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If you propagate plants, you already know the heartbreak: a tray of cuttings that look fine for a week, then turn to mush. A cloning machine mists stems with oxygen-rich water, pushing roots out in days instead of weeks and rescuing even the toughest, slow-to-root varieties.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
From 16-site starters to 70-site production units, here is the shortlist of the best cloning machine options for every grower’s bench space and budget.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Cloning Machine
A cloning machine is essentially a reservoir, a pump, and a lid with holes that hold your cuttings suspended in air. The pump constantly mists the stems, keeping them wet and oxygenated. The real buying decisions come down to how many cuttings you want to run, how the water is delivered, and whether the pump will survive more than one season.
Site count: match it to your real bench space
Site counts range from compact 16-site units to room-filling 70-site systems. More sites mean more cuttings per run but also a larger reservoir and more water to keep at the right temperature. If you only clone a dozen plants at a time, a huge 64-site machine is wasted space. If you are running commercial batches, a small unit will have you doing back-to-back cycles all season.
Spray delivery: aeroponic misting vs deep water culture
Most machines use aeroponics — a pump pushes water through spray heads so the roots dangle in a fine mist. Others use Deep Water Culture (DWC), where an air pump bubbles oxygen directly into the water and the roots sit submerged. Aeroponic systems root faster with more oxygen, but DWC systems have fewer clog-prone parts. More spray heads ensure even mist coverage across all sites.
Pump quality and the hidden failure point
The pump is the most failure-prone component in any cloner. Check whether the pump is UL-listed (a safety certification from an independent lab) and whether it has a pre-filter to stop debris from clogging the sprayers. A pump that dies mid-run ruins an entire batch, so prioritize pump reliability over a slightly higher site count.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Site Count | Spray Heads | Weight | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZ Clone 16★ Best Overall | Hard-to-root cuttings | 16 | — | 8 lb | Amazon |
| PowerGrow 21-SiteBest Value | Budget beginners | 21 | 360° nozzles | 5 lb | Amazon |
| Psycloner 24Compact Pick | Compact DWC runs | 24 | — | — | Amazon |
| HortiPots DWC 24 | Seed starting + cloning | 24 | — | 2.09 kg | Amazon |
| Harrigan’s 25-Site | Set-and-forget runs | 25 | 13 | 5 lb | Amazon |
| HortiPots 35-Site | Mid-size production | 35 | — | — | Amazon |
| Viagrow 24-Site | All-in-one with light | 24 | — | 4 lb | Amazon |
| Harrigan’s 64-Site | Large commercial batches | 64 | 25 | 14 lb | Amazon |
| HortiPots 70-Site | Maximum capacity | 70 | — | 8.3 lb | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. EZ Clone 16 Cutting Cloning System
Our pick — 4.5★ from 250+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The plant propagator that tames fig-tree varieties known for refusing to root at all.
This is the machine for the hardest cuttings you grow. A commercial fig grower reports taking notoriously difficult-to-root fig varieties and hitting over 95% success — the exact scenario where cheaper cloners and DIY rigs leave you with a tray of dead sticks. The system is built in the United States and weighs 8 pounds, so it sits solidly on a bench without tipping when you slide the lid on and off.
What wins people over is consistency. The review pages are full of “100% rooting everytime” and “100% success rate is real” — including an owner who revegged 3 out of 3 cuttings from early flower with roots by day 7. Quality is the most-praised trait by a wide margin, with 39 owners singling it out, and sturdiness follows close behind. The rooting speed gets its own chorus: most owners see roots within a week or two of placing cuttings.
The honest trade-offs are real. Durability gets mixed feedback, and one owner had their pump break within 30 days of use — so keep an eye on it early. A few note manifold leaks, and one owner found success poor without a humidity dome. It is also heavier than the PowerGrow 21-Site below by a full 60% — 8 pounds against 5 — and roughly 19% larger in dimensions (14.3 x 14.7 x 12.3 inches vs 12 x 12 x 12), so it needs a sturdier shelf.
