Best Deer Feeders For The Money – A Complete Buyer’s Guide

Best Deer Feeders For The Money

Looking for the best deer feeder on the market?

We’ve done all the leg work for you and identified the best deer feeders fitting many people’s needs.

Whether you’re looking for a simple bucket feeder or you want a high-capacity hanging feeder, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in this guide.

We’ve even picked out the best gravity deer feeder and the best cheap game feeder for budget-minded outdoor enthusiasts.

All right, let’s get started with the absolute best deer feeder.

We Have The Test Winner After 22 Hours Of Research

Moultrie Deer Feeder Pro

Moultrie DEER FEEDER PRO
  • Included components: Quick Lock kit

Why is it the best?

  • The easy-to-program digital timer allows for custom feeding times and feed amounts
  • It’s easy to load; no ladder or step stool required
  • It handles about 150 pounds of feed without a problem

Five Best Deer Feeders

With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.

TOP PICK
Moultrie DEER FEEDER PRO
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Moultrie Pro Magnum Hanging Metal Feeder | 30-Gallon | Digital Timer
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Moultrie Pro Magnum Deer Feeder Kit | All Metal Housing | Built-in Varmint Guard | Battery Indicator
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REDNEK Redneck Outdoors T-Post Gravity Feeder
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AMERICAN HUNTER 5-Gallon Digital Hanging Bucket Feeder
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Let’s dive into the specifics and review each product individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models or you can read along and go through all the information.

Best Overall: Moultrie Deer Feeder Pro

Moultrie DEER FEEDER PRO
  • Included components: Quick Lock kit

We think the Deer Feeder Pro offers the greatest bang for your buck that you’ll find among automatic game feeders.

It’s got an easy-to-program digital timer, a high feed capacity, a varmint guarding cage, and helpful digital indicators that make it user-friendly and low-maintenance.

The Tripod Deer Feeder Pro is an amazing choice for people who are looking for the best all-in-one, ready-to-go game feeder.

Pros

  • An easy-to-program digital timer; custom feeding times and feed amounts (a maximum of 6 feed times per day that can last from 1 to 20 seconds each)
  • Handles around 150 pounds of feed without a problem
  • Supports any kind of feed
  • Easy to load; no ladder or step stool required
  • A feed level estimator and a battery indicator that give you helpful heads-up information
  • External power port supports solar panel charging
  • The package includes the company’s quick-lock attachment system

Cons

  • You’ll need to buy a 6V battery separately
  • You’ll need to crawl under the feeder to change the timer settings once it’s set up in the field
  • The plastic motor connection could be broken by an angry hog or raccoon
  • The built-in guard could be made of stronger materials

Being easy to set up, program, and use makes this feeder an easy-access solution that promises a hassle-free setup process in the field with no tools required.

Easy To Fill And Good Capacity

After you unlock the bottom set of legs (this requires no tools), the hopper stands only 5.5 feet tall. You can fill up the hopper without having to bring a ladder, a stepladder, or a truck to stand on when pouring the feed in.

Speaking of feed, the hopper holds up to 150lbs of feed giving it a great capacity and saving you many time-consuming trips.

Great Digital Interface

Programming the timer is very easy, with a large, easy-to-read LCD screen and multiple options for deer feeding times and amounts.

You can choose to feed up to 6 times per day with each feed time lasting from 1 to 20 seconds.

There’s also a battery indicator and a feed level estimator, both of which give you quick and helpful information about the feeder, thus saving you precious maintenance time.

6-Volt Battery Power

This deer feeder’s motor uses a 6V box battery that you’ll need to buy separately.

The feeder is power-efficient, meaning the battery should last at least a few months before needing to be recharged.

If you’re looking for a more hands-off power solution, you’ll be glad to learn that this company sells solar power sources that can be utilized via the external power port.

You can use one of these as the main power source or just to recharge the 6V box battery.

You probably won’t need to replace the battery at all if you choose to add the company’s solar charging kit to your gear.

Set And Forget

Once this feeder is set up, you can forget about it until you’re ready to put in more feed. The built-in guard does a great job at protecting against squirrels and raccoons.

There is a rounded cone underneath the funnel and near the spinner so feed doesn’t accumulate on the spinner and attract varmints.

You’ll realize that the feed covers a large area when spread, but there’s no setting for feed spread. However, you won’t have to worry about that since feed rarely bunches up underneath.

Our Opinion

Overall, we believe that the Deer Feeder Pro is one of the best automatic feeders for the money.

