Working as a pest control technician, one common question I’m asked by homeowners is how to keep squirrels away from bird feeders. The truth is there are a number of viable ways to keep squirrels off bird feeders, but the simplest and most effective way is with a squirrel proof bird feeder. The problem is dozens of bird feeders are marketed as “squirrel-proof” but have major design flaws.
You see, squirrels are one of the most cunning pests, and if there is a way to access the seeds inside the feeder they will find it. They’ll climb, they’ll chew, and they’ll literally do whatever it takes to get that seed inside the feeder. They’ll even chew through the feed feeder pole or hook to send the feeder crashing to the ground and breaking open.
In this guide, I’ll review what I think are the best squirrel proof bird feeders currently on the market, and I’ll even include videos so you can see them working! I’ll also show you some useful accessories like baffles and squirrel proof bird feeder poles.
I’ll also include some information about some squirrel baffles and squirrel proof bird feeder poles.
Benefits of a Squirrel Proof Feeder
Easier to Attract Birds: Birds are often afraid to come around feeders other animals like squirrels and larger pest birds like crows are hanging around the feeder. In short, squirrels scare the birds away and a squirrel proof bird feeder solves that completely.
Having a feeder that is squirrel proof prevents squirrels from stealing the feed means squirrels will get frustrated and give up over time. That means you’ll be far more likely to have the kind of birds you want hanging around your feeder
Keep in mind no matter what feeder you have it’s unlikely for birds to just flock to it right away. It takes time for birds to find the feeder, but once they do it’s not uncommon to see the same birds coming back time and time again.
Save Feed (and money): Anyone that’s dealt with squirrels accessing their bird feeders already knows how costly it can be. By investing in a feeder that is truly squirrel proof, you won’t have to replenish the feeder as often. It might not like a big deal at first but over time the price of seed really does add up. Spending a little money upfront will save you money in the long run!
Extend the life of your feeder: Squirrels will do whatever it takes to get birdseed from a feeder. Even if you have a feeder that is “squirrel resistant” the squirrels will still try to chew and gnaw on weak parts in an attempt to get inside the feeder.
Here Are the Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders – Updated to 2023
1. Squirrel Buster Plus (Holds 5.1 Pounds of Seed)
Estimated Price: $245
This is our first place option for the second year in a row. Brome, the company that makes this feeder, is the industry leader in squirrel proof bird feeders. What separates their feeders apart from others on the market is their sliding baffle system.
Basically, If a squirrel puts weight anywhere on the feeder, including the roof, the shroud automatically closes and cuts off access to the feeder ports.
While many squirrel resistant feeders have weight sensitive perches that close when a certain amount of weight is placed on the perch, squirrels can still climb onto them and access the feed without ever touching the perch. That can’t happen with Squirrel Buster feeders!
On this page, I’ll review Brome’s most popular feeders and let you know what you should know about each. Just know, they’re all pretty similar and the biggest difference is the amount of seed they hold.
The Squirrel Buster Plus, Squirrel Solution200, Squirrel Buster Classic, Squirrel Buster Standard, and Squirrel Buster Mini hold 5.1 pounds, 3.4 pounds, 2.4 pounds, 1.3 pounds, and 0.98 pounds of seed, respectively.
The Squirrel Buster Plus is the largest feeder sold by Brome. If you have a large bird population around your home and you don’t want to worry about refilling the feeder often, this may be the best squirrel proof bird feeder for you!
The adjustable tension spring lets you decide how much weight you want the perches to support, meaning you can also limit access to larger, unwanted birds that may otherwise dominate the feeder.
Squirrel Buster Plus Video
These feeders are not cheap, but in terms of design and overall quality, they’re almost impossible to beat. The Brome company also offers lifetime care, meaning they’ll service your feeder for free for the rest of your life. So long as you like how they look, these definitely some of the best squirrel proof bird feeders out there.
They all do have a slightly different design, but the mechanisms that make them “squirrel-proof” are common to all of these feeders. Just be aware that some of their feeders have the adjustable tension spring and others do not!
How Squirrel Buster Plus Works
The feeder has a shroud with openings that align with the seed ports. When a squirrel transfers its weight onto the perches or any part of the feeder, it causes the shroud to lower, thus making it impossible for the squirrel to get any of the seed.
Another nice feature about this feeder is that it is chew proof. If you’ve ever tried some of the cheap squirrel proof bird feeders on the market you probably already know the squirrels can somehow always find the weakest part of the feeder and chew right through it.
The feeder easily disassembles into easy to clean parts without any tools. It’s even dishwasher safe so you can be absolutely certain that your feeder is sanitary.
