What’s Inside: In this article, I provide a comprehensive AeroGarden comparison. I compare the various AeroGarden models, and I include an AeroGarden comparison chart so you can easily digest the information. I also share with you my personal experience with various AeroGarden models, and give you the inside scoop on which model I’d choose if I could only buy one AeroGarden.
Getting started with indoor gardening can seem daunting, especially for those of us who don’t consider ourselves particularly green-thumbed. But what if there was a way to cultivate your own indoor vegetable garden with ease? Enter Aerogarden, the answer to your indoor gardening dreams. But with so many models, how do you choose the right one? That’s where this AeroGarden comparison comes in handy.
In this guide, we’ll explore and compare different Aerogarden models, breaking down their features, benefits, and who they’re best suited for. Whether you live in a small apartment or simply want to enjoy fresh vegetables year-round, this AeroGarden comparison will help you find the perfect model to make your indoor gardening goals a reality, regardless of your gardening experience. Let’s get growing!
AeroGardens are addictive! Like most people, I started with one, and I now have more than 20. I’ll bet you can’t stop with just one! (Don’t say I didn’t warn you!) But seriously, keep reading to find your gateway garden of choice. You can always buy more later! 🙂
AeroGarden Comparison Guide
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Without further ado, let’s dive into this AeroGarden comparison, so you’ll know which AeroGarden model is right for you.
AeroGarden Comparison, Pros and Cons of Different Models
Now we’ll get into our AeroGarden model comparison, along with the pros and cons of each model.
1. AeroGarden Sprout
The AeroGarden Sprout is an excellent choice for those considering their first AeroGarden. As a compact, sleek, and modern hydroponic system, it fits comfortably on your countertop, making it perfect for smaller spaces. Despite its size, you can grow quite a bit in an AeroGarden Sprout. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions, making getting started a breeze.
The Sprout can house up to three plants that can grow up to 10 inches tall, making it ideal for growing herbs or small vegetables. It features automatic LED grow lights providing optimal lighting conditions for your plants. Moreover, it’s easy to move and clean, making it a convenient option for beginners.
But what truly sets the AeroGarden Sprout apart is its affordability. It offers a cost-effective way to venture into indoor gardening. So, if you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of AeroGardens, the Sprout is a great place to start.
Pros and Cons
2. AeroGarden Harvest
The AeroGarden Harvest is the most popular of all of the AeroGarden models, for good reason. It has room for up to 6 plants (twice as many as the Sprout), and up to 12″ of grow height. While that 2 extra inches of grow height compared to the Sprout may not seem like much, it really helps! With aggressive pruning, you can even grow peppers, tomatoes, and more, not to mention delicious greens and herbs. If you’re only going to buy one AeroGarden, and have limited funds to spend, the Harvest is a good choice.
Pros and Cons
3. AeroGarden Harvest Elite
The AeroGarden Harvest Elite is very similar to the AeroGarden Harvest, with a few additional features. Some of those features are cosmetic, such as the stainless steel finish compared to the plastic finish on the Harvest Basic. It also more programming options compared to the basic Harvest. For instance, you can schedule the lights to come on at a specific time, compared to the basic model that comes on based on the time that you initially plug it in. The bottom line is both Harvest models are excellent choices.
Pros and Cons
4. AeroGarden Harvest XL
The AeroGarden Harvest XL is a pretty recent addition to the AeroGarden Harvest family. The “XL” aspect of it is that it adds 6 additional inches of grow height compared to the other Harvest models, and when you’re growing peppers and other tall plants, the extra height really helps. While, like other Harvest models, it has room for 6 plants, the grow deck is larger, so the plant pods are more spread out. This provides more room for the plants to grow not just in height, but in width. Because of that, you may have a greater yield in a Harvest XL compared to a Harvest.
Pros and Cons
5. AeroGarden Bounty Basic
The AeroGarden Bounty is a big step up compared to the Harvest and Sprout models. It has room for up to 9 plants, and 24″ of grow height. I’ve grown large plants such as poblano peppers and ground cherries in a Bounty that would have been possible but challenging even in the Harvest XL.
