Hova-Bator vs Little Giant: Which Tabletop Incubator Should You Buy in 2026?

Hova-Bator and Little Giant are the two names most people see when shopping for a small tabletop incubator. Both make simple, affordable incubators that hold roughly 40 to 50 chicken eggs, so the choice rarely comes down to size. It comes down to how the air moves, whether a turner is included, how you manage humidity, and what you pay in total.

A note on who we are: Incubator Warehouse sells Hova-Bator incubators. We sell Little Giant replacement parts, but not Little Giant incubators. This guide compares the two honestly, using our product pages for Hova-Bator and Little Giant's published specs for the other.

Hova-Bator vs Little Giant: Specs at a Glance

Hova-Bator figures are from our product pages. Little Giant figures come from Little Giant's published information and retailer listings, which don't state every detail. Check the manual for your exact model before you buy.

Still-Air vs Forced-Air: The Difference That Matters Most

In a still-air incubator, heat rises and the air barely moves, so temperature differs from the top of the eggs to the bottom. You measure at the top of the eggs, and the setpoint runs higher. A forced-air (circulated air) incubator uses a small fan to even out heat and humidity, so conditions are more uniform across all the eggs and the setpoint is lower.

For a beginner, this means forced-air is usually more forgiving, especially with a full tray. The Little Giant 9300 is still-air unless you add the fan kit, and the 10300 is circulated air. Both Hova-Bator models here are forced-air, and the fan can be turned off for special uses such as reptile eggs.

Whichever you pick, follow the settings in its manual. For chicken, duck, quail and other species, see our egg incubator temperature and humidity chart.

HovaBator 2370 Starter Combo Kit

The HovaBator 2370 Starter Combo Kit ($141.99) is the simplest way to start. It includes the IncuTurn automatic egg turner, which turns eggs six times a day, and a 28-page hatch guidebook.

• Capacity: 42 chicken, 70 quail or 28 goose eggs in the universal tray. The optional quail tray raises quail capacity to 116.
• Control: a digital electronic thermostat with a bright display that switches between °C and °F.
• Design: a circulating fan, a washable liner and two viewing windows.
• Power and warranty: 30 W and a 2-year IncuCare warranty.

Things to know: humidity is managed with built-in water channels, so you add water by hand. One reviewer found humidity hard to hold steady (swinging from 36% to 65%) and planned to use it as a hatcher only. The optional HumidiKit auto-humidifier is sold separately.

See the HovaBator 2370 Starter Combo Kit

Hova-Bator Genesis 1588

The Hova-Bator Genesis 1588 ($149.99, down from $180) is a step up in display and build. It holds up to 50 chicken or 140 quail eggs without a turner.

• Control: an adjustable electronic preset thermostat with a clear digital display that also shows humidity.
• Design: a soft-air fan, a full viewing window, a mesh floor and plastic sanitation liner, and a Styrofoam case.
• Power: a 12V DC supply (TÜV-listed) that works on 110V and 220V outlets, drawing about 50 W.
• Rating: 4.8/5 from 17 reviews, with reviewers praising steady temperature and easy setup.

Things to know: the automatic turner is not included. The IncuTurn costs $53.99 and fits this model, bringing the total to about $203.98. Humidity isn't automated, so you add water by hand, and one reviewer found adding water with eggs loaded awkward. The optional HumidiKit costs $126.99.

See the Hova-Bator Genesis 1588

Little Giant 9300 and 10300

Little Giant, made by Miller Manufacturing, has been a staple of small hatchers for years. The 9300 is a digital still-air incubator, and the 10300 is the circulated-air version. Both use a digital control board that Miller says holds temperature within one degree, and retailer listings give both a capacity of about 41 large chicken eggs.

• Strengths: simple digital control, a pre-set temperature so there's no knob to adjust, and a long track record.
• Limits: the base 9300 has no fan, the display reads Fahrenheit only, and an automatic turner is a separate purchase.

We don't sell Little Giant incubators, so we can't quote a price or warranty. Compare current prices at the retailers that carry them.

Cost: What You'll Actually Pay

If you want turning handled for you at the lowest price, the 2370 kit is the better deal. If you value the display and the 12V system more, the 1588 costs more once you add a turner.

Which One Should You Buy?

Humidity and Turning: What to Plan For

Neither Hova-Bator model manages humidity automatically unless you add the HumidiKit. For chicken eggs, most hatchers aim for about 50 to 55% before lockdown and 65 to 70% for the last few days, adding water to the reservoirs as needed. A second gauge such as the IncuTherm Temp/Humidity Gauge ($15.99) lets you cross-check the built-in display. See our egg incubator humidity control guide for the full details.

If your incubator has no automatic turner, turn the eggs by hand at least three to five times a day until lockdown. The IncuTurn does this for you, six times a day on the 2370.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Clean the incubator after every hatch. Remove the eggs and water, wipe the interior with a soft cloth and mild soap, and let it dry fully before storing. Both Hova-Bator models have a washable liner or sanitation liner that makes this easier. Check the cord and the heating element before each season, and store the unit somewhere dry. For a full walkthrough of the first days of a hatch, read our egg incubator setup guide.

Already Own a Little Giant? Parts We Stock

We don't sell Little Giant incubators, but we do carry replacement parts so you can keep yours running:

• Styrofoam case (top and bottom) for the Little Giant 9300
• Replacement thermostat controller and sensor combo for the 9300 and 10300

FAQs (People Also Ask)

Q: Which is better for beginners, Hova-Bator or Little Giant?

Ans: For most beginners, the HovaBator 2370 Starter Combo Kit is the easier start, because it's forced-air and includes an automatic turner. A forced-air incubator evens out heat for you, which makes small mistakes less costly.

Q: How many eggs do they hold?

Ans: The HovaBator 2370 holds 42 chicken eggs, and the Genesis 1588 holds up to 50. Retailer listings put the Little Giant 9300 and 10300 at about 41 large chicken eggs. Capacity is similar across all four.

Q: Can I hatch duck, quail or goose eggs in these?

Ans: Yes. The 2370 holds 70 quail eggs (116 with the optional quail tray) or 28 goose eggs, and the Genesis 1588 holds up to 140 quail eggs. Duck capacity isn't listed, so plan on fewer than the chicken number. Different species need different temperatures and humidity, so check the temperature chart.

Q: Do I need an automatic turner?

Ans: You don't have to have one, but turning by hand three to five times a day is easy to miss. The 2370 kit includes the IncuTurn. For the Genesis 1588, it's an extra $53.99.

Q: Does either one control humidity automatically?

Ans: Not by default. Both Hova-Bator models use water channels or reservoirs you fill by hand. The optional HumidiKit adds automatic humidity control.

Q: Do you sell the Little Giant incubator?

Ans: No. We sell Hova-Bator incubators and Little Giant replacement parts, such as the case and the thermostat controller.

Q: How often should I turn the eggs?

Ans: Turn eggs three to five times a day by hand if you have no automatic turner. The IncuTurn does it six times a day. Stop turning at lockdown, which is day 18 for chicken eggs.

Q: How do I clean and maintain an incubator?

Ans: Remove the eggs and water, wipe the inside with a soft cloth and mild soap, dry it fully, and store it somewhere dry. Clean after every hatch.

The Bottom Line

Hova-Bator and Little Giant hold about the same number of eggs, so choose based on air type, turner and total cost. For most first-time hatchers, a forced-air Hova-Bator with a turner included is the simplest way to start. For the clearest display and a 12V system, choose the Genesis 1588 and add the IncuTurn. And if you already own a Little Giant, we have the parts to keep it hatching.