Hey fellow gardeners! Have you heard about the new craze in growing plants called hydroponics? It’s a way to grow plants without soil by using nutrient rich water.
Hydroponic kits let you easily set up a system at home.
As someone who has tested my fair share of kits, let me tell you – not all hydroponic kits are made the same! Some are cheap knockoffs while others are legit pro-grade systems.
In this review, I’ll share my hands-on experience and walk you through the top DIY hydroponic kits on the market.
I’ve tried budget options under $100 and pricier setups over $500.
Let me save you the headache and share the best bang for your buck.
With pro tips from yours truly, you’ll gain insider knowledge to pick the perfect system for your needs and budget.
Whether you’re an indoor gardening newbie or looking to scale up your operation, this review has the nitty gritty details you need.
I’ll unpack the ease of setup, quality of materials, nutrients included, and potential yields you can expect.
Fair warning though – once you start growing with hydroponics, you may get hooked! Let’s jump in and turn your green thumb greener.
KEY TAKEAWAY
What are DIY hydroponic kits?
DIY hydroponic kits are self-contained systems that enable individuals to grow plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions.
These kits provide everything needed to create controlled indoor environments for cultivating various crops.
Choosing the Right Hydroponic System for You
Size and Capacity
Fellow gardeners, let’s chat about an important factor when picking a hydroponic system – size and capacity! How much space do you have for this setup? That will determine how many juicy tomato plants, leafy lettuces, or pungent herbs you can grow.
Bigger hydroponic systems allow for more plants and larger yields.
But they also take up some serious square footage.
If you’re tight on space, start small with a 2′ x 4′ system perfect for nurturing herbs and greens.
Got room to spare? Upgrade to a larger 4′ x 8′ system later on if you want higher volumes to supply your household or business with fresh produce year-round.
Type of Hydroponic System
Alright, next up in choosing your hydroponic system is the type or setup.
As a newbie gardener, I’d recommend starting with either a deep water culture or nutrient film technique system.
They’re easy to use and great for beginners planting their first seedlings.
Once you’ve gotten your roots wet with hydroponics, you can branch out! More advanced gardeners may prefer vertical garden systems to maximize space or aeroponic setups for faster plant growth.
I suggest trying a few different types to see what best suits your gardening style and available space.
Nutrient Delivery
Moving on to another key factor – how nutrients get to your thirsty plants! The reservoir tanks, water pumps, and timers in a system all impact the delivery of essential nutrients.
Fully automated systems provide a consistent, scheduled feeding for vigorous growth with less effort on your part.
But manual options allow for more control if you want to whip up your own custom nutrient mixes.
Test both out to decide what fits best with your gardening goals and schedule!
Top DIY Hydroponic System
iDOO Hydroponic System
Product Overview
The iDOO Hydroponic System is an indoor gardening kit that allows you to grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers year-round using hydroponics instead of soil.
It comes with 12 pods, a full spectrum LED grow light, and recirculating water system.
Key Features
- Full spectrum LED grow light
- 12 plastic grow pods
- Automatic timer
- Air pump for oxygenation
- Adjustable light panel height
Specifications
- 12 pod capacity
- Uses 20W LED light
- Light timer has 16 hours on/8 hours off cycle
- 4 liter water tank
- Made of plastic
- Dimensions – 12″ x 13.8″ x 15.2″
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Simple to operate
- Compact size
- Energy-efficient LED lighting
- Allows year-round growing indoors
- Fast sprouting and growth reported
Cons
- Starter kit only includes supplies for one grow cycle
- Must purchase more grow media, nutrients, seed starter plugs separately for ongoing use
Customer Insights
Amazon reviewers love how fast their seeds sprouted and plants grew with this system.
Herbs grew over an inch in just a couple days.
Appreciate the simple, no mess hydroponics and full spectrum lighting.
Is there a flaw that’s a dealbreaker?
The biggest complaint is that you need to buy more supplies to reuse the system.
But the unit itself lasts for years.
What’s best for this product?
The iDOO Hydroponic System excels at providing an easy, soil-free way for home gardeners to grow herbs, greens, and veggies indoors year-round.
The LED lighting optimized for plant growth results in fast sprouting and vigorous plants.
QYO Hydroponic System
Product Overview
The QYO Hydroponic System is a top-notch indoor gardening device that lets ya grow fresh herbs, veggies, and flowers without gettin’ your hands dirty with soil.
This hydroponic kit’s got 14 grow pods, a big 6 liter water tank, powerful LED grow lights, and a fancy app for controllin’ all the settings from your phone.
It’s the cutting-edge way to grow your own healthy crops right at home.
Key Features
- 36W full spectrum LED grow light panel with 140 LEDs
- Free app and digital screen for controlling lighting schedules, plant modes, etc.
- Quiet water pump circulates nutrient water every 30 minutes
- 14 plastic grow pods and seedling baskets
- Height adjustable light panel
- 6 liter water tank
Specifications
- 36W LED light with 140 LED bulbs
- Light panel adjusts 33.85 inches in height
- 6 liter water tank capacity
- Weighs 6.49 pounds
- Dimensions 17.5 x 7.6 x 10.4 inches
- Made of plastic and metal
Pros
- Grow herbs, greens, fruits, and flowers indoors without soil
- App lets ya control lighting and settings from anywhere
- Height adjustable light accommodates plants at any stage
- LEDs optimized for fast, efficient plant growth
- Large water tank requires less frequent refilling
- Quiet water pump aerates plant roots
Cons
- Relatively high price point
- Must have WiFi for smartphone app connectivity
- Pump noise or malfunctioning reported by some users
- Must purchase additional nutrients and supplies
Customer Insights
Lots of indoor gardeners say the QYO hydroponic system reliably grows thriving plants with its full spectrum LEDs, app controls, and optimized hydroponics.
