Our top 3 picks
Types of beehives
In this section, we’ll explore different types of beehives that you can choose from as a beginner beekeeper. Each type has its own unique design, advantages, and challenges, so it’s important to find the one that suits you best. Let’s dive into the world of beehives and see what options are buzzing with potential!
Langstroth hive
The Langstroth hive is pretty popular and has been around for a long time. It’s made up of boxes stacked on top of each other, with removable frames inside for the bees to build their honeycomb. This design makes it easy to check on your bees and collect honey without bugging them too much.
Warre hive
The Warre hive is like a mix of the Langstroth and Top-bar hives. It’s a vertical design with boxes, but the bees build their honeycomb on top bars instead of frames. This hive is designed to mimic a bee’s natural home and needs less work from you, but it can be trickier to collect honey.
Top-bar hive
hThe Top-bar Hive is a cool choice for those who like to keep things simple. It’s a horizontal box with bars across the top, where the bees build their honeycomb. This hive is easier on your back since you don’t have to lift heavy boxes, but you’ll need to be more careful when checking on your bees.
Other hive designs
Features to look for in a beehive
let’s explore the important features to keep in mind when searching for the perfect beehive. These features play a crucial role in making your beekeeping experience enjoyable, manageable, and successful. From ease of use to pest protection, we’ll cover the key aspects that will help you find the ideal beehive for your buzzing friends!
- Ease of Use and Maintenance: A simple design that allows for easy bee checks, space expansion, and minimal disturbance during honey collection.
- Durability and Material Quality: Sturdy, high-quality materials like wood or plastic ensure a long-lasting and comfortable beehive.
- Insulation and Ventilation: Proper temperature control and airflow help maintain a healthy environment for your bees.
- Size and Expandability: A hive with enough room for growth and easy expandability as your colony gets bigger.
- Pest and Predator Protection: Features that safeguard your bees from pests and predators, with additional protection options when needed.
10 best beehives of 2023
Now it’s time to dive into the heart of our guide! In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the 12 best beehives of 2023. We’ve carefully picked these top contenders to give you a variety of options, suitable for different beekeeping styles and preferences. Get ready to explore each beehive in detail, as we cover their unique features, advantages, and even some downsides. By the end of this section, you’ll have a clearer idea of which beehive could be the perfect match for you and your buzzing friends!
1) Hoover Hives Beehive
Introducing the Hoover Hives beehive, an elegant and practical solution for all your beekeeping needs.
This beautiful, golden honey-colored bee hive is pre-waxed and ready for you to assemble, making it perfect for beginners and experienced beekeepers alike.
The patent-pending wax-coating process ensures that the wood is well-preserved and that your bees will feel right at home.
Pros
Pre-waxed & ready to assemble:
Superior craftsmanship
Complete starter kit
Cons
Slightly more expensive
Limited customization
2) Busy Bees N/ More Beehive (Amish-made)
Introducing the Amish-made Busy Bee N’ More Beehive, a true testament to American craftsmanship and tradition.
This beehive is made with heart and passion in the USA, using responsibly sourced Eastern White Pine from Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The complete beehive kit comes with everything your honeybees need to make their new hive a cozy and welcoming home.
The Busy Bee Beehive boasts an easy-to-assemble design, featuring meticulous jointery that comes together seamlessly out of the box. The kit includes a telescoping top cover, inner cover, queen excluder, medium super box, deep brood boxes, and a variety of frames and foundations to accommodate your growing bee colony. The versatile design of this beehive makes it a popular choice among bee enthusiasts nationwide.
In my opinion, the Busy Bee Beehive offers a perfect blend of tradition and functionality. The hive’s authentic Amish craftsmanship ensures a high-quality and durable product, while the complete beehive kit provides everything you need to create a comfortable home for your honeybees. This beehive is a true symbol of American artisanship, making it an excellent choice for any beekeeper.
Pros
Amish craftsmanship
Made in the USA
Complete beehive kit
Cons
Assembly required
Limited customization
3) Honey Keeper Beehive
Introducing the Honey Keeper Beehive, a must-have for modern beekeepers who value style and functionality. This Langstroth moveable-frame beehive is designed to make it easy to remove or swap combs without disturbing the colony. The kit includes everything you need, such as a deep hive body, medium super, frames with foundations, telescoping cover, bottom board, entrance reducer, and queen excluder.
Pros
Complete beehive kit
Durable construction
Easy colony management
Cons
Plastic foundations
Assembly required
4) Mann Lake® Beehive
Introducing the Mann Lake Beehive, a ready-to-use and versatile solution for bee enthusiasts of all levels. This complete hive kit includes everything you need to get started, such as a telescoping cover, notched inner cover, assembled wood frames with beeswax-coated plastic foundation, assembled hive body, bottom board, and entrance reducer. With sturdy pine wood construction and high-quality materials, this beehive is both durable and secure.
Pros
Ready-to-use design
Extra protection for bees
Customizable system
Cons
Beeswax-coated plastic foundation
Limited aesthetic options
5) Apimaye Ergo Insulated Beehive – NO Frames Included
Introducing the Apimaye Ergo Insulated Beehive, a highly convenient and innovative option for both beginner and professional beekeepers.
This beehive comes fully assembled and does not require painting. Designed for easy opening, inspection, and feeding, the Apimaye Ergo Insulated Beehive makes managing your bee colony a breeze.
Pros
Easy to use
Insulated & ventilated
Numerous standard features
Cons
Frames not included
Plastic construction
Cost
6) MayBee Beehive
Introducing the MayBee Beehive, a beautiful and functional option for beekeepers who value style and quality.
Made from heavy wax-coated cedarwood and pinewood, this beehive features a beeswaxed food grade plastic foundation, ensuring the health and safety of your honey.
