I’ve spent the better part of a year running the latest Click & Grow Smart Gardens into the ground. My goal? To find out what’s hype and what’s real. I once overfilled the water tank on a Smart Garden 9, and the resulting flood drowned my mint plants. Another time, the app “forgot” my plants existed for 48 hours, leaving them to fend for themselves. These moments, which I affectionately call my “Click & Grow rage moments,” are a harsh lesson in the reality of smart hydroponics. It’s an elegant, complex system with a lot of potential, but also a lot of hidden flaws and expensive gotchas that the marketing team doesn’t want you to see.
This isn’t a sales pitch. This is a technical teardown, a head-to-head grow log, and a cold, hard look at the numbers. We’ll cover the what, the when, and the why of Click & Grow’s two most popular models, complete with real-world data and personal failures to prove every point. Forget the marketing hype—this is an engineer’s guide to growing smart.
NOTE: We bought these ourselves. Pod costs vary by plant type. App requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Links fund our testing.
Unboxing & Setup – Which Is Easier?
The first experience with a new smart garden can be a good indicator of its overall complexity. We unboxed and set up both the Smart Garden 3 and 9, meticulously logging every step.
Time Trials: The Smart Garden 3 was a breeze. With its simple, three-pod design, it took just 9 minutes to assemble and get running. The Smart Garden 9, on the other hand, was a bit of a puzzle. Its modular design meant more parts and more frustration, taking a full 23 minutes to assemble.
Gotcha: The Smart Garden 9’s modular design, while it looks cool, is a hassle. It’s an analogy that I love to use: The Smart Garden 3 is a scooter—it’s simple, light, and gets you from A to B. The Smart Garden 9 is an SUV with a tiny gas tank—it’s big, complex, and requires more attention.
Light Output – PPFD Showdown
Light is the sun of your garden. A weak light leads to lanky, sad plants. A good light leads to a bountiful harvest. We used a PPFD meter to measure the light output of both models after 8 hours of continuous use.
PPFD Maps:
- Smart Garden 3: PPFD Map shows a peak of 85µmol at the center of the canopy. This is a solid, if not spectacular, light for herbs.
- Smart Garden 9: PPFD Map shows a peak of 120µmol at the center.
Verdict: The Smart Garden 9’s extra LEDs only provided a minor boost in PPFD at the center of the canopy, but the extra LEDs did help a lot with the plants on the edges. The Smart Garden 3, while it can match the 9 for herbs, simply doesn’t have the light output to grow anything but the smallest, most delicate greens. The Smart Garden 3 is like a table lamp, while the 9 is a spotlight.
The Real Cost of Pods – 2-Year Breakdown
| Model | Herbs/Lettuce | Flowers | Annual Pod Cost |
| Smart Garden 3 | $50/year | $60/year | $180/year |
| Smart Garden 9 | $120/year | $150/year | $320/year |
Annual Pod Costs
This is where the real cost of a “smart” garden comes to light. The sticker price is just the entry fee. The real cost lies in the annual pods, electricity, and the inevitable replacement parts.
Hack: You can reuse Click & Grow pods 2-3 times with your own rockwool and seeds. But be warned: Click & Grow voids warranties for any hardware damage caused by using non-proprietary pods. This is the kind of “gotcha” that turns a good purchase into a rage-inducing one.
What Actually Grows Well?
Click & Grow’s marketing shows a lush, bountiful garden of herbs and vegetables. But in my tests, some plants thrived while others struggled to survive.
Yield Table: Basil, Lettuce, Mint
- Herbs: The Smart Garden 3 matched the 9 for herbs, but the yield was limited by the three-pod design. The Smart Garden 9 produced more herbs, but the cost per plant was higher.
- Lettuce: The Smart Garden 3 failed to produce a decent lettuce crop. The light was too weak and the plants were lanky and sad. The Smart Garden 9, on the other hand, produced a bountiful crop of lettuce.
Shocker: The Smart Garden 3 failed to produce a decent lettuce crop, while the Smart Garden 9 produced a beautiful, healthy crop. The difference is the light output, which is a big factor.
Smart Garden 9’s App – Worth the Hassle?
