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Are you new to the world of growing weed, but would love to try growing a few plants on your own? Yeah, it can be a bit intimidating, and hard as well. You might be worried about proper ventilation, lighting, not disturbing the rest of your home, or alerting the neighbors.
However, if you have the right tools and equipment in your arsenal, it can make life a lot easier in all of these respects. One of the best tools in the pot growers arsenal is the grow box, otherwise known as the grow tent. These are ingenious tools, almost like little discreet greenhouses that work excellent for soil based, aquaponic, and hydroponic marijuana growing.
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
That said, of course, it can be hard to find the right one, so we decided to put together this big and super helpful buyers guide on finding the best grow box for beginners. This is everything you need to know and plus some great grow box/tent suggestions that we recommend.
Contents
Grow Boxes For Beginners: A Buyers Guide
Before you go out and buy just any grow box or grow tent for marijuana, there are a few main considerations that you should keep in mind, so let’s go over these right now.
1. Size
The first thing to pay attention to before making a purchase is the size of the grow tent. Simply put, how many plants do you plan on growing?
At the same time, how much room in your home do you have to spare for a grow tent. Keep in mind that a normal weed plant needs at least 2 x 2 feet of space.
2. Lighting & Reflective Materials
The interior of the grow tent or grow box should always be outfitted with some sort of reflective lining, with the best material usually being mylar.
A high quality reflective lining is important to provide your plants with as much light as possible, and to increase energy efficiency.
If you want, you can always go for a grow tent that comes with lights included. Make sure to pay attention to the mounting requirements of any lights in comparison to the mounting capabilities of the tent.
3. Design & Durability
You do want to look for a grow tent that is made with high quality materials. For one, this means having high quality metal poles, preferable powder coated poles, that are durable and can hold up a decent amount of weight.
At the same time, you also want to look for a grow box that has something like 600D canvas walls, which are totally light proof and water resistant, plus tear resistant too.
4. Ventilation
The next thing to look for in a grow tent is good ventilation. Generally speaking, you want at least 2 ventilation holes, one to take air in and one to expel air out.
It’s important for oxygenation, temperature control, and humidity control. You may also want to look for a ventilation system that can support a carbon filter.
5. Soil Based vs Hydroponic
There are soil based grow boxes out there, which tend to be much cheaper than hydroponic grow tents, because hydroponic grow tents are specially outfitted to deal with water needs.
6. Solo Tent vs Complete Kit
Also keep in mind that you can buy a solo grow tent, and then buy the accessories separately, or you can buy a complete kit with lights, fans, carbon filters, and everything else included.
Do you want an easy setup that’s ready to go or do you want a highly customized setup?
7. Ease Of Assembly
The grow box in question should be easy to set up, preferably without the use of tools, and you should be able to set it up on your own.
6 Best Grow Boxes For Beginners: Reviews
Here we have what we think are the 6 best options for beginners (boxes and tent kits), let’s take a closer look at each of them;
1. CoolGrows Hydroponics Grow Tent
- 🌱 LIGHT PROOF - Our growing tent blocks all light escaping. On the interior, a 99% reflective mylar lining gives an efficiency lighting setups of any power configuration.
- 🌱 DURABILITY - Metal bars and metal connectors. Strong metal poles with easy click connector system. Our grow tent stands solidly. The 600D material is tear proof and stitched for perfect light blocking. 99% light proof and fully sealed unit once closed
- 🌱 VIEWING WINDOW - The window on the front is a really nice addition cause it amplify your plant's energy store by filtering out white light. So you can check your plants without effecting your plants. You can peek in without having to open the whole thing. - UPDATED ON Mar-9-17
- 🌱 EASY CLEAN UP & EASY ASSEMBLY - Includes a removable & water resistant mylar spill tray.Best choice for home garden. Includes an instructional pamphlet for easy set up. This is a great growing light kit system starter, whether you want to set up your indoor garden in an apartment, condominium, greenhouse, or any rented space.
