Indoor grow setups need a dedicated, environment-controlled space to thrive.
Grow tents are an awesome option.
- They’re lightweight
- They’re collapsible
- They’re portable
- They’re inexpensive
But which grow tent is best to house your next crop?
That’s where we come in.
This guide to the best grow tents covers three important topics:
- 4 types of grow tents
- 7 best grow tents
- 5 things you’ll need to put inside your grow tent
Let’s get started.
4 Types of Grow Tents
At their most basic, all grow tents are the same thing: collapsible, self-contained growing environments.
Almost all grow tents share several common characteristics:
- Dark canvas exterior material
- Reflective Mylar interior material
- Pole system propping the tent up
- Zippered doorways and/or windows
- Pre-cut holes for ventilation
Essentially, they’re big fabric boxes with reflective material inside.
However, we’re going to draw a distinction between 4 different types of grow tents:
- Standard Grow Tents
- Portable Grow Rooms
- 2-In-1 Grow Tents
- Grow Tent Kits
What’s the difference?
Standard Grow Tents
Most grow tents you see are standalone units designed to created a self-contained growing environment in a relatively small space.
While exact dimensions vary from tent to tent, most of these standard grow tents measure 60 inches (5 feet) or less for length and width. That gives them an area of around 25 square feet or less.
Take these grow tents below, for example. The large tent on the right is VIVOSUN’s 4′ x 4′ x 7’8″ model with a 16 square foot area and 123 cubic foot volume.
Portable Grow Rooms
If you search for “grow rooms” online, you’ll see a lot of images like this one of actual rooms that are dedicated to indoor growing.
By “portable” grow room, I really mean an extra large grow tent.
My distinction between “standard grow tent” and “portable grow room” is arbitrary (see: the measurements above) but I think it’s materially different to separate grow tents that fit in the corner of your room from 10′ x 10′ behemoths like this Ultra Yield Professional Growing Tent.
2-In-1 Grow Tents
Some grow tents are more than just big black boxes with reflective interiors. Some have multiple growing areas with separate growing environments.
These 2-in-1 tents are great if you’re growing plants at different stages, such as both seedlings and mature plants.
Grow Tent Kits
Any of the above grow tents can be packaged with other equipment to become a complete (or partially complete) grow tent kit.
- Grow lights
- Inline fans and filters
- Ducting
- Grow trays
- Even extras like thermometers, humidity meters, sunglasses, and extra carabiners
The advantage grow tent kits have is their convenience — everything should fit together, and you don’t need to buy the other items separately. This makes them ideal for beginners.
The disadvantage of grow tent kits is your lack of control. If you want a different type or strength of light, too bad.
1. Ultra Yield Professional Grow Tents
Overview: Ultra Yield Professional Grow Tents are made from the toughest exterior material of any tent on this list — 1680D tear-resistant Oxford cloth. Every other grow tent is just 600D, giving this grow tent superior durability. Given how big the 10′ x 10′ model is, you’ll appreciate every bit of its rugged construction.
| Type | Standard Grow Tents Portable Grow Rooms (shown above) |
| Sizes Available | 24″L x 30″W x 72″H 24″L x 48″W x 84″H 48″L x 48″W x 84″H 60″L x 60″W x 84″H 120″L x 120″W x 84″H (shown above) |
| Materials | 1680D canvas exterior Reflective Mylar interior Powder-coated steel poles |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
Ultra Yield’s 1680D canvas exterior is three times thicker than the 600D exterior materials found on all other items on this list. That quality alone makes it the best grow tent.
But I also love the convenient center zipper design that makes this grow tent open more like french doors than a camping tent. That means less flapping material and easier access to every part of the grow tent.
Ultra Yield’s attention to detail doesn’t stop there:
- Double-sealed exhaust vents fit snugly
- Clear viewing ports are conveniently placed for easy observation
- Removable spill-proof floor pan makes cleanup easy
- No tools are required to assemble the grow tent and its frame
- But somehow it can hold up to 100 lbs of hanging equipment
And the coolest feature these grow tents have: Each comes with a 12″ vertical extender that gives you an extra foot of growing space, should you need it.
Price-wise, yes, you’ll have to pay a little more for all of this quality. If you’re just wading into home growing, go with one of the models below, which fall more in the “bargain grow tent” category.
