AeroGarden vs Click & Grow: Which Smart Garden Wins in 2026?
A detailed head-to-head comparison of the AeroGarden Harvest and Click & Grow Smart Garden 9. We break down price, performance, noise, pod ecosystems, and running costs to help you pick the right smart garden.
AeroGarden vs Click & Grow: Which Smart Garden Wins in 2026?
If you have spent any time researching indoor smart gardens, two names dominate the conversation: AeroGarden and Click & Grow. They are the market leaders, the products your friends recommend, and the ones that show up on every “best indoor garden” list. But they take fundamentally different approaches to growing herbs and greens on your countertop.
AeroGarden uses a hydroponic system with a water pump, liquid nutrients, and aggressive LED lighting to push plants to harvest as fast as possible. Click & Grow takes the opposite route — proprietary Smart Soil pods with embedded nutrients and a passive capillary wicking system that requires almost zero effort from you.
Same goal, different philosophies. So which one actually deserves your money?
We have grown basil, lettuce, dill, cherry tomatoes, and several other plants in both the AeroGarden Harvest and the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 side by side. This comparison covers every dimension that matters: cost, performance, noise, flexibility, maintenance, and long-term running expenses. By the end, you will know exactly which garden fits your life.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | AeroGarden Harvest | Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 — $150 | $249.95 |
| Pod Capacity | 6 pods | 9 pods |
| Technology | Hydroponic (water + liquid nutrients) | Smart Soil (soil-based, embedded nutrients) |
| Grow Light | 20W full-spectrum LED | LED with 16/8 hour cycle |
| Max Plant Height | 12 inches | ~16 inches |
| Reservoir | 3 liters (refill weekly) | 1.2 liters (refill every 2—3 weeks) |
| Noise Level | Audible pump hum | Silent (0 dB) |
| Pod Ecosystem | Branded pods + Grow Anything kits | Proprietary pods only (70+ varieties) |
| Pod Cost | ~$4.17/pod (branded), free with own seeds | $1.85 — $3.32/pod |
| Use Your Own Seeds | Yes (Grow Anything pods) | No |
| Smart Features | Indicator lights, timers | Basic model: lights only; PRO: app control |
| Electricity Cost | ~$1.50/month | ~$1.00/month |
| Best For | Value, flexibility, tinkerers | Convenience, silence, design |
Technology Deep Dive: Hydroponic vs Smart Soil
This is the fundamental difference between these two products, and everything else — growth speed, maintenance, noise, flexibility — flows from it.
AeroGarden: Hydroponic Growing
The AeroGarden Harvest is a true hydroponic system. Your plants grow with their roots suspended in water rather than soil. A small electric pump circulates nutrient-rich water through the root zone on a timed cycle, delivering oxygen and dissolved minerals directly to the plant.
You add AeroGarden’s proprietary liquid plant food to the reservoir every two weeks. The 20W full-spectrum LED panel runs on an automatic 15-hours-on, 9-hours-off cycle (you can adjust this). The result is a growing environment that is optimized for speed. Herbs like basil can be ready for first harvest in as little as three weeks.
The trade-off is involvement. You are managing a living system: checking water levels weekly, adding nutrients on schedule, monitoring pH if you want to optimize, and occasionally cleaning the pump and reservoir between plantings. It is not hard work, but it is not zero work either.
Click & Grow: Smart Soil Technology
Click & Grow took a different path entirely. Each pod contains what the company calls “Smart Soil” — a proprietary growing medium with nutrients, beneficial bacteria, and a structure engineered for optimal water-to-air ratio. The pod sits in a basin connected to the water reservoir via a capillary wick. Water moves upward through the wick into the soil at exactly the rate the plant needs it.
There is no pump. There are no liquid nutrients to add. You fill the reservoir, drop in the pods, and the system handles everything. The LEDs operate on a fixed 16-hours-on, 8-hours-off cycle.
The result is genuinely hands-off gardening. You do not need to add anything to the water — just top it off when the float indicator drops. The trade-off is speed. Click & Grow plants typically take 25—50% longer to reach harvest compared to hydroponic systems. And because the pods are proprietary, you cannot use your own seeds.
What This Means in Practice
Hydroponics delivers faster growth and more flexibility, but asks more of you. Smart Soil delivers simplicity and silence, but at a slower pace and a locked ecosystem. Neither approach is objectively superior — it depends on what you value.
Design & Aesthetics
The Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 wins here, and it is not particularly close. The unit has a clean, minimalist Scandinavian design with a white matte finish and smooth rounded edges. It looks like a product designed by people who care about how their kitchen looks. The pod cups are neutral-colored and recede visually, letting the plants take center stage.
