All guides

32 buying guides, comparisons, how-tos and calculators.

32 guides· Page 1 of 2

HivesOct 17, 20264 min

8-Frame vs 10-Frame Langstroth: Weight, Cost, Compatibility and Which to Buy

Dimensions, weight when full, cost and compatibility, from Oregon State, Mann Lake, Betterbee and Hoover, so you pick one width and never mix them.

HivesOct 17, 20265 min

Beehive Wood and Coating Guide: Pine, Cedar, Beeswax Dip, Paint and Polystyrene

Beeswax dip, exterior latex, cedar and polystyrene compared from the suppliers' painting guides and extension sources, with what never gets painted.

Protective GearOct 17, 20265 min

Beekeeping Protective Gear Guide: What a Veil, Suit and Gloves Have to Do

How veils, suits and gloves work and fail, what to wear for which job, and what the medical and extension sources say about stings.

Bee Health & SeasonsOct 17, 20266 min

Beekeeping Seasonal Calendar: What to Do Each Season, From the Extension Guides

The year in five seasons from the extension guides: feeding, inspections, mite counts, supers, harvest, winter prep, and the gear for each.

CalculatorsOct 17, 20263 min

Beekeeping Startup Cost Calculator: What the First Year Costs, Hive by Hive

Per-hive and one-time costs for the first year, with every default priced from a named supplier or listing on October 9, 2026.

Tools & FeedersOct 17, 20268 min

Best Bear Fences for Beehives (2026): Energizers, Kits and the Agencies' Specs

A portable bear kit and three energizers judged against the state wildlife agencies' joule, voltage, spacing, grounding and bait rules.

Tools & FeedersOct 17, 20267 min

Best Bee Feeders of 2026: Top, Frame, Round and Entrance Feeders Compared

Seven feeders across four types compared on capacity and placement, with when and what to feed from the extension guides.

Tools & FeedersOct 17, 20267 min

Best Bee Smokers of 2026: Heat Shields, Chamber Size and Bellows Compared

Five smokers compared on chamber size, height, heat shield and price, with the supplier originals they copy and how to keep one lit.

Protective GearOct 17, 20266 min

Best Bee Suits of 2026: Three-Layer Ventilated, Cotton and Budget Suits Compared

Three full suits and a jacket alternative, compared on fabric layers, veil type, gloves and price, and what a veil has to do.

HivesOct 17, 202610 min

Best Beehives for Beginners (2026): Langstroth Woodenware for a First Colony

Seven Langstroth hives for a first colony, compared on boxes and frames included, finish, dimensions and what the extension guides say a beginner needs.

Protective GearOct 17, 20265 min

Best Beekeeping Gloves of 2026: Goatskin Gauntlets, Vented and Budget Pairs

Three goatskin gauntlets compared on leather, cuff length, venting, sizes and price, and when nitrile gloves are the better choice.

Protective GearOct 17, 20265 min

Best Beekeeping Jackets and Veils of 2026: Fencing, Round and Three-Layer

Two ventilated jackets and two suit alternatives compared on fabric, veil type, closures and price, plus how veils fail.

HivesOct 17, 202612 min

Best Beekeeping Starter Kits of 2026: What Each Box Holds and What It Leaves Out

Six kits from Hoover, Honey Lake, Mann Lake, Dadant and Betterbee, compared on what is in the box, what is not, assembly and price.

Honey HarvestOct 17, 20265 min

Best Electric Honey Extractors of 2026: 2/4-Frame to 8-Frame Motorized Machines

Four motorized extractors compared on frames, motor and speed control, drum size, gate height, weight and price.

HivesOct 17, 20267 min

Best Hive Stands of 2026: Metal Stands, Cedar Stands and Brackets Compared

Six stands compared on height, width range, material and load, and the reasons a hive sits at least a foot up.

Tools & FeedersOct 17, 20266 min

Best Hive Tools and Frame Grips of 2026: J Hooks, Scrapers, Grips and Brushes

J hooks, standard tools, a multi-tool, a frame grip and a brush compared on length, steel and price, with the supplier tools beside them.

Honey HarvestOct 17, 20267 min

Best Honey Extractors of 2026: Manual and Electric, 2-Frame to 8-Frame

Seven extractors from 2-frame hand crank to 8-frame electric, compared on capacity, drive, drum, steel and price, with when honey is ready.

HivesOct 17, 20269 min

Best Langstroth Hive Kits of 2026: Complete Hives and the Boxes You Add Later

Complete Langstroth hives from six makers, plus the single boxes and frame packs you buy when the colony outgrows the kit.