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

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of growing my own food right at home, but traditional gardening can be a real hassle. That’s where indoor gardening systems like Gardyn and Tower Garden come into play. These innovative setups promise fresh produce without the mess of soil and the unpredictability of weather.

When I first started researching these systems, I was torn between Gardyn and Tower Garden. Both offer unique features and benefits, but which one is the right fit for my home?

Gardyn vs. Tower Garden: Who’s The Winner?

Winner

Gardyn is a much better home garden in every way. It's packed with smart features and boasts much higher-quality materials. The AI assistant ensures nothing can go wrong, and the smart lights and custom pods ensure the fastest and cleanest harvest.

Tower Garden is a significantly simpler hydroponics home garden that gets the job done and will supply you with fresh produce in the convenience of your kitchen. But the harvest will be slower and smaller and require you to be much more careful.

If money isn't a factor, there is nothing better on the market than Gardyn. But if you want to try home gardening and are unsure whether you like it, Tower Garden provides an incredibly cost-effective way to do it.

What Is Gardyn?

Gardyn is a super sleek and modern indoor gardening system that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie. Its vertical design is perfect if you're tight on space—like those trendy loft apartments downtown. The design is not just for looks—it's super functional. It can grow up to 30 plants at a time.

Here's the kicker: it's fully automated. Seriously, you don't have to have a green thumb at all. Gardyn has a built-in AI named "Kelby," which takes care of your plants for you. Kelby monitors the light, water, and nutrients to ensure your plants live their best lives. It's kind of like having a personal gardener but without having to pay for one.

The system uses LED lights that mimic natural sunshine. So, even if you live in a basement apartment with zero natural light, your plants will grow just fine. It's mainly hydroponic, which is a fancy way of saying it grows plants in water, not soil. No dirt, no mess – which is perfect, especially if you've got a pet that likes to dig.

Speaking of ease, Gardyn also has an app that connects to your phone. You can track your plants' growth, get tips, and even order new plant capsules.

So yeah, if you're looking for an easy-to-use, no-brainer indoor garden system that'll impress your friends and maybe even inspire some envy, Gardyn is definitely worth checking out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

You can read my in-depth Gardyn review here.

What Is Tower Garden?

So, my friend was raving about her new Tower Garden the other day, and I just had to check it out. Picture this: a vertical, aeroponic gardening system that lets you grow pretty much anything from herbs to veggies right in your living room or balcony.

It's like having a mini farm but without dealing with dirt and backaches. This is a game-changer for folks in smaller spaces, especially if you're living downtown or in a cozy apartment.

The Tower Garden stands out because it's not just pretty to look at; it's super functional, too. It's a tall, slim tower holding multiple plant pods stacked on top of each other. The best part? It uses hydroponics, which means it grows plants without soil.

This system uses water and nutrients delivered directly to the roots. You fill the base with water and nutrients, and the Tower Garden takes care of the rest.

This baby can grow up to 30 plants. Unlike traditional gardening, once your Tower Garden is up and running, maintenance is a breeze. You just have to refill the water basin and occasionally check the nutrient levels.

One thing I did notice, though, is it does make a slight humming noise because of the pump. It’s not too loud, just a gentle reminder that your leafy friends are getting pampered. If you’re sensitive to noise, it’s something to consider, but frankly, I got used to it pretty quickly.

While Gardyn is offered in a single size, Tower Garden comes in several different versions. Besides some plant capacity differences, the biggest distinction is whether you get the LED lights or not. The lights are not integrated into the main unit but come separately.

You can read my in-depth Tower Garden review here.

Gardyn vs. Tower Garden Differences

Size

When you're living in the city, space is at a premium. Gardyn is pretty sleek and compact, occupying just a small corner of your living room or kitchen. Gardyn has a footprint of 2x1 feet and is 5 feet high.

Meanwhile, the Tower Garden is lower and has a smaller footprint despite having the same capacity as Gardyn. However, the plants have a lot less space, and it is not very suitable for bigger things like salads.

Tower Garden models can also be bought with additional lights. These lights are not attached to the garden and increase its footprint at least twofold.

Amount Of Plants

Gardyn's multi-layered setup can host up to 30 plants. It's like your own little green skyscraper.

Tower Garden also houses 30 plants, but as I said in the previous section, the space is less as the whole unit is smaller. You can also choose to buy smaller or bigger Tower Gardens, ranging from 18 to 70 plant holes.

Plant Pod Selection

So, what do you want to grow in your indoor garden? Gardyn offers a pretty diverse range of plant pods.

Whether you dream of fresh basil for your pesto or unique microgreens to jazz up your salad, Gardyn likely has you covered. The website currently offers around 120 different cultures. The product works with special pods you get from Gardyn.

Tower Garden does not have unique pods or seeds like Gardyn. You need to get regular seeds, sprout them, and put the seedlings into the sponge provided by Tower Garden, which then goes into the slot.

Membership

Memberships can sometimes feel like an annoying upsell, but not in this case. Gardyn offers a monthly membership that gives you access to their AI assistant, Kelby, and a discount on plant pods. It's pretty handy if you're looking for some gardening guidance.

Tower Garden doesn't require a membership to get the basic system up and running, so it might be more suitable if you hate being locked into memberships.

Setup

Let’s talk setup. Nobody likes spending an entire day trying to assemble a new gadget.

Gardyn makes it relatively easy with clear step-by-step instructions and even video tutorials. Plus, you don't need soil, which means less mess and a quicker start.

Tower Garden's assembly is straightforward since it doesn't have lights or any other electronic features besides the water pump. The whole process is super simple if you follow the instructions.

