5 Best Hydroponic Growing Systems Review Guide For 2022-2023

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Are you looking for fresh tomatoes in the winter months? Perhaps you are looking for beautiful flowers for months on end with no florist hassles?

Meet these hydroponics systems or simply known as indoor controlled gardening systems. A hydroponic system will let you into a world of effortless gardening, making you question why you waited so long to get your hands on one.

Hydroponic systems are water-based growing systems that help your garden without the hassle of a conventional setup involving plenty of space.

This is a great initiative to promote gardening, even in small spaces like apartments. Similarly, it can be a great starting point for new gardeners prone to making mistakes.

These systems come in many types; some are completely automatic, while some give you plenty of opportunities to practice for a real garden.

It’s perplexing to find the best hydroponic garden system for your place owing to its many types and different mechanisms.

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.

To see our choices keep reading our 5 Best Hydroponic Growing Systems Review Guide For 2022-2023.

iDOO Hydroponic Growing System – Best Overall

This growing system is an ingenious setup to grow many plants, fruits, and veggies with no soil. With this hydroponic growing system, you will have a year-round herb garden in your home for all your cooking needs.

The system is a self-watering planter with a built-in light to watch your specimens grow from seeds. It can also be the ultimate educational gift for your active kiddos.

The light is a LED grow light that helps plants grow faster thanks to its full-spectrum supply.

The watering system is quiet since the pump that will help circulate water and oxygen is noiseless. Additionally, the watering system is on auto-control, which will work without any mess, soil, or weather limitation.

The system also has a fan that is essential for pollination. It will promote airflow and balance air temperature helping the 12 plants grow perfectly. Furthermore, the visual window and smart soil sponge pods make this one of the top choices.

Specs:

• Brand IDOO
• Color Black
• Product Dimensions 12.08″D x 13.8″W x 15.2″H
• Assembly Required No

About this item:

• 20% Faster than Soil Planting: The integrated low noise pump of hydroponics growing system 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 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 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 can be adjusted for plants at different growth stages. Grow 12 plants at a time, works up to 11.02 inches.

Pros:

• Decent size
• Great growth
• Foolproof setup

Cons:

• Requires maintenance

AeroGarden Hydroponic Growing System – Runner Up

The company aims to incorporate indoor gardening into the life of busy individuals. They aim to inspire and enable people to enhance the quality of their foods in their homes through a simple but regular connection to what they grow.

This aim helped AeroGarden come up with this spectacular six-pod harvest garden. This countertop option has a sleek design and the size makes it ideal for compact spaces. This will help you eliminate the soil and mess hassles since the plants naturally grow in water.

The growth is more efficient owing to the energy-efficient LED light. The water system helps grow the produce about five times as fast as the plant would grow in a soil-based system.

The system also has simple reminders to help new gardeners keep the system in check. The efficient system lets seeds sprout in days and harvest in weeks and lets you enjoy them all year long.

Specs:

• Material Plastic
• Brand AeroGarden
• Color Sage
• Style Harvest
• Shape Oval

About this item:

• INCLUDES GOURMET HERB SEED KIT (6 POD) – Genovese Basil, Curly Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Thai Basil and Mint & a 3oz bottle of our patented, all natural plant nutrients (enough for a full season of growth)
• PLANT TO PLATE – Up to 6 plants grow at a time, up to 12 inches Tall with this indoor garden; Grows in water no soil, no mess, Made simple
• EASY TO USE – Control panel tells you when to add water, reminds you when to add plant food (included), automatically turns lights on and off for your hydroponics growing system.Do not allow water to contact hot LED Grow Lights
• LED GROW LIGHTS – High performance, full Spectrum 20 watt LED high efficiency grow lighting system in your herb garden is tuned to the specific needs of plants to maximize photosynthesis, resulting in rapid, natural growth and abundant harvests
• IN HOME GARDEN SYSTEM – Grow fresh herbs & veggies all Year Round in this indoor herb garden. Always fresh, always local, always in season

Pros:

• Takes care of itself
• Amazing growth
• No bug infestation

Cons:

• Light may be too bright

EZORKAS Hydroponic Growing System – Honorable Mention

Next up is this 12 pods indoor gardening kit. This particular setup lets the plant grow up to 21 inches. The height of the system’s light can be adjusted depending on the plants’ type and growth cycle.

