Key takeaways
- Glazed ceramic and porcelain: Excellent for indoor use, non-porous when intact, and simple to wash. They can crack if dropped or exposed to a sudden temperature change.
- Stainless steel: Strong, corrosion-resistant, and suitable indoors or outdoors. Thin steel becomes hot quickly, so a deeper bowl or insulated base is preferable.
- Cast iron: Very stable and heat tolerant, but heavy and vulnerable to surface rust if its finish is damaged.
- Concrete and stone: Among the best choices for windy patios because of their mass. They may absorb smoke residue unless sealed and can scratch delicate furniture.
- Melamine or ordinary plastic: Lightweight and inexpensive, but not appropriate for extinguishing a lit cigar. Use these only when the manufacturer specifically rates the material for cigar ash and heat.
The best cigar ashtrays are heavy, heat-resistant models with cigar rests at least 22 mm wide, a deep 25–40 mm bowl, and enough wind protection for the place and frequency of use: choose a compact ceramic ashtray indoors, a lidded or sheltered outdoor model on a patio, and a large metal or concrete ashtray for regular group smoking.
Our top picks
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Ratings are shown as listed on Amazon.
Best cigar ashtrays by situation
| Situation | Best choice | Useful target specifications | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occasional indoor smoking | Two-rest ceramic or porcelain ashtray | 200–300 mm wide; 0.8–1.5 kg; 2 rests; 25–35 mm bowl depth | Stable, easy to wipe, and attractive on a table without excessive capacity |
| Small balcony or covered patio | Compact metal ashtray with wind guard | 150–220 mm diameter; 0.5–1.2 kg; 2–4 rests; 30–45 mm sheltered bowl | Controls loose ash and reduces the chance of embers blowing away |
| Frequent outdoor use | Heavy concrete, stone, or thick stainless-steel ashtray | 250–350 mm wide; 2–5 kg; 4 rests; 1–2 litre capacity | Resists wind, heat, knocks, and repeated cleaning |
| Two or more smokers | Four-rest deep-bowl ashtray | 250–330 mm wide; 4 rests; 40–60 mm bowl depth | Provides separate resting positions and delays emptying |
| Travel or occasional events | Portable lidded ashtray | 100–160 mm wide; under 0.7 kg; gasketed or close-fitting lid | Contains ash and partially reduces odor between emptying |
What separates a good cigar ashtray from a decorative one?
Cigar-rest width and depth
A cigar rest must support the cigar without pinching the wrapper or allowing it to roll into the bowl. For most cigars, look for a V-shaped or U-shaped rest approximately 22–28 mm wide at the top and at least 8–12 mm deep. A very narrow notch may suit a slim cigar but is awkward for larger ring gauges.
Four rests are useful when several people are smoking, but they also consume more space around the rim. Two broad rests are often the better choice for a personal ashtray. The rests should be separated from the bowl by enough material that a hot cigar does not sit directly against a glazed edge or painted surface.
Heat-resistant materials
- Glazed ceramic and porcelain: Excellent for indoor use, non-porous when intact, and simple to wash. They can crack if dropped or exposed to a sudden temperature change.
- Stainless steel: Strong, corrosion-resistant, and suitable indoors or outdoors. Thin steel becomes hot quickly, so a deeper bowl or insulated base is preferable.
- Cast iron: Very stable and heat tolerant, but heavy and vulnerable to surface rust if its finish is damaged.
- Concrete and stone: Among the best choices for windy patios because of their mass. They may absorb smoke residue unless sealed and can scratch delicate furniture.
- Melamine or ordinary plastic: Lightweight and inexpensive, but not appropriate for extinguishing a lit cigar. Use these only when the manufacturer specifically rates the material for cigar ash and heat.
Do not confuse heat resistance with fireproof construction. A cigar can remain hot inside the ashtray, particularly when placed on top of dry ash. The bowl should be deep enough to keep embers away from nearby paper, wood, fabric, and leaves.
Indoor versus outdoor performance
Indoor ashtrays: prioritize cleaning and odor control
For a smoking room, the most useful features are a smooth non-porous interior, a removable insert, and a broad stable base. A smooth glaze is easier to clean than unsealed stone or textured metal, where ash and tar can collect in small recesses.
