If you want to inspire hummingbirds to visit your yard, you'll need a feeder built to attract them that's also easy to maintain. “When you’re looking for a hummingbird feeder, one of the best features is something easy to take apart and clean, because you’ll be doing it often,” says Emma Greig, director of Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

Luckily, all the options on our list come apart or have a wide mouth for easy cleaning. In general, saucer hummingbird feeders will be easier to clean, but as long as you have a bottle brush, you can get into all the nooks and crannies of any shape feeder.

Material-wise, while plastic is more affordable and less prone to breaking, it does not look as stylish as glass or metal. Metal also conducts heat in the sun, so it is best for milder climates. Whether you prioritize price or design will likely be the main determinant when it comes to material.

When researching the best hummingbird bird feeders (and testing several in our backyards), we evaluated products based on their size, shape, material, and ease of filling and cleaning.

Multiple feeding ports

Wide-mouth bottle for easy filling

Built-in bee guards and ant moat

Easy cleaning

Small capacity

With an appealing and user-friendly design, the Perky-Pet Pinchwaist Hummingbird Feeder is our pick for the best hummingbird feeder. This glass feeder comes in two colors—red (our top choice for attracting hummingbirds) or red with a clear bottle—and has four flower-shaped feeding ports to draw in hummingbirds.

Each feeding port has a built-in bee guard to prevent insects from poaching the nectar. There's also a perch below every port so multiple birds can feed at once, and a built-in ant moat at the top of the lid to further deter insects. 

Thanks to the wide-mouth bottle, it’s a cinch to pour the nectar in without spilling it. Cleaning is easy, too. All parts—even the built-in bee guards–can be disassembled for a thorough cleaning.

The only potential downside to this hummingbird feeder is its relatively small reservoir, which holds up to 8 ounces of nectar (the least on our list, along with our best window-mounted pick). Despite their small size, hummingbirds have a good appetite, so you’ll likely have to refill the feeder frequently. The bottle is made of clear glass which helps you easily monitor the nectar levels.

Size: 8 ounces | Shape: Inverted, Hourglass | Material: Glass

Hummingbird food, or "nectar," is surprisingly easy to make at home. The Spruce's hummingbird nectar recipe involves dissolving one part of granulated sugar in four parts water. “It’s best to boil the water before you add the sugar to make sure it’s bacteria-free when you fill the feeder,” Greig says. The two ingredients are typically heated on the stove for a few minutes to help the sugar dissolve and slow fermentation. Once it’s cooled, you can simply pour it into your feeders.

10 feeding ports

Circular perch at the base

Includes an S hook for hanging

Slightly tricky to open base

The First Nature Hummingbird Feeder has a simple yet effective design and at just $5, the price is hard to beat. While testing this feeder in our own backyard, we noted that the bright red drew regular visitors. There's a ring at the bottom where birds can perch, plus 10 flower-shaped feeding ports (the most on this list). The feeder is made of plastic, and while it doesn't feel as nice as glass and metal, it’s less likely to break or rust. 

The First Nature feeder holds 16 ounces of nectar, and we liked that the clear bottle allowed us to see how much nectar remains. The feeder's wide mouth made it super easy to fill and clean. It also has an S hook, which slips easily onto a tree.

Just note that we did find it tricky to open the two pieces on the base, and some nectar spilled out during the cleaning process. On the bright side, the base is equipped with latches and a sealing ring, preventing the feeder from leaking when it’s fully assembled. 

Size: 16 ounces | Shape: Inverted | Material: Plastic

The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk

Attractive, vintage-inspired design

Five feeding ports and perches

Made of glass

Hanging mechanism isn't as secure as other options

The More Birds Hummingbird Feeder has a charming, vintage-inspired design that will stand out in your garden or yard. While testing, we especially appreciated that the detachable base is not plastic (many on the market are), but metal with an elegant burnt penny finish. Plus, the transparent glass made it easy to monitor the nectar glass.

With a 20-ounce capacity (the second largest on our list behind our best design option) and five flower-shaped feeding ports (each with its own perch), this feeder offers plenty of room for multiple birds to feed comfortably. The wide-mouth bottle is removable for easy filling and cleaning. We found that the bottle and the base come apart, so the feeder is easy to clean with a brush in warm, soapy water.

