Wired tester swears by Birdfy and Kiwibit feeders at 29% off

Shoppers can now buy smart bird feeders for as little as $110, a price point that includes high-resolution cameras and automatic bird identification. The discounts arrived ahead of the main Black Friday sales period, covering specific models from two major manufacturers. A veteran product tester for Wired, who has evaluated these devices for years, states they would purchase these units for personal use or as gifts.

The pricing structure varies by brand and model. The original Birdfy feeder with a solar panel lists at $127, reflecting a 29 percent discount. This rate applies strictly to the blue version; the yellow model costs $13 more. A version of the Birdfy without the solar panel is available for $110. The Kiwibit Feeder 2 with a solar roof is marked down to $170, also a 29 percent reduction. A third option, the Kiwibit 4K Feeder with an auxiliary solar panel, sells for $140, a 26 percent discount.

The products feature technology that has improved since their market launch in 2020. Current models record 4K video and use artificial intelligence to identify bird species with high accuracy. The Kiwibit Feeder 2 captures 8-megapixel photos. Most units require minimal maintenance beyond refilling the seed, provided the installation follows specific guidelines to keep squirrels away.

The Wired reviewer identifies the Birdfy as the top choice for reliability. The device supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and carries a two-year warranty. The reviewer recommends the solar panel version despite the extra $17 cost, noting that the panels have proven reliable and prevent the need to bring the feeder indoors for charging. The app operates without a mandatory subscription, though some features are moving behind a paywall.

The Kiwibit Feeder 2 offers a sturdier build and a 1.5-liter hopper split for two types of feed. The hopper lifts out via a top handle, eliminating the need to remove the entire unit for refills. The solar roof kept the device charged in various weather conditions during testing. This model also requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and includes a one-year warranty. The reviewer notes this is the lowest price observed for this specific design.

The Kiwibit 4K Feeder shares the same camera and hardware as the Feeder 2 but lacks the integrated solar roof. It includes a 3-watt solar panel that mounts on the back of the wall bracket. This configuration saves buyers $30 compared to the Feeder 2 model while maintaining the same image resolution. The reviewer notes that the app remains easy to use without a Kiwibit Plus subscription, although they observed a trend of locking more features behind the paywall in newer models.