Being very user-friendly and easy to set up makes it a great choice for those of you who don’t want to go through the hassle of installing a feeder on their own bucket and deploying it in the field.

The tripod allows you to set it up anywhere you please and the high 150lbs capacity of the hopper means you won’t need to worry about filling up the feeder every other week.

Being able to use a solar panel kit to charge the battery practically eliminates any worries about running out of juice while the feeder is doing its job, even for folks who like to feed deer year-round.

If you’re after one of the best all-in-one automatic deer feeders and looking to get the most for your money, we strongly suggest checking out this unit.

Moultrie 30-Gallon Pro Magnum Hanging Feeder

Moultrie Pro Magnum Hanging Metal Feeder | 30-Gallon | Digital Timer
  • Digital timer programs up to 6 feed times a day, 1 to 20 seconds each
  • All-metal housing, barrel, spin plate, varmint guard and funnel
  • Built-in feed-level estimator, battery indicator, external power port

The 30-Gallon Pro Magnum Hanging Feeder offers a huge 200lb capacity. This is a durable metal feeder with a varmint guard and an easy-to-program timer that makes it a fantastic hanging deer feeder.

Anyone who’s in the market for a hanging feeder and values versatility and durability needs to check out this awesome deal from Moultrie.

Some of the things that set this feeder apart from other models are its all-metal barrel, housing, spinner plate, guard, and funnel.

Pros

  • All-metal housing, barrel, spin plate, varmint guard, and funnel
  • Easily holds 200lbs of feed and supports any kind of feed
  • Easy-to-set digital timer with lots of customization options
  • Feed level estimator and battery indicator
  • External power port allowing for a solar battery charger
  • It requires one 6V box battery, but it can also use two for an extended field life (dual-battery compartment)
  • Metal varmint guard great for keeping out birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other pests

Cons

  • The concave metal lid will hold water and rust over time; it’s recommended to do some do-it-yourself work to prevent this from happening

Metal makes these parts very durable — except for the lid, that is.

The lid snaps on and locks into place with a drum lock, but there’s no place to put a real-deal lock on it, like the one that’s required in Texas.

Overlooked Design Pitfall

One downside of the all-metal construction is that the lid is made of metal as well. Now, if the lid was cone-shaped or dome-shaped, the metal part wouldn’t be an issue.

However, the lid is concave. Think about this for a moment — a concave metal lid collecting rainwater that sits on top of it, causing it to rust and break down much faster than it normally would. See the issue?

But, don’t freak out just yet. Even though someone at Moultrie thought this was acceptable and made a huge mistake, there’s a solution.

Spray some Flex Seal or truck bed liner on the lid and let it cure. The lid will be significantly more rust-resistant and will stay in great shape for a long period of time.

Whenever someone asks you why you’ve got a truck bed liner on top of your feeder, just make sure to mention the product’s genius designers in your string of expletives.

Okay, let’s put a lid on this issue and move on.

Ease of Use & Low Maintenance

This feeder comes with an easy-to-program digital timer that has a large LCD display which makes it easy to read and program.

There are many customization options supporting up to 6 feeds per day ranging in duration from 1 to 20 seconds.

A feed level estimator and a battery level indicator keep you informed about the status of your deer feeder, cutting down on maintenance time and helping you keep your feeder running smoothly.

Just like many of the other Moultrie feeders, the Pro Magnum uses a 6-volt box battery and supports the use of two batteries for a longer field life.

Although the batteries last several months, you can extend the battery life almost indefinitely with this company’s solar charging kit that plugs right into this feeder’s external power port.

Bulletproof Varmint Guard

If you’re worried about varmint guards, let me say that I honestly believe this company has done one of the best jobs I’ve ever seen.

You’ll find the all-metal varmint guarding cage protects the feeder’s spinner and funnel from any funny business that squirrels, birds, or other varmints try to pull.

Ready To Hang Design

Hanging this feeder is done via the metal hardware on the outside of the barrel.

There’s a spreader bar inside the feeder that attaches to the I-Hooks on the outside. You can run a rope, chain, or cable through these hooks to hang the feeder.

If you’re a bit craftier and want to make your own spreader bar, you could throw together some 2×4’s and run a chain through the metal I-Hooks to your homemade spreader bar.

Moultrie also makes its own spreader hoist for hanging feeders that actually seems to work quite well.

Finally, this feeder comes with a lifetime warranty that should cover anything breaking as a fault of build or material quality.

