Whether you’re looking for your first hydroponic garden and want to make the best decision possible or you’re expanding an already existing home garden, we’ve reviewed some of the best space-saving options that you should consider.
Read on below to explore the 15 best vertical hydroponic systems currently available on the market:
1. Aerospring Vertical Hydroponics Indoor Growing System
The first vertical hydroponic system on our list is a super popular aeroponic-style unit that holds 20 gallons of water and grows up to 27 plants at a time.
Thanks to the timed misting/watering and nutrient delivery system, the Aerospring Vertical Hydroponics Indoor Growing System’s design boasts superior ratios of air, oxygen, and nutrients to roots than other units do.
It’s easy to install, doesn’t take long to learn how to use, and includes six built-in grow lights as well.
- Type of system: Aeroponics
- Water capacity: 20 gallons
- Plant capacity: 27
Pros:
- Grows over two dozen plants at once
- Superior air to oxygen technology
- Includes six grow lights
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Easy to install and use
Cons:
- Plants don’t have as much room to grow tall as many classic hydroponic systems
2. Gardyn 1.0 Vertical Indoor Hydroponics Growing System
The second item on our list is another popular one with home hydroponic gardeners and beginners alike – the Garden 1.0 Vertical Indoor Hydroponics Growing System.
The system holds up to 6 gallons of water and allows you to grow up to 30 plants at one time. It also comes with lights, seeds, and everything else you need to actually get started.
Furthermore, the system has a built-in smart assistant that helps you keep the garden unit cared for.
- Type of system: Hydroponic
- Water capacity: 6 gallon
- Plant capacity: 30
Pros:
- Grows up to 30 plants at a time
- No additional seeds, pods, or purchases needed
- AI-based technology for upkeeping your garden
- Built-in grow lights
Cons:
- More expensive than other gardens – but is much smarter too
3. Nutrabinns Hydroponic Tower Grow System
The Nutrabinns Hydroponic Tower Grow System is another impressive vertical hydroponics system and is third on our list.
It’s a popular pick with beginners and experts alike thanks to its 80-pot design that allows for a far large number of plants growing at one time than most systems.
The tank holds 8 gallons of water, and the system’s high-end design saves you money on your power bills.
- Type of system: Aeroponics
- Water capacity: 8 gallons
- Plant capacity: 80
Pros:
- Lab-tested award-winning design
- Grows 80 plants at once
- Crops grow three times faster
- Saves you up to more than 60% on your energy bill
- 40% larger yields
Cons:
- More expensive than some similar units
4. Lettuce Grow 36-Plant Hydroponic Growing System
The Lettuce Grow 36-Plant Hydroponic Growing System is one of the larger systems on our list in terms of water capacity. It holds up to 30 gallons and grows up to 36 plants at one time.
The design is made of food-safe plastic that enables you to use the system indoors or outdoors as you see fit.
It also looks much more aesthetically pleasing than most systems. Some people use them as novelty decorations with living flowers, herbs, and houseplants.
- Type of system: Hydroponic
- Water capacity: 30 gallons
- Plant capacity: 36
Pros:
- Grows larger plants than some systems
- Indoor/outdoor BPA-free design
- Looks great as a novelty/decoration
- Is available in smaller and medium sizes as well
- Includes everything you need to get started
Cons:
- Doesn’t grow as many plants as some other similar systems
5. Aerospring Vertical Hydroponic Outdoor Growing System
The fifth system on our list is the Aerospring Vertical hydroponic Outdoor Growing System, an aeroponic beauty.
The Aerospring Vertical Hydroponic Growing System holds 20 gallons of water in its reservoir. It supports up to 27 plants at a time and has high-grade and silent-running components.
Plus, it’s one of the quicker systems to set up and easiest to use as well.
- Type of system: Aeroponic
- Water capacity: 20 gallon
- Plant capacity: 27
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Works outside
- Silent pump and components
- Made by a trusted/well-known manufacturer
Cons:
- Isn’t designed for indoor use but could possibly work for it
6. EXO Vertical Hydroponic Garden Tower
The Exo Vertical Hydroponic Garden Tower is another great pick for beginner, intermediate, and expert home hydroponic gardeners alike.