Pros and Cons
6. AeroGarden Bounty Elite
The AeroGarden Bounty Elite is a step up from the Bounty Basic. The size is the same, but the basin has a stainless steel finish, which gives it a more classy look. It also has a 50W grow light, 20W more than the Bounty Basic, which can lead to a greater yield on fruiting plants such as cucumbers. The bottom line is that you can grow cucumbers in any Bounty model, but if you want to produce at a higher level, the stronger grow light in the Bounty Elite helps.
Pros and Cons
7. AeroGarden Farm 12XL
The AeroGarden Farm family is for serious growers. If you have the budget for it, the AeroGarden Farm 12XL is a great place to start. I like that it is half the width of the Farm 24XL (covered below), and because of that, it’s easier to fit into a smaller space, but provides the height to be able to grow taller pepper, tomato, and other plants. With 36″ of growth height, you can even grow some varieties of slicing tomatoes, something that simply isn’t possible in smaller AeroGarden models.
Pros and Cons
7. AeroGarden Farm 24Plus
The AeroGarden Farm 24Plus is a good option for those who want to grow a lot of food in a relatively small space. With room for 24 plants, it can produce far more than models with a smaller number of pods. It offers up to 24″ of grow height. The garden has two sides, with 12 pods on each side. Each side has its own grow lights, so you can adjust the grow lights individually, based on the height of the plants you’re growing.
Pros and Cons
7. AeroGarden Farm 24XL
I recently bought my first AeroGarden Farm 24XL, and let me tell you, this thing is huge! I can now finally grow slicing tomatoes on one side, and peppers, cucumbers, or other tall plants on the other side. This garden is the largest of all AeroGardens, so if you really want to take your indoor vegetable growing to a new level, this is the one for you. Out of all of the indoor gardens on the market, this one has the potential to grow the largest plants, so it’s great if you want to go beyond growing lettuce, herbs, and small fruiting plants.
Pros and Cons
AeroGarden Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick overview of the various AeroGarden models. Use it to compare AeroGarden models to help you choose which one is best for you.
| Model | Capacity | Maximum Plant Height | Lighting | Control Panel | Additional Info |
| AeroGarden Sprout | 3 plants | 10″ | 10W LED | No control panel | |
| AeroGarden Harvest | 6 plants | 12″ | 20W LED | Basic control panel | |
| AeroGarden Harvest Elite | 6 plants | 12″ | 20W LED | More advanced control panel compared to the basic | Attractive stainless steel finish |
| AeroGarden Harvest XL | 6 plants | 18″ | 25W LED | Basic control panel | Larger grow deck compared to the other Harvest models, which provides more room for plants to grow. |
| AeroGarden Bounty | 9 plants | 24″ | 30W LED | High resolution black and white display | Larger water basin than the Harvest and Sprout models, vacation mode |
| AeroGarden Bounty Elite | 9 plants | 24″ | 50W LED | Full color touchscreen | Attractive stainless steel finish, vacation mode, sunrise/sunset lighting, plus dimming grow lights |
| AeroGarden Farm 12XL | 12 plants | 36″ | 60W LED | Touchscreen with Wi-Fi | Customizable lighting system, stackable |
| AeroGarden Farm 24Plus | 24 plants | 24″ | 60W LED | Touchscreen with Wi-Fi | Customizable lighting system, stackable |
| AeroGarden Farm 24XL | 24 plants | 36″ | 60W LED | Touchscreen with Wi-Fi | Customizable lighting system, stackable |
AeroGarden Comparison: My Personal Experience and Recommendations
I know that even with AeroGarden models compared, it can be hard to make a decision regarding which AeroGarden is best for you. My hope is that by sharing my personal experience and recommendations, you’ll be able to make the right decision.