But if you’re ready to up your game with a durable, high-performing, well-equipped grow tent (or grow room if you opt for the 10′ x 10′ model) then look no further than this Ultra Yield Professional Grow Tent.
2. VIPARSPECTRA Grow Tents
Overview: A great value brand, VIPARSPECTRA’s grow tents are sturdy and reliable with heavy-duty zippers, strong connectors, and a highly-reflective interior that prevents light from escaping.
| Type | Standard Grow Tents |
| Sizes Available | 24″L x 24″W x 48″H 36″L x 36″W x 72″H 48″L x 48″W x 80″H (shown above) 60″L x 60″W x 80″H 96″L x 48″W x 80″H |
| Materials | 600D Oxford canvas exterior Reflective Mylar interior Powder-coated steel poles |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
Whether it’s lights or grow tents, VIPARSPECTRA is my favorite value brand.
Full disclosure: This product isn’t as good as the top-ranked Ultra Yield Professional Grow Tent above. But that’s why it’s number two.
With their wide line of grow tent sizes, VIPARSPECTRA has a size for everyone. Each comes with several features that make your grow setup simple:
- Multiple sized vents to accommodate the rest of your setup
- Quick, tool-free installation and assembly
- Velcro, waterproof floor pan for easy cleanup
- Double-stitched seams for durability
- Steel beams that can support up to 100 lbs of equipment
The biggest downside of this model comes as a result of those variously sized ventilation ports. There’s no zipper to seal up the ones you don’t use. Instead, you have to try to cinch them shut, which never works as well as you’d like.
Another minor downside, where do you store your tools or mount your thermometer and humidity meter?
Overall, those are small complaints for a quality grow tent at an attractive price.
3. VIVOSUN Grow Tents
Overview: Just a notch below VIPARSPECTRA on the value scale is VIVOSUN. Their grow tents have the same specs as just about every other grow tent on this list but stand out for their dimpled reflective interior.
| Type | Standard Grow Tents |
| Sizes Available | 48″L x 48W” x 80″H 60″L x 60″W x 80″H (shown above, right) |
| Materials | 600D Oxford canvas exterior Dimpled, reflective Mylar interior Powder-coated steel poles |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
VIVOSUN and VIPARSPECTRA constantly are vying for the title of “best value growing equipment.”
In the grow tent category, VIPARSPECTRA narrowly wins because their tents are a little more sturdy and they offer a wider range of sizes.
But VIVOSUN is still worth considering (especially the next grow tent on this list). Their dimpled reflective material does a great job reflecting light for better efficiency, and they don’t have the array of hard-to-close vents that VIPARSPECTRA does.
4. VIVOSUN 2-In-1 Grow Tent
Overview: Coming just after our 3rd-ranked VIVOSUN standard grow tent is their 2-in-1 model, which has the same construction but features a separate, two-tiered compartment where you can grow a whole other plant or start seedlings for your next big grow.
| Type | 2-In-1 Grow Tents |
| Sizes Available | 36″L x 24″W x 53″H 48″L x 36″W x 72″H (shown above) |
| Materials | 600D Oxford canvas exterior Dimpled, reflective Mylar interior Powder-coated steel poles Powder-coated steel racks |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
Most grow tents are big, black, canvas boxes. That’s about it.
This 2-in-1 grow tent from VIVOSUN is pretty nifty. It features two completely separate growing compartments where you can have totally independent setups. The larger area can be used for more mature plants with HPS lights for superior yields. The two-tiered smaller area can be used for lettuces, herbs, seedlings, or really anything else.
Each side has its own vents and separate ecosystems.
The one thing they do share (sort of) is heat. Obviously, if you’re running hot on one side, the other side is just a few millimeters away. Having separate ventilation systems can help control that, but you’ll also need two of everything, including inline fans and filters.
5. CoolGrows Grow Tents
Overview: CoolGrow’s highly-rated tents come in a wide range of sizes from 24″ x 24″ models to the 96″ x 48″ dual-door model shown below. While certainly a less commonly known brand, CoolGrows hits a home run with their grow tents, which are sturdy and lightproof.
| Type | Standard Grow Tents |
| Sizes Available | 24″L x 24″W x 36″H 32″L x 32″W x 63″H 36″L x 36″W x 72″H 48″L x 24″W x 60″H 48″L x 48″W x 80″H 96″L x 48″W x 80″H (shown above) |
| Materials | 600D Oxford canvas exterior Reflective aluminum foil Powder-coated steel poles |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
CoolGrows comes in just below VIPARSPECTRA and VIVOSUN because of their lower-quality reflective material, which is an aluminum foil that’s just 93-97% efficient at reflecting back light (versus 98% for the above models).