Why growers love it
- Over 95% success on hard-to-root fig cuttings, per a commercial grower
- Roots reported by day 7 on re-vegged cuttings
- Sturdy, US-made build that sits stable on a bench
Where to be careful
- One pump failure reported within 30 days
- A few buyers report manifold leaks
- Some growers say a humidity dome is needed for good results
Grab it for: difficult, slow-to-root species where every strike counts — this is the one that breaks the 95% barrier.
Think twice if: you are on a tight budget or short on shelf space, since it is heavier and bigger than the PowerGrow below.
2. Plant Cloning Machine – Deluxe 21-Site Bucket Cloner Kit by PowerGrow Systems
The 21-site bucket kit that comes with everything including the cloning gel, ready in minutes.
The PowerGrow is the entry point that tries to remove every excuse for not cloning. The kit includes the bucket, a 21-site lid, clone collars, the pump, and cloning gel — so you are not making a second order before your first run. The 360-degree spray nozzles are the standout feature, designed to hit every cutting from all sides so no site gets left dry. At 5 pounds and 12 x 12 x 12 inches, it is lighter and more compact than the EZ Clone above, which is a real advantage if you have limited bench space.
Ease of use is what owners praise most, with clone quality and value for money close behind. Another owner found that the larger size fixed a problem they had with a smaller unit, where the motor heated up the water; this one stays cool enough to run properly.
The recurring gripe is the plugs. Owners note that finding collars that fit the holes properly is difficult, and that ill-fitting plugs can fall in or allow water loss. It is a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker — a little DIY around the collars solves it. The consensus is that used properly, with daily pH checks, this machine delivers success reliably.
Best for beginners: the all-in-one kit with gel included means your first cloning run happens the day it arrives, not after three more deliveries.
The trade-off: plan to experiment with collar fit — the holes are picky about which plugs you use.
Reach for this if: you want a cheap, complete starter kit that is light enough to move around and proven over a decade-plus of customer use.
Look elsewhere if: you need heavy-duty build quality for daily commercial runs rather than home propagation.
3. Psycloner Clone Machine 24 Site DWC
A 2-gallon Deep Water Culture cloner engineered to squeeze 24 cuttings into a tiny footprint.
This is the space-saver of the group. The Psycloner uses a 2-gallon reservoir with a 24-site tray, and its compact design — 16 x 12 x 6 inches — lets you pack more plants into a smaller area than any comparably sized unit. Instead of spray misters, it uses Deep Water Culture: an aerating air pump pulls oxygen from outside and bubbles it directly into the water, so the roots sit in oxygen-rich water without any spray heads to clog. One owner confirms the method works, reporting roots “sprouted in a week.”
The beginner-friendly angle is strong. The instructions and design are easy to set up in minutes, and the included components cover everything: the reservoir, the 24-site tray, 24 neoprene inserts, and the aerating water pump. A grower who ran a 16-site version of this design says the larger size fixes a motor-heating problem that plagued the smaller one in warm seasons — a useful data point if you grow in a warm room.
Success depends on your technique. One detailed review notes that 10 out of 16 cuttings rooted in 9 days, with failures traced to excess leaf mass rather than the machine. The same owner recommends using 2.75 gallons of water rather than a full 3, and suggests updating the included air line, which is thin and can pinch. A frustrated grower who switched to a humidity dome setup had better luck — so treat the Psycloner as a solid tool that rewards good cutting prep.
Compact strengths
- 2-gallon DWC design roots cuttings without spray heads to clog
- One owner saw roots in a week
- Small 16 x 12 x 6-inch footprint fits a tight bench
Setup notes
- Included air line is thin and can pinch — a swap is worth it
- Best results with 2.75 gallons of water, not 3
- Failures traced to excess leaf mass on cuttings
Pick this for: tight spaces and growers who prefer bubbling DWC over spray misters.
Keep in mind: your rooting rate depends on trimming leaves back — the machine rewards clean cuttings.
4. DWC Cloner Rooting Recirculating System 24 Site by HortiPots
The only cloner here that doubles as a seed-starting germination kit with net pots included.
This HortiPots system is two tools in one. It works as a 24-site cutting cloner, and it also accepts U.S. standard 2-inch net pots with 2-inch neoprene inserts, so you can start seeds in rockwool or other plugs in the same machine. That dual purpose makes it a smart buy if you propagate both ways through the year. The package includes a thermoformed clear humidity dome to prevent leaf transpiration and transplant shock in the first few hours — a feature the EZ Clone above lacks entirely.
