There’s one thing that flats or houses in a suburban area lack, that is, some plants. Now, there are viable options out there for indoor plants that don’t require much care or any light, but what if you want to take it a step further?
Well, if you have been looking into indoor plants at some point, hydroponic systems might’ve come across your feed more than a couple of times. They’re trending at the moment, and it’s easy to see why.
They’re a great solution for those that live in homes or environments in which, it is quite challenging to keep plants in a healthy condition. Gardyn, Lettuce Grow, and iHarvest, are three of the most well-known hydroponic systems on the market today.
Firstly, we’ll talk about what these systems are, but if you’ve already done your research, skip right ahead to the side-by-side comparison.
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What Are Hydroponic Systems?
Basically, it’s a system that can grow plants in water, that’s all there is to it. Because the technology has come so far now, hydroponic systems usually have a lot of control when it comes to environmental changes.
Meaning, they can control the temperature around the plant, adjust the pH balance, and greater exposure to nutrients and water.
It uses 90% less water than regular gardening on average, and in some cases, the plants can grow in half the time. There’s really no limit of what can be grown in hydroponic systems. Anything from vegetables to beautiful roses, it is safe to say that you’ve got some options.
That’s all there is to Gardyn, Lettuce Grow, and iHarvest. They’re extremely viable solutions to growing plants indoor, even if the environment isn’t fit to grow them.
Side-By-Side Comparison – Gardyn VS Lettuce Grow VS iHarvest
Is there any difference to the three hydroponic systems from the three brands? Well, there definitely is, especially how they’re designed. Gardyn and iHarvest are somewhat similar to each other, while Lettuce Grow’s The Harvest has a completely different design compared to the other two and other solutions.
It’s hard to say which one is the ‘best’ by looking at them. What we can do though, is put the three side-by-side in a comparison. This is a comparison table of Gardyn, Lettuce Grow, and iHarvest:
| Gardyn VS Lettuce Grow VS iHarvest |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 24” x 12” x 64” | Depends on size – Biggest farmstead: 6’1” x 1’10” | 32” x 14” x 60” |
| Weight | 20 lbs. | 24 lbs. | Undisclosed |
| Light System – higher watts = brighter lights = more power draw | 2 x 60W LED Lights | LED Rings sold separately: 4 x 96W LED Rings | 2 x 72W LED Lights |
| Smartphone Control? | Yes | No | No |
| Membership Available? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Return Policy | 60-day return policy | 90-day return policy | 30-day return policy |
| Shop Hydroponic Systems: |
NOTE: The Garden Home Kit 2.0 from Gardyn has been used in this comparison. For Lettuce Grow, we used The Farmstand (36 plants), and for iHarvest, we went with The iHarvest Complete Package consecutively.
I think the differences are quite apparent and I think the biggest factor is size. Lettuce Grow is the most impressive in this regard as it is the smallest one out of the bunch, and yet, it still has a high plant capacity. However, its design might not be for everyone.
All three have membership options, but out of all three, the most impressive seems to be iHarvest, in my opinion.
Gardyn Review
It takes one glimpse to get the idea that there has been a lot of thought put into the Garden Home Kit 2.0. Even the original version did make a lot of headlines, and it is still a viable option today.
Granted, there are things with the second version which are refined and updated, but it is interesting to see that Gardyn has sticked with the same design in the second version as well. Maybe it’s due to the fact that the design, is, hands-down, the best out of the three.
And Gardyn did become well known for having a sleek design, at least, much sleeker than the other solutions on the market.
In addition to the great design, Gardyn also comes in at an affordable price. It’s priced in the same neighborhood as iHarvest, whereas Lettuce Grow is much more expensive.
Still, I think it is apparent that hydroponic systems are still a luxury, despite the market getting much more saturated.
There have been a few customer complaints, and most of them were pointing out that Gardyn makes trivial mistakes. According to a few customers, their Home Kit arrived with no plants. And, there were multiple instances where the sets and orders weren’t complete.
One issue which I didn’t expect to see is the smartphone app. Some point out that the experience isn’t user-friendly, and the app seems underdeveloped.
