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Head to head

Brome Squirrel Buster Plus vs Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper (2027)

Two premium squirrel-resistant tubes compared: Brome weight shroud against Droll Yankees spinning ring, on capacity, mechanism, cardinals and cost.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Bird Feeders
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-11-03
Brome Squirrel Buster Plus vs Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper (2027) featured graphic

What owners report

Most praised
  • Cardinals use the ring perch confidently instead of fluttering at short perches
  • The shroud closes reliably on squirrels once the tension is dialled in for the garden
  • The large capacity means a busy feeder survives a long weekend without running dry
Common complaints
  • A determined squirrel that jumps from overhead cover still reaches the seed
  • Cleaning the shroud and tube takes longer than a simple open tube
  • Owners disagree about the right tension setting, and the first week is mostly adjustment

What owners report

Most praised
  • Watching a squirrel get spun off never gets old, and the birds return within minutes
  • The long tube stops squirrels hanging down from the cap to reach the ports
  • Seed stays visible through the tube, so owners refill before birds find it empty
Common complaints
  • The battery pack fades over time and charging becomes a routine chore
  • Clever squirrels that feed from above or beside the ring are not deterred at all
  • The motor housing adds weight and a failure point that plain tubes avoid

Our recommendation

Choose the Plus for a mixed flock and a quiet life: six ports, a cardinal ring and a tunable shroud with no battery. Choose the Flipper for a squirrel siege and for the show: the spinning ring actively removes squirrels where shrouds merely close ports. Both hold about 5 lb, both hang the same way, and both fail if squirrels drop in from above, so placement matters more than the choice between them. If you own neither and your garden is merely squirrel-visited rather than squirrel-besieged, the Plus is the safer first buy.

Mechanism philosophy

The Plus closes ports under weight, denying the squirrel food while leaving the feeder calm. The Flipper spins the perch, removing the squirrel with visible drama. Both leave songbirds feeding, but the Flipper mechanism fires only when a squirrel actually loads the ring, while the Plus shroud responds to any weight above its setting, including a heavy bird if tuned wrong.

Capacity and ports

The Plus holds 5.1 lb across six ports with a cardinal ring; the Flipper holds 5 lb across four ports. In a busy garden the Plus feeds more birds at once and suits cardinals better. The Flipper four-port layout is ample for most gardens, but it queues birds sooner during peak visits.

Running costs and maintenance

The Plus costs tuning time in the first week and cleaning time thereafter, but no consumables. The Flipper costs charging time and eventually a replacement battery pack, plus the motor as a failure point. Over several seasons the Flipper total cost runs higher even when the purchase tiers look similar.

Cardinals and mixed flocks

The Plus wins for cardinals outright, thanks to the ring perch, and its six ports suit a mixed flock. The Flipper serves cardinals adequately but without a dedicated perch geometry, and its spectacle is aimed at the squirrel problem rather than the bird experience. Cardinal-first gardens should start with the Plus.

Choose Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Bird Feeder if…

  • You want six ports and a cardinal ring for a mixed flock
  • You prefer no battery, no motor and no charging routine
  • Tuning a weight setting in the first week sounds acceptable
  • Cardinals are a priority visitor, not an afterthought

Choose Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Bird Feeder if…

  • Squirrels empty your feeders daily and you need an active defence
  • You enjoy the spinning-ring spectacle and do not mind charging
  • Four ports are ample for your garden traffic
  • You want a mechanism that removes squirrels rather than closing ports

Questions, answered

Which one is better against a truly determined squirrel?

The Flipper, marginally: a squirrel that has learned to defeat shrouds by feeding carefully can still be spun off a ring it must load to feed. A squirrel that avoids the ring entirely defeats both, which is why placement and pole guards matter more than the mechanism choice.

Which costs more over three years?

The Flipper, because of battery charging and eventual pack replacement, plus the motor as a part that can fail. The Plus costs time for tuning and cleaning but no consumables, so its lifetime cost stays close to its purchase tier.

Can I hang both in one garden?

Yes, and many siege gardens do: the Plus for the mixed flock and cardinals, the Flipper as the squirrel trap that draws attempts away. Two feeders also spread birds and reduce squabbling at a single tube.

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