The company has a patented seed ventilation system that keeps the seed fresher longer which in turn attracts even more birds!
One important thing to keep in mind about these feeders is that it’s the squirrel’s weight that triggers the closing mechanism. That means if a squirrel reaches over from a branch or other nearby foothold it may be able to access the feeding ports without transferring any of its weight onto the feeder. To prevent this, allow for at least 18 inches of clearance around the feeder.
This feeder is perfect for Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Downy Woodpeckers, Purple Finches, House Finches, Blue Jays, White-breasted Nuthatches, Hairy Woodpeckers, and many other types of birds.
Key Features:
- 6 feeding ports
- Chew proof
- Easy to set up
- Patented seed ventilation system
- Weight adjustable
- Attracts cardinals and blue jays
- Rugged and durable
2. Droll Yankees Flipper Squirrel Proof Feeder
Estimated Price: $150
The Yankee flipper is an award-winning bird feeder that is designed to attract a wide variety of birds. Its 17-inch UV-stabilized polycarbonate tube is simply too long for squirrels to hang down and access the feed, and too slippery and wide for them to climb down or hang on.
If they do try to jump from a tree or the top of the feeder onto the perch the motorized perch ring spins and makes it impossible for the squirrel to stay on! This means lets of entertainment for you and no seed for the squirrels! No harm is done to the squirrels, and typically after one or two attempts, they realize this feeder is not worth their time and they move on to finding easier food sources.
One of the best things is it includes a rechargeable battery and AC/DC adapter, so you won’t have to worry about any additional upfront or maintenance costs other than your choice of seed The feeder includes a very efficient internal baffle that evenly distributes feed to the four seed ports as birds feed.
The Yankee Flipper attracts all types of birds including cardinals, finches, flickers chickadees, grosbeaks, goldfinches, grackles, jays, juncos, kinglets, nuthatches, redpolls, siskins, sparrows, starlings, titmice, towhees, woodpeckers, and wrens.
Yankee Flipper Squirrel proof Bird Feeder Video
Key Features:
- Holds up to 5 pounds of birdseed
- 4 seed ports
- Motorized perch ring
- Makes for a good laugh without harming the squirrel
- Works well with a wide variety of seed types
- Durable powder-coated metal base cap
- UV-stabilized polycarbonate tube
- Includes rechargeable battery and AC/DC adapter
- Stainless steel hanging wire makes it impossible for squirrels to chew through it
- Stainless steel hanging wire doesn’t rust
- Snug roof makes it nearly impossible for even squirrels to get the lid off
- Measures 8.3 x 8.3 x 29 inches
- Made in the USA
3. Squirrel Solution Bird Feeder with 6 ports (3.4 Pounds Seed Capacity)
Estimated Price: $70
The reason I have this feeder above some of Brome’s other feeders is that it’s such a good value. I also think it looks great and the feeder’s 3.4-pound seed capacity is almost perfect for most homeowners.
It holds enough seed that you won’t have to refill it constantly, but small and cheap enough that you can purchase multiple feeders if you’d like to. I also like that it has 6 feeding ports, allowing many birds to feed at the same time. This feeder is like a bird magnet!
The only complaint about this feeder is that it doesn’t have an adjustable tension spring lets you decide how much weight you want the perches to support as many other Brome feeders have. With the adjustable tension spring, you can limit access to larger birds that may dominate the feeder. That said, the tension spring is set just about perfect and works like a charm on squirrels. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but I wanted you to be aware of that before you make your final decision!
Key Features:
- 6 feeding ports
- Chew proof
- Free seed funnel
- Easy to assemble and disassemble without tools
- Lifetime care
- UV stabilized components keep the feeder looking new even when exposed to direct sunlight
- Patented seed ventilation system
4. Squirrel Buster Classic (2.4 Pounds of Seed)
Estimated Price: $144
The Squirrel buster plus works essentially the same way as the feeders above, and this feeder does have the adjustable tension spring like the Squirrel buster plus.
The metal cage that surrounds the feeder makes it almost impossible for squirrels to gnaw and chew, so squirrels will have a very difficult doing any real damage to this feeder.
Just like the feeder above, the amount of force it takes for the shroud to close is adjustable. This means you can prevent larger birds like grows from hoarding all of the seed in the feeder. Perches at the feeding ports are removable, and if you choose to remove them you’ll see birds clinging onto the cage rather than landing on the perches.
Most people leave the perches attached, but if you do want to remove them all you need to do is take a screwdriver and slightly bend the clamp side open. They are attached securely enough to not come off by accident, but this is a nice feature if you find a certain type of bird is hanging around all day hogging the feeder. Removing the perches encourages the birds to eat and be on their way, meaning more birds will be able to come to the feeder.
