Given all of the benefits that hydroponics provides, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular method of growing plants. Various types of fruits, veggies, and herbs (both those that are used to season food and healing herbs, such as cannabis) can be grown using hydroponic systems.
If you’re thinking about giving it a try yourself, you’ll find that there are plenty of ready-made kits available. But with so many options to choose from, trying to narrow down the best hydroponic system for your specific needs can seem like an overwhelming task.
To help you on your quest for finding a hydroponic system that will yield large amounts of healthy plants, we’ve taken the liberty of doing the research for you. After spending hours researching and testing we’ve narrowed down the options to what we believe are the best.
Below, you’ll find reviews of our top picks, including the key features these systems offer, as well as the pros and cons of each one. We also provide a handy buyer’s guide that details the most important factors that you should take into consideration when you’re trying to decide which model to choose. Based on the information provided in this guide, you should be able to decide which hydroponic system will work best for your specific needs.
Our Top Picks
If you’re in a rush and don’t have a lot of time to read through detailed reviews, this section is for you. Here, you’ll find brief overview of our top picks for the best hydroponic systems.
Last update on 2024-02-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- The Best Pick: iDOO 12 Pods Indoor Herb Garden Kit
The iDOO 12 Pods Indoor Herb Garden Kit is our pick for the best overall ready-made hydroponic growing system. It features a water circulation system, 23 watt LED high-performance grow lights, and 2 smart grow modes – one for fruits and one for veggies – that turn on and off automatically. - The Premium Pick: Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line hydroponic system that can grow a substantial amount of plants (and you have room in your budget), the Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System is an excellent investment. This tower-style system grows plants vertically and offers enough space to nurture up to 27 plants. - The Budget Pick: VegeBox Hydroponics Growing System
For growers who are on a budget and don’t want to spend a lot but still want to be sure that they receive a high-quality, reliable hydroponic system, the VegeBox Hydroponics Growing System is a great choice.
Hydroponic System Reviews
Now that you’ve read through the quick reviews of our top picks for the best hydroponic systems, let’s dive in a little deeper. In this section, we provide more in-depth review of our top picks for the best ready-made hydroponic growing kits, including the three above-mentioned models, as well as a handful of other high-quality, reliable models.
These reviews are lengthier and provide more detailed information about the key features each model offers. At the end of each review, we also include a list of pros and cons so that you can quickly assess the advantages and disadvantages of these systems to determine which one will best fit your gardening needs.
iDOO 12 Pods Indoor Herb Garden Kit
Our pick for the best overall hydroponic system is the iDOO 12 Pods Indoor Herb Garden Kit. We chose it as the best overall model because it’s smartly designed, has a small footprint, features state-of-the-art technologies, is durably constructed, and is easy to set up and use; and, of course, it quickly yields robust plants.
This system is designed with an advanced water circulation system that is specially designed to grow plants faster than soil. The water filtration system includes a pump and fan, both of which automatically turn on and off and produce a minimal amount of noise. If you prefer, you can opt to turn it off for 10 hours and set it for 30 minute on and 30 minute off grow systems for a “deep sleep”-style garden.
- 20% Faster than Soil Planting: The integrated low noise pump of hydroponics growing system kit aerates the water to stimulate plant growth while the upper fan simulates the outside breeze at timed intervals. Grow your plants 20% faster than the traditional soil planting method.
- 4.5L Water Tank and Fan: Hydroponics growing system kit built-in a fan which spreads pollen in florescence, disperses heat in germination. Indepandent 4.5L water tank can support plants to grow for 1-2 weeks in the growth period. A visual window can see how much water in tank.
- Easy-Setup Germination Kit: 3 steps in all to set up the hydroponic growing system machine. All the factors needed for plant growth - light, simulated soil are included in the hydroponic growing system.
- 2 Growing Modes: 22-Watt LED light of hydroponics growing system kit turns on/off automatically, simulate the sunlight spectrum, promoting plants' photosynthesis in any weather. Vegetables Mode emits blue light, red light, far red light and white light; Flower/Fruit Mode emits red light, far red light and white light.
