- Honest note: only three insulated hive makers are in our catalogue (Apimaye, Lyson and an unbranded US-built Layens). We added three wraps for wooden hives.
- Best overall: Apimaye Ergo with 10 wood frames, assembled, insulated, with feeder, pollen trap and excluder built in.
- Best polystyrene Langstroth: Lyson 10-frame kit with 10 assembled frames.
- Already have wooden hives? A wrap such as the POLLIBEE (fits 2 deeps + 1 medium) is the cheaper way to add insulation.
An insulated beehive keeps the inside of the hive closer to a steady temperature, so the cluster spends less energy staying warm in winter and fewer foragers are tied up cooling the hive in summer. Apimaye makes exactly that claim for its hives. Insulation does not replace good stores, a healthy queen and low mite levels, but in cold northern winters and hot southwestern summers it can make management easier.
We compared six insulated hives and three insulating wraps by listed material, box format, frame compatibility and included parts. If you are new to cold-weather prep, pair this with how to winterize a beehive.
Our picks
Apimaye Ergo Insulated Hive Set with 10 Wood Frames
- Frames
- 10 wood frames, double-wax foundation
- Boxes
- Single
- Material
- Insulated plastic
- Includes
- Screened bottom, pollen trap, excluder, top feeder
The Apimaye Ergo set arrives assembled, needs no painting and takes standard 10-frame Langstroth frames; this version includes 10 wood frames with double-wax foundation. Apimaye lists a screened bottom board with pollen trap and drawer, entrance reducer, queen excluder, division/uniting board, frame spacers and a top feeder as standard. Apimaye says insulated walls help bees survive colder winters on less honey and resist moisture buildup (maker claims).
Best for: a single insulated hive that is ready to take a colony
Skip if: you want a full multi-box stack in one order
- Assembled, no paint
- Feeder, pollen trap, excluder built in
- 10 wood frames included
- Single box: add Apimaye supers
- Plastic latches and parts are brand-specific
- Different feel from wood boxes
Apimaye Ergo Insulated 10-Frame Hive Set, No Frames
- Frames
- 10 (frames not included)
- Boxes
- Double deep
- Material
- Insulated plastic
- Finish
- No painting needed
This is the same Apimaye Ergo hive set listed as double deep, without frames. It is the better buy if you already own 10-frame Langstroth frames or plan to move frames from a nuc. The same built-in features are listed: screened bottom with pollen trap, top feeder, excluder and entrance reducer.
Best for: beekeepers with spare 10-frame frames
Skip if: you need frames included
- Double deep per listing
- Accepts your existing 10-frame frames
- Same built-in features
- No frames included
- Brand-specific parts
- Plastic hive aesthetics
Apimaye Ergo Insulated 10-Frame Honey Maker, 1D+2M
- Frames
- 10
- Boxes
- 1 deep, 2 medium
- Material
- Insulated plastic
- Includes
- Fully assembled boxes
The Apimaye Ergo Honey Maker is a fully assembled 1 deep + 2 medium, 10-frame Langstroth-size insulated stack that accepts wooden frames. Apimaye notes the deep has center grooves for an optional division board to run it as a double nuc. Two mediums give you honey super space from the start.
Best for: beekeepers who want insulation plus super space
Skip if: you prefer two deeps for the brood nest
- 1 deep + 2 mediums assembled
- Takes wooden frames
- Deep can run as double nuc with optional divider
- Frames not listed as included
- Divider board sold separately
- Larger investment than a single box
Lyson Insulated Polystyrene 10-Frame Hive Kit
- Frames
- 10 assembled wooden with plastic foundation
- Boxes
- 1 deep (9.5")
- Material
- Insulated polystyrene
- Includes
- Bottom board, inner and outer cover
Lyson's assembled kit is a 10-frame Langstroth-size polystyrene hive with a 9.5 in deep body, bottom board, inner cover, outer cover and 10 assembled wooden frames with plastic foundation. Lyson says the well-insulated hive doesn't need extra winter wrapping (maker claim). Hive parts are made in Poland; frames and foundation are made and assembled in the USA, per the listing.
Best for: beekeepers who want polystyrene insulation on a Langstroth footprint
Skip if: you want built-in feeder and pollen trap
- Insulated polystyrene body
- 10 assembled frames included
- Bottom board and covers included
- 9.5 in body height differs slightly from 9-5/8 in wood deeps
- Single deep
- Polystyrene can be chewed or dented
Layens Horizontal Hive, Insulated, 20 Frame
- Frames
- 20 Layens (21 without divider)
- Material
- Double wall, 1.5 in foam
- Includes
- Aluminum roof, 3 entrances with steel doors
This US-built Layens hive lists double-wall construction with 1.5 in of foam insulation, 20 extra-deep Layens frames plus a divider (or 21 without), an aluminum roof and three entrances with stainless sliding doors. Layens hives are horizontal, so you never lift boxes. The tall frames are designed for overwintering, per the listing.
