The AeroGarden Sprout is a fine little machine. But if you landed on this AeroGarden Sprout vs Harvest comparison because you’re not sure which one to buy, I’ll save you some time: for most people, the Harvest-tier models are the better starting point, and the price gap between them is smaller than you’d think.
That’s not a knock on the Sprout. It’s just that once you understand what you’re giving up at the lower price point, the math usually doesn’t land the way you’d expect.
- The Sprout buy on Amazon costs ~$79 and grows 3 pods up to 10 inches. It’s genuinely good for a very small space or a first-time gift.
- The Harvest Lite in Cream buy on Amazon costs ~$69 and grows 6 pods up to 12 inches. It’s cheaper than the Sprout, holds twice the pods, and is the best starting point for most beginners.
- The Harvest Elite in Stainless buy on Amazon runs ~$180 with a 20W LED and a touchscreen panel. Worth it if you already know you’re committed to this.
- The Sprout’s pump has a reputation for being underpowered; the Harvest lineup is more reliable long-term.
What You’re Actually Comparing
Let me lay this out before we go further. The Sprout and the Harvest aren’t just different sizes of the same thing, they differ on pod count, height clearance, light wattage, pump quality, and (surprisingly) price. And the Harvest family itself has three variants worth knowing about: the standard Harvest in Black buy on Amazon , the Harvest Lite in Cream, and the Harvest Elite in Stainless.
Here’s everything side by side:
| Feature | Sprout | Harvest (Black) | Harvest Lite (Cream) | Harvest Elite (Stainless) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | ~$79 | Check listing | ~$69 | ~$180 |
| Pod capacity | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Max plant height | 10 inches | 12 inches | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| LED wattage | 10W | Not published | Unspecified (energy-efficient LED)* | 20W |
| Control panel | Soft-touch button | Basic | Indicator light | Illuminated touchscreen |
| Vacation mode | No | No | No | Yes |
| Rating | 4.3★ (1,381 reviews) | , | 4.4★ (21,333 reviews) | 4.2★ (7,117 reviews) |
*AeroGarden doesn’t publish the wattage for the Harvest Lite. The listing describes it as an energy-efficient LED with a built-in timer, but no wattage figure is given.
The Pump Issue (It’s Real)
This comes up on Reddit often enough that it’s worth addressing directly. The Sprout’s pump has a reputation for being weak, and it’s not just one or two people. The complaint shows up across threads regularly: plants stall, roots look unhealthy, and when people troubleshoot, the pump is usually the culprit. If you ever want to read more about what can go wrong with AeroGarden pumps in general, I wrote a whole walkthrough at AeroGarden Pump Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It in 10 Minutes .
The Sprout’s current listing does tout a “new silent pump,” which is an improvement over the original design. But the Harvest lineup has a longer track record of reliable circulation, and that matters more than silence when you’re trying to keep six herb pods alive.
Who the Sprout Is Actually For
One thing that comes up in Reddit threads occasionally: people buy a Sprout as part of a bundle deal, sometimes pairing it with a larger model at a discount. That’s actually a smart play if you want a second unit for a windowsill or a bedroom. A Sprout in a low-traffic corner, running mint or a small flower pod, makes a lot of sense as a secondary setup.
As a primary garden for someone who’s serious about actually cooking with what they grow? Three pods isn’t much. You’ll fill them with basil, chives, and parsley, and then immediately wish you had room for cilantro. The 10-inch height limit is also a constraint, tomatoes and peppers are out, and even some herb varieties will push against that ceiling.
Where it works well: tiny kitchen counter with almost no room, a kid’s first garden, or a gift for someone who might not stick with it long enough to justify a bigger machine. The 10-watt LED is efficient and the soft-touch button keeps things simple. It’s not a bad unit. It’s just not the right unit for most adults who want a useful countertop herb garden.
