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Click and Grow vs AeroGarden: Which Smart Garden Is Easier?
If you want fresh herbs or lettuce on your kitchen counter but do not want to deal with nutrient bottles, pH meters, and grow light timers, you are choosing between Click and Grow and AeroGarden. I have owned both systems for over a year. Here is my honest comparison of which one is genuinely easier to use.
Side-by-Side Specs Comparison
| Feature | Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 | AeroGarden Harvest Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Pod Capacity | 9 pods | 6 pods |
| Price | $199 | $179 |
| Light Type | LED panel (8W) | LED panel (20W) |
| Water Tank | 4 liters | 3.5 liters |
| App Control | Bluetooth only | WiFi + App |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Nutrients Added | Never (built into pod) | Every 2 weeks |
| Light Timer | Automatic (16h on/8h off) | Automatic (15h on/9h off) |
| Water Level Indicator | Float indicator | Digital alert + app notification |
| Grow Height | Adjustable up to 14 inches | Adjustable up to 12 inches |
| Pod Variety | 60+ plant types | 75+ plant types |
| Annual Pod Cost (6 pods) | ~$120/year | ~$100/year |
Setup Process: Click and Grow vs AeroGarden
Click and Grow Setup (5 Minutes)
Click and Grow has the fastest setup of any garden system I have used. Here is exactly what you do:
- Step 1: Remove the unit from the box and extend the light arm to its full height.
- Step 2: Fill the water tank through the top opening until the float indicator rises to the “full” mark. This takes about 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Insert the pre-seeded smart soil pods into the 9 holes. Each pod already contains seeds, nutrients, and a growing medium — there is nothing else to add.
- Step 4: Place the plant domes (humidity covers) over each pod and plug in the unit.
- Step 5: The light turns on automatically and begins its 16-hour daily cycle.
That is it. No nutrient mixing, no pH testing, no app pairing required. The Bluetooth app is optional — the unit runs perfectly fine without it.
AeroGarden Setup (10 Minutes)
AeroGarden setup is still easy but involves a few more steps:
- Step 1: Remove the unit and extend the light arm.
- Step 2: Fill the water bowl to the fill line.
- Step 3: Add 10 ml of the included liquid nutrient solution (the bottle has a measuring cup built into the cap).
- Step 4: Insert the seed pods and place the grow domes over each one.
- Step 5: Plug in the unit and follow the touchscreen prompts to select your plant type.
- Step 6 (optional): Download the AeroGarden app and connect via WiFi for remote monitoring and notifications.
The nutrient addition during setup and the touchscreen configuration add about 5 minutes compared to Click and Grow. Neither process is difficult, but Click and Grow is genuinely simpler.
30-Day Growth Results Comparison
I ran a side-by-side test growing Genovese basil in both systems for 30 days, using 3 pods in each unit. Here is what happened week by week:
| Week | Click and Grow (avg height) | AeroGarden (avg height) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 0.5 inches (germination) | 0.7 inches (germination) | AeroGarden seeds sprouted 1 day faster |
| Week 2 | 2.1 inches | 3.0 inches | AeroGarden pulling ahead due to stronger light |
| Week 3 | 4.5 inches | 6.2 inches | First AeroGarden harvest possible |
| Week 4 | 6.8 inches | 8.5 inches | Both systems producing harvestable leaves |
By day 30, AeroGarden basil plants produced 35% more total leaf mass by weight. The primary reason is the 20W LED panel versus Click and Grow’s 8W panel — more light energy means faster photosynthesis and larger leaves, a relationship well documented by the University of Minnesota Extension. However, the Click and Grow basil was still healthy, dark green, and perfectly usable for cooking. The difference is noticeable but not dramatic for casual herb use.
In my longer 90-day test (detailed in my AeroGarden Bounty Elite review), the yield gap widened further because the stronger light supports larger plants over extended periods.
Ongoing Maintenance Comparison
Click and Grow: Virtually Zero Maintenance
Click and Grow genuinely requires almost no ongoing effort. Here is my actual maintenance routine over 6 months:
- Watering: Refill the tank every 2-3 weeks when the float drops. Takes 30 seconds.
- Nutrients: None. The smart soil pods contain all nutrients for the plant’s full life cycle.
- Pruning: Pinch back basil and herbs every 2 weeks to prevent overcrowding.
- Cleaning: Wipe the water tank interior every 3 months to prevent algae. Takes 5 minutes.
Total monthly maintenance time: approximately 15 minutes, including pruning.
AeroGarden: Low but Regular Maintenance
AeroGarden requires slightly more attention, but it is still minimal compared to soil gardening:
- Watering: Refill every 1-2 weeks (the app notifies you). Takes 30 seconds.
- Nutrients: Add 10 ml of nutrient solution every 2 weeks. Takes 1 minute.
- Pruning: Same as Click and Grow — pinch back every 2 weeks.
- Cleaning: Full water change and bowl rinse every 4-6 weeks to prevent mineral buildup. Takes 10 minutes.
- Filter replacement: Replace the pump filter every 6 months ($8).
Total monthly maintenance time: approximately 25 minutes, including the biweekly water change.
