Best Beekeeping Starter Kits for Beginners

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This article offers a comprehensive guide for aspiring beekeepers looking to buy the best beekeeping starter kit. It discusses various options, including kits like the Goodland Bee Supply GL-2B2SK with its Langstroth beehive design and unassembled parts for damage prevention. Other highlighted kits include the Honey Lake 8-Frame Beehive and Supplies Starter Kit, known for its durability and user-friendliness, the budget-friendly Harvest Lane Honey Beginner Beekeeper Kit, the well-equipped Little Giant beginner hive kit, and the Busy Bee ‘N’ More kit, which I like for its quality and Amish craftsmanship.

If you’re interested in starting beekeeping, a beekeeping starter kit is the perfect way to get started. These kits provide most of the equipment necessary to get started. There are many options available out there, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. That’s why BeeKeepClub has compiled a list of the top beekeeping starter kits currently on the market. Let’s check them out.

Top Picks

Product Name Features Pros
Goodland Bee Supply GL-2B2SK Double Deep Box Kit Langstroth design, two deep boxes, unassembled parts Plenty of space for colony growth, durable construction
Honey Lake 8-Frame Beehive Starter Kit Everything included, beeswax-coated frames, bee hat veil Durable, user-friendly, impressive quality
Little Giant Beginner Hive Kit Langstroth design, 10 frames, pre-installed foundation Easy to assemble, high-quality, comprehensive equipment set

Overview of the Best Beekeeping Starter Kits

10. BeeCastle 10-Frame Beehives and Supplies Starter Kit

Best Beekeeping Starter Kits - BeeCastle 10-Frame Beehives and Supplies Starter Kit

The BeeCastle 10-Frame Beehives and Supplies Starter Kit is an excellent product for anyone who is looking to get started with beekeeping. This comprehensive kit includes everything that you need to start your own beehive, including a 10-frame beehive, a beekeeping supplies tool set, and a bee suit. One of the most impressive aspects of this product is the fact that the beehive is dipped in 100% beeswax, which provides excellent protection against moisture and pests.

One of the main advantages of this starter kit is its quality. The 10-frame beehive is made from high-quality materials that can withstand even the toughest weather conditions, and the beeswax coating provides extra protection against moisture and pests. Additionally, the included beekeeping supplies tool set is designed to last, making it an excellent long-term investment for anyone who is serious about beekeeping.

Another pro of this starter kit is its user-friendliness. The kit comes with clear instructions on how to assemble the beehive, and the included bee suit provides an additional layer of protection for the beekeeper. The tools included in the kit are also easy to use and are designed to help the beekeeper get the job done quickly and efficiently.

One potential downside of the BeeCastle 10-Frame Beehives and Supplies Starter Kit is its price point. While it is an excellent investment for anyone who is serious about beekeeping, it may be more expensive than other starter kits on the market. Additionally, some people may find that the 10-frame beehive is larger than they would like, which could make it more difficult to manage.

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9. Goodland Bee Supply GL-2B2SK Double Deep Box Kit

Best Beekeeping Starter Kits - GoodLand Bee Supply GL-2B2SK Double Deep Box Kit

The Goodland Bee Supply GL-2B2SK Double Deep Box Kit is a complete solution for setting up a Langstroth beehive, including two deep boxes, two shallow super boxes, frames, foundations, a telescoping top cover, an entrance reducer, and a queen excluder. All parts of the kit are shipped unassembled to prevent damage, but once assembled, the fully assembled beehive provides plenty of space for a honeybee colony to grow and store honey. All is needed is for you to assemble the beehive and place it at a convenient location.

The kit is made of wood and comes in a 10-frame size, with the option to add one or two additional super boxes if desired. The wooden pieces of the kit feature nicely shaped grooves and firm joints for easy handling, and the Goodland Bee Supply logo is burnt into one side of each beehive box as a mark of quality.

To read our full review of the Goodland Bee Supply GL-2B2SK Double Deep Box Kit, click here.

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8. Honey Lake 8-Frame Beehive and Supplies Starter Kit

Best Beekeeping Starter Kits - Honey Lake 8-Frame Beehive and Supplies Starter Kit

The Honey Lake 8-Frame Beehive and Supplies Starter Kit is a fantastic option for anyone who is interested in starting their own beehive. This kit comes with everything that you need to get started, including a beehive, beeswax-coated frames, a beekeeping supplies tool set, and a bee hat veil. The quality of this product is impressive, and it is clear that the manufacturer has put a lot of thought into creating a comprehensive starter kit that is both practical and user-friendly.

