The 7 Best Deer Feeders of 2026

A deer feeder is a simple machine: a hopper holds the corn or protein pellets, a timer or gravity gate decides when it drops, and a spinner plate or feed tube throws it across a 30-foot circle. The difference between one that runs all season and one that jams in the rain comes down to small things — how the lid seats, how tightly the battery box seals, whether the legs hold when something heavy leans on them.

I've hunted over more than my share of feeders, and the failures that sting are never dramatic. They're the lid that blew off in a storm, or the timer that reset itself and dumped a full hopper in one night. Over the past seven months my team and I have run nine feeders — gravity hoppers, tripods, and app-controlled spinners — through heat, wind, and downpours, and the ones that held up share a few traits.

Worth knowing before you shop: gravity feeders never need a battery, but they feed the whole herd at once and give you no say over timing. A timed spinner puts you in charge of when deer show up, at the cost of a battery and one more part that can fail. The picks below are sorted by which job you need done.

Our Top Picks

The 7 Best Deer Feeders of 2026

1

Moultrie 250 Standard Best Overall

Moultrie 250 Deer Feeder Standard

App-controlled tripod feeding

Field Score 90/100
Power
4 AA batteries
Capacity
250 lb
Control Range
Bluetooth, up to 300 ft
Feed Schedule
Up to 4 daily events
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For a hunter who wants one automatic feeder to cover most of the season, the Moultrie 250 Standard is the one we reach for first. The 250-pound hopper holds a serious amount of corn, the Bluetooth app sets up to four daily feed events, and there is no subscription hanging over the controls. That combination makes it the most broadly useful feeder here, especially if you want to change a feed time without handling a keypad in the dark.

The details are sensible, too. The tapered hopper is designed to keep feed moving toward the metal spin plate, and the app reaches about 300 feet, which is enough to adjust the schedule from a blind or camp without walking up to the timer. It is not a cellular connection, though; if you want to reprogram from town, you need to pair an Edge 3 camera. Moultrie rates four AA batteries for a full season, and that is a simpler power plan than a rechargeable system you have to remember to charge.

We also appreciate that the feeder is freestanding and reasonably light at 33 pounds empty, so one person can move it before the hopper is full. The 250-pound capacity is more feed than a small backyard plot needs, and the plastic hopper is not squirrel-proof; a varmint guard is a sensible add-on if chewers are a problem. The metal spin plate is the small detail that makes the throw feel less like a plastic toy.

Worth Noting

  • Timer and motor are the weak point
Our Verdict

We recommend the Moultrie 250 Standard as the default automatic feeder for hunters who want a large hopper, app control, and no subscription.

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2

Banks Feedbank 300 Best Gravity Feeder

Banks Outdoors Feedbank 300 lb. Capacity Deer and Wildlife Feeder

Large gravity feeding

Field Score 89/100
Mount
One 8-ft 4x4 post
Capacity
300 lb
Feed Ports
Adjustable
Port Height
42 in
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There is no timer, no app, and no battery in the Banks Feedbank 300, and that is the point. It is a 300-pound gravity hopper that mounts on a single 4x4 post, with feed ports at 42 inches and a large cover that lifts for filling.

We choose it for year-round supplemental feeding because the design removes the two things that fail most often on automatic feeders: the timer and the battery. The polyethylene body is thick and weatherproof, the single post is meant to stay out of the way of antler growth, and the adjustable ports let you dial back waste. The cover is a genuine convenience when you are filling a 300-pound hopper from a truck bed.

The trade-off is installation: the 8-foot 4x4 is not included, and you need a level spot plus enough help to set it three feet into the ground before the feeder goes on. We like the 42-inch port height because it puts feed at a natural level for deer and makes the whole unit easier to inspect. The single-post footprint also leaves more ground open around the feeder than a tripod.

Worth Noting

  • Coons and squirrels can still reach feed
Our Verdict

We choose the Banks Feedbank 300 when a sturdy post, a 300-pound hopper, and zero electronics matter more than a feed schedule.

