Quest for the Best AeroGarden Miracle-Gro Model – Comparison Chart
The AeroGarden Miracle-Gro hydroponic indoor gardens manufactured by AeroGrow International are all the rage among eco-conscious people looking for efficient and affordable indoor gardening solutions to grow vegetables and herbs all year round. If you're one of the many eco-minded Americans interested in these environment-friendly growing kits but don't know which AeroGarden model is the best for your purposes, you've landed on the right page. Below, we provide a comparison chart that provides ample information about the different AeroGarden Miracle-Grow models, so you get a nice overview of the key features and functions of each model, and hopefully you'll be able to decide which AeroGarden model is the best fit for your home. The comparison chart below covers AeroGrow International's biggest AeroGardens, including AeroGarden ULTRA and AeroGarden EXTRA which make great indoor gardens for growing cherry tomatoes, but also smaller models such as AeroGarden 3, 6 and 7. Some of the models – namely AeroGarden 7, EXTRA and ULTRA – are available in two variants: one uses LED grow lights and the other one comes with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). All of the smaller models available at the writing of this article (i.e. AeroGarden Miracle-Gro 3, 6 and 7) come with use compact fluorescent lights.
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Comparison of AeroGrow's Popular AeroGarden Miracle-Gro Models
| Model | Dimensions (W x D x H)* | Type of grow light(s) | Total Watts | Max. growing height | Number of plants | Expected yield** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AeroGarden 3 | W: 9.5" D: 11" H: 14-20" | CFL | 26 | 12" | 3 | 100% |
| AeroGarden 6 | W: 16" D: 11" H: 15-21" | CFL | 52 | 12" | 6 | 220% |
| AeroGarden 7 | W: 18.5" D: 10.5" H: 15-21" | CFL | 52 | 12" | 7 | 250% |
| AeroGarden 7 LED | W: 18.5" D: 10.5" H: 15-21" | LED | 20 | 12" | 7 | 300% |
| AeroGarden EXTRA | W: 17.25" D: 11.25" H: 15-34" | CFL | 78 | 24" | 7 | 350% |
| AeroGarden EXTRA LED | W: 17.25" D: 11.25" H: 15-34" | LED | 30 | 24" | 7 | 450% |
| AeroGarden ULTRA | W: 17.25" D: 11.25" H: 15-34" | CFL | 78 | 24" | 7 | 375% |
| AeroGarden Ultra LED | W: 17.25" D: 11.25" H: 15-34" | LED | 30 | 24" | 7 | 475% |
*Approximate **Assuming yield of AeroGarden 3 = 100%
Source: AeroGarden, March 2015; Some information may have become outdated since the writing of this article. Therefore, before buying an AeroGarden, please carefully read the product description on the relevant Amazon page, or contact the manufacturer directly.
Models with LED Lights vs Models with Compact Fluorescent Lights
One of the key differences between the different EXTRA and ULTRA AeroGardens is that some models use LED grow lights while others use CFL grow lights. Compared with HPS grow lights, both LED and CFL ligths are energy-efficient and emit little heat, which is why they are commonly used in counter-top herb and vegetable gardens designed for indoor use. One of the key differences between AeroGarden's LED and CFL lights is that the LED lights are much more efficient in terms of energy consumption, meaning that you will be able to produce more food with less power if you get the AeroGarden Miracle-Gro EXTRA LED or ULTRA LED, instead of the equivalent CFL model (see comparison chart above for details). What's more, according to AeroGrow, their LED lights should last up to 3 to 5 years, potentially saving you a lot of money in grow lights replacements. By contrast, the CFL lights should be replaced about every 6 months to maximize the garden's growing ability.
Choosing the Best Size for Your Needs
Efficiency and price aside, size may also play a key role in determining what is the best AeroGarden for your home. If space is at a premium in your home, you might want to get one of the smaller models, such as AeroGarden 3 or 6. The good thing is that even if if you get one of the smaller AeroGardens, you'll still be able to grow plenty of herbs and lettuce compared with soil-based indoor gardens of similar size (that's one of the great advantages of growing plants hydroponically). However, if plan to grow bigger plants such as cherry tomatoes and peppers, in addition to herbs and salad greens, you should definitely consider getting one of the bigger AeroGardens. The growing area of the ULTRA and EXTRA models can be extended to up to 24 inches, so even bigger plants will have plenty of room to grow. What's more, the ULTRA and EXTRA models, as well as AeroGarden Miracle-Gro 7, come with seven growing spots, allowing you to plant up to seven plants. By contrast, AeroGarden 3 can only accommodate three plants, while AeroGarden 6 has spots for six plants.