One of the main advantages of the Honey Lake 8-Frame Beehive and Supplies Starter Kit is its durability. The beehive is made from high-quality materials that can withstand even the most challenging weather conditions, and the beeswax coating on the frames provides extra protection against moisture and pests. Additionally, the included beekeeping supplies tool set is designed to last, making it an excellent long-term investment for anyone who is serious about beekeeping.

Another pro of this starter kit is its user-friendliness. The kit comes with clear instructions on how to assemble the beehive, and the included bee hat veil provides an additional layer of protection for the beekeeper. The tools included in the kit are also easy to use and are designed to help the beekeeper get the job done quickly and efficiently.

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7. Harvest Lane Honey Beginner Beekeeper Kit

Beekeeping Starter Kit - Harvest Lane Honey Beginner Beekeeper Kit

The Harvest Lane Honey Beginner Beekeeper Kit is a budget-friendly option that includes the essentials for getting started with beekeeping. The kit comes with a brood box in a Langstroth hive, an inner cover, a solid bottom board, frames with foundation, a hive tool, a bee smoker with fuel pellets, and a bee brush. It is shipped fully assembled but may sustain minor damage during shipping, particularly to the bottom board or cover of the hive.

Despite this, the solid construction of the Langstroth hive minimizes the extent of any damage and makes it easy to fix once the kit arrives. This beginner beekeeper kit is suitable for those who already have their first hive and other necessary beekeeping equipment or as a second or third hive for an apiary.

To read our full review of the Harvest Lane Honey Beginner Beekeeper Kit, click here.

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6. Little Giant HIVE10KIT Beginner Hive Kit

Beekeeping Starter Kit - Little Giant Farm & Ag HIVE10KIT Frame Beginner Hive Kit

The Little Giant beginner hive kit is a high-quality set of beekeeping equipment that includes a hive in the reliable Langstroth design, with 10 frames that have foundation pre-installed. It is easy for beginners to assemble and set up their apiaries using this kit, and the joints in the Langstroth hive are tight and well-made. The kit also includes a beekeeping veil, smoker, hive tool, beekeeping guide, bee brush, gloves, and a frame feeder, as well as fuel for the smoker.

It has everything you need to start beekeeping, although it does not include equipment for honey harvesting such as an extractor. The Little Giant beginner hive kit is suitable for both men and women and comes with friendly and effective customer service to help resolve any issues that may arise.

To read our full review of the Little Giant Hive 10 kit beginner hive kit, click here.

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5. Busy Bees ‘N’ More Langstroth Beehive 10 Frame Starter Kit

Beekeeping Starter Kit - Busy Bees 'N' More Langstroth Beehive 10 Frame Starter Kit

This is a 10-frame beekeeping starter with a beehive box and additional accessories. It is made by Amish workmen in Ohio, USA. The kit is composed by Busy Bee ‘N’ More, which enjoys a good reputation in the manufacture of beekeeping supplies. You are therefore sure of the good quality of the beehive box and other components of this kit. This kit comes with 1 beehive box. It is a 10-frame deep brood box made using Eastern white pine wood sourced from Michigan and Pennsylvania States. For the brood box, you are provided with beehive frames, a bottom board, an inner cover, and a telescoping top cover.

Beehive frames in the kit are of the CellTech type. There are 5 such frames in the kit. They come with black foundation sheets made using food-grade plastic. The sheets of foundation are dipped in beeswax before being shipped to you. They are therefore quickly accepted by honeybees of the colony you install in the brood box. This makes use of a screened bottom board. The inner cover included in the kit has a mason jar feeder hole Accessories, equipment and tools included in this kit are leather beekeeping gloves, a breathable protective beekeeping jacket with veil, a bee smoker, and a hive tool. You may purchase this beekeeping starter kit in an optional 8-frame configuration.

Starting beekeeping is easy with this kit. It works as a nuc hive and as a brood box on which you add other beehive boxes to get a Langstroth beehive setup. I think that beginner beekeepers are especially suited to use this kit. Furthermore, this beekeeping starter kit allows you to implement their preferences such as painting the beehive box and using foundationless beehive frames if they choose to.

The only downside is that the kit doesn’t include a whole lot, so there are many additional accessories and equipment you will need to purchase for your beekeeping operations.