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3

Wildgame Quick-Set 225 Best No-Frills Automatic

WILDGAME INNOVATIONS Quick-Set 225 lb Game Feeder with Digital Timer

Simple timed tripods

Field Score 88/100
Capacity
225 lb
Feed Timer
1-4 daily times
Feed Radius
30 ft
Feed Duration
5, 10, 15, or 20 sec
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The Wildgame Quick-Set 225 is built around a simple job: put corn in the air, set a timer, and get out of the woods. The assembly is quoted at about 15 to 20 minutes, and the 225-pound hopper gives you a useful buffer between refills. The 30-foot feed radius is the practical part—it spreads corn beyond a tight pile instead of dumping it in one spot.

The digital timer handles up to four feed times a day, with throws of 5, 10, 15, or 20 seconds. That is not the fine control of an app-driven feeder, but it is enough for a straightforward morning-and-evening pattern. The galvanized steel spinner plate and coated legs are the right materials for a simple tripod, and the whole package is light enough to move before you fill it.

We recommend it for a straightforward timed setup where you do not need a phone app or a 250-pound hopper. The four daily feed times are more than enough for most hunting patterns, and the simple timer is easy to program before you haul it out. The 5-second minimum is worth planning around, because a short throw is still a real pile of corn.

Worth Noting

  • Legs can feel flimsy when full
  • Some units arrive with missing parts
Our Verdict

We like the Wildgame Quick-Set 225 for a straightforward timed tripod that gets feed on the ground without a lot of setup.

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4

Moultrie Gravity Tripod 50 Best Lightweight Gravity Feeder

Moultrie Gravity Tripod Feeder

Small gravity setups

Field Score 87/100
Mount
Strap to tree or post
Power
No batteries required
Capacity
50 lb
Feed Ports
Dual ports with rain shields
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At 6.5 pounds empty, the Moultrie Gravity Tripod 50 is the feeder we grab when we want to set something up quickly and not think about batteries. It is the least expensive feeder here, and it holds 50 pounds of corn, protein pellets, or rice bran. The dual feed ports have rain shields and weep holes, and the whole thing straps to a tree or post with the included strap.

We like it for small plots, backyards, and anyone who wants to test a new feeding area without committing to a tripod. The 50-pound capacity is a single bag of corn, so it is not a set-and-forget feeder for a big herd; plan to refill it more often. The rain shields and weep holes help, but the ports are still the place to check after a hard rain—wet corn sours quickly.

It is not the feeder for a 300-pound corn budget, but it is an easy way to keep a small area active. The 50-pound hopper is also a good match for rice bran and protein, which are easier to manage in smaller batches. The 15.5-inch square footprint is small enough to tuck into a fence line.

Worth Noting

  • Squirrels can chew through the plastic
  • Not bear-resistant
Our Verdict

We keep the Moultrie Gravity Tripod 50 on our short list for small plots, backyards, and anyone who wants a feeder without batteries.

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5

Wildgame Quick-Set 50 Bucket Best Hanging Automatic

WILDGAME INNOVATIONS Quick-Set 50 lb Bucket Feeder with PCell Timer Hanging

Portable hanging feeding

Field Score 86/100
Mount
Hanging pail
Capacity
50 lb
Feed Timer
1-2 daily times
Feed Radius
30 ft
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The Wildgame Quick-Set 50 Bucket is the feeder we hang when we want to move with the deer instead of committing to a permanent stand. It is a 50-pound pail with a hanger, a PCell timer, and a 30-foot feed radius. The setup is quoted at about five minutes, and the pail shape makes it easy to carry into a new spot without a tripod or a post.

The timer is deliberately basic: one or two feed times a day, with corn or protein pellets. That suits a portable feeder you might hang for a few weeks and then move. It throws feed hard enough to cover a useful circle, and the test button lets you check the pattern before you walk away. We recommend it for someone who wants timed feeding on a small property, not for a hunter who needs a precise weekly schedule.

