If you’ve been researching indoor hydroponic kits in the UK, you’ve almost certainly landed on these two. The iDOO 12-Pod and the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 are the two most popular countertop growing systems available — and they couldn’t be more different in their approach.
One is cheap, flexible, and requires a little more involvement. The other is beautifully designed, effortlessly simple, and considerably more expensive to run long-term.
This comparison will tell you exactly which one is right for you.
At a Glance
iDOO 12-Pod
Price: ~£69
Pods: 12
Uses your own seeds and nutrients
Manual light timer
Running cost: ~£10–15/month in nutrients
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9
Price: ~£139
Pods: 9
Uses proprietary pre-seeded pods
Automatic everything
Running cost: ~£27–45 per pod cycle
Design & Build Quality
This is where Click & Grow wins decisively. It’s a genuinely beautiful piece of kit — clean Scandinavian design, premium materials, and a look that says kitchen appliance rather than gardening gadget. It wouldn’t look out of place next to a high-end coffee machine.
The iDOO is functional and well-made for its price, but it looks like what it is — a budget-friendly growing system. The adjustable light arm is practical but slightly industrial looking. If aesthetics matter to you, Click & Grow is the clear winner.
Winner: Click & Grow
Ease of Use
Click & Grow was designed for people who want zero learning curve. You fill the water tank, drop in a pre-seeded pod, plug it in and walk away. There’s nothing to measure, nothing to mix, no pH to test. It genuinely could not be simpler.
The iDOO requires slightly more involvement — you’ll need to add nutrient solution at the right concentration, set the light timer manually, and check water levels regularly. None of this is complicated, but there is a small learning curve in the first couple of weeks.
For complete beginners who want immediate results with no fuss, Click & Grow is easier. For beginners who don’t mind a small amount of learning, iDOO is perfectly manageable.
Winner: Click & Grow (just)
Value for Money
This is where iDOO wins convincingly — and the gap is larger than most people realise.
The iDOO costs £69 upfront. After that, a bottle of nutrients costs around £10–15 and lasts several months. You use any standard seeds, which cost pennies per plant.
Click & Grow costs £139 upfront — double the price. But the ongoing cost is what really adds up. Those proprietary Smart Soil pods cost £3–5 each. For nine pods every two to three months, you’re spending £27–45 every cycle just on pods. Over a year that’s £108–180 in pod costs alone, on top of the initial purchase price.
Over 12 months:
iDOO total cost: approximately £130–150
Click & Grow total cost: approximately £260–320
The iDOO is roughly half the price over a full year of use.
Winner: iDOO — by a significant margin
Grow Light Quality
Both kits include full-spectrum LED grow lights — essential for year-round UK growing when natural daylight isn’t sufficient.
The iDOO’s light arm is height-adjustable and covers all 12 pods effectively. It’s a solid performer for herbs and salad leaves.
Click & Grow’s light is fixed but well-positioned for the 9-pod layout. It’s slightly more energy efficient but less adjustable.
Both are adequate for herbs, lettuce, and salad. Neither is powerful enough for fruiting plants like tomatoes or peppers.
Winner: Draw
What You Can Grow
iDOO: Because you use your own seeds, you can grow virtually anything that suits a countertop system. Basil, mint, coriander, parsley, lettuce, rocket, spinach, chives, kale, and more. You’re not limited to what one company decides to sell you.
Click & Grow: Currently offers over 70 pod varieties including herbs, salad leaves, flowers, and some fruiting plants. The range is genuinely impressive and keeps expanding. However you are dependent on Click & Grow continuing to stock the varieties you want — and paying their prices for them.
Winner: iDOO for flexibility, Click & Grow for convenience
Capacity
The iDOO has 12 pods versus Click & Grow’s 9. For most households 9 pods is plenty — that’s enough for a continuous supply of two or three herb varieties plus some salad leaves. But if you want more variety or higher volume, the iDOO’s extra three pods make a difference.
Winner: iDOO
The Honest Verdict
Choose the iDOO 12-Pod if:
You want the best value for money
You’re happy to learn the basics of nutrients and pH
You want flexibility to grow anything
You’re on a budget
Choose Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 if:
You want absolute simplicity with zero learning curve
Aesthetics matter — it needs to look great in your kitchen
You’re buying it as a gift
Budget isn’t a concern and convenience is everything
Our Pick
For most UK beginners, the iDOO 12-Pod is the better choice. It costs less upfront, costs significantly less to run, grows more plants, and gives you the flexibility to experiment with any seeds you like. The small learning curve pays dividends quickly.
The Click & Grow is a genuinely excellent product — it’s just hard to justify the ongoing pod costs when the iDOO does a comparable job at half the price.
That said — if you’re buying this as a gift, or if you genuinely want the most effortless experience possible, Click & Grow is worth every penny.
iDOO 12-Pod — View on Amazon
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 — View on Click & Grow
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own seeds in Click & Grow?
No — Click & Grow is designed exclusively for their proprietary pods. You cannot use standard seeds.
Does iDOO come with seeds?
No — you buy your own seeds separately. Any standard herb or salad seeds work. This is actually an advantage as it gives you complete flexibility.
Which grows herbs faster?
Both produce harvestable herbs in roughly the same time — 3 to 4 weeks for most varieties. The growing speed depends more on the plant variety and light quality than the system.
Is Click & Grow worth the extra cost?
For pure value for money, no. For convenience and design, yes. It depends entirely on what matters most to you.
Can beginners use the iDOO?
Absolutely — the learning curve is small and the instructions are clear. Most beginners are harvesting herbs within a month of their first setup.
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