After spending the previous 12 months testing 25 sensible hen feeders from 10 totally different manufacturers, many have impressed me, however none so incessantly and constantly as Birdfy’s. It was the primary model in the marketplace to introduce AI hen identification, in addition to the primary to introduce auxiliary merchandise like sensible nesting packing containers, birdbaths (see under), and feeder our bodies comprised of totally different supplies like wooden or metallic. The merchandise nonetheless undergo the occasional quirk or connectivity problem, however all sensible feeders do. The Birdfys stay my go-to for presents and private use at my dwelling attributable to their consistency and ease of use.
When you’re trying to purchase one this 12 months for your self or a cherished one, these are the very best costs you will see, and these are probably the most giftable fashions, most usable out of the field with no subscription. (Notice that each one Birdfy feeders run on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi solely.)
For Novices
When you’ve by no means handled a wise hen feeder earlier than, it may be intimidating. I do know a number of individuals who have been gifted a wise hen feeder final 12 months for the vacations and nonetheless, in November 2025, have but to take it out of the field. Apparently they are not alone, as a result of there’s now a feeder particularly for the reluctant: the Rookie, which appears like a gravity pet feeder and snaps collectively in three easy items with no instruments.
You will nonetheless should cost the 1080p digital camera (as soon as every week, as this model does not include a photo voltaic panel) and calibrate it to the app, however that is it—simply pop the digital camera on its little facet stand, fill the seed hopper, connect it to a wall or pole with the included {hardware}, and also you’re good to go. As a result of there’s solely a facet view, you will get a good quantity of butt photographs from birds who’re going through the opposite method, and word that you’re going to positively need to web site this one out of the way in which of squirrels, as a result of it is fairly light-weight and the highest is well knocked off.
An Enduring Traditional
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Courtesy of Birdfy
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Courtesy of Birdfy
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{Photograph}: Medea Giordano
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Birdfy
Feeder Lite With Photo voltaic
There are an terrible lot of sensible feeders in the marketplace, and none of them are excellent, however this longtime best-seller is the one I constantly suggest for its mixture of options, usability, app, and worth. There are alternatives for a photo voltaic panel and both AI by subscription ($5 a month) or included, however Amazon’s deal is on the one with the by-subscription possibility and photo voltaic panel. The panel needs to be mounted individually, however in my expertise, it is performed fairly effectively at preserving the digital camera charged even when it is cloudy.
If You are Anxious About Squirrel Harm
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Courtesy of Birdfy
Birdfy
Feeder Metallic With AI
I have not but examined this actual mannequin , however I’ve examined many plastic feeders which were chewed by squirrels. When you’re within the authentic Birdfy however are nervous about squirrel injury, that is the one to get. It makes use of the identical 1080p digital camera you will discover on the facet of Birdfy’s Professional 2 Duo. It additionally does not want a subscription for AI identification, and it comes with built-in rooftop photo voltaic panels, so you will not should carry it in to cost the digital camera battery. I’ve had nice luck with Birdfy’s photo voltaic panels on different fashions staying charged even throughout cloudy seasons.
For Prime-Tier Photograph and Video High quality
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Courtesy of Birdfy
Birdfy
Feeder 2 Professional With AI and Photo voltaic
That is Birdfy’s flagship sensible feeder, that includes the best picture high quality of any of the model’s feeder cameras. I examined the two Professional Duo, which has two cameras; this mannequin solely has the one, nevertheless it’s the identical because the Duo’s most important digital camera, which I can attest is excellent. (Although you will need to make sure that it is near a router, as it’s going to want extra bandwidth than a typical feeder digital camera.) It is acquired two lenses—one wide-angle and one portrait—and the latter will truly observe any hen that lands and zoom in for a better view. The 2K video captures will also be performed again in gradual movement, and there is a mild for capturing attention-grabbing happenings at night time. This model does not want a subscription, and it comes with a photo voltaic panel, which can must be mounted individually.
A Enjoyable, New Approach to Watch Birds
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{Photograph}: Kat Merck
In case your giftee already has a wise hen feeder or does not need to cope with seed mess, why not present them a wise hen tub? This one’s already received an Innovation Award for CES 2026, and regardless of some early connection points, I had nice enjoyable testing it this summer time. It captured visits from the whole lot from birds, spiders, and squirrels to a raccoon making an attempt to steal the pump filter. (He was finally profitable.) Notice the bathtub nonetheless does take some upkeep, aside from refilling—as a result of the reservoir is shallow, it’s susceptible to algae, and the pump does are likely to clog with bigger particles like leaves. However I nonetheless extremely suggest it as a enjoyable present for any hen lover; particularly this model, which comes with an identical stand and doesn’t require a subscription for AI identification.
If You’d Relatively Not Have Plastic
Courtesy of Birdfy
Birdfy
Bamboo Mini Hen Feeder With Digicam
Most sensible feeders are made from plastic, and for good purpose—it is sturdy, resists climate injury, and is straightforward to wash. However nobody’s going to argue that it appears nice in your yard. I have not examined this actual feeder, however I did take a look at a similar-looking one, and I used to be stunned at how a lot classier and extra pure it appeared on my feeder pole. This one sports activities the identical 1080p digital camera as our favourite authentic Birdfy, and likewise comes with a photo voltaic panel for preserving the digital camera charged (have to be mounted individually). There’s additionally included AI ID, so you will not want a subscription. As a bonus, you may save an additional 10 p.c by getting into our code WIRED356 (yow will discover the spot for a promo code below fee choices), which brings the worth all the way down to $136.