This will help the plants, fruits, or veggies absorb the perfect light for optimal growth. The product’s control panel is great for letting you know when you need to add in the plant solution.

This hydroponic growing system has a neatly designed water circulation system, which boosts the oxygen content in the water.

The oxygenated water is better for the growth of plants, and you get to have total control over your weather. The kit has different veggies and fruit modes with different shades of light that help improve the growth of that vegetable or fruit.

The 8 LED growing light is a high-performance and efficient full-spectrum light. The light is required to fulfill the natural photosynthetic process of plants which ensures abundant yet all-natural produce.

Specs:

• Indoor/Outdoor Usage Indoor
• Brand EZORKAS
• Material Feature Natural
• Expected Blooming Period Year Round
• Unit Count 1 Count
• Number of Pieces 12

About this item:

• 12 pods and 21 inches growing height: The height of the lighting part of the hydroponics growing system can be adjusted for veggies at different growth stages, helping veggies absorb energy from LED lights and promoting growth. Control panel tells you when to add plant food solution.
• Quiet Hydroponic Growing System: This indoor garden germination kit is designed with a water circulation system, increasing the oxygen in water. Press the pump to go into a cycle of 30 mins on/30 mins off with super low noise. Growing in the nutrient water faster than soil. You have total control over the weather all year round.
• Veg & “Flower & Fruit” Modes: For vegetables, choose “Veg” Mode which contains all the light. For flowers and fruits, choose “Flower” Mode which contains more red light. We have designed smart modes with different red and blue spectrum and time.
• 80 Leds Grow Light – High performance, full Spectrum 36 watt LED high efficiency grow lighting system in your herb garden is tuned to the specific needs of plants to maximize photosynthesis, resulting in rapid, natural growth and abundant harvests.
• Great gift for children, friends, partners and elders: You can use it to grow fresh herbs, veggies and fruits. Watching plants grow is an interesting hobby.This growth system not only makes your life fun, but also makes your life healthier.

Pros:

• Easy to assemble
• Quick sprouting
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Unable to recover from power failure

Ivation Hydroponic Growing System – Also Consider

If you are looking for a complete indoor hydroponic growing kit, this is it. This all-in-one kit contains all the essentials you need to plant and cultivate your desired produce.

All you have to do is add the seeds, no soil, no light, or greenhouse, and it will still grow perfectly. It’s the ideal setup for kitchens, offices, schools, or limited space.

The setup has seven individual pod baskets for a plethora of herbs. It also has a nutrient-rich powder, adapter, and water tank, which perfectly fits an entire garden into a small space.

The smart LED bulb can be adjusted according to the amount of light needed for your greens. The multimode control panel is touch operated to give a high-end and modern look.

The modes are great for self-regulation. The circulating pump is what stimulates healthy growth and keeps pests away. With this, you will certainly get to relish the adventures of water gardening.

Specs:

• Brand Ivation
• Color White
• Indoor/Outdoor Usage Outdoor, Indoor
• Number of Pieces 14
• Product Dimensions 5.6″D x 13.8″W x 19.7″H

About this item:

• COMPLETE INDOOR HYDROPONIC GROW GARDEN | All-in-One Starter Kit Includes All the Equipment & Supplies You Need to Plant, Cultivate & Enjoy Your Favorite Herbs, Veggies & Plants in the Year-Round Comfort of Home | Just Add Seeds—No Soil, Sunlight or Greenhouse Necessary! | Perfect for Kitchen, Office, School, Etc.
• 7 INDIVIDUAL POD BASKETS FOR A VARIETY OF HERBS | Spacious Grower Box Fits an Entire Garden with 14 Bamboo Planters, 14 Seed Sponges, 2 Nutrient-Rich Powders, Water Tank Plug & Power Adapter | Grow Mint, Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Parsley, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Radishes, Blueberries & More
• SMART LED LIGHT BULBS WITH HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT | Telescoping Post Allows You to Extend Lamp Height [Min 7.8”/Max 19.7”] to Maximize Coverage, Achieve Ideal Angle & Accommodate Plants as they Bloom & Grow | 25W 6000K 120-Lumen Bright White LEDs Emit Red, White & Blue Light for Full-Spectrum Growth Stimulation
• TOUCH-OPERATED MULTI-MODE CONTROL PANEL | Master the Art of Hydroponic Science—Without the Degree! | Choose from 3 Easy Planting Modes with Perfect Lighting Cycles Based on Plant Maturity: Grow [16h], Normal [14h] & Enjoy [12h] | Self-Regulating Technology Develops Plants Faster & Healthier than in the Outdoors
• CIRCULATING PUMP STIMULATES HEALTHY GROWTH | Large 3.5L Water Tank Provides a Fruitful Environment for Roots & Stems to Thrive & Grow Equally Without Algae, Disease, Insects & Other Threats | Discover the Miracle of Water-Based Gardening Right on Your Counter—a Unique, Thoughtful, Educational Gift for Adults & Kids!