Aside from that, it has everything you’d expect:
- 600D exterior canvas
- Brushed steel poles
- Tool-free assembly and installation
- Removable floor pan for easy cleanup
- Two ventilation socks
They say they have heavy-duty zippers, but this is another area where I think their quality lags a little behind the best grow tents above.
Overall, CoolGrows is a solid bargain brand with a good array of sizes, including a couple of mid-sized grow tents that come in dimensions you won’t find with either VIPARSPECTRA or VIVOSUN.
6. BloomGrow Grow Tent + Kit
Overview: BloomGrow offers a whole line of grow tents from small tent-only models to larger 2-in-1s with available kits. The kits have everything you could need (shown below) at an affordable price, but obviously the included extras aren’t the highest quality. You’ll get better fans and lights by purchasing them separately, but you’ll pay more as well.
| Type | Standard Grow Tents Standard Grow Tents + Kits 2-In-1 Grow Tents |
| Sizes Available | 16″L x 16″W x 48″H 32″L x 32″W x 63″H (Tent + Kit, shown above) 36″L x 36″W x 72″H (Tent + Kit also available) 48″L x 24″W x 72″H 48″L x 36″W x 72″H 48″L x 36″W x 72″H (2-In-1 + Kit) 48″L x 48″W x 80″H (Tent + Kit also available) |
| Materials | 600D Mylar exterior Reflective Mylar interior Powder-coated steel poles |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
If you want diversity of offerings, you want BloomGrow. They have a grow tent for just about everyone:
- Some are tent only
- Some come with kits
- Some are 2-in-1s
- There’s even a 2-in-1 that comes with a kit!
The kit models actually have some solid components that make them a great value if you’re leaning that direction. Take their 48″ x 36″ x 72″ model, which includes the following:
- 800W full spectrum LED grow light
- 2 x 24W full spectrum 6500K T5 LED light
- Ventilation kit with a 6″ inline fan, inline filter, silver flex ducting, and all necessary clamps
- And, of course, the grow tent
Another model with slightly lower reflectivity (96%), I wouldn’t let that stop me from buying one of BloomGrow’s kits, especially the 2-in-1 kit, which is a rare find for easy growing.
7. TopoGrow Grow Tents
Overview: Another brand with 2-in-1 grow tents ranging from small to relatively large, TopoGrow’s tents aren’t quite as sturdy as the others on this list and are a little more complicated to assemble.
| Type | 2-In-1 Grow Tents |
| Sizes Available | 36″L x 24″W x 53″H (shown above) 38″L x 36″W x 72″H 60″L x 48″W x 80″H |
| Materials | 600D Oxford cloth exterior Reflective Mylar interior Powder-coated steel poles |
| More Info | View on Amazon→ |
Another 2-in-1 option, TopoGrow offers three models of various sizes, including the large 60″ x 40″ x 80″ 2-in-1 model with the same two-chambered, three-zoned construction as the other 2-in-1s above.
The poles on this model are a little thinner than the other models above, and it doesn’t come with great instructions if you’ve never assembled a grow tent before.
In fact, difficulty setting the tent up is the most common user complaint!
But if you’re reasonably handy and a little patient, you can have everything up and running in 20-30 minutes.
From there, it’s up to you to set everything up, which includes your grow lights, ventilation, and temperature and humidity meters.
In fact, let’s use that as a jumping off point…
Setting Up Your Grow Tent: 5 Things You’re Probably Going To Need
You purchased your grow tent. Congrats!
(It was the VIPARSPECTRA, wasn’t it? Good choice.)
Assuming you didn’t buy a tent and kit, you’re going to need some extra equipment before you’re ready to grow.
Here’s a quick rundown of the basics so you don’t need to keep Googling. Let’s cover 5 essentials for your setup:
- Hydroponic System
- Grow Media
- Grow Lights
- Nutrients
- Ventilation
1. Hydroponic System
Grow tents work with both traditional soil gardening and soil-less hydroponic gardening. There are pros and cons to both, but here at IndoorGrowTech, we’re partial to hydroponics because of its 15 big advantages.