App

In today’s industry, there’s an app for everything, even gardening. Gardyn’s app is pretty slick and user-friendly.

It integrates with its AI to monitor your plants and give you reminders when it’s time to water or add nutrients. It’s almost like having a gardening buddy who’s always got your back.

On the other hand, the Tower Garden app is more straightforward. The only feature you can control through the app is to stop the water pump, thanks to the smart pump. But compared to Gardyn, this is like comparing a wagon with a brand-new car.

Maintenance

Nobody wants an indoor garden that feels like a part-time job. Thanks to its AI monitoring and automatic watering system, Gardyn's maintenance is minimal. You check in now and then, but it mostly runs itself.

You still need to prune, clean, and refill water, but the app, especially if you subscribe and get the AI, will hold your hand every step of the way and let you know exactly when and what to do.

Tower Garden needs a bit more manual attention. While it's not backbreaking work, you'll be more hands-on with tasks like nutrient mixing, water changes, and judging when to prune and harvest by yourself.

Growing And Harvesting

Growing and harvesting is where the real fun begins. Gardyn's hydroponic system grows plants faster, and you can harvest more frequently thanks to the dense planting.

The plants seem happy and healthy, and it's pretty satisfying to snip off what you need for dinner just moments before you start cooking.

The LED lights and the automatic cycles ensure your plants get the optimal amount of light year-round, significantly shortening the harvesting time, and you will have fresh produce twice as fast as traditional gardening.

Tower Garden is also a hydroponic and efficient system, but the lack of lights means you need to rely on natural sunlight, like in an outdoor garden.

The hydroponics system is very efficient regarding water usage and effort, but the plants' growth time is nowhere near Gardyn's.

If you get the version with LED lights, things get faster and more convenient since you will be able to place the unit wherever you like, not necessarily next to a window.

Price

Packed with features like full-spectrum grow lights and cameras, Gardyn is a premium product with a matching price. The home kit, which includes 30 free plants, costs $849, which is no small investment.

If you consider the $39 monthly subscription fee to use the full smart capabilities of Gardyn, this garden is not for those on a tight budget.

But when you consider all the features, quality, and harvest speed, I find the price entirely justified. I'll admit the smart features would've been nice to have without having to pay every month, though.

The Sjzx Tower Garden is significantly cheaper at $129. The difference in features can easily explain the vast price gap. Tower Garden is a cool product, but it's basically a big plastic box with a simple water pump inside.

But for beginner home gardeners or those on a very tight budget, the price is definitely a bargain for a fully functioning hydroponics garden with this much capacity.

The Tower Garden with LED lights costs more and is $249, but unfortunately, it's not available for the 30-plant model, only for the 18, 25, and 70. 

My Experience With Gardyn And Tower Garden

Alright, let's dish about my time with these two indoor gardening systems.

Starting with Gardyn, this bad boy sits pretty in my living room. Think of it as the stylish cousin who just knows how to dress. It's sleek, doesn't take up too much space, and the setup was pretty straightforward.

Plus, the AI monitoring is like having a personal plant butler. It checks on the plants, gives helpful tips through the app, and even sends me notifications when it's time to water or adjust the lights. It's a lifesaver when I'm swamped with work.

Let’s talk plant capacity. Gardyn lets me grow up to 30 different plants – tomatoes, herbs, you name it. The app is another win; I found it super user-friendly, and the AI keeps everything running smoothly.

I don't know about you, but I love not having to remember when to water my plants. But heads up, the membership options might feel like joining a fancy gym. You get access to a bunch of plant pods, but it’s an extra cost to consider.

Switching gears to the Tower Garden – this one reminds me of a skyscraper in downtown Chicago. It’s tall, it’s proud, and it commands your attention. Perfect for the corner of my kitchen. It uses hydroponics and can grow up to 30 plants.

The setup was easy since there was not much else going on other than assembling the tower to the water reservoir and connecting the water pump.

Maintenance is a breeze, too. I just check the water levels and make sure everything is running smoothly.

But unlike Gardyn, you need to know when the seedlings have sprouted to move them from the germination box and into the Tower Garden when to prune, and when to harvest.

With Gardyn, you still need to do some work, but the AI keeps track of everything and sends you notifications, so there is no chance of forgetting or getting something wrong.   

In terms of plant growth, I found Gardyn’s plants grow faster. The smart grow lights are a real game changer, and the Y cubes are designed and made specifically for Gardyn, ensuring the fastest growth time possible.

Tower Garden works with regular seeds, which must first be left to sprout separately before being planted. The absence of LED lights means you need to have it near a window and rely only on the sun, like in a regular garden.

This doesn't mean that Tower Garden is inefficient, but the time between the first step and your plate is much longer than in Gardyn.  

So, both systems have their charm. Gardyn is like having a smart assistant for your plants, and Tower Garden is like a dependable friend who's always there when you need them.

Should You Get A Gardyn Or Tower Garden?

Choosing between the Gardyn and Tower Garden really comes down to what you're looking for in an indoor gardening system. If you love sleek designs and tech features, Gardyn's AI monitoring and stylish look might be your thing.

The use of tailored Ycube planters and pods, smart lights, and sensors ensures the fastest and most problem-free harvest. But to get that, you need to pay nearly $900 upfront and then keep a $40 subscription to use all the features. If that doesn't bother you, Gardyn is the best home gardening experience you can get.

On the other hand, if you're after simplicity and super cost efficiency, the Tower Garden is a solid choice. You will still get a lush green garden in your kitchen and enjoy fresh and organic produce all year round at a fraction of the price.