12 Best Honey Extractor Reviews

You’ve decided to get a honey extractor. Congratulations! Your honey harvesting sessions are about to get so much easier, more enjoyable, and more efficient…

…But not if you choose the wrong extractor. A bad honey extractor will turn your hobby into your nightmare. Just imagine: you spend hours trying to assemble a cheap extractor. The instructions make no sense. The lid doesn’t fit and threatens to launch off mid extraction and smack you in the face. Honey leaks. Everywhere. After a few extractions, the motor burns out. No returns.

Yes, this may be the worst-case scenario, but these things happen. Not all honey extractors are equal. We’ve spent hundreds of hours, reviewed the good, bad and ugly, and found the best honey extractors on the market. Here are our top choices.

The 12 Best Honey Extractors

When you shop online and search for a possible honey extractor for your operation, it can be overwhelming. Sites list the details, the prices, the reviews, and the specifications for hundreds of models. To save you time and effort, here are the best honey extractors on the market today.

You’ll find honey extracting easy with this four-frame radial honey extractor from VIVO. Radial models came after the “old model extracting machine” and have some improvements (1). This model has a 120-watt AC motor with a safety switch that shuts down the extractor as a precaution when you lift one of the lids. Push the membrane switch to turn it on or off, and the dial-in, rheostatic control allows you to regulate the honey extractor’s speed.  

This 4-frame electric honey extractor has a large stainless-steel drum (a full 23.75 inches tall and 18.5 inches in diameter) and holds four frames  —  great for extracting large amounts of honey at a time. 

The drum holds shallow, medium, and deep frames, and the metal gears are enclosed, so they remain free of honey. The unit has a two-piece, clear, plexiglass lid so you can see the honey as it turns. 

There’s minimal assembly required, with an average assembly time of 15 to 20 minutes, and the extractor comes with a one-year warranty. Buyers report that the manufacturer has highly responsive customer service for answering questions and supplying extra parts.

The honey extractor’s sealable gate opening is located just one-half inch above the barrel base, which is an optimal installation spot (2). This means you can remove most of the honey from the 4-frame electric honey extractor while avoiding having to tip the unit forward.

This best stainless steel honey extractor runs quietly and smoothly and holds up to eight frames if you load them correctly. Easy cleanup, too.

This 2-frame manual honey extractor processes two frames at a time. It is made of polished stainless steel, except for the top, which is clear plexiglass. 

This honey extractor weighs only 24 pounds and measures 15 x 45 x 24 inches. The two-piece plexiglass top allows for easy viewing of the product while you spin it, and it protects the honey from debris and dust.

The unit has an optional stand, so you can either elevate it up a few inches from the floor or place it directly on a bench. The sealable honey valve is conveniently located just above the bottom of the honey extractor so the honey exits easily and (almost) completely.

The gears have sealed bearings so there’s no chance of the honey getting on them and making a mess. The steel tank is constructed of 16-gauge stainless steel for an attractive look, easy cleaning, and rust and corrosion resistance.

Customers report the unit is a breeze to assemble. This crank honey extractor is also easy to operate: it takes just 10 to 15 seconds of cranking by hand to extract honey. 

The extractor has a wide handle so your hand does not cramp up, and the baskets inside are large enough to hold large frames as well as medium and small ones. 

This is a quality, inexpensive extractor that does the job well. 

This honey extractor’s body is constructed of food-grade stainless steel and is machine-rolled with no welds. Stainless steel construction means it resists abrasion and rust. The polished finish is attractive and long-lasting.

This is a high-speed, electric exactor with a 1.1 amp, 120 watt-volt motor that operates at 1300 RPM. The electronic, rheostatic control gives you wide speed options (3), and the precision bearing provides long service life. The on-off switch is enclosed, keeping it free of honey and contaminants. 

This is a heavy-duty radial honey extractor that holds up to four shallow, medium and deep frames at one time. 

Two hinged, plexiglass lids allow you to see the honey while the machine extracts it and keeps the product free from dirt and dust. The extractor’s stopper honey valve is sealable to help you avoid spillage.

The extractor measures 46.5 inches high, 23.6 inches wide at the base, with a 19.7-inch diameter drum.

