13 systems from 8 brands, with the purchase price and the running costs their makers publish, on one scale. Every figure links to its source.
13 systems from 8 brands. US prices, checked October 17–18, 2026.
Illustrative kitchen scene, AI-generatedEach bar is what you already know you’ll pay in year one: the price, plus a year of electricity where the maker publishes it. The hatched end is what you still add yourself.
Includes hydroponic, aeroponic and fog-based systems, plus clearly labelled passive-watering alternatives. *Listed sites refer to the shown configuration; tray sizes and plant spacing vary.
10 listed sites* · Hydroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Displayed green / US adapter price.
The selected variant displays $79.99; comparison text advertises other variants from $69.99. Confirm your selection.
12 listed sites* · Hydroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Advertised sale price on October 17, 2026; may end.
A 36 W LED rating is published; that is not a measured monthly electricity figure.
12 listed sites* · Hydroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Advertised single-unit US price.
A 24 W light and 5.5 L reservoir are listed. Monthly electricity use has not been verified.
3 listed sites* · Passive-watering pods · 3.8 kWh a month
Includes $8.35 of electricity at the US average rate. Advertised hardware price.
A small herb garden using growing-medium pods rather than a nutrient-water pump system.
9 listed sites* · Passive-watering pods · 6.2 kWh a month
Includes $13.62 of electricity at the US average rate. Advertised hardware price.
Nine growing-medium pods with passive watering. Included starter pods are listed by the manufacturer.
21 listed sites* · Hydroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Advertised US-adapter sale price on October 17, 2026; may end.
The maker lists automatic water refilling and nutrient dosing. Check variant and current stock before ordering.
8 listed sites* · Hydroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Advertised hardware price.
Eight sites out of the box; an optional tray supports 12 smaller plants.
16 listed sites* · Hydroponic · 26 kWh a month
Includes $57.13 of electricity at the US average rate. Advertised hardware price.
A smaller starting point within Gardyn’s range.
20 listed sites* · Hydroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Advertised hardware price.
Starter seedlings are included. Verify your exact basket.
Reviewers report useful greens and herbs.
Crop clearance and refill costs matter.
Read full review roundup →15 listed sites* · Fogponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. Advertised US sale price on October 17, 2026; may end.
Fifteen planting sites. The maker lists starter supplies; ongoing costs depend on the plant packs you choose.
30 listed sites* · Hydroponic · 47 kWh a month
Includes $103.27 of electricity at the US average rate. Advertised hardware price.
More planting sites; capacity is not a yield guarantee.
Reviewers praise guided growing.
Budget paid features and regular root care.
Read full review roundup →16 listed sites* · Hydroponic · 40 kWh a month
Includes $87.89 of electricity at the US average rate. Advertised starting price.
Base 16-site level. Extra levels and denser trays cost more; do not compare the base price with maximum capacity. Rise estimates about 40 kWh a month for one level (checked October 18). Size options showed sold out; confirm stock.
An owner praises the furniture-style design.
The main editorial test used three levels.
Read full review roundup →32 listed sites* · Aeroponic · kWh not published
The maker doesn’t publish monthly kWh, so electricity isn’t counted. System + separate light kit.
$725 tower + $325 light kit. Capacity includes 16 full-size sites and 16 baby-green/herb sites.
No gardens match those filters. Try a higher budget or another brand.
Compare growing formats, check costs, and see what reviewers and owners report.
Start with the space, growing method and care routine. Then compare the costs.
Read the guide
Towers, lighting and the room you need to look after them.
Read the guide
Compare small herb gardens and the supplies they use.
Read the guideHome 4 and Farmstand Nook, compared on the details that change the decision.
Read the guide
Compare the actual configuration, growing space and running costs.
Read the guide
Home 4 or Studio 2: purchase price is only the beginning.
Read the guideA closer look at supplies, setup and what remains unknown.
Read the guidePublished tests and owner reports, brought together. These are research roundups, not our own hands-on tests.
Guided growing gets praise. Cleaning and paid features deserve a closer look.
Read the roundupEncouraging harvest accounts, with mixed experiences on crop space.
Read the roundupOwners discuss design, sound and upkeep. The main editorial test used three levels.
Read the roundupManufacturer photographs. Each guide links to its sources.
Start from a garden’s published figures, then put in your quote, your electricity rate and the supplies you expect to buy.
Count only costs beyond included supplies and membership credits. Add water, maintenance or replacement allowances under “other costs” if relevant. Your time is excluded. Inputs stay in this tab; nothing is submitted.
AI-generated image. Not a harvest claim.A few herbs for weeknight cooking? Start with a countertop garden. More space for greens? Explore the towers and shelves. The right garden starts with how you’ll use it.
We compare published information, not products we’ve tested in our home. Think of this as a buying worksheet, not a promise about your harvest.
Purchase prices and plant capacities come from manufacturer pages checked October 17, 2026. All prefilled electricity figures are manufacturer estimates, not our measurements. Watt ratings alone are not converted into monthly use. Sale prices and selected variants are labelled. Prices can change; verify the exact basket before buying.
Annual electricity = monthly kWh × your rate × 12. Recurring costs add 12 months of membership, annual replacement plants and other entered costs. First year adds hardware and setup. Three years adds hardware and setup once, then three years of recurring costs.
This first version has no affiliate links or paid placements. Manufacturer links are ordinary links. If we add commercial relationships later, we’ll disclose them. No brand has paid for a position here. Product photography is sourced from the linked manufacturers; images may show example plantings or optional accessories. See individual source links.
A 30-site tower and a 16-site system aren’t equivalent purchases. Plant sites aren’t a harvest guarantee. Compare the space, care requirements and costs that matter to you, then check the manufacturer’s specifications and return conditions.
