AeroGardens are a great way to grow fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers in your own home. In this Aerogarden comparison and review, you’ll learn all there is to know about the wonderful world of Aerogardens!
While there are many different models of AeroGarden available on the market today, it can be challenging to decide which of these indoor smart gardens is best for you. If you have perused countless Aerogarden comparisons and reviews but still have not been able to select the best system for yourself, you are in the right place.
This article will compare the various indoor hydroponic garden systems currently offered by AeroGarden with their pros and cons so that you can make the most informed buying decision.
For a comparison on Aerogarden’s biggest competition, Click and Grow, have a read of my article Aerogarden vs Click and Grow.
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What is an Aerogarden?
An AeroGarden is an automated indoor gardening system that grows small vegetable plants, flowers, and herbs. It is a soilless system that uses hydroponic technology for growing plants supported by LED growing lights and automated watering tanks. Advanced features like Wi-Fi Control, touchscreen, dimmable lights, and vacation modes are available in some models.
AeroGardens are an excellent way for beginner green thumb enthusiasts to get started growing their plants indoors without the need for expert knowledge or much effort to maintain the system.
AeroGardens can be used as a countertop appliance or set up on an outdoor patio by using additional accessories, depending on your intended use and preference.
It is also noteworthy that in the battle of click and grow vs aerogarden systems, both have positive qualities but in this article I will be focussing on Aerogarden.
You can read my a full comparison article on AeroGarden vs Click and Grow here.
For more about what is an aerogarden, common problems and how to clean and maintain you aerogarden system, check out this article.
Aerogarden Models
AeroGarden has three main product lines: Farm 24 Family, Bounty Family, and the Harvest Family. A detailed aerogarden comparison has been done in this blog post. These are all great products with excellent customer reviews, but there are some key differences in each product line that you should be aware of before purchasing.
If you need help choosing between AeroGarden models, we can help! We have compared each model so that you can easily compare the features of each. As a bonus, here is also a buying guide with recommendations and some additional tips to keep in mind when it comes to buying an AeroGarden system.
AeroGarden Comparison & Buying Guide
Several factors should be considered when purchasing an AeroGarden. These include your budget, the size of plants you will be growing (in terms of number and height), and which features are most important to you, including automation, LED lights with dimmable options, Wi-Fi-enabled control capabilities, vacation mode settings, or other advanced functions like planting reminders or alerts if water tank levels get low.
While the basic features like the water pump and low water reminders are included in all models, you will have to pay more for features like dimmable LED lights or Wi-Fi control capabilities. You can also purchase additional accessories such as smart soil seed kits (e.g. thai basil plant pods) and lighting systems if necessary, depending on your intended purpose of the AeroGarden system.
Here are a few things you must consider in your Aerogarden comparison:
Budget
How much money can you afford to spend? What features are most important to you, and which do you consider “extras” that aren’t necessarily needed for your intended use of the system? What will it cost if I want to add more plants later on down the line? All noteworthy points to consider in your Aerogarden comparison.
Number of Plants
Do you intend to use the AeroGarden for a single potted plant or many different plants and herbs? Will this system be used indoors or outdoors? Do you need multiple AeroGardens with separate seed kits if growing more than one type of plant? Is it essential that all your plants can grow at once, or would you instead stagger your plantings so that they can be harvested at different times?
Type of Plants
Do you want to use the AeroGarden for growing fresh vegetables, salad greens, gourmet herb seed or flowers? Some indoor garden models are better suited for certain types of plants than others. It is also essential to consider spacing when it comes to larger indoor grow lights like LED lights.
Features
Do you need Wi-Fi control and automation for your AeroGarden? Is dimmable lighting vital to you, or is it more of an “extra” feature that isn’t necessary but would be nice to have in some circumstances?
What about vacation mode settings? How many days do you plan on being away, and will an automated system be important for continuing to grow your plants?
An LCD control panel or touch screen is another feature to consider in your Aerogarden comparison when weighing up the pros and cons of various models.
My Top Picks (AeroGarden Reviews)
My personal favorite AeroGardens are the Bounty Family Elite and Farm 24. I prefer these models because of their larger reservoirs, which makes it easier to grow more plants at once. In this Aerogarden comparison, here are the specific models I recommend:
Best Overall AeroGarden System: Aerogarden Harvest Elite 360
The Harvest 360 Elite is a great beginner AeroGarden system perfect for growing plenty of plants at once. It comes with the most optimal seed pods (6) and has a decently sized stainless steel reservoir.
These Aerogarden Harvest models also features adjustable LED lighting, vacation mode settings, and the most optimum seed pod capacity out of any AeroGarden, which makes it an excellent choice for those looking to buy an easy-to-use AeroGarden that can grow many plants at once with minimal maintenance.
Moreover, the pricing is also reasonable (below $200), especially if you are looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use AeroGarden which can grow many plants at once.
Best Budget AeroGarden System: Sprout
If you are on the lookout for a small, countertop-sized AeroGarden with a smaller price tag, the Sprout is your best option.
The Sprout comes in at around $70 and has a modest, low-maintenance design, making it the most affordable option.