Our Opinion

Overall, we think the 30-Gallon Pro Magnum hanging feeder is one of the best hanging deer feeders available at the moment without too many moving parts.

The all-metal housing and construction make this feeder weather-resistant, except in the case of the lid.

Luckily, this problem can be fixed with a nice coat of truck bed liner. I personally wish Moultrie did something about the lid, but it’s an issue that’s relatively easy to fix.

Varmints shouldn’t be an issue as this feeder has one of the best guards I’ve ever seen.

If you hate it when squirrels and other animals chew through your old feeders and steal your feed, you’ll appreciate the armor on this feeder.

Throw in the possibility for a nearly indefinite battery life with a solar charging kit and the lifetime warranty, and you’ll understand why so many whitetail deer hunters and pro hunters in general love this hanging feeder.

If you’re searching for the best hanging deer feeder for the money, you simply must check this unit out.

Moultrie Deer Feeder Kit

Moultrie Pro Magnum Deer Feeder Kit | All Metal Housing | Built-in Varmint Guard | Battery Indicator
  • Digital timer programs up to 6 feed times a day, 1 to 20 seconds each
  • All-metal housing with diamond-shaped spin plate, built-in varmint...
  • Built-in feed-level estimator, battery indicator, external power port...

If you want to use your own hopper for your deer feeder or wish to replace the motor and timer on an old feeder, then you should definitely check out the Pro Magnum Deer Feeder Kit.

If you’re looking for one of the best full-featured digital feeders, look no further than this top-rated unit.

A large LCD screen makes programming the digital timer simple and easy. The timer supports feeding up to 6 times per day with each feed time lasting from 1 to 20 seconds.

Pros

  • Easy-to-program digital timer with large LCD screen
  • Built-in feed level estimator and a battery level indicator help you keep your feeder running smoothly
  • All-metal construction and varmint guarding cage prevent any birds, squirrels, or pests from stealing your feed
  • Includes hardware to fit any kind of feed container
  • Weatherproof housing keeps out moisture; built to last
  • Able to hold two 6V box batteries for a prolonged field life
  • The external power port and solar panel connectors allow for solar charging

Cons

  • It doesn’t include an installation template
  • The timer’s only warrantied for 2 years

Helpful Heads-Up Display

The built-in feed level estimator helps you keep track of how much feed is left in your hopper at a glance (there’s no need to check manually). A battery level indicator does the same for the 6V box battery that this feeder runs on.

This feeder has an external power port and includes connectors for a solar panel if you wish to solar-charge your batteries for a practically infinite field life.

The company sells a solar kit that works perfectly with its feeders.

Extensive Battery Options

Speaking of batteries, you can choose to use either one or two 6V box-type batteries to extend the field life even further.

This power-efficient feeder doesn’t need two batteries, but you may deem the dual-battery option necessary if you choose not to use the solar kit and don’t want to change the battery every few months.

Fantastic Varmint Guard

If you’ve had varmint problems in the past, you can put them to bed for good with the help of this feeder’s durable, all-metal varmint cage that keeps the critters out.

There’s no way for squirrels, birds, hogs, or bears to get at this feeder’s all-metal spinner or funnel.

Ready To Assemble

The package includes all the hardware needed to fit the feeder to almost every container. While the company claims this feeder comes with a mounting template, there are many who can prove otherwise.

If you order this feeder and don’t get a template in your box, you’ll need to request a PDF or physical copy to be sent to you.

If you’d rather not be hassled with getting the template, you’ll be glad to learn that figuring out how to mount the feeder isn’t too hard with the hardware included in the package. A few holes, washers, and wingnuts later and you’ll be ready to deploy your feeder.

Moultrie Lifetime(Ish) Warranty

Moultrie backs the housing with a lifetime warranty, but it seems the timers are only warrantied for two years.

This isn’t a bad warranty at all; I know many companies who offer much less in terms of customer satisfaction. Plus, the timers seem durable and weatherproof sealed inside their cover.

A two-year warranty is nothing to sneeze at either.

Our Opinion

All in all, we think the Pro Magnum Deer Feeder Package is one of the best full-featured digital feeders on the market.

The impressively durable housing and varmint guarding cage keep out critters that want to steal your feed. They’ll never get through the tough steel cage around the metal spin plate and feeder funnel.

A large LCD screen makes programming quick and easy while displaying helpful information such as feed and battery levels to help you keep your feeder running smoothly.

Having the option to solar charge your unit is a big plus and a real luxury. I’d recommend this product to those who don’t want to worry about the field life of their feeder.

