There are 3 types of QEs, plastic ($4), metal ($8), wood bound metal ($18). I'm a little haphazard with equipment and found that the plastic ones work best for me. They work just fine and last quite a few years if you store them out of the weather. I have a few metal ones and they work just as well and will last forever, you just have to be aware that if you bend any of the wires it will allow the queen to pass through. The wood bound metal provides the best seal from the elements but since beekeepers only use them in the summer its no big deal if you have small gaps with the others. Wood bound should be painted (another expense with them). Cool thing about the plastic ones is you can cut them up for nucs or for other hive management. All of them can be put in solar melters to clean them up and the plastic ones can be frozen and with a quick smack clean up pretty well. I also like the plastic QE scraper tool that Betterbee sells. Like all beekeeping equipment its mostly personal preference and you cant go wrong with any of the choices.
