One of the biggest rewards in beekeeping is undoubtedly delicious honey. But to harvest the spoils of war, you need one special piece of equipment first – the best honey extractor.
Whilst many beekeeping clubs and associations pool their resources together and share extractors at the end of summer, if you’re serious about your beekeeping and want to produce high-quality honey quickly and efficiently, then you need to buy an extractor of your own.
The best honey extractors are affordable and lifelong investments. They’re specially designed for single beekeepers to use continuously, year on year with multiple hives without fail.
Whilst some are electric and others manually powered, they each have one thing in common – they’re easy to use and will separate honey from hive frames effortlessly.
Honey is flung out of frames in a spinning motion, which causes no damage to the honey itself or your frames. Frames can even be reintroduced back into your hives afterward!
As with all big investments in beekeeping, it’s important to choose wisely. And we are here to help you make an informed decision. We’ve tried and tested 10 of the best honey extractors on sale to help you reap the benefits of your beekeeping year.
10 of the Best Honey Extractors on Sale:
1. VIVO Electric 4 Frame Stainless Steel Honey Extractor, Honeycomb Drum Spinner
If you’re serious about investing in your beekeeping and want to simplify the honey extraction process, then we highly recommend this electric honey extractor from Vivo.
Firstly, we’re very impressed by its stainless steel design, which ensures it resists corrosion and rust and ultimately extends its service life indefinitely. Consider this a lifelong investment extractor.
The extractor can hold up to 4 large frames and will suit both beginners, hobbyists, and professionals alike. Now let’s talk about its measurements, an important thing to consider for how effective an extractor can be. This extractor stands 23.75” tall and has an 18.5” diameter, providing lots of room for your honey to collect.
The honey gate is located just ½” above the barrel bottom, allowing the honey to flow out naturally, without needing you to tip it over onto its side.
The extractor’s long legs ensure it can stand comfortably above a 5-gallon bucket, minimizing downtime between fillings and maximizing honey output. We also think that the clear lid is a nice touch, which means you can easily watch and monitor the extraction process in full.
This extractor works with a 120V AC motor, which runs smoothly and efficiently. Built-in safety features will shut the motor off when either lid is opened, and turn back on when it closes again.
Benefits:
- Made of stainless steel with metal gears enclosed
- Can fit 4 large frames at once
- Runs on a smoother 120V AC motor
- A clear lid allows you to observe extraction at all times
- Safety features shut the extractor off when the lid is opened
2. VINGLI 2 Frames Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor with Adjustable Height Stands
With several user-friendly features central to its design, this honey extractor from Vingli is an exceptional investment to make and will extract your honey simply and efficiently.
Firstly, as with any manual extractor, the handle is incredibly important to consider. This extractor boasts an upgraded handle with a square screw dent, which makes it easy to use. The solid metal crank turns smoothly and is comfortable to hold, even for long periods.
Next, let’s talk about the extractor’s body. What makes this extractor a wise investment is its stainless steel drum, which offers permanent rust resistance and long service life. The drum has a sleek, seamless welded finish and can be cleaned after each use very easily with just a cloth and warm water.
Inside, the extractor can hold up to 3 frames of any size, and its enclosed gears will never contaminate your honey. We also love that throughout use, you can monitor all of your frames with two clear glass lids located at the top.
The extractor has an adjustable height which adapts to a variety of honey containers. You can bolt these legs to the floor to help raise the drum higher, or completely remove them and use it on a table.
Benefits:
- Made of stainless steel
- A clear lid allows you to observe extraction at all times
- Adjustable height through the three stainless steel legs
- Can hold up to 3 frames of varying sizes
3. BestEquip Electric 4 Frame Stainless Steel Honey Extractor
This electric honey extractor has everything you need and more to extract large amounts of honey quickly and effectively.