- Growing 12 Plants at Once, Up to 11.02" in Tall: The height of the lighting part of the hydroponics growing system kit can be adjusted for plants at different growth stages. Grow 12 plants at a time, works up to 11.02 inches.
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There’s a visual window, too, so you can easily see how much water is in the tank and add water and nutrients as-needed to ensure healthy plants. An independent water filling port and drainage ports allow you to easily ad or change out water and nutrition. The 12 smart soil sponge pods assist your plants with rooting and water absorption. High-performance, 23 watt LED grow lights simulate the spectrum of the sun and promote proper photosynthesis in all types of environments.
The lights feature two Smart Grow Modes: one for fruits and one for veggies. The veggie mode produces blue light that’s ideal for harvesting leafy plants, and the fruit mode generates red light that’s ideal for fruits and flowering plants. Both modes automatically turn on and off. Additionally, the height of the lights can be adjusted to accommodate the growth stages of all different types of plants.
With a small footprint, you don’t need a lot of space to create a healthy indoor garden that will quickly grow healthy plants; turn a countertop, table, desk, or any other surface into a mini-farm! In addition to all of these benefits, the iDOO 12 Pods Indoor Herb Garden Kit is constructed of durable materials, is easy to set up and use, and the price tag is quite affordable.
- Advanced water circulation system, including a low-noise, auto on/off pump and fan
- Height adjustable, high-performance, auto on/off 23 watt LED grow lights that mimic the spectrum of natural sunlight
- Two Smart Grow Modes: one for fruits and one for veggies
- Smart Soil Sponge Pods help plants take root and absorb water
- Independent water filling and draining ports
- Visual window makes adding or changing water and nutrients a cinch
- Constructed of durable materials
- Easy to set up and easy to use
- Small footprint
- Highly efficient; quickly yields robust, healthy plants
- Affordably priced
Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line ready-made hydroponic growing system, this option from Aerospring is an outstanding choice. It’s designed to grow plants vertically and offers enough space to grow up to 27 plants, yet the system measures just 20.9 inches from edge to edge and stands at 72 inches tall, so it only requires 10 square feet of space.
This 2-in-1 system can be used both indoors and outdoors; use it to grow larger plants outdoors from spring through autumn, and in the winter, add an indoor accessory kit to grow healthy plants during cold weather months.
- GROW INDOORS ALL YEAR: Grow a variety of leafy greens, herbs, vegetables, fruiting plants, and flowers. Low-pressure aeroponics allows for faster plant growth and better nutrient absorption for healthier plants. High quality plastics made from PC-ABS and HDPE, food safe and won’t break or break down over time, preventing microplastics from contaminating your food. Assisted automation allows you to learn how to maintain and manage the system. Germination should be done outside of the system.
- DESIGNED FOR HIGH-YIELD: The system is designed to deliver maximum yield, allowing your plants to fully express themselves. The plant spacing has been engineered to allow for large plants to grow. The side-mounted lights ensure the plants receive light from top to bottom. Light exposure from the six light bars gives the plants 360 degree light exposure. The root zone is contained in the modular vertical pole, and allows the plant’s roots to grow to their greatest potential.
- DESIGNED BY GARDENERS, FOR GARDENERS: We designed the Aerospring to be the most usable hydroponic system. Easy access to the water reservoir for water management. The 20 gallon reservoir, the largest in its class, requires less frequent refilling. Easily detachable internal hose for draining/changing water. The vertical pole is easy to disassemble for cleaning and reassembly, and dishwasher safe. Plastics are opaque, preventing algae from growing inside. The wheelbase allows for easy movement.
- QUALITY COMPONENTS: Full-spectrum, professional grow lights, highly efficient at 2.05 (umol/J), light intensity at 367 PPFD (μmol/m2/s) at 8in, CRI >90, CCT = 4000k, estimated lifespan 50,000 hrs, for all stages of plant growth. Sicce Syncra Silent 1.5 pump, with a 3+2 year manufacturer’s warranty. Oxford D600 tent material, with highly reflective interior panels, prevents light seepage, keeping your living space dark. Aerospring systems are manufactured in Singapore to strict quality assurance.