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Giftable
• Great for colder regions

Cons:

• Takes a while to sprout

LAPOND Hydroponic Growing System – Also Consider

This hydroponic growing system is designed for fast, convenient, and nutritional gardening. This setup is ideal for beginners.

You don’t need to have years of experience in taking care of plants to handle this, and the herb you grow will be more nutritious and better-tasting than ordinary ones.

These are grown in a more oxygen-rich system that supplies nutrients directly at the roots.

The material used is durable with PVC pipes. It also has ample space for many plants. This is perfect if you plan on growing lettuce, spinach, cabbage, herbs, beets, garlic, etc.

The water pump is automatic, but the circulation cycle can be set manually. The pump will save you time nutritional solutions and help the plants and veggies grow well.

This is super easy to assemble and brings you close to nature. The kit also comes with a one-year warranty if you run into any issues.

Specs:

• Hydroponic Holder and Planting Pipe
• 12V Water pump * 1
• Pump Timer Controller * 1
• Square Net Pot * 108
• Planting Sponge * 108
• Tweezers * 1
• Hose * 1
• Installation Instructions * 1/Implant Instruction1 Dimensions after installation: 37.819.741.4 in / 9650*105 CM

About this item:

• This hydroponic outdoor grow system is designed for fast, maximum-convenience vegetable gardening. Perfect for beginners! No experience needed.More nutritious and better-tasting than soil-gardened produce because oxygenated water and nutrients are delivered directly to the roots.
• Adopted food-grade PVC-U pipes,each pvc pipe diameter is 2.48”/63mm,hole size is 1.2”1.2”/30mm30mm with ample space for vegetables,flowers and plants.Suitable for lettuce,spinach,pakchoi,cabbage,radishes,strawberry,herbs,rape,beets,garlic seedlings,canola,celery,etc.
• The water pump with timer allows you to set the on time at 5/15/30 minutes intervals and off time at 30/60/120 minutes intervals to reach the nutrient film technique,The circulation mode can also be set manually or automatically according to demandmake, make the pump more durable,save nutrient solution and make the vegetables grow better!
• Extremely simple to assemble and use,only need nutrient solution(not include), no odor, very clean; It is easy to take care of, no arable land, clear weeds, save time and effort.
• Being close to nature, you can purify the air and make full use of space to keep the crops out of the soil.especially suitable for leafy vegetables in homes, gardens and offices,LAPOND provides a 1-year warranty on the Hydroponic Grow Kit and accessories.Please contact us if you want to add extra pieces.

Pros:

• Simple
• Effective growing system
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Lack of instructions

5 Best Hydroponic Growing Systems Buying Guide For 2022-2023

Hydroponic systems are the future of gardening. There are many benefits of employing a hydroponic system that compels individuals to invest in one. They come in so many types and features it gets confusing in what to invest in.

That is why we jotted down the key things you need to know about these kits to buy something worthwhile. Check out our guide for a deep analysis of these and how to get the best one.

What Is A Hydroponic System?

Hydroponics can be broken down into “hydro” and “ponics.” The word hydro means related to water, and ponic means labor. These water-based growing systems help you grow many plants, fruits, and veggies in a water-based setup without soil.

Although the ones we see in the market are modern pieces of technology that work on their own with minimal maintenance, the origin of water farming can be dated back centuries.

The biggest example is the Hanging Garden of Babylon which is a great example of gardening without soil. In many other countries of the world, water farming was employed to save the land and harvest faster.

This, over time, took the shape of a more refined indoor garden setup that we now know as a hydroponic system.

The ebb and flow system is a popular type of hydroponic system. This hydroponics system uses nutrient-rich water that pumps in and out of a reservoir to support the plants.