We’re very impressed with the high-quality materials used in production, namely stainless steel which resists both rust and abrasions. It also has a seamless weld finish, which offers unmatched strength and is leak-proof. The entire structure is food-grade safe, meaning it won’t affect the honey’s taste at all.
This is an incredibly high-speed electric honey extractor, featuring a 120W 1300RPM motor. But don’t worry – it has a variety of speed options with a user-friendly dial, allowing you to find the appropriate rotation speed for your needs and comfort level.
The extractor can hold up to 4 standard frames of varying sizes, and the enclosed gear within will not contaminate honey during extraction. The extractor has a thickened beam across the top, which offers unmatched support and stability during use.
The honey gate located close to the bottom of the extractor barrel allows extracted honey to seep out at a steady rate. And with two clear lids on top, you can see the entire process from start to finish and monitor it accordingly.
Finally, this electric extractor is incredibly easy to assemble with a few simple steps, and you can get it to work straight away.
Benefits:
- Impressive electric 1300RPM motor with variable speed options
- Can hold 4 frames of varying sizes
- Made of stainless steel
- Easy to assemble and has impressive safety features
- Thickened beam offers incredible support and sturdiness
4. GOODLAND BEE SUPPLY 2 Frame Manual Honey Extractor
If you’re a beginner beekeeper or growing your craft, and want a simple, reliable extractor for all your honey needs, we highly recommend this 2-frame manual extractor from Goodland Bee Supply.
Made from high-quality stainless steel, this extractor is both rustproof and resilient and will last the test of time. It has sealed bearings and steel gears which not only keep honey secure but will never contaminate or alter taste or texture.
What’s more, the top is made of plexiglass so you can easily view and monitor extraction from start to finish.
Now let’s talk about how it functions. This extractor can hold up to two frames at the same time, which is small but more than enough for a beginner to learn from. As a manual extractor, the crank is carefully designed to be easy to use, comfortable, and requires minimal effort to work.
Finally, what we love most is how simple and easy it is to clean and maintain this piece of equipment. Simply wipe it down with warm water and soap to keep it in pristine condition.
Benefits:
- 3 piece leg stand offers stability
- A clear lid allows you to observe extraction at all times
- Easy to clean and maintain
Things to consider:
- Holds 2 frames, which is a smaller amount than other extractors
5. Hardin Professional 3 Frame Manual Honey Extractor
If you want to extract your honey quickly and easily, all the while protecting your frames, then we highly recommend this manual extractor from Hardin.
Ideal for beginner beekeepers and those curious to extract honey themselves, this machine is capable of extracting 3 frames at one time. It’s incredibly lightweight at just 26 lbs., allowing you to carry it on and off-site with ease. And measuring 15 x 45 x 24”, it’s a compact extractor that can easily be stored away when not in use.
This extractor has a clean, crystal clear plexiglass top which allows you to keep a watchful eye throughout the entire process. We also love that this extractor boasts a stainless design and finish, which is sturdy and leakproof. It also repels rust and corrosion, making it a long-lasting investment to make.
As a manual extractor, its handle is ergonomically designed to support and comfort your hand with every grip. It has a plastic honey valve located at the bottom of the tank which allows all honey to drip out, so there’s no need to tilt or slide it over to empty.
A 3 legged stand is included and offers incredible support and sturdiness throughout the entire process. And what’s more, the extractor is easy to clean – simply wipe with warm water and soap.
Benefits:
- Made of stainless steel
- 3 legged stand offers stability
- Easy to clean and maintain
- A clear lid allows you to observe extraction at all times
6. 2in1 Manual Honey Extractor, Frame Spinner with Interchangeable Cage
This manual honey extractor from ApiHex does it all, will suit any hobbyist looking to extract and bottle honey quickly and effectively.
Firstly, this is a very durable machine, and we think you’ll agree is important when making a big investment. It’s made from acid-resistant stainless steel and has a painted metal-enclosed gear inside, which won’t affect the honey’s taste.
