You’ve decided to hatch your own chickens, but there are hundreds of egg incubators to choose from. So, how do you go about picking the best egg incubator for you and your homestead?!.
I’ve been hatching chicks since 2014 and have used MANY incubators along the way. This article will tell you about all of my good and bad experiences with different incubators. This way, you can get a good idea of what YOU need for a successful hatch!
Choosing the best egg incubator is a make-or-break decision and you really do get what you pay for. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to buy a professional-grade incubator for $3,000. We’ll find a good one that fits your budget!.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you! Regardless, I only link to products that I personally use on our homestead or believe in.
You want to hatch your own chickens? That’s great! Now comes the hard part: picking the best chicken egg incubator from the hundreds that are out there. I’ve been hatching chicks since 2014 and have tried a lot of different ones. Today, I’m going to share my successes (and yes, my embarrassing failures too) to help you find the best one for your needs.
Remember, when it comes to incubators, you really do get what you pay for. But don’t worry! That doesn’t mean you need to drop $3,000 on a professional-grade machine. We’ll find something that fits your budget and hatching goals.
Key Features to Look for in an Egg Incubator
Before diving into specific models let’s talk about what makes a good incubator
Airflow Type
There are two main types
- Still Air Incubator: The basic, cheaper option that relies on gravity to circulate air. Often creates hot and cold spots, resulting in inconsistent hatching.
- Forced Air Incubator: Has a built-in fan to distribute warm air evenly. Worth every penny in my opinion!
Temperature Control
This is absolutely critical! Just a 1-degree difference can seriously impact your hatch:
- If it runs 1 degree too high: Early hatches with chicks prone to splayed legs
- If it runs 1 degree too low: Late hatches with chicks having crooked toes and thin legs
Look for incubators with automated temperature control that adjusts throughout the day.
Humidity Control
Humidity is one of the hardest things to get right. Many cheap incubators require you to manually add water to channels in the bottom, which is:
- Easy to forget
- Makes travel impossible
- Hard to adjust precisely
If you can afford it, get an incubator with automatic humidity control. I’ve gone on international vacations while my automatic incubators were running and didn’t stress one bit!
Egg Turner
In nature, a broody hen turns her eggs throughout the day. Your incubator needs to mimic this process. Chicken eggs need to be rotated from side to side at least 3 times daily for the first 18 days of incubation.
Automatic egg turners save you from having to open the incubator multiple times a day (which causes temperature fluctuations).
Capacity
Think about how many chicks you want:
- Small flock (city dwellers): Go for a small incubator. Remember that roughly 50% will be roosters, and hatch rates are typically 50-80%. If you want 5 hens, plan to incubate about 20 eggs.
- Rural/hobby business: Go bigger! I started with a 28-egg incubator and quickly outgrew it.
Other Important Features
- Easy cleaning – Hatching is messy!
- Viewing window – Not necessary but makes hatching so much more fun
- Digital display – For quick monitoring of conditions
- Alarms – To alert you when temperatures go outside safe ranges
The 8 Best Chicken Egg Incubators of 2025
Here are my top picks after years of hatching:
Best Small Incubators
1. Brinsea Mini II EX (Best Small Incubator)
Rating: 5/5
Brinsea is my absolute favorite brand of incubator. This model holds 7 eggs and has fully automatic humidity control. While it’s pricier, it’s totally worth it for the peace of mind. I’ve gone on vacation with mine running and didn’t stress at all!
Pros:
- Forced air circulation
- Digital thermostat
- Automatic humidity control
- Automatic egg turner
- Easy viewing window
- 3-year warranty
2. Brinsea Mini II Advance
Rating: 4.5/5
A more affordable option from Brinsea, with the main difference being manual humidity control instead of automatic. Still has great temperature control, egg turner, and viewing window.
3. KEBONNIXS 12 Egg Incubator (Budget Small Incubator)
Rating: 4/5
It’s handy that fertile eggs are often sold by the dozen, and this one can hold twelve. It has a digital display, but I suggest using extra thermometers and hygrometers to make sure it’s accurate.
Tip: The floor is slick and can cause chicks to slip and injure their legs, so add some traction material to the bottom.
Best Medium Incubators
4. Brinsea Ovation 28 EX (Best Medium Incubator)
Rating: 5/5
This is my absolute favorite incubator, hands down! I’ve been thinking about buying a second one just cuz I love it so much. It’s fully automatic – a true “set it and forget it” machine.
Pros:
- Holds 28 eggs
- Fully automatic temperature and humidity
- Excellent accuracy and precision
- Easy to clean
- Big viewing window
Tip: Don’t waste money on fancy replacement humidity sponges – I just cut up basic $2 kitchen sponges and they work great!
5. Manna Pro Nurture Right 360 Incubator
Rating: 4/5
One of the most popular incubators on the market, holding 22 eggs. It’s fully automatic except for humidity control. Has a nice 21-day countdown feature and automatically stops turning eggs 3 days before hatch.
6. Chickcozy Incubator (Budget Medium Incubator)
Rating: 4.5/5
This is the newest addition to my collection, and I’m really impressed so far! Even though it was one of the cheaper options, I got a hatch rate of 9% out of 11 eggs. Temperature and humidity readings were spot-on when I cross-checked.
