HovaBator 2370 vs HovaBator 1588: What's the Difference?

If you have narrowed your search down to these two incubators, you are already ahead of most first-time hatchers. Both come from GQF Manufacturing, both carry the HovaBator name, and both are made in the USA. But they aren't the same incubator, and they sit at different price points. They use different thermostats, power systems and viewing windows, and those differences affect how each one performs once eggs are inside.

This guide breaks down what separates the HovaBator 2370 from the HovaBator Genesis 1588, based on our product pages, manufacturer specifications, real hatcher feedback and the questions we hear from customers at Incubator Warehouse. By the end, you will know which one fits your setup, your budget and your eggs.

HovaBator 2370 vs HovaBator 1588 at a Glance

If you buy the 2370 on its own, without the turner, our separate 2370 listing quotes about 46 chicken and 188 quail eggs. Capacity is lower with a turner because the turner uses its own tray.

What Is the HovaBator 2370?

The HovaBator 2370 is the modern, digital version of GQF's classic Hova-Bator. It keeps the familiar Styrofoam shell but swaps the old wafer thermostat for an electronic one, so you set your temperature on a screen instead of turning a dial and guessing. It's also sold on its own as a 2370 incubator without the turner.

Key specs:

• Accurate digital electronic thermostat with a bright display in Fahrenheit or Celsius
• Circulated air system for even heat, with the option to shut the fan off
• Two 4" x 6" viewing windows on the lid
• Washable plastic liner for easy cleanup
• Built-in water channels for manual humidity control
• Runs on standard 110/120V household power at 30 watts
• The Starter Combo Kit includes the IncuTurn automatic turner, which turns eggs six times a day, plus a 28-page hatch guidebook
• Universal tray holds 42 chicken, 70 quail or 28 goose eggs (116 quail with the optional quail tray)

This is the incubator for people who want digital accuracy and a turner without paying for extra features they won't use.

What Is the HovaBator Genesis 1588?

The HovaBator Genesis 1588 sits a step up in GQF's lineup. It uses a full digital control center rather than a basic temperature readout, so it tracks temperature, humidity and the days left until hatch in one place.

Key specs:

• Digital control center that shows temperature, humidity and an incubation day counter
• Electronic preset thermostat, preset to 100°F and adjustable down to 80°F, which makes it workable for reptile eggs as well as poultry
• Soft-Air fan that circulates air gently, with a fan shut-off option
• One large 12" x 12" window for an unobstructed view of the whole tray
• Low-voltage 12V DC power supply that plugs into standard 110V or 220V outlets (TÜV listed)
• Holds up to 50 chicken or 140 quail eggs without a turner
• Mesh floor and plastic sanitation liner, Styrofoam case, made in the USA

The 12V design is worth noting on its own. The incubator runs on a low-voltage supply, which is a meaningful safety feature if it will be running near classrooms, kids or curious pets.

The Real Differences Between the HovaBator 2370 and 1588

The same manufacturer builds both incubators; they hold similar numbers of chicken eggs, and both use a Styrofoam and fan design. Once you look past the shared name, these differences decide which one belongs on your counter.

Temperature Display vs Full Temperature and Humidity Readout

The 2370's display shows temperature. To track humidity, and you should, add a separate gauge such as the IncuTherm Temp/Humidity Gauge ($15.99) or the IncuTherm Plus Hatch Monitor. The 1588's control center shows temperature, humidity and a day counter on one screen, so there's one less accessory to buy and one less thing to check separately.

This is the biggest functional gap between the two models. For more on why it matters, see our post on whether you need humidity control in an incubator.

Controlling Humidity, Not Just Reading It

Neither model controls humidity automatically. On both, you add water by hand (to built-in channels on the 2370 and to base reservoirs on the 1588). The optional HumidiKit auto-humidity system ($126.99 for the 1588) takes over that job. One 2370 reviewer found humidity hard to keep steady, swinging between 36% and 65%, so plan to check it daily. See our humidity control guide.

Two Small Windows vs One Big Window

The 2370 has two 4" x 6" windows built into the lid. The 1588 has one large 12" x 12" window that lets you see the entire egg tray at once. If you want to watch every egg without opening the lid, the 1588 wins on visibility. Whichever you pick, open the lid as little as possible, because every opening drops temperature and humidity.

Power System: 110V Household Current vs 12V Low Voltage

The 2370 plugs straight into a standard 110/120V outlet at 30 watts, like any small appliance. The 1588 runs on a 12V DC power supply that works with 110V or 220V outlets, and it's TÜV-listed. That's a safer setup for households with children, or for anyone running several incubators in one room, and it suits buyers outside North America.

Egg Capacity and Turner

For chicken eggs, the two are close: the 2370 holds 42 in its universal tray (with the turner), and the 1588 holds up to 50 without one. For quail, the 1588 holds up to 140 without a turner, while the 2370 holds 70 in the universal tray, or 116 with the optional quail tray.

