Best Beekeeping Equipment of 2025
Nov 13, 2025After 14 years of trial and error, these products represent the core of my beekeeping toolkit. Each one solves a specific challenge and contributes to healthier colonies and more enjoyable beekeeping. The initial investment in quality equipment pays dividends through durability, better results, and peace of mind.
Whether you're outfitting your first hive or upgrading your existing operation, you can't go wrong with any of these products. They've earned their place in my apiaries through consistent performance and proven results. Happy beekeeping!
Why I Trust This Equipment
Battle-Tested Quality
Every product on this list has been used in my own apiaries. These aren't theoretical recommendations - they're tools I use often.
Performance That Matters
Each piece of equipment delivers tangible improvements to hive management, bee health, or personal safety.
Worth the Investment
Quality beekeeping equipment pays for itself through durability, efficiency, and healthier colonies.
Beginner to Expert
Whether you're managing your first hive or running a large operation, these products scale with your needs.
Best Beekeeping Equipment of 2025
Beehives & Hive Components
Best Budget Friendly Starter Kit: Galena Farms The Starter Kit
If you're just getting started and don't want to spend a fortune on equipment before you even get your bees, then check out Galena Farms' Starter Kit. For $99, you get a brood box with 5 frames, smoker, jacket with veil, hive tool, entrance reducer, inner cover, lid, queen excluder and bee escape (If you're not sure what this is, that's okay. You probably won't need one your first year). It takes the guess work out of what you need for your bees that first month and the box is already painted!
Just keep in mind, this hive comes with 5 frames for this 10 frame box. Why? Because many people start beekeeping by purchasing a nuc. A nuc comes with 5 frames. If you are buying a nuc, you can save some money with this set up. However, you will have to buy another deep box and super with frames later on. You'll want to have them on hand about a month after getting your bees.
Favorite Polystyrene Beehive: Galena Farms Superior Bee Polystyrene Beehive
This insulated polystyrene hive provides superior temperature regulation year-round. The foam is two inches thick and has an insulation value of R-8. This insulated hive keeps the the hive cooler is summer and warmer in winter. My bees use less honey and waste less energy having to heat and cool the hive. It's also lighter than traditional wooden hives.
Best Inner Cover: BeeSmart Insulated Inner Cover & Ultimate Hive Cover
Insulation helps the bees in extreme heat and cold. I've used 1" and 2" foam you can buy at the hardware store and the bees eat it! It also falls apart and you have to keep buying more every year. With this insulated inner cover, you have thick, insulating foam that is sturdy and will last many years. It can be used all year long and has an upper entrance as well as a center hole, both of which can easily be closed off as needed.
You can buy the insulated inner cover by itself, or as a duo with BeeSmart's Ultimate Hive Cover. I currently have 4 different lids that I am testing out on my hives and this one is my favorite. It is made with a Technopolymer material that is so strong and durable, you can stack hive boxes on it as you work. It also has a built in passive ventilation system that improves airflow and helps with moisture.
Use code LARYSSA for 15% off BeeSmart Duo (BSDUO) at Betterbee.com.
Valid through Nov 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Maximum discount is $150 off. Cannot be combined with existing discounts. No rainchecks or backorders.
Favorite Product Under $20: BeeSmart Robber Screen
This product is one of my top choices! For less than $20, you have THE BEST tool to stop robbing from taking over your colony. This robbing screen is also a universal entrance which can be on the hive year round. It has a built in mouse guard with reduced entrance as well as ventilation holes for when you don't want bees to exit the hive.
The real gem is the upper entrances. You open one of these when robbing is occuring and close off any other entrances in the evening when bees are not active. The house bees now use the upper entrances. Because of the screen's construction, odors from the hive go out the lower ventilation holes, tricking robbers into thinking this is how they get into the hive. Meanwhile, the house bees continue to use the upper entrance.
Honey Harvesting
I don't have a particular extractor I recommend. I tried the Vevor 4 frame electric extractor. You can watch video where I use it and review it here. However, I've read mixed reviews from people stating it arrived dented and they couldn't get a refund. When an extractor gets dented, there is the potential that it won't work since it has to spin freely in order to get the honey out of a frame. Additionally, it was a real pain to take apart and clean. It took my husband and I multiple tries (and a bit of swearing) before we were able to get it back together
Comb Honey Harvesting: SimplKomb
I have been selling comb honey for about 7 years. It is how I started my beekeeping business, so I know quite a bit about comb honey. I can't say enough great things about SimplKomb's honeycomb cassettes. They're as cheap as a regular comb honey container, BUT you put the entire thing in the hive and then pop it out when the bees capped the cells. There is no cutting, no need for extra equipment, no need to shrink wrap the case. It is quite wonderful.
Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY for free shipping. Offer ends Nov. 30th.
Feeders & Supplements
Feeders are used to provide syrup to a colony. There are entrance feeders, top feeders, enclosed feeders and frame feeders. I'm not a fan of the entrance and frame feeders. Entrance feeders can encourage robbing since it is partly outside and frame feeders, although inexpensive, require the beekeeper to get in the brood box to refill. I've also seen quite a few dead bees in these, even with the screen to prevent drowning. Top feeders and enclosed feeders are my recommendation.
Enclosed Feeder: Bee Smart 3-Season Direct Feeder
This direct feeder allows safe, efficient feeding in multiple seasons. It prevents drowning and makes it easy to monitor feed levels. The direct access means less disturbance to the colony and since it holds 1 gallon of syrup, won't need to be refilled as often as smaller feeders. This feeder makes it easy and safe, reducing stress on both you and your bees.
Top Feeder: Amish Feeder Box w/ Floating Slatted Racks
The Amish-Made Top Feeder with Slatted Boards is my go-to when I want to feed my bees outside the hive or want to feed them a lot of syrup fast. I like this feeder because there's less chance for user error and it's easy to clean. Many top feeders require you to fill it up all the way and turn it upside down, using up a lot of syrup even if you're not wanting to feed for long. If you do not fill it all the way, it can lead to spilling and puddles inside your hive, which bees can and will drown in. However, with this feeder, you fill it up as high as you like and you can easily see how much is left without having to take the inner cover off and bother the bees.
Use coupon code LARYSSA for 5% off.
Supplement: HiveAlive Concentrate
When you feed your bees, you usually add a supplement to it. Most have essential oils like lemongrass and thyme to attract the bees to the syrup and prevent it from spoiling so fast. The reason why I recommend HiveAlive is because their supplement also contains a blend of seaweed extracts, specifically selected for honeybee health. The reason seaweeds are so beneficial is due to their anti-microbial, antiviral, anti-fungal, immune boosting properties and prebiotic activity as well as high levels of vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown the colonies that have been fed syrup with hivealive were more productive, had a higer population and improved overwinter survival and improved intestinal well-being. You just need 2 tsp of HiveAlive per gallon of syrup. A little goes a long way and is a no-brainer for me!
Use coupon code LARYSSA10 for 10% off.
Beekeeping Accessories
Favorite Queen Breeding Kit: Beestkeeping Queen Breeding and Royal Jelly Kit
Want to try queen breeding or gave it a shot and had difficulty grafting those tiny larvae? Beestkeeping makes it easy to raise your own queen bees. Everything you need to graft hundreds of queen bees comes in this set, but what makes it one of my favorite items is the comb box. With the comb box, you can easily keep your queen in a small space to lay for a few hours. The comb box is filled with removable plugs for the queen to lay in. Once the queen has laid in these cells, you simply let her out of the comb box and 3 days later you have newly hatched larvae you can quickly and easily snap into and cell cup, hang in a nursery frame and place into a queenless hive. Your queens will be hatching in just a couple of weeks! No wondering if you harmed the larvae in the grafting process or poor acceptace rate. This kit also comes with queen cages and grafting tools and plastic queen cells if you'd like to try grafting my hand.
Use coupon code LARYSSA for $25 off (first 25 customers only), https://beestkeeping.com
Favorite Smoker: Apisolis
If you are like me and hate using a smoker or have difficulty keeping it lit during your inspections, check out this smokeless smoker by Aisolis. This is a reliable and efficient smoker that produces consistent, cool vapors. These vapors are not hot, do not harm the bees and effectively move bees out of the way.
The Apisolis smoker starts up quickly and easily. There is no fire, which makes it better for the environment, safer to handle and allows you to inspect your hives much faster. No need to put out your smoker or spend the extra 10+ minutes gettting it lit. Just grab your apisolis smoker and head out to the apiary.
Use coupon code BEEKEEPINGMS20 for 20% off.
Favorite Technology: Wifi Hive Scale
This takes the guesswork out of beekeeping. The weight of your hive will tell you how the hive is growing, if they're being robbed, if swarming is occuring, how much food they have stored up for winter and how their food stores are depleting over the months. If you're finding that you worry a lot about your bees and struggle with being an overeager beekeeper or have a hive furter from where you live, a wifi hive scale can ease your mind without having to open the hive so open and disrupt the bees.