An ebb and flow hydro system is a little more complicated to use than basic hydroponic systems, but can be very rewarding for intermediate-level hydroponics growers.

With a little practice, anyone can successfully run an abb and flow hydroponics system.

What Are the Primary Elements of a Water-based Gardening System?
The hydroponic systems vary in their setup and their mechanism. Nonetheless, some components are the same in all hydroponic systems.

Water:

Water is one of the most important elements of a hydroponic system, especially since the entire system is based on water farming.

The water provided needs to be changed regularly and has a balanced pH of around 6-6.6, essential for effective plant growth. The water also is essential for circulating the nutrient solution to the plant.

Oxygen:

The water circulated inside the hydroponic system is enriched with oxygen. This is necessary to help grow the plant well. Without oxygen, the plants may drown in water alone, thus making oxygen a necessary element of the hydroponic system.

Root bases:

These systems also have root bases that help place the plant roots secure themselves underwater without letting the entire plant drown. It can be peat moss, perlite, rock wool, or many other types.

Nutrients:

The reason why people opt for a hydroponic system is because of the nutritional value of veggies and fruits.

The produce is nutritious because the system is provided with nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and other fertilizers from a nutrient solution.

This nutrient solution is added to the water, which is then absorbed by the plants. Hydroponic systems need these nutrient solutions because they are lacking access to the nutrients typically found in soil. Thus, the nutrient solution is specially formulated to help the plants thrive in water.

Light:

Light is a must to ensure photosynthesis takes place. These plants grow faster because of balanced LED lights present all year round.

These lights are great to speed up the growth of the plant. That’s why the perfect setup comes with energy-efficient LED lights.

Why Are They Popular?

There are many reasons why hydroponic systems are gaining popularity. We listed them down to help you understand why these are a great buy for everyone.

Conserve space:

One of the biggest dilemmas today is the immediate utilization of agricultural land for housing.

That is why hydroponic systems that help save space are more in the spotlight. The hydroponic systems are great for growing plants while conserving space since the setup can easily be placed over a countertop or any small space.

Save water:

The water crisis is another one that we have fallen prey to. A hydroponic system is a great way to conserve our water resources and make them last.

The hydroponic systems use around ten times less water than their oil-based counterparts. This can help save and recycle water.

Pest free:

With soil-based farming, the chances of getting infestations are quite large. Nonetheless, with a water-based system, rarely would you have to worry about pests or insects.

Nutritious produce:

The product of these water-based systems is far higher in nutritional value than a soil-grown one. This is because of loads of nutrients and oxygen provided are in a controlled setup. This helps grow fruits and veggies that are extremely healthy in a fraction of the time.

Efficient growth:

The time it takes for seeds to sprout decreases in a hydroponics system. These hydroponic systems are great since they will let you see results in weeks all year round.

Abundant yield:

Along with the quality, the quantity of the product is better too. This is highly beneficial for businesses since the bulk quantity will increase their profit margins in no time.

How To Buy the Best One:

While buying a hydroponic system, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Needs:

It would help if you always kept your needs in mind. Thinking about what you want to grow can help you choose the perfect hydroponic system.

Size:

Although these are space-saving, some systems are larger than others. That is why it’s advised to measure the space you have before buying one. If you plan on shopping for these online, you can check the measurements in the description.

Experience:

You also have to keep in mind your level of expertise. If you are a newbie to gardening, then automatic systems are better, but if you want to get more involved, then a manual hydroponic system or ebb and flow system works great too.

Budget:

These systems can be quite expensive. Ensure that the one you plan on buying is within your budget.

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.

Hydroponic Growing Tips:

While hydroponics is pretty easy to get into, it’s always helpful to go in with a little bit of knowledge. This video from Plant4Table shares 7 great tips that will help beginners have a successful harvest.

Q&A:

Q: Are hydroponic systems better?
A: Certainly! These systems save space water and are mess-free.

Q: What are the types of hydroponic systems?
A: Major types include a wick-based hydroponic growing kit, deep water cultures, NFT, ebb and flow technology, and aeroponics systems.

Q: Is hydroponics a great business plan?
A: Yes! many businesses have seen great success and huge profit margins on hydroponic growing system-based businesses.

Conclusion:

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.

Thanks for taking the time to read our 5 Best Hydroponic Growing Systems Review Guide For 2022-2023.