While this stainless steel honey extractor works fast, you can also operate it at a slow, even pace, so there are no worries about the unit tipping or falling. 

The unit is easy to put together initially, and buyers report that this honey extractor is easy to take apart and clean when you’re finished. Great extractor for the hobbyist or small beekeeper.

The steel drum on this centrifugal honey extractor measures 24 inches tall by 15 inches in diameter  —  perfect for extracting large volumes of honey at once. 

The hand-crank mechanism is heavy-duty yet easy to turn. Manual spinning allows you to hand-regulate the speed that the frames spin. 

To help keep the extractor out of the honey you have extracted, the space between the floor and the honey gate is an adequate 15 and one-quarter inches. The sealable gate orifice is just one-half inch from the barrel’s base, so you can extract almost all of the honey while avoiding tipping the unit forward. 

This honey extractor allows you to extract honey from small, medium, and deep frames, and the metal gears are enclosed, so they remain free of honey during operation. 

A clear, two-piece plexiglass top allows you to see the extraction working while it spins your honeycombs. 

For more stability, customers suggest anchoring the unit to your deck or floor. A 5-gallon bucket fits nicely underneath, so the honey flows right into it.

A one-year warranty is included, and buyers are happy with the friendly customer support to help address your concerns and answer questions.

Check out this video where you can see the Vivo in action:

If you are in a tight budget, the best stainless steel honey extractor that you can get is this Vingli. No plastic here, the Vingli manual honey extractor is made from polished, first-quality stainless steel. This makes it rust- and abrasion-resistant, and it cleans up easily with a soap water mix. The barrel is seamless with no welds, and the unit has a stainless steel honey valve, too.

Together these attributes help keep you healthy and your product safe. If you are a hobbyist beekeeper, this is one of the best honey extractors that you can get for your money.

The inside basket holds as many as three shallow, medium, or deep frames at one time. The basket is a little rounded on the innermost side to help prevent your honeycombs from breaking. The turning gears on the frame are enclosed, so they do not contaminate your honey.

This 2-frame stainless steel honey extractor allows you to spin at high speed, even though it’s a hand-cranked model, for fast honey extraction. 

The hand crank design provides smooth and efficient operation. This means you crank easier. The optimum gear ratio makes the frame spin fast while you turn the crank only slightly. 

This 2-frame stainless steel honey extractor has adjustable legs, allowing you to place various-sized buckets underneath. The legs adjust to three heights: 

• 40.3 inches
• 43.8 inches
• 47 inches

You can also bolt the legs to the floor or onto a board for more stability or remove them to use the honey extractor on a tabletop. 

The clear, two-piece plexiglass top keeps your honey free of dust and dirt and gives you a great view of the product you’re extracting.

This 2-frame stainless steel manual honey bee extractor is made from durable, no-rust stainless steel. It has two plastic lids, so you can watch the machine extract your honey and monitor the speed.

The rotating handle has a spring clutch that helps crank the gears but does not continue spinning once you release it. 

This 2 frame honey extractor is easy to assemble with the clearly written instructions that are included. Clean this manual extractor conveniently with just soap and water.

The extractor holds two medium, small, or deep frames, and has handy carrying handles on the unit’s sides for easy moving and storing. Beginner beekeepers will appreciate this 2-frame manual honey extractor.

A sealable plastic honey valve secures your honey inside until you’re ready to load your containers.

The extractor is 30 inches high with a 16-inch diameter drum

This manual 2 frame honey extractor is a great, reasonably-priced unit for the small apiarist or hobbyist beekeepers. It is hand-operated and holds two standard shallow, medium, or deep frames.

It is made from highly polished, food-grade stainless steel material. The body is of rolled construction, which means it is seamless and weld-less. The construction process also means the honey extractor resists rust and corrosion and is easy to clean. Plus, this 2-frame stainless steel extractor looks great. 

The extractor is 27.7 inches tall and 13.5 inches in diameter, so it is small enough for table-top operation but large enough to get the job done.

It has a high-quality hand crank mechanism that turns the two frames inside efficiently and smoothly, and the crank is enclosed, so it does not contaminate the product.