The company has a patented ventilation system that allows moisture to escape through the vents at the top of the feeder while at the same time replacing it with fresh air. This allows the feed to stay fresh, just how the birds like it!
Key Features:
- 4 feeding ports
- Chew proof
- Patented seed ventilation system
- UV resistant parts keep the feeder looking new
5. Squirrel Buster Standard (1.3 Pounds of Seed)
Estimated Price: $50
Being a mid-sized feeder this is a very popular choice among homeowners. If you’ve read the reviews above you already know how this feeder works. When a squirrel transfers its weight onto the feeder it triggers the feeding ports to close.
Like the two versions above, the standard version has a patented spring mechanism that allows you to set the amount of force required close the feeding ports to close.
The metal cage around the feeder makes it nearly impossible for squirrels to chew through it and get to the seed, or even cause any type of serious damage.
Another great thing about buying Brome feeders is the company offers lifetime care and they really stand behind their products.
Key Features:
- 4 perches
- Chew proof
- No tools required to assemble and disassemble
- Weight adjustable
- Seed ventilation system
- Lifetime care
6. Squirrel Buster Mini (0.98 Pounds of Feed)
Estimated Price: $37
I’m not going to go into too much detail about the Squirrel Buster Mini because it has all the same features of the feeders above.
The one big exception is this feeder DOES NOT have adjustable tension.
That said, it comes preset to a nearly perfect tension that allows the type of birds most people want around they feeders like finches, woodpeckers, northern cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, etc, while preventing larger pest birds.
Another small downside of this feeder is it doesn’t hold a lot of seed. For this reason, many homeowners opt for a larger feeder or choose to buy several of these feeders and hang them in different locations around their home.
Overall, it’s a solid little bird feeder that’s very affordable and for most people, it will work just fine.
Key Features:
- 4 feeding ports and perches
- Chew proof
- Patented seed ventilation system
- No tools required
- Birds love it
- No adjustable tension on the mini
7. Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Model 7533
Estimated Price: $68
The Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Model 7533 has feeding ports only on one side.
This is intentional and allows you to position the feeder in a way that you can see all the birds that come to the feeder. I also like that 1533 has a wooden perch that probably feels very natural to the bird’s feet.
It works a lot the feeders above, when a squirrel puts weight on the perch it restricts access to the seed ports. You can adjust the tension of the perch to three positions, so if you want you can set it to only allow small birds to feed.
Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Design
The design of this feeder isn’t quite as “squirrel-proof” as the feeders above because the squirrels can still climb on the roof and try to stick their hand under the bar that cuts off access to the feeding ports and knock some seeds onto the ground to eat later. Because the feeder is made of steel, it’s very slippery for the squirrels and they’ll typically just slide right off onto the ground when they’re trying to get into a position where they can get to the seed ports.
The feeder does work 99% of the time but if the squirrel really tries they can still knock some seed onto the ground. The good news is they’ll only be able to get a small amount of seed if any.
Typically, the small amount of seed they do get isn’t worth all the hard work so they move on to find an easier source of food. I also like the overhanging roof and hooper allows the rain to run off away from the seed, keeping it dry and protecting it from the elements. This feeder is steel coated so it’s almost impossible for the squirrels to damage.
Key Features:
- Multiple tension settings
- Holds up to 15 pounds of seed
- Chew resistant green powder coated steel body with zinc-plated steel hanger and black powder
- Coated pole
- Locking top
- No waste seed saver baffle
- Large capacity (15 pounds)
- Made in the USA
- Easy to clean
- Includes metal hanger and 5ft pole with mounting hardware
8. Woodlink Absolute II Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Model 7536
Estimated Price: $87
The Woodlink Absolute 2 Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Model 7536 is a lot like model 7533 reviewed above.
The major difference is that this model is a double-sided feeder.
In theory, a double-sided feeder would attract more birds and allow more birds to feed at the same time. If you do have a large bird population around your home the double-sided feeder may be nice for you.
The downside of the double-sided feeder is if you’re trying to watch birds out the window they may feed on the side of the feeder that is not visible to you.
This model is also a little more expensive, so it’s really up to you to decide which feeder is better for you. These are both great feeders and while they are not “squirrel-proof” they are squirrel resistant and make it very difficult for squirrels to get enough seeds to stay interested in the feeder.
This model does have the adjustable weight setting on the perch that allows you to restrict access to larger birds or pests that would dominate the feeder.