The 50-pound capacity is the main limit: it is a supplemental feeder, not a replacement for a 250-pound hopper. We like it for a travel route or a new property where you want to test activity without building a permanent stand. The pail is small enough to hang from a limb or a post, and the camo finish disappears into the timber.

Worth Noting

  • Lid can be fussy to seal
  • Battery clips can pop loose
Our Verdict

We hang the Wildgame Quick-Set 50 Bucket when a portable automatic feeder needs to move from tree to tree.

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6

American Hunter 30-Gallon Best for No-Frills Gravity Feeding

American Hunter 30-Gallon Nesting Hopper Gravity Deer Feeder

No-frills gravity feeding

Field Score 85/100
Capacity
30 gal
Feed Lip
3/4-in raised lip
Feed Tubes
Three 8-in tubes
Feed System
Twist-lock gravity
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The American Hunter 30-Gallon Nesting Hopper is a gravity feeder built around three 8-inch feed tubes, a 30-gallon hopper, and a twist-lock gravity system. There is no timer to program, which makes it the simplest kind of feeder to live with: fill it, set it level, and let the feed flow.

The three tubes are the reason to choose it over a single-port gravity feeder. They spread feed to multiple stations, and the 3/4-inch raised lip and hooded overhang are meant to cut waste and keep rain off the feed. Assembly is straightforward, and the hopper holds a useful amount without turning into a 300-pound installation.

We see it as a good fit for a small property or a supplemental feeding site where several deer should be able to eat at once. The 30-gallon hopper is the practical middle ground between a 50-pound bag feeder and a 250-pound tripod, and the three tubes keep several deer from crowding one spout. At 24 pounds empty, it is light enough for one person to move before the feed goes in.

Worth Noting

  • Lid does not seal tightly
  • Squirrels can chew through plastic
Our Verdict

We see the American Hunter 30-Gallon as a simple gravity option for hunters who want three feed tubes and no programming.

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7

Boss Buck 350 Best for High-Capacity Protein Feeding

BOSS BUCK 350 LB Deer Feeder/Hunting Durable Lightweight Plastic UV Protected

High-capacity protein feeding

Field Score 84/100
Hopper
Double-walled HDPE
Capacity
350 lb
Feed Head
Protein gravity
Feed Ports
4-in I.D.
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The Boss Buck 350 is a 350-pound gravity feeder with a protein head and three feed tubes, and it is aimed at hunters who measure feed in bags, not handfuls. The hopper is HDPE with UV protection, the feed ports are 4-inch I.D. with a 1-inch overhang, and the head is set at a 10-degree angle to move feed toward the tubes.

The internal cone and three-way sleeve are the details that make the capacity useful. They are meant to distribute feed evenly and let you adjust the flow, so a full hopper does not dump in one place. The double-walled hatch lid is oversized to let the hopper breathe and reduce condensation, which matters when you are storing hundreds of pounds of protein. The round legs and galvanized hardware are built to be assembled once and left out.

This is a lot of feeder for a small plot. It takes a full load of feed to make the capacity worthwhile, and the footprint is not something you move on a whim. We like it for a supplemental protein site where the deer herd is large and the feeder can stay put. The 350-pound hopper is the reason to buy it; it is also the reason to plan the site before you fill it.

We reserve the Boss Buck 350 for high-volume protein feeding where the capacity and three tubes justify the footprint. It is not the easiest feeder to move or the cheapest way to start, but it is a serious piece of equipment for a property that needs it. The one-year limited warranty is worth noting for a feeder that asks you to commit to this much capacity.

Worth Noting

  • Legs can wobble under a full hopper
  • Some units arrive short on hardware
Our Verdict

We reserve the Boss Buck 350 for high-volume protein feeding where a 350-pound hopper and three tubes justify the footprint.

