5 Best Grow Tents for Indoor Cannabis Grows

Whether you're growing cannabis or cucumbers, the environment your plants are in plays a significant part in their growth. When growing marijuana indoors, you have a slight advantage in being able to control the environment to ensure a better outcome of the crop.

When you control light, temperature, humidity and airflow, you remove a lot of guesswork from the grow.

If you’re considering growing marijuana indoors, the best way to create an environment for your plants to thrive is to use a grow tent. In this article, we’ll go over popular grow tents and what to look for when choosing one. This guide is for adults 21+ growing where it is legal.

PRODUCT	DIMENSIONS
CoolGrows Small Indoor Hydroponics Grow Tent	2 ft x 2 ft x 4 ft
Gorilla Grow Tent LITE	4 ft x 4 ft
VivosunHorticulture Large Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent	60″ x 60″ x 80″
Oshion Small Indoor Mylar Hydroponics Grow Tent Room	24″ x 24″ x 48″
iPower Hydroponic Water-Resistance Grow Tent	48″ x 24″ x 60″

Top 5 Best Indoor Grow Tents

All of the tents on our list will get the job done. Which one is best depends on your space, budget and whether you already own lights and fans.

1. CoolGrows 2x2x4 Small Indoor Mylar Hydroponics Grow Tent

Quick Overview:

• Scatters light evenly
• Compact 2 x 2 foot footprint

There’s so much to enjoy from the CoolGrows small indoor mylar hydroponic grow tent. It works for soil or small hydroponic setups; a floor tray catches spills. The reflective interior helps spread light around the plants.

It has a metal frame and connectors, so it should last through many grow cycles. An observation window lets you check plants without opening the tent.

Keep the window closed during the dark period, since stray light can disrupt flowering. The maker advertises a highly reflective mylar interior.

What We Liked

• Durable
• Viewing window
• Reflective interior
• Prevents light from escaping

What We Didn’t Like

• Zipper sticks

Final Thoughts

If you need a small grow tent, this is a great option. The metal frame and connectors make it a tent you can use for years. So, if you don’t plan on increasing the size of your growing area anytime soon, this tent is a quality investment.

A reflective interior does not add light, but it bounces stray light back toward the plants instead of letting the walls absorb it.

2. Gorilla Grow Tent LITE 4’x4′

Quick Overview:

• Sold as a tent or bundled kits
• Well-known premium brand
• 4 x 4 foot footprint

Gorilla's LITE line was a lighter, lower-cost version of its tents, and some retailers sold it bundled with an LED light, inline fan and carbon filter. Gorilla's website now leads with its PRO and fixed-height tents and Grow Room kits, so the LITE line may be discontinued. Check what is included before you buy.

The 4 x 4 foot size is easy to assemble. If your bundle includes a carbon filter, it helps contain the smell of flowering plants.

What We Liked

• Kit versions save piecing together gear
• Rope ratchets make it easy to raise lights as plants grow
• Reputable brand

What We Didn’t Like

• Price

Final Thoughts

If you already own lights you like, a kit adds little beyond the tent. If you do not, a bundle saves time.

Check that any bundled light is sized for a 4 x 4 tent and works from seedling through flowering.

Overall, Gorilla tents are a solid buy. Confirm the current model and contents first.

3. VivosunHorticulture Large Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent with View Window

Quick Overview:

• Multiple sizes available
• Thick canvas
• Blocks light from escaping

The Vivosun 5 x 5 foot tent fits several plants, depending on how big you let them grow. Its height leaves room to hang lights above tall plants. Check the current listing for warranty terms.

The maker advertises a highly reflective mylar interior, and the dark exterior keeps light in. A removable floor tray catches spills.

What We Liked

• Reflective mylar interior
• Thick canvas exterior
• Great price

What We Didn’t Like

• Tent only: no fan or filter for odor included

Our Final Thoughts

The Vivosun large grow tent isn’t your standard grow tent. There’s not much more to it other than a reflective interior, thick canvas exterior, and viewing window. This grow tent kit is the option for someone who wants to grow multiple plants indoors.

There are other options available with more bells and whistles, but the simplicity of this design makes it stand out. It has a sturdy frame and a floor tray.

4. Oshion Small Indoor Mylar Hydroponics Grow Tent Room

Quick Overview:

• Multiple buying options
• Heavy-duty materials
• Keeps light in

The Oshion small indoor mylar hydroponics grow tent room is a bit different than the other tents on our list. Instead of unzipping to reveal a door-like structure, the whole side panel unzips so you can have full access to your plant. Although this is the smaller version, there are many sizes available.

It is sold as a 600D fabric tent with a reflective mylar interior, which keeps light in and bounces it back to the plants.

Setup is easy, and the instructions are clear.

What We Liked

• Available in multiple sizes
• Easy setup
• Air Vents
• Extremely reflective interior

What We Didn’t Like

• Zippers are big-toothed and don’t latch together

Our Final Thoughts

This is a simple, sturdy, and high-quality grow tent. The front-opening design makes it easier to reach your plants without crawling into a small tent.