The AeroGarden Harvest is perfectly functional but clearly product-designed rather than interior-designed. The base is a glossy black plastic shell, and the adjustable light arm has an industrial quality. It looks like what it is: a growing machine. It does not clash with most kitchens, but it does not elevate them either.
Both products are compact enough for a standard countertop. The AeroGarden Harvest measures roughly 10.5 x 6 x 17.5 inches (with the light arm raised). The Smart Garden 9 is wider at about 23.6 x 7.5 x 15 inches to accommodate its nine pods, but it has a lower profile.
If aesthetics are a priority and you want something that looks like it belongs next to your Chemex pour-over, Click & Grow is the pick.
Setup and Ease of Use
AeroGarden Harvest Setup
Unbox, place on counter, fill the reservoir with water, add the included liquid nutrients, drop in your seed pods, close the pod lids, lower the light hood, and plug it in. The built-in timer starts automatically. Total setup time: about five minutes.
Ongoing maintenance includes:
- Weekly: Check and refill water (the unit has a “Add Water” indicator light)
- Biweekly: Add liquid plant food (a cap-measured dose)
- Every 4—6 months: Clean the reservoir and pump between plantings
- As needed: Trim plants that outgrow the 12-inch height limit
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 Setup
Unbox, place on counter, fill the reservoir, drop in your pods, and plug it in. That is genuinely it. Total setup time: about three minutes.
Ongoing maintenance includes:
- Every 2—3 weeks: Refill the water reservoir (float indicator shows when)
- That’s it. No nutrients, no cleaning, no pH monitoring.
Click & Grow is objectively easier to maintain. The only ongoing task is adding water, and even that is less frequent than the AeroGarden thanks to the efficient wicking system. If “set it and forget it” is your priority, Click & Grow delivers on that promise better than any other smart garden on the market.
Growing Performance: Head to Head
We grew the same herbs in both systems simultaneously to compare growth rates and yield. Here is what we observed:
Basil (Genovese)
- AeroGarden: First true leaves at day 5, harvest-ready at day 21, vigorous bushy growth
- Click & Grow: First true leaves at day 8, harvest-ready at day 35, compact but healthy growth
- Winner: AeroGarden, by a significant margin
Leaf Lettuce
- AeroGarden: Germination at day 3, first harvest at day 25, continued producing for 8+ weeks
- Click & Grow: Germination at day 5, first harvest at day 35, produced for 6+ weeks
- Winner: AeroGarden, both on speed and total yield
Dill
- AeroGarden: Sprouted at day 6, usable harvest at day 28, grew tall quickly (pushed the 12-inch limit)
- Click & Grow: Sprouted at day 8, usable harvest at day 38, more controlled height
- Winner: Slight edge to AeroGarden on speed; Click & Grow’s height management was actually better for dill
Cherry Tomatoes
- AeroGarden: Sprouted at day 7, first flowers at week 5, first ripe tomato at week 10
- Click & Grow: Sprouted at day 10, first flowers at week 7, first ripe tomato at week 13
- Winner: AeroGarden, though both produced well
Overall Performance Verdict
The AeroGarden Harvest consistently outpaced the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 by about 30—40% in time to first harvest. The hydroponic delivery of nutrients directly to roots gives it a clear growth advantage. However, Click & Grow plants were healthy and productive — they just took longer to get there. If you are not in a rush, both systems deliver genuine, flavorful herbs and greens.
Noise Comparison
This is one of the most underrated factors in choosing a smart garden, and it can be a dealbreaker.
AeroGarden Harvest: Audible Pump Hum
The AeroGarden uses a submersible water pump that runs on timed intervals (typically cycling on and off throughout the day). When the pump is running, there is a distinct low-frequency hum. It is not loud — roughly 35—45 dB depending on the unit and water level — but it is absolutely noticeable in a quiet kitchen. If you place it in a bedroom or home office, you will hear it. Some units are quieter than others, and keeping the water level topped up reduces vibration noise, but the pump hum is an inherent part of the design.
Over time, the pump can also develop a louder rattle as mineral deposits build up. Regular cleaning helps, but it is another maintenance consideration.
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9: True Silence
The Click & Grow has no pump. No moving parts whatsoever. The only component that could theoretically make noise is the LED panel, and LEDs are silent. The Smart Garden 9 operates at functionally 0 dB. You could put it on your nightstand and it would not disturb your sleep (the light cycle might, but the sound would not).
Noise Verdict
If noise sensitivity matters to you at all — if you work from home, live in a studio apartment, or just value a quiet kitchen — Click & Grow wins this category decisively. The AeroGarden pump hum is manageable for most people, but it is there, and some users find it genuinely annoying. This is the single biggest complaint in AeroGarden reviews across every major retailer.
