Countertop HarvestBy the Countertop Harvest team · Last updated
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The core difference: water vs "smart soil"
AeroGarden is hydroponic. Plants grow from pods (a plastic basket plus a grow sponge) sitting above a nutrient-water reservoir, and you add liquid plant food on a schedule. A full-spectrum LED replaces the sun. AeroGarden says its pods use one universal basket size that fits every model, and it sells empty "Grow Anything" kits for your own seeds.
Click & Grow uses pre-seeded, biodegradable pods filled with its patented "smart soil". The soil releases the nutrients, so there's no plant food to measure, and watering is passive, with no pump. Click & Grow describes it as "5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes a month to maintain," and it replaces pods that don't sprout.
Side-by-side comparison
| AeroGarden | Click & Grow | |
|---|---|---|
| Growing method | Hydroponic (water + liquid plant food) | Pre-seeded smart-soil pods, passive watering |
| Current lineup | Sprout (3 pods), Harvest family (6), Bounty family (9), Farm 12XL (12) and Farm 24 models | Smart Garden 3, Smart Garden 9, Smart Garden 9 PRO, Click & Grow 25 |
| Max plant height | Sprout 6", Harvest 12", Bounty 24", Farm adjustable | Lamp raises on extension arms (Smart Garden 3: 8" to 1'7" overall height) |
| Pod cost model | Buy pre-seeded kits, or cheaper empty pods for your own seeds. Plant food is an extra ongoing cost. | Proprietary pods with nutrients built in. Buy packs as needed, or subscribe (e.g. Smart Garden 9 + pods every 2, 3 or 4 months). |
| Lights | Full-spectrum LED. Bounty Elite: 50W, dimmable, sunrise/sunset | LED on a built-in 16h on / 8h off timer. Smart Garden 3: 8W (about 3.8 kWh/month) |
| Pump / noise | Has a water pump | No pump; silent |
| App | Wi-Fi app for Bounty and Farm models: remote light schedule, water-level checks, plant-food reminders, garden log, Alexa | Care tips and harvest timing for all gardens; only the 9 PRO adds Bluetooth lamp control and light scheduling |
| Vacation help | Vacation Mode on Harvest Elite, Bounty and Farm (shorter light cycle uses about half the water) | Smart Garden 3 tank lasts up to about 3 weeks |
| Smallest footprint | Sprout (3 pods) or the Harvest's slim 6-pod body | Smart Garden 3: about 11.8" × 4.7" (30 × 12 cm) |
Capacity and footprint
For a tight counter, the Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 is the slimmest option here, at about 12" wide and 5" deep. AeroGarden's Sprout (3 pods) and Harvest (6 pods) are its compact countertop models. Plan for more height and space with a Bounty: the Bounty Elite measures about 17.3" W × 11.3" D, and its light arm rises to 34" tall. The Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 is long and narrow (about 23.6" × 7.5"), so it suits a deep windowsill or the back of a counter.
Ongoing costs
Both brands make money on pods, so look past the price of the garden itself. With Click & Grow, you keep buying its pods, but nutrients are already in them. AeroGarden kits need liquid plant food, but you can also buy empty pods and use cheap seed packets, which tends to be the lowest-cost way to keep a garden going. Check current pod-pack prices on each retailer page before you decide.
Who should pick which
Pick Click & Grow if…
- You want herbs with almost no upkeep and no nutrient dosing
- You live in a studio or bedroom-adjacent kitchen and want silence (no pump)
- Counter depth is tight; the Smart Garden 3 is about 5" deep
- You like a pod subscription that arrives on its own
Pick AeroGarden if…
- You want to grow tomatoes or peppers (Bounty: up to 24" of grow height)
- You want to plant your own seeds in empty pods
- You want Wi-Fi app control, light dimming or Vacation Mode
- You want more plants per unit (6 to 12+ pods)
Bottom line
For a typical small kitchen growing basil, parsley and mint, both work. Choose Click & Grow for simplicity and silence, or AeroGarden for capacity, speed and control. Still deciding between other brands? See our best smart gardens for small kitchens guide, or our smart garden vs windowsill comparison if you're not sure you need one at all.
Weighing two hydroponic brands instead? See LetPot vs AeroGarden.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between AeroGarden and Click & Grow?
AeroGarden is hydroponic: pods sit above a nutrient-water reservoir and you add liquid plant food. Click & Grow uses pre-seeded pods of "smart soil" that release nutrients, with passive watering and no pump.
Which is quieter?
Click & Grow has no pump and is silent. AeroGarden has a water pump.
Can I use my own seeds?
AeroGarden sells empty "Grow Anything" kits for your own seeds. Click & Grow uses its own pre-seeded pods.
Which is better for tomatoes and peppers?
AeroGarden. Its Bounty models offer up to 24 inches of grow height.
Which is smallest for a tight counter?
The Click & Grow Smart Garden 3, at about 11.8" × 4.7" (30 × 12 cm).