Auk Mini 2 Indoor Smart Garden Review: Better Where It Counts

The Auk Mini 2 indoor smart garden is an updated version of its predecessor, the Auk Mini 1, released in 2024. Auk, a Norwegian company, aimed to enhance the tabletop gardening experience by combining sleek Scandinavian design with practicality. The original Mini 1 herb garden received mixed reviews due to its tower water reservoir and inconsistent light and watering cycles.

The Mini 2 features various improvements, including new color options, larger plant pots, and a 25% larger water capacity, while maintaining a smaller overall footprint (12% less than the original).

Unlike the Mini 1, the Mini 2 comes with an app called Auk Connect, though it's not mandatory for operation. The app allows users to adjust light schedules, dim the light, set watering cycles, and switch between grow modes. The Mini 2 also offers a "Slow Mode" feature, which dims the light to slow down growth and water absorption, helpful for users who need to step away temporarily. This new mode helps prevent overgrown and bolting herbs, a common issue with the Mini 1.

One significant improvement in the Mini 2 is the light bar's new optical lens system, which allows the light to focus more directly on the plants, reducing legginess and improving overall plant health. The Mini 2's light production is also less visually disruptive, as it doesn't spill much light into the surrounding area. A unique addition to the starter kit is a bag of fine gravel that forms a crust over the coco coir, preventing stems from struggling to emerge.

While the Mini 1 and Mini 2 share many similarities, including the same tension assembly and nutrient schedule, the Mini 2's enhanced features such as the larger water capacity, new color options, and improved light system make it a better choice for maintaining healthy, upright herbs. The Mini 2 is priced at $229 (with a limited-time launch deal), making it a competitive option for those seeking a stylish and easy-to-maintain indoor herb garden.