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4. NuBee 10 Frame Starter Beehive Kit

Beekeeping Starter Kit - NuBee 10 Frame Starter Beehive Kit

This is a basic beekeeping starter kit with one beehive box and accessories. It is suitable for holding a honeybee colony for a short period of time. This is because the beehive box in the kit is a 5-frame nuc hive. The box comes fully assembled and painted. The joints on the box are strong dovetail joints so the box does not come apart easily. You are also free to further strengthen the joints using wood screws, nails, or staples. In the package you receive are 5 Nuc frames to use in the beehive box. The frames are fitted with black foundation sheets made using plastic. They come already dipped in beeswax so honeybees easily accept them.

The NuBee 10 Frame Starter Beehive Kit includes an inner cover, top cover, and bottom board for the Nuc beehive box. You also get a queen excluder for your future beekeeping. Equipment and accessories included in this beekeeping starter kit are a beehive smoker, beekeeping gloves, a protective beekeeping jacket, an entrance reducer, and a hive tool. These are enough for your initial needs settling a colony of honeybees in the beehive box. They are also adequate for the management of the honeybee colony in the provided beehive box. All items in the kit are made using good quality materials so they are effective and last for long.

Beekeepers starting a new colony of honeybees are provided with enough equipment and tools to house a colony and manage it for some time. What’s more, there is adequate provision of protective gear for the beekeeper in this beekeeping starter kit. You get a bee smoker, leather beekeeping gloves, and a beekeeping jacket to ensure you do not get stung by bees.

It must be noted, however, that this beekeeping starter kit is for holding a honeybee colony for a short period of time. You will eventually need to add more frames and beehive boxes as the colony grows.

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3. Goodland Bee Supply GLESUPERX2CTS1 Complete Beehive Kit

Beekeeping Starter Kit - Goodland Bee Supply GLESUPERX2CTS1 Complete Beehive Kit

This is another great starter kit that comes with most of the tools and equipment needed for beekeeping. The unit features a Goodland Bee Supply 2 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey extractor and a complete beehive kit.

The honey extractor is nothing fancy, but it is durable and works well – a great tool for beginners.

All the inner and exterior components of the beehive kit are impressive. It has 2 large kiln-dried pine supers that have 20 frames measuring 9 inches each. It also has 20 pre-waxed plastic brood boxes with Pierco Foundations.

Included also are:

  • A bee smoker.
  • A frame spacer.
  • An uncapping knife.
  • An uncapping roller.
  • A frame grip.
  • Two wooden handle hive tools.
  • One telescopic hive cover.
  • A bottom board that has an entrance reducer.
  • An inner hive lid.

To read our full review of the Goodland Bee Supply GLESUPERX2CTS1 Complete Beehive Kit, click here.

This beehive kit is covered by a warranty so you can get back your money if anything goes wrong. The main drawback associated with this unit is that it does not include any beekeeper beginner book or guide.

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2. MayBee 10-Frame Beehive Starter Kit 

Best Beekeeping Starter Kit - MayBee 10-Frame Beehive Starter Kit

The Beehive Starter Kit is a comprehensive and well-designed kit for anyone interested in beekeeping. The kit comes with everything needed to get started, including 10-frame bee boxes, frames, wax-coated beehives, beekeeping tools, and a beekeeping veil. This product has received high praise from beekeepers of all levels, and it’s easy to see why.

One of the biggest pros of this kit is its comprehensive nature. With everything included, it’s an excellent choice for anyone new to beekeeping or anyone looking for an upgrade. The kit’s components are also of high quality, including the wax-coated beehives, which help to protect the bees and provide them with a comfortable home. The beekeeping tools included are sturdy and well-designed, making them easy to use and handle.

Another pro of the Beehive Starter Kit is its affordability. Compared to other beekeeping kits on the market, this kit is priced competitively while still offering high-quality components. This makes it a great option for anyone who wants to try beekeeping without breaking the bank.

The kit’s design is also a pro. The 10-frame bee boxes are well-designed and easy to use, and the frames fit seamlessly into the boxes. This makes the process of maintaining and inspecting the hive straightforward and easy to manage.

However, there are some cons to consider. One potential downside of the kit is that it requires some assembly. While this is not necessarily a dealbreaker, it does require some time and effort to put everything together.

Another con is that the beekeeping veil included in the kit may not be suitable for everyone. Some beekeepers may prefer a different style or design, depending on their needs and preferences.

