The best-heated hummingbird feeders prevent the nectar from freezing in the winter. You don’t want them to get too hot to avoid burns or early burnout of the heater. They can also provide some warmth to the birds and should have some red to help attract them.
There are plenty of hummingbird feeders out there, making it hard to know exactly which one to pick!
If you want all of the best benefits to come with the heater, you should choose one of the below options.
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What Are the Best Heated Hummingbird Feeders?
Heated hummingbird feeders come with more benefits than traditional nectar feeders.
The heaters keep the feeder warm during the winter, allowing you to leave them outside without them freezing.
That way, the birds can still have a reliable food source during the harsher winter months.
If you live somewhere with long, cold winters, then a heated hummingbird feeder will suit you well.
Overall, you’ll want many features in the heated feeder, including:
- A pleasant temperature that prevents freezing
- A 7-watt light bulb
- A decent price tag
- A design that’s easy to use and clean
You’ll also want to know whether you receive just the heater or a heater and nectar bottle with your order.
If it’s just the heater, then you’ll need to make sure you have a bottle that fits! Most heaters should include the size they attach to on their product pages.
You may want to consider getting a dome or hummingbird umbrella for your nectar feeder.
Adding a dome over the top of the feeder also protects it from snow and helps keep the birds under it comfortable too.
In Short – The best-heated hummingbird feeders can meet those four criteria. These two items are all great contenders for the best option:
Hummer Hearth Hummingbird Feeder Heater
Hummer Hearth heater attaches to the bottom of a hummingbird feeder that you already have- it doesn’t come with the bottle that holds the nectar.
You won’t need to clean it often unless the nectar spills on it.
This heater works very well with smaller hummingbird feeders and only requires a single 7-watt light bulb to prevent freezing.
The heater doesn’t require much power to run either, so it won’t add much to your power bill. It keeps the nectar at about 15 degrees F so that it never turns to ice!
Plus, it’s straightforward to use the product. All you need to do is attach it to your existing feeder. It shouldn’t take more than a few moments.
You can leave the light on all day and night, or just during the night when it drops below freezing outside.
The cup that holds the light is also red, providing a nice red glow when you turn it on. This style is extremely attractive to hummingbirds!
Overall: This product is one of the best options to heat a hummingbird feeder- as long as you already have a nectar bottle that fits.
Hummers Heated Delight
Hummers heated delight also sits on the bottom of your hummingbird feeder.
It comes with a six-foot-long cord, making it very easy to set up. You just need to plug it in!
The heater keeps the nectar from freezing easily!
Plus, these heaters are all homemade and come from a small, local business.
The shop offers multiple heater sizes, allowing you to choose one that will easily fit your nectar feeder.
The bulbs that come with the heater are also 7-watt. They easily keep the nectar liquid during the winter and won’t cost much for you to power them.
The birds are sure to appreciate having reliable food in the cold!
While the heater itself is black, you shouldn’t have issues attracting hummingbirds when you use a red feeder with it.
What to Expect? These heated feeders are another excellent option to consider. They’re very affordable, and you can find accessories for your feeder on the website too.
How Do I Use a Hummingbird Heater Safely?
When adding any electrical component to your feeder, you want to ensure that it’s safe.
Heaters and lamps pose an electrocution and fire risk when not handled correctly.
You should only use electrical cords that have a rating for outdoor use.
Otherwise, they could break and cause problems. Plus, you shouldn’t place your feeder too close to a heat lamp or use a heating pad- you could start a fire!
If you choose one of the above heaters, you should worry about being safe.
You should still make sure that you use the correct cords and don’t place the feeders too close to other objects.
Should I Add a Hummingbird Dome?
During the winter, you’ll want to place a dome over the top of the feeder.
The dome protects the nectar feeder from snow build-up and keeps the hummingbirds under it warmer.
Some of their body heat stays under the dome as they beat their wings. The warmth from a heater also stays trapped there.
There are plenty of styles that you can choose from online, but a red one will better attract the birds. Birds Choice offers a red protective dome that comes in a classic style.
You simply hang it above your feeder to keep it dry, clean, and warm.
Can I Use a Heat Lamp Instead?
If you don’t want to purchase a new heated hummingbird feeder, you can instead get a heat lamp for less money.
Point the light at the bird feeder to ensure it doesn’t freeze. These lights also provide hummingbirds with a warm place to rest.
The best heat lamp option would be the LUCKY HERP 50W Ceramic Heat Emitter.
It doesn’t emit any light, is very durable, and is safe.
You just need to make sure you don’t place it too close to your bird feeder, or it may melt the plastic.
Like with the heated feeders, you want to make sure you only use outdoor cords and heat lamps.
If the item isn’t suitable for outdoor use, it can become dangerous.
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