The 5 Best Grow Tents For Vegetables – [2021 Reviews]

Grow better vegetables at home, we break down this year's top grow tents for vegetables

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

In this side-by-side comparison we review the 5 top-rated grow tent kits used for indoor and greenhouse gardening. Also see our buyer’s guide later in the article, How To Choose The Best Grow Tent.

Best Grow Tents

 Apollo Horticulture Grow TentMARS HYDRO Grow TentVIVOSUN Grow Tent
editors choice
MaterialReflective Tear Proof Mylar1680D Canvas with Reflective Mylar backing600D Canvas with Reflective Mylar backing
Dimensions48 x 48 x 80 inches48 x 48 x 80 inches48 x 48 x 80 inches
Special Features
Removable Mylar floor tray; 2 filter strips; instructionsMetal corner adaptors; peek window; removable floor tray; instructionsObservation window; removable floor tray
Customer Ratings
4.2 / 5.0 Stars5.0 / 5.0 Stars4.2 / 5.0 Stars

Also see: Hydroponic Grow Tents – Price Comparison Table


Quick Answer:  The 5 Best-Rated Hydroponic Grow Tents

  1. Apollo Horticulture 48”x48”x80” Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent
  2. MARS HYDRO Grow Tent, 48″x48″x80″ Reflective Mylar Hydroponic Growing Tent
  3. VIVOSUN 48″x48″x80″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent
  4. TopoLite Full Range Indoor Grow Tent in Multiple Sizes
  5. CoolGrows Grow Tent, 48″x24″x60″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

Grow Tents Reviews

#1 Apollo Horticulture 48”x48”x80” Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

best hydroponic indoor grow tents

The Apollo Horticulture 48”x48”x80” Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent at a Glance:

  • 48 x 48 x 80
  • Reflective tear proof Mylar
  • Removable Mylar lined floor tray
  • 2 Filter Straps

Starting our list we have the Apollo Horticulture 48”x48”x80” Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent.

Around the middle of our price scale, you’ll find this grow tent is a great place for beginners who want to invest in a quality tent upfront, instead of replacing one down the line.

This grow tent is a great size, encompassing 48 x 48 x 80 inches, meaning there will be plenty of room for a small indoor garden to thrive (and for you to reach all of your plants, of course!)

The removable floor tray ensures you aren’t damaging your floors from fallen leaves, soil, water, etcetera, making it easy for you to clean up the tent.

The tear proof Mylar backing helps this grow tent last through the seasons, ensuring you’ll have many successful gardens come out of it, and many delicious fruits and vegetables too!


#2 MARS HYDRO Grow Tent, 48″x48″x80″ Reflective Mylar Hydroponic Growing Tent

MARS HYDRO Grow Tent, 48″x48″x80″ Reflective Mylar Hydroponic Growing Tent at a Glance:

  • 48 x 48 x 80 inches
  • 1680D Canvas with Reflective Mylar backing
  • Metal Corner Adaptors
  • Peek window
  • Removable floor tray

Next up we have the MARS HYDRO Grow Tent, 48″x48″x80″ Reflective Mylar Hydroponic Growing tent!

Coming in at the same 48 x 48 x 80 as the Apollo grow tent, this one will be just as suited for medium sized indoor gardens. The real benefit of this tent (and what justifies the higher price point), is the build quality.

Thanks to the metal corner adapters and support rods, as well as the 1680D canvas material, you’ll find this grow tent to be a great investment for the long term indoor gardener.

If you’re just looking to test the waters, this probably isn’t the grow tent for you; but if you plan to start your garden indoors for the foreseeable future, this is a wise upfront investment that will likely save you money in the long run.


#3 VIVOSUN 48″x48″x80″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

VIVOSUN 48″x48″x80″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent at a Glance:

  • 48 x 48 x 80 inches
  • 600D Canvas with Reflective Mylar backing
  • Observation window
  • Removable floor tray

If you’re looking for a higher quality grow tent, but shy away from the high price of the Mars Hydro grow tent, the VIVOSUN 48″x48″x80″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent will likely be a great option for you!

This grow tent is in many ways similar to the Mars Hydro and the Apollo grow tents; it covers the same 48 x 48 x 80 inch space, and while its 600D canvas material won’t be quite as durable as the Mars Hydro, it will probably last you a bit longer than the Apollo.

The included observation window makes it easy to check on your plants without disturbing the environment inside the tent, and of course, the removable floor tray makes cleanup super easy!

Overall, this is a solid tent at a good mid-range price. A bit higher in quality, but a bit easier on the budget. A great pick for the beginner gardener looking for something nice to try out!


#4 TopoLite Full Range Indoor Grow Tent in Multiple Sizes

TopoLite Full Range Indoor Grow Tent in Multiple Sizes at a Glance:

  • 24 x 24 x 48 inches
  • 600D oxford cloth with Reflective Mylar lining
  • Removable floor tray
  • Assembly instructions
  • Filter straps

Of course, many of you may be total beginners, not only to indoor gardening but to gardening in general.