With that said, let’s review the pros and cons:
PROS
- Sleek design
- Proven technology
- Great value
- Easy for beginner gardeners
CONS
- Some customers complained that the application is “not user-friendly”
- Trivial order complications
Lettuce Grow Review
The best word that I can use to summarize Lettuce Grow is ‘modern’. We have seen hydroponic systems in the past with designs like from the other two brands, but The Farmstand from Lettuce Grow is unique of people that prefer the thin and tall hydroponic systems over the traditional types, such as Gardyn and iHarvest. That’s not me.
Furthermore, don’t think that you won’t get less capacity with the smaller size. Due to the cylinder shape of the Farmstand, it means that there’s an option to plant plants on every side of the home garden, contrary to the design of iHarvest or Gardyn.
I did take note of a lot of cases of customers saying that Lettuce Grow – The Farmstand is the best solution for smaller spaces, and if you want an indoor garden that’s thin, but tall.
However, I say smaller, but what I mean is less wide. You can still opt in for the biggest Farmstand, which is very tall, and has a lot of capacity.
PROS
- Portable design
- Great capacity considering the size
- Well-designed ring lights
- Powerful lights
- Good for small spaces
CONS
- If you have much more space, then a single Farmstead might be too small (even the biggest option)
iHarvest Review
iHarvest is somewhat the same size as Gardyn. One thing which is clear right from the get-go is the fact that it is lacking in design compared to the other two.
But what it lacks in design it makes up for in functionality. The way that iHarvest is designed is that it has guiding brackets for plants, so once they’re flourished and fully grown, they don’t just flop together. It gives a carpet-like look to the garden once the plants are fully grown.
The other thing which is a plus with iHarvest is the movable lights. Once your plants start growing you may need to adjust the lighting position, and thanks to the separate lights, you can do so. You can also remove them completely if your plants don’t need them.
So, let’s recoup. Here are the pros and cons of iHarvest:
PROS
- Movable lights
- Guiding brackets
- Functionality over design
- 14 Gallon Reservoir
- Good value
CONS
- Not really sleek
Head-To-Head Comparisons
So, which home garden solution is for you, is it Gardyn, is it Lettuce Grow, or iHarvest? It’s hard to say because it depends. Mostly, it depends on what you’re looking for, and how much space you’re willing to dedicate to your home garden.
We’ll go over some use-case scenarios with these brands in a head-to-head battle.
Big Systems Like Gardyn & iHarvest VS Lettuce Grow
We thought that it be only fair to compare Lettuce Grow to more traditional home garden systems, like the ones from the other two.
Like I said before, Lettuce Grow is not my personal favorite, but it will be for the majority. It is the most high-end option out of all three, and has a unique design and size which is unique, as you can really find anything similar on the market at the moment.
Go for Lettuce Grow – The Farmstead if you want something smaller and more portable. So, if space is a constraint for you, I recommend Farmstead. Also, if you have a hefty budget and want something that doesn’t compromise on anything, it’s the Farmstead.
On the other hand, iHarvest and Gardyn are very good for their price point. While they may be enormous, they can be easier to work with, which makes them more compatible with beginners.
So, if space is not an issue, and you want the best home garden at a more affordable price, you might need to look into iHarvest and Gardyn more.
Gardyn OR iHarvest?
There is not much to say about this head-to-head. Both are very similar.
Nevertheless, they do have their differences. Functionality and design are the main things. I would say iHarvest beats Gardyn in terms of functionality, but design-wise, Gardyn is by far the most impressive. Very sleek.
Like I mentioned previously, price isn’t really a difference between the two. At the time of writing, their price is the same.
I think it comes down to whether you prefer functionality or design. If you want something aesthetically-pleasing, which will definitely be an attraction in your home, don’t look farther than Gardyn.
But if functionality is what you’re aiming for, and particularly a home garden that’s easier to start with, well, iHarvest is a better solution, at the moment.
The Verdict: Summing-Up – Gardyn, Lettuce Grow & iHarvest
While there have been many more companies pop up with home-garden solutions, it seems like these hydroponic systems are still considered a luxury.
Anyways, these three brands – iHarvest, Lettuce Grow, and Gardyn, are very viable solutions and they do come at somewhat affordable prices. To mention again, I would go with Lettuce Grow – The Farmstead if I’m low on space, and want the best of the best.
BUT, if space is not an issue and I’m looking for functionality and beginner-friendliness, then iHarvest is the second option. Gardyn however, is also great, especially if we’re talking esthetics.
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