Gardzen 5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kits with Vented Domes (200 Cells) Review (2026)

Built for starting a lot of seeds indoors at once

This kit is aimed at balcony and patio gardeners who want to start an entire season's worth of seedlings under one setup rather than buying single trays repeatedly, since five trays with 40 cells each add up to 200 cells total. That scale suits someone starting a mix of vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed on a windowsill, under grow lights or on a heating mat before the containers move outside. It is less suited to a grower who only wants to start a handful of plants and does not have space to manage five trays at once. Our score of 8.4 out of 10 reflects strong fit for volume seed starting, with a slightly lower 7 out of 10 for build since the trays are lightweight plastic rather than a rigid material.

What the 5-Set kit actually includes

Each of the five trays holds 40 cells, for 200 cells in total, and every tray measures roughly 15 by 9 inches with individual cells around 1.4 inches square, enough room to limit root crowding compared with smaller cell sizes. Each tray pairs with a base for catching drainage water and a clear vented dome that traps humidity while seeds germinate. The domes include two air vents that can be opened to release excess moisture and lower humidity gradually as seedlings emerge, rather than removing the dome outright in one step. The trays are made from a durable plastic meant to be reused across multiple growing seasons rather than treated as disposable, which fits a recurring balcony seed starting routine.

Living with the trays from sowing to transplant

In practice the vented domes are useful in the first one to two weeks, when keeping humidity high speeds germination, and then opening the vents helps harden off young seedlings before the dome comes off entirely. Because each cell is only about 1.4 inches square, fast growing seedlings such as squash or tomatoes will need potting up into larger containers well before they are ready to move outside permanently, so this kit works best as a true starter stage rather than a place to grow seedlings for weeks on end. The base trays catch water for bottom watering, which keeps young stems dry and reduces the risk of damping off compared with overhead watering from a can.

How it compares with MIXC and Bonviee starter trays

In the site's seed starting guide this kit ranks first of six, ahead of the MIXC 120 cell kit with a humidity dome and the Bonviee 5-pack that pairs smaller trays with a full spectrum LED grow light. The MIXC kit offers fewer total cells across its ten trays, while Bonviee's LED add-on suits a grower who wants integrated lighting rather than extra cell count. Gardzen's advantage here is sheer capacity, with 200 cells split across five manageable trays, which lines up with its 9 out of 10 score for both fit and value. The trade off against build quality shows up when trays are lifted full of wet soil, since the lightweight plastic can flex and should be carried level.

Verdict and who should look at a different kit

For a balcony gardener planning to start dozens of seedlings at once, this Gardzen 5-Set kit is a strong pick that backs up its 8.4 out of 10 score with genuine cell capacity and adjustable humidity domes. Growers who only need to start a small batch of seeds, or who want built in grow lighting rather than a separate light source, may be better served by a smaller kit or the Bonviee LED option instead. Whichever kit is chosen, plan to pot seedlings up into larger containers once true leaves appear, since 1.4 inch cells are a starting point rather than a long term home for fast growing crops.

Frequently asked questions