The one-piece stainless steel top keeps out debris and avoids splatter while you turn the crank. The top attaches with two high-elastic locks that keep the lid on securely. 

The two sturdy handles on this unit make for easy transportation and storage. Assembly is a snap. 

Note: This stainless steel honey extractor does not have a honey valve.

This electric stainless steel honey extractor efficiently extracts honey from two frames. It has a quiet, smooth-running electric motor that operates on 120 watts at 1300 RPM. 

You can spin one frame at a time if necessary, and the extractor does not go out of balance.

The drum height is 24 inches, and the drum diameter is 15 inches, large enough for the job of honey extraction yet small enough for easy transporting and storing.

The double-sided lid is constructed of clear Perspex so you can see the product while you’re extracting and monitor the machine’s operation.

The extractor is built from 304 stainless steel material, which resists rust and helps prevent corrosion. The honeycomb basket comes with a mesh that is rounded slightly to the innermost side, preventing breakage of the honeycombs and ensuring you can extract honey.

A sealable honey valve allows you to remove your honey from the extractor easily. 

Buyers report that this electric honey extractor is simple to assemble, and the manufacturer provides “wonderful” customer service.

This stainless steel electric honey extractor is built to last a long time and provide exceptional service. It is also reasonably priced.

The stainless steel construction is attractive and protects against rust, corrosion, and premature failure. 

The electric honey extractor unit has two large frames that measure 17 inches by 11 inches. A clear, plexiglass lid with handles allows you to view the extractor’s operation and the state of your honey while the machine does its work. The extractor works on two different-sized frames if you need that function.

The motor that runs the extractor operates on 110 volts. The mini-control panel features a rheostatic controller for controlling the speed from low to high and anywhere in between. Buyers report the unit runs super quietly.

You can unload your honey easily with the well-positioned legs and honey valve with its secure swivel stopper. 

The extractor is easy to assemble and use, and the manufacturer’s customer service is responsive if you have questions.

This quality stainless steel manual honey extractor is great for extracting the honey from two frames at a time. It is made from 18/10 steel that resists corrosion and rust. It also is sanitary, looks attractive, and cleans up easily. 

The extractor drum, which uses centrifugal force to collect the honey, works with both medium and small-sized hive frames (4). The plastic, sealable honey gate opens and secures easily, and is located at the right height for removing your honey from the drum.

The two-piece plexiglass lid keeps your honey free of dust and debris and has handles so you can easily access the inside of the machine to insert your frames and for cleaning and monitoring operations.

The legs on the Little Giant are adjustable so you can choose the best height for your extracting chores. All parts on this tangential honey extractor, except the lid and honey gate, are made of durable steel. 

Some assembly is required, but users report the honey extractor is easy to assemble and use. 

This radial honey extractor processes three frames at once so you can extract a lot of honey during one operation. 

The unit is manufactured from high-quality, polished steel, which is attractive yet durable, easy to clean, yet rust-resistant. All parts except the lid, the sealable honey gate, the motor housing, and controls are steel.

The honey extractor features red legs, which, when viewed against the polished-steel drum, are attractive and distinctive. 

The inside is conical-shaped, which allows the honey to drain easily to the 2-inch diameter honey gate.

You can readily view the machine’s operation through the plexiglass lid. The lid has two knobs, which you use to open the extractor to insert or remove your frames, and to clean the machine. 

The electric honey extractor has variable speed settings, from low to high, and a toggle-type on/off switch. The electric motor runs at 1250 RPM from 120 watts and operates the honey extractor quietly and smoothly. 

This large radial honey extractor holds up to four frames. It has a drum that is 20 inches in diameter and 24 inches high. The total height of the extractor is 46.5 inches; it is 23.6 inches at the base.

The lid is a two-piece plexiglass design with knobs to help the operator can open and close it. Plexiglass allows you to view the machine’s operation while it keeps dirt and dust away from your honey. 

The honeycomb basket’s mesh is rounded slightly on the innermost side to prevent damage to the honeycombs. The sealable honey gate allows for easy removal of your honey after spinning.

