I recently moved to New York from Puerto Rico, and one of the things I missed the most was growing produce in my backyard. I wanted something that would allow me to grow a variety of things, but not occupy too much space because, frankly, I just don’t have too much to spare. The Gardyn Studio (the smaller sister of the Gardyn Home, which is also on this list) makes me feel like a plant whisperer without doing too much legwork to keep the plants alive. The setup was quick and straightforward, taking around 30 minutes (unboxing, setting up the system, and planting the yCubes — Gardyn’s preseeded pods). Once it was set up in my dining area and in the app, it practically ran on its own. It waters itself, adjusts the grow lights and sends me notifications if my attention is needed.

What stands out about this device is its sleek and compact design. Even though it’s larger than a countertop garden, the vertical design allows me to grow more without occupying too much real estate in my home. It holds up to 16 pods, so while it’s small, you still get a good amount of greens. Being able to snip basil, lettuce, or fresh flowers felt like a small connection with my love for gardening, especially during the winter months when produce isn’t at its best. Because of these features, I decided to give it a CNET Editors’ Choice award.

While this device is really convenient, the watering system makes a subtle noise when watering for about 5 minutes a day. Your plants also need around 12 to 16 hours of light. Since the system comes with a built-in LED lighting system, you don’t need to position it near a window. However, if you live in a studio or plan to place it near your bedroom, the lighting may disrupt your sleep, so you’ll need to schedule it around your preferences.

The Gardyn Studio and Gardyn Studio 2 are virtually identical devices, with the exception of a few upgrades in the latest model. Most notably, Studio 2 has no-clean columns, an upgraded HD camera and sunrise-sunset lighting modes. I find the extra $100 worth the no-clean columns alone. But if you’re looking to save money, the Studio is still a great option.