The conical bottom of the drum ensures optimal draining of honey, and you can use a multitude of frames, including wooden and plastic, and honeycomb wax. What’s most impressive is the number of frames you can turn at any one time; including 12 medium frames radially or 3 deep frames tangentially.
It comes with 3 adjustable legs, allowing you to pour the honey out without tipping, tilting, or holding the drum. Lastly, this extractor is very straightforward to assemble and disassemble and is a dream to clean. Simply use a stainless-steel cleaner or warm water with a clean cloth, and you’re done!
Benefits:
- Made of acid-resistant stainless steel
- Conical bottom optimizes honey draining
- 3 adjustable legs
- Simple to clean and maintain
7. Goplus 2 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor with Transparent Lid
Constructed with 201 stainless steel, this extractor is sturdy and promises long-term service. It has anti-rust properties and its barrel body has a seamless design that is welded tightly and as such, leakproof.
The drum’s size measures 30” (H) x 15” (D) which will meet the meets of hobbyists and beginner beekeepers. It can hold up to 2 standard frames, including shallow, medium, and deep frames.
The extractor has its external gear, which is durable and kept away from honey to preserve its taste. The handle has a spring clutch which makes it a dream to crank, and ensures it won’t spin once released.
We love that the extractor can be assembled quickly and only requires a damp cloth to clean. Transparent lids at the top also allow you to view the entire extraction process.
Finally, a food-honey outlet at the bottom of the extractor provides an easy way to drain honey from the extractor into a bucket or container below.
Benefits:
- Made of stainless steel with a sleek, seamless design
- A spring clutch in the handle prevents spinning once released
- Simple to clean and maintain
Things to consider:
- No legs, so ideally it is to be used on a table/higher platform
- Can only extract 2 frames at a time
8. VINGLI Electric 2 Frame Honey Extractor with Adjustable Height Stands
With a beautiful, sleek design and high-quality finish, this electric honey extractor from Vingli makes for a great early investment into your beekeeping profession.
As a 2-frame extractor, the extractor is ideally suited for beginners and hobbyists looking to start their very own extraction process. It has a high-quality polished stainless steel frame, with anti-rust and anti-abrasion properties.
We particularly love the stainless steel honey gate, which ensures honey that passes through will never pick up harsh chemicals or have its taste altered.
With two adjustable legs, you can put a variety of different-sized containers underneath the honey gate to collect honey. These legs can be bolted to the floor to raise the drum or removed entirely to use the extractor on a tabletop.
Now let’s talk about the motor. This electric extractor has a simple but fast 110V AC motor. Simply press the ON button, choose a speed and let the machine do the rest! To turn off, reduce speed to 0 and press the OFF button.
Finally, a clear glass lid at the top of the extractor gives you a great view during extraction and also helps keep dust out of the chamber. The extractor can be cleaned easily with just soap and water after each use.
Benefits:
- Electric 110V AC motor does all the work for you
- Simple to clean, maintain and use!
- Made with high-quality, polished stainless steel
- Stainless steel honey gate
- Adjustable legs can change the height, or be removed for tabletop use
Things to consider:
- Can only extract 2 frames at a time
9. BestEquip Electric 3 Frames Extractor Stainless Steel Spinner Bee Honey Extraction
With heavy-duty handles able to old up to 3 frames, this electric honey extractor from BestEquip is a brilliant investment for hobbyist beekeepers wanting to expand their honey production.
The extractor is incredibly durable. It’s made of stainless steel finish and has a seamless welded finish. The steel can resist both rust and abrasions, is polished, and is of food-grade quality.
This electric extractor features a 130W 1 1 A 1300RPM motor, with variable speed options. It has a high-precision bearing, meaning higher rotation speed and longer service life.
At just 27 lbs., it’s also an incredibly lightweight extractor that can be stored away or carried on-site relatively easily. And measuring 46.5” in height, it’s an ideal size for many beekeepers.
