New Grower "Pots"- Air,Smart or Crappy generic 5 dolla hardware stoe?

[Kakarot]

I am about 28 days into my first grow with some Auto Russian Dragon, the plants are actually getting bigger than what I had expected. The pots I am using I rushed into and bought from the local hardware store, they are 3.75 gallons and the tops of them are HUGE!. I recently got a few 3 gallon SmartPots from amazon for some photos I have coming up after this grow. My tent is 2x2x5'7 and is plenty big for two decent sized plants but these pots I have now are friggin killing me. What do you guys think SmartPots,AirPots or Crappy Generic?

 

[stepside]

I really like that airpots. I have had great results with them

 

[Ronin]

Go with a "root pruning" type container.
The more air you can get to the roots the better.
Airpots or fabric pots (whichever brand)
You'll need to elevate the fabric pots so they drain properly and to take advantage of their root pruning capabilities.
I see the fabric pots having a limited lifetime as well.
Some of the Airpots I'm using are going on 4 years old.
I primarily use 2 gallon (red bottom) and 5 gallon (green bottom) Airpots and coco for my medium.
I have also gone ghetto and made 5 gallon homer buckets drilled with 1/2" holes all around with great results.
In my Gorilla 2' tent I only go for a max single 5 gallon or 2-3 max 2 gallon (depending on strains) airpots.
Hope this may help

 

[Chester]

I'd stick w/ what you're using ... the plants are growing bigger than expected for a reason ... 4 gal pots rock ...

 

[81camaro]

Plants breathe CO2 above ground and oxygen below. My vote is for anything allowing more air to the root zone. Smart, air or fabric work well and seem to be the pot of choice for most soil grows here. I use the HydroFarm Dirtpots which are made of some kind of felt material, They breathe well, are cheap, and come in several sizes. I like Ronin's suggestion of drilling holes in the sides of solid pots to let air in. Prob better than a transplant which could slow down your plants. Starting in the pot you'll finish in is a general rule of thumb for autos, i'm working in 7gal pots now, but the next upgrade to the box will have room for 10s. Big pots create big roots which make big plants.