Early Black Friday Sales Cut Prices on Smart Bird Feeders From Birdfy and Kiwibit

Early Black Friday discounts have arrived on smart bird feeders, and a Wired reviewer who has tested the products for years says they would buy them as gifts or for themselves. The deals cover models from Birdfy and Kiwibit, with prices ranging from $110 to $170.

Smart feeders have been on the market since 2020. According to the reviewer, even moderately priced versions now offer high-resolution cameras, 4K video recording and AI bird identification that rarely misses. Most need little upkeep beyond refilling the seed, provided the feeder is placed using the 5-7-9 rule for pole mounts, which helps keep squirrels away.

The top pick is the original Birdfy feeder with a solar panel, listed at $127, or 29 percent off. The discount applies only to the blue version, and the yellow costs $13 more. The reviewer notes that sturdier designs exist, such as the Kiwibit, and that some feeders have better cameras, including Camojojo's 32MP Hibird. Those options either cost more or come with unreliable apps and paywalled features, the reviewer says.

For shoppers who want a dependable feeder that lasts through the seasons, with an easy app and no major features locked behind a subscription, the Birdfy is described as the best choice. Its solar panel mounts separately, and a version without it costs $110. The reviewer still recommends paying the extra $17 for solar, saying Birdfy's panels have been very reliable and spare owners from bringing the feeder indoors to charge. The model supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and it carries a two-year warranty.

Next is the Kiwibit Feeder 2 with a solar roof, priced at $170, also 29 percent off. It is not the company's newest model, which is the Feeder 2 Pro at $220, but the reviewer calls the standard version exceedingly well designed and says this is the lowest price they have seen for it. Its 1.5-liter seed hopper is split to hold two types of feed and lifts out of the body by a handle on top, so there is no need to take the whole feeder down for refilling.

The Feeder 2 captures 8-megapixel photos and 4K video, which the reviewer rates as top-tier at this price. The solar roof kept it charged in all kinds of weather during testing. The app is easy to navigate and works without a Kiwibit Plus subscription, though the reviewer says more features are moving behind the paywall, a trend noticed while reviewing the Feeder 2 Pro, which they do not love. The feeder works only on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and its warranty lasts one year.

The third deal is the Kiwibit 4K Feeder with auxiliary solar, available for $140, or 26 percent off. It uses the same camera and hardware as the Feeder 2 but lacks the built-in solar roof. The reviewer installed the included 3-watt solar panel on the back of the wall mount without trouble, though they always mount feeders on poles to deter squirrels. Buyers who want Kiwibit's build quality and image resolution can save $30 this way.