a nice touch when gifting this cutter to a cigar lover in your life, and it keeps the cutter safe when you’re not using it.
With self-sharpening double blades, and enviable build quality, this is one of the best cigar cutters we tested, and it’s reasonably priced, too.
We noticed there are frequent discounts and deals on this cigar cutter.
2. Runner Up: Colibri Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Size: Up to 60 Gauge | Cigar Cutting Type: V-Cut | Brand: Colibri | Material: Stainless Steel | Features: Easy to Use, Comfortable Grip | Colors: Silver, Blue, Purple, and Black
What We Liked
- Sleek and stylish
- Perfectly compact
- Warranty guaranteed
What We Didn’t Like
- Deep V cut which doesn’t work well for tapered cigars
- Expensive
Colibri is world-famous for its upscale cigar lighters, and they bring all that experience and brand heritage to bear on this hard-hitting cigar cutter.
The first thing we noticed is that this cutter is remarkably easy on the eyes. Although it has a simple design, it has a nice shape and color.
The V-cut design of this cutter makes it a smooth fit for most cigars, but it won’t work well with cigars featuring tapered ends. For this, we have other options on this list.
The spring-loaded blades provide a consistently smooth cut. It’s the details and quality of a cutter like this that make it worth the higher price.
Now, the majority of user testimony is positive, but we found some scattered complaints about the unnecessary depth of the V-cuts made as well as the steep price.
This aside, we appreciate the clean, consistent cuts and the ease of use.
Crowned by a 2-year limited warranty, and presented in an attractive gift box, this is not the cheapest cigar cutter out there, but it’s among the very best.
Want a new humidor? Freestanding or desktop, these humidors are the best we’ve found.
3. Best Design: XIFEI Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Size: Up to 60 Gauge | Cigar Cutting Type: V-Cut | Brand: XEIFI | Material: Stainless Steel | Features: Easy to Use, Comfortable Grip | Colors: Silver, Blue, Gold, and Black
What We Liked
- Comes in many colors
- Easy to grip
- Gift box packaging
What We Didn’t Like
- Hard to open and close
Next up is another compact V-cut model, this time from the lesser-known XIFEI. This cutter offers decent performance at a very reasonable price point.
Just like with the Colibri, we found that this product has a spring-loaded release taking the inconsistency out of cutting. This cutter is super simple to use, even for beginners.
The stainless steel cutter comes in a choice of 2 striking finishes. The design is not the sleekest, but the two color options give this cigar cutter a touch of luxury.
The stainless steel blade can work with both small and larger ring gauge cigars. This is a very versatile cutter ideal for most types of cigars.
The only issue we had was difficulty opening this cutter until it wears in a little, and then it was fine.
The gift packaging also makes a beautiful presentation so you can gift this to any cigar lover!
4. The Most Durable: Xikar Xi2 Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Size: Up to 60 Gauge | Cigar Cutting Type: Multiple Types | Brand: XIKAR | Material: Stainless Steel | Features: Spring, Compact Size | Colors: Silver, Blue, Gold, Red, the American Flag, the Turano Cuban flag, and Black
What We Liked
- Wide variety of finishes
- 440 stainless steel blades
- Lifetime warranty
What We Didn’t Like
- Small for larger hands
Xikar produces a commanding cigar cutter available in a staggering array of designs and colors. Inject a splash of color into your humidor with this cutter!
It’s certainly not a case of style over substance either. The 440 stainless steel blades are the hardest and sharpest we found in this class.
They’ll stay sharper for longer, too.
Many cheap cutters feature blades that dull quickly.
These will blunt after heavy use, but they give us plenty of faithful service first, and we appreciate the value.
The teardrop shape and spring-loaded mechanism combined with these tough blades mean we can precisely slice the end of just about any cigar.
The double-blade guillotine is accurate and consistent.
Designed for 54 ring gauge cigars, we were able to slice cigars up to 60 ring gauge confidently. This should work for most regular cigars.
Xikar stands firmly behind this product by offering a no-quibble lifetime warranty. We can’t ask for much more than that, especially at this price.
5. Best for Traveling: Zertone Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Size: Up to 23 mm | Cigar Cutting Type: Guillotine | Brand: Zertone | Material: Stainless Steel | Features: Spring, Hidden Blades, Small and Compact | Colors: Shiny Silver
What We Liked
- Self-sharpening blades
- Smooth and stainless steel
- Makes clean cuts
What We Didn’t Like
- When the blade dulls, it’s hard to sharpen
When shopping for cigar cutters, it’s natural to put aesthetics first.
After all, if we have our humidor stuffed with carefully chosen and well-presented sticks, the last thing we want is an ugly cigar cutter in the drawer.
Zertone’s cutter is a stainless steel gem finished in one smooth color that glistens and shines. The lines are sleek and lean, and the build feels reassuringly solid.
Despite this, we get a compact and lightweight cigar cutter we can easily slip into our pockets to take on the road.