However, if you are looking for more bells and whistles, this model is probably not ideal as its features are minimal (no vacation mode or Wi-Fi control). But since your plants won’t need any of these advanced features to grow, it’s still a great system to get your plants started.
Best Upgrade to Consider: Bounty Elite
The nine pods stainless steel Bounty Elite system has the best upgrade you should consider when purchasing a new and improved AeroGarden.
The most significant difference is the increased reservoir size, which gives you more space for growing plants at once and makes it easier to maintain your plants.
This Aerogarden Bounty model has many additional features, including Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Dimmable lights, and Vacation mode. It is still priced at under $400, making it an excellent upgrade for those looking to get more value from their AeroGarden.
Best Large AeroGarden System: Farm 24 Plus
The Farm 24 Plus AeroGarden is perfect for growing larger plants at once, especially if you want to grow anything besides herbs. Most importantly, it has a capacity of 24 pods, meaning you can either grow all 24 plants at once or spread out and use the extra area for growing larger plants.
These Aerogarden Farm models (24 Farm Plus) is also the most premium AeroGarden model, with automated features like Wi-Fi control, touchscreen, dimmable LEDs, and vacation mode.
However, the price tag on this model is also larger than some other AeroGardens (approximately $700), but if you are looking for the absolute best AeroGarden, this is it.
Let’s look at each smart garden model and evaluate the specific features that make them superior to the rest.
Comparison Chart of AeroGarden Models
| AeroGarden Family | Model | Price | Pods | Finish | H | D | W | Low Water Reminder | Vacation Mode | Touch screen | WiFi | Dimmable Lights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm 24 Family | Farm 12 XL | Check Price | 12 | Matte | 46″ | 14″ | 18″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Farm 24 Family | Farm 24 Basic | Check Price | 24 | Matte | 24″ | 14″ | 36″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Farm 24 Family | Farm 24 XL | Check Price | 24 | Matte | 46″ | 14″ | 36″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Farm 24 Family | Farm 24 Plus | Check Price | 24 | Matte | 34″ | 14″ | 36″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bounty Family | Bounty Basic | Check Price | 9 | Matte Plastic | 34″ | 11.25″ | 17.25″ | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bounty Family | Bounty | Check Price | 9 | Matte Plastic | 34″ | 11.25″ | 17.25″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bounty Family | Bounty Elite | Check Price | 9 | Stainless Steel | 34″ | 11.25″ | 17.25″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Harvest Family | Harvest | Check Price | 6 | Matte Plastic | 17.4″ | 7.5″ | 10.5″ | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest Family | Harvest Elite | Check Price | 6 | Stainless Steel | 17.4″ | 6″ | 10.5″ | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest Family | Harvest 360 | Check Price | 6 | Matte Plastic | 17.4″ | 9″ | 9″ | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest Family | Harvest Elite 360 | Check Price | 6 | Stainless Steel | 17.4″ | 9″ | 9″ | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Sprout | Sprout | Check Price | 3 | High Gloss Plastic | 10.5″ | 12″ | 3.5″ | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Aerogarden Harvest Review: Harvest Elite 360 Review
The Harvest Elite 360 is a compact, perfectly round, and petite countertop AeroGarden system. It has a stainless steel reservoir and is available in 3 colors.
This model features a 20 Watt full spectrum LED lighting system; in addition, it be controlled with an automated timer.
The Harvest 360 Elite comes with adjustable LED lighting, making it possible to customize the type of light your plants receive at different stages. The height of the grow light can be adjusted up to a height of 12″, which is great if you are growing taller plants that need more height.
The Harvest 360 Elite is absolutely easy to set up and use and is one of the best AeroGarden systems for those with limited space.
Pros: Harvest Elite 360
- Compact, round design
- Stainless steel reservoir
- 12″ height enough to grow herb seed, lettuces, and tomato plants
- Push Button LED Display with illuminated control buttons
- Vacation Mode for ensuring your plants stay healthy when you are traveling
- Automatic nutrients and water reminders
Cons: Harvest Elite 360
- Limited capacity
- The system will be most suitable for one or two plants at a time to avoid overcrowding
- Wi-Fi not compatible and no integration with the AuroGarden app
AeroGarden Comparison: Sprout Review
The Sprout features a smaller, more compact design than previous models and has an impressive amount of customization options. The system can grow up to three plants at once with its three pods which are ideal for those with a small family.
The Sprout AeroGarden is most suitable for growing herbs and flowers on your countertop because of its small size. This garden system also comes with an inbuilt 10W full spectrum LED light, a water reservoir, and a Pod-kit to get you started.
Aerogrow has managed to fit in an automated light timer as well as the automated food and water reminder. Furthermore, the most lucrative feature is the price – the entire AeroGarden Sprout system is available for well below $100.
If you are an absolute beginner and don’t have a lot of space to spare, then the AeroGarden Sprout is one of the best options for you.
Pros: Sprout
- Easily available and affordable (less than $100!)
- Compact design with an inbuilt LED light system that can be adjusted according to plant growth stages. As a result, this ensures vegetables get just the right amount of light and that your plants grow to their fullest potential.