If that’s your situation, a cheap grow tent kit will probably be a better option, giving you the opportunity to try out the system and see how it works for your particular garden.

For that purpose, the TopoLite Full Range Indoor Grow Tent would be a great option. It comes in a variety of sizes, from smaller to very large, letting it adapt to the space you have available and want to commit to your new indoor garden.

This would also be a great option for those looking to buy a secondary grow tent to expand on one they already have!

The approachable price point, included floor tray, filter strips, and easy instructions make this grow tent set up like a breeze.

Overall, for such a cheap grow tent, this is still a great option, and one of the best options for the beginner indoor gardener.


#5 CoolGrows Grow Tent, 48″x24″x60″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

 CoolGrows Grow Tent, 48″x24″x60″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent at a Glance:

  • 48 x 24 x 60 inches
  • 600D PVC free canvas with Reflective Mylar backing
  • Observation window
  • One year warranty
  • Removable floor tray

Finally, last on our list is the CoolGrows Grow Tent, 48″x24″x60″ Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent. While this grow tent looks similar to the others on this list, its standout features come in the details.

With this grow tent you’ll find much of what you expect; a strong canvas outer material with a reflective Mylar backing.

An observation window for easy access to your plants, a removable floor tray for easy cleanup, and a moderate size that makes it easy to fit into any home environment.

The standout feature for this grow tent comes with its reliable one-year warranty, both justifying the higher price while still making it an awesome option for beginners to the indoor gardening scene.

This way, as you use and abuse your new grow tent, you can rest easy knowing you won’t be punished for your learning curve.

Of course, it’s higher priced than the cheapest grow tent option on this list, but we feel it’s still perfect for beginners because of the excellent warranty.


Grow Tents Comparison Table

Best Grow Tents MaterialDimensionsSpecial FeaturesCustomer Ratings
Apollo Horticulture Mylar Hydroponic Grow TentReflective Tear Proof Mylar48 x 48 x 80 inchesRemovable Mylar floor tray; 2 filter strips; instructions4.2 / 5.0 Stars
MARS HYDRO Reflective Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent1680D Canvas with Reflective Mylar backing48 x 48 x 80 inchesMetal corner adaptors; peek window; removable floor tray; instructions5.0 / 5.0 Stars
VIVOSUN Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent600D Canvas with Reflective Mylar backing48 x 48 x 80 inchesObservation window; removable floor tray4.2 / 5.0 Stars
TopoLite Full Range Indoor Grow Tent600D oxford cloth with Reflective Mylar lining24 x 24 x 48 inchesRemovable floor tray; assembly instructions; filter straps4.5 / 5.0 Stars
CoolGrows Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent600D PVC free canvas with Reflective Mylar backing
48 x 24 x 60 inches
Observation window; one year warranty; removable floor tray
4.4 / 5.0 Stars

How to Choose the Best Grow Tent

If you’re a passionate plant lover, you may find winter a depressing time of year. How can you nurture you’re garden when it’s covered by frost or snow?

Even the summer can be hard on young plants that struggle to handle the intense heat and frequent drought.

That’s where grow tents come in as a great option for those looking for a year-round gardening experience!

If you have an unused indoor space, you might consider growing vegetables, fruits, lettuces, or even flowers. There are tons of options for what grows well in an indoors grow tent.

The products we chose come in a variety of grow tent packages and sizes. So take look at your growing yield requirements. There is a lot of plant yield difference between a 4×4 grow tent versus a 4×8 grow tent.

TopoLite-Multiple-Hydroponic-Growing-Tent-guide image

The benefits of grow tents are many. They allow indoor gardeners the ability to craft optimal gardening environments for their plants and seedlings, something nearly impossible to do outside.

Usually, grow tents are made from a flexible material and may include grow lights, fans, or carbon filters.

Young plants grow much better in a grow tent environment, so even if you prefer your outdoors garden, a grow tent is a great option for starting small seedlings and other delicate plants, before they’re ready to go outdoors.

The reflective material sewn into the inside of the grow tents is there to prevent hot spots, helping avoid overheating your plants or having certain sections of the tent grow worse than others.

Overall, it’s an ideal system! While there are many DIY grow tent options available, for the beginner indoor gardener, a complete grow tent kit is probably a better option.

These grow tent kits usually come with everything you’d need for setting up your grow tent, as well as floor trays to prevent debris from collecting on your floor, filters for keeping the air clean for your plants, and some even come with warranties.

Of course, to get started with a new indoor growing tent and garden, you need to pick the right grow tent kit to buy. Below, we’ve collected five of the best options on the market, to help you make a better decision!

You’ll find our picks cover a wide range of prices and types of kits; our goal is to ensure we give you a good representation of the market, letting you decide how much you want to invest from the start, and ensuring you get a good quality grow tent regardless of price!

 So you’ve decided a grow tent is a great option for your next indoor gardening adventure. Great! Next comes deciding which one is the best option for you and your home gardening journey.

So what is the best grow tent for hydroponic or garden tent growing?

Size

Before you go out and buy the biggest grow tent you can find, take a moment to think about the space your tent will ultimately live in.

