How We Evaluate Indoor Growing Gear

Our methodology is research-led, transparent, and honest about its limits. Here is exactly how we choose what to recommend — and what we do not claim.

What We Do

Specification research. For grow lights, we verify wattage, PAR/PPFD output, spectral range, coverage area, and heat dissipation against manufacturer data sheets and independent testing published by third parties. For hydroponic and smart garden systems, we check pod capacity, pump specs, grow cycle data, and power draw. We cross-reference specs across multiple sources to catch errors or marketing inflation.

Recall screening. Every electrical product we consider — grow lights, heat mats, hydroponic units — is screened against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall records before we recommend it. Any product with an active recall or safety notice is excluded.

Community evidence. We synthesise what real growers report: verified purchaser reviews, gardening forums, Reddit communities (r/microgrowery excluded — cannabis content is outside our scope), and growing journals. We look for consistent patterns across large sample sizes, not outliers or single reviews.

Price-to-value assessment. We assess value relative to alternatives in the same price band, not in isolation. Our price bands ($, $$, $$$) reflect the general current market range for each category. We never display static prices, which go stale — we tell you the band and link you to check the current price directly.

What We Do Not Do

We do not physically test products. Planted Indoors does not operate a grow lab or test facility. We make no claim of hands-on testing for any product we recommend. Our authority comes from research depth, accurate sourcing, and honest synthesis — not a test bench.

We do not have an expert reviewer. Our picks are not reviewed by a third-party botanist, horticultural expert, or lighting engineer. We are researchers who verify specifications from primary sources and synthesise grower experience — that is the honest description of what we are.

We do not accept free products. We have not received products from manufacturers for review, and we do not accept sponsored placements. Recommendations are not influenced by supplier relationships.

Plant Safety and Toxicity Claims

When we mention plant toxicity to pets or children, we source those claims to the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database or reputable horticulture sources. Treat all toxicity information as general guidance, not veterinary or medical advice.

Keeping Content Current

We update gear lists at least annually. Each page shows a “last updated” date. If a product is recalled or discontinued, we remove it. If the market shifts significantly, we refresh the entire list — we do not keep products on best-of pages just because they were there before.