These blades are self-sharpening, and they operate in a double-blade guillotine. This allows for precise cuts while staying safe.
The blades feature a locking mechanism to prevent any unexpected injuries.
We can make precise and consistent cuts in cigars to 60 ring gauge. If you need to tackle bulkier sticks, read on for a super-sized cutter ideal for that purpose.
Presented in a beautiful gift box, the only problem we have is surrendering the cigar cutter as a present, so resist the temptation to keep it for yourself, or buy two!
Want to pair this gorgeous double-blade cigar cutter with other cigar and wine accessories? Check out our favorite cigar coolers to keep your sticks fresh and sweet.
6. Most Unique Design: The Big Easy Tobacco Co. Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Size: Up to 60 Gauge | Cigar Cutting Type: Straight Cut – 2 Guillotines | Brand: The Big Easy Tobacco Co. | Material: Stainless Steel | Features: Hidden Blades, Perfect for Parties | Colors: Shiny Silver
What We Liked
- Tabletop cigar cutter
- Entirely made out of smooth steel
- Precise cuts every time
What We Didn’t Like
- Large and bulky so it needs to stay on a table
Not everyone wants a pocket-sized cigar cutter, so what do you do if you want a tabletop model to grace your desk alongside your humidor?
We love The Big Easy Tobacco Co.’s desktop model for parties, guests, and starting conversations.
The brushed stainless steel finish looks better in a minimalist than a traditional room. If we have a wood-lined study, for instance, you may want a cutter with a softer finish.
However, for modern rooms and smoking lounges, this cutter looks great!
We can confidently cut our way through cigars up to 60 ring gauge giving plenty of versatility. Some users report cutting cigars with ring gauges as high as 70, so we are spoiled for choice here.
The Big Easy delivers straight cuts thanks to a pair of guillotine cutters.
This is a heavy and bulky unit so it’s important to make sure there’s the space to accommodate it.
If you want to have a single cutter that’s right where you want it every time, this might be the smartest investment you make this year to help you enjoy your cigars!
7. Most Vibrant: CIGARLOONG Cigar Cutter
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Size: Up to 60 Gauge | Cigar Cutting Type: Straight Cut with Guillotine | Brand: CIGARLOONG | Material: Stainless Steel and Bronze | Features: Hidden Blades, Leather Pouch for Storage, Unique Engravings | Colors: Silver, Gold, Black, Rust
What We Liked
- Great manual cutter
- For cigars up to 50 RG
- 2 striking finishes
What We Didn’t Like
- Ring holes are small
CIGARLOONG might not be a name that springs instantly to mind when thinking of the best cigar cutters, but this is a dark horse well worth adding to this short and comprehensive list.
Cigar Cutters are great for social interactions, and this beautiful cutter will get the conversation started.
Since smoking cigars is mainly for social and cultural events, we can happily take this cutter with us on the go.
This cutter works best with smaller cigars to a maximum of 60 ring gauge, to be safe though we recommend up to 50 gauge.
Choose from a pair of ornate finishes. The intricate design may be slightly fussy for some, but we praise the antique and retro feel of this cutter.
The rings are a decent size, but there are complaints that for larger hands, the engraved ring is hard to slip in and out of.
Aesthetics aside, this double-blade guillotine cutter offers us a no-nonsense and affordable method of accurately cutting off the ends of our favorite stogies, even when we are out and about.
Comparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Runner Up | Best Design | Most Durable | Best for Traveling | Best Unique Design | Most Vibrant |
| Overall Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.75/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Sizing | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/4 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
The Winner
Our best overall pick from this list is the Alaska Bear Cigar Cutter, and it’s no wonder why! This beautiful cigar cutter is simple, but sometimes the most simple design is the best.
At an amazingly affordable price, the Alaska Bear cigar cutter can be used on cigars up to 60 gauge, which gives lots of room for heavy cigar smokers.
Read More: How to Store Cigars in Humidor where we share storage tips and the best ways to keep your cigars fresh!
How to Choose the Best Cigar Cutters
There is a lot to consider when choosing a cigar cutter. Personally, we try to search for the best cigar cutters that fit the criteria we are looking for.
For example, since most cigars are 60 gauge or less, this means that the size we’re looking for is up to 60 gauge, or even slightly more.
Here are a few other things to consider when shopping for a new cigar cutter.
Price
The first thing we consider is the price because we all have a budget of some sort. This makes it easier to shop by narrowing down the cutters available in your price range.
The budget for a working and durable cigar cutter depends on the features it includes, but most cigar cutters are below about $60 and work great.
The cheapest models, around $10 or so will likely dull faster and need replacement sooner, but for occasional smokes, they’ll work great for a long time at a good price.
Pocket-sized cutters are also more affordable than large tabletop units, but tabletop units have more size selection and usually last for years before dulling, even with heavy use.
Read More: How to Cut Cigars Correctly. Cutting your cigars the right way can enhance your smoking experience. Learn how!
Size
Size is the most important consideration. Some cutters are designed to carry in your pocket while others are made to sit on the table.