Pod Ecosystem and Flexibility
AeroGarden Pod Options
AeroGarden offers a solid range of branded seed pod kits covering herbs, salad greens, flowers, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and more. A six-pod kit typically costs $20—$30, working out to about $3.33—$5.00 per pod.
But the real differentiator is the Grow Anything Kit. For about $15 (for a pack of six), you get empty pod baskets, grow sponges, pod labels, and liquid nutrients — everything you need to plant your own seeds. This means you can grow literally any small plant that fits within the system’s height constraints. Heirloom tomato seeds from your local garden center? Exotic basil varieties from a seed catalog? That unusual pepper your neighbor swears by? All fair game.
This flexibility fundamentally changes the economics and the experience. You are not locked into one company’s seed selection or pricing.
Click & Grow Pod Options
Click & Grow offers over 70 pod varieties, which is an impressive catalog. You will find herbs (basil, thyme, cilantro, rosemary), greens (lettuce, arugula, pak choi), fruits (cherry tomato, wild strawberry, chili pepper), flowers (petunias, lavender, painted nettle), and even experimental pods. The variety is genuinely excellent.
Individual pods cost between $1.85 and $3.32 each depending on the variety and whether you buy multipacks. That per-pod price is actually competitive with or cheaper than AeroGarden’s branded pods.
The catch: you cannot use your own seeds. The Smart Soil technology is engineered as a complete system, and Click & Grow does not sell empty pods or growing medium for DIY use. You are locked into their ecosystem. If they do not sell the variety you want, you are out of luck.
Flexibility Verdict
AeroGarden wins decisively on flexibility. The Grow Anything kit transforms it from a consumer appliance into a genuine growing tool. Click & Grow’s catalog is solid, but the closed ecosystem is a meaningful limitation for anyone who wants to experiment.
Running Costs: A One-Year Breakdown
The upfront price difference is obvious, but the total cost of ownership over a year tells the real story.
AeroGarden Harvest — One Year Cost
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| AeroGarden Harvest (device) | $80 — $100 |
| Seed pods: 4 changes x 6 pods @ ~$4.17/pod | $100 |
| Liquid plant food (included with pods, plus extra bottles) | $15 |
| Electricity (~$1.50/month x 12) | $18 |
| Total (branded pods) | $213 — $233 |
If you use the Grow Anything kit with your own seeds instead:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| AeroGarden Harvest (device) | $80 — $100 |
| Grow Anything kits: 4 x $15 | $60 |
| Seeds (from garden center) | $10 — $20 |
| Electricity (~$1.50/month x 12) | $18 |
| Total (own seeds) | $168 — $198 |
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 — One Year Cost
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Smart Garden 9 (device) | $249.95 |
| Seed pods: 4 changes x 9 pods @ ~$2.50 avg | $90 |
| Electricity (~$1.00/month x 12) | $12 |
| Total | $352 |
Cost Verdict
Over one year, the AeroGarden Harvest costs roughly $168—$233 depending on your pod strategy, while the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 comes in at approximately $352. That is a difference of $119—$184 in favor of the AeroGarden.
The gap narrows in year two (since you have already bought the device), but AeroGarden’s option to use your own seeds means its ongoing costs can stay significantly lower. Click & Grow users are paying a recurring premium for the convenience of the Smart Soil ecosystem.
It is worth noting that Click & Grow gives you 9 pod slots versus AeroGarden’s 6. On a per-pod basis, the gap closes somewhat, but AeroGarden still wins on total cost of ownership.
Smart Features
AeroGarden Harvest
The base Harvest model is intentionally simple. You get:
- Automatic LED light timer (15 hours on, 9 hours off)
- “Add Water” indicator light
- “Add Plant Food” reminder light
- Adjustable light hood height
There is no app, no Wi-Fi, and no Bluetooth. It is a straightforward appliance with physical indicators. Higher-end AeroGarden models (like the Bounty or Farm series) offer touchscreens and more controls, but the Harvest keeps it basic.
For most herb growers, this is fine. You do not need an app to grow basil.
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9
The standard Smart Garden 9 is similarly basic — LED lights on a fixed timer with a float indicator for water level.
However, Click & Grow also offers the Smart Garden 9 PRO, which adds Bluetooth connectivity, an app with growing tips, light schedule customization, and vacation mode. If you want app-controlled smart features, Click & Grow is the only option in this comparison.
Smart Features Verdict
Neither base model is “smart” in the modern IoT sense. If app connectivity matters to you, the Click & Grow PRO is the way to go, though it comes at a higher price point. For most users, the simple indicator lights on either base model are sufficient.
Who Should Choose the AeroGarden Harvest
The AeroGarden Harvest is the right pick if you:
- Want the best value. At $80—$150, it is significantly cheaper upfront, and the Grow Anything kit keeps ongoing costs low.
- Like to experiment. The ability to use your own seeds opens up hundreds of plant varieties beyond any company’s catalog.