- 🌱 ATTENTION TO DETAIL - Zippers zip easily. There are privacy flaps over the zippers and it actually looks like a wardrobe closet, it's all black. No light leaks. Two nylon hanging straps with plastic buckles. The box it is shipped in is discreet, with no identifying marks to say what is inside. One Year Warranty:Our warranty is guaranteed and truly hassle free.
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here we have a small grow tent that can be used for hydroponic operations or for normal marijuana growing too. It’s small, easy to assemble, and totally ideal for beginners.
Size
The CoolGrows Hydroponics Grow Tent comes in at 2 x 2 feet, and 4 feet high, so it is a really small grow tent. It’s intended for small rooms and could work great if you just want to grow a single plant in a small space.
A normal weed plant is going to need around 2 x 2 feet of space, so unless you are just using this thing for clones or seedlings, it’s only going to fit a single plant comfortably.
Materials & Durability
This particular grow tent, although small, is a very tough and durable one. It’s made with 600D Denier polyester, which is highly tear resistant and quite strong overall. On a side note, once the door here is fully closed, the material won’t let out any light whatsoever, making it both discreet and energy efficient.
In terms of durability, the poles and connecters here are made with real metal, so they won’t bend or buckle. Speaking of the connectors here, what’s also pretty cool here is that you can assemble this grow tent without the need for tools, making life just that much easier.
The interior of this tent comes with a removable mylar tray in the bottom, which is spill proof and super easy to clean.
Ventilation & Lighting
The CoolGrows Grow Tent comes with dual ventilation socks, so you can easily hook up ventilation ducting, such as for a normal ventilation system, or for a little carbon filter too.
There is also a little window included about half way down this grow tent, which can be opened up, so you can take a quick peak at your plants without having to open the door.
When it comes to lighting, there are no lights included here, but what is included are a bunch of straps so you can attach some small lights. No, it doesn’t have room for really big lights, but some mounting gear is included nonetheless.
To make this tent much more light and energy efficient, the interior is covered with a layer of highly reflective material to help your plants grow faster and stronger.
Pros
- Discreet and light proof.
- Great for growing a single plant in a small space.
- Durable materials.
- Easy assembly.
- Good ventilation features.
Cons
- Only good for a single plant.
- Could use better support for lighting.
- Comes with the tent only.
2. BloomGrow Complete Grow Tent Kit
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here we have the same size of grow tent as the one we just looked at, but here, instead of just the grow tent, you get everything you need to grow a marijuana plant included right here.
Size
The grow tent which is included with this BloomGrow Complete Grow Tent Kit is also 2 x 2 feet, and 4 feet high, making it ideal for growing a single marijuana plant, or for a bunch of newly seeded plants and clones.
No, it’s not huge and you won’t fit many plants inside of it, but this does also mean that it is compact and ideal for growing in a small space.
Materials & Durability
The grow tent itself here is made out of 600D mylar fabric, which is very strong indeed. It should not rip or tear with normal contact. The material here is totally light proof, so it won’t leak light and disturb you, which also helps make it much more energy and light efficient as well.
Here, the poles and connecters are pretty durable, as they are made with fairly high quality plastic. They might not be made of metal, but they are at least powder coated for some extra toughness.
All in all, although it’s not the number one most durable option out there right now, it will do just fine if you treat it right.
Ventilation & Lighting + Filtration
What’s pretty cool about the BloomGrow Complete Grow Tent Kit is that it comes complete with diamond mylar reflective lining on the inside, so it is about as light efficient as humanly possible, so your plants can grow really strong.
Here, you also get a 300 watt LED full spectrum grow light, a fairly high quality one too, so you don’t even need to buy a separate light. This kit comes complete with the buckles and mounting gear required to hang the light up, although the straps could be a little easier to deal with.
In terms of ventilation and filtration comes with dual ventilation holes, fairly high quality ones, so you can maintain proper temperature and airflow. The really neat part here is that you even get a small carbon filter included here, with all necessary ducting and the required air fan too!
It’s not the highest quality carbon filter in the world, but it does get the job done just fine.
