Choosing the right beekeeping equipment for you is important. What works for another beekeeper, may not work for you. It’s important to understand the ins and outs of buying bees, beekeeping equipment, or educating yourself. And there are many things that are important to know, but many of those things can be changed later. For example, you can use a queen excluder on all of your hives, then when you decide you don’t want to anymore, you can simply take it off.
There are some decisions you make in beekeeping that are not easy to change and are more permanent. One of those is deciding if you want to use 10 frame equipment or 8 frame equipment. It's important to determine the right frame size and type—such as wood or plastic frames, and whether to use deeps or mediums—based on your hive requirements and preferences.
The most common bee equipment in the US is the Langstroth hive which is a combination of deep boxes and medium boxes. Deeps are often used in ten frame setups, but many beekeepers are switching to eight frame mediums to reduce weight and simplify management. Beekeepers will also use shallow boxes as well, but not as commonly as in the past. The number of sides or the size of the frames and boxes you choose can impact how easy the hive is to handle and manage. 8-frame hive options have become more popular recently, for good reason. Using eight frame mediums instead of ten frame deeps reduces the weight of the hive significantly, making hive management easier for many beekeepers.
Choosing between 8-frame and 10-frame equipment is a long-term decision since the two are not compatible and hard to mix.
10-frame hives are more common and require fewer boxes, but they’re heavier and harder to lift when full.
8-frame hives are lighter and easier to manage, making them popular with backyard and beginner beekeepers despite needing more boxes.
Introduction to Frame Options
When it comes to beekeeping, selecting the right frames for your hive is a key decision that can influence the health and productivity of your honey bees. Frames are the essential structure inside your hive boxes where bees build their comb, raise brood, and store honey. Beekeepers can choose between wood frames and plastic frames, each offering unique benefits. Wood frames are a traditional favorite, providing a natural environment that many bees readily accept.
On the other hand, plastic frames are valued for their durability and ease of cleaning, making them a practical choice for those looking for low-maintenance options. Whether you’re working with deep frames for brood, medium frames for honey, or a combination of both, understanding your frame options helps you create the best environment for your bees. By considering the type of frames—wood or plastic—and how they fit into your hive, you can set your bees up for success and make your beekeeping experience more enjoyable.
Frame Size Considerations
Choosing the right frame size is an important step in setting up your hive. The most common sizes are deep frames (9-1/8” tall), medium frames (6-1/4” tall), and shallow frames (5-3/8” tall). Deep frames are typically used for brood, giving your bees plenty of space to raise new generations. Medium frames are a popular choice for honey production, as they strike a balance between capacity and weight, making them easier for beekeepers to handle. Shallow frames are less common but can be useful for specialized honey supers.
The number of frames per box—whether you choose a 10 frame or 8 frame setup—also affects the overall weight and manageability of your hive. Remember, maintaining the correct spacing between frames (known as “bee space”) is crucial to prevent bees from building comb in unwanted places. By selecting the right combination of frame sizes and numbers, you can optimize your hive for both your bees’ needs and your own preferences as a beekeeper.
Beekeeping Equipment - 10 Frame Or 8 Frame?
You should choose to use either 8 frame equipment or 10 frame equipment. It’s very difficult to combine 10 frame equipment with 8 frame equipment. This is because they are not compatible with each other. Even though 8 and 10 frame hives are both Langstroth hives, the boxes are not compatible. If you want compatibility, you have to significantly modify your equipment. Some beekeepers address this by cutting or altering the bottom boards and frames to adjust sizes for better management.
The way the Langstroth hive is designed is the beekeeper will add boxes as the bees need extra space, typically adding medium boxes. These medium boxes are also called honey boxes or honey supers, but a medium box can be used for any purpose the bees need.
Check out our Master Guide to Beekeeping Equipment
10 Frame equipment is called 10 frame because each box fits 10 frames. This is the same for 8 frame boxes; they hold 8 frames. The order or arrangement of frames within the box is important for efficient hive management and bee health. There is another option called a 5-frame, but this is typically just for a small colony that will be moved into an 8 or 10-frame hive shortly.
Using 10 Frame Equipment
10 frame equipment ** has both advantages and disadvantages for beekeepers.** With the 10 frame beekeeping kits, a beekeeper will still use a combination of deep, medium, and possibly shallow boxes on their hive. Honey bees will live and work in all equipment sizes, so the differences are mostly up to beekeeper preference. Hive frames are the structural components inside the hive that hold honeycomb or brood comb, and they play a crucial role in hive management. Frames can be outfitted with wax foundation, starter strips, or left empty for bees to build their own comb.