Pros:
- External water tray (no need to open the lid)
- Holder for external thermometer
- Very quiet operation
- Large viewing window
- Non-stick mat at bottom for chick safety
- Easy cleanup
Best Large Incubators
7. Brinsea Ovation 56 EX (Best Large Incubator)
Rating: 5/5
The big brother to my favorite incubator, this model holds 56 eggs. It’s fully automatic with the same great features as the 28 EX.
8. HovaBator Genesis 1588 (Budget Large Incubator)
Rating: 3.5/5
I have a love-hate relationship with this classic foam incubator. It’s not always accurate, and you need more than one thermometer and hygrometer to make sure the conditions are right, but it’s a cheap way to hatch a lot of eggs.
Warning: While there are cheaper foam incubators at places like Tractor Supply, most of them are junk. Trust me, I know it’s tempting, but there’s nothing more heartbreaking than losing an entire hatch because of a bad incubator.
Comparison Table of Top Incubators
| Product | Rating | Capacity | Airflow | Temperature | Humidity | Egg Turner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brinsea Mini II EX | 5/5 | 7 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Brinsea Mini II Advance | 4.5/5 | 7 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Manual | Automatic |
| KEBONNIXS 12 Egg | 4/5 | 12 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Manual | Automatic |
| Brinsea Ovation 28 EX | 5/5 | 28 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Manna Pro Nurture Right | 4/5 | 22 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Manual | Automatic |
| Chickcozy Incubator | 4.5/5 | 25 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Manual | Automatic |
| Brinsea Ovation 56 EX | 5/5 | 56 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| HovaBator Genesis 1588 | 3.5/5 | 42 eggs | Forced air | Automatic | Manual | Automatic |
Common Problems with Egg Incubators
Even the best incubators can have issues. Here are some common problems to watch for:
Temperature Malfunctions
This is one of the most common issues. Both too hot and too cold are bad for developing eggs. Always monitor with an external thermometer that has an alert feature.
Humidity Malfunctions
The humidifier can run dry or not work properly. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels.
Power Failures
A power outage will cause temperature and humidity problems. Consider having a backup power source for your incubator.
Tips for Successful Incubation
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Test run first: When your incubator arrives, run it empty for at least 24 hours to make sure everything is working properly.
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Verify accuracy: Always double-check temperatures and humidity with additional thermometers and hygrometers. I recommend using at least two of each and taking the average.
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For forced-air incubators: Set temperature to 99.5°F
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For still-air incubators: Set temperature to 102°F
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Humidity levels: 40-50% for days 1-18, then increase to 65-75% for days 18-21
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Don’t open during hatching: Resist the urge to help struggling chicks! Opening the incubator during hatching can harm other eggs by dropping humidity dramatically.
My Personal Recommendation
If I had to recommend just one incubator, it would be the Brinsea Ovation 28 EX. It’s not the cheapest option, but the reliability, precision, and peace of mind it offers are worth every penny. I’ve had perfect hatches every time with this machine.
For those on a tighter budget, the Chickcozy incubator has really impressed me with its performance at a much lower price point.
Final Thoughts
Hatching your own chicks is an incredibly rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like watching those little fluffballs emerge from their shells after 21 days of careful incubation.
Remember, no matter which incubator you choose, the most important factors are consistent temperature and humidity. Monitor these closely, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful hatch!
Have you tried any of these incubators? What’s been your experience? I’d love to hear about your hatching adventures in the comments below!
Happy hatching, everyone!
The 8 Best Egg Incubators of 2025
Want more details about each of these incubators? No problem; I’ve got you covered!
#3 KEBONNIXS 12 Egg Incubator – Budget Small Incubator
Fertile eggs are often sold by the dozen, so the fact that this KEBONNIXS incubator holds 12 eggs is great! It has a digital display of humidity and temperature, however, I highly recommend verifying their accuracy by adding your own thermometer and hygrometers.
You have to add water by hand to this model to control the humidity level, but it’s nice that you can do it from outside. No need to open the lid!.
This model also features a built-in egg candler so you can watch your baby chicks develop. It also turns off itself three days before the eggs hatch, so you don’t have to remember to do it. So nice!.
TIP: The flooring is slick and can result in the chicks slipping and injuring their legs, so consider adding a layer of traction material to the bottom.
Best Incubator for Hatching Chicken Eggs | Reviewing Our Three Incubators
FAQ
What is the best chicken incubator?
The eight best egg incubators are shown below. The Brinsea Ovation 28 EX gets 5/5 for best medium. The Manna Pro Nurture Right 360 Incubator gets 4/5, and the Chickcozy Incubator gets a budget medium rating. 5/5Brinsea Ovation 56 EX5/5 Best Large.
How to choose an egg incubator?
How to Choose the Best IncubatorCapacity: Make sure the incubator is large enough to hold the number of eggs you plan to hatch. Controlling temperature and humidity: The incubator should be able to keep the temperature and humidity level stable so that the eggs can grow properly.
What is the best fully automatic egg incubator?
The Nurture Right 360 is the best bang for your buck(holds most eggs, has an automatic turner and candler for the price), and you can get one at Tractor Supply. I’d calibrate a thermometer and check your incubator is the temp it says it is.