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1. Hoover Hives 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive Starter Kit

Best Beekeeping Starter Kits - Hoover Hives 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive Starter Kit

The Hoover Hives 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive Dipped in 100% Beeswax Starter Kit is a high-quality and well-designed product that has received rave reviews from beekeepers of all levels. The kit comes with a deep box and all necessary accessories, including frames, foundation, and a top cover. The use of 100% beeswax provides excellent protection for the bees and makes for an attractive and durable hive.

One of the biggest pros of the Hoover Hives Beehive Starter Kit is its use of high-quality materials. The use of 100% beeswax is a significant advantage, as it helps to protect the hive from the elements and keeps the bees comfortable and safe. The kit’s frames and foundation are also well-made, ensuring that the bees have a solid and stable foundation for their hive.

Another pro of the Hoover Hives Beehive Starter Kit is its ease of assembly. The kit comes with everything needed to assemble the hive, and the instructions are clear and straightforward. This makes it an excellent option for anyone new to beekeeping or anyone who wants to save time and effort in setting up their hive.

The design of the Hoover Hives Beehive Starter Kit is also a pro. The Langstroth design is a tried-and-true method for beekeeping, and the deep box provides ample space for the bees to build their hive. The top cover is also well-designed and provides excellent protection for the bees.

However, there are some cons to consider. One potential downside is the price. While the kit is of high quality and includes everything needed to get started, it is more expensive than some other options on the market.

Another potential downside is the size of the deep box. While the ample space is great for the bees, it may be too large for some beekeepers who are limited on space or prefer a more compact hive design.

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How to get the Bees into your Beekeeping Start Kit

You might have noticed that none of these beekeeping starter kits come with the most important thing needed for beekeeping – the bees! So, where can you get them? Well, there are two ways you can go about doing that. You can either buy your bees or catch your own swarm in the wild.

Type of Beehives Used in Beekeeping Starter Kits

You may already know that there are four main types of beehives: the Langstroth beehive (which is arguably the most popular), the top bar beehive, the Warre beehive, and the British Standard National beehive (which as the name suggests, is mainly used within the United Kingdom). Let’s discuss each of them in a bit more detail.

1. Langstroth Beehive

This is a popular choice among beekeepers. It derives its name from the father of modern beekeeping: Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth. Similar hives across the globe have similar designs to the Langstroth hive and have similar names. They are common in various regions across the globe including South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America.

Advantages

  • It is extremely easy to harvest the honey. It facilitates easy access to the honey stores and this can be carried out without disturbing the queen.
  • Standardization makes this hive type the best for beekeepers whether small or large scale. The components are standard in size and shape and that means you can take the honey frames and brood from a stronger hive and share with a weak one. It also makes it easy to find replacement parts when needed.
  • Portability is a great advantage associated with this hive. Its components can easily be disassembled and restacked and thus it makes it easy to move this type of hive.
  • Maximum productivity is attained through this hive. Its design allows for minimal drone production and maximum brood and honey production. They are the best for rearing queens and pollen and propolis collection.
  • They are the best choice for learners. Tons of information is available on the use and management of these hives.

Disadvantages

  • Pretty heavy when fully packed with honey and brood.
  • This type of hive is not so much appealing to the eye.
  • They lack the natural design that allures bees.

 

2. Top Bar Beehive

This type of hive has been around for many years. They have a simplistic design and never use any artificial foundation. They are normally triangular boxes on legs and have a lid in addition to screened access on their ends. Some beekeepers add a plexiglass panel on its sides so that they can observe the bees at work.

Advantages

  • You can set this up on your own and thus it is much cheaper.
  • Easy to harvest the honey since all you have to do is work on one frame at a time. It eliminates the hassle involved in lifting heavy supers.
  • With this type of hive, the bees are least disturbed.
  • Economical terms of space usage. Set aside one side until it is needed by the colony.

Disadvantages

  • Affected by changes in temperature. Extreme heat and cold can devastate colonies.
  • Does not offer standardized equipment.
  • Inconsistency in production. Difficult to determine how much to leave or take.

 

3. Warre beehive

This type of hive derives its name from Emile Warré, a French Pastor. It has a completely different design when compared to the Langstroth hive. It was created in the early 1900s after experimenting with various hive types. This resulted in what was to be referred to as “The People’s Hive”. Its overall design is smaller and its components square in design and not rectangular. As for this type, the boxes are added to the bottom and not the top.

