I’ve been an ardent gardener all my life. But it was only after my retirement that I wanted to try my hand at indoor gardening.
The concept was new for me, yet I was determined to try it out after learning all about it from my neighbor Stella. Now, my home usually doesn’t get much sunlight, so I was a bit apprehensive of the entire process.
That’s when I got to know about grow boxes - enclosed hydroponic systems that provide the perfect growing environment for plants indoors. Naturally, I didn’t waste time and began looking around for the perfect unit for my indoor garden.
Howdy! I’m Stacy Smith. And today, I’m here to help you find the best grow box for beginners. I’ve reviewed five top-notch options for you to consider. Furthermore, I’ve included a buyer’s guide and an FAQ section to help you in the selection process.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
Top 5 Grow Box For Beginners Reviews
1. Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System
The Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System is my favorite 2-in-1 convertible gardening system that can grow almost anything all-year-round. It’s easy to set up both indoors and outdoors, making it a popular option among gardeners.
Product Highlights
What makes the Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System stand out is its 2-in-1 convertibility. You can grow herbs, lettuce, and other leafy greens indoors all-year-round at home in a compact space, measuring 72” in height and 20.9” from corner-to-corner. Later, the indoor kit can be removed to grow up to 27 plants outdoors.
It’s a versatile system that comes with 6 x 23 W professional-grade tri-band LED grow lights and airflow management in a honeycomb-shaped grow tent. This allows you to grow the perfect crop from spring through autumn and then at home during the cold winter months. Moreover, the plants won’t require direct sunlight, thanks to the Oxford D600 tent that comes with reflective white interior panels.
Coming to its quality, Aerospring is manufactured in Singapore using the highest quality components while adhering to strict quality assurance and environmental standards. So, you can rest assured of its longevity.
What’s There To Like About It?
I was able to set up the Aerospring 2-in-1 Hydroponic System within no time as it came with a detailed instruction guide that made the process simple. In fact, all the parts were delivered in a box, and I didn’t have to buy anything separately.
Furthermore, it features a lightweight aluminum powder-coated wheelbase and frame. This made it easy for me to move the setup outdoors during the warmer months.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I have been using Aerospring for quite some time, and till now, I don’t really have any significant complaints. But I find it important to highlight the fact that even though it’s versatile and can grow anything all-year-round, you can’t grow root vegetables and trees in it. Now, this isn’t a major drawback, yet it’s worth mentioning.
Pros and Cons of Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System
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Cons
- 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.
2. Grandma’s Secret Garden Grow Box
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Next, I’ll be introducing you to this 4-plant hydroponic grow box from Dealzer, a brand with ten years of experience in the field. Grandma’s Secret Garden is the perfect option for beginners; it comes with everything needed to grow plants.
Product Highlights
The Dealzer Grandma’s Secret Garden Grow Box, measuring 36” in height, 24” in width, and 16.5” in depth, can fit into any space, be it your office, kitchen, or bedroom. People might assume it to be a storage cabinet at a glance.
But it’s a complete plant reservoir equipped with all that’s needed to effortlessly grow plants, except for the seeds. It uses full-spectrum, quantum board LED top lighting and built-in durable odor control fans to create the ideal environment for the seeds to mature.
What’s more, the unit is designed and manufactured by Dealzer, a brand that has a selection of over 2,000 grow boxes and hydroponic systems. It also offers a lifetime warranty on everything except the lights, which come with a 1-year warranty. So, you need not worry about durability; it’s a reliable option that’s worth the investment.
What’s There To Like About It?
This grow box made it easy for me to grow plants from seeds indoors. Once I set it up in my bedroom, the plant reservoir did the rest. All I had to do was change the water and nutrients once a week.
But what impressed me the most is its durable construction. Grandma’s Secret Garden is handmade in the USA using hand-painted, specially treated premium-quality wood. Plus, it features a sleek design, making it smooth to touch.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only downside to this grow box is that it can only grow four full-size plants at a time. Also, avoid growing very large plants as it’s not customizable, which, in turn, may disrupt the overall growth. Nonetheless, it’s a beautifully handcrafted piece of art that allows you to harvest all-year long in stealthy conditions.
Pros and Cons of Grandma’s Secret Garden Grow Box
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3. Grobo Premium Automated Grow Box
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Now I’ll be reviewing the incredibly smart Grobo Premium, a fully-automated grow box designed and made in North America. It utilizes the latest technology and data to optimize the growth of plants.