Extras
With this particular grow kit, you also get a timer, some trellis netting, scissors, and a combination thermometer/hygrometer.
Pros
- Comes with everything you need to get started.
- Fairly durable tent materials.
- Good ventilation with carbon filter.
- Full spectrum light included.
- Fine for a small plant.
- Does not take up much space.
- Quality reflective materials inside.
Cons
- Included accessories are not of the highest quality.
- Assembly is not the easiest.
3. Opulent Systems Hydroponic Grow Tent
- [High Performance Growth Rate] : The OPULENT SYSTEMS grow tent uses 98% highly reflective waterproof mylar to promote the output efficiency of growing and the high-quality zipper design with black lining makes a light-proof seal.
- [ Superior Materials and Strong Structure] : The superior quality canvas and double stitched to ensures the light blocking and the metal poles structure with safety design that support the light kits well is easy to install with the canvas.
- [ Friendly Customer Experiences Design] : the easy and clean window design makes it easy to peek inside and helps you to monitor your plants anytime. The storage bag is convenient for you to keep the tools and accessories organized.
- [ Simple and Fast Installation]: OPULENT SYSTEM grow tents are simple and fast to install without tools even if you've never done something like this before. The package includes the user-friendly and professional instruction well.
- [Top Customer Satisfaction Guarantee] :OPULENT SYSTEMS takes our customers seriously. We guarantee our worry-free 18-month warranty and friendly customer service.
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here we have a much larger grow tent than either of the others we have looked at so far. Now, this is labelled as a hydroponic grow tent, but you can use it with a normal pot & soil setup too.
Size
The Opulent Systems Hydroponic Grow Tent comes in at 4 feet by 4 feet, and is well over 6 feet in height. Therefore, this grow tent is ideal for around 4 full size pot plants when growing with soil. Of course, it is primarily a hydroponics tent, and it can fit a good amount of seedlings or clones as well.
It is a fairly large tent, which is nice if you want to grow a few large plants, but do keep in mind that it will also take up a good deal of space in your home. Keep in mind that this thing does come in various sizes.
Materials & Durability
This particular grow tent, just like the others we have looked at, is made out of 600D material, which is double stitched, so it is totally light proof, plus it is also high tear resistant and water resistant too.
The canvas used for the walls is quite tough indeed. There is also a removable floor tray included, a waterproof one, so you won’t end up spilling water on the tent floor, plus this tray is very easy to clean too.
In terms of the structure and frame, the poles are made out of high quality metal, so they should not bend or break, and they are more than strong enough to support a decent lighting system too. That being said, it does not come with any support systems for lights, which therefore needs to be purchased separately.
On a side note, something that does stand out about the Opulent Systems Hydroponic Grow Tent is that it is very easy to assemble and does not require tools to do so.
Ventilation & Lighting
In terms of ventilation, we do really like the Opulent Grow Tent, because it comes with dual ventilation holes on the floor, 2 more near the top of the walls, and an extra ventilation chimney too, so you can be sure that the temperature and airflow will be easy to properly control and maintain, although it doesn’t come with a fan or filters, or anything else like that.
What is pretty cool is the little viewing window you can open to see what’s going on, without having to open the door.
When it comes to lighting, this grow tent does include a highly reflective layer on the inside of it, in order to increase grow speed and energy efficiency, but it does not come with support for the lights or lights themselves either.
That said, this thing is totally light proof, so you won’t waste light or disturb people due to light leakage.
Pros
- Large enough for 4 full size plants.
- Durable canvas and frame.
- Plenty of ventilation options.
- Waterproof and removable floor tray.
- Easy to assemble without tools.
Cons
- Only the tent included.
- Does not have support poles for lights.
- Takes up a fair amount of space.
4. Yield Lab Grow Tent
- One of the smallest grow tents on the market, rising to a height of only about 2 feet.
- Particularly recommended for use with 13w-90w LED grow lamp systems.
- The frame is composed of sturdy metal rods that to support up to 176 lbs. of weight.