Finally, with two clear Perspex lids, you can inspect the extraction at all times during the process. An integrated thickened beam made of durable aluminum provides maximum strength and support all the while.
Benefits:
- Can extract 3 frames at one time
- Powerful 130W 1 1 A 1300 RPM motor has high precision, higher rotation speed, and longer service life
- Two Perspex lids grant great visibility
- 3 stainless steel legs
- Thickened aluminum beam provides unmatched support
10. VIVO Large Two 2 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Crank Bee Honey Extractor
Simplify your honey extraction process with this high-quality manual honey extractor from VIVO store.
To start, we’re very impressed with its solid, classic design. It has a stainless steel drum that can hold two frames, making it an ideal extractor for all hobbyists. The honey gate sits ½” above the bottom of the drum, meaning honey flows out quickly, easily, and with no product loss.
It stands securely on three legs, 15.25” off the ground, allowing for a multitude of containers to sit underneath and catch falling honey. The drum is made of stainless steel which won’t rust or suffer from abrasions either, making the entire system very durable.
As a manual extractor, the handle is an incredibly important feature to consider. With this model, it has a grooved, plastic handle that is comfortable to hold and has a slight curvature to support your hand throughout use. It requires minimal effort to spin your frames.
The frame carriages can hold any sized frame, including shallow medium, and deep frames. The enclosed metal gears keep honey clean and do not affect taste or texture.
This extractor features a sturdy clamp system that keeps the lid securely fastened, ensuring the utmost safety at all times. And as with many extractors, this model has a clear plexiglass lid which allows you to monitor honey at all times as it spins.
Benefits:
- Made of stainless steel with metal gears enclosed
- Comfortable handle
- Three legs support the extractor and are high off the ground
- Clear Plexiglas lid
Things to consider:
- Can only extract 2 frames at a time
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a honey extractor?
There are several things to consider, but the main feature you should take into account is how many frames the extractor can work on per cycle.
Beginner and hobbyist beekeepers should be comfortable with 2 frame holders, but if you have many hives with large honey yields, you may want to consider a bigger extractor.
Do you need a honey extractor?
Whilst you can harvest honey by hand through uncapping and straining, it requires a tremendous amount of manual labor.
Honey extractors simply the process by using centrifugal force, which “spins” the honey out in quick motions. This method is perfectly safe, and most importantly, incredibly fast!
How does a honey extractor work?
Honey extractors work by spinning frames at high speed. Using centrifugal force, honey is flung out of frames and collected at the bottom of the barrel. The frames are not damaged and afterward can be reused by worker bees.
What temperature should honey be extracted at?
Ideally, you should extract honey between 20-25C (68-77F). Any hotter and the wax will become too soft and messy to work with. This in turn will make filtering much more difficult. If it’s too cool, the wax becomes stiff and rigid.
What is the best way to clean a honey extractor?
The best honey extractors will be simple to clean and maintain. Many require only warm water and a clean cloth to wipe clean.
Always clean after use to ensure the extractor remains in pristine condition, and you don’t attract robber bees!
Honey Extractor Buying Guide
Historically, honey extractors were expensive machines that beekeepers pooled together to share. Nowadays, many manufacturers build high-end honey extractors for domestic, hobbyist beekeepers.
To make the best investment in your beekeeping, consider the following:
Electric or manual?
There are two main types of honey extractor we’ve recommended. Both work in the same way, by using centrifugal force to extract honey. But there are some minor differences with how they’re powered, the speed they run at, and their cost.
Electric honey extractors are powered by a motor and spin at incredible speeds.
They offer a lot of convenience by extracting large quantities of honey very quickly with just a simple press of a button. Electric honey extractors are often a little bit more expensive, though, and are typically aimed at professional beekeepers who want to work with a large number of frames, one after the other, in quick succession.
Electric honey extractors will need to work near a power source. And because of the high speeds, there is a change of frames/comb that may become damaged with improper use. Always follow instructions carefully.
