Buying guide
Best nest boxes for blue tits
Compare three well-built 25mm, 28mm and 32mm wooden boxes and choose the entrance size and position that suit your garden.
Our recommendations
Three suitable small-hole nest boxes
All three are plausible nest sites, but their hole sizes are not interchangeable. Choose deliberately rather than assuming a bigger entrance is better.
Artisan 25mm blue-tit nest box
Best for: Best 25mm box
A timber nest box with a 25mm entrance, slate entrance protector, drainage and ventilation gaps, a lead roof ridge and a locking hinged side.
Best 25mm box. Drawback: the premium construction costs more and correct siting still matters more than decorative finish.
dobar 28mm FSC tit nest box
Best for: Best 28mm box
A European-made FSC pine box measuring about 16 by 16 by 32cm, with a 28mm entrance and rear mounting strip.
Best straightforward 28mm option. Drawback: 28mm admits more species than a 25mm hole and the decorative print adds no welfare benefit.
CJ Wildlife birch-log 32mm nest box
Best for: Best 32mm rustic box
A rustic FSC birch-log box with a 32mm entrance, rain-shedding roof and solid insulating walls.
Best natural 32mm design. Drawback: the broader entrance allows more competing species and the irregular exterior needs careful mounting.
| Nest box | Hole | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artisan protected box | 25mm | Targeting blue tits | Premium price |
| dobar FSC box | 28mm | Blue and larger tits | More competition |
| CJ Wildlife birch-log box | 32mm | A broader mix of hole nesters | Not blue-tit specific |
Which hole size is best for blue tits?
A 25mm entrance is the clearest choice when you specifically want to accommodate blue tits. RSPB guidance associates 25mm holes with blue, coal and marsh tits, while larger openings allow more species to compete. That does not guarantee occupation—birds assess the whole site—but it gives the box the right starting specification.
Our top choice, the Artisan 25mm box, adds a stainless or slate-style entrance protector, ventilation, drainage and secure cleaning access to that species-appropriate opening. The dobar 28mm box is a simpler FSC pine alternative if you are comfortable with a broader range of tits investigating. The CJ Wildlife 32mm box is attractive and well insulated, but it is better thought of as a general small-hole nest box than a blue-tit specialist.
A closer look at the three boxes
1. Artisan 25mm box: best for blue tits
The protected 25mm entrance is the headline feature, but the less visible details matter too. Drainage and ventilation help manage damp and heat, the roof ridge sheds water, and the hinged side gives access when lawful cleaning is due.
The protector should help prevent the wooden entrance edge being enlarged. It does not make the box predator-proof, and the box still needs a secure position away from easy climbing or jumping routes.
2. dobar 28mm box: best straightforward alternative
This FSC pine box is about 16cm square and 32cm tall, with a rear mounting strip. Its 28mm entrance remains suitable for blue tits but also admits some larger small-hole nesters, so competition may be greater.
It is a practical choice where you want a conventional, unfussy box. Check that the rear strip sits flat, use suitable fixings and avoid crushing live bark if mounting to a tree. The printed finish is decorative and should not influence the choice.
3. CJ Wildlife birch-log 32mm box: best rustic general box
The birch-log body offers thick natural insulation and the roof is shaped to shed rain. Its 32mm entrance, however, makes this a broader nest-box option. Blue tits can use it, but house sparrows and great tits may also investigate.
Choose it for its construction and appearance only if that wider access suits your aim. The irregular back needs a particularly stable fixing so the box cannot swing or twist.
Construction details worth checking
The BTO recommends timber at least 15mm thick, or another insulating material such as woodcrete. The box should have drainage, ventilation and a way to open it for cleaning. Avoid a perch under the hole: blue tits do not need one and it can assist predators.
Smooth internal wood immediately below the entrance can make it difficult for fledglings to climb. A naturally rough interior or shallow internal grooves are preferable. External treatments should be water-based and confined to the outside, following current manufacturer and conservation guidance.
Where should a blue-tit box go?
For a small-hole box, roughly one to three metres high is a useful BTO range. Choose a quiet position with a clear flight path, protection from harsh sun and prevailing rain, and no branch directly in front of the entrance. North and east aspects often work well in Britain, but shelter from nearby buildings and trees can change the best choice.
Keep the box away from a busy feeding station. Feeding birds create noise, traffic and possible predator attention; a nest site needs a calmer corner. See our full nest-box positioning guide.
Do not disturb an occupied box
Once birds begin visiting, observe from a distance. Do not open the side, fit an entrance plate, move the box or repeatedly approach it for photographs. Active nests, eggs and wild birds are legally protected.
If the box remains unused, give it time. A new box may not be chosen in its first year, and changing its position every few weeks can be counterproductive. Reassess shade, weather exposure and the flight path after the breeding season.
Frequently asked questions
Is 32mm too big for blue tits?
Blue tits can enter a 32mm hole, but so can larger competitors. Use 25mm when the aim is specifically to favour blue tits, subject to local species guidance.
Should the box have a camera?
A purpose-designed camera box can offer a view without opening the nest, but installation, wiring and testing must be completed before occupation. Do not retrofit equipment around an active nest.
Can I put two blue-tit boxes together?
Territorial species generally should not have identical boxes close together. Spread small-hole boxes between separate suitable areas rather than creating a cluster.