The Best Squirrel Baffles For Hanging Feeders: An Insiders Guide

If you want to confuse the smartest squirrels in town and keep them away from your bird feeding station, then look at our best squirrel baffles review. I’ll explain how to choose the best squirrel baffles to keep squirrels out of your bird feeders. I will also reveal the number one mistake that causes your squirrel baffle to fail.

Best Squirrel Baffles? (Updated List)

Best Squirrel Baffles – Best Overall

Woodlink NABAF18 Audubon Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle, 18-Inch – Black

The ultimate 18-inch powder-coated alloy steel wrap-around baffle. This baffle defeats those squirrels every time. Mount 4-5 feet above ground level if you want an effective system in place. My vote for the Best Overall baffle is the Woodlink NABAF18 Audubon.

The only problem I encountered was that one particular spot on the edge could only angle down at specific points, so if a determined squirrel can nail that spot, he may find his way to the feeder. Other than this minor hiccup in design, my experience with this item has been nothing but positive.

Installation is simple: securing the black coupler around any 1/2 inch to 1-3/8 inch pole or shepherd hook. The baffle snaps together with inward pressure on each side of the seam.

Pros

• Durable/weatherproof and made of lightweight alloy steel
• Simple installation and no need to remove birdfeeder to mount
• 100% money-back guarantee
• Humane

Cons

• Challenging to snap together and come apart~simply use a metal clip to keep it together
• Bird droppings are noticeable on the cone and are unsightly
• Amazon does not ship this item to California

---

Best Squirrel Baffles – Best Dual Use

Perky-Pet 340 Transparent 16-Inch Baffler with Metal Hooks

This transparent 16-inch squirrel baffler mounts on a tree limb or pole. When it’s hung, the top hook attaches to an overhead location while another hook dangles below to attach the feeder. Persistent squirrels will try climbing onto the baffle but quickly topple off and get sent to the ground, startled but unharmed. After brief moments of persistence, the squirrels will eventually give up.

When used as a hanging baffler, it has the added benefit of partially protecting birdseed from rain and tree debris. And when placed on feeder poles, it prevents squirrels from gaining access to your feeder from below. You can use this product as a pole or hanging baffle, and remember that after you knock out the center of the baffle to slide it on the pole, you won’t be able to use it as a hanging baffle.

This baffle has a large diameter of 16 inches wide. I like that the baffle is clear so the birds can see the seed in the feeder and watch out for hawks. Acrylic baffles at an economical price are hard to find, so the Perky-Pet 240 was a great find.

When squirrels get frustrated because they can’t reach their destination, they tend to “chew out” their frustrations on the baffle. I still highly recommend this baffle with its comprehensive diameter coverage, durability, and replacement guarantee by the company for one year.

Pros

• Responsive customer service department
• Weatherproof and no cracking of clear plastic
• A smooth surface with a wide coverage area causes squirrels to slide down
• Humane

Cons

• Squirrels may chew on the baffle (the company does have a one-year replacement policy)
• high winds can detach the feeder from the baffle
• It works better as a mounted baffle than hanging

---

Best Squirrel Baffles – Best Pole Mounting System

Squirrel Stopper Denali Squirrel Proof Mounting Pole System

This Squirrel Stopper Denali mounting system and built-in squirrel baffle are great for making post-mounted birdhouses and bird feeders squirrel-proof. The design features a sturdy, rust-resistant metal mount with an extra-wide 1″ top that prevents squirrels from getting inside. This 78-inch tall mounting pole ranges between 58 to 53-1/2 inches when placed in the ground.

For optimal squirrel-proofing results, the pole should be placed 10 feet from trees, walls, or any platform where squirrels can jump onto feeders or birdhouses.

Pros

• A well-designed system that is also easy to relocate to another area
• Galvanized steel to prevent rusting
• Designed to hold the heaviest birdhouses and bird feeders (up to 25 lbs, including seed)
• Humane

Cons

• More costly, but the item is a complete system
• Screwing the bottom pole section into the ground takes some muscle
• Must be careful the bottom pole is screwed into the ground straight with no leaning to avoid bending pole at the junction

---

Best Squirrel Baffles – Best Unique Design

Deluxe Squirrel-Raccoon Stopper 18″

Installing the Squirrel & Racoon Stopper is pretty straightforward. There is no need to take down your pole because both halves wrap around the pole held together by a wire ring, and no tools are needed to complete the less than 5-minute installation process.

The torpedo-shaped baffle acts as a squirrel deterrent by tilting and rocking the squirrel or raccoon when it attempts to climb over. Do note that the pole is not effective against climbing snakes. The company manufactures this product in Michigan.