- SUPPORT & COMMUNITY: We pride ourselves on supporting growers. Our mission as a small, hands-on company is to empower people to take back control over their food - to reconnect with it and truly experience the joy of growing their own food, right at home. We are ourselves growers and urban farmers, and we want to pass on our positive experiences and knowledge to you. Aerospring owners get exclusive access to our online community, for growing tips, grow guides, troubleshooting and guidance.
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With professional-grade LED grow lights that mimic the spectrum of natural sunlight, you can have confidence knowing that your plants will receive the light they need to thrive. A honeycomb-shaped grow tent and airflow management create the perfect climate for all types of plants to thrive in all kinds of environments.
Easy to set up , easy to use, easy to take down, and easy to transport, the Aerospring Hydroponic System is the ideal way to grow a healthy mini-farm right in the comfort of your own home. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, cucumbers, radishes, strawberries, grapes, and all types of melons; you’ll be able to grow virtually any type of crop for healthy, delicious eating.
- Tower design grows plants vertically
- Can comfortably accommodate up to 27 plants, yet only requires 10 square feet of space
- 2-in-1 system can be used to grow healthy, robust plants both indoors and outdoors
- Features an Aeroponic system, complete with professional LED grow lights that mimic the natural sun’s spectrum, advanced airflow management, and a honeycomb shaped grow tent
- Constructed of durable materials
- Easy to set up, take down, transport, and use
- Can be used to grow all types of fruits, veggies, and herbs
- Produces excellent results
VegeBox Hydroponics Growing System
For budget-conscious gardeners who are looking for a high-quality, reliable, easy to use hydroponic system that won’t break the bank, the VegeBox Hydroponics Growing System is definitely an option worth considering.
The no soil technology is designed to cultivate plants without soil and is equipped with 12 planting pods that encourage the root system to take and promote proper hydration. The advanced filtration system features a low-noise water pump and fan, both of which run and rest in 30 minute intervals.
- Fresh Herbs Year-round: Soil-free, no-mess indoor growing, this smart garden built-in a full spectrum LED lighting system that enables plants to grow indoors year-round, regardless of the climate. It is an excellent, simple way for anyone to enjoy their own fresh herbs, vegetables, or even flowers.
- Growing a Variety of Crops: 9 plant pods, so you can grow a large variety of greens at the same time to keep your veggie supply running smoothly. Ideal for mint ,parsely, thyme, basil, lettcue, tomatoes, cucumber, flowers... They grow healthy and fast, plants grown in hydroponic systems grow 30% to 50% faster than those grown in soil.
- Easy to Use: This low-maintenance gardening systems are foolproof that everyone can use it, even if you have a black thumb. It's fully automated, the lights are on a timer too so you don't need to worry about turning it on and off. You simply add plant pods, fill the tank with water and plug it in. and wait for your garden to grow, no gardening tools required.
- Makes a Unique Gifts: Whether it's a birthday, holiday, housewarming and other special occasion, this special gift will make life in the garden easier and more fun to anyone who loves gardening, they'll have samll sprouts that will flourish into flavorful and fragrant herbs. It's also a great hands-on educational gift for kids to learn about plants and also teach them about caring for another life, ideal for young kids of all ages.
- Package Includes: Includes hydroponic system with power plug, 60ml nutrition A and nutrition B, and Planting kit which includes 1 seed box, 20 planting baskets, 8 caps, 1 measuring cup, 18 soponges and 1 tweezer. We've got everything ready for you, start growing right away. (Please note that due to import restrictions, seeds are not included in the package, so you can buy any seeds you like)
Last update on 2024-02-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The professional-grade LED grow lights mimic the full spectrum of the natural sun and automatically illuminate for up to 18 hours a day. The lights attached to a lightweight, yet durable aluminum expansion tube that can be easily adjusted to accommodate the height and grow cycles of different types of plants. A clear water level perspective window allows you to easily keep tabs on water levels in the large storage space so that you can easily add water as needed and ensure that your plants always receive the hydration they need to thrive.
Thanks to the compact size, you don’t need a lot of space to grow a healthy indoor garden of fresh herbs, fruits, and/or vegetables. With so many features, the VegeBox Hydroponics Growing System is affordably priced, too, which is why it’s our pick for the best budget hydroponic system.