We tested the aqua-mint version and suspect that a red hue would likely attract more birds. You can also choose from four colors: blue, purple, aqua-mint, and red. There are several antique bottle shapes, including an elixir bottle and a mason jar.

The only hiccup to the otherwise solid design is the hanging mechanism. The metal ring at the top of the feeder doesn’t fit snugly, causing it to tilt a bit when hanging. On a positive note, this minor flaw doesn’t seem to discourage regular visitors.

Size: 20 ounces | Shape: Inverted | Material: Glass

One good rule of thumb is to clean your feeders at least once a week to prevent mold and bacteria growth. If the nectar is cloudy or there are pieces of debris or even dead insects inside, it's time for a cleaning.

Multiple feeding ports and perches

Built-in ant moat

Easy fill and clean

No built-in bee guard

This plastic hummingbird feeder from Sewanta is lightweight, well-designed, and under $15. It has a 10-ounce clear reservoir so you can easily keep an eye on the nectar level. A built-in ant guard at the top prevents insects from contaminating the nectar.  

The wide-mouth reservoir means easy filling, and the two-part bases twist apart for a thorough cleaning. A tight seal prevents the feeder from leaking, even when it’s turned upside down. As an added convenience, this feeder comes with two hanging options: a metal S hook and a tie-wrap. Note that this feeder is on the smaller side, so it’s best suited for a couple of birds at a time. The smaller capacity also means that you will likely have to refill it more frequently.

This feeder may attract bees, which isn’t a big surprise, considering there aren’t any bee guards on the feeding ports, like on our best overall pick. Luckily, you can buy bee guards separately or opt for a red hummingbird feeder, which won't attract bees as much as the color yellow.

Size: 10 ounces | Shape: Inverted | Material: Plastic

Elegant design

Wide-mouth bottle for easy filling

Base comes apart for easy cleaning

Copper finish may rust

Lacks an ant moat

With a brushed copper lid and base, this elegant hummingbird feeder from Perky Pet will make a stylish addition to your yard. Four flower-shaped feeding ports encourage multiple birds to feed at once, while the circular perch at the bottom allows birds to feed from all angles. The reservoir holds up to 12 ounces of nectar, and it’s made of sturdy, clear glass so you can easily monitor its usage. The built-in bee guard is a great perk (but this feeder lacks an ant moat for optimal insect deterrence). 

Thanks to a wide-mouth opening on the bottle, this feeder is easy to fill, and the base comes apart for a quick, thorough cleaning. It’s important to note that a metal feeder is more prone to rust (unlike plastic and glass options), so be sure to take advantage of the one-year warranty if you encounter any damage or defects.

Metal hummingbird feeders also trap heat quicker than glass and plastic options, so we recommend them for colder and milder climates. Still, the brushed copper finish offers an elegant look that you won't get with other materials, so if you opt for metal, be sure to clean it thoroughly and regularly and remove it from your yard on especially hot days.

Size: 12 ounces | Shape: Inverted | Material: Glass, brushed copper finish

Durable construction

Ant moat protects against insects

Built-in hook for easy hanging

Easy to fill and clean

Smaller capacity

Thanks to its high perch, this saucer hummingbird feeder offers an unobstructed view of birds for optimal birdwatching. We tested it in our garden and loved its simple yet effective design. Since the top snaps open easily, we had no problem adding nectar or cleaning it. We also think it offers a little more versatility in placement since the S hook is a little wider and attaches easily to a pole or branch.

It has four feeding ports and holds up to 12 ounces of nectar. The raised flowers on the feeding ports add to its visual appeal and also help to divert rain. This particular model has a smaller capacity, which means it will need to be refilled more often (though, it’s also available in a larger, 16-ounce version).

The bright red cover is designed to attract hummingbirds from a distance and it’s removable for easy cleaning and filling. The saucer design is naturally easier to clean because of the wide mouth. You don't need a bottle brush to squeeze into small openings like other options on this list. It also has a built-in moat to prevent ants and insects from crawling into the nectar. 

This bird feeder is made of durable polycarbonate—highly resistant to heat, cold, and impact—so it's suitable for all climates.