I was able to install this wrap-around baffle easily. First, I had to place the rubber stopper on the pole. Then I attached the hook that stopped the torpedo-shaped cone from sliding down the pole and snapped the pieces together. The rubber stopper and hook ensure the baffle stays in place. The baffle installs on poles from 1/2 inch up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

One shortcoming I found was that the baffle’s smaller diameter did not always prevent larger squirrels from bypassing the baffle.

Pros

• Unique slim-line design and heavy-weight
• Simple installation with no tools needed
• Easy to clean
• Humane

Cons

• Made of plexiglass instead of metal
• Complaints of squirrels chewing on the rubber stopper and larger squirrels being able to bypass the baffle.
• Can’t be used on poles less than 1/2 inch or larger than 1.5 inches

---

Why You Should Get a Squirrel Baffle

Baffles save money, headaches, and aggravation and preserve some less durable wood or plastic feeders. Squirrels can chew through just about anything and destroy it in the process. And for those of you that want to feed the squirrels, place one or more squirrel feeders far away from the bird seed.

Squirrels can jump between trees or structures 4-5 feet vertically and 9-10 feet horizontally. They also hang from objects with the toes of their back feet (with support from their tail), which allows them to eat comfortably while upside down.

What to Look for When Buying a Squirrel Baffle

Everyone has a different preference on what is essential when deciding on a squirrel baffle. Still, I want to offer my opinion on the most essential things the squirrel baffle should have.

Look for a Product That Does Not Cause Harm

The right baffle will work wonders to keep the squirrels away from your birdfeeder and birdhouses. There is no need to buy products that harm otherwise innocent critters. After all, they are simply trying to get food.

Not everyone agrees on how to keep squirrels away from the bird feeders. Some people think the best way to keep squirrels away is with traps or deterrent devices, which is never a good idea.

Please avoid giving your money to companies that will harm squirrels with their products. There are inhumane products on the market that trap, torture, maim, and shock little critters. Baffles WORK and require minimal effort; they do not cause squirrels and many other animals any pain or discomfort.

Look for the Proper Size & Design

Consider the size of your feeder because baffles can be too big or too small for your needs. Purchase one that is appropriate in terms of its dimensions compared with your feeder. If you have trouble deciding on a color to match your outdoor decor, many will choose a clear product that will blend with everything.

Look for Quality Materials

Squirrels are intelligent and persistent creatures who will chew through just about anything. However, these sharp teeth have difficulty getting past metal or PVC baffles; opt for these two materials if you want to keep the squirrels away from your bird feeder!

A baffle with a rust-free treatment is the best material for long-lasting durability. If you opt for a PVC version, choose one that won’t discolor, crack, or warp. The baffle must withstand harsh weather conditions, so durability is a must to last for years to come.

Look for Product Guarantees

Companies with money-back guarantees and warranties are an excellent place to start. The guarantee ensures purchase protection in case of poor craftsmanship or factory defects.

Look for Pricing

The squirrel baffle market is not standardized because what you pay does not necessarily correlate with the quality of the product.

---

FAQ’s – Best Squirrel Baffles

Here are some commonly asked questions about squirrel baffles.

What is the number one reason for the FAILURE of a squirrel baffle?

One of the most common failures of the baffle is not with the baffle itself. Squirrels can jump approximately 4-5 feet vertically and horizontally around 9-10 feet. Therefore, you must establish a radius of clearance 10 feet around the feeder. That means a squirrel can use nothing in that radius to jump over the baffle.

Squirrels can easily use a tree, the side of the house, a fence, a rock, or anything rigid enough for a squirrel to be able to leap from. If the feeder is in range of their jumping ability, the squirrel will always win, baffle or no baffle. The squirrel will jump over the baffle and be on your feeders all day long if it can.

Are there any seeds that birds like and squirrels don’t?

Yes, there are! Birds and ground squirrels love safflower and nyjer seeds, whereas tree squirrels typically do not.

Make Your Baffle a Success – Avoid this #1 Failure Mistake with Your Best Squirrel Baffles

Watch the video below for the number one mistake that makes your squirrel baffle fail!

Best Squirrel Baffles – Conclusion

When those little rascals devour your expensive birdseed or chew holes in your feeder, you know it is time to take action. A baffle is an excellent choice to humanely keep squirrels away from your birdfeeder. Squirrels are cute but intelligent and resourceful animals that stop at nothing to get their paws on your bird seed.

By avoiding the number one mistake (as revealed in the video above) and selecting one of these baffles from our Top 4 List, you’ll have a great chance to outsmart those clever little critters.