The motor on this centrifugal electric honey extractor runs on 120 watts, and you operate it using a variable speed switch. A plastic cover protects the on/off switch so it does not become sticky with honey or unsanitary with debris.

The honey extractor’s finish is buffed stainless steel, which is attractive yet durable. This type of finish also protects against rust and deterioration. The exterior of this centrifugal honey extractor features grey-colored legs and black accent strips on the drum.

How to choose the right Honey Extractor

If you are starting a beginner beekeeper and would love to harvest honeycombs, this buying guide can help with decisions about different types of honey extractors and what is best for you, how many frames the machine you are considering can handle, construction pointers, and other topics.

If you’re just getting started with beekeeping, see the following helpful guides:

• 16 Species of Bees
• 7 Types of Bee Hives
• 6 Best Starter Beekeeping Kits
• 9 Best Bee Hives
• 12 Best Beekeeping Suits

Electric vs Manual extractors

Is the best honey extract for you an electric or manual model? The answer depends on whether you want to expend bodily energy extracting your honey or if you want an electric motor to do the work of spinning the frames for you.

Manual and electric honey extractors are built similarly, beside the electric motor. Both versions have primarily stainless steel components. 

Both do the same job of spinning the frames to create the centrifugal force that pulls the honey out of them. But one uses your arm power to crank the frame-holding baskets. The other  —  well, you just push a button, and the electric motor spins the frames for you.

If you choose a manual extractor, you will also save money  —  manual extractors, as a rule, are less expensive than electrically operated honey extractors.

Whether you prefer an electric or manual honey extractor, make sure to avoid honey contamination (5). You can remove and extract honeycombs one at a time.

Two, Three, or Four-Frame Extractor?

Honey extractors can hold two, three, or four honeycombs at the same time. So, which one is best for you? This, of course, depends on the amount of honey (and the number of frames) you need to process.  

Long-time beekeepers say to shop for an extractor that holds one-half the frames as the number of hives you tend.

In other words, if you keep four hives, look for a honey extractor that processes two frames. If you have eight hives, shop for a honey extractor that can process up to four frames. 

Before they uncap the honey, some beekeepers also harvest the propolis, which people use for medicinal purposes. Propolis is resinous substance bees gather to glue the frames together. 

Stainless Steel Construction

You will likely want an extractor that is made primarily of stainless steel, especially the drum and frame. Stainless steel is sanitary, so there’s little or no chance of germs and bacteria growing and spreading. 

The only drawback is that it can be heavy to move around, and getting your hive in the perfect spot is essential for good honey production  —  though it can take trial and error (6). After all, different seasons offer your bees various local cuisines.

Steel does inhibit rust and corrosion, which means your honey extractor will last for many years and many seasons of bee-keeping. Stainless steel is also easy to clean. While hot water often does the job, you can also apply a bleach solution to clean steel surfaces and sanitize your bees’ hive (7).

Stainless steel is also attractive and pleasing to the eye (not that your bees will care).

Note that many of our hand-cranked manual honey extractors feature stainless steel parts in addition to the drum, such as the gears, the crank itself, and the bearings. 

Plastic in Honey Extractors

The electrically operated honey extractors we reviewed are mainly stainless steel, but the controller for adjusting the speed of the motor and other parts like the on/off switch may be made of plastic. 

Using plastic does not reduce durability or rust resistance (plastic also exhibits these characteristics), but it can help reduce the cost.

Other Features To consider

Many honey extractors include additional features like honey gates and carrying handles for portability and convenience.

Honey Gate (and Height)

Other attributes you want to consider include whether the honey extractor you’re thinking of purchasing allows you to place a 5-gallon container underneath the honey gate. Buyers think this is standard, but some honey extractors are not tall enough to accommodate this sized receptacle.

You’ll want to consider whether the honey extractor you are considering has a sealable honey gate and whether it is located conveniently on the drum. 

Fortunately, our recommendations for the best honey extractors all feature honey gates, but height may still be a consideration.

Portability

Also, consider how portable the honey extractor is. Is it small enough and light enough so you can easily move it to the hive area or other area so you can do your work? Some of the honey extractors we feature also have convenient carrying handles so you can transport and store the unit easily.