Many cannabis enthusiasts want to grow their own weed plants at home—name them, talk to them, and eventually smoke them up or put them to use in another way—but they miss out on the experience because it seems like way too much work.

That, and they don’t have the right space for such a project or months to watch over a plant, let alone a garden of weed. Even people who are strangers to cultivating cannabis know that it’s not cheap, and it’s surely not as simple as planting a seed and walking away—or is it?

With a grow box, it can be that easy. For beginners who want to make their cultivation dreams a reality right from home, but don’t have the green thumb for it, a grow box can allow them to have the experience of growing—without all the labor.

You plant the seeds and add the water. The grow box does the rest and, not long after, you get beautiful and healthy cannabis plants, just like that.

Again, grow boxes come already assembled with all the equipment you need to grow weed inside. Though there are a variety of grow boxes available, most come with the same tools, which are:

• Grow lights to encourage photosynthesis (usually LED, HID, or CFL)
• Intake and exhaust fan for ventilation
• Air pump
• Carbon filter for odor control
• Nutrients
• Water reservoir
• Hydroponics or soil system
• Growing pots or containers
• Timer

Fancier grow boxes can include features like a CO2 enhancer to boost plant growth by 20% or more, lock latches to keep plants protected, an app for tracking plants, and more.

It seems like an overwhelming amount of equipment, but since most grow boxes are automated and do the work for you, you don’t have to worry too much about how the specific parts operate.

When shopping for a grow box as a beginner, you’ll mainly have to choose what type of lights you want and decide between a hydroponic and soil-based system. And of course, you’ll also want to consider the size of the grow box according to where you plan to put it.

As for the lights, each type has its pros and cons, the most common being HID, LED, and CFL. The lighting you should choose depends on your budget, how high you want your yields, and how much energy you’re willing to use. Here are the pros and cons:

• HID (HPS and MH) – highest yields, cheaper than LEDs. They produce a lot of heat and require a lot of power, needs replacing often.
• CFL – cheapest, low heat output, slower growth rate, and fewer yields than HID and LEDs.
• LED – less heat output than HIDs, low energy use, more powerful than CFLs, less yield than HIDs, expensive.

A grow box is a complete, self-contained atmosphere for cannabis. Everything you need to raise the herb from seed to weed, including the nutrients, the grow lights, etc., comes included with a grow box. Not to be confused with a grow tent, which is usually much larger, a grow box doesn’t take up a lot of space and can fit neatly and naturally in any room.

Some can even be buried in the back of a closet. On the outside, a grow box doesn’t scream “there’s weed in here.” It looks almost the same as a filing cabinet or a mini-fridge, so really, there’s no need to stress over finding the perfect spot to keep it.

Now that you are more familiar with the equipment that comes with your grow box, you need to learn the difference between using hydroponics and soil to grow cannabis and the pros and cons of each.

The main difference between the two is that hydroponics uses nutrients and water rather than soil, such as clay pellets, peat moss, and so on.

Most grow boxes today utilize a hydroponic system because it makes growing faster, simpler, and less of a mess. But there are benefits to soil-based options as well.

• More forgiving
• All-natural
• “Better flavor”

• More expensive
• Requires more space
• Problems go unnoticed longer and are harder to fix
• Less nutrients are provided

• Plants grow faster and have higher yields
• Odor control
• Light control
• Temperature control
• Pest control
• Saves space
• Tidier
• Can be discreet
• Affordable options are available
• Can grow year-round, anywhere
• Uses less water
• Reusable
• Easier to harvest
• Less of a setup
• Less time investment
• Healthier plants
• Most are automated

• Can be pricey
• Plants can die fast due to power outages or other system failures
• Limited production
• Not as organic
• If pests or diseases arise, then all plants will be affected
• Plants can’t be left unattended with some systems

There’s always the option of making a grow box from scratch, but for beginners, they’ll find the setup is far too advanced. At least with purchasing a grow box, all the right tools are included minus the seeds, so there is little trial and error for smell-proofing, installing proper lighting, and things of that nature.

And, of course, it’s already built. They’ll cost you, but they are durable and made to last, and you save more money in the long run. Not to mention, they’re the least time-consuming. Grow boxes that aren’t fully-automated still require some maintenance, but not nearly as much as a homemade system.

To help you find the right one based on your budget and space, we’ve found the best in the industry that require the least amount of experience and knowledge. They’re also the stealthiest and most reasonably sized.

The Grobo Solid looks like any regular closet so you don’t have to worry about someone discovering your grow. It is fully automated and worth it considering knowing that you can recover your investment in an average of 18 months and grow the best weed possible in the process. All of it, without having to worry about a thing.

Out of all the grow boxes out there, this one is the only one where you can actually see a return on investment. For real, use their ROI calculator and see how long it’ll take to recover the investment!

It features an app that makes cultivating cannabis as easy as 1-2-3. You tell the machine what you’re growing, plant your seed, and your work is done. Grobo Solid does everything else. Not to mention, it’s made of Canadian birch wood and high-quality steel, so it’s quite durable and suitable for any corner space thanks to its convenient 48-inch height.