- Features professional-grade full-spectrum LED grow lights that mimic natural sunlight
- The height of the lights can be easily adjusted to accommodate the growth cycle of all types of plants
- Outfitted with an advanced filtration system, including a pump and fan, both of which automatically cycle between 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off
- A convenient water perspective window allows you to easily keep tabs on the water level and a large port allows you to easily change and add water and nutrients, as needed
- Easy to set up and easy to use
- Produces high-quality, reliable results
- Compact size; doesn’t require a lot of space
- Affordably priced
VEVOR Hydroponics Growing System
For those of you who are looking to grow large quantities of fruits, veggies, or herbs, the VEVOR Hydroponics Growing System is a fantastic option. This high-capacity hydroponic system features 90 growing pots on three different levels so that you can successfully yield a sizable amount of crops right in the comfort of your own home for either your own consumption or for commercial purposes.
While it certainly offers plenty of space to grow a healthy garden, this hydroponic system is compact in size, so you can easily find a spot for your garden indoors or outdoors without having to worry about taking up too much space. The patent-pending angle and height-adjustable 4 inch grow light are both perfectly optimized to allow for highly efficient plant growth, yet also makes for an eye-catching visual display; a functional, living work of art, so-to-speak.
- 90 Sites Hydroponic Growing System: Layers: 3; Pipe Quantity: 10; Hole Quantity: 90; Pipe Size: 2.5"x31"; Spacing between Holes: 2"; Overall Dimension: 33.9" x 14.6" x 44.1". The proper dimension allows you to harvest fresh vegetables as few or as many as you like.
- Timed Circulation System: Our hydroponic grow kit comes with a 10W water pump and a timer for better water circulation, making plants grow better. A 24 hour plug-in timer is provided, so you can set the time according to your needs. And a 20L water tank(not included) is suggested.
- Premium Food-grade PVC: The hydroponics growing site is made of high-quality PVC for long-lasting indoor or outdoor use. Oxygenated water and nutrients are delivered directly to the roots, which make vegetables more nutritious and better-tasting. It is easy to take care of, saving your time and energy. Grow at your own pace and see quality results.
- Easy to Install & Use: Our hydroponics system includes 1 set of planting pipes, 4 wheels, 1 timer, 1 water pump, 1 hose, 1 power plug, 90 planting baskets, 90 sponges, 1 tweezers, 1 rubber hammer, and 1 instruction manual. Four wheels make it easy to move, allowing the plants to get enough sunlight.
- Wide Application: The hydroponic system growing kit can make full use of space, cleaner and more environmentally friendly. It is ideal for planting leafy vegetables such as lettuce, celery, beets, strawberries, and tomatoes in your home, garden, and office.
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The water pump features a timer that allows you to set power on or off according to your needs, saving nutrient solution and promoting plant growth. It even comes complete with a starter grow kit, which includes grow sponges that are equipped with seeds in a seedling kit, a pH adjuster, and nourishment packs for your fruits, veggies, and herbs.
Our premium PVC hydroponics grow site is odorless, corrosion-proof, and durable. You will never need to worry about quality and security.
It’s easy to set up and take apart, too, so you can start growing a robust garden as soon as you receive it.
- 3-tier vertical grower that features 90 pots, so you can grow large quantities of plants for personal or commercial use
- Comes complete with High-Quality PVC
- Timer & Water Pump
- Easy to set up and easy to use
- Doesn’t require a lot of space
AeroGarden Farm 24 Plus
The AeroGarden Farm 24 Plus is another high-quality, reliable, ready-made hydroponic system. AeroGarden is one of the most trusted manufactures of hydroponic systems on the market and has been providing safe food options for more than 15 years.
This vertical gardening system has a stackable, modular design that allows you to connect several gardens together to create a living wall that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is delicious and nutritious.
This hydroponic planter features a premium-quality, innovative LED grow light system that offers a tailored spectrum of white, blue, and red LED light to ensure optimal plant growth. The dual 60 watt panels are independently adjustable and motorized to allow you to raise and lower the height with the push of a button.
