A Langstroth hive is a Langstroth hive, right?
The Langstroth might be the obvious hive choice for many beekeepers. But there are options aplenty and key decisions to be made when selecting a new Langstroth.
Why is the Langstroth the most popular style of hive?
The Langstroth is one of the longest-standing and most popular choices for hobbyists and commercial beekeepers alike. It is widely used, across the world, because it balances efficiency, modularity, and ease of use. The standardization of its dimensions make it easy to find compatible parts, and a vast support network of resources, mentors, and suppliers makes it beginner friendly.
If you're starting out, the Langstroth is the hive you'll find referenced in most beekeeping courses, clubs, and local apiaries. There are many reasons for this. Some of the many benefits include:
Standardized sizes of components give you the ability to purchase from different manufacturers.
A precise design that keeps the needs of the bees in mind, especially in regards to bee space.
The Langstroth is cost-effective, due to the significant demand and adherence to standardized components.
Components that can be used across different hives, such as when moving a box from one hive to another.
Removable frames facilitate simplified honey harvesting and easier hive inspections, without destroying the wax comb that bees have worked so hard to create.
It is important for beekeepers to understand the key benefits of choosing a Langstroth hive.
Langstroth Hive Components
As described below and despite the benefits of standardization, there are many different Langstroth hive configurations, materials, and unique Langstroth-inspired designs available commercially.
But it is important to note that the hive components used in a Langstroth setup are generally the same across apiaries.
A Langstroth setup, regardless of frame size, count, or hive material, is typically as follows, each component also having various style options:
Outer Cover (aka “top cover”). This is the “roof” of the beehive, protecting it from the elements, including rain and snow. There are various options here.
Telescoping: The most common choice, this fits over the top like a box lid and extends slightly over the sides, protecting the hive. Usually paired with an inner cover underneath.
Insulated: These have built-in insulation to help regulate hive temperature in extreme climates, making them a perfect choice for overwintering bees in colder areas. Note that “telescoping” and “insulated” are not mutually exclusive - many beekeepers use insulated top/outer covers.
Ventilated: These include screened or vented channels to improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup, important for helping bees regulate their hive conditions, especially in humid regions.
Inner Cover. Sitting beneath the outer cover and atop the uppermost hive body, the inner cover creates a buffer between the bees and the outer cover. This helps with moisture, airflow, as well as making the outer cover easier to remove.
Deep Rim Inner Covers: These feature a rim (typically about ¾" to 1") around the edge, creating space for feeding options, such as fondant or pollen patties, or extra ventilation.
Standard Inner Covers: Flatter than the deep rim inner cover, these also have a center hole and sometimes include a notch for ventilation or an upper entrance. These are basic, yet functional, and often included with beginner kits.
Boxes. To House the Brood Nest, these are typically the lower boxes in the hives.
Deep Hive Bodies: These are full capacity boxes, designed to maximize the space available for the bees. While a fully populated deep box can be very heavy, this is perhaps a little less bothersome as compared to supers (see below), since they may not need to be lifted so often.
Medium Hive Bodies: Though shorter than deeps, mediums can also be used for brood in all-medium configurations, which is a choice that’s increasing in popularity as they are lighter and easier to handle. When using mediums for the brood nest, however, be sure to keep in mind that you’ll need 3 medium boxes to create the same space that 2 deep boxes offer.
Supers. Still technically a “box”, many beekeepers use the term super to describe boxes intended to store nectar and honey.
Mediums: These are the most common choice to use for honey supers since they balance a decent honey storage capacity with manageable weight (each can weigh 40–60 lbs when full).
Shallows: Since shallows are even shorter than mediums, they’re easier to lift, though they hold less honey. These are often used by those with physical limitations or for cut-comb honey.
Frames and Foundation. Hanging neatly from the top of a box/super, there are many choices of frame and foundation. Frames are either shallow, medium or deep and are used consistently in a box of the same depth. That leaves the question of box size (in terms if the number of frames).
10-frame: Considered the standard size for most Langstroth hives. Offers more space per box but is heavier when full.
8-frame: Narrower and lighter, ideal for smaller beekeepers or those concerns about lifting heavy weights.
5-frame: Used in nucleus hives (nucs)—smaller hives for raising queens, splits, or temporary housing.
Bottom Board. The beehive's base, where bees enter/exit, and onto which debris will fall. Once again, we have choices.
Screened Bottom Board: Includes a mesh screen for ventilation and mite monitoring. This can help reduce moisture and allow debris to fall through, often featuring an optional tray to help with beehive inspections and mite counts.
