Our Tested Picks: The Best Hummingbird Feeders That Attract Birds and Hold Up to Harsh Weather

A hummingbird feeder can be an easy way to attract flying wildlife to your yard. With their high-speed aerial acrobatics, these tiny birds add a fun, sometimes comical, element to the landscape. But to keep them coming back, you need a feeder that holds plenty of nectar, withstands the elements, and above all—works.

To help you find the most effective option, we put 12 popular feeders to the test over 6 weeks. After installing, filling, cleaning, and refilling them while tracking how many hummingbirds each one drew, we chose the Aspects HummZinger HighView Hummingbird Feeder as our top pick. It’s easy to use, durable, and proved to be the most popular feeder in our yard. Keep reading to learn more about all the models we tested and the characteristics that define the best hummingbird feeders.

1. BEST OVERALL: Aspects HummZinger HighView Hummingbird Feeder
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Zummr Hummingbird Ring Feeder
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3. BEST MULTI-BIRD: More Birds Bird Health Garnet Hummingbird Feeder
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4. BEST DECORATIVE: Grateful Gnome Hand Blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder
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5. BEST ANT-PROOF: Kingsyard Glass Hummingbird Feeder With Ant Moat
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6. BEST GLASS: Feed Garden Glass Hummingbird Feeder With Ant Moat
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7. BEST WINDOW-MOUNT: Perky-Pet Window-Mount Hummingbird Feeder
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8. BEST SMART: Birdfy Hummee Solar-Powered Smart Bird Feeder Camera
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Hummingbird Feeders Comparison

Our Top Picks

When it comes to hummingbirds, you can’t just use any ol’ type of bird feeder. While the following feeders vary in size, materials, and features, they’re all specifically designed to attract hummingbirds.

Best Overall

Aspects HummZinger HighView Hummingbird Feeder

Buy at Amazon Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at Target

What We Like

• Ant moat protects against insect infestations
• Built-in hook for hanging on a deck, patio, or pole
• Plastic dish is durable and easy to clean

What We Don’t Like

• Hanging hook is on the short side

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Product Specs

• Type: Dish
• Capacity: 12 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5

The Aspects HummZinger Highview feeder is a dish-style hummingbird feeder made of unbreakable polycarbonate, a material that can withstand temperature swings, harsh weather, and impacts that would easily crack glass. Its 12-ounce reservoir holds enough nectar for 2 to 4 days and has a bright red cover that draws hummingbirds from a distance and comes off easily for quick cleaning and refilling. This pick also features a raised perch that invites birds to rest comfortably, four ports so multiple birds can feed at once, and a built-in ant moat and bee-resistant design to protect the nectar from spoilage.

In testing, we found that this hanging hummingbird feeder was small enough for our balcony container garden but equally at home in our large backyard bird habitat. It slid open easily for cleaning and refilling, and hummingbirds perched on the side with no issues. Overall, its simple design, durable construction, and proven ability to attract the most birds made it our top choice.

"The HummZinger was my favorite hummingbird feeder because it was so easy to clean and fill. Since it was also the most popular feeder in my yard, it definitely deserves the top award.”—Debbie Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Aspects hummingbird feeder at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Target.

Best Bang For The Buck

Zummr Hummingbird Ring Feeder

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Comes in 7 attractive colors
• BPA-free, fade-resistant materials
• Dishwasher safe for added convenience

What We Don’t Like

• Ring band isn’t adjustable

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Product Specs

• Type: Dish
• Capacity: Not listed
• Perch: No

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5

Though it can take a bit of time and patience, using a handheld hummingbird feeder​ can be an enchanting experience for any birder. At under $10 per unit, the Zummr Hummingbird Ring Feeder provides a simple and budget-friendly way to give this unique activity a go.

This ring feeder comes in seven colors and is made from sturdy BPA-free, dishwasher-safe plastic. It features a removable petal top over a small nectar reservoir with less than a 1-ounce capacity. Though incredibly easy to fill and slip on, it’s designed more for novelty use than feeding multiple hummingbirds per wear. 

In testing, this ring feeder performed as the manufacturer described. Using it was a fun experience for our family of hummingbird enthusiasts, but since it’s not adjustable, those of us with small fingers had to wear it on our thumbs. Still, the Zummr is an easy and affordable way to get some close-up time with curious hummingbirds. 