Advantages

  • Minimal intervention by the beekeeper is required for this type of hive. Its overall design is like a hollow tree that can withstand extreme cold and hot weather.
  • The bees are provided with foundationless frames where they can build their comb. This gives the bees maximum control which results in healthy and more productive bees.
  • Moisture and temperature are well-regulated thanks to the insulating box of sawdust placed in between 2 cotton fabric layers.
  • Quite stylish unlike some other hive types. Looks good in your backyard.

Disadvantages

  • Requires some serious thinking if you need to supplement your bees with food since it lack a front feeder.
  • It costs much more when bought.
  • Makes honey harvesting a serious affair. Requires more effort, unlike Langstroth hive.
  • Requires two or more persons to add supers since it is built bottom up.

 

4. British Standard National beehive

This is popularly referred to as the National Hive and it is similar in design to the Langstroth Hive. Its signature feature is the smaller dimensions and shallow brood chamber when compared to a Langstroth. It boasts an open-mesh floor that allows the beekeeper to monitor varroa infestation. It also has deeper standard boxes, a roof, shallower honey super boxes, and a stand.

Advantages

  • Facilitates easier monitoring of Varroa mites.
  • Allows for a two-way orientation of the frames; parallel or perpendicular to the entrance.
  • Offers excellent ventilation for the bees.
  • Can be handled by one person even when full of honey.
  • Can utilize up to 12 frames (14 x 8-1/2 inches or 14 x 5-1/2 inches).

Disadvantages

  • Best suited for non-prolific bees. May not be ideal for heavy producers.

 

Conclusion

Beekeeping is a fascinating venture and it becomes more exciting when you know what you are doing. Any of the beekeeping starter kits listed above can make it so much easier for you to grow your bee colony and scale up your operation. These kits are excellent for all beekeepers – whether novice or professional. Some come assembled whereas others are unassembled. Choose the one that best meets your budget and needs. Additionally, understanding how to catch a bee swarm can help eliminate the need to buy bees.

Do you own any of the beekeeping starter kits on this list? Which other kit(s) do you think should be added to this list? Leave a comment below and let us know.

About Michael Simmonds

Michael Simmonds is an American beekeeper with more than two decades of experience in beekeeping. His journey with bees began in his youth, sparking a lifelong passion that led him to start his own apiary at the tender age of 15. Throughout the years, Simmonds has refined his beekeeping skills and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge concerning honeybee biology and behavior. Simmonds' early exposure to beekeeping ignited a fascination with these pollinators, influencing his decision to establish BeeKeepClub in 2016. The website was created with the aim to serve as the ultimate resource for beginners interested in beekeeping. Under Simmonds' guidance, BeeKeepClub provides comprehensive information to novices, including the basics of beekeeping, the different types of bees and hives, the selection of hive locations, and the necessary beekeeping equipment. In addition, the site offers detailed reviews of beekeeping tools to help enthusiasts make informed decisions and get the best value for their investment​​. His contributions to the beekeeping community through BeeKeepClub are substantial, offering both educational content and practical advice. The website covers a wide array of topics, from starting an apiary to harvesting honey, all reflecting Simmonds' extensive experience and passion for the field. Simmonds’ approach is hands-on and educational, focusing on the importance of understanding bees and the environment in which they thrive. His work not only guides beginners through their beekeeping journey but also reflects a commitment to the well-being of bees. Michael Simmonds has dedicated a significant part of his life to bees and beekeeping, and through BeeKeepClub, he has made this knowledge accessible to a broader audience. His work undoubtedly embodies a blend of expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in the realm of beekeeping.
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Johnny R
Johnny R
5 years ago

Brushy Mountain closed last year.

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Green
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3 years ago

I wonder if putting the box in 4th floor roof ,works for the bees

Madison @ Fish Spark
Madison @ Fish Spark
3 years ago

These are good picks. Right now the hobby I enjoy the most is Fish Keeping but I can see myself getting into beekeeping

Erma
Erma
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Hello! I have been doing research on bee keeping for about two yeas now. I am just so tight on monies it’s going to take me a little while to get there. I found this hive bundle: Home › Starter Bundle – Flow Hive Classic Araucaria 7 Starter Bundle – Flow Hive Classic Araucaria 7 https://www.honeyflow.com/products/starter-bundle I really know nothing about bee keeping first hand. I felt this hive would be better for the bees. I mean you are not taking thier comb away from them you are just split it open. But maybe we want/need to take the comb… Read more »

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