Best for: northern beekeepers who want a no-lift, heavily insulated hive
Skip if: you want Langstroth-compatible frames
- 1.5 in foam, double wall
- 20 tall frames, no box lifting
- Aluminum roof, three entrances
- Layens frames don't fit Langstroth gear
- Unbranded listing
- Heavy to move
Apimaye Insulated 7-Frame Nuc with Core Frames, Tan
- Frames
- 7
- Boxes
- Nucleus box
- Material
- Insulated plastic
- Includes
- Core frames and foundations
Apimaye's 7-frame Langstroth nucleus hive comes assembled with core frames and foundations, needs no painting and is insulated. A small colony loses heat faster than a big one, so insulation helps most in a nuc. Use it for splits, overwintering a spare queen or catching swarms.
Best for: overwintering nucs and splits
Skip if: you only run full-size colonies
- Insulated, assembled
- 7 frames with foundation
- Good for splits and spare queens
- Small capacity: move up in spring
- Core frames are plastic
- Brand-specific parts
POLLIBEE Winter Hive Wrap for 8 & 10 Frame, 2D+1M
- Material
- 600D Oxford, 3 mm pearl cotton, 2 foil layers
- Size
- 76.8 x 24.8 in
- Fit
- 8 and 10 frame, 2 deeps + 1 medium
- Closure
- Velcro straps and buckles
If you already run wooden hives, a wrap is the cheaper way to add insulation. POLLIBEE's wrap is 76.8 x 24.8 in, made of 600D Oxford cloth, 3 mm pearl cotton and two foil layers, with Velcro straps and buckles. It fits 8- and 10-frame hives up to 2 deeps + 1 medium and lists built-in vents.
Best for: insulating an existing 2-deep + 1-medium wooden hive
Skip if: your stack is taller than 2 deeps + 1 medium
- Fits 8 and 10 frame
- Covers 2 deeps + 1 medium
- Vents listed
- Remove in spring to avoid overheating
- Straps can loosen in wind
- Does not insulate the top
Windspeed 8-Frame Winter Hive Wrap, 76 x 24.8 in
- Material
- 600D Oxford, 3 mm pearl cotton, aluminum film
- Size
- 76 x 24.8 in
- Fit
- 8-frame hives
- Closure
- Hook-and-loop strips, 2 buckles
Windspeed's 8-frame wrap lists 76 x 24.8 in, 600D Oxford cloth, 3 mm pearl cotton and aluminum film, with hook-and-loop strips and two buckles. It is sized for 8-frame hives specifically.
Best for: 8-frame wooden hives
Skip if: you run 10-frame equipment
- Sized for 8-frame hives
- Foil and pearl cotton layers
- Hook-and-loop plus buckles
- 8-frame only
- Top not covered
- Box count fit not listed
LRDCIMO Winter Hive Wrap, Hoover 10-Frame Deep
- Type
- Insulated wrap
- Fit
- Hoover Hives 10-frame 9-5/8" deep
- Closure
- Adjustable straps and buckles
LRDCIMO makes an insulated wrap sized for Hoover Hives 10-frame 9-5/8 in deep bodies, with adjustable straps and buckles. If you bought a Hoover stack, this is the closest-fitting wrap we found.
Best for: Hoover Hives owners
Skip if: you use another brand's boxes with different dimensions
- Sized for Hoover 10-frame deep
- Adjustable straps and buckles
- Removable for spring
- Box count coverage not detailed
- Material details not listed
- Fit for other brands not stated
Insulated beehive specs compared
| Product | Frames | Boxes | Material | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apimaye Ergo Insulated Hive Set with 10 Wood Frames | 10 wood frames, double-wax foundation | Single | Insulated plastic | Screened bottom, pollen trap, excluder, top feeder |
| Apimaye Ergo Insulated 10-Frame Hive Set, No Frames | 10 (frames not included) | Double deep | Insulated plastic | Screened bottom with pollen trap, excluder, top feeder |
| Apimaye Ergo Insulated 10-Frame Honey Maker, 1D+2M | 10 | 1 deep, 2 medium | Insulated plastic | Fully assembled boxes |
| Lyson Insulated Polystyrene 10-Frame Hive Kit | 10 assembled wooden with plastic foundation | 1 deep (9.5") | Insulated polystyrene | Bottom board, inner and outer cover |
| Layens Horizontal Hive, Insulated, 20 Frame | 20 Layens (21 without divider) | — | Double wall, 1.5 in foam | Aluminum roof, 3 entrances with steel doors |
| Apimaye Insulated 7-Frame Nuc with Core Frames, Tan | 7 | Nucleus box | Insulated plastic | Core frames and foundations |
Specs as listed by the maker or seller; check the listing before you buy.
Insulated beehive or a wrap: which do you need?