The feeder includes a steel hanging rod for hanging and a 5-foot sectional pole kit with a mounting bracket for optional pole mounting.
Key Features:
- Large 12-pound seed capacity
- Double-sided
- Locking top
- Feeders on both sides
- Metal-spring activated perches
- Chew-resistant green powder-coated steel body with a zinc-plated steel hanger and black powder-coated pole
- Easy to fill
Related Article: How to Keep Birds Away
9. Nature Anywhere Bird Feeder with Sliding Food Tray
Estimated Price: $37
This is a really cool anti-squirrel bird feeder that can easily be attached to a window using the included heavy-duty suction cups.
While the feeder it’s doesn’t have any fancy mechanisms that restrict access to the feed, the fact that it suction cups to a window makes it nearly impossible for the squirrel to access.
After all, when’s the last time you saw a squirrel climbing a window? Exactly!
Just be sure to install the feeder at least 10 feet from ledges or branches so that the squirrels can’t hop onto it.
The feeder has a simple slide patented tray out, fill, and slide back it. It also has a patented air circulation system that keeps the seed dry and prevents mold from growing!
The seed tray slides into the bottom of the feeder and has a separator in the middle that breaks the tray into two parts so you can include two types of seed.
The feeder is very easy to clean, too. It comes with four heavy-duty suction cups that are easy to attach to the feeder. The feeder is backed by Nature Anywhere’s lifetime guarantee, which means if for any reason you aren’t satisfied with your feeder you can get a full refund or replacement feeder.
Key Features:
- Practically 100 percent squirrel proof
- No assembly needed (other than attaching the suction cups which is super easy)
- Patented air circulation system
- Patented sliding food tray
- Unique way to get an up-close view of your favorite birds
- Fun for kids and adults
- Measures approximately 7.5 x 4.3 x 8 inches
- Better suited for smaller birds, but even larger birds like Blue jays can access the feeder
10. Squirrel Buster Finch Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
Estimated Price: $72
This feeder is designed specifically for Finches.
It works just like the other Squirrel Buster feeders on this list.
If a squirrel tries to climb onto the feeder, its weight will automatically cause the shroud to close, cutting off access to the seed ports.
It has four bottom ports for the birds to rest and four upper bords that can be accessed by clinging on the wire.
Just like all Squirrel Buster feeders, this feeder is well made with UV-resistant parts and holds up well in the elements.
You can place this feeder just about anywhere around your home without having to worry about squirrels accessing it. Bird Feeders can easily hang from a wall bracket, extension hook, or branch hook (not included). You can hang it over a window, on your deck, in your garden, from a gutter, a fence, or any area you’d like to get a close-up view of your favorite birds.
Just like all the anti squirrel feeders from Brome, this feeder easily disassembled without the need for tools.
Key Features:
- 1.5-quart capacity (2.1 pounds)
- Chew proof
- Seed ventilation system
- Easy to clean
- Lifetime care
- Holds only Nyjer seed
- Non-adjustable
- Easy to fill from the top
11. Audubon Squirrel Proof Caged Tube Type Bird Feeder Model NATUBE3
Estimated Price: $53
My Review: This feeder by Audubon is a cage-style squirrel proof bird feeder that allows smaller birds like finches to pass through the cage while making it impossible squirrels and larger birds to get it.
This only real downside of this style of feeder some homeowners don’t wish to restrict access to larger birds like Blue Jays, Doves, Grackles, and Starling.
Overall, the design is pretty basic and I don’t think needs much of an explanation. The feed tube is made of durable ABS plastic and has 4 seed ports.
The seed ports themselves are metal and the entire feeder is enclosed in a sturdy powder-coated steel cage that holds up well against the elements.
Key Features:
- Simple but effective design
- Holds 1.25 lbs of seed
- Perfect for finches and songbirds
12. Kettle Moraine Squirrel Proof 2 Arm Bird Feeder Pole with Baffle
Estimated Price: $154
One easy way to keep squirrels off bird feeds is using squirrel proof bird feeder pole. It has a baffle that makes it impossible for squirrels to climb up it to get to the feeder itself.
Another good thing about this pole is that it has an overall height of 85 inches, which means that deer can’t reach the feeders even if they stand on their hind legs.
The twister ground socket drives 21” into the ground and makes this stand one of the sturdiest on the market.
The heavy-duty steel pole is black powder coated and looks nice in just about an environment.
Key Features:
- Holds up to two large feeders
- 85” overall height
- 12” arms
- 21” twister ground socket
- Strong 3 piece construction
- Heavy duty squirrel proof pole
- Made in the USA
Woodlink NABAF18 Audubon Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle
Estimated Price: $28
A squirrel baffle is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to prevent squirrels from getting to your feeders. The only downside of baffles is that they only really work if you plan on placing your bird feeder on a pole.