Get the Zummr hummingbird feeder at Amazon and Walmart (3-pack).

Best Multi-bird

More Birds Bird Health Garnet Hummingbird Feeder

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What We Like

• Integrated ant moat and bee guard keeps insect infestation to a minimum 
• Simple design but effective; bright colorway attracts hummingbirds 
• Easy to fill and clean; comes apart to be filled 

What We Don’t Like

• Very heavy when full; may require additional support to remain hanging

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Product Specs

• Type: Bottle
• Capacity: 40 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5

The More Birds Garnet feeder is a classic glass bottle feeder with a modern hourglass shape. It features a relatively large 20-ounce reservoir that holds plenty of nectar and has a bright red top and base that helps attract hummingbirds from a distance. As a midsize feeder, this More Birds model has five bee guard ports with individual perches so multiple birds can feed at once. Its clear body makes it simple to see when it’s time to refill, and it twists apart easily for cleaning. 

Our favorite thing about this model is its size, which was compact enough to use in our patio garden yet substantial enough to feed multiple hummingbirds. With five flower-shaped ports and a slightly larger capacity than most other models we tested, it held plenty of nectar to accommodate hungry birds for 3 to 6 days. It was also very easy to clean and refill, though when we topped it off all the way to the brim, it was heavy enough to require our strongest hook for hanging. 

Get the More Birds hummingbird feeder at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Decorative

Grateful Gnome Hand-Blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Buy at Amazon Buy at Grateful Gnome

What We Like

• Doubles as an attractive outdoor fixture
• Easy to clean and fill, even for first-timers
• Comes with an ant moat, S-hook, and cleaning brush

What We Don’t Like

• Less attractive to hummers if other feeders are around

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Product Specs

• Type: Bottle
• Capacity: 26 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.5/5

Crafted by talented artisans, Grateful Gnome hand-blown glass feeders are individually handmade, so each one is unique. Because the vibrant colors are embedded in two layers of thick, scratch-resistant glass, their attractive design won’t fade over time. Each unit has a rubber seal ring that prevents leakage between the reservoir and the feeder base, as well as four ports and a round perch that allows birds to feed comfortably. 

As a relatively large hummingbird feeder​, this mushroom-shaped feeder holds 26 ounces of nectar. After filling it for our tests, it was easy to hang via its double-hook ant moat and instantly added beauty to our landscape. When it was time to refill, it was simple to take apart and clean with the included bottle brush. The only slight con of this gorgeous feeder is that it seemed less attractive to hummingbirds when other brightly colored feeders were around. At first, we thought that might be because the dish’s red flowers are on the small side, but once we moved it a bit farther away, it had no issues attracting hummingbirds.

Get the Grateful Gnome hummingbird feeder at Amazon or Grateful Gnome.

Best Ant-Proof

Kingsyard Glass Hummingbird Feeder With Ant Moat

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart Buy at Kingsyard

What We Like

• Built-in ant moat doubles as a hanging hook
• Elegant glass design comes in 5 colors
• Easy to clean and maintain

What We Don’t Like

• Ant moat needs regular refilling

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Product Specs

• Type: Bottle
• Capacity: 16 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5

This ant-proof hummingbird feeder from Kingsyard is designed to solve one of the biggest issues with these feeders: insects getting into the nectar and spoiling it. By simply filling the included ant moat with water, you create a barrier that keeps bugs from reaching the nectar. Since it has hooks on either side, the moat also doubles as a hanger for attaching to a tree, deck hook, or Shepherd’s pole. 

Made of thick, subtly colored glass and available in light green, blue, pink, red, or purple, this model is both attractive and durable. It has a 16-ounce capacity that reduces the need for frequent refills and six feed ports plus a circular perch to comfortably accommodate several birds at once. Since it has a nice, wide mouth, it’s also incredibly easy to clean and refill. Thanks to its thoughtful design and durable yet elegant construction, this feeder strikes an excellent balance of beauty and functionality. 

Get the Kingsyard hummingbird feeder at Amazon, Walmart, or Kingsyard.