Solid Reversible Bottom Board: Made from pine (or cedar) wood, reversible bottom boards give the beekeeper the option to adjust the entrance. One side has a small entrance to be used in the winter, the other has a larger one that’s often used in warmer months to increase airflow. A classic and durable design.
Hive Stand. Though often seen as an “optional” component, hive stands are an integral part of maintaining a healthy beehive for most beekeepers. They raise the hive off the ground for added airflow, moisture control, and easier access. They also help prevent pests like ants and help to protect a wooden bottom board from rot. A hive stand can be as simple as cinder blocks or as refined as a metal, plastic, or wooden framed stand.
Langstroth Hive Setup Options
When selecting your Langstroth beehive equipment, there are several configurations from which to choose.
8-Frame vs. 10-Frame Boxes
8-frame hives are lighter and easier to manage. Great for those with physical limitations or wanting a gentler lift.
10-frame hives offer more space per box, reducing the number of boxes needed but increasing individual box weight.
4 or 5-frame boxes are typically only used to raise nucleus colonies and, as such, only hold 4 or 5 frames at a time.
Box Sizes (Depth)
Deep boxes are typically used for the lower boxes in the hive for brood rearing, though some beekeepers use them for honey supers too. In Langstroth hives, deep boxes have the following dimensions:
10-Frame Boxes: 19-7/8” L x 16-1/4″ W x 9-1/2″ H
8-Frame boxes: 19-7/8″ L x 13-3/4″ W x 9-1/2″ H
Medium boxes are sometimes used for brood boxes, but more commonly as honey supers. They have the following dimensions.
10-Frame Boxes: 19-7/8″ L x 16-1/4″ W x 6-5/8″ H
8-Frame boxes: 19-7/8″ L x 13-3/4″ W x 6-5/8″ H
Shallow boxes are used as honey supers and have the following dimensions.
10-Frame Boxes: 19-7/8″ L x 16-1/4″ W x 5-11/16″ H
8-Frame Boxes: 19-7/8″ L x 13-3/4″ W x 5-11/16″ H
Assembled vs. Unassembled - Regardless of the material you choose (see below), you’ll need to decide whether you feel comfortable assembling the beehive yourself. Ordering pre-assembled equipment makes setting up a new beehive much easier. However, it can come with an added cost for both assembly and shipping, so many beekeepers choose to assemble their hives themselves.
Types of Langstroth Beehive Materials
After you’ve decided which hive configuration will work best for you and your bees, you’ll also have a choice in which material you prefer your hives to be made from.
Though there are some other options on the market, the most common choices for beehive materials are as follows.
Traditional Wooden Hives – Usually made from pine, cypress, or cedar. Though wood is breathable and closer to natural beehives, it generally requires weather protection (like paint or wax coating). Wooden hive bodies are typically 3/4” thick and are often available in various “grades” that may affect the lifespan of the wood and the price point.
Budget Grade: The most inexpensive option due to the wood having visible knots, cracks, and loose joints. The wood will still function well, and the price point makes it a good choice for beginner beekeepers. However, these hive bodies or frames may need to be replaced sooner than wood with higher quality grades.
Commercial Grade: The most popular choice for beehive equipment, commercial grade offers a balance between quality and price. Though there are typically some knots in the wood and small imperfections, quality is still high without any compromise to structural integrity.
Select Grade: This grade offers the highest quality possible with the fewest imperfections. Select grade is more aesthetically pleasing, may last longer, and joints fit together more tightly, making it worth the additional cost.
Polystyrene Beehives - Polystyrene is a high-density material that is both durable and can be a big help with insulation, to help bees regulate temperature and moisture. This material is much lighter than wood, making it a choice for those who can’t lift as much weight. But it still offers better protection from the elements, due to its higher R-value.
BeeMax: Lightweight and well-insulated for extreme climates. These are popular in colder regions but can be more delicate.
Lyson: A highly-popular European brand offering precision-molded hives with high insulation and durability. Lyson beehives offer specialized components to help with things like ventilation and have the bonus of adding integrated feeders and accessories to your setup.
Want to find out even more about Langstroth beehives? Check out our article here to learn more!
Colony members, take an in-depth look at all components and options available with a Langstroth hive setup in our member-only lesson here.
The Importance of Quality When Choosing Your Beehive Equipment
Several types of Langstroth hive materials are available commercially, all with different goals in mind, depending on what your bees need and your needs as a beekeeper.
Not all Langstroth hives are created equal. In addition to understanding the available wood grades, here’s what else you can look for when evaluating quality:
Wood Type: Cypress and cedar resist rot naturally; pine is affordable and common, but outer components will need sealing with exterior latex paint or wax.