Placing them on the pole is very easy, you just wrap the baffle around the pole and clamp the two ends together. It literally takes less than a few seconds to set up this baffle. If you want to see it live, here is a video of a squirrel baffle being set up.
Make sure your baffle is posited high enough off the ground so that squirrels cannot simply jump onto or over it.
Key Features:
- Cost-effective
- Easy to install
- Works on most bird feeder poles
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I attract more birds to my feeder?
I spent a lot of money on a feeder but no birds are coming to it can be an issue. Be sure you’re using a quality speed that the species of birds that frequent your property. You may not know this but some seeds present a serious problem for certain birds, like Robins, because their beaks are not designed to break through the hard husks. You can actually buy seeds that have no husks right on Amazon. One simple solution, if you don’t know what type of birds are frequenting your property, is to buy mixed seed that has a wide variety of seed types. Most songbirds like finches have no problem break though the husk of seeds.
How Can I Prevent Larger Birds from Dominating the Feeder?
Many high-end feeders allow you to prevent large birds from getting to the feeder through the use of an adjustable tension spring. When a heavy bird that may otherwise dominate the feeder lands on the perch it automatically shuts off access to the seed ports.
Cage type feeders can also be effective because only small birds, like most songbirds, can fit through the holds of the cage to access the tube feeder that actually contains the seed.
There are also some feeders with a battery-powered perch that will spin if a certain amount of force is placed on it. The spinning perch makes it almost impossible for the birds to access the seed and they will quickly move along.
What Size Bird Feeder Should I Buy?
There is no right answer to this question, small feeders will work just fine if you don’t mind refilling them often. A lot of homeowners choose to buy multiple feeders and place then in different locations on their property.
How Do I Keep Bears Away From Bird Feeder?
Did you know that bears have a better sense of smell than dogs and that dogs have a much better sense of smell than humans? Some types of birdseed do give off a strong odor (especially black oil sunflower seeds) so if you live in an area with a heavy bear population, it’s not uncommon for them to try to destroy your feeder to get to the feed
I have a squirrel proof bird feeder and/or baffle but squirrels keep getting seed from my bird feeders, what can I do?
Before you start to blame the feeder itself make sure you have it positioned and set up correctly. Keeping in mind that squirrels will make death-defying jumps from rooftops or trees to get onto the feeder.
What is a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder?
A squirrel proof bird feeder is a bird feeder that prevents squirrels from damaging the feeder and accessing the birdseed inside the feeder. There are a number of viable mechanisms to restrict squirrels from accessing the seeds including baffles, weight-sensitive perches, spinning perches that are weight-sensitive, and many others. Most squirrel proof bird feeders have metal components that make it impossible for squirrels to damage them by gnawing and chewing.
What is a Squirrel Baffle?
A squirrel baffle is a simple device that is typically shaped like a wide cone that is designed to prevent squirrels, raccoons, and other animals from accessing bird feeders. They are typically mounted on a bird feeder pole high enough so that squirrels cannot jump on or over them. They are wide enough that squirrels cannot navigate around them to get to the birdfeeder itself.
What is a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder Pole?
A squirrel proof bird feeder pole is a pole designed to hold a bird feeder that has some type of device or mechanism that prevents squirrels from being able to climb all the way up the pole. Typically, a baffle placed on the pole about ⅔ of the way up and this makes it nearly impossible for squirrels to reach the feeder.
Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder Conclusion
Between squirrels, groundhogs, and deer keeping your yard pest-free can be a very overwhelming task.
There are literally hundreds of bird feeders on the market that claim to be squirrel proof. Words like anti-squirrel and squirrel resistant are thrown around and often confuse consumers. My recommendation is to buy a tried and proven feeder that has hundreds of real customer reviews before finally spending your hard-earned money on a feeder.
Also, keep in mind that because there are hundreds of feeders and new products are released often. There is no way that I can possibly review them all! If you’ve tested any feeders yourself, let us know what you think is the best squirrel proof bird feeder in the comments section!
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My name is Blane and I’m a life-long resident of Southeastern Louisiana. I’ve been working as Pest Control Technician and Inspector for about 1.5 years now.
I’ve worked in many other industries as well, including consulting, managing, as well as at the ground level in fields including Food Service, Corporate Automotive sales, and finance. Whether it be providing counsel, content, or hands-on support; my goal remains to add value to the lives of the people I serve.
If you have any questions regarding pest control, leave them below. I would be happy to help you out in any way I can.