Gardyn vs. Aerogarden (I Tried Both): Who's Better In 2024?

Ever found yourself dreaming of a lush indoor garden but don't know where to start? You're not alone. With so many smart gardening systems out there, it's tough to decide which one fits your lifestyle.

Two of the most popular options are Gardyn and AeroGarden, each having its own unique features and benefits.

I've tried both, and let me tell you, they each have their own charm. Whether you're looking for a hands-off approach or want to get your hands a bit dirty, there's something for everyone. 

Gardyn vs. Aerogarden: Who’s The Winner?

Category	Winner
Features & Design	Gardyn
Performance & Durability	Gardyn
Maintenance	Draw
Ease of Use	AeroGarden
Price	AeroGarden

 

Winner

Gardyn is the better home hydroponics garden in every metric. It has space for much more plants, offers a wider variety of plant choices, and has a much more sophisticated app and smart functions.

If you are sure home gardening is for you and want to invest time and money into it, there is no better choice than Gardyn. It's why it's ranked my best indoor garden system.

AeroGarden is a good product in its own right and allows people to dip their toes into home gardening with little investment.

It still has smart features and an app, but the small capacity and plant selection will limit your aspirations. But if you are on a tight budget or simply want to have a small garden on your kitchen counter, AeroGarden is an excellent choice.

What Is Gardyn?

Gardyn is a revolutionary indoor gardening system designed to make growing fresh produce at home simple and effortless.

Unlike traditional gardens that require outdoor space and constant maintenance, Gardyn brings the garden inside, allowing you to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and even some fruits without soil and with minimal effort.

Gardyn utilizes vertical gardening technology to maximize space efficiency. It stands about five feet tall and can house up to 30 plants in a compact, sleek tower. The system comes with everything you need to get started, including:

• LED Grow Lights: Mimic natural sunlight and provide optimal light conditions for healthy plant growth.
• Hydroponic System: Uses water and nutrients, eliminating the need for soil.
• Smart Sensors: Monitor the plants' environment and conditions.
• App Integration: The Gardyn app connects to your system, offering guidance, reminders, and tips to help you perfect your garden care routine.

Gardyn's modern and stylish design makes it a great addition to any room. Its vertical structure saves space and can fit comfortably in a small apartment or a larger home setting.

The materials used in its construction are of high quality, ensuring it is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.

From my experience, Gardyn's performance is impressive. The LED grow lights provide sufficient illumination even in rooms that do not receive much natural light.

The hydroponic system is efficient, automatically supplying the plants with the necessary nutrients and water. I particularly appreciate the smart sensors and app integration, which make it easy to keep track of my plants' needs.

Gardyn is priced higher than some other indoor gardening systems, but I believe it offers good value for the money. The combination of space efficiency, smart technology, and high build quality justifies the investment.

For anyone serious about indoor gardening, especially those without much experience, Gardyn is a worthwhile purchase.

You can read my in-depth Gardyn review here.

What Is Aerogarden?

AeroGarden is a countertop smart garden system designed to help you grow fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers indoors. What stands out about AeroGarden is its user-friendly approach to indoor gardening, which involves minimal setup and maintenance.

AeroGarden comes with a variety of models, each offering a unique set of features:

• LED Grow Lights: These high-performance lights are designed to provide plants with the full spectrum of sunlight, ensuring healthy and strong growth.
• Hydroponic System: Unlike traditional soil gardening, AeroGarden uses water and nutrients to grow plants, promoting faster growth.
• Seed Pod Kits: Each AeroGarden model typically includes pre-seeded pods. Popular options include herbs like basil and thyme, salad greens, and even cherry tomatoes.
• Control Panel: The system features an intuitive control panel that reminds you when to add water and nutrients.

The design of AeroGarden is sleek and modern. It fits comfortably on most kitchen counters, making it a convenient option for individuals with limited space.

The models vary in size, allowing you to choose the best fit for your needs. I find the design to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing, seamlessly blending into any kitchen décor.

AeroGarden is an excellent choice for anyone looking to start an indoor garden with minimal effort. Its user-friendly design, reliable performance, and affordability make it a popular option among indoor gardening enthusiasts.

You can read my in-depth Aerogarden review here.

Gardyn vs. Aerogarden Main Differences

Size

Gardyn and AeroGarden vary significantly in size. Gardyn utilizes a vertical gardening system that makes efficient use of space.

Its tall and slender design is perfect for those who want to maximize the number of plants without taking up too much floor area.

It can fit well in homes with limited space as long as there's adequate vertical clearance.

On the flip side, AeroGarden offers a range of models with different dimensions. Most AeroGarden systems are more compact and can easily sit on a kitchen counter or a small table.

If you’re restricted by both vertical and horizontal space, AeroGarden’s compact models are worth considering.

Amount Of Plants

A crucial factor in choosing between the two systems is the number of plants they can grow simultaneously.

Gardyn can house up to 30 plants at once, ideal for those who want a more extensive indoor garden.

This makes it a suitable option for families or individuals looking to grow a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers.

In contrast, AeroGarden models vary but generally support fewer plants. For example, the AeroGarden Harvest supports up to six plants, while the larger models, like the Farm Family, can support up to 24 plants.

For beginners or casual gardeners, an AeroGarden model with fewer plant pods might be the perfect choice.

Plant Pod Selection

The diversity of plants you can grow in each system is another important distinction. Gardyn offers a broad selection of plant pods, focusing heavily on edibles such as herbs, leafy greens, and fruits.

This variety is excellent for those who want to incorporate fresh, home-grown ingredients into their meals.

AeroGarden also features a wide range of plant pods, including herbs, vegetables, flowers, and even heirloom seeds.