Click here to learn more about the wifi hive scale and how it works.
Mention Beekeeping Made Simple for $15 off your purchase, for a limited time only.
Save Your Back
Hive Handles: Ultimate EZ Grip Hive Handle by BeeSmart
Just because beekeeping equipment comes with tiny hand holds, doesn't mean you have to use them. These hive handles by BeeSmart screw onto the sides of any wooden beehive box (also referred to as a super or hive body) and make lifting a box a lot easier.
This piece of equipment is so simple, easy to install, inexpensive and makes lifting a heavy brood box or honey super 100 times, easier especially when wearing leather beekeeping gloves! Getting a few of these is a no-brainer.
Favorite No Heavy Lifting Beehive: The Keeper's Hive
This is fairly new style beehive that uses 5 frames nuc boxes for honey supers instead of the typical 8 or 10 frame boxes. With this narrower box, the beekeeper can inspect the brood box without having to lift any boxes.
I've met a lot of people who say they're going to keep bees when they retire because they just don't have the time for it righr now. But what they don't realize is that beekeeping is hard work! A full brood box can get up to 50 punds and honey supers can be anywhere from 35-50 oounds. I am physically able to lift a honey super, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. The keeper's hive makes inspecting brood or putting a treatment in a lot faster than a typical Lanstroth hive. For those of you who have been keeping bees and currently use a standard 8 or 10 frame box, transitioning to this style hive would probably be easier than a long langstroth. You can use your old bottom boards, mouse guards, frames, entrance reducers and iverwinter the hive the same as you did with a traidtional langstroth hive.
Check out The Keeper's Hive here. Use coupon code LARYSSA for 10% off.
Safety Gear
Best Beekeeping Gloves: Apis Tactical Beekeeping Gloves
Most beekeeping gloves are goatskin and often come all the way up to the elbow with elastic at the end to keep bees from crawling into the gloves, which they will do. These gloves are made from soft goatskin, but come to the wrist and have a Velcro band to keep bees from getting inside. They also have ventilation on the top, similar in style to ventilated bee suits, to help keep your hands cool. These gloves strike the perfect balance between protection and feel. You can handle frames confidently without sacrificing tactile feedback.
These are the best beekeeping gloves I have ever used and I have tried many many gloves over the years. Thee ar ethe only gloves I used that fit my hands perfectly, despite my small fingers. Their sizing chart was incredibly helpful so that I could figur eout what the best size was for me. I've never been a fan of wearing gloves and tyr to avoi it because I found that they make handling frames harder and lead to unintentionally squishing bees. These gloves fit well, are made from quality leather and soft and are the closest I have ever come to feeling like I have no gloves on at all!
Click here to learn more. Use coupon code LARYSSA20 for 20% off.
Best Beekeeping Suit: Apis Tactical PRO Full-Length Beekeeping Suit
Complete body protection with ventilated fabric and secure closures for safe beekeeping.
The ventilation keeps you cool during summer inspections, and the full-length coverage provides peace of mind. The quality zipper and closures prevent any gaps. A full suit is essential for beginners and valuable for any beekeeper working with aggressive colonies or in peak season.
Click here to learn more. Use coupon code LARYSSA20 for 20% off.
Favorite Veil: Square Tie Down Veil
I'm not a huge fan of wearing a lot of protective gear. Whenever possible, I like to open a beehive in baggy jeans, t-shirt, and veil. For most of my inspections, I like to wear this veil with helmet. The screen is made from wire so that it doesn't rip easily. It folds down nicely and is lightweight when I don't need the extra protection.
Varroa Mite Treatments & Tools
Best Treatment Applicator: EZ-Dribbler
Oxalic acid is a gret way to naturally and effectively lower your beehive's varroa mite levels. The only downside is that administering this acid can be difficult. Vaporizers release a vapor that is harmful to inhale, the time-release strips have to be in the hive for 6-8 weeks when the bees are active (not clustered because it's colder out). That leaves us with the dribble method. The EZ-Dribbler holds all the oxalic acid syrup you will need to treat your apiary (up to 10 hives) while also having a small tank to hold the necessary amount needed for each box. This is one of the cheapest and best tools out there.
Use code LARYSSA for 15% of Betterbee EZ-Dribbler (EZBOT16) at Betterbee.com.
Valid through Nov 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Maximum discount is $150 off. Cannot be combined with existing discounts. No rainchecks or backorders.
Do you have a piece of beekeeping equipment that you love you think I should try?
Email it to me at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!
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