If you want even more, then check out the Grobo Premium. Here’s our full review of Grobo Grow Boxes for more!

Other features that the clever Grobo Solid has to share are:

• Free grow kit included
• Educational push notifications
• 8 Spectrum 150 Watt LED Lighting
• Responsive LED lighting
• 24/7 environmental monitoring
• Automated pH balancing
• Steel security lock
• Energy-efficient electronics
• Smell-proof carbon filter
• Automatic feeding nutrient bank
• 11L/3 gal deep water culture reservoir
• Dual in-line fans
• Optional drying racks

The SuperBox LED is the perfect solution for growers who have lower ceilings or grow in a tight space. This tiny powerhouse grows like an indoor garden and produces larger higher-quality yields. The SuperBox also comes with Smart-Tech which allows you to control your light cycles via an app on your phone or tablet, with the ability to attach a standard wall timer so you’re not always downloading the timer into your phone. It is available in hydro or soil setup.

Other notable features you get with the SuperBox LED include:

• Available in Hydroponics and Soil configurations
• Features dual Kind LED X40 Flower grow lights
• Activated carbon scrubber for complete air filtration
• Adjustable internal circulation fan for essential cross airflow distribution
• Internal digital Hygrometer and Thermometer retains clean cabinet appearance while monitoring your grow environment
• Anti-mold, reflective, removable, and adjustable panels provide optimal light distribution and cleanliness
• Uses up to 20% less energy and operates more efficiently than other systems
• Just one plug into your wall, configured for standard 110v grids
• Secure key locking door protects your indoor garden
• Yield up to 30% more growth with exclusive Net Trellis

The Cash Crop 6.0 is an excellent first-choice grow box for beginners. It comes with all the essentials and grows up to 6 plants from seed to harvest with the help of LED lights and hydroponics.

It is a fully automatic and self-contained grow system. Built-in fans and odor control keep odors at bay, and allow you to grow your crop 24/7 without having to think about it. To top it off, the Cash Crop 6.0 looks like an ordinary wood cabinet.

It can fit in plain sight as it will never attract unwanted attention from nosey co-workers, police, or family members interested in why you have a wood cabinet growing plants in the middle of your living room.

Other notable features you get with the Cash Crop 6.0 include:

• Co2 enhancer that gets plants ready to harvest in as little as 8 weeks
• Herb dryer
• Curing jar
• Compatible with soil and hydroponics
• Unlimited lifetime technical support
• Lifetime warranty
• Hydroponics training guide

Read our full review of the Cash Crop Grow Box for more!

If you’re living in the EU or UK, then Stealgrowbox.co.uk will be your best bet both price and quality-wise. They’re based in Europe and have been operating since 2012.

The LED Grow Box is a great furniture-look piece that produces amazing results within a self-contained growing environment. It is a plug & grow unit that can grow two plants and has the perfect size for home growing: 42 × 40 × 80 cm. It contains true-LED growing power, odor removal, and environment control, all built-in and confined within a lockable wooden cabinet that will easily blend in with your home furniture!

More features of the LED Grow Box by Stealthgrowbox.co.uk:

• Digital thermometer/ hygrometer
• Fully Integrated Cooling System with two 80 mm fans. One for fresh air and one for exhaust
• 24h timer
• Odor control with the double activated carbon filter
• Light Proof carbon filtered exhaust fan
• Locker with keys
• The Grow Box is entirely covered in the interior with mylar reflecting material that provides 99% light reflection.
• Lifetime technical support
• FREE Shipping in EU

The SuperNova is a complete grow cabinet system with a full cycle Big Bud-style grow, and comes with one shelf and four plant “pockets” to hold your plants. It comes with a total of 6 lights: 3 white LEDs and 3 blue LEDs. The two ends of the SuperNova allow you to grow big plants and even bigger yields. Since it’s 12″ deep you can use any size plant from seedlings all the way to giants yielding up to 1lb!

SuperNova Smart Grow includes everything you need to start growing indoors, right out of the box. The cost of lighting, ventilation, and other equipment is already included and pre-installed in your cabinet so that you don’t waste any time or money. With a full cycle time of 8-10 weeks, and harvest up to 3 crops a month, the SuperNova will pay for itself in no time.

Other notable features you get with the SuperNova include:

• Dual growing chambers allow for a perpetual harvest cycle, drastically reducing the time between grows
• Up to 12 large veg/flower plants with the Superponics XL12, or 8 massive 5-gallon soil pots
• Space for 50 clones or seedlings with the SuperCloner 50, or 12 1-gallon soil pots in the cloning chamber
• Seedling Tray with dome for perfect propagation, every time
• Dual activated carbon air filtration allows for discrete growing
• Sturdy construction and locking door provides a completely safe and secure grow

The Baby Cloner is a hand-manufactured 6 plant grow box that can either grow 2-4 foot tall plants or can also be used to clone plants. The shell of the box is made from Russian wood which has been water treated and pressure treated for strength. Inside the box there are two fans, one dries the air coming out of the spout, and the other works with a heating element to maintain an ideal growth temperature in the box.

