Buying guide for best tiny homes
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Tiny homes are a more affordable way to achieve the dream of owning your own house. A prudent shopper can save money while maintaining an impressive quality of life as they reduce their environmental impact and conserve energy. The best tiny homes are sized for your needs and have all the features you crave to live in comfort and style.
BestReviews has studied the market to learn what options are available. Our team of experts has created a list of criteria that you can use to help you quickly discover the models that are right for you. We also used this list to evaluate the overall quality of tiny homes so we could give you a better idea of which ones are the best in different categories.
For example, if you're looking for a higher-end model that is durable, eco-friendly and has everything you need, our overall top pick, the Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House, is a move-in ready, vacation-style home that is 30 feet wide by 40 feet deep. It has a customizable floor plan, which can feature a kitchen, two bathrooms, a utility room, three bedrooms, a dining area and more, making it an excellent choice.
Which tiny home is best?
Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House
Best of the Best
Square Footage: 1,200 sq ft | Layout/Floor Plan: Customizable | Insulation & Climate Control: Steel panels and double-pane windows | Materials Used: Engineered wood and alloy steel frame | Energy Source: Suitable for off-grid options
This Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House is the most spacious model on our short list, offering 1,200 square feet of customizable space. This gives you the option to have the floor plan that's right for you, including an open layout, with multiple bathrooms, closets and more.
The double-pane windows and galvanized steel make this tiny home suitable for year-round living in a variety of climates. It uses eco-friendly materials in its construction and requires minimal maintenance. It’s fire- and wind-resistant to offer peace of mind.
We love that this model gives you the flexibility, comfort and convenience of a full-size home in a compact package. It’s the top pick if you truly want the best of the best.
Tiny Home Prefab House Kit
Best Bang for the Buck
Square Footage: 330 sq ft | Layout/Floor Plan: Open layout design | Insulation & Climate Control: Thick, insulated walls | Materials Used: Galvanized metallic steel, alloy steel and polyvinyl chloride | Energy Source: No energy source is listed or suggested by the manufacturer
This Tiny Home Prefab House Kit gives you 330 square feet of open living space that you can furnish as desired. The steel doors and thick walls provide you with a high level of security. Additionally, this model has an A-grade fire rating, is resistant to wind and seismic activities, and has load-bearing features that make it suitable for heavy snowfall.
The shed-like structure is easy to assemble and disassemble. It’s made with an abundance of windows so you can take advantage of the environment’s natural light. If you’re looking for a rugged structure that will endure for decades yet is available for a reasonable price, this model satisfies those requirements.
Modern A-Frame Cabin Tiny Home
Best Vacation Home
Square Footage: 550 sq ft | Layout/Floor Plan: Open layout with bedroom loft | Insulation & Climate Control: Manufacturer does not offer insulation specifics | Materials Used: Sandwich panel materials and glass | Energy Source: Suitable for off-grid options
The Modern A-Frame Cabin Tiny Home is a smart and stylish home for individuals who want to be close to nature. It features large windows at each end to let the outdoor environment be your decor. The open design and bedroom loft make the 550-square-foot tiny home feel inviting and spacious.
This model is manufactured to take advantage of off-grid options, which makes it suitable for remote locations. It features a modern rustic aesthetic and flexible space so you can set up your home in a way that is best for your lifestyle.
We love that this tiny house feels like a home. Not only does it take advantage of the vertical space inherent in the A-frame design, but it makes for an ideal vacation home, perfect for individuals who want to disconnect and get away for some invigorating, life-affirming time.
Purple Leaf Backyard Sunroom
Best for Backyard Usage
Square Footage: Available in three options: 168 sq ft, 192 sq ft and 240 sq ft | Layout/Floor Plan: One-room gazebo | Insulation & Climate Control: NA | Materials Used: Aluminum frame, galvanized steel roof and polycarbonate screen walls | Energy Source: No built-in or recommended power source is available from the manufacturer
One of the best ways to make your home even more desirable is to add a luxurious outdoor oasis. Purple Leaf's Backyard Sunroom offers privacy and protection from the elements with its screen walls and galvanized steel top while creating the perfect lodging for your staycation.
The unit has removable windows along with front and back doors. These features let the homeowner adapt the sunroom for comfort all year long. The aluminum frame and polycarbonate walls are durable enough to withstand the elements while the attractive wood appearance makes this gazebo an appealing way to increase your property’s value.
If you are looking for an affordable way to add an intriguing element, such as a garden room or a hot tub spa, to your backyard, this gazebo should top your list. It comes with a reliable anchor stand, privacy netting, magnetic doors and more.