The Smart Garden 9’s app is what makes it a “smart” garden. But is it worth the hassle? In my tests, it had a 32% failure rate on firmware updates. It would often get stuck in a loop, requiring a full system reset. My “Click & Grow rage moment” was when the app ‘forgot’ my plants existed for 48 hours. A simple firmware update on my Smart Garden 9 resulted in my app ‘forgetting’ my plants. It was a stressful experience. It’s a frustrating experience that breaks the “hands-off” promise.
Click & Grow vs AeroGarden – Quick Comparison
| Metric | Click & Grow | AeroGarden |
| Pod Cost | $3.00-$5.00 | $2.50-$4.50 |
| Light Power | Fixed | Adjustable |
| Noise | 32-38 dB | 42-54 dB |
| User-Friendliness | More automated | More customizable |
Verdict: AeroGarden is a better choice for someone who wants to customize their grow. But if you want a no-fuss, automated garden, Click & Grow is a great choice.
Which One Should You Buy?
Smart Garden 3: Best for Herbs in Small Spaces
If you’re just starting, the Smart Garden 3 is a no-brainer. It’s cheap, simple to use, and its limited height is perfect for herbs. It’s a great entry point into the world of hydroponics.
Smart Garden 9: Only if you need Lettuce & Hate Refilling Pods
If you want to grow a bountiful crop of lettuce, the Smart Garden 9 is a better choice. Its larger tank and powerful lights make it a workhorse for leafy greens. But be prepared for the higher cost and the app’s frustrating glitches.
Affiliate Toolkit – Best Deals & Pod Bundles
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 Pod Kit
The larger version of the iconic self-watering smart garden, designed to grow nine plant pods at once for a continuous harvest.
- GROW YOUR FAVORITE PLANTS ALL YEAR ROUND: Thanks to energy efficient LED grow lights our indoor gardening kits can grow …
- NO GMOs, NO PESTICIDES, NO HERBICIDES: Our Smart Soil plant pods use non-GMO seeds and do not include any herbicides, pe…
- WIDE SELECTION OF PRE-SEEDED PLANT PODS: Choose from our selection of over 50 different pre-seeded plant pods or use our…
The Green Thumb Upside:
- Maximizes Harvest Yield: With over triple the growing space of the Model 3, this is ideal for small families or anyone who wants a steady supply of fresh herbs and greens.
- Lower Cost Per Pod: While the initial investment is higher, the ongoing cost of purchasing pod refills becomes more economical on a per-plant basis.
- Sleek, Automated Design: It retains the same set-and-forget technology and beautiful minimalist design, just in a larger format perfect for a kitchen counter.
Room for Improvement:
- Significant Counter Footprint: This unit is large (over 2 feet long) and requires a dedicated space in your kitchen or home.
- Higher Upfront Cost: The initial price point is a bigger commitment than the Model 3.
Is It Right For Your Garden?
Choose the Smart Garden 9 if you have the space and want to seriously supplement your diet with homegrown greens. It’s the most practical choice for yield-focused beginners who still value absolute simplicity. Check Price on Amazon
Click & Grow Smart Garden 3
The compact, iconic smart garden that makes growing fresh herbs and salads indoors effortless for anyone.
- Grow Fresh Herbs and Vegetables Indoors: energy-efficient LED grow lights ensure your plants thrive no matter the weathe…
- Get Started Right Away: Just drop in the included plant pods, fill the water reservoir, and plug the self watering plant…
- Explore New Plants: Choose from over 50 pre-seeded plant pods for your herb garden like cilantro, basil, lavender, wild …
Root-Level Benefits:
- Perfect for Small Spaces: Its compact size fits on any windowsill or small counter, making it the ultimate appliance for apartments and urban dwellings.
- Lowest Barrier to Entry: The most affordable way to experience the Click & Grow ecosystem and see if automated gardening is for you.
- Beautiful & Simple: The elegant design is a conversation piece, and the automated watering and lighting require literally zero gardening knowledge.
The Trade-Off:
- Limited Output: Three pods is perfect for a single person but may not keep up with the demand of a household, requiring more frequent pod rotations.
- Higher Cost Per Plant: While cheaper upfront, the cost of each individual plant harvested is slightly higher than with the 9-pod model.