Other features of the Baby Cloner include:

• Quasar LED Lights
  
• Light Timer
• Air pump, stone, and hose to oxygenate nutrients
• Water pump w/ hose
• Ona block deodorizer
• Pre-installed fans w/ carbon filter odor protection staggered for perfect weather control
• 1.5 Gallon reservoir with 6 plant lid
• 2″ net pots
• Starter plugs
• 3 Set pH Perfect Advanced Nutrients
• 5 mm pipette
• Clay pebbles
• Lockable latches
• Arrives fully assembled
• Easy to follow instructions
• Nutrient feeding chart
• Unlimited lifetime technical support
• Free plain box shipping
• Lifetime warranty

Including everything you would expect from the Stealth Grow Boxes range, the Hydroponic LED Grow Box is your extra space grow cabinet. Ideal for the beginner and perfect for the avid home grower this LED Hydroponic Grow Box combines quality with luscious growth to offer an economic option for the eager at heart.  

Stealthgrowbox.co.uk has chosen to go with wood as the main material in an effort to offer the best home grow environment for your herbs while also considering your needs to have a piece of furniture that can easily be placed in your home. Your typical wooden cabinet that will grow your favorite herbs.

This plug & play Hydroponic Grow Box comes with amazing LED lights and has everything you need to get awesome results from your plants. Other features include:

• Digital thermometer/ hygrometer
• Fully Integrated Cooling System with 2 two 80 mm fans. One for fresh air and one for exhaust
• 24h timer
• Odor control with the double activated carbon filter
• Light Proof carbon filtered exhaust fan
• Locker with keys
• Grow box dimensions: 45 cm x 40 cm x 90 cm height
• The Grow Box is entirely covered in the interior with mylar reflecting material that provides 99% light reflection
• Lifetime technical support
• FREE EU Shipping

From closets to offices, Grandma’s Secret Garden 6.0 is a 3-footer and can grow up to nine plants in small or large spaces utilizing deep water culture hydroponics and Mars Hydro LEDs. Already assembled and ready to plug in, Grandma’s Secret Garden 6.0 is beginner-friendly and offers unlimited phone and email support, just in case you get lost somewhere along your weed-growing journey.

Other features worth mentioning that are included with Grandma’s Secret Garden 6.0 are:

• Lifetime technical support
• Lifetime warranty
• Hydroponics and soil grow options
• Co2 enhancer to speed up plant growth by 20%
• Lockable latches
• Herb dryer
• Curing jar
• 2″ tall cloner
• 4 plant reservoir
• Odor control provided by Ozium scent equalizer and carbon filter
• Hydroponics training guide

Growzilla 5.0 is the best value for a grow tent on the market. It comes with Mars full-spectrum, quantum board LED top lighting that is efficient and powerful, and odor control fans; all built into the box among numerous other features that allow anyone to grow their favorite plants at home, without having to worry about a thing.

Not only does this unit grow plants up to 10x faster and healthier than any other grow box, but it will also do it while looking great in your office or near your kitchen. Despite being compact, the fully adjustable metal shelving allows enough room to store accessories and supplies as well as a 60 day grow light timer for easy use.

Other features of the Growzilla 5.0 worth checking out are:

• Light Timer
• Air pump, stone and hose to oxygenate nutrients
• Water pump w/ hose
• Ona block deodorizer
• Pre-installed, staggered 120mm fans w/ carbon filter odor protection staggered for perfect weather control
• 2 Gallon reservoir with 4 plant lid
• 2″ net pots
• Starter plugs
• Automatic pH regulation
• 5 mm pipette
• Clay pebbles
• Lockable latches
• Arrives fully assembled
• Easy to follow instructions
• Nutrient feeding chart
• Unlimited lifetime technical support
• Free plain box shipping
• Lifetime warranty

The Yield Machine Max is a 4-foot hydroponics grow box that has a 150 watt high-powered, but low heat UFO LED grow light and grows up to nine plants, making it more like a cabinet, but still sizable for any room. Just because the Yield Machine Max is more substantial than your standard grow box doesn’t mean it’s harder to use.

This device comes assembled like the rest and is only bigger to make room for larger yields. All you have to do is plant your seeds, plug it in, mount your LED lights to the hook, and you’re good to grow.

Other nifty features you get with the Yield Machine Max include:

• Carbon filtration and light cover system to control light and odors
• 2 grows worth of General Hydroponics Maxi Grow and Maxi Bloom nutrients
• Co2 enhancing tablets to advance plant growth
• Free ONA BLOCK PRO ODOR eliminator
• Snap-down latches, accepts mini padlock for maximum security
• 24-hour grow support
• Upgradeable to 300 Watt LED with dual exhaust