The Best Budget Hydroponics System For 2022
The hydroponics system continues to gain popularity as more and more people embrace the science of growing plants in other mediums aside from soil, water and nutrients. This system involves growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution. The plants are fed automatically in a way that mimics how they get their nutrients from the soil.
The fundamental principle behind hydroponics is to provide the essential nutrients for plant growth. They need to get this in a controlled and sterile environment such as water, perlite, Rockwool, aeration stones, or coconut husk. The hydroponics system makes plants grow faster and healthier by providing the nutrients directly to the roots.
Some hydroponics systems make it possible for the seedlings to absorb more oxygen, nutrients, and water, especially when compared with conventional growing methods.
The main purpose of this review post is to help you make a well-informed decision on what type of budget hydroponics system you should buy. The following are the best value for money hydroponic systems that you can consider purchasing.
Top Hydroponics System Ratings
Best Overall: Vivosun Indoor Herb Garden Hydroponic Growing System
- Affordability: 4/5
- Beginner-friendly: 5/5
- Ease of Maintenance: 5/5
- Energy Consumption: 4/5
- Performance: 5/5
Another great hydroponics system that allows you to get rid of the cumbersome soil for growing plants is the Vivosun Indoor Herb Garden. The system comes with 6 pods where you can place all your seeds or seedlings, allowing them to grow within the water tank. The system comes fully equipped with an adjustable irrigation system, pump, and fan for proper plant care.
The water tank is transparent, which helps you monitor how much water is left so that you can replenish it as needed without any issues. The control panel also comes with a timer so you can set it to water your plants. The LED lights are strong enough to support plant growth even in dark areas.
As if that’s not enough, Vivosun Indoor Herb Garden comes with a timer system that allows you to set it up to 4 times a day depending on the type of plant you want. Just make sure that you know the best plants for hydroponics before you get this system, as not all plants require the same amount of water, light, and nutrients.
Key Features
- The fully adjustable irrigation system gives your plants just enough water when needed
- The fan and pump on the water tank helps regulate humidity levels and ensures that there’s proper air circulation throughout
- The compact design allows you to place it in your kitchen or any other area of your choice
- It comes with 6 pods where you can grow different kinds of seeds or seedlings effectively. You can even add some strawberries.
- The fully adjustable irrigation system ensures that each seed or sprout gets the right amount of water they need throughout their growth process
- Features visible water level so you can monitor it properly without opening the water tank
- It has a timer system that allows you to set up 4 times watering per day
Pros
- It gives your herb garden enough room to grow even in a small area. Just make sure that it has at least 6 hours of light exposure
- Provides the right amount of water for different types of seeds so you can maximize their use
- The hydroponic system makes it very easy to maintain and take care of plants. No need to worry about soil getting dry or picky plants not liking their growing conditions.
Cons
- You might need a bigger tank if you want to grow large plants like tomatoes
- The water pump and fan might not be very effective depending on where you place the system
- Not as suitable for growing large plants. Otherwise, the system tends to malfunction.
What we loved about the Vivosun Indoor Herb Garden is how easy it is to set up and maintain. This is especially important if you’re just a beginner because it comes with a fully adjustable irrigation system that gives your plants just the right amount of water they need. Place it in a sunny area, and this hydroponic garden is ready to grow for you.
For more information on the Vivosun Indoor Herb Garden, read our in-depth review here
Best Beginner Friendly: iDOO Indoor Herb Garden
- Affordability: 4/5
- Beginner-friendly: 5/5
- Ease of Maintenance: 4/5
- Energy Consumption: 5/5
- Performance: 5/5
Topping our list of the best indoor hydroponics systems is this one from iDOO. If you’re looking to grow some herbs for your kitchen, then you’re going to love iDOO Indoor Herb Garden. The system comes with 6 grow pods where you can place your herb seeds. There’s a control panel on the side that lets you play around with some of the settings.
You can set the timer, adjust the humidity, and choose from their 4 different modes depending on the type of plant you want to grow. For instance, you can choose to select the white light for your seeds to germinate; then, you can switch it to grow mode, which is yellow in color.
The high performance of this system allows up to 24 watts of powerful grow light to help your herbs grow faster. The water tank helps regulate humidity, and the pump provides an automatic feeding system to prevent dryness.