The selection here tends to be broader in decorative plants but not as much in terms of fruits and vegetables. This makes AeroGarden an attractive option for someone interested in both culinary plants and ornamentals.

Membership

Gardyn requires membership for some of its advanced features and to access exclusive plant pods and app functionalities.

This membership can add extra costs but also offers benefits like personalized customer support and regular shipments of new plant pods.

AeroGarden does not require a membership but offers a subscription service for seed pods and nutrients.

This is entirely optional and provides convenience for users who want to ensure they never run out of supplies.

The option to go without a membership might appeal to those who prefer a more straightforward, commitment-free experience.

Setup

Setting up Gardyn can be a bit involved due to its larger size and advanced features. It requires assembling the vertical structure, connecting the smart sensors, and integrating it with the app.

Even though the initial effort, the comprehensive instructions make this process manageable.

AeroGarden, on the other hand, is praised for its user-friendly setup. Most models come pre-assembled or require minimal assembly, which is a significant advantage for first-time indoor gardeners or those who aren't very tech-savvy.

App

Both Gardyn and AeroGarden offer app integrations, but their functionalities differ. Gardyn’s app is packed with smart features, such as automated watering schedules, light adjustments, and real-time notifications about the plants’ needs. It’s like having a virtual gardening assistant at your fingertips.

AeroGarden also features an app that controls lights, sets schedules, and monitors water levels. While it's not as advanced as Gardyn's, it still provides essential functionalities that enhance the user experience.

Maintenance

Maintaining Gardyn can be a bit more labor-intensive due to the higher number of plants and the sophisticated system.

Regularly checking the smart sensors and ensuring the water reservoir is filled are essential tasks, albeit supported by the app’s reminders.

AeroGarden shines in this aspect with its lower maintenance requirements. The simplified system means fewer plants to monitor and a straightforward process for topping up water and nutrients.

For those who prefer a low-maintenance garden, AeroGarden is likely the better choice.

Growing And Harvesting

Gardyn's vertical system not only allows for growing a substantial number of plants but also makes harvesting more efficient.

However, depending on your height and the placement of the system, accessing the plants at higher levels might require a step stool or ladder.

AeroGarden's design typically places all plants within easy reach, making growing and harvesting straightforward. This is ideal for everyday use, like quickly snipping herbs for cooking or picking fresh vegetables.

Price

Price is a vital consideration. Gardyn tends to be on the pricier side due to its advanced technology and larger capacity.

The membership cost adds to the overall investment but could be justified by the extensive features and benefits it offers.

The Gardyn Home kit costs $849 and includes 30 plants. As I mentioned, the subscription is an extra feature for which you will have to pay more cash.

AeroGarden models are generally more affordable and have a wide range, from budget-friendly models to more expensive options.

This makes it accessible for a variety of budgets. The absence of compulsory membership fees can make AeroGarden a more appealing option for those looking to garden without being very costly.

The basic AeroGarden Harvest, with space for 6 plants, is only $114 on Amazon and is a wonderful first home garden or something to rely on to always have fresh spices.

The biggest model, with 24 plant spaces, is called the AeroGarden Farm and goes for $560, which is still significantly cheaper than Gardyn.

My Experiences With Gardyn & Aerogarden

Gardyn

The first thing that caught my eye with Gardyn was its sleek vertical design. It easily slots into a corner, making it ideal for those of us with limited space.

I was thrilled by the sheer number of plants it can support—up to 30 at a time. As someone who loves variety in their salads, this was an enormous bonus.

Gardyn’s smart technology integration took some getting used to, but once I got the hang of it, the app's features were pretty impressive. The smart sensors and the LED grow lights worked flawlessly together to optimize growth conditions.

I remember watching my plants thrive and thinking this was like witnessing a mini-farm in my living room.

On the flip side, the setup process was a bit more involved than I anticipated. It wasn’t overly complicated, but it definitely required more time and attention compared to other systems I’ve used.

Also, the need for a membership to access certain features felt like a bit of a drawback, especially for someone like me who prefers one-time purchases.

AeroGarden

When I switched to AeroGarden, the first thing I noticed was how user-friendly it was. Right from the setup, everything felt intuitive.

I appreciated the step-by-step guides that walked me through getting everything started, which made it perfect for beginners.

While AeroGarden doesn’t support as many plants as Gardyn, the variety of plant pods available was impressive.

I loved being able to grow herbs, vegetables, and even flowers. Adjusting the light settings was a breeze, and I found it less hassle to maintain, which was a relief on my busier days.

AeroGarden's maintenance was noticeably less demanding. Thanks to its simpler design and effective app integration, I didn't need to worry as much about monitoring it constantly. The app isn't as advanced as Gardyn's, but it gets the job done without much fuss.

One aspect where AeroGarden shone was affordability. With different models available, it was easier to find one that fit my budget. This is a crucial point for anyone just getting into indoor gardening without wanting to invest heavily upfront.

Should You Get A Gardyn Or Aerogarden?

Deciding between Gardyn and AeroGarden really comes down to what you're looking for in an indoor gardening system.

If you're a serious gardener who wants to grow a lot of plants and doesn't mind a more complex setup,

Gardyn's vertical design and smart tech might be perfect for you.

On the other hand, if you're just starting out or prefer something more straightforward and budget-friendly, AeroGarden's ease of use and variety of models make it a great choice.

Both systems have their unique strengths, so it really depends on your gardening goals and how much time and effort you're willing to invest.

People like to start with a smaller investment to see if they are into home gardening without breaking the bank, so they gravitate toward AeroGarden.

But the issue with this approach is that you can very quickly outgrow the small tabletop system, which has space for only 6 or 9 plants.

I personally find it enough only for spices, while Gardyn is a true comprehensive garden in your living room and is my choice, despite the higher price point.