- Use this hydroponic garden to grow 24 different herb, veggie, or flower varieties simultaneously and year-round
- Two fully customizable 60W LED grow lights give your plants the full spectrum of light they need to grow quickly - up to 5x faster than in soil
- Automatic timer makes sure the lights go on and off at exactly the right time, digital screen tells you when to add water and plant food, and WiFi connectivity allows you to monitor and control your garden remotely
- Adjustable grow height of 24“, and can be stacked with other Farm gardens for vertical gardening and maximizing growth potential
- Includes two Salad Bar Seed Pod Kits, featuring 9 lettuce pods, 3 herb pods, and 12 tomato pods
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The lighting is fully customizable, too, and features several modes, such as a sunrise/sunset auto dimming mode. It offers enough space to accommodate up to 24 plants that can reach up to 24 inches in height, allowing you to grow all types of fruits, veggies, and herbs.
The smart design functions as two individual gardens in one, as each side has their own completely customizable controls, motorized lights, and large grow bowls on each side. It’s also outfitted with the most advanced technologies; for example, you can use your Smart Device or the garden Control Panel, which delivers reminders to add water and nutrients, so that you can ensure a healthy harvest.
Lastly, this hydroponic system comes with everything you need to grow, including a 24 pod selection of heirloom greens, herbs, cherry tomatoes, and two 3 ounce bottles of the AeroGarden’s patented, all-natural, non-GMO Plant Nutrients.
- The stackable modular design allows for vertical gardening and lets you connect several gardens together
- Can be managed via your smart device or the touchscreen control panel on the system
- Delivers reminders to add water and nutrients and provides access to helpful tips and one-touch customer support
- Dual, fully customizable, full-spectrum 60 watt LED grow lights
- The lights are motorized and the height can be independently adjusted to ensure your plants have ample space and receive the necessary light to maximize photosynthesis
- Comes with everything needs to start growing, including 24 pods of produce and two bottles of the manufacturer’s patented, all-natural, non-GMO plant nutrients
- Easy to set up and easy to use
- Delivers highly efficient results
Other best Selling Options
- 【High-Performance Grow Lights】: The hydroponic growing system uses 24-watt LED lights that mimic the sun's light spectrum to provide plants with the light they need. Not limited by weather or season, plants grow faster with plant nutrients and light than in soil,Hydroponics plants grow 5 times faster than soil.The extra-large 6.5-liter water tank provides more space for root development is a must-have for mature plants.
- 【Indoor Herb Garden】: The indoor hydroponic herb garden offers two growing modes, including vegetable mode and flower and fruit mode. You can grow up to 18 of your favorite herbs, vegetables or flowers indoors at the same time, depending on your preference. In this way, you can easily have an indoor herb garden and pick fresh vegetables, fruits, etc. at any time.
- 【Height-Adjustable Garden Kit】: Indoor Herb Garden Kit comes with a height adjustable garden kit that allows you to adjust the height of the planting boards according to the different growth stages of your plants. This allows you to provide the right growing space for your plants according to their needs and promote their healthy growth. Please note that the kit does not include seeds, which you will need to purchase separately.
- 【Hydroponic Circulation System】: This indoor gardening system is equipped with a separate water pump to circulate the nutrient water solution from the water supply system to the plant root system. This circulation system ensures that the plant receives sufficient water and nutrients to help it grow and develop.
- 【Ideal Gardening Gifts for Women】: This hydroponic indoor growing system is the perfect gift for women. It will not only bring you the fun of growing plants, but also add color to your life.
