Cost

How much does hydroponics cost?

$337 buys all 7 essentials.

7 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission

Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick

$337

7 items, nothing rented

Against 247 hobbies

Above median

Dearer than 71% of them. Median hobby: $84.

What each thing costs

Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.

Hydroponic Starter Kit essential

mid $159top $100

$85

Grow Light essential

mid $85top $340

$70

Hydroponic Grow Kit essential

mid $85top $97

$66

pH and EC/TDS Meter Set essential

mid $131top $280

$57

Hydroponic Nutrients essential

mid $42top $56

$34

Air Pump and Airstone Set essential

mid $41top $63

$17

Net Pots and Growing Medium essential

mid $18top $32

$8

All 7 essentials

$337

What you need

$337

Everything you need to start hydroponics. None of it is a big commitment.

Hydroponic Starter Kit

$85

The Kratky method is the easiest entry point — no pump, no timer, just nutrient water + net pots + light. DWC adds an air pump for faster growth.

AeroGarden Harvest Elite 360 Indoor Garden Hydroponic System with LED…

mid $159top $100

Net Pots and Growing Medium

Net Pots and Growing Medium

$8

Net pots hold the plant; growing medium supports the roots. Rockwool for seedlings, clay pebbles for ongoing.

Hydrofarm Net Pots 2-Inch 50-Pack

mid $18top $32

Hydroponic Nutrients

$34

Two-part or three-part nutrient systems are standard. General Hydroponics is the beginner default; specialty brands later.

Advanced Nutrients Ph Perfect Grow

mid $42top $56

Hydroponic Grow Kit

$66

Ahopegarden 10-Pod Hydroponic Growing System

mid $85top $97

Air Pump and Airstone Set

$17

DWC systems need oxygenated water — an air pump and stone keep oxygen levels high. Quiet pumps are worth the upgrade.

Tetra Whisper Air Pump for Up to 10 Gallon Aquariums, Non-UL

mid $41top $63

Grow Light

$70

Full-spectrum LED is the modern standard. Wattage matched to your grow area (30-50W per square foot for vegetables).

Spider Farmer SF1000 100W LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants

mid $85top $340

pH and EC/TDS Meter Set

$57

pH determines nutrient availability; EC/TDS tells you nutrient strength. Both essential — you can't grow without them.

Apera Instruments AI209 pH20 Value pH Tester

mid $131top $280

Startup cost · all 247 hobbieslog scale
$1
$84
$1245
$180

Hydroponics costs more to start than 71% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.

Cost questions

How much does Hydroponics cost to start?

About $337 for the 7 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each.

What does each thing cost for Hydroponics?

Hydroponic Starter Kit: from $85. Grow Light: from $70. Hydroponic Grow Kit: from $66. pH and EC/TDS Meter Set: from $57. Hydroponic Nutrients: from $34. Air Pump and Airstone Set: from $17. Net Pots and Growing Medium: from $8.

Is Hydroponics an expensive hobby?

Hydroponics costs about $180 to start, dearer than 71% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this sits around the middle.

What should I buy first for Hydroponics?

hydroponic starter kit, net pots and growing medium, hydroponic nutrients, hydroponic grow kit, air pump and airstone set, grow light, ph and ec/tds meter set — $337 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.

Hobbies that cost about the same

The 6 nearest to hydroponics by startup cost, out of 247.

Model Railroading$16 less$164Ham Radio$15 less$165Ice Sculpting$6 less$174
Hydroponicsyou are here$180
Table Tennisabout the same$180Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu$4 more$184Archery$5 more$185
Start hydroponicsHydroponics beginner guide