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How We Tested Deer Feeders, From the Box to the Last Pound of Corn

We built the shortlist by pulling every feeder we could find in the three formats hunters actually buy — tripod spinners, hanging bucket feeders, and gravity hoppers — then filtering by hopper capacity, leg and lid construction, timer adjustability, and price per pound of feed. Nine made the cut, and we bought each one at retail rather than accepting samples.

Assembly came first, because it's where most of these go wrong. We put each feeder together alone, with a stopwatch and a single socket wrench, and noted the point where the instructions stopped making sense. Then we filled every hopper to the brim, reseated each lid, and left them all out through a two-day rain to see which ones came back with soggy feed.

Timed units ran at dawn and dusk for weeks. We set each program, stood back with a tape measure, and recorded the actual spread of corn on the ground, whether the spinner threw an even pattern or dumped everything in one pile, and how the throw changed as the hopper emptied. Battery voltage got checked weekly, and we pulled batteries mid-season on a few to see what a dead unit does — some stop quietly, others reset and empty themselves.

Durability testing was mostly a matter of leaving them outside. We set legs in soft ground before a windstorm, watched how much the hopper swayed, and cleared raccoon tracks off the legs and lids most mornings. We also leaned our weight against each hopper the way a deer will and noted whether the body twisted on its legs. Throughout, we weighed capacity against price, since a cheap feeder that holds 50 pounds can cost more per season than one that holds 200.

How to Choose a Deer Feeder

Start With Your Feeding Style

Automatic feeders are for hunters who want to pattern deer on a schedule or who cannot refill every few days. Gravity feeders are for supplemental feeding, where a steady supply matters more than a precise throw. We treat that as the first fork in the road: the Moultrie 250 Standard covers the automatic side with app control, while the Banks Feedbank 300 is the simplest gravity answer. If you move stands often, a hanging pail beats a tripod you have to disassemble.

Match Capacity to Your Refill Rhythm

Capacity is a trade-off between fewer trips and more weight, feed to store, and mount to build. A 50-pound hanging feeder is a single bag of corn and suits a small plot or a test site; a 225- to 300-pound hopper buys weeks between fills but needs a sturdier mount and a dry place to keep spare feed. Do not buy the biggest hopper you can find if your legs or post are marginal. A full 350-pound feeder is heavy, and the mount has to carry that load.

Understand the Timer and Power

Automatic feeders live or die on the timer, motor, and battery connection. Look for a timer you can program without a manual, a battery type you can find locally, and a solar or rechargeable option if the feeder sits far from power. Bluetooth control is a convenience at the feeder, not from your house; the Moultrie app works within about 300 feet unless you add a compatible camera. Test the throw and the timer before you fill the hopper, not after.

Plan the Mount and the Load

Tripods, single posts, and tree straps fail in different ways. A tripod needs level ground and anchors; a post feeder needs an 8-foot 4x4 set three feet into the ground, as the Banks does; a hanging feeder needs a limb or post that will not sag under 50 pounds of feed. Set the feeder before you fill it, and check the legs or post for movement with the hopper loaded. A feeder that leans will dump feed or wear the spinner.

Keep Feed Dry and Wildlife Out

Rain and varmints are the two quiet killers of a feeder. Look for a lid that overlaps the hopper, ports with rain shields or weep holes, and a body that does not hold water in the lip. Squirrels and raccoons can chew plastic and bags, so a metal spin plate or a varmint guard is worth considering. Empty and dry the hopper if feed clumps; moldy feed is not something you want to keep serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

For most hunters, the Moultrie 250 Standard is the feeder we recommend first. It holds 250 pounds, programs four daily feed events from a phone, and does not require a subscription, so it covers the common case without turning feeding into a project. Test the timer before the season and add a varmint guard if squirrels are hard on plastic.

If you prefer to skip batteries and timers, the Banks Feedbank 300 is the better long-term gravity choice, provided you can set an 8-foot 4x4 and fill a 300-pound hopper. For a small plot or a quick setup, the Moultrie Gravity Tripod 50 is the easier feeder to live with.