Finding the best hummingbird feeders is not as easy as it sounds!

There are literally hundreds of different options and styles, which leads to many questions:

Should my feeder be made of plastic or glass? Are the expensive hummingbird feeders the best? Will this unique blown glass hummingbird feeder attract any birds? Does it leak? Is it easy to clean?

It can be confusing, b ut this list of the BEST hummingbird feeders should help.

I’ve organized this post into a few different sections, depending on the type of hummingbird feeder you want. (Best overall, window, or unique)

Quick Links: The Best Hummingbird Feeders

The Two BEST Hummingbird Feeders

These two hummingbird feeders both work well, even though they have different designs (Dish vs. Bottle).

They attract hummingbirds, are easy to clean, don’t leak, and are sturdy.

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This feeder’s design is a simple dish design, which is why it works well and is extremely popular.

The nectar is placed in the bottom dish and the top snaps right back on. This makes the hummingbird feeder very easy to clean and means no leaking!

The built-in ant moat prevents them from accessing the nectar. Just make sure to fill it with water. (Speaking from experience 🙂

This 12 oz model has four feeding ports. If you want a bigger option, the HummZinger also comes in a 16 oz model with six feeding ports.

This hummingbird feeder is inexpensive with no hassle or frustration AND attracts hummingbirds! It just works!

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Does it leak?

This is always the first question that should be asked when looking at bottle style hummingbird feeders.

A feeder that leaks is almost worthless. It is frustrating to use because it makes a mess and attracts ants.

This is why I like this hummingbird feeder from First Nature. So far I have not had any leaking problems.

The bottle that holds the nectar is relatively wide and simple to disassemble, which makes it easy to get inside and clean.

It has ten feeding ports on the 16-ounce model, so there are plenty of spots for hummers to feed. It even has perches for them to rest.

If you have lots of hummingbirds and require a larger feeder, then you will want to check out the 32-ounce model!

The Best Window Hummingbird Feeders

There is no better way to get close to hummingbirds than to buy a quality window hummingbird feeder.

Hummingbird feeders that hang from your window are a lot of fun and make a great addition to any outdoor space. I even put one on the window outside of my office at work.

The main complaint that people have about window hummingbird feeders is their inability to stick to your window. Make sure you give the outside window a thorough cleaning (without soap!) and apply enough pressure to the suction cups to ensure a good hold.

Lastly, be responsible when feeding hummingbirds! If the birds start running into your window, either remove the feeder or try placing decals on your window.

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This 8 oz window hummingbird feeder is one of the best available.

It’s easy to take the top off (it’s attached via a hinge), clean and then refill with nectar.

Since it has a simple dish design, the nectar can’t leak out and make your window sticky and gross.

This past summer I had no issues with the feeder sticking to my window. I think it helps a lot that it is so small and light and also has two separate suction cups.

It includes three feeding ports AND perches for the hummingbirds to sit and eat. Once the hummers found this feeder (it took a few days), they made sure to visit it a few times every day.

It even includes an ant moat! (This can be unattached if ants are not a problem)

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Probably the easiest way to have a window hummingbird feeder is to let your existing feeder hang from this hook.

It attaches to your window and lets you get a close-up view of any feeder you have.

Mine sticks well and has never fallen off.



Just be mindful of the weight of the feeder you will be hanging from this hook (it’s advertised as being able to hold 4lb). You may need to experiment a little with how much weight it can hold from your specific window.

Pair this hook with the Aspects HummZinger Hummingbird Feeder for a great combination. (the first feeder featured on this list)

The Best Unique Hummingbird Feeders

Are you bored of the clear and red plastic of most traditional hummingbird feeders?

Lucky for you there is a whole world of beautiful and unique hummingbird feeders that can add some personality to your garden or patio.

Unfortunately, many stylish hummingbirds look GREAT but are not functional. They either leak, break easily, or hummingbirds never end up using them.

The two unique hummingbird feeders below should give you a good start and point you in the right direction. Both of the manufacturers – Grateful Gnome and Best Home Products – have many different cool and exciting designs if these two aren’t appealing to you.

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Add a little flair and design to your outdoor space!

This blown glass hummingbird feeder from Nature’s Way is both beautiful AND functional.

It is easy to fill and clean. The parts are simple to remove, and the opening is wide.

The rings on the outside are perfect perches to let the hummingbirds relax, and it gives a modern decorative look to your feeder.

The glass is relatively thick, which gives the feeder a nice sturdy feel to it.