- The food and water reminder ensures you don’t forget to feed or water your plants, therefore making it difficult to kill or neglect your plant babies!
Cons: Sprout
- Because of its limited capacity of three pods, Sprout is only suitable for growing 2 or 3 small flowers or gourmet herbs at a time
- Wi-Fi incompatible and no integration with the AuroGarden app, therefore it can be an inconvenience if you wish to control your plants remotely.
Farm Family: AeroGarden Farm 24 Plus Review
Of all the Aerogarden reviews, the Farm 24 Plus is the most premium AeroGarden model, with automated features like Wi-Fi control, touchscreen, dimmable LEDs, and vacation mode.
As the name suggests, this system has the capability of growing an entire ‘indoor farm’ with 24 pod spaces and wide bins. The electronically adjustable 60W full spectrum lights provide ample customization options for your plants.
With the Farm 24 Plus you can set up to six timers which are controlled by an electronic touchpad on the front of the system. You can also control this garden remotely through Wi-Fi with AuroGrow’s mobile app.
Pros: Farm 24 Plus
- 24 spaces for pod kits with wide bins allow you to grow a large variety of plants at once.
- 24″ of grow height mean this system suitable for most larger plants.
- The Aerogarden farm plus comes with an electronic touchpad display, therefore allowing for remote control over your garden via the AuroGarden app or even through Wi-Fi
- The in-box trellis system and stackability allow you to grow many plants without taking up too much space.
- The automated features like Wi-Fi control, vacation mode, and dimmable LEDs allow for easy maintenance of your garden.
- Amazon Alexa control enabled for the ultimate hands-free experience.
- Touch panel info-display allows you to monitor all vital statistics such as light intensity, food, and water levels, as well as growth levels.
- Gourmet seed herb and plant pods are included in this indoor farming model
Cons: Farm 24 Plus
- This is an expensive system, and it will make more sense to buy this one when you have tried your hands on the smaller units recommended above.
- The system is not suitable for those with limited space because it occupies a large area.
Bounty Family: AeroGarden Bounty Elite Review
The Bounty Elite is the perfect upgrade from the Harvest or Sprout systems. Firstly, this system has an automated adjustable light timer, Wi-Fi control, and integration with Amazon Alexa as well.
Secondly, the height of the Bounty Elite is adjustable to up to 24″, thus allowing a greater variety of plants to be grown.
These indoor gardens comes with nine pod spaces, and the 50W full spectrum LED lights can be dimmed to suit your plants. Moreover, the Bounty Elite is sleek and can fit into your home without standing out too much. The stainless steel finish goes well with most decor.
As a bonus, the pack also includes seed pods to get you started If you are not keen on paying the premium for tech savvy features on the Elite model, opt for the gro Aerogarden Bounty Basic instead. The basic model has almost all the important features and comes at a much leaner price tag.
Pros: Bounty Elite
- The Bounty Elite has nearly all the technical features of the Farm Family but at approximately half the price.
- Bigger harvests with the nine pod spaces alongside a powerful 50W full spectrum LED light that can be dimmed to match your plants’ needs.
- The height of the system is adjustable, allowing you to grow many different types of plants at once without worrying about space constraints.
- Touch info-display with Alexa and AeroGrow App integration and a control panel that allows you to monitor all your crucial parameters such as water level, plant food status, etc.
- The Bounty Elite has nine pod spaces which are large enough for most types of plants and flowers.
- The system is sleek and can easily fit into any home without standing out too much, thanks to the stainless steel finish.
- The Bounty family AeroGardens come with an inbuilt planting guide that provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to tend your plants best.
Cons: Bounty Elite
- The Bounty Family AeroGardens are not suitable for growing plants that spread out a lot, such as vines and creepers.
Aerogarden has great customer service so if you’re ever stuck it’s easy to contact customer service for assistance.
Final Thoughts: Aerogarden Comparison & Review
AeroGardens are a great way to get into gardening without the hassle of dealing with dirt, bugs, and pests. The various models have different features that cater to certain gardeners’ needs; therefore, you’re able to choose one based on your priorities.
If you want an all-in-one system for automated watering and lighting control as well as Wi-Fi connectivity, go for the Farm 24 Plus or Bounty Elite model. For those looking for something more affordable but still effective in getting plants or fresh herbs started (without worrying about automation), Sprout is perfect. The Harvest Elite 360 is our top pick for the best all-rounder.
All of these systems are perfect for those who want to grow indoors and year-round, whether you’re a beginner looking for a small indoor herb garden, or an expert gardener wanting a full wall farm. There is no one-size-fits-all system, so in your Aerogarden comparison, consider your needs as well as the space available in your home before making a final buying decision.
About the Author
Elle Reed is a passionate gardener and advocate for teaching beginner gardeners how to grow their own food. Elle’s mission is to inspire and empower people to get back to basics, grow their own produce, and embrace a sustainable lifestyle. “Whether it’s a few herb pots in an apartment, a potager or a full garden plot, we can all ‘start somewhere’ to grow our own food, and in doing so, provide healthier food for ourselves and those we love”.