Key Features
- The water pump circulation system ensures that there’s an automatic feeding system
- 24 watts of power grow light to ensure proper plant growth
- The Control panel lets you set the timer and adjust the humidity settings
- A fan on the light panel that promotes air circulation
- An adjustable watering system that allows you to control the amount of water each pod receives
- It comes with 6 pods where you can place your herb seeds
Pros
- This is a great starter kit for those who want to grow their own herbs indoors
- The LED lights are strong enough to support plant growth even in the dark
- Ensures that plants grow seamlessly without any issues
- Prevents plants from getting dry by regulating the water tank
Cons
- The water pump and fan might not be very effective depending on where you place the system
- Some plants, such as tomatoes, might have a slower growth rate with this system than others.
- Not suitable for growing large plants
What we liked about the iDOO Indoor Herb Garden is how easy it is to set up. Assembly takes only a few minutes, and all that you need are just some of those seeds for your herb garden, and you can get them from your local grocery store. It also comes with a good control panel where you can adjust the timer and humidity levels depending on what type of plant you’re growing.
For more information on the iDOO Indoor Herb Garden, read our in-depth review here
Best Value: Rompico Hydroponics Growing System
- Affordability: 5/5
- Beginner-friendly: 4/5
- Ease of Maintenance: 3/5
- Energy Consumption: 4/5
- Performance: 5/5
Rompico allows you to grow your best plants for hydroponics even if you don’t have ample space in the house. It’s a perfect indoor hydroponics system that features 3 walls of drip emitters to ensure the proper distribution of nutrients and water to your plants.
The all-season planting system ensures you don’t run out of your favorite veggies and herbs no matter the seasons. You can have an endless supply of produce all year round without any effects from bad weather.
This system comes with a timer that you can set up to 4 times a day to ensure perfect plant growth. It’s made with red, blue, and green lights, so your plants receive the right amount of exposure for healthy growth. It also features an auto-watering system that keeps your plants wet all the time.
The wall panels include an adhesive backing and offer you the convenience of growing even if you don’t have enough space at home. You can place them on any clean surface, including windows, walls, etc.
Key Features
- It has 3 walls of drip emitters to ensure nutrient distribution for your plants in all seasons
- You can adjust the time settings according to your needs and preferences
- It has an automated water system and features a timer that you can set up to 4 times a day for maximum convenience
- The carbon filter reduces odor from the room, so your home stays fresh despite growing plants all the time.
- Features red, blue, and green lights to ensure healthy plant growth
- You can grow different types of plants at once, and it’s a perfect choice if you want to introduce hydroponics in your garden.
Pros
- It has an automated water system for easy gardening
- The three walls of drip emitters ensure healthy plant growth all year round
- You can grow different types of plants at once, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for an indoor hydroponics garden to place at home or office.
- It’s ideal for limited spaces like apartments, small rooms, etc.
- The LED lights make it easy to monitor plant growth so you can adjust the system according to your needs.
- It comes with a carbon filter that reduces odor from the room and keeps it fresh despite having a hydroponics garden.
Cons
- The water level tends to go on lower than sometimes expected, which might also affect plant growth.
- It’s not ideal for growing large plants
- It can be difficult to maintain, especially if you’re new to using hydroponics.
Rompico Hydroponics Growing System is the perfect choice if you want a hassle-free way of enjoying fresh vegetables all year round. The indoor hydroponics garden is a great way to introduce hydroponics in your garden or grow different types of plants at once without using soil. Get yours today and say goodbye to grocery stores.
For more information on the Rompico Hydroponics Growing System, read our in-depth review here
Best Eco-Friendly: Vegebox Hydroponics Growing System
- Affordability: 5/5
- Beginner-friendly: 5/5
- Ease of Maintenance: 4/5
- Energy Consumption: 5/5
- Performance: 4/5
Vegebox is a popular name as far as hydroponics is concerned. Their Hydroponics Growing System is one of the best in the market, thanks to their constant product improvements.
The Vegebox Hydroponics Growing System is a perfect choice for those who want to grow their food or plant garden, even if they don’t have an open area in the house. It features a hydroponic bucket that allows you to grow your plants vertically and maximize your available space at home. This makes the system great for balconies, small spaces, and more.
The system comes with some of the best features for hydroponics planting, including a smart LED control system, 2 digital timers, and more. The high-quality pumps ensure that your plants receive a proper distribution of nutrients, water, and air so you can grow the healthiest vegetables or fruits ever.
Key Features
- You can grow healthy fresh food year-round inside your home even if you don’t have a garden area
- It’s a complete hydroponic system that ensures the proper distribution of nutrients, water, and air to your plants so they can grow faster
- Features smart LED control system with timers for easy management and monitoring
- The high-quality pumps make sure that the roots remain submerged in an environment where they’re able to receive enough light and water.