The oxygenation approach is clever. Rather than a submersible pump, it uses a unique oxygen bubble tubing kit that generates millions of air bubbles per minute directly into the rooting area. The design avoids clogging and heating, and HortiPots claims it outperforms air-stone type products by delivering evenly dissolved oxygen. Owners mention fast, dense root growth in days and near-100% effectiveness when used with the right technique.
The build is a mix. The bottom tub is solid, but the clear dome is considered flimsy — handle it gently. Setup itself is easy, and one owner came back to buy a second unit years later not because the first broke, but because it worked so well they wanted one for vegetable growing. For best results, keep water between 65-75°F and pH between 5.5-6.5, and use a rooting hormone.
A dual-duty winner: start seeds in rockwool one week, clone cuttings the next, all in the same 24-site system.
Handle with care: the clear dome is the weak point — treat it gently and it will last.
Buy it for: growers who want one machine that clones cuttings and germinates seeds without swapping gear.
skip it if: you need a rugged, drop-it-on-the-floor unit — the dome is not built for rough handling.
5. 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine by Harrigan’s Hydroponics
The 25-site aeroponic workhorse that one owner has run at 100% success since 2023 without a single dead cutting.
This is the machine growers describe as “dummy proof.” The complete 25-site system includes the reservoir, lid, spray manifold with misters, a submersible pump rated at 317 GPH (gallons per hour — how much water the pump moves), and inserts. It also ships with 13 spray heads for even coverage across all 25 sites, plus detailed instructions. The system is designed to run totally organic — no hormones or chemicals needed — and owners consistently report 80-100% success rates with roots appearing in 7-10 days.
The standout longevity story: one owner has run a new batch of clones every couple of months since 2023 and reports “I have never had one cutting die.” The same reviewer notes it works with different nutrients depending on plant type, and that it needs no pH checking when run on tap water. It is also EZ-Clone compatible, so you can mix and match parts with other systems you may already own. Setup takes about 5 minutes, per the reviews.
The main caveat is the pump. One owner’s pump failed after a few weeks, though the seller replaced it immediately even past the return date — a strong sign of good customer service. The same reviewer recommends keeping a spare pump on hand. Another owner notes the collars need 2-inch net pots to fit properly, so budget for those if you want a snug fit. For perennials and trees like Japanese Maple and Pomegranate, roots develop without hormones or lights, though an expert suggests hormone for faster results.
Why it wins
- Aeroponic misting with 13 spray heads for even coverage
- 100% success documented over multiple years by one owner
- EZ-Clone compatible parts and 5-minute setup
Watch out for
- Pump durability is a known weak spot — keep a spare
- Collars need 2-inch net pots for a proper fit
- Results vary without rooting hormone
Grab it for: reliable, repeatable aeroponic cloning at a mid-range price with proven multi-year success.
Be ready for: a possible pump swap down the road — it is the one part that can fail.
6. HortiPots Aeroponic Cloner Machine 35 Site
An industry-made 35-site aeroponic system with a foldable dome, sold worldwide since 2016.
This is the machine for growers who have outgrown a 24-site unit but are not ready for a commercial 64-site system. The 35-site capacity uses 1.625-inch neoprene clone inserts, and the system is marketed as an industry-made machine — not a hand-made DIY thing — with engineering-reliable parts sold worldwide since 2016. It ships with a foldable clear humidity dome to prevent leaf transpiration and initial transplant shock, especially in dry environments.
The clever engineering is in the airflow. The top lid has multiple cord outlets and an air venting/circulating design that needs no air pump to get extra oxygen in and hot air out of the growing chamber. The patent-pending spray manifold requires a smaller water pump, which generates less heat in the water — a real advantage since warm water slows rooting. The pump is UL-listed (safety-certified) and has a pre-filter housing to keep sprayers free from debris and prevent clogging.
Rooting speed is the headline. One owner calls it the best time they have ever had rooting cuttings, with roots appearing in days to 3 weeks depending on additives, and another saw roots in just 5 days. The system is built from durable 100% new ABS and PP material. The honest caveat is quality control: one owner had a unit that leaked badly with pads that would not stay in the holes, while another had a pump fail on day 5 and ruin a batch. A second owner recommends a heat mat with thermostat and keeping water between 70-80°F.