Yes, 15.
There are 6 basic systems you’ll want to choose from:
| System | Description |
|---|---|
| Wick System | Wick systems deliver nutrient solution from a lower reservoir to an upper grow tray through one or more wicks via capillary action. These systems are passive with no pumps or moving parts and keep roots in constant contact with moisture. |
| Drip System | Drip systems run nutrient solution to plants via feeder tubes. A pump is required, making these active systems, to give you control over the flow rate. Drip systems scale well and are great for big hydroponics setups. |
| Deep Water Culture (DWC) | DWC systems completely submerge the root ball in an oxygenated nutrient solution with very little use of growing media, if any is used at all. These systems can be completely passive, but more advanced and productive setups use both air pumps and airstones to keep the water oxygenated. |
| Ebb and Flow | Ebb and Flow systems, also known as Flood and Drain systems, repeatedly flood a grow tray with nutrient solution before letting it drain completely. This is an active, pump-powered system with a timer. |
| Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) | NFT systems connect several plants in series with nutrient solution pumped to the high point in the system where gravity helps it flow down to the reservoir, feeding all plants along the way. This is an active, pump-power, recirculating system. |
| Aeroponics | Aeroponic systems generally are the most complex and technical hydroponic systems. Roots are suspended in a chamber equipped with nozzles that mist nutrient spray at regular intervals. While complicated, aeroponic systems are highly resource-efficient and generate great yields. |
If you’re growing big fruiting plants, like tomatoes or cannabis, DWC is our preferred choice.
2. Grow Media
There are 13 primary types of growing media to choose from:
- Coco Coir
- Perlite
- Vermiculate
- Hydroton Expanded Clay Pebbles
- Rockwool
- Oasis Cubes
- Growstones
- Rice Hulls
- Pumice
- Sand
- Gravel
- Polystyrene Packing Peanuts
- Wood Fiber
I won’t get into the pros and cons of each here, primarily because we have a few thousand thoughtfully-penned words elsewhere on the site: 13 Best Hydroponic Growing Media: The ULTIMATE Guide.
If you’re going with DWC, Hydroton expanded clay pebbles are an awesome choice.
3. Grow Lights
There are 5 types of grow lights:
- Fluorescent (CFL, T5, T8, and T12)
- High-intensity discharge (HID including HPS, MH, CMH, and HPS+MH)
- Double-ended (DE)
- Light-emitting diode (LED)
- Light-emitting plasma (LEP)
LED lights are becoming more popular because of their energy-efficiency and cooler temps, which make them ideal for self-contained grow tents.
However, nothing beats high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights when it comes to fruit or flower production. Our LED vs HPS comparison has everything you need to know.
4. Nutrients
No matter how good your grow tent is, your plants won’t thrive in a bucket of plain ol’ water. You need to feed them.
Thankfully, hydroponic nutrition is super easy.
If you’re looking for something beginner-friendly, go with the General Hydroponics Flora Series, which has three separate formulations designed to take your plant from seed to harvest.
If you want a more customized, DIY approach, try the following nutrients in sequence:
- Seedling Stage: Clonex Clone Solution & Seedling Nutrient
- Vegetative Stage: Root Farm Stage 2 All-Purpose Supplement
- Flowering Stage: General Hydroponics MaxiBloom
- Late Flowering Stage: General Hydroponics KoolBloom
Our guide to the 7 Best Hydroponic Nutrients has a ton more info.
5. Ventilation
Ventilation is critical for a self-contained grow tent setup. Without it, bad stuff happens:
- Your plants run out of carbon dioxide
- Humidity builds up, reducing water and nutrient uptake while creating a haven for disease and pests
- High temps scorch your precious plants
Selecting the right inline fan with enough airflow is crucial. It’s also pretty easy, so check out our guide to the 7 Best Grow Tent Fans.
And if you’re looking to add a filter (which you’ll probably want to do), our guide to the 8 Best Carbon Filters For Grow Rooms has you covered.
Best Grow Tents: Final Thoughts
If your indoor growing system is flat earth, your grow tent is the dome that goes over the top and keeps us protected.
Weird metaphor?
All aspects of your grow setup are important, and your grow tent is no different. If you have any questions about selecting the best grow tent for your needs, comment below.
