The best small fully automatic incubator for most backyard keepers: 24 eggs with pump humidity and alarms at a lower price per egg than any other automatic dome.
Amazon $283.99The Brinsea Maxi 24 EX is the better egg incubator overall, rated 4.2 to 3.7. The Brinsea Maxi 24 EX leads on humidity control, warranty and features. The MATICOOPX MEI-20 wins on value and egg turning. The MATICOOPX MEI-20 costs $204 less ($79.99 vs $283.99).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
A low-cost 20 egg incubator with automatic turning, a fan and a candler, for a first hatch on a budget.
Amazon $79.99Which should you buy?
- Choose the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX for humidity control (automatic humidity control vs humidity readout, water added by hand), warranty (3 years warranty vs 1 year warranty) and features (forced-air fan, temperature alarm, clear view of the eggs vs forced-air fan, candler).
- Choose the MATICOOPX MEI-20 for value ($4 per egg ($79.99, 20 eggs) vs $11.83 per egg ($283.99, 24 eggs)) and egg turning (automatic turning that stops before hatch vs automatic turning (no auto-stop stated)).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every up to 24 eggs egg incubator; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Brinsea Maxi 24 EX | MATICOOPX MEI-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.2/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Value 25% | 59 $11.83 per egg ($283.99, 24 eggs) | 100 $4 per egg ($79.99, 20 eggs) |
| Humidity control 25% | 100 automatic humidity control | 40 humidity readout, water added by hand |
| Egg turning 15% | 75 automatic turning (no auto-stop stated) | 100 automatic turning that stops before hatch |
| Features 20% | 55 forced-air fan, temperature alarm, clear view of the eggs | 35 forced-air fan, candler |
| Warranty 15% | 100 3 years warranty | 33 1 year warranty |
Specifications
| Brinsea Maxi 24 EX | MATICOOPX MEI-20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Type | Tabletop | Tabletop |
| Chicken eggs | 24 | 20 |
| Price per egg | $11.83 | $4 |
| Incubation | ||
| Egg turning | Automatic | Automatic, auto-stop |
| Humidity control | Automatic | Readout, manual water |
| Forced-air fan | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature alarm | Yes | - |
| Features | ||
| Clear view of eggs | Yes | - |
| Candler | No | Yes |
| Hatching baskets | No | No |
| Phone app | No | No |
| Build | ||
| Maximum power | 40 W | - |
| Typical power | 24 W | - |
| Weight | 4.2 lb | 6.8 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year |
