Countertop Harvest
By the Countertop Harvest team · Last updated
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Full disclosure below. · How we pick products
These two get compared a lot, and for good reason: they're both easy starter gardens, but they work in completely different ways. Click & Grow is the "plug it in and forget it" soil-pod garden. LetPot is a hydroponic garden that gives you a lot more pods and app control for less money. Here's how we'd choose between them.
Click & Grow vs LetPot side by side
| Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 | LetPot LPH-Air | |
|---|---|---|
| How it grows | Pre-seeded smart-soil pods with nutrients built in, passive watering, no pump | Hydroponic: pods over a water tank, a quiet pump cycles water, you add plant food |
| Model we compared | Smart Garden 3 | LPH-Air |
| Pods | 3 | 10 |
| Light | 8W LED, auto timer | 24W full-spectrum LED, app schedule |
| Max light height | About 18.5" (470 mm) with extension arms | 14" |
| Water | Holds water for up to 3 weeks (maker's figure) | 4 L tank, app alerts when it needs a refill |
| Footprint | About 12" W × 5" D | About 15" × 5" × 5" |
| Listed price (Oct 18, 2026) | $124.95 on clickandgrow.com | $79.99 on letpot.com |
| Noise | Silent (no pump) | Pump runs on 30-minute intervals; LetPot calls it ultra-quiet |
| Ongoing cost | Its own pods (e.g. 3-pack $14.95 on the product page) | Plant food plus pods or sponges; check what's in each kit |
Specs from clickandgrow.com and letpot.com, checked October 18, 2026. Prices change often.
The big difference: soil pods vs water
Click & Grow uses pre-seeded pods of its "smart soil," which feed the plant for you. You add water, plug it in, and that's about it. The maker says setup takes 5 minutes and upkeep about 5 minutes a month, and it replaces pods that don't sprout. There's no pump, so it's silent.
LetPot is hydroponic. Roots sit over a water tank, a pump moves water around them, and you add liquid plant food. That's a little more hands-on, but plants in hydroponic gardens tend to grow fast, and you get more of them per dollar.
Pods and capacity
The Smart Garden 3 grows 3 plants. That's perfect for basil plus one or two others. The LPH-Air grows 10, which covers a full cooking set like basil, parsley, chives, mint and cilantro at the same time. If you want more plants from Click & Grow, it also makes bigger gardens like the Smart Garden 9.
Light and height
LetPot's 24W light is three times the wattage of the Smart Garden 3's 8W light, and both lift as plants grow. Both are fine for herbs. For taller crops like dwarf tomatoes, look at the LetPot SE, whose light rises to 30" (maker page).
Running costs
This is where people get surprised. With Click & Grow, you keep buying its pods, but the nutrients are already inside, and its seedless "Grow Anything" pods (Click & Grow help page) let you plant your own seeds. With LetPot, you buy plant food and pods or sponges. For more ways to save, see smart garden seed pod alternatives.
Click & Grow Smart Garden 3
3 soil pods, no pump, 5 minutes a month
Who should pick which
Pick Click & Grow if you want zero fuss, no pump noise (say, in a studio or next to a bedroom), and only need a few herbs.
Pick LetPot if you want lots of herbs going at once, app control over the light, and the lower upfront price.
Still weighing a third brand? See AeroGarden vs Click & Grow and LetPot vs AeroGarden, or our full LetPot review.
Sources
- Click & Grow: Smart Garden 3 product page and specs
- LetPot: LPH-Air product page and specs
- Click & Grow help: Grow Anything pods
Frequently asked questions
Is Click & Grow or LetPot better for beginners?
Both are beginner-friendly. Click & Grow is the lowest-effort option: pre-seeded soil pods, no pump and about 5 minutes of upkeep a month, according to the maker. LetPot gives you more pods and app control for less money but needs plant food added.
Is LetPot cheaper than Click & Grow?
Upfront, yes. On October 18, 2026, the 10-pod LetPot LPH-Air was listed at $79.99 on letpot.com and the 3-pod Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 at $124.95 on clickandgrow.com. Prices change often.
Is Click & Grow quieter than LetPot?
Yes. Click & Grow uses passive watering with no pump, so it's silent. LetPot uses a pump on 30-minute intervals, which the maker describes as ultra-quiet.
Can I use my own seeds?
Click & Grow sells seedless Grow Anything pods for your own seeds. With LetPot, check what seed kits and sponges come with your model.
How many herbs can each one grow?
The Smart Garden 3 grows 3 plants. The LetPot LPH-Air grows 10.