Best Glass

Feed Garden Glass Hummingbird Feeder With Ant Moat

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What We Like

• Durable and attractive glass design
• Comes with an ant moat and hanging hook
• Oversize flower ports help draw in birds

What We Don’t Like

• Could break if dropped or knocked down

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Product Specs

• Type: Bottle
• Capacity: 16 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5

Whether you choose pink, blue, or red, Feed Garden’s glass hummingbird feeder is sure to make a stunning addition to your outdoor space. Each option has four oversize flower-shaped feeding ports for drawing hummers in from a distance. With a 16-ounce capacity, 360-degree metal perch, and leak-proof gasket, it holds enough nectar for several days and keeps it from spilling, even when jostled. 

Aesthetically, this was one of our favorite feeders to test, even though we were initially worried about putting glass in an area where our dogs also play. However, when they inevitably hit the pole and knocked it down, the only fallout was a bit of a sticky mess. After a quick and easy clean (the bottle unscrews from the two-part base), we had it back up and ready to feed hungry birds in minutes. While I probably wouldn’t hang it over a cement pad or other especially unforgiving surface, this glass feeder proved both functional and attractive in our tests. 

Get the Feed Garden hummingbird feeder at Amazon and Walmart.

Best Window Mount

Perky-Pet Window-Mount Hummingbird Feeder

Buy at Amazon Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Window mount offers close-up viewing
• 3 flower ports with individual perches
• Suction cup sticks well, even in heavy rain

What We Don’t Like

• 8-ounce capacity means more frequent refills

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Product Specs

• Type: Bottle
• Capacity: 8 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5

This window hummingbird feeder​ from Perky-Pet is perfect for enjoying close-up hummingbird viewing from inside your home. Featuring a durable plastic reservoir with an 8-ounce capacity, it has three large flower-style feeding ports, each with its own U-shaped perch. Even when full, the suction cup is strong enough to secure it solidly to glass. Ours hasn’t budged at all during our 6-week test period, which has included several sessions of very heavy rain. If you’d rather not mount it to a window, though, you can hang it from a nail on a post instead.

While we hope to get even more hummers at this feeder as they come to rely on it as a food source, it was especially fun to look up from washing dishes to see one fluttering right outside the window. That placement also made it easy to see when it was time for a refill, which is a quick process since all you need to do is detach the half-moon-shaped reservoir from the base via a connection point on the back. 

“This window bird feeder is so much fun! Ours is mounted off our kitchen, and every time a hummingbird shows up while we’re cooking or cleaning, it adds something special to the day.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Perky-Pet hummingbird feeder at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart, Target, or Perky-Pet.

Best Smart

Birdfy Hummee Solar-Powered Smart Bird Feeder Camera

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Modern hummingbird feeder and camera combo
• Works via solar power or rechargeable battery
• Holds 18 ounces of nectar or 50 ounces of seed

What We Don’t Like

• Hummingbird attachment is hard to remove for cleaning

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Product Specs

• Type: Dish
• Capacity: 18 ounces
• Perch: Yes

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5

Hummingbirds move quickly, making Birdify’s solar-powered hummingbird feeder with camera​ great for catching a glimpse of them—whether you’re home or not. Featuring a built-in 1080p full HD camera that records video automatically whenever it detects motion, it offers live streaming and notifications through the free Birdify app. Though it relies on a strong Wi-Fi connection to work, it stores the downloadable footage it collects for free for up to 30 days. With an optional subscription, this smart hummingbird feeder​ can even identify over 6,000 bird species. 

Once we installed this IP65-rated waterproof solar hummingbird feeder​ on a deck pole and paired it with the app (make sure you do this before mounting), we started getting high-quality video after high-quality video of our dogs playing. While we haven’t yet caught any hummingbirds sipping from the Hummee attachment, we’re confident it’s only a matter of time. Given the number of Blue Jays that visit our yard to collect peanuts, we may swap in some birdseed and nuts to get a close-up view of a few.  

