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Best Duck Decoys Reviewed and Tested
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Value
Price was first and was a criterion that wiped out a lot of promising choices on the list. Duck decoys don’t get better with the price since they use similar materials and features. This led to a lot of overlap from the expensive choices when compared to the lower-priced ones. Keeping only the most exceptional of the bunch, we got rid of most of the high priced decoys and was left with more manageable prices across the board.
Style
The design was a strength that drove AvianX to dominate the list due to their lifelike paint jobs. We noticed plenty of upside to the products that used high definition paint or a lifelike variant. Products were also given points for using anti-chip features with their paint and meeting expectations for matching the look of the duck they were portraying. Decoys that looked fake were left off the list, and decoys, where the paint faded quickly, were not even included- that’s a waste of money. In the end, we still got a lot of variety of materials used, where even wood was considered high tier.
Durability
Durability covered all aspects of the materials, even any areas where clips needed to be attached. With good maintenance, decoys should last several seasons, even when they are heavily used. Based on customer reviews and materials used, we were able to get a much better idea of long-term durability. With this information, we cut down the list some more, and that is what led to a lot of brands being repeated on the list. The top ten was finalized and comprised of quality decoys that were built to last several seasons of use.
10 Best Duck Decoys
1. Greenhead Gear Pro-Grade Mallards
These butt-up feeders follow the same quality as the rest of the Greenhead lineup. Staying consistent was the goal, and they achieved it with great success.
Works Well With The Rest Of The Lineup
If you own other products from the Greenhead line, then this pair will fit in perfectly. They used the same materials and paint so that you can group decoys together.
Features and Specifications
2x Butt-up (1 drake/1 hen)
Realistic body postures
Cost and Value
Sometimes decoys don’t play well together, so it’s nice to have a bunch that were meant for large setups. Fans of Avery Outdoor products won’t be disappointed with the outcome. Like others in the same lineup, this set is low priced. Buyers will find that it has a lot of value if they own other decoys from the same company.
2. AvianX Top Flight Brown
Near the top of the list is another AvianX model, this time from more of a traditional setup. A lot of time and effort was put into making this the go-to decoy setup and it shows with the variety in the pack.
Classic Wood Construction
Using wood as the base for the materials works well with this decoy set, and it is all thanks to their forward-thinking. It has all the floating benefits of wood decoys without any of the durability defects that affect the paint.
Features and Specifications
Non-chip paint
Front weighted keel
Cost and Value
There is nothing to see here since this set is available at an average price. For their value customers will gravitate towards them based on the effectiveness of the wood material. Even against stiff competition, this decoy set took the #1 spot with ease. Wood is still the best material to use in the industry, but only when it’s done right.
3. AvianX Top Flight
Breaking into the top three is this pack from AvianX, sporting a lot of modern features for a decoy. The quality level is a step up from the other choices on the list without being too expensive.
Non-Chip Paint
A good design is worthless if it can’t last a daily trip in the water where it comes into contact with a lot of materials. The paint on these decoys hold up well even in situations where they are used often.
Features and Specifications
Rubberized molding
Front weighted keel design
Cost and Value
The price is average, giving you six total decoys in a pack to use for hunting. There is value in the ultra-realistic look that comes in a non-chip finish. A lot of people swear by these specific decoys, with comparisons to the best in the industry. If the design doesn’t win you over, then the great customer service of AvianX should.
4. Dakota Decoy X-treme
This is the first big-ticket item on the list when you look at the price. It’s also one of the most full-featured when you need to make use of a larger area.
Twelve In A Pack
You can’t get much better than having twelve decoys in a single pack to lure prey to an area. Perfectly simulating a large group of ducks, this set gives hunters a much better chance to get a shot off.
Features and Specifications
High-quality polyethylene
Oversized
Cost and Value
Even at a high price, this expensive set is still one of the better choices out of all the other decoys. They’re lifelike, high quality and will last you years without needing a replacement. Dakota is a recognizable name that makes a lot of decoy lists for their commitment to excellence. Their mallard decoys are still one of the best available and easily makes the top five on this list.
5. Greenhead Gear Green-Winged Teal
A lot of the duck decoys in the industry look similar to one another, with only a few key differences separating the best of the best. That is why this pack is considered a favorite of customers since it goes above and beyond to be different.
Unique
Both the body styles and head positions of these decoys are different than the normal set. If you have had problems getting ducks to recognize your other models, this may be the difference you need.
Features and Specifications
60/40 dura-keel
The green-winged teal paint scheme
Cost and Value
Hanging out around an average price, buyers will get a good deal with this purchase. Getting six decoys for such a low price is all the value you need. Being different is a pro when all your other decoys are not performing to expectations. This pack was made for hunters that wanted to switch up the routine for a bargain price.
