Indoor gardens are ideal for growing fresh herbs, greens, and small vegetables year-round—perfect for kitchens, balconies, or scarcity of sunlight. In this comparison, we break down the key differences between the AeroGarden and Click Grow systems to help you choose the one that fits your lifestyle and gardening goals. For more general herb-growing tips, check out this guide to growing herbs.
Overview: How They Work
AeroGarden
A hydroponic system that uses water and liquid nutrients to feed plants. It includes an electric pump to circulate water and adjustable full-spectrum 20-watt LED grow lights that automatically turn on/off on a 15‑hour on / 9‑hour off schedule theindoornursery.com+5Lite Comparison+5Home Chroma+5The Potager ProjectPermaculture Apart+2A Healthy Slice of Life+2New York Magazine+2.
Click Grow
Uses Smart Soil™ embedded with seeds and pre-dosed nutrients. A passive wicking system draws water from the reservoir to the pods—no pump needed. Lights run automatically on a 16 h on / 8 h off cycle using an 8 W LED light bar A Healthy Slice of Life+2Seeds and Spades+2Permaculture Apart+2.
For beginner growers wanting a simple herb garden setup, this guide to growing herbs was very helpful as well.
1. Light Plant Growth
AeroGarden: Offers stronger lighting (20 W LED panel) with adjustable arm height—ideal for fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers A Healthy Slice of Life+2Lite Comparison+2Seeds and Spades+2.
Click Grow: Fits leafy greens and herbs well. Light coverage is smaller, and taller plants toward the end of the tray receive less light WIRED+15theindoornursery.com+15Lite Comparison+15.
2. Ease of Use Maintenance
AeroGarden: Requires weekly water refills, plant‑food additions, and occasional tank cleaning. The pump makes soft noise but helps aerate roots The Potager Project+6A Healthy Slice of Life+6Home Chroma+6.
Click Grow: Essentially “set-and-forget”—just add water every week or two. Pods include nutrients, and no pump means silent operation and minimal upkeep A Healthy Slice of Life+3Click Grow+3Reddit+3.
3. Plant Selection Harvest Flexibility
AeroGarden: Supports 3–24 pods depending on model. Pods come pre-seeded or unseeded. Best for continuous growth and larger plants as long as nutrients are replenished Serious Eats+15The Potager Project+15New York Magazine+15.
Click Grow: Models range from 3 to 27 pods. Boasts over 70 unique seed pod options. Pods pack nutrients for about 60–90 days—after that, growth slows unless transplanting is done Reddit+15The Potager Project+15A Healthy Slice of Life+15.
4. Cost: Upfront Ongoing
AeroGarden: Lower entry-level pricing (around $50–160 for basic models). Pods cost $1.90–4.65, plus you need to budget for liquid nutrients every few weeks The Potager ProjectHome Chroma.
Click Grow: Starter kits start at $80–250 depending on size. Pods cost $1.85–3.32 and include nutrients. No extra nutrients needed Permaculture Apart+3Home Chroma+3The Potager Project+3.
5. Design, Noise Energy
Design: AeroGarden looks more techy with control panels and pump systems; Click Grow opts for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic Pepper Geek+9The Hydroponics Planet+9A Healthy Slice of Life+9.
Noise: AeroGarden pumps run intermittently (quiet trickling sound); Click Grow is silent thanks to its passive design A Healthy Slice of LifeClick Grow.
Power Use: AeroGarden consumes more energy (~700 kWh/year), while Click Grow uses up to 3.5× less (~204 kWh/year) Reddit+15Click Grow+15Lite Comparison+15.
6. Community Real-World Feedback
Reddit users often report:
“Click and Grow is much easier for beginners… no nutrients to mix, no noise.”
“AeroGarden supports long-term growth and larger fruits.” Click Grow works well early on but tends to slow as pods exhaust nutrients, while AeroGarden continues strong with nutrient topping and root development Architectural Digest+15Reddit+15New York Magazine+15.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | AeroGarden | Click Grow |
|---|---|---|
| Light strength | ~20 W full-spectrum LED, adjustable arm | ~8 W LED bar, passive extensions but less coverage |
| Maintenance | Requires nutrient adds, tank cleaning, pump | Minimal—just water reservoir |
| Ideal plants | Herbs, leafy greens, small fruiting veggies | Herbs leafy greens; limited for longer growth |
| Cost per pod | $1.90–4.65 + nutrients | $1.85–3.32 includes nutrients |
| Plant variety | ~37 pre‑seeded + DIY pods | 70+ pod types available |
| Noise | Slight pump noise | Silent |
| Energy usage | Higher (~700 kWh/year) | Lower (~204 kWh/year) |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose AeroGarden if you want:
Robust lighting for fruiting plants
Bigger root systems and ongoing growth
Adjustable lighting for taller plants
More flexibility with nutrient control
Choose Click Grow if you prefer:
Minimal maintenance and silent operation
Elegant, compact design
All-in-one pods (no mixing fertilizers)
Quick and simple herb or leafy green growing
For more inspiration on companion planting with herbs grown indoors—or using them in soil-based gardens—see this guide to growing herbs, especially if you're considering combining indoor and outdoor systems.
Final Verdict
AeroGarden is the better fit for those seeking higher versatility, longer plant life, and fruiting options—if you don’t mind occasional maintenance. When ease-of-use and simplicity matter most, Click Grow shines—especially for herb lovers and those new to indoor gardening.
Want personalized help picking the right model or planning an indoor herb setup based on your kitchen space?