The unit runs on 6 gallons of water and supports 20 grow sites. One of the best things about the purchase is that it includes three months’ worth of supplies.
For those who’re on a budget and are looking for an indoor/outdoor unit, few systems are more worthy of your consideration.
- Type of system: Aeroponics
- Water capacity: 6 gallons
- Plant capacity: 20
Pros:
- Includes everything you need to get going for 3 months
- Easy to set up and use
- Works indoors and outdoors
- More affordable than similar units
Cons:
- Doesn’t work for growing 20 large plants at once
7. Nutrabinns Hydroponic Tower Grow System – 48 Pots
Our seventh review is another popular Nutrabinns system, the 48-Pots Hydroponic Tower Grow System. It is the little brother of the third item on our list.
It isn’t quite as tall as the 80-pot unit, but it is equally impressive with all the same great features as the larger system.
This one runs on a bit less water and nutrients but still grows food quicker, bigger, and better.
- Type of system: Aeroponics
- Water capacity: 6 gallons
- Plant capacity: 48
Pros:
- Grows almost 50 plants at once
- Award-winning and lab-tested unit
- Grows crops up to three times quicker than others
- Saves you as much as 65% or more on power consumption
- Yields are nearly twice as high as with soil techniques
Cons:
- Expensive purchase
- Doesn’t grow as many plants as its big brother and won’t grow 48 large plants at once
8. Nutrabinns Automated Hydroponic Tower Grow System
Before we move on to even more brands and products to consider, we have yet another great choice from Nutrabinns – their Automated Hydroponic Grow System.
The reservoir holds up to 30 gallons of water, which supports a total of up to 80 plants at any given time.
The system is quick and easy to set up, it works for inside and outside operations, and it takes up less space than other units.
- Type of system: Aeroponics
- Water capacity: 30 gallons
- Plant capacity: 80
Pros:
- Grows up to 80 plants at once
- Works both indoors and outdoors
- Easy to use and set up
- Bigger yields
- Less time is required for crops to grow
- Quick assembly
Cons:
- Rather expensive
- Takes up much more space than other systems
9. Gardyn 2.0 Vertical Indoor Hydroponics Growing System
The second Gardyn product to make our list is the Gardyn 2.0 Vertical Indoor Hydroponics Growing System.
For fans of smart tech, few systems are better suited for your consideration than this Gardyn unit. It grows up to 30 plants practically on automatic, and it even includes lights as well as AI assistance.
- Type of system: Aeroponics
- Water capacity: 6 gallons
- Plant capacity: 30
Pros:
- Grows up to 30 plants
- Only requires 2 square feet of space
- AI-based technology helps maintain things
- Super easy to use and set up
- No mess, no soil
- Lights are included
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other units that grow the same amount of plants
- Doesn’t grow 30 large plants at one time but 30 small and medium plants
10. Smart Farm Automatic Self-Watering Vertical Garden
The Smart Farm Automatic Self-Watering Vertical Garden isn’t the most well known compared to others on our list, but it is indeed equally worth your consideration.
This hydroponic system is a self-watering unit that holds up to 16 gallons of water and nutrients. It supports up to 20 plants at a time.
It isn’t as pretty as other choices on our review list, but it does include everything you need to actually get started with a hydroponic garden.
- Type of system: Hydroponic
- Water capacity: 16 gallons
- Plant capacity: 20
Pros:
- Five individual planters that stack on each other
- Includes timer, plant food, and everything needed to get started
- Grows food all year long
- Automated watering process
- Affordable price compared to similar units
Cons:
- Lacks the aesthetic appeal of other more expensive home garden systems
11. LAPOND Hydroponic Grow Kit
LAPOND’s Hydroponic Grow Kit is another perhaps lesser-known unit, but as you can see, it’s as worthy of your attention as any item on our list.
