The UK's bestHeated Electric Propagators2022 Review

How I Tested

There was only one way to test the EarlyGrow 3-Bay Heated Electric Propagator! I took my kids to our local garden centre, where they chose a small variety of fruit and vegetable seeds they wanted to grow. I tried to guide them within the suggested ‘germination months’, but they were naturally drawn to the strawberries! Hey, might as well give it a try right?! So we planted strawberry, peas, and giant pepper seeds.

After each cell was filled with compost, and the seeds were carefully spaced out, it was time to set up the propagator. Firstly, you have to fill the bottom ‘reservoir’ with water. Then the soft material mesh wraps around the base, so that the edges drape into the water. This way it absorbs and draws the moisture up. Once the whole thing becomes saturated, the water slowly evaporates into the cells sitting on top, and therefore waters your soil. Clever hey?!

Finally, I carefully placed the propagator on my windowsill (where there is plenty of light) and plugged it in. Me and the kids then excitedly checked daily to spot any signs of life! You can read more about how quickly germination took place in my review of the EarlyGrow Propagator below.

The Results

The EarlyGrow 3-Bay Heated Electric Propagator is impressively simple to use, yet cleverly designed. It’s got three well-sized “cells” that sit on top of a reservoir in the base of the unit. Fill it with water, set up the absorbent material over the base, turn it on and you’re good to go!

My testing took place in early January (just to give a bit of seasonal context) and within 3 days the peas had started to germinate. After a week they were really going for it, and it was time to remove the lid of the cell. The giant peppers took 8 days to pop their heads through, and after two weeks we were even able to see a few strawberry stems popping up!

Obviously, the germination time is entirely dependent on the plant or vegetable variety, but it’s just a good example that the EarlyGrow is very capable of generating the right conditions for seed germination – which is of course the most important factor here.

A couple of points worth mentioning that perhaps aren’t so positive. It would have been nice to have some kind of indicator light on the unit so you know when it’s on or off. Obviously the heat it generates is very subtle, but I still found myself putting my hand on the side of the unit to check it was on when I first set it up. Not massively important, but it would be a ‘nice-to-have’ feature.

Also the cells can be prone to a condensation build up, even when the vents are open. I suppose though this is just what happens when you mildly heat something and contain it! Over time I’ve learnt that by switching the unit off and giving the cells a bit of breather everything clears up nicely.

So in summary, where do I stand on the EarlyGrow 3-Bay Propagator? I love it! It functions brilliantly, it fits perfectly on my windowsill and it provides a great educational resource for the kids! If you’re looking for a well-made, well-sized unit, in my opinion, this will be the best heated electric propagator for most users.

The issue many gardeners face with propagators is that they take up a large amount of space. The Garland Super7 Electric Heated Windowsill Propagator solves this problem. Despite having seven cells, it has a compact design enabling you to grow germinate multiple seed varieties in one go. Very handy!

Measuring just 18.5cm wide, this propagator easily fits onto the average window ledge. The 76cm length means you can still fit ample seeds into this unit. The roof is high enough to allow seedlings to grow around 5cm, and the trays are also sufficiently deep to offer enough space for roots to fully develop. As a result, when it comes to planting seedlings out, they are already well established.

There are seven separate ‘cells’ in total, so you can plant different types of seeds in each one if you wish, and each cell has its own vent to control the temperature according to the different plant.

This propagator is certainly very effective, prompting seeds to germinate often in a matter of days, or maybe a week at most. It encourages germination in a wide range of plants from tomatoes, to chillies, to flowers like achillea.

Even in colder months like February, this propagator can kick start the growth of lettuce seeds and peas in a matter of days.

Whilst this propagator does heat well, unfortunately there is no thermostat or temperature control. However, it seems to work effectively without the need for any of these added features. In general, the temperature inside the propagator rises by around 8°C and maintains a consistent heat.

This propagator comes with a power cord, although at 2m it may be a little short. Using it with an extension cable may be necessary.

Overall, this is one of the best heated electric propagators for smaller spaces!