6. Greenhead Gear Oversize Butt-Up
Avery Outdoors makes the list consecutively, this time with their over-size duck decoy. Made in the USA, this decoy pair is the go-to for hunters that need quality in their materials.
When You Need A Bigger Size
Sometimes the default size doesn’t cut it with decoys, and they look like toys instead of actual ducks. That is remedied with a bigger size of this decoy, which was made for larger bodies of water.
Features and Specifications
One butt-up drake and one butt-up hen
12x7 inches
Cost and Value
Just like the other products in the Greenhead lineup, this is low priced. Their value comes from being one of the bigger decoys available on the market. Bigger isn’t always better, but in this case, it really helps the product stand out. This is one of the better decoys on the market that uses its extra size to full advantage.
7. Greenhead Gear Pro-Grade Mallards
These butt-up feeders follows the same quality as the rest of the Greenhead lineup. Staying consistent was the goal, and they achieved it with great success.
Works Well With The Rest Of The Lineup
If you own other products from the Greenhead line, then this pair will fit in perfectly. They used the same materials and paint so that you can group decoys together.
Features and Specifications
2x Butt-up (1 drake/1 hen)
Realistic body postures
Price/Value
Like others in the same lineup, this set is low priced. Buyers will find that it has a lot of value if they own other decoys from the same company.
Decision Time
Sometimes decoys don’t play well together, so it’s nice to have a bunch that were meant for large setups. Fans of Avery Outdoor products won’t be disappointed with the outcome.
8. AvianX
This hard to find duck decoy is great for hunters that are familiar with the AvianX brand. The quality is consistent with what the brand is known for the best.
Complete Open Water Design
A hard decoy to pull off is the open water design, where you’ll find that ducks are a lot more perceptive- even at long distances. AvianX pulls this off beautifully without making the completed model look like a cheap knockoff.
Features and Specifications
Imitates mallards (6 pack)
Non-chip paint
Cost and Value
These are available at an average price, so should be just perfect for any customer. The good quality makes them valuable for years of use. You’ll have a hard time distinguishing the quality between this decoy and one of the top three items. It’s really that good and well worth the purchase.
9. Higdon Standard Shoveler
For our 9th spot, we have the Higdon Standard Shoveler decoy. A set of realistic ducks that will help you attract all the ducks and geese you want in your area. They are so realistic you might notice these attract more than just your traditional birds.
Bright Colors
If you have reached this part of our review, then you might have noticed most of our selection is darker richer looking ducks. However, while most decoys on the marker are darker in color as they were constructed and designed that way, we love how bright these are. Due to their brightness and stark white areas, these duck decoys are perfect for those that are in shallower water. Having them in shallower waters allows your decoy to blend right in while the brighter colors will have them stand out from the rest.
Can be Seen from Afar
While most decoys are designed to be seen from a specific distance, these are a bit different. As stated above, due to their bright colors they attract different animals including flying ones. Though they will attract animals that aren’t as far in the distance these will do more than that. They can be spotted from afar, therefore, you will notice flying geese, owls, and even eagles might flock down on your water to see what these decoys are all about.
Cost and Value
When it comes to the cost and value of this package you are getting 4 drakes and 2 hens with 3 different head settings. What this does is it confuses the animal into thinking these ducks are simply swimming together not decoys that are constructed that way. Due to this feature and how brightly painted these are, they are mid-price range. Furthermore, a portion of the price is donated to Ducks Unlimited an organization designed to help wetland conservation.
10. MOJO Outdoors Elite
When it comes to making a motorized, decoy that appears as realistic as possible MOJO outdid themselves with this one. The MOJO Outdoors Elite Mini Mallard decoy is exceptional not only to the human eye but to the animals as well. Constructed to be as realistic as possible this decoy will get the job done while standing exactly where you need it. Think of it as one of the easiest most functional investments you can make.
Innovative Design
For a better function without all the extra additional bits, this decoy offers an innovative design. The innovation comes in handy as this is one of the least wobbly decoys, on the market. Its motor, transmission, power supply, and body are all attached in an easy undetectable belly area. Furthermore, due to this feature, the frame of the decoy feels sturdier and more put together. Additionally, it works for a quieter more natural aesthetic.
Easy to Set Up
One of the main reasons why many are discouraged about having a standing decoy is seeing how difficult some decoys can be to set up and keep in place. Standing decoys are notorious for being shaky or difficult to keep in place. This one comes with an easy to set up came lock system that offers a drop-in battery holder and easy on/off magnetic wings. You simply set it up and watch the birds flock to your area.
Cost and Value
Due to the highly innovative item that you are getting, and how easy it is to set up this decoy is priced exceptionally well. The value is great as you are getting quality above anything else. If you want an easy to set up an item that gets the job done this one is for you!
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