- It comes with carbon filters that remove the odor from the room where you place it
- Features an automated watering system and a timer that can be set up to 4 times a day
- The LED light is great for growing plants and ensures healthy development every time.
- The carbon filter helps to remove the odor that comes out of the hydroponic garden.
Pros
- Easy to set up, especially with the help of the digitized control panel
- Grows up to 5 plant varieties at once
- Ideal for balconies, small spaces, patios
- You can also connect it to other Vegebox systems for more convenience, which makes it a practical choice as far as hydroponics is concerned
- It can fit different sizes of buckets to stack them and maximize the space you have available.
- You can also adjust the system based on your needs and preferences
Cons
- The motor tends to overheat when you use it for a long time.
- It can be difficult to set up, especially if you’re not technically inclined or have much hydroponics experience.
- Water leaks from the bucket sometimes, so you might want to check on the water level often.
Vegebox Hydroponics Growing System is a wonderful product for those who want to grow their food or plant garden even if they don’t have much space at home. The digitized control panel makes it easy to monitor and set up, especially with the help of smart LED lights. The lights make sure your plants receive enough light exposure for healthy growth.
For more information on the Vegebox Hydroponics Growing System, read our in-depth review here
Option to Consider: Vivosun Hydroponics Growing System
- Affordability: 3/5
- Beginner-friendly: 4/5
- Ease of Maintenance: 4/5
- Energy Consumption: 4/5
- Performance: 5/5
Another amazing hydroponics indoor gardening system is the Vivosun Hydroponics Growing system. This system allows you to grow your food or herb garden effectively, giving them the light, air, water, and nutrients that they need to ensure proper plant growth.
The system comes with a transparent tank where you can place your seeds or seedlings. It allows the roots to stay submerged in the nutrient solution as it gets pumped up through a system of 5 holes. It also features a timer system that allows you to set up 4 times watering per day.
The digitized system allows you to control everything from the comfort of your phone or computer. This way, you can tend to your plants without worrying about going back and forth just to turn on or off the water pump. You can monitor how your plants are doing even if you’re away from home, thanks to their smart app.
Key Features
- It gives your food or plant garden just the right amount of water they need for maximum growth and productivity
- Features a fully adjustable irrigation system that allows you to control how much water gets pumped up in the tank. You can also set it up to 4 times
- Features a digitalized control panel with timer system for easy setup and use
- It gives you the option to connect it to your smartphone or computer for convenient monitoring and control
- Features 5 sensors that automatically detect whether there’s enough or not water, air, and light for your plants. Just make sure that you place it in a room with open space so that air gets through properly.
- The hydroponic system ensures the proper distribution of nutrients, water, and air to your plants so they can grow faster and healthier
- It has a transparent tank where you can place your seeds or seedlings easily
- It also comes with sensors that monitor the water level so you can adjust accordingly
Pros
- You can also connect it to other Vivosun systems for convenience
- Ensures proper distribution of nutrients, water, and air to your plants so they can grow faster and healthier
- The hydroponic system makes sure that the roots stay submerged in an environment where they can receive enough light and water.
- Sufficient space is provided for your plants to grow healthily.
- Ensure at least 6 hours of light exposure and this hydroponic garden is ready to use
- The digitized control system makes it easy to adjust and set up, especially if you’re on a tight schedule
- You can set up 4 times watering per day, which is also easy to set up using the digitized control panel
Cons
- The water pump might stop after a while and not work properly
- The digitized system might malfunction, especially if you don’t use it regularly
Many users who have used the system found it very useful, especially for growing their veggies. It’s also a great hydroponic system to have around the house if you’re trying out something new or just want something that would keep your plants alive.
For more information on the Vivosun Hydroponics Growing System, read our in-depth review here
Comparison of Top Rated Budget Hydroponics Systems
What to Consider When Buying a Hydroponic System
There are many hydroponics systems to consider, and it can be difficult to choose which is best for you. Here’s what you need to look out for when buying one, so you get value for your money.
The Size of Your Bucket
The best-selling hydroponics system on Amazon comes with a 5-gallon bucket with an overall dimension of 18.5 x 12.8 x 13 inches. It’s ideal for small-sized plants and offers maximum versatility when growing different types of vegetables in your home or office.
The Number of Plants You Can Grow at Once
If you’re looking for an indoor hydroponics garden, make sure the system allows you to grow more than 1 type of plant. In this case, the systems listed in this review are excellent choices. You can grow your favorite veggies and herbs at once without having to add soil to the mix.