Who the Harvest Lite Is For (And Why It’s the First Recommendation)
The Harvest Lite in Cream is the model I’d point most beginners toward, and the price makes the decision almost embarrassing: it’s currently cheaper than the Sprout, holds twice the pods, and gets you to 12 inches of height clearance. That extra two inches matters more than it sounds, it’s the difference between growing compact basil and having room for a fuller Italian flat-leaf variety.
The tradeoff is simplicity. The Harvest Lite uses an indicator light rather than a digital display. You don’t get a vacation mode. The control panel is minimal. But for someone just starting out, that’s fine, you don’t need a touchscreen to grow herbs successfully, and the indicator light handles the two things that actually matter: when to add water, and when to add nutrients.
The Cream finish also looks genuinely nice in a kitchen. I know that sounds like marketing, but my partner has opinions about what ends up on our counter, and “warm, inviting style” is less of a stretch than it usually is in product listings.
Harvest Lite vs Harvest Elite
The Harvest Elite in Stainless buy on Amazon is what I’d recommend if you’ve already been doing this a while and want something that feels like a proper appliance. The 20W LED is the published spec here, and it’s noticeably more light output than the Sprout’s 10W. The touchscreen panel is satisfying to use. Vacation mode is genuinely useful if you travel, it adjusts the watering and lighting schedule so your plants don’t die while you’re gone for a week.
But the price jump to ~$180 is real. That’s more than double the Harvest Lite. For the extra hundred dollars, you’re getting more wattage, a nicer display, vacation mode, and stainless steel housing. If you’re gifting this to someone or buying it as a treat, the Elite is lovely. If you’re trying to decide whether hydroponics is even for you, spend the $69 on the Lite and use the savings on seed pods and nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow the same plants in a Sprout and a Harvest? Mostly, yes, with one constraint: the Sprout tops out at 10 inches, so anything that grows tall (some pepper varieties, certain tomatoes) will run into trouble. The Harvest models give you 12 inches, which opens up a few more options. Compact herbs like basil, mint, dill, and chives work fine in both. For a fuller breakdown of what actually does well in AeroGarden units, see 14 Things You Can Actually Grow in an AeroGarden .
Is the AeroGarden Sprout worth it at $79? At $79, the Sprout is harder to justify now that the Harvest Lite often sells for less. If you specifically need a 3-pod unit because of space constraints, it’s a reasonable buy. Otherwise, the Harvest Lite gives you more for less money.
Does the AeroGarden Harvest Lite need WiFi? No. The Harvest Lite uses a simple indicator light system, not an app. You don’t connect it to anything. That’s actually a feature if you don’t want another device on your network.
What nutrients do I need for an AeroGarden? AeroGarden sells their own liquid plant food, which works fine. But it’s not the only option, I’ve had good results with third-party alternatives at lower cost. This rundown on AeroGarden nutrient alternatives covers what to use and how to dose it.
How often do I change the water in an AeroGarden? Every 4 weeks is the general guideline. In practice, I top up with fresh water whenever the bowl gets low (every week or so) and do a full drain-and-refill on the 4-week cycle. Keeping the water fresh prevents algae and root rot.
A Note on What You’ll Grow
The pod count difference has a practical impact that’s easy to underestimate. With 3 pods, you’ll almost certainly grow a mixed herb kit and leave it at that. With 6 pods, you start making choices: do you dedicate four pods to basil for pesto, or split them between a cooking mix and something experimental? That flexibility is where countertop hydroponics gets genuinely fun.
If you’re curious about how different AeroGarden units stack up against other brands entirely, I also wrote a comparison of iDOO, AeroGarden, and Click & Grow that might help if you’re still deciding whether AeroGarden is even the right direction.
The Harvest Lite in Cream is where I’d start. Most people don’t need the Elite right out of the gate, and the Sprout’s three-pod limit will frustrate you faster than you’d expect. [Grab the Harvest Lite here](buy on Amazon ) and you’ll have fresh herbs on your counter within a couple of weeks. If you already know you want the premium build, the [Harvest Elite](buy on Amazon ) is a genuinely nice machine, just go in knowing it’s a commitment purchase, not a starter one.