Production strengths
- 35-site capacity for serious home growers
- No air pump needed — lid vents oxygen in and heat out
- UL-listed pump with pre-filter to resist clogging
Quality gamble
- Some units arrive with leaks or poor pad fit
- One pump failure reported on day 5
- Consider swapping the pump pre-emptively
Choose this for: 35-site production with less heat build-up and no air pump to maintain.
Approach with care: quality control is uneven — inspect your unit early and consider a pump upgrade.
7. Viagrow Clone Machine 24-Site with Grow Light and Dome
A 24-site cloner that bundles a 1020 grow light and 7-inch dome so cuttings get light and humidity from day one.
This is the kit that removes the “just add light” asterisk. Most cloners assume you already own a grow light; the Viagrow bundles a 1020 grow light and a 7-inch humidity dome right in the box, so it is genuinely ready to run out of the package. It is also the lightest unit in this group at 4 pounds, making it the easiest to move around or store. The 24-site system is aimed at organized propagation, with multicolored neoprene collars so you can track different plant species or varieties at a glance.
Rooting speed is the immediate payoff. One owner reports clones had roots after just 5 days, with every single cutting rooting. Another — who skipped the included dome entirely and used a clone tent instead — is very happy with the setup. The pump is UL-listed with an internal filter for smooth, clog-free operation, and the manifolds and misters are pretested to run without blockages. The design maintains water temperature between 65-75°F, mirroring ambient air, which is a critical factor for efficient propagation.
The all-in-one convenience has a quality-control catch. One owner had the manifold start leaking easily and found the parts brittle, needing two kits to assemble one complete system. That is a genuine frustration, though the rooting results — “the best roots ever and so fast” — are consistent across the positive reviews. The package includes an extra neoprene collar and two additional misters for convenience, and the materials are BPA-free.
Everything included
- 1020 grow light and 7-inch dome in the box — no extra gear needed
- Lightest pick at 4 lb, easy to move and store
- Multicolored collars for tracking different strains
The catch
- One owner found parts brittle with a leaking manifold
- Quality control may require a second kit to complete
- Limited review history compared with the top picks
Buy it for: a true plug-and-play kit where the light and dome are already handled.
Hedge your bet: inspect the manifold early — brittle parts are the main failure reported.
8. 64 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine by Harrigan’s Hydroponics
The 64-site monster with a 496 GPH pump and 25 spray heads for growers who run serious batches.
When 25 sites are not enough, this is the step up. The 64-site system from Harrigan’s comes with the reservoir, lid, spray manifold with misters, a submersible pump rated at 496 GPH, and your choice of black, blue, or red inserts. It ships with 25 spray heads for coverage that is hard to match at this size, and the same totally organic philosophy applies — no hormones or chemicals needed. At 14 pounds and 18 x 16 x 18 inches, this is the heaviest and largest unit here, so plan your bench space carefully.
Functionality is the most-praised trait, with 51 owners singling it out, followed closely by quality at 48. The success stories are dramatic: roots reaching 6 inches in 7 days, and one owner reporting roots up to a foot and a half long in just 13 days. Multiple owners achieved 100% success on their first try, and one notes it is a “super affordable method of aeroponic cloning” compared to rivals that cost three times as much.
The reviews read like a masterclass in technique. Success depends on water temperature — 68-75°F is ideal, and above 80°F the oxygen depletes and bacteria take over. A timer is essential: 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, with longer off cycles every few hours. One owner frames it plainly: failures are almost always user error, not the machine. The pump is the only recurring hardware concern, with one owner’s pump failing after weeks (the seller replaced it immediately).
The production workhorse: 64 sites and a 496 GPH pump move serious volume, with roots reported at 6 inches in a week.
Technique matters: your success hinges on water temperature and timer cycles — this machine rewards attention.
Get this for: large-scale or commercial cloning where volume and even spray coverage across 64 sites matter most.
Be prepared: it is heavy, big, and demands disciplined water-temperature management.
