Quick Answer: The Brome Squirrel Buster Plus (about $120–130, 5.1 lb capacity) and the Woodlink Absolute II (about $120–190, 12 lb capacity) are the two most recommended squirrel-proof feeders on the market, but they solve the squirrel problem with different hardware and serve different yards. The Squirrel Buster Plus is a tube feeder with a weight-activated shroud, best for hanging in a spot with light-to-medium bird traffic and smaller perching birds. The Woodlink Absolute II is a hopper feeder with weight-sensitive perches, best pole-mounted in a busy yard that also feeds larger birds like cardinals, jays, and doves. Buy the Squirrel Buster Plus for the biggest brand-name track record and Lifetime Care parts support; buy the Absolute II if capacity and open-tray access for bigger birds matter more than a smaller footprint.
Both feeders show up at or near the top of nearly every independent squirrel-proof ranking, including Bob Vila’s 2026 test, which named the Squirrel Buster Plus its best overall pick at $129.25. They rarely get compared directly to each other, even though they’re the two most likely feeders a shopper narrows down to once cheap plastic “squirrel-resistant” feeders are ruled out. Here’s how they actually differ.
Squirrel Buster Plus vs Woodlink Absolute II by the numbers
- 5.1 lb vs 12 lb — the Squirrel Buster Plus holds about 5.1 pounds of seed (roughly 3 quarts) in its tube, while the Woodlink Absolute II’s steel hopper holds up to 12 pounds — more than twice the capacity, per both manufacturers’ published specs.
- $129.25 — Bob Vila’s 2026 squirrel-proof feeder test lists the Squirrel Buster Plus at $129.25 and names it best overall of eight feeders tested.
- 6 ports vs 2 perches — the Squirrel Buster Plus feeds up to six birds at once through individual tube ports; the Absolute II’s open hopper tray is accessed from two counter-balanced perches, each adjustable to three weight settings.
- 18 inches — Brome’s published clearance rule for the Squirrel Buster line: 18 inches of open space above and around the feeder, with no branch or ledge a squirrel could launch from, or the weight-activated shroud won’t reliably trigger.
Squirrel Buster Plus vs Woodlink Absolute II at a glance
| Feature | Squirrel Buster Plus | Woodlink Absolute II |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$120–130 | ~$120–190 |
| Style | Tube feeder | Hopper feeder |
| Capacity | 5.1 lb (~3 qt) | 12 lb |
| Mechanism | Weight-activated shroud drops over 6 ports | Weight-sensitive perches drop a shield over the tray |
| Feeding points | 6 ports | 2 adjustable perches |
| Best bird fit | Smaller clinging/perching birds at ports | Larger birds (cardinals, jays, doves) on an open tray |
| Mounting | Hangs or pole-mounts | Pole-mount recommended (hangs, but heavy) |
| Warranty | Lifetime Care (parts replacement) | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Best for | Most yards, easy hanging, brand track record | Heavy-traffic yards, larger birds, fewer refills |
The quick verdict by use case
- Best overall for most yards: Squirrel Buster Plus — proven mechanism, hangs anywhere, backed by Brome’s Lifetime Care.
- Best for heavy bird traffic and larger birds: Woodlink Absolute II — 12 lb capacity and an open tray that fits cardinals, jays, and mourning doves.
- Best for fewer refills: Woodlink Absolute II, at more than double the seed capacity.
- Best for hanging without a pole: Squirrel Buster Plus, which is lighter and designed to hang securely from a standard shepherd hook.
For the full Brome lineup beyond the Plus — including the budget Standard and Mini — see our best Squirrel Buster bird feeder guide, or compare both feeders against the rest of the field in our squirrel-proof bird feeder pillar.
Round 1: Mechanism
The Squirrel Buster Plus uses a spring-loaded metal shroud around a seed tube. Birds are light enough that the shroud stays put and the six feeding ports stay open; a squirrel’s weight pulls the shroud down over every port at once, sealing off the seed instantly. The mechanism is adjustable, so you can also tune it to exclude heavy bully birds like grackles — a feature that has made Brome’s design close to an industry standard.
The Woodlink Absolute II takes a different approach: it’s a hopper feeder with two counter-balanced metal perches, each adjustable to three positions for light, medium, or heavy birds. When a squirrel — or a bird heavier than your setting — lands on a perch, a metal shield drops and covers the entire seed tray until the weight lifts.
Edge: Tie on effectiveness, both mechanisms are widely reported as reliable when installed correctly. The Squirrel Buster’s tube-and-shroud design has more independent lab-style testing behind it (including Bob Vila’s 2026 roundup); the Absolute II’s tunable perch tension gives you more manual control over exactly which birds get shut out.