Size: 12 ounces | Shape: Saucer | Material: Polycarbonate

Easily attaches to a window

Allows for up-close bird-watching

Tapered feeding ports keep bees out

Easily to fill and clean

 Smaller reservoir capacity

Might slip off or leak if not secured properly

This acrylic hummingbird feeder attaches to a window via a suction cup, providing an up-close view of the action. We hung it on a window during testing, but it can also be hung from a post or tree using a screw or nail. The reservoir holds up to 8 ounces of nectar, and it’s made of transparent plastic, so it’s a breeze to monitor.

It has three flower-shaped feeding ports with removable perches, so you can make adjustments if your feeder is attracting unwanted birds. The long, tapered stems on the feeding ports help keep bees and other insects out of the nectar, too. This unit has yellow flower feeding ports, but you can purchase replacement ports in a variety of colors. 

Compared to most other options, the reservoir has a fairly small capacity. So, while it won’t bring in a large flock, it’s an ideal size for a few hummingbirds. The feeder has a wide-mouth opening that we found easy to fill, and all of the pieces come apart for a thorough cleanup.

If you do choose to place the hummingbird feeder on a window, just make sure the suction cup is secure. We found that it slipped off if it wasn't on tight and the nectar spilled onto the ground below.

Size: 8 ounces | Shape: Inverted | Material: Acrylic

Available in multiple colors

Unique and versatile design

Multiple perches and feeding ports

Has a built-in ant guard

Hook isn’t that sturdy

Constructed from hand-blown glass, this hummingbird feeder is as eye-catching as it is functional. The bright, flower-shaped design will attract birds to your yard and can be used as a vase or candlestick holder in the off-season. This model comes in four colors—blue, purple, red, and yellow—all with a combination of vibrant florals.

It has five feeding ports to accommodate multiple birds with five perches where they can rest and stick around longer. The feeder holds up to 25 ounces of nectar (the most on our list), and an ant guard at the top of the bottle protects it from invading insects. 

This unit has a rust-resistant metal base that is completely sealed, preventing any spills or leaks. A wide opening on the bottle makes it easy to fill, but it will need to be cleaned with a bottle brush. The feeder comes with an S hook, so you can easily hang it from a tree. Although the two-layer glass is very durable, the hook isn’t as sturdy, which may cause the feeder to tilt, sway, or fall off completely. You may want to use a shepherd’s hook to keep it securely fastened.

Size: 25 ounces | Shape: Flower | Material: Glass, metal base

Amethyst color

Attractive glass design

Comes apart for easy cleaning

Made of glass so it could break if not hung securely

If you're looking for a feeder that will add a pop of charm to your outdoor space, look no further than this option from More Birds. The elegant lavender shade of this glass hummingbird feeder is what sets it apart—we love the look of it as it hangs outside. Despite some stormy weather, it's remained secure for several months and counting, thanks to its strong notched wire.

With transparent glass construction and an etched pattern on the outside, it's very similar to other the More Birds brand pick on our list (named as our best glass choice), but there are some subtle differences in the shape of the container that we felt it deserved a distinct mention. On the bottom section of this feeder, there are five flower-shaped feeding ports (the shape is a frequent design choice among hummingbird feeders), so birds can reach from every angle. The lower section is also red, to attract hummingbirds.

Size: 20 ounces | Shape: Inverted | Material: Glass, metal base

Our best overall pick, the Perky-Pet Pinchwaist Hummingbird Feeder, allows hummers to comfortably perch as they feed. It protects the nectar from invading insects and is easy to fill and clean. If you’re looking for a simple and budget-friendly option, the First Nature Hummingbird Feeder offers plenty of feeding and perching space at an affordable price.

The Spruce / Eric Brockob

The size of your hummingbird feeder will determine how many birds it can accommodate, as well as how often it needs to be filled. A smaller, 8- to 10-ounce feeder (like our best window-mounted pick, the Perky-Pet Window Mount Plastic Hummingbird Feeder) will work just fine if you’re only catering to a couple of birds.

Feeders in the range of 16 to 32 ounces can store nectar for several days and serve multiple birds—the More Birds Vintage Hummingbird Feeder (best glass pick) and the LUJII Blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder (best design) are great examples of this range, and are both 25 ounces.