“Since the Birdify is one of the best bird feeder cameras the Bob Vila team has tested, I was excited to try it with the Hummee attachment. It hasn’t turned up any hummingbird sightings yet, but the videos it’s collected have been of outstanding quality. We’re looking forward to setting it up earlier next year so we can catch some hummers during peak season.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Birdify hummingbird feeder at Amazon or Walmart.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Hummingbird Feeders

To select the hummingbird feeders for this list, we tested 12 options over a 6-week period in a variety of locations around our yard. We hooked some to Shepherd’s poles, mounted others to the deck, and stuck a couple to our kitchen window. We moved them around periodically to see how placement, sunlight, and proximity to other feeders affected their performance. We cleaned them a couple of times a week and refilled them with nectar made of 1 part refined white granulated sugar to 4 parts water.

We scored each model using a rubric that evaluated ease of assembly and use, durability, ability to attract hummingbirds, and usefulness of additional features. We rated each aspect on a scale of 1 to 5 and assigned top models awards based on their best qualities.

What to Look for When Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird feeders come in all shapes and sizes. Some are beautiful but not functional due to the difficulty of cleaning or filling them. Others may simply not capture the attention of hummingbirds. The best hummingbird feeders attract hummingbirds, hold plenty of nectar without leaking, provide a place for hummers to perch as they feed, protect the nectar from invading insects, and are simple to fill and clean. 

Types of Hummingbird Feeders 

Hummingbird feeders for outdoors come in two standard forms: bottle feeders and dish feeders. Both types are popular with birdwatchers, and both are great options. Read on to learn the difference between bottle- and dish-style hummingbird feeders and determine which would be best for you.

Bottle Feeders

Bottle hummingbird feeders, also called inverted feeders, are essentially inverted bottles with a feeding port at the bottom. They hold nectar inside their containers by trapping air to create a vacuum. These feeders come in an endless assortment of styles, offering everything from basic nuts-and-bolts functionality to high-end art. 

Bottle feeders have relatively large nectar reservoirs compared with other feeder types, making them an excellent choice for places where large flocks of hummingbirds gather ahead of migration. Their design makes it easy to see when they need to be refilled, but they can be a bit harder to clean and refill than dish-type feeders. And even a tiny crack in a bottle feeder can break the vacuum seal and lead to a leak. Bottle feeders typically also require a bit of protection to keep bees away.

Dish Feeders 

Dish-style hummingbird feeders are also called saucer feeders or tray feeders. They hold the nectar in a shallow bowl-shaped reservoir, which hummingbirds feed on through ports in the cover. 

Most dish feeders incorporate an ant moat into their design, reducing the likelihood of pest problems. They’re generally easy to clean and fill, capable of resisting bees, unlikely to leak, and provide an open view of the hummingbirds as they feed. But since they have a smaller capacity than bottle feeders, they need to be refilled more often.

Size/Capacity 

Feeder size affects how often you will need to refill the container and how many hummingbirds can feed. To avoid spoilage, you’ll need to change the nectar every 3 to 4 days. And to avoid waste, you’ll want the nectar to be close to gone when it’s time to refill. Since hummingbirds can be protective of feeders and tend to chase rivals away, it’s often a good idea to have multiple feeders if you’re hoping to attract more birds.

If your goal is to simply see a few hummingbirds throughout the summer, the smallest feeder filled regularly can make that happen. Smaller units generally hold 16 ounces of nectar or less, which will be enough for several days with little waste. Models in the 20-ounce and above range with multiple ports can help satisfy the appetites of larger hummingbird populations.

Material

Hummingbird feeders are made of either glass or plastic because these materials do not corrode. Additionally, they are durable, affordable, and easy to clean. Plastic hummingbird feeders are lightweight and inexpensive, making them ideal for those with strength or mobility impairments, classrooms, and children’s gardens. While plastic resists cracking, UV exposure can cause it to fade, warp, or crack after several seasons. 

While glass hummingbird feeders typically have plastic components, such as perches, covers, or feeding ports, their overall construction is a bit more substantial and durable than completely plastic models over the long term. Glass feeders are often also easier to clean and offer a greater diversity of aesthetics than plastic ones, though obviously they may break if they hit the ground hard.

Color

Hummingbirds are highly color-sensitive. In nature, they are drawn to brightly colored pink, orange, yellow, and purple flowers, but they are especially attracted to red—making it the best color for hummingbird feeders. Don’t worry if you’re interested in having a variety of unique hummingbird feeders​ in your yard, as the entire feeder doesn’t need to be red, just the parts around the feeding ports.

