It is not that they are THAT good, but they get the job done well. I mean if it works, don't fix it. I went ahead and bought them because they came recommended and I didn't want to use the hygrometer that came with the humidor. I think the beads are the only way to go, and they are inexpensive relative to the amount of money we spend on cigars. Check out the site, you can search Heartfelt beads. He just came out with a box that houses tubes, that will be my next purchase after buying a bigger humidor.