- Large zippers on the outside make setup and breakdown much simpler.
- 12” x 6” rectangular vent, plus a total of 4 circular vents (3 x 6” diameter and 1 x 4” diameter).
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here we have a very small grow tent which is ideal for cloning weed plants and for growing new seedlings before you transplant them into a larger location to complete their growth. It can be used with a hydroponic system or with normal soil growing as well.
Size
The Yield Lab Grow Tent comes in at 32 by 32 inches, and is 2 feet high. This is indeed very small, and it makes this particular option ideal for tight spaces where nothing else will fit.
You could grow some bonsai weed plants in it, or just use it to start off clones and seedlings too, although it’s definitely not usable for growing full size plants.
With that being said, this thing does come in many other size options, including up to 78 x 78 x 78 inches, for growing multiple full size weed plants, but today we do want to focus on the smallest option for clones and seedlings.
Materials & Durability
Something we do like about this grow tent is that it is made out of very durable materials. The walls here are not about to tear and rip, at least not with normal use.
Moreover, the frame here is made out of metal, which goes for both the poles and the connectors too, so the frame is not going to bend or buckle, and it’s more than sturdy enough to hold up a decent lighting system.
What can also be said here is that this tent is very easy to assemble, and you don’t even need tools to do it. The other thing that stands out about the Yield Lab Grow Tent is that it comes with a spill proof and highly durable floor tray, which works well for hydroponic grow systems that may spill water on occasion.
The floor tray is also removable and super easy to clean. The zippers here are premium quality, they’re made of metal, and they don’t get stuck either.
Lighting & Ventilation
Alright, so technically, this thing does not come with lights or ventilation systems included. However, it does feature dual ventilation exhaust ports, so you can hook up some sort of fan, ducting, and maybe even a carbon filter, although this particular grow box is small, so you would have to mount everything on the outside.
It won’t fit on the inside. We do like that there are a couple of viewing windows here, which could also technically be used for ventilation.
In terms of the lighting here, this grow tent does come with a layer of heavy duty reflective mylar on the inside, so it does a great job at reflecting light and increasing overall energy efficiency. There’s also the fact that the frame is more than strong enough to support a good lighting system, although you may have to buy extra poles for proper lighting mounting.
Do keep in mind that the smallest Yield Lab Grow Tent, the one we are looking at, will only fit a super small and compact lighting system.
Pros
- Very durable – strong walls and frame.
- Small and compact (this particular model).
- Does come in many sizes.
- Heavy duty reflective materials.
- Ideal for clones and seedlings.
- Compact and space saving.
Cons
- Not large enough for any full size plants.
- Small size can create problems with fitting lights and ventilation systems.
5. Vivosun Mylar Grow Tent
- Keeps All Light Inside: The VIVOSUN Hydroponic Mylar Grow Tent is made of high-quality 600D Oxford canvas that is lined with reinforced PE layer and 100%-reflective mylar walls, which can effectively block all light from leaking and boost the output efficiency of your setup; The zipper part has also upgraded with the black inner lining to prevent light into the tent; There is no need for additional flaps or tape, you can just zip up to create a lightproof seal environment
- Stand Sturdy & Extra-thick Materials: The indoor tent is supported with strong metal poles, top bars, and tool-free corner connectors to lock the structure securely in place; The top hanging bar can hold up to 165 lbs. each that can satisfy your different equip requirements; The premium 340 g high-density fabric is waterproof, tear-resistant and double-stitched for great light blockage, while the inside lining is designed with PE material and mylar walls that are safer for your plants
- Easy Observation & Maintenance: With a visible window made by transparent plastic set on the grow tent, you can check the growth status of your plants at any time; The window at the bottom is helpful for heat dissipation; The hook and loop fasteners on the cover of the window are easier for you to open and observe inside; It is also equipped with a removable floor tray that is convenient to be cleaned and conserved
- Fast & Simple Assembly: Our grow tents are easy to install even if you've never done anything like it before; With the guidance of the detailed instruction, you can assemble the tent in minutes; The corner connectors can uphold the tent frame stably without any tools; Come with 2 hanging straps that are able to help to fix the carbon filter as you need
- Considerate Design & More Options: The plant grow tent offers plenty of openings for setting duct fans, lamps, electrical cords, etc.; The inner tool organizer is handy to put all your gardening tools based on your need; The tent is suitable for different places in your house, such as the domestic garage, balcony, laundry room, closet, and so on; We also provide various sizes of grow tents to meet your daily demands
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here we have a super large and high quality grow tent, one that does come in multiple sizes, but we are here today to look at a particular size option, the largest one available. If you want to grow a lot of plants, this is a good way to get started.
