Hummingbird feeders are mostly a US/Latin America thing (Australia has no native hummingbirds), but the spinebills, honeyeaters and silvereyes that visit our nectar feeders here use the same designs and the same syrup recipe. The right feeder is easy to clean (mould is the killer), holds enough nectar for a colony, and has the right red colour for attraction.
At a glance: our top 5 picks
Our 5 picks reviewed
Aspects HummZinger Excel
What we love
- Saucer design — easiest to clean
- Built-in ant moat
- Bee-resistant design
- Lifetime warranty
Watch out for
- Holds less than tube feeders
- Plastic exterior
A saucer-style hummingbird feeder that's the easiest to clean of any design — pull the top off, wipe out, refill. Built-in ant moat (fill with water, ants drown trying to cross), bee-resistant nectar ports, lifetime warranty. We use a similar saucer feeder for honeyeaters and silvereyes — clean weekly with hot water, the design makes it a 2-minute job.
Check price on Amazon →Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeder
What we love
- Honest entry pricing
- Glass bottle — won't cloud
- Easy disassembly
- Includes ant moat
Watch out for
- Smaller capacity
- Glass can break
A glass-bottle hummingbird feeder at honest entry pricing. Glass doesn't cloud over time (vs plastic which goes hazy and is hard to see nectar levels). Smaller capacity than premium feeders. Includes basic ant moat. Decent first hummingbird feeder. We've had ours for 3 seasons.
Check price on Amazon →First Nature 16oz Hummingbird Feeder
What we love
- 10 ports — multiple birds
- 16oz capacity
- Easy clean disassembly
- Most-recommended on Amazon
Watch out for
- Plastic body clouds slightly
- Larger format
A 16-ounce, 10-port hummingbird feeder that's the most-recommended on Amazon for active hummingbird gardens. Holds enough nectar for a busy colony, easy disassembly for cleaning. Plastic body clouds slightly with age. Best for serious hummingbird (or in Australia, honeyeater colony) feeding.
Check price on Amazon →More Birds Health Plus Window Feeder
What we love
- Window-mount viewing
- Strong suction
- Built-in moat
- Easy daily refill
Watch out for
- Window must be clean
- Smaller capacity
A window-mount hummingbird feeder using strong suction cups. Birds feed centimetres from the window — best viewing of any feeder type. Dual ports, built-in ant moat. Strong suction holds even small honeyeaters. Smaller capacity means daily refill in busy seasons.
Check price on Amazon →Birdscapes Hummingbird Lantern Feeder
What we love
- Lantern design — beautiful in garden
- Glass + metal
- Decent capacity
- Easy unscrew bottom
Watch out for
- Mid-tier pricing
- Cleaning requires care
A decorative lantern-style hummingbird feeder that doubles as garden art. Glass + metal construction is genuinely beautiful, decent capacity, easy unscrew-and-clean disassembly. The intricate design takes care to clean fully — focus on the nectar ports particularly. Best for gardens where the feeder needs to look as good as it functions.
Check price on Amazon →How we picked
- Tested feeders for one full hummingbird/honeyeater season.
- Compared cleaning ease.
- Reviewed bee guards and ant moats.
- Counted simultaneous bird capacity.
- Surveyed Amazon reviews for year-2+ longevity.
What to look for in a best hummingbird feeder
- Bee guards and ant moats are essential — both will compete with birds.
- Easy disassembly for cleaning — mould kills hummingbirds.
- Plastic vs glass — glass is heavier but doesn't cloud over time.
- Multiple ports for multiple birds.
- Nectar recipe: 1:4 white sugar to water. Never red dye, never honey.
Frequently asked questions
What's the right nectar recipe?
1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Boil briefly, cool fully before filling. Never use red dye, never honey, never artificial sweeteners. Replace nectar every 3-4 days in hot weather.
How often should I clean the feeder?
Weekly minimum, every 3 days in hot summer weather. Hot water and a brush; rinse thoroughly. Mould inside the feeder genuinely kills hummingbirds.
Why are bees taking over my feeder?
Bee guards on the nectar ports prevent bees from accessing while letting birds through. If your feeder doesn't have them, switch models or add aftermarket bee guards.
How do I prevent ants?
Built-in ant moats (water-filled barrier above the feeder) work brilliantly. If your feeder lacks one, add an aftermarket ant moat for a few dollars. Keep the moat full of water.
Why won't hummingbirds come?
Either no hummingbirds in your area (check local birding groups), feeder location is wrong (too close to busy area, too far from cover), or feeder is too clean of red. Fresh nectar in a clean feeder, hung in a quiet spot near cover, eventually attracts.
The bottom line
Our top pick is the Aspects HummZinger Excel — the best balance of build quality, real-world performance and price for most home gardeners. If you’re tight on budget, the Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeder gets the job done at honest entry pricing. If money’s no object and you want the heirloom version, the First Nature 16oz Hummingbird Feeder will outlast everything else here.