The entire tent is easy to clean, as you can wipe down inside without any problem. The vents let you add a fan to keep the air from going stale.

Because of its sturdy construction, the Oshion small indoor mylar hydroponics grow tent room will last for many grow cycles.

5. iPower Hydroponic Water-Resistant Grow Tent with Removable Floor Tray

Quick Overview:

• Blocks light well
• Heavy-duty zippers
• Budget price

The iPower Hydroponic Water-Resistant Grow Tent is easy to clean and stable, with a metal-pole frame.

It is a budget tent, and its advertised reflectivity is a little lower than some pricier tents. That difference is small in practice.

The thick fabric helps you hold a steady environment.

What We Liked

• Easy to clean
• Keeps light in

What We Didn’t Like

• Interior not as reflective as other models
• Requires two people to adjust the height

Our Final Thoughts

For a medium-sized option, this tent is high-quality with a few features. The best feature you could ask for from a grow room is that it keeps all the light in. Regarding preventing light from escaping the iPower, Hydroponic Water-Resistance Grow Tent is one of the best options.

Paired with an inline fan and carbon filter, it keeps odors contained well. If you’re attempting to grow discreetly but have a bit of substantial space to work with, this tent is a great option.

Its sturdy construction reinforces the stability of the structure. Its vents let you add ventilation to keep air from going stale. The downside of needing two people to adjust the height is a real hindrance though.

Our Top Pick

Now that you’ve had a chance to read all of our indoor grow tent reviews, it’s time to pick a winner.

In our eyes, the best pick is a Gorilla Grow Tent. The brand is known for sturdy frames, and its kit versions bundle the light, fan and filter you need.

A good kit saves you from matching parts yourself. Gorilla tents are also easy to get in and out of, so you don't have to stoop to tend plants. Since the LITE line may be discontinued, compare it with Gorilla's current tents and kits.

The best grow tent depends on what size of space you have, regardless of whether you’re a newbie or an expert. Every one of the options listed here delivers several features to help you’re indoor grow environment. The only thing left is to decide which is the best option for you and your plants. Of course, your grow room will also have a number of other factors contributing to its success, the lights you choose (HID lights such as HPS, or LED grow lights) also make a huge difference in your indoor plant growing process.

What makes a good grow tent?

While there are some people who choose to build their own grow tents, a quality grow tent can eliminate some of the learning curve associated with growing marijuana indoors. A tent gives you a sealed, reflective space where you control the conditions. The grow tent you choose should also complement your grow lights, grow light kits, ventilation systems, and more.

The right indoor grow tent kits should provide:

• A barrier against some pests
• Ports for ventilation to prevent stale air
• Odor control with a carbon filter
• Reflective walls that make better use of your light
• A light-tight space for uninterrupted dark periods

Growing indoors is satisfying but requires controlling the temperature, light exposure, and humidity. Photoperiod cannabis needs uninterrupted darkness to flower, since light during the dark period can suppress flowering, per research in Plants. A light-tight tent makes that easy.

Good airflow matters too: a review of cannabis diseases links better canopy airflow to less bud rot.

Size

The amount of space you have to grow indoors will determine the size of the grow tent you should choose. Obviously, the more space you have inside, the more options you’ll have in terms of which grow tents fit in your grow area. Luckily, indoor grow tents come in a variety of sizes. Before you buy a grow tent, make sure to carefully measure your space and account for enough space for you to walk around and tend to your plants.

How many plants fit depends on how big you let them grow and how you train them. A 2 x 2 tent suits one or two small plants, while a 4 x 4 tent commonly holds about four full-size plants.

Plants need room for light to reach the whole canopy, so don't overcrowd. Check your state's home-grow plant limit too; many legal states cap the number per person or household. See our best grow box for beginners if space is tight.

Ease of Use

You want to choose a grow tent that’s easy for you to use, to eliminate any confusion that might result in a ruined harvest. The first thing to look for is to make sure it’s easy for you to get in and out of the tent to tend to your buds. Check that there is enough space in the tent, and make sure to check that the entrance is easily accessible. Some tents use zippers, which can jam and make it frustrating to get in and out of. Other tents use velcro, which is easier but seals less well against odor and light leaks. Weigh the pros and cons depending on your tent preference.

The second area of concern with ease of use is cleaning the tent. If the grow tent isn’t easy to clean you could be left scrubbing it for hours. Most of the interior materials on these grow tents are waterproof mylar. Typically, reflective mylar is very easy to clean and wipes down with mild soap and water.

Finally, the last ease of use issue is setup. Most of these tents come with very clear instructions for assembly. However, if you need something that’s easy enough to snap together you should look at the smaller tents. Typically, larger tents require far more assembly, and that can become difficult.

Choosing the right grow tent for your needs makes it much easier to grow healthy plants.

Sources

• Examining the "Night Break" Method in Cannabis sativa Horticulture, Plants (via NIH PMC)
• Emerging diseases of Cannabis sativa and sustainable management, Pest Management Science (via NIH PMC)
• Gorilla Grow Tent product lineup, Gorilla Grow Tent