Luxury Modern Prefab Foldable House
Best for Year-Round Comfort
Square Footage: 394 sq ft | Layout/Floor Plan: Open layout | Insulation & Climate Control: Features double-layer insulated glass and thermal insulation in walls | Materials Used: EPS sandwich panels, aluminum alloy and calcium silicate | Energy Source: Consult manufacturer for options
The Luxury Modern Prefab Foldable House is a premium tiny home with several features that make it a solid choice for year-round living in nearly any climate. The flooring is waterproof and moisture-resistant while the polyurethane adhesive sealant prevents frustrating leaks. The sandwich panels are not only fire-resistant, but they also provide thermal insulation, which is as important in the summer as it is in the winter.
To ensure this tiny home fits all of your lifestyle needs, the layout is customizable and can include up to three bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen as well as a living room. It also has a front porch that adds to the unit's charm.
If you’re looking for a spacious option with a great deal of flexibility and top-tier insulation for year-round comfort and savings, this prefab model is a wise choice.
How we analyzed the best tiny homes
Shopping for a tiny home is no different from shopping for any other product: You want to find the highest quality model that has everything you need at a price that fits your budget. To help you accomplish that, we curated a list of the most important features to look for in a tiny home. We used that list to evaluate the dozens of models that made it through to our favorites, so we could find the very best tiny homes in every category, whether you’re looking for a primary home, a vacation home or a backyard spa.
Key features to consider
Size and layout
Square Footage
The average tiny home is only about 400 square feet. While this may be ideal for some, it could be too small if you have more than a couple of occupants who have storage needs or want more amenities. Alternatively, if you're looking for a tiny guest house or living space for one, 400 square feet might be unnecessarily large. If your small home isn't sized for you, you will not be taking full advantage of the benefits of owning a tiny home.
Open Layout
One trick to making your tiny home feel much more spacious is to look for a model with an open layout. Typically, this means a floor plan that combines several spaces, such as the kitchen, the dining area and the living room, into one larger area that is more inviting. Additionally, this can provide better airflow and offer the possibility of greater energy efficiency because you are only heating, cooling and lighting one space instead of several rooms.
Loft or Main-Floor Bedroom
When it comes to the main bedroom, you have two options in a tiny home: a main-floor bedroom or a loft. A main-floor bedroom is best for people who may have mobility issues or prefer easy access to everything on one floor. If you opt for a loft, it helps maximize your overall living space, giving you more room for living downstairs, while providing a greater privacy when sleeping. A loft won't have much headroom and may feel a little claustrophobic to some, so keep this in mind when choosing your layout.
Our top picks: Size and layout
- Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House: If size is a priority, this model is a sprawling 1,200 square feet. The customizable floor plan gives you a wide variety of options to fashion this home into exactly what you need.
- Tiny Home Prefab House Kit: This no-frills kit gives you one sizable area that you can set up as needed with furniture and appliances. It’s where ease meets flexibility.
- Modern A-Frame Cabin Tiny Home: The loft bedroom in this A-frame design takes full advantage of the vertical space, giving you privacy upstairs and ample room downstairs.
- Purple Leaf Backyard Sunroom: If all you need is a backyard space for lounging, this tiny option is a solid choice. It’s best for a private getaway and not suitable for a permanent living space.
- Luxury Modern Prefab Foldable House: With its compact bathroom and intelligent kitchen, this tiny home feels remarkably spacious. The covered porch only adds to the feeling that this model is larger than it is.
Mobility and foundations
Tiny House on Wheels (THOW)
One benefit of having a tiny home is it can be yours to take with you if you ever move. A tiny house on wheels is built on a trailer, so it can be easily transported. It’s important to look for a model that meets Recreational Vehicle Industry Association standards to be certain it is roadworthy.
- Pros: When you purchase a tiny home on wheels, you have the flexibility to relocate without purchasing another home. In some areas, the permitting process is easier for this type of tiny home.
- Cons: If you are interested in mobility, you may have to sacrifice overall space, which could require downsizing. Additionally, a home on wheels offers potentially less protection from extreme weather.
Permanent Foundation Tiny Home
If you are not planning on relocating in the foreseeable future, you may want to consider a permanent tiny home that is built on a foundation. These models can be connected to essential utilities, such as water, sewer and electricity.
- Pros: A permanent tiny home has all the benefits of a full-size home: durability, stress-free utilities, and it is an investment that might increase your property value.
- Cons: The biggest downside to a permanent structure is that it will be subject to building codes and zoning restrictions. You will also need to own or have long-term leasing on your land.
Our top picks: Mobility and foundations
- Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House: This top-tier product is more of a small home than a tiny one. As such, it’s a solid choice for a long-term living facility. However, it’s easy to disassemble if you ever need to move.
- Tiny Home Prefab House Kit: While this isn't a tiny home on wheels, it’s small and features a 60-minute setup with a durable build that makes it ideal for a somewhat permanent dwelling that you can transport, if needed.