By offering a lifetime warranty and a two-year warranty on the timers, this company is way ahead of the game. Many other manufacturers don’t even come close to offering guarantees on their products.

My only real gripe is that this deer feeder doesn’t come with the installation template that the company claims it does. Many people have said the same and can vouch for the absence of Moultrie’s installation template with their purchase.

This isn’t too much of an issue though, as installing the deer feeder is easy and only takes a little reasoning with the hardware they send you.

If you’re after the best digital deer feeder on the market, I highly recommend checking this unit out.

Redneck Outdoors T-Post Gravity Feeder

REDNEK Redneck Outdoors T-Post Gravity Feeder
157 Reviews
REDNEK Redneck Outdoors T-Post Gravity Feeder
  • Constructed from heavy-duty, all-weather polyethylene for durability;
  • 80-lb. capacity; 4 x 5" feed mouth makes it easy for deer to consume...
  • Easy-to-remove cover for quick filling; Includes hardware and mounting...

The Redneck Outdoors T-Post Gravity Deer Feeder is a simple yet effective feeder that can become the perfect feeder with a simple do-it-yourself trick that keeps the critters out for good.

We chose this as the best gravity game feeder because of its easy setup process as well as because it’s designed to attract deer and waste little feed.

This deer feeder includes everything you need for mounting and requires little maintenance once set up.

PROS

  • Made of durable, quality, all-weather polyethylene
  • The perfect gravity feeder with an easy DIY trick
  • Easy to mount to a fencing T-post or ratchet to a tree and manually set the height
  • Includes all the necessary hardware for mounting
  • Deer seem to take a liking to this feeder’s design
  • Wastes no corn on feeding squirrels and hogs (when set up properly)
  • Maintenance-free

CONS

  • If you don’t put a PVC pipe around the post, varmints will steal your feed

Your Feed Goes Further

A great benefit of a gravity game feeder is that you’re conserving corn — the deer will eat as much as they please without spreading your feed around on the ground to feed the squirrels, birds, hogs, and other varmints that might otherwise get into your corn.

Built To Last

The heavy-duty weatherproof plastic is used for almost everything on this feeder, which gives it a rugged design that’s sure to last for many years to come.

You don’t have to worry about keeping batteries charged or setting timers like you would with automatic feeders.

Great Feed Capacity

Despite being a gravity game feeder, this deer feeder holds a lot of feed. You can easily fill it up with up to 80 pounds of corn or your feed of choice.

Refilling is easy too — simply remove the plastic lid on the top and pour more feed in.

You can also strap down the top or modify the lock with a few tools and some common hardware if your local laws require you to lock your feeder(s).

Solve All Your Problems With This Trick

The secret is to go to your local hardware store and get a piece of 6-inch diameter PVC pipe in the length you want the bottom of your feeder to stand tall.

You’re going to put the T-post in the ground through the PVC pipe so that it covers the post base.

Since you got the PVC pipe in the same length as the height you want your feeder to stand, it’ll slide right over the post sticking out of the ground and cover it from any critters that will try to climb it.

The result is a gravity feeder that only the deer can get to. Squirrels and other animals will have no luck climbing on this post if it’s in an open area.

They’ll just slide right down to the bottom as soon as they try to climb the smooth PVC pipe.

Birds, too, will have a real tough time getting to your feed, unless they’re very tiny, in which case they may pick away only a few pieces of corn.

But consider this thought exercise: which is going to cost you more in corn?

An automatic feeder that sprays maybe a pound of corn a day to feed any critter or varmint that comes along or a gravity feeder that only the deer can reach and eat their fill while feeding the occasional tiny bird?

It’s easy to see that you’ll save a lot of money in feed cost with this gravity deer feeder.

Overall, this gravity game feeder is super tough, super cost-effective, requires little maintenance, and allows the deer (and only the deer) to eat as much as they want!

I hope you love this deer feeder as much as I do. If you’re interested in it, I suggest checking out the Amazon link provided above.

Our Opinion

Let me say this: I love this gravity deer feeder.

It’s my favorite out of all the deer feeders on this list.

I’d recommend mounting this feeder on a T-post instead of a tree. While it does have a convex back that allows you to ratchet it to a tree, I have a little DIY trick that can help you make the most of it.

American Hunter 5-Gallon Bucket Feeder

If you’re looking for a high-quality deer feeder that won’t break the bank, I strongly suggest checking out the American Hunter 5-Gallon Digital Hanging Bucket Feeder.