Product Highlights
Measuring 4 feet tall, 14 inches in depth, and 14 inches in width, Grobo Premium is perfectly sized to grow plants while flawlessly fitting into any space in your home. In fact, its sleek and modern design will make it stand out in your living room or kitchen.
What’s more, it’s fully-automated, which makes it easy to use. All you have to do is plug it in and select your favorite “grow recipe” from the 100+ recipes custom built for each plant from the Grobo app. Once you’ve made your pick, plant your seed, and watch it grow.
Each recipe features a customizable growing schedule to optimize lights settings and adjust EC and pH levels. And you need not even worry about any smell. The stealth grow box comes with a steel security lock and an odor reducing carbon filter to eliminate the smell.
What’s There To Like About It?
I loved all the “grow recipes” of peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and other herbs included in the Grobo app. They helped me provide my plants with exactly what they needed at the right time.
You’ll also be pleased to know that the Grobo Premium comes with a complete grow kit containing sensors, a cocoa pod, a carbon filter, and all the nutrients needed to grow plants. And in case any additional nutrient is required, it can be purchased easily at affordable rates from Grobo’s online store.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
There’s no doubt that this smart grow box is an incredible option for beginners, but it doesn’t come without flaws. I noticed that it’s quite loud compared to some of the other units out there. Apart from that, the Grobo app disconnects from the internet quite often, disrupting the user experience.
Pros and Cons of Grobo Premium Automated Grow Box
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4. Growzilla Hydroponics Grow Box
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Moving on, the Growzilla Hydroponic Grow Box is another impressive option that comes with everything needed to grow plants from seeds. It’s perfect for beginners looking to grow 3-4 pounds of dried plant matter per cycle.
Product Highlights
This single chamber, vertical grow box from Growzilla measures 68 inches in height, 24 inches in width, and 16.5 inches in depth. As such, it’s perfectly sized to grow up to four very tall plants, while it fits into any compact space in your living room, bedroom, or kitchen.
What’s more, the stealthy unit looks like a storage cabinet, so guests won’t even know that you’re harvesting herbs and vegetables at home. Moreover, it comes with built-in durable odor control fans, which will keep your living space free from unwanted odor.
You need not even bother about its performance in the long-run as the box features a sturdy wooden construction. It’s smooth to touch and hand-painted by artisans here in the USA, which, in turn, makes it look sleek and modern.
What’s There To Like About It?
The best part of this hydroponics system is that it comes with a complete kit containing all the nutrients and sensors needed to effortlessly grow up to four tall plants. I even managed to purchase a carbon filter and other optional upgrades from Growzilla’s website at relatively affordable prices.
Furthermore, it uses Mars full-spectrum, quantum board LED top lighting to create the ideal environment for seeds to germinate. My plants grew from seeds perfectly, and the final results were above my expectations.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I have no complaints related to the design and working of this hydroponic system from Growzilla. The only issue I had with it was related to portability. It weighs around 200 pounds, making it challenging to move around from one place to another. I wished it came with a sturdy wheelbase to make things easier.
Pros and Cons of Growzilla Hydroponics Grow Box
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5. Dealzer 6-Clone LED Grow Box
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I couldn’t have concluded this list without talking about the 6-clone LED hydroponics system from Dealzer. This is a hand-manufactured grow box that can be used to both clone and grow plants.
Product Highlights
The Dealzer Hydroponics Grow Box, measuring 27.75 inches in height, 15.75 inches in width, and 11 inches in depth, is perfect for growing 2 to 4 feet tall plants. That’s not all; it can be used to clone up to 6 plants.
For this, the unit utilizes LED grow lights to compensate for the absence of sunlight. You need not even bother about odor as it comes with odor-controlling elements that prevent your living space from smelling.
So, you can keep the box anywhere at home, be it your bedroom or living room, without any worry. What’s more, Dealzer offers unlimited tech support via email or call. All you have to do is reach out to them, and your issues will be resolved within no time.
What’s There To Like About It?
The most impressive feature of this grow box is its ability to clone plants. I managed to grow three healthy, tall plants and then clone them without even doing anything much. It waters them automatically; all I had to do is change the water when needed.
Even its setup didn’t require much effort as it came fully assembled in a box. I simply placed it in my bedroom, plugged it in, and it was good-to-go.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The Dealzer Hydroponics System is an excellent option for growing and cloning plants. However, I felt that the brand could have added more LED lights to help the plants grow. The single quasar light didn’t provide adequate lighting to flower every plant.