Brome Squirrel Buster Plus
- Six feeding ports, adjustable weight-activated shroud, detachable cardinal ring.
- 5.1 lb (~3 qt) capacity — the largest in Brome's hanging lineup.
- Backed by Brome's Lifetime Care parts-replacement program.
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Round 2: Capacity and refill frequency
This is the clearest numeric gap between the two. The Squirrel Buster Plus holds about 5.1 pounds of seed, while the Woodlink Absolute II’s steel hopper holds up to 12 pounds — more than double. In a busy yard during peak feeding season, that difference can mean refilling the Absolute II once a week versus refilling the Plus every two or three days.
Edge: Woodlink Absolute II, decisively, for anyone who doesn’t want to be topping off seed multiple times a week.
Round 3: Which birds actually get fed
A tube feeder and a hopper feeder don’t attract the same mix of birds. The Squirrel Buster Plus’s ports suit birds that are comfortable perching at a small opening — chickadees, finches, titmice, nuthatches — and its detachable cardinal ring extends that to cardinals too. The Absolute II’s open hopper tray behaves more like a platform, which is naturally more comfortable for larger birds that prefer to stand and feed rather than cling to a port: cardinals, blue jays, and mourning doves in particular. Reviewers who test both feeders side by side consistently point to the Absolute II as the stronger pick specifically for yards with a lot of these bigger visitors.
Edge: Depends on your yard. If you mostly see finches, chickadees, and titmice, the Squirrel Buster Plus’s ports are a better match. If cardinals, jays, and doves dominate your feeder traffic, the Absolute II’s open tray serves them better.
Woodlink Absolute II (Model 7536)
- Two counter-balanced perches, adjustable to 3 weight settings.
- 12 lb steel hopper — more than double the Squirrel Buster Plus's capacity.
- Open tray suits cardinals, jays, and doves better than a tube's ports.
Round 4: Mounting and footprint
The Squirrel Buster Plus is light enough to hang confidently from a standard shepherd hook, as long as you follow Brome’s clearance rule: about 18 inches of open space above and around the feeder, with nothing nearby a squirrel could launch from. The Woodlink Absolute II is heavier and larger once loaded with 12 pounds of seed — Woodlink and most reviewers recommend pole-mounting it rather than hanging it, both for stability and to keep the loaded feeder from swinging within jumping range of a fence or branch.
Edge: Squirrel Buster Plus for anyone who wants to hang a feeder from an existing hook without adding a pole. See our squirrel-proof bird feeder pole guide if you’re setting up a pole-mounted station either way.
Round 5: Warranty and long-term support
This is the clearest gap in Brome’s favor. The Squirrel Buster Plus is backed by Lifetime Care, supplying replacement parts for as long as you own the feeder. Woodlink backs the Absolute II — and its broader catalog — with just a 30-day money-back guarantee, far shorter than Brome’s lifetime coverage or even Droll Yankees’ warranty against squirrel damage.
Edge: Squirrel Buster Plus, clearly, on warranty length — not necessarily on build quality, where both feeders have a long track record of durability.
How to choose between the Squirrel Buster Plus and the Woodlink Absolute II
- Buy the Squirrel Buster Plus if: you want to hang the feeder from an existing hook, your yard sees mostly smaller perching birds, or a clearly marketed lifetime parts warranty matters to you.
- Buy the Woodlink Absolute II if: you feed a lot of cardinals, jays, or doves, you don’t want to refill more than once a week, and you’re willing to pole-mount a heavier feeder.
- Either way: follow the manufacturer’s clearance guidance — no branches, ledges, or fences within jumping range — since incorrect placement is the most common reason either mechanism fails to stop squirrels.
- Want the rest of the Brome lineup? The Standard (about $60), Legacy (about $77), and Mini (about $37) all use the same shroud mechanism in smaller sizes — see our best Squirrel Buster bird feeder guide.
New to squirrel-proofing generally? See our squirrel-proof bird feeder pillar for the full field beyond just these two, our squirrel-proof bird feeder pole guide for mounting hardware, and our how to keep squirrels away from a bird feeder guide for placement rules that apply no matter which feeder you buy.
The bottom line
Both feeders earn their reputations. The Squirrel Buster Plus is the safer default for most yards — proven mechanism, easy hanging, and a clearly marketed lifetime parts warranty — while the Woodlink Absolute II is the better fit for a busy yard that feeds larger birds and doesn’t want to refill constantly. Neither is a downgrade from the other; they’re built for slightly different jobs.
Check the Squirrel Buster Plus price on Amazon → Check the Woodlink Absolute II price on Amazon →