The 5X faster growth compared to soil makes this an excellent option for year-round harvests of fresh herbs, veggies, and flowers.
Is there a flaw that’s a dealbreaker?
The biggest complaints are pump issues and the need for WiFi and extra supplies.
But the unit itself works well when the pump is functioning.
What’s best for this product?
The QYO Hydroponic System excels at fast, hassle-free growing of plants indoors through its marriage of LED lighting, app automation, and hydroponic techniques.
It’s a smart choice for gardeners wanting a self-contained system to grow robust herbs, greens, fruits, and flowers all year long.
LAPOND Hydroponic System
Product Overview
The LAPOND Hydroponic System is a top-notch indoor gardening kit for growing fruits and veggies without getting your hands dirty.
This hydroponic set comes with 108 planting sites, a water pump and timer, and PVC pipes for circulating the nutrient water.
It’s an excellent choice for newbies wanting a bigger soilless system.
Key Features
- 108 plastic plant baskets and sites
- Upgraded 7W 12V water pump with timer
- 3-layer food-grade PVC pipe frame
- Comes with hammer, hook, silicone feet
- Extended soft hose for water outlet
Specifications
- 108 plant site capacity
- 600L/H water pump with timer
- Dimensions – 37.8 x 19.7 x 42 inches
- 28.1 pound weight
- Made from PVC plastic
Pros
- Large capacity for growing many plants
- Water pump and timer for automatic circulation
- Good for tomatoes, herbs, leafy greens, etc
- Can be placed indoors or outdoors
- More stable design that’s easy to assemble
Cons
- Need to buy nutrients and grow media separately
- Pump and timer issues reported by some
- Takes up significant floor space
Customer Insights
This is a popular choice for indoor veggie gardens.
Folks say the three-tier design provides plenty of light and space for plants to thrive.
Many beginners find this hydroponic kit simple to set up and use.
Is there a flaw that’s a dealbreaker?
The main complaints involve pump/timer malfunctions, though LAPOND offers replacements.
Just takes time to get issues resolved.
What’s best for this product?
With its ample grow sites and timed water circulation system, the LAPOND Hydroponic System excels at delivering an easy, soilless method for cultivating bountiful indoor vegetable and herb gardens year-round.
Unveiling Hydroponic System Types and Their Benefits
Hydroponics 101
Hydroponics is the method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in water.
The nutrients are delivered directly to the roots for optimal plant growth.
Hydroponics allows cultivation anywhere indoors or outdoors with proper equipment.
There are several types of hydroponic systems available.
Types of Hydroponics Systems
Popular hydroponic system types include:
- Drip systems – Nutrient solution drips onto plant roots from tubes/emitters. Good for smaller plants.
- Ebb and flow systems – Plants sit in grow media, then get flooded with nutrients, then drained repeatedly.
- NFT (nutrient film technique) – Shallow stream of nutrient water runs along channels housing plant roots. Requires pump.
- Aeroponic – Plant roots dangle in air and get misted with nutrients. High oxygenation.
- Deep water culture – Plants sit with roots submerged in an aerated nutrient reservoir.
There are also all-in-one hydroponic kits like the AeroGarden, WEPLANT, Yoocaa, and LAPOND systems which provide the lights, pumps, and other components in one unit.
Plants Suited for Hydroponic Cultivation
Many plants thrive with hydroponic growing including:
- Herbs – basil, mint, oregano, thyme
- Vegetables – tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce
- Fruits – strawberries, melons, raspberries
- Flowers – orchids, roses, lilies
Leafy greens like lettuce grow especially well in hydroponic setups since their roots directly absorb the plentiful nutrients.
Advantages of Hydroponic Systems
Key benefits of hydroponic gardening include:
- Faster growth rates and bigger yields
- No weeding or digging in dirt required
- Plants get precise nutrients they need
- Can grow plants anywhere indoors or out
- Less water usage than soil gardening
- Reduced risk of soil diseases
- Adjustable lights allow growth year-round
With a range of options from compact units to deluxe systems, hydroponics offers an efficient, soilless way to cultivate bountiful gardens in small spaces.
The optimized conditions let plants thrive!
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks – my honest take on the top DIY hydroponic kits.
We covered the good, the bad, and the ugly.
As you saw, there are quality options for both beginners and expert gardeners.
Now that you’re armed with insider tips from my first-hand experience, you can pick the perfect hydroponic system with confidence.
Remember, the key is finding a kit that aligns with your goals, whether that’s maximizing yields or keeping costs low.
Don’t just take my word for it though.
Try one of these systems yourself and let me know your experience!
Once you taste that hydroponic homegrown flavor, I have a feeling you’ll be chomping at the bit to expand your setup.
Have questions or want to share your hydroponic adventures? Sound off in the comments below!
I’d also appreciate you passing this review along to fellow gardeners who could benefit from it.
Here’s to bumper crops and happy hydroponic harvesting!
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Crystal Erickson is an agriculture enthusiast and writer with a passion for sustainable farming practices and community development. Growing up on a family farm in rural Iowa, Crystal developed a love for the land and a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to make a farm successful.
After completing a degree in Agriculture and Environmental Science from Iowa State University, Crystal began her career as an agricultural journalist, covering stories and issues related to modern farming practices, crop management, and livestock production. She quickly established herself as a respected voice in the industry, known for her insightful reporting and thoughtful analysis.
Over the years, Crystal has written for a variety of publications, including Farm Journal, Successful Farming, and Modern Farmer, as well as contributing to several academic journals focused on sustainable agriculture and community development. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Achievement Award and the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Farm Broadcaster of the Year.