It’s a little more expensive than the plastic options above, but this red glass hummingbird feeder will look much more pleasing to the human eye in your outdoor space.

But hummingbirds don’t seem to care about aesthetics, so you will need to determine if that is worth the extra cost.

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This feeder holds a lot of nectar and includes perches for the hummingbirds to rest.

Personally, I think the hand-blown glass is gorgeous and catches your eye.

What I like best about this feeder is that it is also functional. It attracts hummingbirds AND is well made! You should not have any trouble with the base leaking, and it’s easy to take apart to refill the nectar.

Don’t like the design or colors of this hummingbird feeder?

My recommendation is to check out all of the unique hummingbird feeders that Grateful Gnome offers. This design (Blue Egg With Flowers) was my favorite, but they have lots of different models available. High-quality glass blown hummingbird feeders seem to be Grateful Gnome’s specialty.

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Here is another unique hummingbird feeder that performs well.

It has thick hand-blown glass that makes the feeder very sturdy. It does have a plastic bottom, but if this breaks Best Home Products should be able to replace free of charge.

There are four ports with yellow flowers to attract the hummers and perches for them to rest. It unscrews at the base and has a wide mouth, which makes the feeder easier to clean.

7 Tips When Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder

Do you know how to choose a hummingbird feeder?

If not, this section is for you because they are not all created equal. It’s important to understand the different terms and features you are going to run across as you search and shop.

Before diving into my recommended hummingbird feeders, please take a second to educate yourself!

1. Dish or bottle feeder?

There are two basic types of hummingbird feeder; the dish or the bottle.

Dish feeders (also referred to as saucer feeders) hold the nectar in the saucer below the feeding ports. It’s a straightforward design, just pour the nectar into the dish, put the top back on, and let the hummingbirds start drinking!

The main advantages to the dish feeders are they are EASY to clean and tend not to have as many leaking problems.

Bottle feeders (also referred to as tube or vacuum feeders) resemble a bottle (hence the name!). The nectar is held above the feeding ports and lowers as more of the nectar is eaten.

Bottle feeders tend to look more stylish in my opinion but are much harder to clean. You usually need some brushes to get up into the bottle. Also, bottle feeders have a higher tendency to leak.

Every hummingbird enthusiast has their preference. My recommendation is to try and test both styles of nectar feeder to see what you and the hummingbirds like best. Personally, I love dish feeders because they are much easier to clean!

2. Perches: Give your hummingbirds a place to rest!

It’s not a requirement, but hummingbirds seem to enjoy having a place to sit and eat.

3. Material:

Sturdy plastic and glass stand up the best. You don’t want it to break the first time it falls!

4. Ant Moat:

Hummingbird feeders that leak typically have the biggest problem with ants. This is because ants are naturally attracted to the sugar in the nectar. Many feeders come equipped with ant moats to deter these insects.

If you find a hummingbird feeder that you like, but it doesn’t have an ant moat, have no fear! Ant guards and traps can be purchased separately. (see link below)

5. Size and Nectar Capacity:

It is crucial to consider how much nectar your feeder holds. Many backyard bird watchers want to buy a feeder with a massive 32 oz reservoir.

BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER .

Here’s the problem:

Nectar spoils typically within five days. If only a few hummingbirds visit your feeder, you are going to be wasting most of your nectar.

Instead of having one large hummingbird feeder, my recommendation is to get a few smaller ones that are spaced out among your yard. This also prevents a bully hummingbird from taking over and not allowing any other birds to feed.

6. Bright Colors Work Best!

Yes, it’s true. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red and other bright colors. This makes sense. Most flowers are bright and hummingbirds have evolved to locate their preferred food sources as easily and quickly as possible.

So make sure your hummingbird feeder displays the color red (or another bright color) predominantly. Luckily, most hummingbird feeders you find know this and will feature bright colors.

But it’s not recommended to dye your nectar with red food coloring. First, the reddening chemicals could prove detrimental to your hummers. Second, nectar is a clear liquid in the first place so coloring is not necessary.

7. Try Multiple Feeders Around Your Yard

Don’t let the small size of a hummingbird fool you. They can be very territorial and aggressive towards each other!

It’s common for a dominant hummingbird to protect a feeder and prevent any other hummers from visiting. Instead of just hanging one feeder, my recommendation is to buy a few and hang them in different locations. A bully hummingbird can’t protect them all at once! And this allows you to test a few different feeder styles to see what you prefer and works best.

Before you leave…