If you’re considering becoming a beekeeper, you might feel completely overwhelmed by everything you need to start.
It’s an amazing hobby, but starting with the best beginning beekeeping supplies is important. The right equipment will help you keep your bees healthy and comfortable and help you enjoy your new honey bees.
Check out this list of the best beginning beekeeping supplies to get you well on your way to successful beekeeping.
Our Top Picks
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Supplies Overall:
Beehive Starter Kit
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Smoker:
VIVO Stainless Steel Bee Hive Smoker
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Hive Tool:
Foxhound Bee Co, Stainless Steel KW Beekeepers Hive Tool with J Hook
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Hive Setup:
Hoover Hives 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Suit and Veil:
Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Gloves:
2 Pairs Beekeeping Gloves
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Book:
Beekeeping for Dummies
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Supplies Overall
Beehive Starter Kit
Get your apiary going without having to worry with the perfect complete set of the best beginning beekeeping supplies.
This kit has everything you need to get off to a great start, and it’s reasonably priced so you don’t have to make a huge investment right away. It’s also chemical-free and safe for your bees.
The hive is made of a quality waxed wood hive that’s fully assembled so you can set it up immediately. Choose between eight and 10-frame options. The beautiful natural wood finish is well protected from the elements with a generous layer of beeswax.
The bottom board for the hive is solid. The hive also comes with a telescoping top cover, inner cover, entrance reducer, and queen excluder, so you’re ready for anything.
The frames included with these beginning beekeeping supplies have black plastic foundations and come pre-waxed to encourage quick comb building.
What makes this set of beginning beekeeping supplies even more convenient is that it also has all the inspection equipment you need. That includes a couple of hive tools, a smoker and fuel, bee feeders, and a bee brush.
If you have to mark or cage any queens, you’ll be all set with multiple queen cages and a marking tube.
Finally, there’s plenty of harvesting equipment for your first honey harvest. Try a few different methods with the uncapping knife, uncapping tool, uncapping fork, and spur uncapper. You’ll be able to figure out which one you like best with the best beginning beekeeping supplies.
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Smoker
VIVO Stainless Steel Bee Hive Smoker
Start off with the right smoker to make inspections easier, even if you’re still learning.
Using the best beginning beekeeping smoker can make you more confident, which in turn will help you inspect your bees successfully.
Having a smoker on hand during hive inspections is important because it makes the bees easier to work with. The smoke calms them and interrupts their alarm pheromones; you can gently use it to move them around the hive.
This beginning beekeeping smoker is well-made with stainless steel. It features a heat guard around the outside to prevent burns. It includes a storage hook and a lid hook so you can safely add more fuel.
You won’t have to worry about getting your smoker lit with bellows that are easy to pump and a perforated base for airflow. When it’s time to put your smoker away, use the included clip to keep the bellows closed.
On top of it being one of the best beginning beekeeping supplies, It’s available in two different sizes to fit your preference.
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Hive Tool
Foxhound Bee Co, Stainless Steel KW Beekeepers Hive Tool with J Hook
One of the most important pieces of beginning beekeeping you’ll need is a hive tool.
Check out this set of two stainless steel hive tools; you’ll be well prepared. One side has a J-hook, and the other is a standard hive tool shape, so you can try both and see what you like best. Both shapes are great for inspecting your hives efficiently and prying the pieces of the hive apart.
Each part of this beginning beekeeping hive tool has its uses. Scoop up frames or scrape burr comb away easily.
Having a two-pack means you can always have one handy because nothing is worse than losing your hive tool. The thick, heavy design will last you a long time.
When you’re done, hang it from the hole to store it. The bright orange color makes it easier to spot among your beginning beekeeping supplies every time you reach for them.
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Hive Setup
Hoover Hives 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive
This is a great beginning beekeeping hive setup if you want to start with a hive ready for bees.
Hoover makes great products, and you’ll love the beautiful beeswax-coated natural finish. The thick wood is insulated well and sustainably made, so you can feel good about using it.
This beginning beekeeping hive includes two deeps and one medium with frames so your bees have everything they need. Each frame has a pre-waxed plastic foundation. There’s also a solid bottom board, an entrance reducer, an inner cover, and a telescoping top cover.
This 10-frame hive setup is easy to assemble so that you can get started immediately.
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Suit and Veil
Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit
Your bee suit and veil will be one of the most important things for you as a beginning beekeeper.
Having a great suit will make you feel much more confident during inspections without worrying about stings. The medium weight will keep you comfortable in most climates.
The round veil gives you a full field of vision and is removable for easy cleaning.
Don’t worry about bees sneaking in. This beginning beekeeping suit has elastic in the waist, wrists, and ankles for a better fit. The thumb and foothold keep everything in place while you move around.
The heavy-duty brass zipper won’t fall apart after use and washing. As you work, plenty of convenient pockets hold your hive tool and other equipment. It comes with a nice canvas carrying case, so it’s ready when you are.
Choose between unisex sizes XXS through 6XL. The brand that makes this beginner bee suit and veil supports conservation efforts to put your money toward a great cause.
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Gloves
2 Pairs Beekeeping Gloves
Not all beekeepers like to wear gloves, but they can be really helpful for beginners.
This set of beginning beekeeping gloves has two pairs included, which is great for when one pair gets sticky after use or if you have someone helping you.
The long canvas cuffs to offer extra protection from stings with elastic at the ends to keep bees from sneaking in. Despite the extra coverage, the material is breathable and helps your hands from overheating.
You can count on the thick goatskin leather to keep stingers away from your hands so you can inspect your bees confidently.
These beginning beekeeping gloves are adult unisex size with one yellow and one white pair.
The Best Beginning Beekeeping Book
Beekeeping for Dummies
Beekeeping for Dummies is always highly recommended for new beekeepers, and for a good reason.
This book has so much helpful information to get you started as a beginning beekeeper. It’s the ultimate way to dive into your research before bringing bees home and includes many practical tips.
The information in this book is up to date and even includes helpful illustrations. It will guide you through the process of beekeeping and even into future seasons to give you a confident start with your bees.
Learn everything you need to know about nutrition, health remedies, inspections, best practices, honey extraction, and just about anything else you can think of.
Read the paperback or Kindle version and enjoy the included coupons toward beginning beekeeping supplies!
Buyer’s Guide to Finding the Best The Best Beginning Beekeeping Supplies
When you’re new to beekeeping, there’s a lot to think about, and the equipment you start with can make all the difference in your experience.
Before buying just anything, think about your needs and requirements to ensure you’re making a good investment.
What to Look For
Always choose quality construction in your beginning beekeeping equipment so you know it’s reliable.
Avoid stocking up on extra unnecessary items you don’t need to cover the basics.
If you have health problems or physical limitations, that can influence the beginning beekeeping supplies that will work best for you.
Get Off to the Right Start With the Best Beginning Beekeeping Supplies
Being a new beekeeper is an exciting new adventure, and starting with the best beginning beekeeping supplies will make your experience so much better.
What works best for you might not be what someone else recommends, so consider what makes the most sense for your needs. Try different things to get a feel for other styles of beginning beekeeping supplies.
Continue learning about this amazing hobby, and head over to our honey bee page for more!
- About the Author
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Hope Schwartz-Leeper is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things nature with degrees in English and Philosophy.
Born and raised in the Northeast, Hope has always had an affinity for spending time outside. Growing up and attending college in New York, then living on Cape Cod and finally settling in Rhode Island has given her plenty of experience with the climate and environment of these areas.
She loves growing her own food and plants and is always trying to grow something new. She’s hoping her apple trees will one day bear fruit, but for now she’s excited about anything that comes from the garden.