Insulated hive vs wrap on a wooden hive
| Insulated hive (Apimaye, Lyson) | Wooden hive + wrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation year-round | ✓ | ✗ winter only |
| Summer heat buffer | ✓ per Apimaye | ✗ remove wrap |
| Uses your existing boxes | ✗ new hive | ✓ |
| Top insulation | ✓ insulated cover | ~ add a quilt or insulated cover |
| Brand-specific parts | ✓ yes | ✗ standard wood |
Source: Hive & Frame summary of maker listings
If you are starting new hives in a cold region, an insulated hive saves a seasonal chore. If you already own wooden equipment, wraps are the practical upgrade. Either way, the top matters. UF/IFAS ENY-161 (Overwintering Honey Bee Colonies in Northern Climates) suggests top insulation in freezing areas, but with ventilation through an upper entrance, an auger hole in the top box or a ventilation rim, and says hives need enough air flow to discourage moisture buildup. It also notes that beekeepers in the far northern states wrap colonies to reduce wind infiltration.
Does insulation help bees survive winter?
Insulation slows heat loss. Apimaye and Lyson both claim colonies use less honey in insulated hives, and that is the main argument for them. What insulation can't fix: a colony that is too small, too short on stores, or carrying high mite loads going into fall. UF/IFAS calls lack of food one of the leading causes of winter colony death, puts a healthy wintering colony at 25,000 to 30,000 bees, and says colonies under 15,000 bees are unlikely to survive freezing temperatures.
- Check stores. UF/IFAS suggests about 90 lb of honey for a colony in the North and a lift test: if you can't easily rock the hive forward by the back handle of the bottom box, stores are likely adequate. Milder regions need less; ask your local extension office.
- Treat mites before winter bees are raised. Late-summer mite levels matter more than any hive body. Use the mite threshold calculator with HBHC 9th-edition numbers.
- Reduce the entrance and add a mouse guard.
- Manage moisture. Give a small upper vent or use a moisture quilt under the cover.
How to winterize with an insulated hive or wrap
- Late summer: test and treat mites
Sample about 300 bees; act on HBHC thresholds with an EPA-registered product used per its label.
- Early fall: consolidate
Reduce to the boxes the colony can cover, and feed if stores are light.
- Before the first hard freeze: wrap or close up
Fit the wrap, add the entrance reducer and mouse guard, check the top vent.
- Winter: heft, don't open
Lift the back of the hive to judge stores. UF/IFAS advises brief inspections only on days above 50°F, and only if necessary. Remove any queen excluder before winter so the queen isn't trapped below as the cluster moves up.
- Spring: remove the wrap
Take wraps off as days warm so the hive doesn't overheat during buildup.
Mite control comes before insulation: see the varroa mite treatment guide. If you are also choosing a box size, see 8-frame vs 10-frame hives.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating insulation as a substitute for stores. Bees still need enough honey or fondant.
- Sealing the hive airtight. Without an upper vent, moisture builds up inside.
- Mixing frame systems. Apimaye and Lyson take Langstroth frames; Layens frames do not.
- Leaving wraps on in spring. Overheating during buildup can trigger swarming.
Which insulated option should you pick?
- New hive, cold or hot climate: Apimaye Ergo with frames. Read our Apimaye insulated hive review.
- Want insulation plus super space: Apimaye Honey Maker 1D+2M.
- Polystyrene on a Langstroth footprint: Lyson.
- No lifting, harsh winters: insulated Layens.
- Existing wooden hives: POLLIBEE (10- or 8-frame stacks), Windspeed (8-frame), LRDCIMO (Hoover deeps).
See more in winter prep and the hives category, or compare against wood in best Langstroth hives.
For a new insulated hive, the Apimaye Ergo with 10 wood frames is the most complete package: assembled, no painting, and a feeder, pollen trap and excluder built in. Lyson is the simpler polystyrene alternative, and the insulated Layens is the pick for no-lift beekeeping in hard winters. If you already run wood, a well-fitted wrap plus good stores and low mites gets you most of the way.
We compared insulated hive and wrap listings by material, box format, frame compatibility, dimensions and included parts. Insulation and honey-consumption statements are the makers' claims, labeled as such. We did not overwinter colonies in these hives. Winter management guidance comes from UF/IFAS, University of Arizona and Penn State extension publications; mite thresholds from the Honey Bee Health Coalition 9th edition.
Questions
What is the best insulated beehive?
Do insulated beehives need wrapping in winter?
Do insulated hives make bees use less honey?
Can I use wooden frames in an Apimaye hive?
When should I put a wrap on my hive?
Are insulated hives good in hot climates?
Sources
- UF/IFAS ENY-161: Overwintering Honey Bee Colonies in Northern Climates
- University of Arizona: Fall and Winter Management of Honeybees in Arizona
- Penn State: Honey Bee Management Throughout the Seasons
- Honey Bee Health Coalition: Tools for Varroa Management, 9th ed.
- EPA: Registered products for varroa mites in bee hives