- Are a first-time indoor grower. The lower price means less risk, and the faster growth provides encouraging early results.
- Prioritize speed. Hydroponic growing gets you to harvest 30—40% faster than Smart Soil.
- Don’t mind light maintenance. Checking water weekly and adding nutrients biweekly is a small time investment.
- Are budget-conscious long-term. Own-seed growing keeps your year-over-year costs well under $100.
The AeroGarden is the Honda Civic of smart gardens: reliable, affordable, practical, and surprisingly capable once you learn its nuances.
Who Should Choose the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9
The Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 is the right pick if you:
- Want true hands-off growing. If adding liquid nutrients and monitoring a water pump sounds like too much, Click & Grow’s “just add water” approach is unmatched.
- Are noise-sensitive. The silent operation is a genuine differentiator. No pump hum, ever.
- Care about design. The Smart Garden 9 is a better-looking product that fits naturally into modern kitchens.
- Want more pod capacity. Nine slots versus six means more variety per planting cycle.
- Prefer a curated experience. The 70+ pod catalog covers most popular herbs and greens, and every pod is engineered to perform reliably in the system.
- Value consistency over customization. Click & Grow pods have high germination rates and predictable results because the entire system is designed as an integrated unit.
The Click & Grow is the premium appliance choice: more expensive, less flexible, but polished and effortless.
Our Verdict
Both of these are genuinely good products. We have used each of them for extended periods, and both delivered fresh herbs and greens consistently. You will not regret buying either one.
That said, they serve different users:
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 wins on convenience and silence. If you want the absolute easiest indoor growing experience with zero noise and zero nutrient management, it delivers. The design is beautiful, the Smart Soil technology works, and the pod catalog is extensive enough for most growers. You pay a premium for that experience, but for the right buyer, it is worth it.
AeroGarden Harvest wins on value and flexibility. At roughly half the upfront cost, with faster growth, and the game-changing ability to use your own seeds, the AeroGarden Harvest offers more for less. It asks a bit more of you in terms of maintenance, but the payoff is a more versatile, more affordable growing system.
Our overall pick for most people: the AeroGarden Harvest. The value proposition is simply too strong. You get faster harvests, lower costs (both upfront and long-term), and the freedom to grow whatever you want. The maintenance is minimal — we are talking five minutes a week, not an hour. And if you later decide you want a more premium experience, you can always add a Click & Grow to your kitchen alongside it.
If noise is your primary concern and budget is not an issue, go with Click & Grow. For everyone else, start with the AeroGarden.
For more detail on each product individually, check out our in-depth AeroGarden Harvest review and Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own seeds in the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9?
No. The Click & Grow system uses proprietary Smart Soil pods with pre-embedded seeds and nutrients. There is no official way to plant your own seeds. Some DIY communities have experimented with modifying pods, but this is not supported and voids any germination guarantee. If using your own seeds is important, the AeroGarden with Grow Anything pods is the better choice.
How loud is the AeroGarden pump, really?
It varies by unit, but expect roughly 35—45 dB when the pump is running — comparable to a quiet refrigerator hum. It cycles on and off rather than running continuously. Most people get used to it quickly, but if you are placing it in a bedroom or quiet workspace, test it for a few days before committing to the location. Keeping the reservoir full reduces vibration and noise.
Which system uses less electricity?
Both are very efficient. The AeroGarden Harvest draws about 20W and costs roughly $1.50 per month to run. The Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 is slightly more efficient at around $1.00 per month. Over a year, the difference is only about $6 — not a meaningful factor in the buying decision.
Do the plants taste different between the two systems?
In our side-by-side testing, we could not detect a meaningful flavor difference in herbs grown in the AeroGarden versus Click & Grow. Both produced basil, lettuce, and dill that tasted noticeably better than grocery store equivalents. Hydroponic and soil-based growing can produce slightly different flavor profiles in theory, but at this scale, other factors (light, harvest timing, variety) matter more.
Which one is better for cherry tomatoes and peppers?
The AeroGarden Harvest can grow cherry tomatoes and peppers, but the 12-inch height limit is a constraint. You will need to prune aggressively. The Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 offers slightly more vertical space and its slower, steadier growth can actually be an advantage for fruiting plants. For serious tomato or pepper growing, consider the larger models in either product line (AeroGarden Bounty or Click & Grow Smart Garden 27). For a broader look at what works, visit our growing guides.
Is the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 worth the extra cost?
It depends on what you value. If silent operation, zero-maintenance growing, and premium design are priorities, the extra $100—$170 over the AeroGarden Harvest buys a meaningfully different experience. If you primarily want fresh herbs at the best value, the AeroGarden delivers equal or better results for significantly less money. Check out our best smart gardens roundup for more options at every price point.