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AeroGarden and Click and Grow are the two names most people find first when they look for a countertop herb garden. Both give you a built-in LED light and pre-seeded pods, and both promise fresh basil without a garden. But they grow plants in completely different ways, and that difference decides which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- Choose Click and Grow if you want the easiest possible setup, a quiet unit, and almost no maintenance beyond topping up water.
- Choose AeroGarden if you want faster growth and bigger harvests from herbs, and you are happy to add liquid nutrients and keep an eye on stock levels.
Important: AeroGarden’s status in 2026
AeroGarden announced it was closing in late 2024, which caused a lot of confusion. The brand has since returned under its parent company, ScottsMiracle-Gro, and its gardens and pods are sold through the Scotts store. Availability on Amazon is patchy and changes week to week, and many models are discounted. Check current stock before you decide, and factor in that pod supply has been less reliable than Click and Grow’s.
Side-by-side comparison
| AeroGarden Harvest | Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Growing method | Hydroponic (roots in water with liquid nutrients) | Smart Soil pods (nutrients built into the pod) |
| Plant pods | 6 | 9 |
| Pump | Yes, circulates water (some hum) | No pump, silent |
| Nutrients | Add liquid nutrients every couple of weeks | None needed, already in the pod |
| Growth speed | Faster | Steady, a little slower |
| Light height | Adjustable arm | Extendable arm |
| Use your own seeds | Yes, with grow-anything pods | Yes, with experimental pods |
| Availability | Patchy | Widely available |
Growing method: water vs smart soil
AeroGarden is hydroponic. Plant roots hang in a water reservoir, a small pump keeps water moving, and you add a dose of liquid nutrients on a schedule. Hydroponics usually grows herbs faster and bushier, which is the main reason people choose it.
Click and Grow uses “Smart Soil” pods. Each pod contains a growing medium with nutrients released slowly over the plant’s life, and water wicks up from the tank. There is no pump, no nutrient mixing and nothing to measure. Growth is a little slower, but there is far less that can go wrong.
Ease of use
Click and Grow wins clearly. You drop in pods, fill the tank and plug it in. The only regular job is topping up water every few weeks. AeroGarden is still simple, but you need to add nutrients, clean the reservoir between grows and deal with the occasional algae or mold on pod surfaces, which is the most common complaint from owners.
Harvest size
AeroGarden wins. Hydroponic herbs like basil and mint grow quickly and can be harvested often. Click and Grow produces a steady supply that is plenty for garnishes and a few recipes a week, but heavy cooks may find it small, especially the 3-pod model.
Noise
Click and Grow is silent because it has no pump. AeroGarden’s pump makes a gentle hum and water trickle, which most people do not notice in a kitchen but some find annoying in a bedroom or quiet studio.
Running costs
Both brands make most of their money on refill pods, so check pod prices before you buy. Both also let you grow from your own seeds using blank pods, which is the easiest way to cut costs. With AeroGarden you also need to buy liquid nutrients. Electricity is small for both, since the LEDs are low-wattage.
Which should you buy?
Buy Click and Grow if…
- you are a complete beginner or have killed plants before
- you want a silent unit for a bedroom, office or studio
- you want reliable access to pods for years
Buy AeroGarden if…
- you cook a lot and want big, fast herb harvests
- you are comfortable adding nutrients and cleaning a reservoir
- you find a model on discount and pods in stock
Worth considering: LetPot
If you like AeroGarden’s hydroponic approach but are worried about stock, LetPot has become a popular alternative, with larger tanks and app control on some models. We cover it in our guide to the best smart indoor gardens for apartments.
FAQs
Is AeroGarden still in business?
Yes. After announcing a shutdown in 2024, AeroGarden returned and is sold through ScottsMiracle-Gro. Stock on Amazon varies, so check availability of both the garden and its pods.
Can I use Click and Grow pods in an AeroGarden?
No. The pods are different shapes and built for different growing methods. Each system needs its own pods or its brand’s blank seed pods.
Which grows faster?
AeroGarden generally grows herbs faster because hydroponic roots have constant access to water, oxygen and nutrients.