How many plants do you want to grow, what type are they and how much space does each one need to thrive? How much space do you want inside the tent for you to walk around?

If you only plan to grow a few small plants or use the tent to start seedlings, you likely won’t need to fit inside at all.

Just choose a tent with a quality observation window letting you reach inside to care for your plants without ever entering the tent.

Height

Similar to space, the height of your ideal tent will depend on the height your plants need to grow healthily. What will the maximum height of your plants be?

You’ll want to add a foot or so above this height, leaving space for growing lamps and other important accessories. This will allow the light and air to circulate effectively, keeping your plants happy and thriving!

For the most long lasting tent, one you can work with for a variety of gardens, try to find one with adjustable poles or extensions so you can change the height as you need.

Location

Since grow tents are usually used indoors, the biggest concern is once again, space. Be careful and measure you’re planned location carefully, ensuring the tent will fit properly and have plenty of space for you to maneuver around it.

Tents range in size from small tabletop units to full room size tents, so there really are limitless options available to you!

Just ensure larger tents have enough space for easy access through all doors and observation windows, and you should be good to go!

Ventilation

Of course, for plants to remain happy and healthy, proper ventilation is key. You’ll want to ensure there is plenty of space for air to circulate and maintain proper temperature and humidity.

This often requires a vent for the tent. Try to position your tent near a window or other opening, allowing you to vent any exhaust fans outdoors instead of into your living space.

Additionally, fresh air intakes should also have unobstructed room to ensure proper ventilation for your plants.

Accessories

Last but not least, grow tents have a variety of accessories to improve your growing experience! If you plan to add lights or other vents, make sure your tent had strong support bars to mount them on, as well as the necessary ports in the side for cables and fans.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions About Grow Tents

Question: Will a grow tent let me garden year round?

Answer: The short answer is; yes! That’s one of the best things about gardening with a grow tent.

As I’m sure you know winter is a tough time of year for the passionate gardener. It’s easy to feel depressed at the lack of green outside and the lack of time you get to spend on your favorite hobby.

Fortunately, grow tents are a great option to remediate this, as they not only let you garden year round, but grow many varieties of plants that may not thrive in your area even during the growing season!

With the right grow tent you’ll be able to grow your favorite veggies, fruits, lettuces, and even flowers year round, without having to be tied down to seasonal availability.

Question: Will a grow tent fit in my home?

Answer: Yes, it’s just a matter of picking the right one for your space.

There are many sizes of grow tent available, meaning you will likely find one if not several that have options to fit into your home.

While the 48 x 48 x 80 model is popular for its versatility, if that’s simply too big for the space you have, a smaller 24 x 24 x 48 model should do the trick!

Best of all, grow tents are a very efficient use of space.

Areas you wouldn’t normally use to their fullest potential, such as garages or closets or unused pantries make great homes for your grow tent, which protects your plants from poor air quality, lack of light, and temperature, meaning almost any space could become your next indoor garden!

Question: Are grow tents energy efficient, or will they increase my electric bill?

Answer: A well designed grow kit is meant to be energy efficient, requiring the least amount of power of any indoor growing method.

Because the tents are self-contained, heat and light don’t escape as quickly or easily, meaning less is required for happy, healthy plants! So, no!

You shouldn’t see a huge increase in your electric bill upon using your new grow tent, so long as it’s properly set up and equipped.

Question: Do grow tents deter pests?

Answer: Yes! Just like with heat and light, grow tents are contained, meaning pests will struggle to get inside and access your plants.

Of course, there is always the risk of transferring pests into your tent on your body or on new plants you’re bringing in from a nursery or from outdoors.

So always be careful and clean yourself and any new plants thoroughly before introducing them to the tent.

Question: Are grow tents easy to set up?

Answer: Yes! With easy to follow instructions, many grow tents can be set up and fully operational in a few hours!

Better yet, by buying a complete grow tent kit, you help save yourself the hassle of missing pieces you may otherwise have to buy separately. 


Thanks for reading Top 5 Best Hydroponic Grow Tents. We hope this article has helped you to discover the best tent grow kit or tent grow packages for your indoor growing system needs.

And if you’re shopping for other gear take a look at these related review articles from Outside Pursuits:

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Amazon Bestsellers For Grow Tents

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How We Researched

To come up with the top grow tents for vegetables, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Home Depot, Lowes, Target and AcmeTools along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The staff authors have a wide and varied background in yard maintenance and home repairs.

The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

 

To help narrow down the selection we used personal experiences along with recommendations from landscapers, bloggers and contractors.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources

Notice:

OutsidePursuits.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. OutsidePursuits.com earns fees from products sold through qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a commission on products sold through their affiliate links.

Richard Moore

Richard is a co-founder of and major contributor to Outside Pursuits. He has trekking and survival experience throughout Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Richard contributes his extensive travel and outdoor experience to the editorial topics and content on Outside Pursuits including outdoor gear, motorcycle accessories, auto/4x4 accessories, and tools. In 1998, he survived in the wilderness for over a week without food or specialist equipment. He was stranded on the northern coast of Honduras following Category 5 Hurricane Mitch.

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