15 Top-Rated Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

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If birds are welcome visitors to your yard, a bird feeder can make your feathered friends keep coming back. That is, unless a bunch of squirrels come and ruin the party. While there are a few ways to keep squirrels out of bird feeders, one of the easiest is by investing in a squirrel-proof bird feeder. Squirrel-proof bird feeders have mechanisms to keep troublesome squirrels out of the bird food.

The best squirrel-proof bird feeders are effective at thwarting squirrels while giving birds easy access to their food. Just like traditional bird feeders, they come in a variety of designs and the ideal type depends on the bird species you're trying to attract. Platform, pole-mounted, and hanging feeders are all available in a variety of types and sizes. This variety means you can find one that works in your preferred installation location as well. To top it all off, the best squirrel-proof bird feeders look relatively nice too, so they aren't too much of an eyesore in the garden. 

When choosing the top-rated squirrel-proof bird feeders, we considered all the characteristics above and more. Though the feeders range in size, style, and construction, they all boast high ratings on Amazon with numerous glowing reviews. If you want to know more about our methodology, we go further in depth at the end of this article. In the meantime, replace your old regular bird feeder and attract more birds to your garden with one of the best squirrel-proof bird feeders ahead.

The Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder is another weight-activated bird feeder, but with a slimmer design. This feeder is mid-sized, holding 5.1 pounds of seed. It also has a tall and slender design, which is useful if you don't have much space for a wider bird feeder, like the previous Woodlink option. It's possible to hang or mount this feeder to a pole (just note: it requires a pole adaptor for mounting, which is sold separately).

Like several of the feeders on our list, it has a perch that closes off access to the seed when something heavy, like a squirrel, crawls onto it. The perch is adjustable, so it's also possible to make it close up when a larger bird lands. This feeder comes with two perch options. The grip perch system is adjustable and can attract small and medium-sized birds (depending on if the perch is extended). The cardinal ring provides a suitable grip for cardinals. This feeder is made of plastic, and the high-quality and thick material is rustproof, chew-resistant, and UV-resistant. It assembles and disassembles without the need for any tools, so it's easy to take apart and clean when needed.

With a 4-pound seed capacity, the Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone Max Bird Feeder is on the smaller side, but that also means it has a more compact design that's suitable for small gardens. This bird feeder may need to be refilled a little more often, but that's easy to do since it has an extra wide 6-inch opening. The twist-off lid makes accessing the bird feeder easy, and since the lid comes off completely, this feeder simple to clean as well.

Where this bird feeder differs from other options on this list is in its port design. It has what the brand calls Flexports, which have soft rubber parts that protect the seed, but are also flexible enough to allow birds to feed through. This lets birds to eat more comfortably, so they will stay around for longer. The ports have a smaller opening, so it's shake-resistant and retains more seed, even when the feeder is shaken by the wind (or a persistent squirrel). The Sure-Lock lid also closes tightly, and like the other feeders on this list, it has a weight-activated seed shield that blocks off the port when a squirrel tries to reach in.

The Droll Yankees Big Top Bird Feeder is a small bird feeder that's perfect for hanging right outside a window. It's short, stout, and holds just 0.5 pounds of seed. This small capacity means you'll want to put it somewhere where you can easily reach it for refills. This feeder is designed for bird watchers; the majority of it is made of clear plastic, so you can see all the activity inside.

This feeder has a central dish that measures 7 inches across, providing plenty of space for birds to perch along its perimeter. The dish is covered by a large plastic dome, which has a few important jobs. It projects both the seeds and birds from moisture, but, more importantly, squirrels can't grip onto its smooth surface. If you hang this out of the way of any branches, squirrels won't be able to gain access — if they try to sneak in from the top, they'll slip right off the dome.