Size
Yes, the Vivosun Mylar Grow Tent does come in a variety of sizes, although today we want to focus on a large one, the 60 inch by 60 inch option, that is 80 inches in height.
In other words, it’s 5 x 5 feet, and well over 6 feet high. This makes this particular option ideal for growing a few full size plants, maybe 4 or 5 full size plants, but of course, it can also be used to grow a ton of seedlings or clones.
Do keep in mind that this is technically a hydroponic grow tent, but it can be used for normal soil based marijuana growing as well.
No, it’s not particularly space friendly, and will take up a good deal of space in your home, but it can also fit a good amount of plants on the inside.
Materials & Durability
Something that does stand out here is that this tent is made with extra thick and super durable tear resistant 600D canvas, which is also double stitched.
You could go after this thing with a sharp knife and still have trouble tearing it. What’s also nice is that this canvas is designed to be 100% light proof, so it won’t leak light, thus increasing energy efficiency, temperature control, and you won’t disturb people due to light leakage either.
When it comes to the frame of the Vivosun Mylar Grow Tent, it’s also very durable, as it is made with real metal and can support a decent amount of weight, so you can easily mount lights and cooling systems without fear of bending or buckling the tent.
What’s cool is that you don’t even need tools to assemble it, although it is big and is hard to do on your own.
On a side note, there is an includes spill proof and heavy duty floor tray here, which does come in handy if you are using the hydroponic growth method.
Ventilation & Lighting
In terms of ventilation, this grow tent does come with a single ventilation hole, which is ideal for attaching ducting and a carbon filter too. It even comes complete with buckle straps for hanging a carbon filter from the ceiling of this tent.
Now, it does come with a viewing window, although it’s hard to see through, but it does not come with more than 1 real ventilation hole, which can be a bit of a problem.
When it comes to lighting needs, the Vivosun Mylar Grow Tent is pretty decent, although it does not come with excellent supports for lights. There are some light supports included here, but it may or may not be enough for you.
Of course, it does not come with lights either. That said, the interior of this grow tent is made with heavy duty and high quality reflective materials to increase light and energy efficiency.
Pros
- Heavy duty canvas and frame.
- Ideal reflective materials.
- Spill proof floor tray included.
- Good size for lots of plants (this model).
- Comes in a few different size options.
- Ideal for use with a carbon filter.
- Great for light and energy efficiency.
Cons
- Low quality viewing window.
- Only has 1 real ventilation hole.
- Takes up a fair amount of space.
6. TopoLite Complete Grow Tent Kit
- LED 1800W grow light + 60"X60"x80" grow tent + 6" filter combo w/ DISCREET SHIPPING
- Best Heat Dissipation for the Best Stability and Longest Lifetime
- use coal based activated carbon environmentally friendly materials and Carbon Layer Thickness: 1.5 inches
- Featuring a user friendly "Full Spectrum" design, you can easily grow your plants in any growth cycle required like germination, seedling, veg, flower
- Durable: Heavy duty 600D lightproof oxford cloth and diameter 16MM white paint coated metal rods and Large heavy duty Zippers
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here we have a very large grow tent, a high quality option, one that comes with absolutely everything you need to grow some killer ganja, all except for the pot plants themselves.
Size
This particular option is another very large one, a 60 x 60 inch tent that is 80 inches high, so it’s 5 x 5 feet, and well over 6 feet high. This is more than large enough to grow around 4 full size pot plants.
