Buying a hydroponic system is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming when you realize how many types there are. The good news: you don’t need to be a pro to pick the right one. Before making the purchase just consider these five things.
1. What Do You Want to Grow?
Different plants thrive in different hydroponic systems. For example, while you can grow tomatoes in an NFT system, it’s not ideal—those plants need more root support and water volume than a channel system usually provides. Leafy greens like lettuce, however, are perfect for NFT.
If you know you’ll want to grow both herbs and fruiting crops, choose a flexible system (like Deep Water Culture or Ebb & Flow) rather than buying a second system later. Matching plants with the right system saves time, money, and frustration.
Not sure what to grow?
👉 Check out my hydroponic grow guides for different fruits vegetables and leafy greens.
Pro Tip: Start with fast growers like lettuce, basil, or oregano to build confidence before moving on to more demanding crops.
2. What’s Your Budget?
Hydroponic systems range from under $25 for simple countertop Kratky jars to several hundred dollars for larger, automated setups. Deciding your budget ahead of time helps narrow down your choices quickly.
I would recommend starting out with a simple deep water culture system. Check out our cost breakdown of hydroponic systems for real-world price ranges.
🛠️ Low budget?: Here’s how to build a 5 gallon hydroponic bucket and a DWC tote system.
3. How Much Space Do You Have?
Space is a major factor. Hydroponic systems can be as small as a jar on your windowsill or as large as a full closet grow tent. Think about where you’ll place your system and how easy it will be to perform maintenance like water changes.
Also consider vertical systems if you want to grow more in less square footage. Tower gardens are awesome systems that can grow a lot of plants. It’s also a bonus if you find the sound of falling water relaxing.
🌱 Pro Tip: Place your system near a sink or drain if possible—refilling and cleaning are a lot easier when you’re not hauling buckets across the house.
4. How Much Do You Want to Harvest?
Do you just want fresh salad greens for yourself, or are you aiming to feed your family year-round? Your harvest goals determine how many plant sites your system should have.
Small harvest: A countertop system with 6–12 sites is plenty. Kratky jars work well for herbs
Medium harvest- Large Harvest: An Ebb & Flow or vertical system can produce enough to share or preserve.A 20–36 site NFT or DWC tub can keep salads flowing all week.
5. How Much Garden Time Do You Have?
Hydroponics eliminates weeding and daily watering—but it replaces some of that time with monitoring. Some systems are nearly hands-off (like Kratky jars), while others require frequent pH and nutrient checks.
If you travel often or just don’t want to babysit your garden, look for systems with built-in automation or monitoring tools.
Related Guides
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Hydroponic Garden
- How To Maintain A Hydroponic Reservoir
- Hydroponic Systems For Every Budget
Final Thoughts
Choosing your first hydroponic system doesn’t have to be stressful. Think about what you want to grow, how much space and time you have, and what fits your budget. Start small if you’re unsure—you can always expand later. With the flexibility hydroponics offers, there’s a perfect system out there for you.
My mother wanted to grow plants through the Hydroponic method, but she’s unfamiliar with the system. It’s interesting to know that when it comes to space, it’s a necessity to drain water out f the hydroponic reservoir; so space would be easier to maintain. It’s best if we’ll start looking for a Hydroponic shop that will cater to my mother’s needs.