We look for cutters that will sit inside our humidors.
Some humidors have large drawers and some have very shallow drawers, so we always measure first to make sure the cutter we like can be stashed in the drawer.
Read More: Why Are Cuban Cigars Considered the Best? Learn what’s behind the making of Cuban cigars and why they’re so good!
Durability
We like to use cigar cutters that will last for at least a few years.
This is crucial considering durable cigar cutters are not inexpensive, and continuing to replace them after the blade dulls, breaks, or wears down can be expensive!
We love getting the best smoke from our expensive sticks, so we think a sharp blade is essential to the experience.
Rather than replacing the cutter frequently, we look for cutters that will serve us faithfully for a few years at least.
Instead of constantly buying cheap and non-durable cigar cutters, the best bet is to purchase cigar cutters that are made with high-quality steel blades, regardless of the case you choose.
Read More: How Long Do Cigars Last in a Humidor? See how long cigars last with a humidor and without one!
Blade Thickness
The blade thickness is also important to consider when looking for the best cigar cutters. The thinner a blade is, the easier it is to break. Thick cigars can wear down a thin cutter blade really fast.
Read More: Correct Way to Hold a Cigar. If you’re new to the world of cigars, here’s how to hold your cigars properly!
Aesthetic
Nearly everyone agrees that the aesthetic of the cigar cutter you choose says a lot about you. We think that everyone should choose one that makes them feel satisfied when they use it.
The look of the cutter can also be a conversation starter. We found a lot of unique and beautiful designs that definitely capture people’s attention and will make you happy to share your cutter with a friend.
When looking for a showstopper, keep in mind that thick designs should not take away from the functionality and quality of the piece.
It’s best to read reviews to ensure that complicated designs don’t hamper the quality of the cut.
There are also customizable and personalized options! Some companies will happily add personalization to the cutter you choose for that special touch.
Cigars and wine are perfect together. We love a good cigar and wine pairing. These are our favorite corkscrews to get the evening off to a smooth start.
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 7 options that didn’t make our list of best cigar cutters.
1. Vertigo Big Daddy Cigar Cutter – Considered for Versatility
The Vertigo Big Daddy cigar cutter was seriously considered for the best overall but was ultimately beaten by the Alaska Bear Cigar Cutter. However, we like both and they’re super affordable.
As an honorable mention, this Vertigo Big Daddy Cigar Cutter is still an excellent choice, if we can’t find the Alaska Bear Cigar Cutter.
Read More: Can You Use Scissors to Cut a Cigar? Yep! And here’s how you do it.
2. Xikar XO Cigar Cutter – Considered for Travel
The Xikar Cigar cutter is unique and still compact enough to travel with. The only reason the Colibri Cigar Cutter took the lead was because the Xikar XO cigar cutter has a circular design that is not easy to grip.
That being said, it is still a solid choice for a cigar cutter as the blades are sharp and the circular design is unique. Those who master this style of cutter love the design.
3. Colibri SV 2-in-1 Cigar Cutter – Considered for Sleekest Design
Another Colibri makes the list but as an honorable mention! It was a close second to the XIFEI Cigar Cutter for best design.
However, the XIFEI cigar cutter is unique, and has a smooth finish to it that the Colibri doesn’t. It has a similar design, but we love the feel and cut of the XIFEI.
Read More: Cut Cigar Without a Cutter. If you want a smoke before your new cutter arrives, here’s how to cut a cigar without one!
4. Big Kahuna Serrated Cutter – Considered for Toughest Cutter
With such a fun name, it is no wonder the Big Kahuna serrated cutter made our honorary mentions list. At first, it was considered the most durable but was beaten by the Xikar Cigar Cutter.
That being said, both designs are made with tough stainless steel as well as hard plastic that makes it easy to hold and pull. If you want a serrated blade, check out the Big Kahuna.
5. CigarExtras Tabletop Cigar Cutter – Considered for Long Lasting
There are not many tabletop cutters, which is why the CigarExtras Tabletop Cigar Cutter was considered for the most unique design.
Another tabletop cigar cutter won though, The Big Easy Tobacco Co. Cigar Cutter because of its great finish, sharp blades, and years of faithful cutting.
6. CHANGYUAN Cigar Cutter with 2 Cigar Punches – Considered for Traveling
Perfect for clean cuts as it is made out of stainless steel, and it has 2 cigar punches attached.
However, the best for traveling is Zertone Cigar Cutter, since it is the most affordable option out of the two.
Read More: Punch Cigars and What is a Cigar Punch Cutter? Learn all you need to know about punch cigars here!
7. Galiner Cigar Cutter – Considered for Most Vibrant
The Galiner cigar cutter is one of the only designs on this list that comes with a gorgeous wood case. This double-blade spring-loaded guillotine cutter comes in a beautiful box that’s great for gifting.
We love this cutter, but we agreed that the most vibrant cutter is the CIGARLOONG Cigar Cutter because it comes in six bright colors with fancy engraving.