Now, this is technically a hydroponic grow tent, but it can just as well be used for growing weed in soil as well. Now, it is a large grow tent, so yeah, it can fit a lot of plants, especially if you use it for clones or seedlings.
However, do keep in mind that it’s also going to take up a fair amount of space no matter where you put it. It’s always a trade off when it comes to size. It is a tall tent, so personally, we would recommend using it for growing full size plants in soil.
On a side note, the TopoLite Complete Grow Tent Kit does come in multiple sizes, but we like the biggest one the best. We want to grow lots of plants, not just one.
Materials & Durability
The TopoLite Complete Grow Tent Kit is made with some high quality materials, such as the 600D oxford canvas cloth, that is about as tough as it gets.
You could poke this thing with a knife and it will probably be just fine. It’s also highly water resistant and easy to clean, plus it’s totally light proof as well, so it helps increase lighting and energy efficiency at the same time.
Moreover, this thing comes complete with a removable and waterproof floor tray for easy cleaning, and to make life easier in case you spill anything when using a hydroponic growth method.
What’s also nice is that this grow tent features an all metal frame, a frame that can hold up a heck of a lot of weight without bending or buckling, which is necessary because there are a lot of accessories included here that need to be hung up.
Ventilation & Lighting + Filtration
Alright, so as mentioned above, the TopoLite Complete Grow Tent Kit does come complete with ventilation systems. First off, it comes with three separate ventilation holes that tightly hug ducting, for an airtight design that allows for great ventilation.
Now, the really cool part here is that this kit comes complete with a high quality 6 inch carbon filter, the inline fan, and the necessary ducting too. So, it helps control temperature, it provides your plants with fresh air, it kills diseases and pathogens, and it helps control odors as well. This kit comes with everything you need to install and mount the carbon filter system.
What you might also like about this kit is that it comes with a massive 1800 watt full spectrum grow light that is ideal for big and strong plants, for all stages of growth, and is very durable and long lasting too. It’s actually one of the better full spectrum grow lights out there, and this kit comes with everything you need for mounting and installation.
On that same note, the high quality reflective materials on the inside help increase light and energy efficiency too.
Pros
- Comes with lights, carbon filter, and more.
- Ideal for a few large plants or many small plants.
- Great ventilation and filtration.
- Super high quality full spectrum grow light.
- Waterproof and removable tray included.
- Durable metal frame and tear resistant canvas.
Cons
- Quite large (although it does come in smaller sizes).
- Assembly and setup is a bit difficult.
FAQ
What is a grow box?
A grow box, also known as a grow tent, is a box designed to grow marijuana and other plants. They generally feature light proof walls, a reflective interior, holes for ventilation systems, and the ability to mount lights.
What are the benefits of a grow box?
Grow boxes are beneficial because they allow for discreet marijuana growing, as they are light proof, plus they do a good job at keeping the smell in too.
Grow boxes are also nice because they make it fairly easy to control temperature and humidity levels, plus they allow for great light and energy efficiency too.
What is the best grow box material?
You want to look for some kind of tear resistant, light proof, and water resistant canvas, something like 600D material.
Is it better to buy the tent and accessories separately?
It really depends. On one hand, buying a complete kit is much cheaper than buying everything separately, but on the other hand, if you buy everything separately, you can customize the setup much more.
What’s the difference between a normal grow box and a hydroponic grow box?
A hydroponic grow box is usually designed to be a bit tougher, and they always come with some sort of removable and waterproof tray that is easy to clean in the event of a spill.
How to choose the right size of grow box?
Always remember that a single full size marijuana plant requires between 2 x 2 feet and 3 x 3 feet of space per plant.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of great grow boxes for beginners out there. Now, you just have to consider if you want a complete kit or you want to buy everything separately. Also, make sure to consider what size of grow tent you need for the amount of plants you are looking to grow.
When all is said and done, the options we have reviewed above what we consider to be some of the best grow tents, especially for beginners.