The IncuTurn automatic egg turner ($53.99, six turns a day) is included with the 2370 Starter Combo Kit and sold separately for the 1588. If turning is new to you, read egg turning and why it matters.

Price Gap and Total Cost

With a turner on each, the 1588 costs about $62 more. That gap buys the humidity readout, the hatch-day counter, the bigger window and the 12V system. For how this compares with the rest of the market, see what an egg incubator really costs.

Reptile and Speciality Hatching

Both incubators let you shut off the fan for still-air operation, which reptile keepers often prefer. The 1588's thermostat adjusts down to 80°F, which gives more room for the lower temperatures many reptile species need. Check the 2370's manual for its range before using it for reptiles.

What Owners Say

• 2370 Starter Combo Kit (4.5/5): reviewers praise the accurate thermostat, circulated air for even heating and easy use, including one who reported 37 hatches from 41 eggs. One reviewer found humidity hard to hold steady and said adding water meant lifting the lid.
• Genesis 1588 (4.8/5, 17 reviews): reviewers report steady temperature, easy setup and a readable display. Complaints include awkward water-adding with eggs loaded, a hatching tray that is hard to clean, and turner arms one reviewer called cheaply made.

Which HovaBator Should You Buy?

Neither model is objectively better. They're built for slightly different hatchers. If you're still weighing options across brands, our egg incubator buyer's guide walks through the wider lineup, and our Hova-Bator vs Little Giant comparison covers how the Hova-Bator line stacks up against the other big name. Before you check out, read what features actually matter in an incubator.

Getting the Most Out of Either Incubator

A handful of low-cost accessories make a real difference in hatch rates no matter which HovaBator you buy:

• An automatic egg turner saves you from turning eggs several times a day (already included in the 2370 kit).
• A second gauge, especially if you buy the 2370, keeps humidity readings accurate rather than guessed.
• An egg candler lets you check fertility and embryo development without opening the incubator and losing heat.

You can find all of these in our egg incubator accessories collection. Once your eggs hatch, chicks need a clean, warm space right away, so set up your after-hatch supplies and brooder accessories before hatch day arrives, not after.

Common Questions Hatchers Ask

Can either incubator be insulated in a cold room?

Yes. Both can handle extra insulation, such as a towel or foam board around the outside. Never block the vent holes, since airflow is still required, and keep the insulation away from the power cord and plug.

Will I get a better hatch rate with the more expensive model?

Not necessarily. Hatch rate depends far more on egg quality, humidity control and consistent temperature than on which HovaBator you choose. Our post on whether expensive incubators actually work better covers this in more depth. For chicken eggs, the temperature and humidity targets are the same on both models, so see our temperature and humidity chart and track both numbers throughout the hatch.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

Q: Is the HovaBator 2370 the same as the HovaBator 1588?

Ans: No. They share a similar shape, and both use digital thermostats, but the 1588 adds a humidity readout, a hatch-day counter, a larger window and a 12V low-voltage power supply. The 2370 is the more basic and, with its turner included, the lower-cost option.

Q: Which HovaBator holds more eggs?

Ans: For chicken eggs, the 1588 holds up to 50 (without a turner), compared with 42 for the 2370 in its universal tray with the turner. For quail, the 1588 holds up to 140 without a turner, and the 2370 holds 70 in the universal tray or 116 with the optional quail tray.

Q: Can I use an automatic egg turner with both models?

Ans: Yes. The IncuTurn is included in the 2370 Starter Combo Kit and sold separately ($53.99) for the 1588.

Q: Does either of them control humidity automatically?

Ans: Not by default. You add water by hand on both. The optional HumidiKit auto-humidity system adds automatic control.

Q: Do I need a separate hygrometer for the 2370?

Ans: For humidity, yes. The 2370's display shows temperature, so a separate gauge is recommended for tracking moisture.

Q: Is the Genesis 1588 good for beginners?

Ans: Yes. Its digital control center simplifies monitoring, which many first-time hatchers appreciate. See our guide to the best incubator for first-time users for more beginner-friendly options.

Q: How long do these incubators last with proper care?

Ans: Both are built to last several hatching seasons when cleaned between batches. Our guide on how to maintain an egg incubator covers the steps, and our list of common incubator problems and fixes is worth bookmarking before your first hatch.

Which Incubator Offers Better Value?

The HovaBator 2370 and the HovaBator 1588 both come from a manufacturer with a long track record in the incubator space, and either one will get eggs to hatch when temperature and humidity are managed correctly. The real decision comes down to how much monitoring you want built into the display and how much you're willing to spend to get it. If you want the simplest and lowest-cost digital HovaBator with a turner included, the 2370 Starter Combo Kit gets the job done. If you want humidity and day tracking, a larger window and a bit more chicken and quail capacity in one unit, the 1588 is worth the extra cost.

Whichever you pick, see the HovaBator 2370 Starter Combo Kit and HovaBator Genesis 1588 product pages for full specs, current pricing and combo kits that bundle in the accessories you'll need for your first hatch.

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