Knots: Fewer knots = more structural integrity.
Manufacturing Precision: Tightly milled joints and standardized frame spacing matter for long-term fit and durability.
Domestic vs. Imported: US-built hives support local businesses and often offer better quality control.
Supplier Longevity: Reputable suppliers offer replacement parts, warranties, and consistent dimensions.
PerfectBee Signature Hives
The bottom line is that investing in quality now prevents potential headaches later! That’s where PerfectBee Signature Hives can make all the difference. Our hives are high-quality, US-made Langstroth hives, conveniently available with 8 or 10 frames, and in either 2 or 4 box configurations.
PerfectBee hives have been proven over many years, with high-quality components made here in the U.S., with locally-sourced Eastern White Pine. With interlocking finger joints for added stability and easy-to-grab handholds on each box, our hive bodies make it easier than ever to complete your beekeeping inspections.
Our wooden frames are made with the same high-quality materials and detailed design and production process. Whether prying up frames during an inspection or harvesting honey frames, you can have faith that your wooden frames will hold up to any beekeeping process.
Signature Hive Configurations
We’ve packaged PerfectBee Signature Hives configurations in three distinct editions – Essentials, Plus, and Elite – to easily fit within your bee yard, your requirements and your budget.
Essentials Edition
The PerfectBee Hive Essentials Edition includes everything that you need to support a new colony. Think of it as the “workhorse” in your bee yard.
In addition to the high-quality boxes, the Essentials hive setup includes a standard entrance reducer, a galvanized steel-covered outer cover, a standard inner cover, and a reversible bottom board. High-quality full plastic frames with a standard wax coating are also included.
Plus Edition
The Plus Edition offers additional benefits, including improved insulation, improved Varroa Monitoring, and increased comfort for your bees.
The galvanized steel-covered outer cover is insulated. We include a deep rim inner cover, allowing the feeding of patties above the top box. A screened-bottom board is included to help with your varroa mite management plan. And our high-quality full plastic frames feature an additional heavy coating of wax, improving the likelihood of your bees building comb.
Elite Edition
The Elite Edition goes beyond the Plus edition by improving aesthetics and strength benefits. It includes select-grade woodenware. This grade of high-quality woodenware option is hand-selected to be the best of the best, with fewer knots and superior durability.
In addition to high-quality boxes and wooden frames, the Elite hive setup includes a cedar entrance reducer, an Ultimate hive top cover to add insulation and airflow, the BeeSmart Ultimate insulated inner cover, and the Ultimate screened-bottom board to help with your varroa mite management plan.
High-quality wooden frames with plastic foundation with an additional heavy-wax coating are also included. A triple layer of wax is applied to foundations to get bees quickly interested in building combs on these frames.
You’ll find many Langstroth hive options here in the PerfectBee Store! And don’t forget about our current sale on the high-quality Signature Hive Series!
Uncommon Hive Types Inspired by the Langstroth Style
Innovative beekeepers have experimented with horizontal or other sizing and layout designs, while keeping some Langstroth measurements and frames the same:
Long Langstroth: A horizontal hive that uses standard Langstroth frames in a long single box. This reduces lifting and is ideal for those with mobility limitations, but may be difficult to find standardized components.
Layens-Langstroth hybrids: Adaptations combining the depth of Layens’ hives with the modularity of Langstroth frames. Because of the Layens’ hive components, it may be difficult to find components or feeders that work well with this hive type across manufacturers.
AZ/Slovenian Beehives: A specialized type of beehive design that is commonly used in Slovenia, but is increasingly popular in other regions, especially the U.S., due to its ability to keep bees healthy and productive, without the heavy lifting that standard Langstroth hives require. It's characterized by being placed inside a bee house structure, often with multiple hives stacked together and accessed from the rear, with frames that slide out instead of being pulled out from the top.
These alternatives offer ergonomic and management benefits while maintaining the familiar foundation that the Langstroth design offers.
Next steps...
If you’re just getting started with beekeeping, the Langstroth hive is your most accessible and supported option. And if you’re thinking about switching from another hive design to Langstroth, there are many benefits to making the switch.
Consider your physical needs, climate, and long-term goals when choosing frame count and materials. And if you want to skip the guesswork, PerfectBee’s Signature Hive Editions offer a solid foundation tailored to your beekeeping journey.
Before spending your hard-earned money, check out our beehive kit and box components buyers’ guides to learn more about the Langstroth hive options currently on the market.