AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 vs Harvest Elite: 4 Aspects
Naila Syifa
Updated November 2024
AeroGarden has a range of indoor garden options, but the Harvest series remains one of their most popular and affordable product lines. The second-generation Harvest model and the Harvest Elite are some offerings in the series, both offering excellent value for beginners and casual indoor gardeners alike. But what sets these two models apart?
Key Takeaways
Harvest 2.0 has a new algae-preventing grow deck, but Harvest Elite has premium features like customizable lighting schedules, a stainless steel finish, and an LCD screen. Harvest 2.0 has a fixed 15-hour light-on cycle with a matte finish and simpler one-button control.
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0
Compact Indoor Gardening
✓ Grow up to 6 Plants
✓ 15W Detachable Grow Light
✓ Built-In Automatic Timer
✓ Algae-Preventing Grow Deck
AeroGarden Harvest Elite
Smart & Compact Indoor Gardening
✓ Grow up to 6 Plants
✓ 20W LED with Custom Schedule
✓ LCD & Backlit Buttons
✓ Vacation Mode
Design
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0
Both the Harvest 2.0 and Harvest Elite share the same fundamental design principles, featuring a compact footprint that's perfect for countertop gardening. Each unit accommodates up to six plants in individual growing pods, which can grow up to 12 inches tall.
Both models come in several color options, including silver, white, black, and sage for the Harvest Elite or cream, black, charcoal, and green for the Harvest 2.0.
However, the Harvest Elite looks more premium with a stainless steel finish as compared to the classic matte finish of the Harvest 2.0. If appearance is crucial for you, the Elite model's sleek metallic look might be worth the extra investment.
Control Interface
AeroGarden Harvest Elite
What sets the Harvest Elite apart from the second-generation standard Harvest model is the non-touch LCD screen, which gives you more precise control over your garden's settings, including setting light on time, selecting plant type, and enabling vacation mode.
The LCD also displays 'Days Planted' and 'Plant Food Timer', which respectively show how many days since planting and the countdown until the next nutrient feeding is due.
The screen is non-touch, so navigating is done using the backlit buttons on the left and right sides of the display. There is also a light button to quickly turn the lamp on/off, as well as a leaf-shaped button that alerts you to add nutrients or water when needed.
In contrast, the Harvest 2.0 has no screen and only features one button at the top of the lamp to turn on/off the LED light or to set the light on time.
A small light indicator near the button flashes to give plant food reminders, while the leaf-shaped AeroGarden logo becomes red when water needs to be added.
In conclusion, controls are more sophisticated on the Elite model, offering better monitoring and customization options compared to the simpler, one-button interface of the Harvest 2.0.
Lighting
AeroGarden Harvest Elite
Design-wise, the lamp on the Harvest 2.0 is better as it is detachable, allowing for easier cleaning and maintenance. But feature-wise, lighting on the Harvest Elite is more sophisticated and customizable.
While Harvest 2.0 has a fixed 15-hour light on schedule, the Elite allows you to adjust the duration based on your plants' specific needs. You can choose from 15.5 hours for flowers, 16 hours for veggies, 16.5 hours for salads, 17 hours for herbs, 8 hours with less water for vacation mode, or set a custom duration that suits your specific growing requirements.
On top of that, the Harvest Elite allows you to set the specific time that you want the schedule to start, while the Harvest 2.0 starts its light cycle from whenever you first plug in the garden or whenever you reset the cycle.
Let's say you want the light to be on every 9 AM. With the Harvest Elite, you can simply set the 'Lights ON Time' to 9 AM in the LCD menu, and the garden will automatically follow this schedule. With the Harvest 2.0, you'll have to wait until 9 AM to plug in or reset the garden to start the cycle at that exact time.
Harvest Elite also boasts a higher wattage LED grow light system at 20W compared to Harvest 2.0's 15W output. A lower wattage is gentle to the eyes but a higher wattage provides more intense light for optimal plant growth.
Grow Deck
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 has a redesigned grow deck with an all-black color to reduce light penetration and reinforced rings around the pod openings. This new design helps to prevent algae.
The Harvest Elite has the original grow deck design with no algae prevention mechanism. It is more susceptible to algae growth, which usually appears in the water bowl or around the pod holes.
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 vs Harvest Elite
Final Thoughts
AeroGarden Harvest Elite
Both models appeal to gardeners looking to get started with hydroponic growing at home, but they cater to different needs and preferences.
The Harvest 2.0's improved grow deck design and simpler interface make it an excellent choice for beginners who want a straightforward, low-maintenance system.
Meanwhile, the Harvest Elite's premium features like customizable lighting schedules and higher wattage output appeal to more experienced hydroponic enthusiasts who want greater control over their growing environment.
If you like to read more about Indoor Smart Garden, check out our other relevant guides here:
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 vs Bounty
AeroGarden Harvest Elite vs Bounty Elite
AeroGarden Bounty vs Bounty Basic
AeroGarden Bounty vs Bounty Elite
AeroGarden Bounty Basic vs Elite
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
Don't miss out on tech
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest tech trends and guides on the best gadgets around.