9. HORTIPOTS Cloning Machine Aeroponic Cloner 70 Site
The 70-site aeroponic system that packs maximum capacity into a floor-standing design.
This is the biggest site count you can get without going full commercial. The 70-site HortiPots system uses 1.625-inch neoprene clone inserts, and it is built from 100% new ABS engineering plastic — the same no-water-leaking construction claim that has held up for several years of use, according to the manufacturer. It ships with a free foldable clear humidity dome, and the floor-standing mounting means it is designed to sit on the ground rather than a bench. At 8.3 pounds, it is remarkably light for its footprint.
Performance is what wins owners over, with 14 owners praising it most, and quality close behind at 10. The rooting window is fast: roots in 8-12 days at 72°F with an LED running 24/7, and one owner reports near-100% success with the right solution and root booster. The same owner who has used it for years simply says “These work great.” The system needs no air pump, thanks to cord outlets and an air venting/circulating design on the top lid, and the patent-pending spray manifold uses a smaller pump that generates less heat in the water.
The honest downsides are stability and fit. Stability is the most-mentioned negative — 11 owners flag it — with some finding the unit wobbly and the lid not fitting properly. Leakage is a secondary concern, noted by 7 owners, tied to a lid that can warp if not adjusted correctly. One reviewer who ran it for 24 hours without issues noted the lid was slightly misaligned with the base, and flagged a potential spray leak if it warps further. The good news: one owner found the foam plugs work fine with proper cuts, and the spray heads do not clog.
Capacity king
- 70 sites in a floor-standing design that does not need a bench
- Roots in 8-12 days at 72°F with 24/7 LED
- No air pump needed and spray heads resist clogging
Watch closely
- Stability is the top negative — some find it wobbly
- Lid fit can be imperfect, raising leak risk
- Dome may reduce rooting by 15-20% per one owner
Buy it for: the absolute maximum cutting capacity in a single machine without going commercial.
Plan around: a wobbly base and a finicky lid — check alignment early to avoid leaks.
Understanding the Specs
Site count and neoprene inserts
The number of holes in the lid is your batch size — a 16-site unit roots 16 cuttings per run, while a 70-site unit handles 70. The inserts that hold your cuttings are usually neoprene collars, sized like 1.625-inch or 2-inch. The collar needs to grip the stem snugly without crushing it, so matching the collar size to your cutting thickness matters more than you might think.
Aeroponic vs Deep Water Culture
Aeroponic systems spray a fine mist of nutrient water onto dangling roots, giving them maximum oxygen — that is why they tend to root fastest. Deep Water Culture (DWC) systems bubble oxygen directly into a reservoir of water and keep roots submerged. DWC has fewer spray heads to clog but can run warmer, which matters because warm water holds less oxygen.
Pump output and spray heads
The pump’s GPH (gallons per hour) rating tells you how much water it moves — a 317 GPH pump serves a 25-site system, while a 496 GPH pump powers a 64-site system. More spray heads mean more even coverage, so every cutting gets misted equally. A UL-listed pump (safety-certified by an independent lab) with a pre-filter is a strong sign it will resist clogging and last.
Water temperature and maintenance
Roots develop fastest when water sits between roughly 65-75°F. Above 80°F, oxygen depletes and bacteria multiply, which is why warm water kills clones. Daily pH checks and weekly water changes keep the environment stable. Most owners agree: a cloner is a tool, and your technique — water temp, pH, clean cuttings — determines your success rate more than the brand.
FAQ
How fast will my cuttings root in a cloning machine?
What is the difference between aeroponic and Deep Water Culture cloners?
How many cuttings can I run at once?
Do I need a separate grow light for cloning?
Why does water temperature matter so much?
What maintenance does a cloning machine need?
Is a rooting hormone necessary?
Will a larger cloner always give better results?
What causes a cloning run to fail?
Can I use a cloning machine to start seeds?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most growers, the best cloning machine overall is the EZ Clone 16 because it delivers over 95% success on the hardest-to-root cuttings — the ultimate test of a cloner — in a sturdy, US-made package. If you want a complete beginner kit with gel and 360-degree nozzles included, grab the PowerGrow 21-Site. And for serious volume, the Harrigan’s 64-Site is the production workhorse that consistently delivers roots in under a week.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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