- DWC Bucket +Top Drip Kit: Upgraded DWC hydroponic planting system adopts an unique top drip irrigation design; It provides a water circulation to keep the nutrient water fresher and easier to be absorbed
- Powerful Air Pump: Air output: 25 L/min; Voltage: 120V/60HZ; Power: 15W; The air pump and air stone provide sufficient air bubbles for each barrel through the air hose, which can promote the growth of plant roots effectively
- Grow Faster, Harvest More: The upgraded DWC system enables plants to grow faster and produce higher yields; Compared to RDWC, It has independent planting units, which can flexibly grow different plants
- Complete DWC Hydroponic Kit: This hydroponics kit contains 4x 5-gallon PP plant buckets; 4x 8-inch baskets; 4x drip irrigation sets; 1x air pump; 4x air flow regulators; 12m air tubes ; 4x air stones; 1x divider; 4x clay pebbles packs; 4x visual water level indicators; 1x check valve; 4x air valves; 1x instruction booklet
- Wide Range of Applications: This complete hydroponic bucket system easily fits in grow tents, open areas in gardens, balconies, or offices, homes; Ideal for planting vegetables, fruits, flowers, and crops
- 【🎁Thoughtful & Practical Christmas Gifts for Family & Friends】Our hydroponic herb growing system supports over 100 different plants, up to 11 plants grown at once. Grows in water no soil, no mess, made simple, giving anyone even children the ability to grow healthy plants for a beautiful DIY indoor garden! This indoor garden is really an ideal Christmas gift for family and friends who are planting lovers.
- 【5X Faster Growth Than Soil Planting】36-Watt LED light of hydroponics growing system turns on/off automatically, simulating the sunlight spectrum, promoting plants' photosynthesis in any weather. The hydroponic setup and lighting systems allow plants to maximize photosynthesis and speed up growth by 5x, while it also creates a perfect temperature, allowing plants to germinate and grow quickly,even in winter. Indepandent 4L water tank can support plants to grow for 1-2 weeks in the growth period.
- 【2023 NEW UPGRADE -Self-Watering Irrigation System】Our Indoor garden kit is designed with a nozzle water pump,it make water flow into tank lid, then flow out from each seed pod so that each seed sponge can keep running water irrigation. This helps to circulate water, increase water oxygen,and keep the nutrients circulating well to the roots,which helps plants grow up to faster and healthier.The pump will turns 30 mins on/off automatically,which can not only keep water fresh but also save energy.
- 【2023 Exclusive Design -Self-Humidifying System】RUSIRLY hydroponics growing system built-in atomizer mode which can increase and maintain humidity to the leaves of plants, making the flowers grow up to larger, the leaves fresher and healthier. Indepandent 1.5L water tank can support humidifying for 1-2 weeks. No longer requires manual to water the plants, it saves time & effort, truly achieving automated planting.
- 【TWO PLANTING MODES】Custom-built spectrum LED grow lights to supply optimal lighting to the garden. You can easily switch between different mode to meet the light demands of different plants. For plants growing harvest leaves, choose "Veg" Mode which contains blue light. For plants growing stronger, choose "Flower&fruit" Mode which increases the red light. No mess, No season limitations.
Last update on 2024-02-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hydroponic Systems Buyer’s Guide
Field farming has sustained humans for thousands of years, and while it’s still popular today and certainly offers advantages, there’s a different type of farming that has soared in popularity in recent years: hydroponics. In the most basic terms, hydroponics refers to the process of farming without soil. While there are several different types of hydroponic systems, each one involves the same core elements:
- Fresh water (filtered with a pH level of about 6 to 6.5 yields the best results)
- Oxygen (to avoid drowning the plants)
- Root support (such as peat moss, perlites, rockwool, or vermiculite to support the root system)
- Nutrients (phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and other types of vital nutrients; just like field-grown plants)
- Light (either natural sun, or if you’re growing indoors, a special lighting system that mimics the sun)
While this type of growing has really just come into the mainstream over the past few decades, hydroponics is actually a centuries-old method of farming. In fact, it’s the oldest form of growing plant matter; the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which dates back to approximately 600 BC, is the first known example of growing plants without soil.
What are the benefits of farming hydroponically?
There are actually several advantages, the most notable of which include:
- Space-saving. Plants that grow in the soil require a good bit of room, as their roots need to branch out in order to find the water and nutrients they need to thrive. With hydroponics, the roods don’t have to spread out because the water and nutrients they require are delivered directly to them. As such, you can grow significantly more plants in the same amount of space as you could in soil farming.
- Water-saving. Field farming requires significant water use, as a large percentage of the water that is becomes lost as a result of evaporation, run-off, and pooling (puddles). Hydroponics significantly reduces water consumption; in fact, it uses an estimated 10 times less water than field farming. That’s because water is delivered directly to the plants in a controlled method, thus, none is lost.