Consider Your Budget
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on hydroponics systems if you’re new to using them. But it’s best to look for one that suits your budget and requirements. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy fresh, clean vegetables and herbs all year round with hydroponics systems. However, always ensure you get a system that’s within your budget. If you need something more advanced with powerful features, you should be ready to spend more.
The Size of Your Home or Office
The system comes with the right size to grow your favorite veggies and herbs without taking too much space in your office or home. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for an indoor garden that doesn’t clutter up your limited space or needs a lot of maintenance before growing vegetables. Many of them fit well in balconies and other small spaces.
Ease of Use
You need a system that’s easy to install, clean, and maintain so you can increase your knowledge about hydroponics gardening. Hydroponics systems are a great choice for beginners because they’re easy to use right out of the box. But you must still ensure you must understand all the instructions included in the box to ensure healthy plant growth for the best results.
The Size of Your Plants
There are many hydroponics systems you can choose from depending on the size of the plant you want to grow. For example, if you’re looking for a way to grow large plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc., then it’s best to look for one that comes with expandable support.
Why Trust Us
If you’re looking for the best indoor hydroponics system, you want someone who can give you a comprehensive guide and see that you get started on the right foot. Our guide offers you all the necessary information you need to get started so that you can easily choose the best indoor hydroponics system for your home or office indoor gardening.
We have many years of experience working with hydroponics systems that allow us to provide you with valuable tips and advice about the best choices available on the market. We help you grow your own food at home using the best indoor hydroponics system so you can get the freshest vegetables that are chemical-free.
Our list of the best hydroponics systems consists of tried and tested products with excellent reviews from other customers. We want you to get the best value for your money, which is why we included a product that offers great features at an affordable price point.
We considered many factors during our research, including price point, items included in the box, the number of plants you can grow at once, ease of use, and more. We believe that our guide includes all the necessary information to help you find a reliable hydroponics system for your indoor garden.
We hope that our guide gives you all the information you need to find the best hydroponics system for your plants. Check these hydroponics systems on Amazon if you want more reviews from customers who have used these products and have firsthand experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hydroponics plants grow faster?
Hydroponics plants grow faster because there’s more oxygen and nutrients in the water. The plants can grow 30 to 50 percent faster than the usual rate of growing plants in soil. At this rate, you can always be sure that you’ll have a good supply of vegetables and fruits in your home or office.
Which plants can you grow with hydroponics?
You can grow different types of vegetables using hydroponics systems like carrots, lettuce, spinach, kale, etc. There are also herbs that you can grow indoors like basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme, and others. You just need to make sure the herb has deep roots and is highly tolerant of direct sunlight.
Do you need to use soil in hydroponics systems?
You don’t need to use soil if you’re going for a hydroponics garden since all types of plants can grow with just water and nutrients. The only downside with using this type of system is that it can be difficult to maintain, especially if you’re new to this kind of garden. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully so you can avoid any mistakes.
How many plants can you grow at once?
You can grow a lot of veggies and herbs at once with the Hydroponics Growing System. The good thing about it is that there’s no need for soil when growing your favorite vegetables, so there’s no limit when it comes to growing different types of plants at once.
How deep is the water in hydroponic systems?
The water should be about 2 inches from the top of your bucket. Make sure that you monitor the water level every other day since there’s a chance for algae growth if too much sunlight hits the water.
Can I use Hydroponics systems for my seeds?
Trying different new types of vegetables and herbs is what makes hydroponics exciting for everyone. You can find many variants with established brands like Rompico Hydroponics Growing System, so you don’t need to sow the seed to start growing your favorite veggies and herbs.
Can you use a hydroponics system for flowers?
Yes, there are varieties of hydroponics systems that can grow 1 to 4 plants at once. Just make sure that the plant has established roots before adding them to the food reservoir in the system.
Our Verdict
Hydroponics systems are the best gardening tools you can have at home. These systems come with some of the best features to see that your plants grow healthier, and you’ll have fresher, clean vegetables to enjoy at home or even give away as gifts.
The above systems make some of the best choices for people who are new to hydroponics gardening. With the right type of system, everyone can enjoy growing different types of plants at once without wasting time and other resources in maintaining a garden outdoors.
Also, don’t forget to look at the factors to consider when buying your system to ensure you get one that’s best for your plants and budget. You might not know what you like when you’re a hydroponics gardening beginner, but you can always go through the different brands and see which hydroponics system you like.