We may no longer be in the midst of a tiny house boom, but the idea of efficiently built homes that conserve resources and can be built anywhere is still appealing. Today at CES, we had a chance to tour the 2025 model of California-based Haus.me’s microhaus Pro. It was shiny, stylishly decorated, and honestly, it wasn’t as expensive as I expected.
The 120-square-foot unit’s interior is all wood tones, glass, and soft neutral colors. It’s like replacing a shipping container and replacing the hard wire and corrugated steel with rounded corners and floor-to-ceiling windows. Every surface shines and every inch of space is maximized with IKEA-like small-space efficiency. For example, a queen-sized murphy bed that folds to reveal a table and two bench seats. The kitchen has a small refrigerator and microwave, a full suite of Villeroy & Boch tableware and a full-size shower in the bathroom are included in the price.
This unit requires no site preparation and can be moved almost anywhere. It will work if the ground is flat. The microhaus Pro is also climate independent and can be installed in snowy forests, hot deserts and temperate beaches (though hot and cold climate packages each cost around $10,00 extra) ). It is also seismically California Fire Code and CAT-5 Hurricane compliant.
Amy Skolheim/Engadget
Installation typically takes less than an hour and requires no special connections. All you need is a garden hose and an extension cord. And because of its size, it falls below the size standards that require a permit. The included 3.6 kWh battery can run everything in your home for 4 days, with optional atmospheric water generation and 4 days of battery life. Drinking water is filtered through reverse osmosis membranes, and waste treatment systems “dissolve” everything into a liquid that is discharged through extendable pipes that can be connected to septic or storage tanks.
The Pro model also features high-end perks like voice control via a wall-mounted Apple HomePod. During my tour, Haus.me CEO Max Gerbut asked Siri to lower the shades, and Siri obliged. Packages, tableware, towels, etc. are all included. I had seen a drawer full of M&Ms in the kitchen and was sure I would get those too.
The Pro model is a more deluxe and robust edition aimed at Airbnb and rental use, priced at $89,99. If you don’t need smart home features, battery backup, or included dishes, you can buy the microhaus Lite for $59,990. There’s also a $35,000 shell version that includes just the HVAC system, lighting, wiring, bathroom fixtures, and plumbing.
One thing not included in any microhouse model is solar power. To do that, you’ll need to switch to 400 square foot and 800 square foot units. They offer the same ubiquitous convenience, but are fully autonomous and priced at $199,000 and $299,000, respectively. Please note that all prices do not include shipping charges.
That’s true. None of these prices are small numbers. But I helped build yurts, small houses and cabins. I have lived in multiple handmade homes and have considered many other modular prefab options. Comparatively, these prices are not very high, especially considering that little site preparation, installation, and contractors are required.
You can order the microhaus Pro now from the Haus.me website.