Manual honey extractors function exactly as electric competitors, except are man-powered. These usually have a crank system you push and pull to operate.
Whilst these extractors may work slower, they are very well suited to beginners, hobbyists, and professionals alike because you’re always in control throughout extraction. And because of the slower speeds, it means there’s less risk of frames/comb becoming damaged.
Basket types
The next feature to consider is the type of baskets the extractor uses. Baskets are where you’ll place frames, and there are two types you can choose from:
Tangential baskets – one side of the comb is facing outward. Whilst this is slower and you must flip frames around to do both sides, this method protects the comb.
Radial – this is the most common basket type in extractors because it targets both sides of the frame at the same time. You’ll extract honey in half the time, although the comb is more exposed to damage.
Durability – stainless steel
As honey extractors are only used towards the end of the beekeeping season, they are pieces of equipment that should last the test of time.
Many of our recommendations feature stainless steel constructs. Stainless steel is the ideal material for your extractor because it won’t rust, corrode, or become damaged or scratched by particles released from your frames.
Additionally, stainless steel is very easy to clean – simply wipe with a clean cloth, warm water, and soap!
Sturdy legs
Honey extractions need a lot of support to keep upright and not tip over. Ensure your extractor has strong, sturdy legs that can stabilize it during use. This is especially important with electric extractors, who can reach high RPM in a short amount of time.
Many manual exactors don’t come with legs, and instead can be operated from a table. Others may have adjustable legs, which you can change depending on the size of the container you have underneath.
Where is the honey gate?
The honey gate is the small hole located at the bottom of the drum, where extracted honey flows out and into a container below.
The closer a honey gate is to the bottom of the barrel, the better, as more honey can flow out. If honey gates are made of plastic, ensure they are of food-grade quality to prevent any harsh chemicals from affecting the taste.
How many frames can it hold?
Simply put, the more frames your extractor can hold, the quicker you’ll extract honey from hives. But how many does an average beekeeper need?
Domestic extractors will hold anything from 2 to 4 honey frames and are aimed at beginners and hobbyist beekeepers. Especially if you are new to beekeeping or extraction in general, it’s best to start smaller.
If the extractor holds 8 or more frames, it’s generally aimed more at professional beekeepers with vast numbers of colonies.
Visibility matters
With honey extraction, visibility is very important. Many of the best extractors have clear tops so that you can check on frames throughout the process and know exactly when it’s finished and for you to restock new frames.
The most common materials used are glass and plexiglass – always ensure they’re wiped before and after use, as these tops help prevent dust and other particles from entering the barrel and contaminating honey.
Skill level
With all things beekeeping, it’s important to always pitch to your skill level.
Especially if you’re moving from traditional extraction (uncapping knife), you may want to invest in a machine that is smaller in size and power. Always consider how many colonies you have and tailor your extractor to your needs. That way you’ll always remain in control and never damage frames during extraction.
When you become more confident and perhaps have even more hives to work from, you can always upgrade your machine.
Conclusion
Honey yields are one of the biggest deciding factors on if your beekeeping year has been a success. But to even think about honey, you need to find a way to extract it from your hives.
But extracting the honey by hand is tiresome, long, and can take all the goodness out of beekeeping. To simplify this important process, you need one tool – you need the best honey extractor.
They’re affordable, they’re easy to use, and most importantly, work brilliantly. Honey is extracted in half the time, safely, securely, and directly into containers.
Many of the best honey extractors are made of stainless steel which resists rust, corrosion, and abrasion. When you buy one of these, expect it to last the test of time.
Extractors should be able to hold anywhere from 2 to 4 frames per cycle, allowing you to continuously extract in quick success and do most if not all your hive’s frames in one sitting.
With the best honey extractor, you’ll not only be able to process more honey, but you’ll do so in a fraction of the time. Make this investment as early as you can, and you’ll reap its benefits for years to come.