I have personal experience with the following AeroGarden models, all available on Amazon:
- AeroGarden Sprout
- AeroGarden Harvest Basic
- AeroGarden Harvest Elite
- AeroGarden Harvest XL
- AeroGarden Bounty Basic
- AeroGarden Farm 24XL
My Least Favorite AeroGarden
Out of the above, the one that I like the least is the AeroGarden Sprout. It is a great beginner model, but with only 10″ of grow height, and a 10W LED grow light, it’s much more limited than the other models. As an example, while you can grow some varieties of cherry tomatoes, I’ve found that they grow slower and produce less when I grow them in the Sprout compared to a Harvest. Having said that, if you primarily want to grow lettuce and other greens, or you just want to dip your toe into using AeroGardens, and have a limited budget and space, the Sprout is a fine way to start.
My Top AeroGarden Recommendation
AeroGarden Harvest XL
I was super excited when AeroGarden came out with the Harvest XL. It’s really the perfect size for both functionality and ease of use. If I could only buy one AeroGarden model for the rest of my life, this is the one I’d choose.
If I only had the option to buy ONE AeroGarden, it would be the AeroGarden HarvestXL. There are multiple reasons for this.
First, in general, the whole AeroGarden Harvest line is the most popular option, for good reason. You can grow a wide variety of vegetables in any of the Harvest models, and yet they are reasonably priced, and easy to care for.
But the AeroGarden HarvestXL adds just a bit extra compared to the other AeroGarden Harvest models. For instance, while all AeroGarden Harvest models have room for 6 plants, as you can see in the image above, the grow deck is a bit larger on the Harvest XL compared to the Harvest. Also, the grow light is 5W stronger in the Harvest XL compared to the Harvest.
But the biggest reason that I prefer the Harvest XL compared to the Harvest is the 6 extra inches of grow height. 18″ instead of 12″ of grow height makes all the difference in the world when it comes to what you can grow, or how much you can grow of the same plant. For instance, you can grow jalapeno peppers in all Harvest models, but the 6 extra inches of grow height in the Harvest XL means less pruning, and ultimately more fruit.
In addition to that, the Harvest XL, while larger than the other Harvest models, is still very easy to handle. I can pick up and move the Harvest XL even when it’s full of water, but I struggle to do the same with the Bounty models. The Harvest XL is the sweet spot between grow height, and ease of use. It’s also easier to clean than the Bounty models, which I really struggle with.
The Top 3 AeroGarden Models
If you only buy one AeroGarden model, I recommend either the Harvest, or Harvest XL. My third choice is the Bounty, since you can grow larger plants in it compared to any of the Harvest models.
The AeroGarden Harvest XL is my favorite AeroGarden model because it is large enough to grow a wide variety of plants and yet small enough that it fits nicely on a countertop and is easy to handle. It’s also easier to clean than the Bounty and Farm models.
The Harvest is a great all around AeroGarden. While it requires more pruning than what is needed with the Harvest XL, you can still grow an awful lot in this model. the performance of the AeroGarden Harvest so far exceeds the performance of the Sprout, without it being too much more expensive.
If you want maximum yield with a countertop AeroGarden, the Bounty Elite is the best option. With 24″ of grow height, and a much stronger grow light than any other countertop model, the Bounty Elite is a great option for serious growers, with limited space. It’s also a much better price than the Farm models.
AeroGarden Comparison Conclusion
Navigating the world of indoor gardening can be a little overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. But don’t let that deter you! With our comprehensive AeroGarden comparison, we hope to have made your journey a bit smoother. Remember, the best AeroGarden model for you largely depends on your individual needs, space constraints, and gardening goals.
As you embark on this exciting journey to grow your own indoor garden, remember that every gardener learns as they grow. So, whether you’re growing aromatic herbs, vibrant flowers, or fresh vegetables, each AeroGarden model offers a unique way to bring your indoor gardening dreams to life.
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Got any questions or thoughts about any of the AeroGarden models presented in this article? I’d love to hear from you! Join the conversation by leaving a comment below. Whether you’re sharing your own tips, asking for advice, or simply sharing your excitement about picking up an AeroGarden, your input enriches our gardening community. Happy gardening!