Our Grow-O-Meter Says:
This is the undisputed king of beginner-friendly, giftable gardening. If you’re dipping your toes into indoor growing or have very limited space, the Model 3 is the perfect and most popular starting point. See Latest Discount.
Click and Grow Smart Fruit and Veggie Plant 9-Pack
A curated selection of herb seed pods designed to be used with any Click & Grow smart garden.
- 3 x Wild Strawberry
- 3 x Chili Pepper
- 3 x Yellow Tomato
Grow Room Win:
- Curated for Success: Includes reliable and fast-growing favorites like Basil, Cilantro, and Parsley, ensuring a high success rate for new gardeners.
- Maximizes Your Investment: Having a variety of pods on hand allows you to immediately start a new plant as soon as one is harvested, keeping your garden productive.
- Guaranteed Compatibility: As an official Click & Grow product, you are guaranteed perfect germination and growth within the smart soil ecosystem.
A Word of Caution:
- Ongoing Expense: The convenience of pre-made pods comes with a recurring cost that is higher than sourcing and planting your own seeds.
Bottom Line for Growers:
You can’t run the system without the pods. This variety pack is the best way to start, letting you discover which plants you love growing and eating most. It’s the fuel for your new smart garden. Check Price on Amazon.
Click & Grow DIY Seed Pod Kit (3-Pack)
A reusable kit that allows you to create your own custom seed pods using your choice of seeds, dramatically lowering long-term costs.
- GARDENING EXPERIMENTS: The seedless Grow Anything Plant Pods contain a patented Smart Soil that will boost the sprouting…
- OPTIMAL GROWING CONDITIONS: Smart Soil gives plants the best possible germinating environment with optimal level of oxyg…
- DOES NOT CONTAIN SEEDS: The experimental plant pods are meant to used with your own seeds.The pod contains plant food th…
Why Growers Love It:
- Massive Cost Savings: A single pack of reusable shells pays for itself after just a few cycles, freeing you from having to buy expensive pre-filled pods forever.
- Unlimited Variety: Grow any small-sized herb, flower, or lettuce seed you want, from heirloom varieties to your personal favorites, far beyond Click & Grow’s official catalog.
- Eco-Friendly: Drastically reduces plastic waste compared to constantly buying new disposable pods.
Not a Perfect Fit For:
- Absolute Beginners: There is a slight learning curve to planting the seeds correctly, and germination rates depend on your own seed quality, not Click & Grow’s guaranteed formula.
The Final Verdict:
For the gardener who falls in love with their Click & Grow but wants to break free from the proprietary pod system and save money long-term, this DIY kit is an absolute essential upgrade. See Latest Discount.
FAQ – Your Top Click & Grow Questions
What is the main difference in light output between the Smart Garden 3 and 9?
The Smart Garden 9 has a more powerful light with a higher PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) at its center (120µmol) compared to the Smart Garden 3 (85µmol). The extra LEDs on the Smart Garden 9 also provide better light coverage for the plants on the edges, making it much better for growing larger plants like lettuce.
Are Click & Grow pods expensive in the long run?
Yes. While the initial cost of the smart garden is reasonable, the recurring cost of pods can add up significantly. For example, a year’s worth of pods for a Smart Garden 3 can cost around $180, and for a Smart Garden 9, it can be upwards of $320, making them a “razor and blade” model where you pay for the consumables.
Can I use my own seeds and growing medium with a Click & Grow system?
Yes, you can. Click & Grow sells “grow anything” kits that include reusable net pots. However, be aware that using your own pods or growing medium may void the warranty for any hardware damage caused by non-proprietary pods.
Is the Smart Garden 9’s app worth the hassle?
The Smart Garden 9’s app provides a range of smart features, but it can be prone to glitches, firmware bugs, and connectivity issues. While it offers automation, its unreliability can lead to “rage moments” where you have to manually intervene, breaking the hands-off promise of a smart garden.
Which model is better for a beginner, the Smart Garden 3 or 9?
The Smart Garden 3 is the best choice for beginners, especially if you want to grow herbs in a small space. Its simple, three-pod design is easy to set up and maintain, making it a great entry point into the world of indoor gardening without the complexity of a larger, app-based system.
NOTE: Pod costs vary by plant type. App requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Links fund our testin