- Modern A-Frame Cabin Tiny Home: This A-frame cabin is best for a vacation home. While it can serve as a permanent home, it’s designed to be portable with hassle-free moving.
- Purple Leaf Backyard Sunroom: This enclosed gazebo is an affordable option for a permanent backyard retreat that can serve as a pool house, a studio or even a home for your hot tub.
- Luxury Modern Prefab Foldable House: This luxury model is another that is designed for permanent use. It offers all the amenities of a full-size home, including a bathroom and a kitchen to house all your essential appliances. If needed, however, it can be disassembled.
Materials and build quality
Sustainable materials
If we want to continue to thrive in the future, manufacturers need to prioritize sustainable, eco-friendly materials. Tiny homes that use materials, such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastic and recycled steel, are a great option for individuals who wish to support companies with sustainable business practices.
Durability
Tiny homes may be small, but it shouldn't mean they are disposable. The best models are built to last. If you want an investment that is going to keep you warm, safe and dry for many years, look at tiny homes made with durable framing, such as steel or reinforced wood, weather-resistant exteriors, such as metal roofing or fiber cement siding, and high-quality insulation. If you do this, you’ll have a home that lasts anywhere from 30 to 50 years.
Off-grid options
One advantage to having a tiny home is that it’s much easier to live off-grid. With reduced power needs, solar panels are an option, as are composting toilets and rainwater collection systems. If you are looking for a little relief from energy bills, be sure the tiny home you are considering is suitable for (or comes with) off-grid living options.
Our top picks: Materials and build quality
- Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House: We like that this tiny home is made from galvanized steel and PVC flooring, ensuring it’s a durable, eco-friendly option that does not require a great deal of maintenance to keep it looking good.
- Tiny Home Prefab House Kit: The rugged steel doors and thick walls mean your home will last at least 30 to 40 years. The anti-theft and fireproof construction deliver peace of mind.
- Modern A-Frame Cabin Tiny Home: This A-frame cabin is designed for off-grid living, so you can quickly set up in remote locations without sacrificing convenience.
- Purple Leaf Backyard Sunroom: The double roof on this hardtop gazebo provides impressive protection from strong wind and rain, while the galvanized steel can endure heavy snow accumulations.
- Luxury Modern Prefab Foldable House: This tiny house has moisture-resistant flooring, fire-resistant walls and polyurethane adhesive sealant that give it impressive durability, so you know you can rely on this unit to last.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency
High-quality insulation
It's easy to overlook, but a crucial part of being happy in your tiny home is insulation. If you live in a region that has cold winters, hot summers or both, you need high-quality insulation to stay comfortable and to help keep energy bills to a minimum. While spray foam is arguably the best option, you can also choose fiberglass, rock wool, foam board and denim cotton.
Energy-efficient windows
When it comes to windows, double- or even triple-pane windows are the way to go for energy efficiency. The inert gas between the panes of glass greatly diminishes the transfer of heat either in or out of your tiny home. As a bonus, these types of windows also help prevent distracting outdoor noise from entering your home.
Energy-efficient appliances
As a final step to creating an energy-efficient tiny home, consider adding energy-efficient appliances. Some of the most common options are LED lighting, induction cooktops and compact refrigerators. If you have a thermostat, invest in a smart upgrade. A tankless water heater is also a wise option because it heats your water on demand — no need for a storage tank.
Our top picks: Insulation and energy efficiency
- Prefab Modern Luxury Tiny House: This model features insulated walls and double-pane windows for energy efficiency. Off-the-grid appliances can save you even more.
- Tiny Home Prefab House Kit: The construction of this tiny home goes beyond energy efficiency. The foam wallboard is flame-resistant while the thermal insulation is waterproof, giving you more bang for your buck.
- Modern A-Frame Cabin Tiny Home: The large windows in this impressive-looking A-frame cabin mean you can illuminate your home with natural light. The downside is those large windows can also make it harder to keep your home cooler on sunny days.
- Purple Leaf Backyard Sunroom: Since this model is an enclosed gazebo, it doesn't have the energy-efficient design that other models on our short list offer.
- Luxury Modern Prefab Foldable House: The aluminum alloy used in the doors combined with the double-pane glass in the windows offer insulation from both sound and temperatures, giving you a comfortable indoor environment all year long.
Our expertise
The first unofficial job Allen Foster had was cleaning homes that were under construction for his older brother. At a very young age, he learned what it takes to make a structurally sound home. After college he worked in construction, repairing oceanfront homes at the Jersey shore. Decades later, he was able to offer his insights on tools and home repair when he started writing for BestReviews. Allen doesn't just bring book knowledge to his articles but has real-world, hands-on experience that informs his writing.