The hive’s design is not only attractive but also practical for maintaining a thriving bee colony.
Pros
Durable materials
Easy to install
Removable & vented boards
Cons
Assembly required
Price
6) BeeCastle Beehive
Introducing the BeeCastle Beehive, a charming and well-designed beehive kit perfect for beekeepers who want a high-quality hive without the need for toxic paint. This kit includes a deep brood box and a medium box, both made from premium beeswax coated pine. With frames, foundation, a solid bottom board, metal capped top cover, inner cover, queen excluder, entrance reducer, and assembly nails, this beehive has everything you need to start your beekeeping journey.
Pros
Premium materials
Complete kit
No toxic paint needed
Cons
Assembly required
One size
8) NuBee Starter Beehive
Introducing the NuBee Beehive, an affordable yet high-quality hive that is perfect for both beginners and experienced beekeepers.
This unassembled kit is made from durable pine with notched finger joints, making assembly a breeze.
The NuBee Hive is not only budget-friendly but also offers a well-constructed home for your buzzing friends.
Pros
Affordable
Beeswax coated foundation
Easy assembly
Cons
Unassembled
9) Little Giant Beehive
The Little Giant Beehive is a wonderful choice for anyone interested in beekeeping, whether you are just starting or already experienced.
This 10-frame Langstroth Hive is pre-assembled and made of natural, unfinished pine, which is both strong and durable. This ready-to-use hive is perfect for any beekeeper.
Included in this beehive kit are a telescoping outer cover with a protective aluminum top, vented inner cover, 10 natural wood frames with wax-coated black plastic foundation, screened bottom board, mite grid, and entrance reducer. The metal frame rest is also a great addition, making hive inspections easier and more efficient.
In my opinion, the Little Giant Beehive is a fantastic investment for those looking to begin or expand their beekeeping journey. With its ready-to-use design and high-quality materials, you can focus on enjoying the rewarding hobby of beekeeping and producing delicious honey.
Pros
Pre-assembled for convenience
Durable materials
Complete kit
Cons
More boxes needed for colony expansion
Unfinished pine
10) VIVO Beehive
The VIVO Beehive is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced beekeepers who want a complete and easy-to-assemble hive. This Langstroth style beehive kit comes with two deep brood boxes, one medium super, and a total of 30 frames – 20 deep and 10 medium – to create a flourishing bee colony.
This beehive kit is made of high-quality cedar wood with pre-cut dovetail joints for easy assembly.
Additionally, the kit includes a solid bottom board, entrance reducer, inner cover, and queen excluder. The telescopic roof, covered in sheet metal, protects your hive from the elements while providing easy access to the frames.
In my opinion, the VIVO Beehive is a fantastic option for those starting or expanding their beekeeping hobby. With its comprehensive design and easy assembly, you’ll be able to focus on the joys of beekeeping and the production of delicious honey.
Pros
Complete Kit
Easy assembly
Durable materials
Queen Excluder
Cons
Assembly Required
Heavy
Factors to consider when choosing a beehive for your apiary
Aspiring beekeepers may find themselves overwhelmed when choosing the right beehive for their apiary. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are the various factors to consider when selecting a beehive, including location and climate, local regulations and community, available space, bee species and beekeeping goals, budget, and maintenance commitment. Hopefully, this will help give you a better understanding of what to look for when selecting a beehive for your apiary.
Location & climate
When selecting a beehive for your apiary, it’s important to consider the location and climate where the hive will be placed. Bees are sensitive to temperature and moisture levels, so choosing a hive that can withstand your area’s weather conditions is crucial.
Local Regulations
Before setting up a beehive, it’s essential to check with your local government for any regulations or permits required in your area. Additionally, it’s important to consider your community and neighbors to ensure that the bees and their activity won’t cause any disturbances.
Available space
The amount of space available for your apiary will also determine the type and size of beehive you can use. Consider the number of hives you plan to keep and the area available for them.
Bee species & beekeeping goals
The type of bee species you plan to keep and your beekeeping goals will also play a role in selecting the right beehive. Some species require specific types of hives, and different hive styles offer varying degrees of access and management.
Budget & maintenance commitment
Lastly, consider your budget and the level of maintenance you are willing and able to commit to. Some hives may require more frequent upkeep than others, and the initial cost of the hive and necessary equipment can vary widely.
Comparison table
10 medium
10 medium
10 medium
10 medium
10 medium
10 medium
10 medium
FAQs
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Our top pick
Our top pick, Hoover Hives, features double-coated hives with earthwax and 100% natural beeswax, providing a sustainable and durable protection method for bees. With thicker wood for better insulation, superior craftsmanship, and high-quality components, including top and inner covers, wood frames, foundations, queen excluder, and wood bodies, these hives are easy to assemble and have excellent air ventilation. Hoover Hives’ commitment to bee colony health and safety makes it an excellent choice for beekeepers at any level.outside of the hive, preventing moisture from penetrating the wood and causing rot.
Conclusion & final thoughts
After researching and reviewing several beehives, we have determined that the Hoover Hives Beehive, Mann Lake® Beehive, and the Honey Keeper Beehive are the top choices for beginners. Each hive has its own unique features and benefits that make them stand out from the rest. Whether you’re looking for durability, affordability, or easy assembly, these three options are excellent choices that will help you start and maintain a thriving bee colony.
If you’re a new beekeeper, don’t be intimidated by the process. With a little research and preparation, beekeeping can be a rewarding and fulfilling hobby. Remember to start small, be patient, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice from more experienced beekeepers.
In conclusion, choosing the right beehive for your needs is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. Consider your location, climate, available space, bee species, and budget before making your final choice. No matter which hive you choose, remember that beekeeping requires dedication and hard work, but the rewards are worth it. Happy beekeeping!