- Fewer chemicals. Hydroponic plants are less likely to be targeted by pests than field-grown plants. Thus, far fewer chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) are needed.
- Nutrient control. You can better control the amount and what type of nutrients your plants will absorb.
- Faster growth. On average, hydroponic plants grow up to 50% faster than soil-grown plants. That’s because they receive the appropriate amount of water and nutrients, and they are exposed to far fewer pests and aren’t subjected to weather extremes.
- Healthier plants and larger yields. Not only do plants grow faster, but they’re also healthier and produce larger yields when they’re grown in hydroponic systems as compared to soil-based farming.
Now that you’ve read through the reviews of our top picks for the best hydroponic systems, you’re probably wondering which one will work best for you. While each option does offer definite benefits, the one that you should choose depends on your specific needs. By taking the following factors into consideration, you’ll be able to narrow down the options and find the right hydroponic system for your growing needs.
What You Want to Grow
First and foremost, you should consider what it is that you want to grow in your hydroponic growing system. Why? Because some plants grow better using certain types of hydroponics, and obviously, you want to choose the system that will best accommodate your crops and will yield the highest quality, most fruitful yields.
Type of Hydroponic System
Once you know what types of plants you want to grow, you can then determine what type of hydroponic system you should choose. There are six main types of hydroponic systems, including:
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). With this type of hydroponic system, the nutrient solution is pumped direction into the channels. The channels have a slight slope, which ensures that the nutrients flow through the channels, over the roots of the plants, and back into the reservoir. Because of the size of the channels, an NFT is usually ideal for plants that have a smaller root system, such as lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens.
- Wick. This type of system is the most simplistic, as it doesn’t require any electricity, pumps, or aerators, making it the only passive hydroponic system. In the majority of wick systems, the pants are put in an absorbent grow medium, such as perlite, coco coir, or vermiculite, and there’s a nylon wick that runs from the plants into the nutrient solution reservoir.
- Deep water culture (DWC). With this kind of system, the roots of the plants are suspended in a solution of nutrient-dense, oxygenated water. It’s also known as “deep flow technique” (DFT), floating raft technology (FRT), or raceway hydroponics. A hydroponic bucket (also referred to as a “bubble bucket”) is a perfect example of a DWC hydroponic system.
- Ebb and flow. Also known as a flood and drain system, with ebb and flow hydroponics, the plants are placed into grow beds that are filled with a growing substrate. The bed is then flooded with a nutrient-rich solution and a drain allows water to only reach a few inches below the top of the grow medium to prevent overflow. A pump is controlled with a timer; it automatically shuts off after it runs for a certain amount of time, allowing the water to run back down through the pump until the grow bed is completely drained, and then the pump kicks back on and the process starts again.
How Much You Want to Grow
It’s also important to consider the amount you want to harvest, as this will determine the size of the hydroponic system you’ll need. It goes without saying that if you want to harvest a lot, you’ll need a larger system; however, some larger systems are smartly designed so that they have a small footprint and don’t take up a lot of space. If you only want to grow a few crops, then a smaller ready-made hydroponic system would likely do the trick.
Ease of Use
Some hydroponic systems are super easy to set up, use, and take apart, while others require more effort and a bit more experience to use. Consider the ease of use of the hydroponic system so that you can be sure that you choose a model that will suit your skill level. The last thing you want to do is choose a system that is hard to use, as you’ll more than likely end up getting frustrated.
Your Budget
Lastly, you’re going to want to take your budget into consideration. As you can see from our list of reviews, hydroponic systems vary widely in prices. Generally speaking, systems that features more advanced technologies and are larger in size have higher price tags.
Consider your budget before you start shopping and pay attention to the prices while you’re shopping so that you can avoid choosing a model that costs more than you want to spend.
Summing It Up
Hydroponics is the oldest form of farming in the world. It’s highly efficiently, extremely effective, very versatile, and can yield high-quality, nutrient-rich crops in short periods of time – both indoors and outdoors. If you’re interested in giving hydroponics a try, with the information presented in this guide, you should have no trouble choosing the right option to suit your specific needs.