There are two common hummingbird feeder shapes: inverted and saucer. An inverted feeder, which is essentially an inverted bottle, has a central reservoir that releases nectar into feeding ports at the bottom. Inverted feeders typically have a larger capacity, and their design makes it easier to monitor the nectar level from a distance. Our pick for best metal, the Perky-Pet Elegant Glass Copper Bee-Resistant Garden Hummingbird Feeder, is a great example of an inverted feeder. It's worth noting, however, that because they contain more pieces, inverted feeders are usually more prone to leaking and harder to clean. 

A saucer feeder, like Aspects HummZinger HighView Hanging Hummingbird Feeder (best saucer) contains nectar in a shallow dish or tray, allowing ports to be positioned in the reservoir so the birds can feed through the cover. Unlike inverted feeders, saucer feeders are easy to fill and clean and are more resistant to leaks. They also provide an open view of hummingbird activity. Since saucer feeders don’t hold as much food as inverted feeders, they have to be filled more frequently.

Hummingbird feeders need to be cleaned regularly to prevent mold and bacteria growth. “Change the sugar water solution, and wash your hummingbird feeder with warm, soapy water every couple of days, especially if it is hot outside,” says Greig.

Design features like a wide-mouth reservoir, as seen in our best plastic pick, the Sewanta Hummingbird Feeder, and removable pieces can make hummingbird feeders much easier to clean than certain other styles, so you may want to prioritize models with one or both.

Many hummingbird feeders have an ant moat built into their design, which creates a water barrier and prevents them from accessing the nectar which leaves enough for the birds you want to attract (and leaves you less bugs to clean up when the time comes). Once again, our recommendation for best overall, the Perky-Pet Pinchwaist Hummingbird Feeder, is an example of all of these features in one feeder,

You may have noticed that most hummingbird feeders have some type of red or yellow accent, and that is because hummingbirds find food using their keen eyesight. The sweetest flowers are typically bright shades, so hummingbirds look for shades of red, orange, and yellow when searching for food. For that reason, the best hummingbird feeder placement is often in a spot where the bright color is clearly visible and might even reflect the sun. You can even place them near natural sources of pollen or red yard accents to encourage attraction even more.

Hummingbirds appear at different times of the year, depending on where you live. Hummingbirds are often found year-round in certain parts of Florida, Arizona, and Texas, but for other southern areas, you’ll likely want to put out feeders in mid to late February. In northern parts of the U.S., hummingbirds will probably not arrive until late April or early May. According to Greig, “In much of the Northeast and Midwest, however, you only have hummingbirds in spring and summer (and only one species – Ruby-throated), so that’s the time to put out feeders.”

Bees, ants, and other insects are often attracted to sweet hummingbird nectar, but there are a few ways to keep bugs away from hummingbird feeders. You may want to look for a feeder that has a built-in ant moat or bee guard. (These accessories can also be purchased separately.) “Some feeders are designed in a way that keeps the sugar water solution a bit distant from the feeding port, so only hummingbirds, with their long bills, can reach it,” Greig notes. “These can help prevent yellow jackets from feasting on your sugar water.” You can also try placing your feeder in a shady area, moving the feeder around, or even providing an alternative feeder just for insects.

Hummingbird feeders with a glass reservoir are easier to clean than plastic. Over time, plastic can absorb liquids or clouds, whereas glass will stay clear as long as you keep it clean. Feeders made with glass are also heavier, which helps to prevent tipping and leaking caused by windy conditions and feathered feasters.

However, plastic hummingbird feeders may have an edge when it comes to durability. They're much more likely to survive a drop, for example. If you have troublesome squirrels, high winds, or any other conditions that may cause your hummingbird feeder to get knocked to the ground, a plastic feeder is a safer option.

Sage McHugh specializes in the home and garden sector and has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. She makes sure to recommend products that are stylish, functional, and well-reviewed by consumers. For this roundup, McHugh considered dozens of hummingbird feeders, carefully evaluating each product’s size, shape, material, and ease of filling and cleaning.

Our Experts:

Feeding Hummingbirds. Audubon California, National Audubon Society.