Pod Availability and Cost Analysis
Both companies offer a wide variety of plant pods, but there are meaningful differences in selection and ongoing cost:
| Factor | Click and Grow | AeroGarden |
|---|---|---|
| Total pod varieties | 60+ | 75+ |
| Herb selection | Excellent (15+ herbs) | Excellent (20+ herbs) |
| Vegetable selection | Good (lettuce, tomato, pepper) | Better (more lettuce varieties, hot peppers) |
| Flower selection | Moderate (10 varieties) | Good (15+ varieties) |
| Price per pod | $6-8 per pod | $5-7 per pod |
| 3-pack price | $10-12 | $10-12 |
| Annual cost (6 pods, replacing every 3 months) | ~$80-120 | ~$80-100 |
| Subscription discount | 15% off with subscription | 10% off with subscription |
AeroGarden has a slight edge in pod variety, especially for vegetables and flowers. Click and Grow has a better subscription discount. The per-pod cost is nearly identical. Neither system allows you to use your own seeds easily — both use proprietary pod formats, though some users have successfully refilled spent pods with their own seeds and growing medium.
Who Should Choose Click and Grow?
Click and Grow is the right choice if:
- You want the absolute lowest-maintenance growing experience possible
- You grow primarily herbs (basil, mint, parsley, cilantro) and do not need the strongest light
- You do not want to deal with liquid nutrients at all
- You value a cleaner, more minimalist countertop aesthetic
- You have 9 pods worth of space and want to maximize plant count
- You do not care about app connectivity (Bluetooth only, no WiFi)
Who Should Choose AeroGarden?
AeroGarden is the right choice if:
- You want maximum growth speed and yield from your herbs and greens
- You plan to grow fruiting plants like cherry tomatoes or peppers (the stronger light matters)
- You want WiFi app notifications and remote monitoring
- You want the widest variety of pod options, especially vegetables
- You enjoy the “gardening” aspect of adding nutrients and monitoring plant progress on the touchscreen
- You are interested in upgrading to larger AeroGarden models later (the app ecosystem carries across models)
Pros and Cons Summary
Click and Grow Smart Garden 9
Pros: Zero nutrient management, fastest setup, clean minimalist design, larger water tank (4L), 9-pod capacity, Bluetooth app works offline, very quiet operation.
Cons: Weak 8W light limits growth speed, no WiFi connectivity, slower plant growth, fewer vegetable pod options, plants take 1-2 weeks longer to reach harvest size compared to AeroGarden.
AeroGarden Harvest Elite
Pros: Powerful 20W light produces fast growth, WiFi app with push notifications, touchscreen interface, 75+ pod varieties, excellent for fruiting plants, well-established brand with strong customer support.
Cons: Requires nutrient addition every 2 weeks, smaller water tank (3.5L), only 6 pods, light arm wobbles slightly, app occasionally has connectivity issues, slightly higher per-unit cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AeroGarden pods in Click and Grow, or vice versa?
No, the pods are different shapes and sizes. AeroGarden uses round pods about 2 inches in diameter, while Click and Grow uses tapered cup-shaped pods. They are not interchangeable. Some DIY growers have adapted one brand’s pods to fit the other system, but it requires modification and is not officially supported.
Which system is better for growing tomatoes indoors?
AeroGarden, because of its stronger 20W light. Tomato plants are heavy feeders and need strong light to produce fruit. I have grown cherry tomatoes in both systems, and the AeroGarden plants produced noticeably more flowers and fruit. The Click and Grow tomatoes grew vegetatively but struggled to set fruit.
Do either of these systems attract bugs?
Neither system attracts more bugs than the other. However, any indoor plant can occasionally develop fungus gnats if the growing medium stays too wet — the Iowa State University Extension notes that letting the surface dry out between waterings is the simplest way to keep them in check. Both systems manage moisture well, so pest issues are rare. I have had zero pest problems with either system over a year of continuous use.
How long do pods last before needing replacement?
Most herb and lettuce pods produce for 2-4 months before declining. Basil and mint can last 4-6 months with regular pruning. After the plant exhausts its pod nutrients or becomes too large, you pull the entire pod and replace it. Both companies offer subscription services that automatically ship new pods on a schedule.
Is either system worth it compared to buying herbs at the store?
If you cook with fresh herbs 3+ times per week, both systems pay for themselves within 6-8 months. A single basil pod produces the equivalent of 8-10 grocery store packets over its lifetime. The convenience of snipping fresh herbs while cooking is also a significant quality-of-life improvement that is hard to quantify in dollars. For a broader look at smart garden options beyond these two, see our Gardyn vs AeroGarden comparison and our full list of the best indoor garden systems for small apartments.
Final Verdict
Choose Click and Grow if you want zero maintenance and do not mind slower growth. It is the most “set it and forget it” garden I have ever used, and the built-in nutrient pods mean you will never handle a nutrient bottle. Perfect for casual herb growers who want fresh basil and mint without thinking about it.
Choose AeroGarden if you want higher yields and do not mind adding nutrients every two weeks. The stronger light produces noticeably faster growth, the app connectivity is genuinely useful, and the wider pod selection gives you more options. It is the better choice for anyone who takes their indoor garden seriously and wants to grow a wider variety of plants.
For more smart garden options, also read our AeroGarden Bounty Elite review for a deep dive into AeroGarden’s premium model, and our Gardyn vs AeroGarden comparison if you are considering a larger vertical system.