Expandable house vs apple cabin vs space capsule: which one to buy?
Price, space, freight, look and durability compared, so you pick the right type before you pick the maker.
Expandable container house
Folds out from a 20ft or 40ft frame into 37–74 m². Cheapest per m², ships two per 40ft container in the 20ft size, and installs in hours. Looks more like a site office unless you add cladding, a deck and big glass.
Best for: staff housing, budget villas, fast roll-outs of 10+ units.
Apple cabin
A sealed steel shell with a curved or angled glass front. Looks like a boutique hotel room out of the box. Usually 15–40 m², ships one per container, so freight per unit is higher.
Best for: couples' glamping, photogenic resorts, rooftop or mountain sites.
Space capsule
Aircraft-style aluminium shell with LED, smart glass and electric curtains. The most Instagrammable and the most expensive per m². Check heat performance in the tropics and air-con capacity.
Best for: statement units, high nightly rates, cool or mild climates.
Quick comparison
- ✓Cost per m² delivered: expandable lowest, apple cabin mid, capsule highest
- ✓Units per 40ft container: expandable 2, apple cabin 1, capsule 1
- ✓Look: capsule > apple cabin > expandable (before cladding)
- ✓Install time: all under a day with a crane, expandable easiest to relocate
Questions
Which type rents best?
Design sells nights. Apple cabins and capsules get higher rates; expandables win on cost per bed and are better for staff or long stays.
Can I mix types?
Yes. Many resorts use capsules or apple cabins for the premium tier and expandables for family units and staff.