Odor control begins with extinguishing the cigar completely. An ashtray lid can reduce the smell of cold ash, but a lid is not an air purifier and should not be used to trap a cigar that is still producing smoke. Some lidded designs include a metal snuffer plate or a separate extinguishing cup. These are preferable to sealing a live ember inside a small enclosed container.
For regular indoor use, a 0.5–1 litre bowl is usually a practical compromise. It holds several smoking sessions without becoming unpleasant to handle, while remaining small enough to clean before residue hardens.
Outdoor ashtrays: prioritize mass and wind protection
Wind is the main reason a lightweight decorative ashtray fails outdoors. A 300-gram tray can move or tip when empty; a 2–5 kg tray is much more dependable on an exposed table. If weight is limited, choose a model with a low centre of gravity, rubber feet, and a raised rim or partial wind guard.
Open outdoor bowls are easy to use but offer little protection from gusts. A sheltered bowl, perforated wind screen, or deep central well can keep ash contained without making the cigar rests difficult to reach. Avoid fully enclosed designs unless they provide a safe, clearly defined way to extinguish the cigar.
Capacity: calculate before buying
A cigar ashtray’s capacity is more useful when considered in smoking sessions rather than litres alone. Suppose a bowl has an effective ash and butt capacity of 900 ml, and one cigar plus its ash occupies approximately 90 ml after being broken into pieces. The practical limit is not 10 cigars: allowing roughly 25% empty space for safe handling gives:
900 ml × 0.75 ÷ 90 ml = about 7 cigars.
For a two-person patio where each person smokes two cigars during an afternoon, that capacity covers one occasion. If the ashtray will remain outside overnight, choose a larger bowl or empty it after every session so rain, windblown debris, and odor do not accumulate.
Decision matrix for the best cigar ashtray
| Your priority | Choose | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest reasonable cost | Glazed ceramic with two rests and a 0.5–1 litre bowl | Very thin metal with a sharp, unfinished rim |
| Premium appearance indoors | Heavy porcelain, polished stone, or thick stainless steel | Deep textured surfaces that trap tar |
| Strong wind | Concrete, cast iron, or stone weighing at least 2 kg, preferably with a wind guard | Lightweight open trays |
| Limited table space | 150–200 mm compact tray with two wide rests | Four-rest models wider than the usable table area |
| Frequent gatherings | 250–350 mm tray with four rests and a 1–2 litre bowl | Small travel ashtrays that require constant emptying |
| Fast cleanup | Removable stainless insert or fully glazed bowl | Unsealed wood, porous concrete, and elaborate grooves |
Cleaning and ownership realities
The bowl is rarely the first part to fail. Glazes chip at the rim, painted finishes discolor from heat, rubber feet detach, and cigar rests become coated with tar. Inspect those areas rather than judging durability by appearance alone. A thick rim and replaceable feet can matter more than a decorative finish.
- Let all ash and cigar ends cool completely before handling the tray.
- Empty loose ash into a non-combustible waste container; do not add it to dry paper or garden mulch.
- Remove stuck residue with warm water and dish detergent. For glazed ceramic or stainless steel, a short soak usually works better than aggressive scraping.
- Use a soft brush around cigar rests and drainage holes. Avoid steel wool on polished or glazed surfaces.
- Dry the ashtray fully before storing it, especially if it is cast iron or has a metal insert.
For stubborn tar, follow the manufacturer’s material guidance and test any solvent on an inconspicuous area. Do not pour flammable liquids into a recently used ashtray. Outdoors, empty the tray before rain; wet ash forms a dark paste that is harder to remove and can stain porous materials.
Bottom line
For most indoor smokers, the best cigar ashtrays are broad, glazed ceramic or porcelain models with two deep rests and a 0.5–1 litre bowl. For patios, step up to a heavy stainless-steel, cast-iron, concrete, or stone design with a wind guard and at least 2 kg of mass. If several people smoke together, prioritize four properly sized rests and a deep bowl over a compact decorative shape. The winning choice is the one that supports the cigar securely, contains heat and ash, and can be emptied and cleaned before residue becomes a permanent part of it.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!