While feeding port color can make a difference, nectar color does not. Most natural flower nectar is colorless, so there’s no need to use red-dyed nectar or add food coloring to homemade recipes. Instead, let the feeder provide the splash of red that will attract hummingbirds. 

Perches

One of the amazing characteristics of hummingbirds is their ability to do just about anything while in flight. In fact, they often feed while hovering in front of a flower or feeder. Perches are not necessary, but there are benefits to offering a feeder with a place to perch.

Since all 23 types of hummingbirds need a place to rest, if you provide a perch, they will use it. Some of the best views of hummingbirds are when they relax on a feeder perch, and a perch may also attract birds like chickadees, goldfinches, orioles, or warblers. 

Ant Moats

Like hummingbirds, ants and other insects are attracted to sugary nectar. Ant moats keep ants out of hummingbird feeders by creating a water barrier that insects can’t cross. All you have to do is fill the small reservoir, and interested ants won’t be able to reach the nectar to contaminate it.

Some hummingbird feeders come with built-in moats, but you can also buy a separate ant moat if yours didn’t come with one. Either way, using an ant moat is a good way to protect nectar for hummingbirds’ exclusive use.

Bee Guards

Bees love nectar too. Some bottle feeders can be susceptible to bee invasions, while most dish feeders are bee-resistant. Bee guards create a protective space that prevents bees from reaching the feeder’s nectar while still allowing hummingbirds to reach it with their long tongues. Many feeders that are prone to bee visits include bee guards, but some do not.

FAQs

Now that you’ve seen a lineup of the best hummingbird feeders, you may have come up with a few additional questions. Continue reading for answers to some frequently asked questions about feeding hummingbirds.

Q. Is glass or plastic better for a hummingbird feeder?

Glass hummingbird feeders are generally easy to clean and very durable. Plastic hummingbird feeders are subject to warping or cracking over time, but are comparatively inexpensive. Both are acceptable to hummingbirds.

Q. Why do hummingbirds prefer red feeders?

Hummingbirds are highly attracted to red and yellow, as they mimic the color of natural nectar sources. Either or both colors are good choices for hummingbird feeders.

Q. Where is the best place to hang a hummingbird feeder?

Hummingbirds prefer feeders near sheltered places like trees, shrubs, or even tall perennials, where they can scavenge for other foods like spiders and natural nectar. Placing the feeder in a shaded location also helps reduce nectar spoilage.

Q. How should you clean your hummingbird feeder?

You should clean your hummingbird feeder with hot, soapy water once or twice a week. Liquid dish detergent works well. Rinse with cold water and allow to air dry before refilling.

Q. What should you feed hummingbirds?

To feed hummingbirds, make hummingbird nectar by mixing one part sugar with four parts water. Heat the water to a boil, then stir in the sugar. Turn off the heat and stir the water until the sugar completely dissolves. Allow the nectar to cool, then fill the hummingbird feeder. Do not add red dye or food coloring. Store extra hummingbird nectar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Q. How do hummingbirds find feeders?

Hummingbirds find feeders by spotting their bright colors and then remembering them as reliable food sources. To attract hummingbirds to new feeders, put your feeder out 1 to 2 weeks before the birds’ expected spring arrival in your area. This will ensure they’re ready when hummingbirds migrate through. 

Q. Should a hummingbird feeder be in the sun or shade?

Ideally, hummingbird feeders should be in a location where they get morning sun but shade during the hottest part of the day. This will help the nectar stay fresher longer by preventing fermentation while still attracting hummingbirds. 

Q. What is the best time of day to feed hummingbirds?

The best time of day to feed hummingbirds is early morning or late afternoon. These are the most active feeding times since they need energy after waking up and before settling into their hummingbird nests for the night. 

Meet the Tester

Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer. She has contributed hundreds of articles to HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.

Michelle Larson has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. Because she’d rather spend a little more up front than buy a tool or appliance twice, she strongly believes in the power of research and reviews for finding quality items that are meant to last. 

Additional research provided by Mark Wolfe.

 

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