Pros and Cons of Dealzer 6-Clone LED Grow Box
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Buyers Guide
That brings me to the end of my top 5 grow box reviews. And now it’s time for you to make a choice. But before you decide on a particular unit, I’d suggest spending a few more minutes of your time going through my buyer’s guide.
Here I’ll be highlighting the crucial factors that beginners should consider while buying a hydroponic system to grow plants. These points will make your selection process simpler and help you make an informed purchase. Read on to know more.
1. Size
Grow boxes come in different sizes, so before making a purchase, make sure you consider the dimensions. Now, a small box will fit into any compact corner of your home, be it in your bedroom, living room, or kitchen.
But it will not be able to grow tall plants; even the number of plants you grow will be limited. So, it’s better to invest in a larger grow box, especially if you plan on expanding your hydroponic garden in the future.
2. Stealth-Factor
If you wish to be discreet with your hydroponic system, opt for a smaller or darker box that looks like a storage cabinet externally. These features will help it blend in with your room decor and furniture. Also, look for a unit that comes with a sturdy lock so that you can keep it locked, especially when you have guests over or little children playing around.
3. Grow Lights
All grow boxes come with lights to support plant growth indoors. These lights are ideally LED, CFL, and T5. You need to consider the type of light before deciding on a hydroponic system. And whichever unit you choose, make sure the lights come with a longer spectrum for maximum results in the growth phase.
CFL lights are usually cheap and can fit smaller spaces, but they are not effective in growing many plants, especially fruiting plants. Plus, they contain mercury. On the contrary, LED lights are more expensive, but they come with a longer spectrum to produce higher yields. They also last longer and are energy-efficient.
Finally, T5 grow lights are relatively inexpensive, but they consume a ton of power. However, these lights are best for growing seedlings and vegetables like lettuce.
4. Construction
Ensure that the grow box you buy is of a durable construction. It should be made with premium-quality wood that’s long-lasting and sturdy. Also, it’s better to choose a unit that meets quality certifications so that you can rest assured of its long-term use. In fact, many brands offer a lifetime warranty on the parts of hydroponic systems, making them reliable investment options.
5. Odor-Controlling Features
Odor is a common problem when it comes to growing plants in a grow box. That’s why it’s important to look for units that come with odor-controlling features to keep your living space free from any kind of smell. You may also consider a hydroponic system that comes with built-in odor control fans to provide proper ventilation within the unit.
6. Price
Price is one of the most crucial factors that need attention when it comes to purchasing any product. Now, grow boxes are available at varying prices based on their sizes, designs, and the features they offer. You have to decide on a unit that not only meets all your requirements but comes within your budget.
That being said, if you’re a beginner, it’s best to go for a box that’s affordable, easy to use, and small. You can then invest in a more advanced and expensive option once you’re accustomed to all the functions of a hydroponic system.
7. Set-Up
The grow box you buy should come pre-assembled so that you don’t have to spend a ton of time and effort in putting the pieces together. Even if it doesn’t, it should come with all the parts and a detailed instruction manual to simplify the overall process.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, I’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions related to grow boxes for beginners. So, let’s get started.
Grow boxes are perfect indoor plant reservoirs that make it easy to grow vegetables and flowers within a compact space. They are relatively simple to put together and small enough to move around from one location to another.
What’s more, they feature LED grow lights and other components to grow plants in your bedroom or living room. To sum up, yes, grow boxes definitely work.
Grow boxes do smell as they grow plants within an enclosed space. That’s why they come with odor-eliminating features like security locks. Carbon filters are also used to keep the living space odor-free at all times.
Both the Grobo Premium and Grobo Solid are optimized to grow one plant at a time. You can expect to harvest around 1 to 3 oz of produce from the plant each growth cycle. However, it will increase over time as you get comfortable with the hydroponic system.
You can use a carbon filter or smoke absorbing gel to eliminate the smell from your grow box and surrounding space. These are some of the most effective methods to control odor.
Also, make sure you control the temperature and humidity of the space by installing fans. These days grow boxes come with built-in odor control fans to ensure proper ventilation.
My Final Recommendation
There you go; that was my guide to the best grow box for beginners. Now all that’s left for me to do is take your leave.
But before concluding, I’d like to highlight my favorites to further accelerate your decision-making. The Aerospring Indoor Hydroponic System is the most versatile grow box as it can grow almost everything both indoors and outdoors.
However, if you’re looking for a durable option, nothing beats the No products found.. On that note, it’s time for me to sign off. But I’ll be back again with more exciting product reviews.
Till then, feel free to reach out to me for any of your queries related to gardening. I look forward to hearing from you!