The Britten & James 7-in-1 Mini Heated Propagator is another propagator well worth mentioning. With 7 mini seed trays, this propagator can be used to plant a variety of seeds if needed. This is especially useful if the seeds have different germination rates. You’ll be able to remove and replant one set of seedlings, without disturbing the others.

Measuring just 76 x 18.4 x 15.2cm, this propagator fits most average windowsills. Each tray comes with a transparent lid so you can easily monitor the progress of your seedlings, while the air flow and temperature can be controlled using the red vents on each lid.

The trays are very small, measuring just 14 x 7cm at the base. This makes them suitable for those who want to grow a small amount of each plant, although the trays are still deep enough for your plants to develop strong roots.

Onto the performance. This propagator can be used to grow a wide variety of seeds. It comes with a 13W carbon fibre element that provides an even heat distribution, raising the temperature by around 8°C. Having said that, it’s still best installed on a sunny windowsill if you’re growing plants that prefer a lot of warmth.

While this propagator doesn’t have a timer or thermostat, the growing conditions can be controlled to an extent using the air vents. It’s also incredibly simple to use, while the heat produced is even across the 7 trays.

The only downside to note is that the mains cable may be a little short at 132cm. Some people may need to purchase an extension lead separately. However, this is a relatively minor issue, and overall this propagator offers fantastic value for money.

The Garland Fab4 Electric Heated Propagator is a great option for those requiring a little more warmth, as it boosts the soil temperature by up to 10°C. It’s slightly warmer than others on the market, producing good results especially for seeds that require a hotter climate. Unlike others I’ve mentioned, there’s no need to place it in a sunny spot.

This propagator is made up of 4 individual seed trays, as well as a heated base. While it requires a little more space than other units I’ve recommended, measuring 39 x 25 x 16cm, it still fits easily on most average window sills. Each tray measures 8.5 x 15.5cm, while the height of the lid is 8cm. This allows seedlings to grow tall and develop strong roots before replanting.

As I’ve already mentioned, this propagator is high performing, boosting the temperature by 8-10°C.  The heat distributed is evenly spread across the base thanks to the reliable carbon fibre element, while the growing conditions can be controlled using individual vents across the 4 seed trays.

Extra features on this propagator are very limited. There is no thermostat and no timer, although a timer can be separately hooked up. Many users found that it got too hot for some seedlings, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on things for the first few days.

However, for its reliability, warmth and simplicity, this propagator remains a very good value option for those without a sunny window ledge.

If you want to ensure a high yield of germinated seedlings, this 22W Stewart P035B Electric Propagator allows you to plant up to 144 seeds at a time, which can result in germinating at least 50 plants in one ‘round’.

Given that propagation can be a little hit and miss, having space in this large 52 x 42.5 x 28cm unit for so many seeds is one way to help increase the chances of success!

The design itself is very simple. This unit consists of a heated tray with a ventilated plastic lid – you supply your own trays/pots, but it can fit 2 x 24-pot plant trays, so that gives you a good idea of its size in practical terms.

There’s only one open heating space, so you’re not restricted by smaller ‘cells’. The only real downside to this is that seeds can’t be individually ventilated. The plastic lid has two vents, which can be opened or closed to help regulate the temperature inside the propagator.

In terms of space, there’s plenty of room for seedlings to grow, considering the height of the unit is 28cm. If you’ve made the mistake of planting out germinated seeds too quickly in the past, they’ll have plenty of space to germinate and mature here.

Of course, as this is a larger unit, it may not fit on a windowsill. Instead, it will need to be placed on a table, desk or worktop if you’re using it indoors.

This tray heats very evenly, but unfortunately there is no thermostatic control. Taking the temperature readings and opening the vents, or even turning the unit off for a brief time, is the only way to control the heat. However, most users find this level of control more than enough for most seedlings, and appreciate its ease of use.

For such a large propagator, the price tag is very reasonable. If you’re looking for a simple to use large propagator with a high capacity, the Stewart P035B Electric Propagator is one of my top choices.