If you don’t know anything about NFT systems, they are one of the most water-, nutrient-, and energy-efficient hydroponic methods/systems around.
This one only takes 3 to 5 gallons of water, for example, and grows up to 108 plants at a time. It’s perfect for small vegetables, flowers, herbs, starter plants, and leafy greens.
- Type of system: NFT
- Water capacity: 3 to 5 gallons
- Plant capacity: 108
Pros:
- Grows a whopping 108 plants
- Design features food-safe PVC grow pipes
- Easy to assemble and use
- Great for leafy greens and small plants
Cons:
- Does not include a reservoir
12. WEPLANT Vertical Hydroponic Growing System
The WEPLANT Vertical Hydroponic Growing System is a solid-made NFT system with a vertical orientation.
The unit is durable and safe, and it works well with just about any reservoir you provide that’s at least 3 gallons.
The system grows up to 36 plants at a time in four food-safe PVC pipes. The only downside is that the drain could use a bit of an upgrade.
- Type of system: NFT
- Water capacity: 3 to 5 gallons
- Plant capacity: 36
Pros:
- Grows 36 plants
- Features the NFT hydroponic design
- Includes four classic PVC grow pipes
- Comes with net pots
- Works well with 1-inch rockwool cubes
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a reservoir
- Could use a better drain design
13. Rocita Hydroponic Grow Kit
The Rocita Hydroponic Grow Kit is a second NFT option for your vertical hydroponic gardening needs.
The system includes four layers of grow pipes (12 total) and is perfect for lettuce, spinach, flowers, herbs, and more.
The reservoir varies depending on what size you provide, but the system is designed to support up to 108 plants.
- Type of system: NFT
- Water capacity: 10 to 30 gallons
- Plant capacity: 108
Pros:
- Four streamlined layers with 12 grow pipes in total
- Grows up to 108 plants at once
- Uses the NFT technique
- Great for leafy greens and small veggies
Cons:
- You need to add your own reservoir to the system
14. E Superegrow Indoor/Outdoor Hydroponics Growing System
If you prefer simple but effective methods over fancy techniques like NFT and aeroponics, let us introduce you to the E Superegrow Indoor/Outdoor Hydroponics Growing System.
Unlike most of the other units on our list, this one runs on deep water culture technology. That means the plants it supports can be much larger than merely leafy greens and herbs.
This unit can grow melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and more.
- Type of system: Deep Water Culture
- Water capacity: 2 gallons
- Plant capacity: Two large plants
Pros:
- Affordable price compared to other units on this list
- Makes a great gift for gardeners
- Includes a pump and 60-inch trellis
- Works well for cucumbers and tomatoes
- Easy-to-use high-grade ABS design
Cons:
- Costs almost twice as much as the version with lights (this one doesn’t come with them)
15. Bio Green City Jungle Hydroponic Gardening System
Bio Green City Jungle’s Hydroponic Gardening System is another solid DWC-type vertical hydroponic system to consider for your indoor or outdoor gardening needs, especially if you are thinking of trying your hand at something like hydroponic peppers, tomatoes, or melons.
These systems also work for dwarf trees, shrubs, and much more.
- Type of system: DWC
- Water capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Plant capacity: 2 large plants
Pros:
- Grows larger plants than other systems
- Features a self-watering design
- Easy to assemble
- Takes little time to learn
- Works indoors/outdoors
Cons:
- Doesn’t grow tons of plants but does grow large and tall plants like tomatoes
Conclusion
From aeroponic grow towers and NFT systems to classic deep water culture designs featuring trellising, there seem to be more and more hydroponic systems appearing on the market each year.
For growing lettuce and other leafy greens, the Aerosprings and Nutrabinns systems are a couple of the very best.
If you’re interested in starting your first hydroponic garden but have little space, most of the options on our list are great choices.
If it’s a smart garden you’re after, none are better than the Gardyn.
For larger plants, like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, or melons, the E Superegrow system or the Bio Green City Jungle system is a much better fit.
Which one is right for you? Only you can be the judge, but hopefully, our article helps narrow down your selection!