10 frame equipment is the most popular size of Langstroth hive, but that is not necessarily because it is the best type. 10 frame hive boxes have been around for a long time, which is what most beekeepers use. Each frame is a piece of equipment, and beekeepers can choose between different frame types, materials, and features such as wax coating or assembly style. This is why it is the most popular. But just because it is the most popular does not mean that it is the best option for you.
Commercial beekeepers and backyard beekeepers both use 10 frame equipment. Because this size has been around the longest, most accessories to the hive always have a 10 frame option first and an 8 frame option second. Frames are designed to be easily removed from the hive for inspection, honey extraction, or maintenance.
Advantages Of Using 10 Frame Deep Frames Equipment
Total height of the stack is lower than that of an 8 frame hive with the same amount of space
Bees have access to two more frames for honey / brood in each box, though sometimes the frames on the left or right edges are left unused by bees
More beekeepers use it and are familiar with managing bees in them
Less boxes to purchase when considering the whole hive
Fewer boxes to work through when inspecting hive
Most size-specific hive accessories are made for 10 frame boxes.
Standard beekeeping frame equipment comes in three heights: deep frames measure 9-1/8" tall, medium frames measure 6-1/4" tall, and shallow frames measure 5-3/8" tall.
Disadvantages Of Using 10 Frame Equipment With Plastic Foundation
Full 10 frame medium boxes of honey are 15+lbs heavier than 8 frame box of honey
Bees often opt to move up before using 2 frames on the outside edges of the box
Full 10 frame deep boxes are nearly too heavy to move by the average person alone
Lifting one box that is too heavy can easily injure a knee or back; using lighter beekeeping equipment can save beekeepers time and effort during hive inspections and honey harvests.
3 medium boxes stacked without frames, 10, 8 and 5 frame
Bee hive box with Frames
Foxhound Deep Cypress Assembled Painted 3-3
Using 8 Frame Equipment
8 frame equipment also has advantages and disadvantages. We sell a lot of equipment to beginner beekeepers and the majority of the kits we sell are 10 frame. 8 frame hives are becoming more and more popular as a lighter alternative to the more common 10 frame hive. For example, using 8 frame medium boxes instead of ten frame deeps can make hive management easier due to the reduced weight and more manageable size.
More new beekeepers are starting to see the benefit of lighter equipment and opting to start with that option instead of 10 frame hives. There are many benefits to using the eight frame equipment, especially for the older backyard beekeeper that only wants to keep a few hives and is buying beekeeping equipment for the first time. Additionally, cutting down deep frames to medium frames simplifies hive management by making frames interchangeable across different boxes.
If you have back issues, have poor knees, can’t comfortably lift 50 lbs or are older, an 8 frame beginner hive kit would be a good fit. In particular, 8-frame beehives are mostly purchased by older or female beekeepers. The number of sides or the frame size in these boxes can significantly impact how easy the equipment is to handle and manage. But being honest, if I started over, I would likely opt for an 8 frame hive instead of a 10 frame hive. Only because of the weight. But that is a personal preference and not everyone’s preference.
Advantage Of Using 8 Frame Wood Frames Equipment
Reduces the total weight of each box, making each box easier to move
Can fit more hives in a smaller area
Reduced risk in causing injury to yourself while working hives
Bees tend to use frames in each box more efficiently
Honey is more compact inside the hive and more accessible to the winter bee clusters
Disadvantages Of Using 8 Frame Equipment
Hive stack can be so high, it can tip over in a storm
Need to purchase more boxes than 10 frame hive
Not all suppliers will have 8 frame equipment
Can be hard to find specialized equipment (ie: pollen traps, top feeders) to fit 8 frame boxes; the quality of bottom bars in frame construction is important, as strong and well-made bottom bars can improve hive durability and make frame management easier
More boxes to handle during honey removal
Alternative Frame Options
Beyond the standard wood and plastic frames, there are several alternative frame options designed to meet the diverse needs of beekeepers. Some frames feature a grooved top bar, which securely holds wax foundation in place, while others use a wedged top bar for added stability. You can also choose between wax foundation and plastic foundation, or even frames that combine both for added flexibility.
Many beekeepers prefer to add extra wax to their plastic foundation to encourage bees to build comb more quickly and naturally. When selecting frames, consider how they are designed to hold the foundation, how easy they are to assemble, and whether they are compatible with your existing hive equipment. By exploring these alternative frame options—such as grooved or wedged top bars, and frames built exclusively for certain types of foundation—you can tailor your hive setup to your bees’ preferences and your own beekeeping style, ultimately supporting a healthy, productive colony.
10 Frame Or 8 Frame - The Choice Is Yours
Whichever setup you choose to use, stick with it. It’s very hard to use both types of equipment in one apiary, causing compatibility problems if you mix and match. 8 frame or 10 frame equipment is one of those decisions a beekeeper should research early before getting bees so take some time to consider both options.
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club.