This More Birds Squirrel-X Bird Feeder lives up to its name: more birds and no squirrels. It's a small feeder designed for small birds and is essentially a hanging tower bird feeder, but with a cage over top that some birds can slip through (but that squirrels cannot). Due to the cage size, large birds can't reach the bird feeder. Since the cage is made of metal, it's chew-proof as well, so persuasive squirrels or raccoons won't get very far if they decide to give it a gnaw. The cage also helps protect feeding birds from predators.

This model is ideal for the little birds in your yard, like chickadees, titmice, goldfinch, and nuthatches. It holds up to a pound of bird seed, so it's a compact pick. It has four feeding ports so birds can space themselves out comfortably. If you want even more peace of mind (and want to stop squirrels from crawling on the cage entirely) you can pair this feeder with a baffle from the same brand.

With a charming roofed design, the Sky Cafe Arundale Feeder looks like a little hut for birds, but instead of giving them a place to nest, it's filled with nourishing bird seed. This feeder is made of thick transparent plastic, which allows you to see everything going on inside, including the amount of food remaining and the activity going on under the roof. The roof is what keeps squirrels away: It has a steep sloped design. Combined with the slippery plastic construction, squirrels simply can't latch on to it or climb it. You can choose from a few roof colors to suit your garden.

A wide tray provides birds with ample space to feed, especially considering this feeder has a 17-inch diameter (measured across the dome). This also provides great rain protection for the seeds and feeding birds. You can either hang or pole-mount this model, depending on where you want to watch your feathered visitors.

Even the smallest yards have space for the Squirrel Buster Mini Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder. It's a slender feeder that you can hang from a porch, pergola, or support pole to attract birds. You may find this bird feeder more manageable due to its compact size, but it will require more refilling. Small but effective, it holds up to a pound of bird seed.

To prevent squirrels from accessing this limited seed, it has a metal cage exterior and perches for small birds to sit. When a squirrel reaches the perch, the cage shifts downward and covers the port holes. Once the squirrel hops off, it opens again so birds can have easy access. The perches are removable, allowing you to choose where you want to encourage birds to land (for example, if you want to watch them out a window, you can detach the perches on the back side of the feeder that you can't see).

The Westcharm Caged Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder is a small bird feeder that is extra charming. It has an old-fashioned cage design that makes it stand out from modern feeders. With filigree detailing and a weathered steel finish, it looks like a vintage bird cage. This construction is more than just looks though: The cage is the right size to let small birds through, but prevents squirrels and large birds from coming inside. In the center is the tower feeder that only little birds can reach.

The top of the cage is a latching lid that simplifies refilling, while still keeping squirrels out. This feeder doesn't have a rain cover, so it's not the best for very wet climates, but it does have drainage holes to help the seeds dry. It holds up to 3.5 cups of seed to keep visiting birds happy. Like an antique bird cage, this feeder is designed to hang, and has a built-in hook for simple set-up.

It's hard to get rid of squirrels altogether, but you can keep them out of your bird feed with the right products. The squirrel proof bird feeders on this list are all top-rated, earning thousands of positive reviews on Amazon. This was the starting point to our selection, but we didn't stop there. We considered the brand, choosing options from well-known companies as much possible. However, there are definitely smaller brands with excellent products, so if it was well-reviewed and well-made, we also included it.

We paid attention to the bird feeder construction, focusing on ones that will last well in outdoor conditions. We considered the effectiveness of the squirrel deterrent mechanism and researched reviews to make sure it's reasonably successful (squirrels are crafty, so even the best squirrel-proof bird feeders might be thwarted occasionally by an intelligent squirrel). Beyond ensuring that the feeders are well built and effective, we also focused on variety. Bird lovers might want to attract a range of birds, big and small, to their garden, which requires different types of feeders. The options on our list can hold different types of bird seed and suet, and come in a variety of installation options too. Lastly, a bird feeder should look nice in a garden, so we only chose top rated bird feeders that are aesthetically pleasing. Once you've chosen a bird feeder, make sure to follow these tips for making your yard bird-friendly, learning how to clean a bird feeder, and keeping it safe from storms.