15 Top-Rated Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

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.

Feed a whole lot of birds but no squirrels with the Woodlink Absolute II Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder. This bird feeder looks quaint, with its bright green color and sloped roof. It's made of steel, which is durable and pretty much impossible for squirrels to chew through. A powder-coated finish protects it nicely from rain. Since the roof hinges open, this bird feeder is very easy to fill. Small windows on the side let you keep tabs on how much bird food is left — you shouldn't have to fill this one too often, since it holds up to 12 pounds of bird seed.

Birds can feed from both sides of this feeder, which means it will attract more feathered friends. To keep squirrels (and some larger birds) out, it has a weight-adjustable perch. Choose from light, medium, or heavy adjustments to suit the types of birds you want to feed. At every setting, this perch system will shut the openings when a squirrel climbs on top. You can place his bird feeder almost anywhere, as it can be hung or pole-mounted.

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.

The Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper takes squirrel-proofing a step further. It has a weight-activated mechanism, just like the previous feeders. But instead of closing access to the feed, the motorized perch starts to spin when it detects the weight of a squirrel. This movement gently tosses the squirrel off, showing the critter that not only will it not get the seed, but it will also be taken on a not-so-fun ride. This feeder is a good one to try if you have crafty squirrels that have gotten past other squirrel-proof feeders.

To put up with the wear and tear of its moving parts, this feeder is made with sturdy metal components (powder-coated to protect it from the rain) and has a UV-resistant plastic tube. The circular perch ring allows birds to feed from all sides using the four feeding ports. It's suitable for a range of species including chickadees, cardinals, finches, nuthatches, and more. This mid-size feeder fits 5 pounds of seed and is also easy to clean, so it's straightforward to maintain.

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.

Instead of relying on a weight-activated perch, the Bird's Choice NP431 Classic Bird Feeder has a built-in baffle that stops squirrels from even reaching the perches. Due to the length and the width of the baffle, squirrels can't get a grip on the feeder — so they won't even be able to gain access. It works on raccoons too! It's made of UV-resistant plastic, so it's too slippery for critters to crawl up. Aside from the perches, it has a completely smooth surface that animals simply can't grab — from the top or the bottom.

This pole-mounted feeder holds about 5 pounds of seed and has four ports (with perches) to allow small and medium birds to sit comfortably. A weatherguard helps keep seeds dry year-round. Best of all, it includes a steel pole (that comes in three sections for easier shipping). Set up this feeder away from branches and trees, and critters won't be able to scramble up the feeder.

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.

The Brome Squirrel Solution 200 Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder is an excellent mid-size bird feeder, holding 3.4 pounds of bird seed in a decorative tower. It also has a weight-activated mechanism. However, instead of using perches to trigger the mechanism, it has an exterior metal cage. This allows birds to land wherever they'd like, but as soon as it detects the weight of a heavier animal like a squirrel, the entire metal cage moves down. When this happens, the decorative leaf decals cover the seed ports, preventing squirrel hands from getting inside.

The metal shroud is chew-resistant, so while squirrels can crawl all over the feeder, they won't be able to get to the seed. The interior piece is made of clear plastic, which lets you monitor when it's time for a refill. When doing so, use the included seed funnel to easily top off the reservoir.

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.

Make sure birds have access to suet with the Squirrel Buster Squirrel-proof Suet Bird Feeder, which will ensure that the birds get this nutrient-dense food rather than squirrels. This feeder is another model that uses the weight of squirrels against them. It has a metal shroud that shifts downward when squirrels and some large birds crawl on top, covering its ports. The mechanism is weight-adjustable too, in case you also want to close it off to larger birds. This design is very dependable since it doesn't rely on individual doors to close; the entire cage will shift and block all the ports as soon as a critter comes along.

Apart from being effective against squirrels, this feeder is also easy to use. It allows you to place the suet in with a mess-free loading system that prevents your hands from getting all greasy. A crumb port contains suet bits that break off, allowing birds to still eat the scattered pieces.

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.

The Droll Yankees Jagunda Bird Feeder is another feeder that takes advantage of a domed roof to dissuade squirrels. It has a curved clear plastic roof, which allows you to see anything going on underneath, while making sure squirrels can't reach the precious seeds below. Of course, this also protects seeds and birds from the elements.

This feeder is pole-mounted and comes with a sturdy 5.5-foot black steel pole. To make sure squirrels can't access it from below, it has a built-in baffle. This wide section on the bottom measures 18.5 inches across, so even the largest squirrel can't somehow reach past. It's made of smooth plastic and doesn't give squirrels any spots to grip, so they can't crawl over it. It also doubles as a wide landing space for birds to perch — and this feeder is designed to nourish quite a few. It has eight feeding ports total and holds up to 6 pounds of seed, so it's great for feeding several birds at once.

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).

If you want a bird feeder that doesn't look like a boring old feeder, then the Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II Country House Bird Feeder is the perfect pick. It has a charming country house design, painted an eye-catching red, and complete with a weathervane on top. It even has cutout door and window shapes to complete the look (they're covered with plastic so squirrels can't get inside, but you can monitor the seed level). This model is a large feeder, holding up to 8 pounds of bird food.

While this feeder looks different, it works the same as many others. It has a weight-activated mechanism. When triggered by the perch along the front, it closes access to squirrels and heavier birds. If squirrels try to chew their way through, they won't get very far — this feeder is mostly made of metal that animals simply can't eat through. It can be hung or pole-mounted and the roof is entirely removable for easy filling and cleaning.

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.

The Roamwild PestOff Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeder is ready to use right out of the box and the weight-activated mechanism won't need adjusting in the future. This feeder has individually spring-loaded perches that close up the feeding ports when it detects the weight of a squirrel (or other pests like heavy bully birds and rats). It's another tube-shaped feeder that takes up little space — you can hang it on a post or branch and watch birds flock to it.

A wide lid helps to keep the bird seed dry inside, which prevents annoying clogs. Just lift off the lid for easy refilling. A second smaller baffle provides even more protection from the rain. This entire feeder comes apart without tools for straightforward cleaning as well. Once cleaned up and ready for action, it holds up to 3 pounds of seeds, so it won't need to be refilled too often.

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.