It’s got everything you need to start feeding deer without sacrificing too much in terms of quality and features.

The 5-Gallon Digital Bucket Feeder is a wonderful choice for budget-minded outdoor enthusiasts looking to feed deer without spending a lot of money.

Pros

  • Comes with a low price tag
  • An adjustable timer that supports feeding up to 16 times per day in varying amounts
  • Durable, weatherproof plastic material
  • Holds up to 40lbs of feed
  • Low-maintenance and easy to use
  • The 6V spring-top lead acid battery this feeder runs on will keep it going for a long time

Cons

  • It doesn’t include a 6V battery
  • The bucket lid can be very hard to remove because of the inner ring lock
  • It doesn’t feature a great varmint protection system

Hassle-Free Setup & Maintenance

This hanging deer feeder has an adjustable digital timer that supports feeding up to 16 times per day with each feeding session lasting between 1 and 30 seconds.

How long to hang a deer is another question?

There’s plenty of room to store feed in the bucket, with it being able to support up to 40lbs of your preferred feed.

It’s got plenty of power too, being able to sling feed about 15 feet in every direction even when it’s hung about 3 feet off the ground.

You’ll need to buy a spring-top 6V battery separately for this deer feeder, but it should serve its purpose all season long.

Built To Withstand The Elements

The durable weatherproof plastic bucket holds feed and protects it from the elements.

There should be no issue with the feed soiling, as this bucket has a water-tight seal and is made of heavy-duty plastic that braves the elements with ease.

Depending on where, how high, and how you hang this bucket, it can be difficult for squirrels and other small animals to get the feed.

If you hang it on a post with some PVC around it, then you shouldn’t have to worry about any squirrels or birds getting into the bucket — they’ll just have to eat the scraps off the ground instead.

About Varmints

Be warned though, there is no varmint guarding cage for this feeder.

You can make your own if you don’t want to buy one for this feeder, as they can be rather expensive and hard to install.

One way to fix this issue would be to build a cage of large gauge chicken wire or attach a metal cage you have laying around over the spinner.

Our Opinion

All things considered, I think this is one of the best cheap deer feeders you’ll find on the market.

Refilling the bucket can be a bit difficult as there’s a ring lock on the inner lip of the bucket lid that makes it a pain in the rear to get off. It may seem like it’s glued on there, but trust me, it comes off.

No protection against varmints means you may want to be a bit careful where you hang this feeder, although you could make your own provided you’re willing and crafty enough.

The durable plastic bucket should hold up great against any weather conditions that come around, and the plastic is tough enough to ward off most squirrels trying to chew through to the feed.

Be wary though, I’ve known some persistent squirrels that could have a chance at getting through after a few weeks.

That’s probably because their brains are thinking about bathing in the feed inside the unit like Scrooge McDuck in his vault.

Given the low price of this deer feeder, I think it’s a great deal for a hanging unit with automatic feeding and a digital timer.

The large capacity, long battery life, and all-in-one package make this a great choice for those who are hunting for an affordable yet quality deer feeder.

Deer Feeders FAQ

Deer feeder food

WHERE SHOULD I PLACE A DEER FEEDER?

The best option for placing the feeder will be a remote place. There should not be predators nearby.

Also, it is worth noting that there are no poisonous plants, mushrooms, or anything else. The place must be safe for deers.

WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN A DEER FEEDER?

Hay, bundles of branches, root crops, grain, grain waste, and silage are used to feed deer in winter under natural conditions.

Meadow or forest hay is harvested with a predominance of leguminous grasses. Because deer hardly eat hay that consists of cereals and sedges.

HOW DO I KEEP RACCOONS OFF MY DEER FEEDER?

To get rid of raccoons on the territory of deer feeders, try to:

1. Put up a fence around your deer feeder. 
2. Set traps for the raccoons.
3. Use special raccoon poison. 

HOW DO I ATTRACT DEER TO A DEER FEEDER?

Place corn feeders in several areas near your home. Feeders should be placed away from the house to increase the chances of attracting deer.

Place a salt bar, also called salt dough, in your yard. Deer are attracted to the sodium in salt blocks.

WHAT TIME SHOULD I SET THE DEER FEEDER?

It is better to start feeding deers in the morning. That way, you can see them during the day.

But if you do it in the evening, you are unlikely to find deer: they will make your feeder empty at night.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of great options to choose from when it comes to deer feeders.

Do you know any models that we haven’t mentioned in this article?

If yes, why do you like them?

Feel free to share your experiences with us in the comment section below!

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