10+ Best LED Grow Lights For Growing Cannabis – Pictures, Specs, and More
I’ve researched dozens of LED grow lights and the list below is the best of the best. It contains grow lights in every price range, starting at high-end (top of the list), mid-range (middle) and low-cost (bottom of the list).
The best LED grow lights emit a full spectrum, sufficient light intensity (PPFD), and cover your entire grow space with that intense light. When selecting the best LED grow light, you need to ensure each of these criteria are met in order to grow the highest yielding plants.
The first criteria, full spectrum light, can be achieved preferably with a white light spectrum, although a red and blue spectrum can suffice as well.
The second criteria, sufficient light intensity, is also known as your plants’ Daily Light Integral (DLI) requirement. You can read my whole article about DLI here.
The third criteria, the grow light coverage area, can be determined by checking that the light intensity is sufficient enough at every point on your grow space. Again I refer you to my article on spectrum, PPFD and DLI.
Here is my up-to-date list of the best LED grow lights for cannabis growing. Keep reading below for the details of each light:
The Top LED Grow Lights for Growing Cannabis:
Best High End LED Grow Lights:
- Optic LED Slim 600H
- Scynce LED Raging Kush
- Gavita Pro 1700e
- HLG 550 V2 Quantum Board
Best Mid-Price LED Grow Lights:
- Green Sunshine ES300
- Mars Hydro TS-3000
- Timber LED Model 4VS
- Spider Farmer SF-4000
Low-Cost LED Grow Lights:
- Parfactworks 1000w BM4
- Viparspectra 600w
- Bestva 1200w Reflector
- Phlizon 1000w COB
Best High-End Grow Lights:
#1. Optic LED Slim 600H
Design:
Bar style LED grow lights have taken off in popularity thanks to the great uniformity of light intensity they provide. The new Optic LED Slim 600H is a perfect example.
This 41 inch by 42 inch fixture will hover directly over most of your 4x4 foot grow space, providing strong and uniform light coverage for the whole area.
This light uses eight bars of LEDs that consume 75 watts each for a total of 600 true watts. This is a powerful grow light as you’ll read later, and luckily it’s fully dimmable so you can grow both seedlings and adult plants.
This LED grow light utilizes the new Samsung LM301H LEDs as well as high performance CREE LEDs. The LM301H are slightly more efficient than the previous generation LM301B diodes. In total the Optic LED Slim 600H uses electricity at a record efficient rate of 3.0 micromoles per joule.
Spectrum:
Unlike older design LED grow lights, you don’t need to worry about changing the light modes when your cannabis changes growth phases. The Optic Slim 600H utilizes a complete white spectrum perfect for all phases of growth.
The spectrum comprises of 3000K and 4000K white LEDs, plus far blue (460nm) and far red spectrum (660nm) CREE LEDs. The one downside is that infrared diodes are not included. Since the Optic Slim 600H wouldn’t need many infrared diodes to perfect the spectrum, perhaps Optic LED can include them in a future version.
The result of these LEDs is the highest relative intensity of blue, red, and white wavelengths on any LED grow light available. The Optic Slim 600H has truly taken the LED grow light market one step forward in terms of performance.
Intensity (PPFD):
Because of the 120 degree wide beam lens on all the diodes and the royal blue spectrum LEDs, Optic LED says plants are able to absorb this light at higher intensities.
The light intensity of the Optic Slim 600H is impressive. Take a look at the charts below to see the intensity readings at 15 and 18 inches:
As previously mentioned, luckily the Mean Well driver is dimmable so you can grow both seedlings and light hungry adults plants.
Other Optic LED Slim 600H Specifications:
- Warranty: 10 years / Lifetime on drivers
- Weight: 40lbs
- 6 foot power cord included
- True power consumption: 600 watts
- Hanging kit included
- Dimmable in 25% increments
Click Here For Price and Further Details About the Optic Slim 600H LED Grow Light
#2. Scynce LED Raging Kush
The Scynce LED Raging Kush is a white spectrum LED grow light. The benefit of having a white spectrum can be read here, but in short, it’s better than having only blue and red.
This 690 watt LED grow light is, simply put, the best on the market.
The 120 degree lenses spread the intense LED light widely so it doesn’t burn your plants from being too focused on one area.
This grow light is equipped with top bin Osram LED chips.
The Scynce Raging Kush LED Grow Light delivers a full 12 spectrum light band. The spectrum is also fully customizable with a mobile phone app, in case you want extra blue for veg, or extra red during flowering.
It’ll also help you save on your electric bill. The Scynce Raging Kush LED grow light utilizes a low 690w from your outlet due to efficient 2.4 uMol/J energy use rate. Anything over 2.0 uMol/J is considered efficient, but 2.4 is among the highest grow light efficiency I’ve seen.
With this low power draw, it can still replace a 1000W MH or HPS light system with ease.
With this, you’ll notice more large flowers obtained under the effect of this grow light compared to other cheap LED panels.
Spectrum, PPFD and Coverage:
As mentioned earlier, this grow light emits a full white light spectrum, which has shown to be more beneficial compared to only red and blue wavelengths. It contains a balance of red and blue as well as green yellow and orange. Together these all make up a white spectrum. This spectrum will get you through all phases of plant growth.
Scynce LED says PPFD for this model is ~1300 uMol at 18″ hang height. That’s more than enough to maximize your plants’ yield according to a 20-40 mole of light per day requirement.
One factor that makes the Scynce LED Raging Kush the best LED grow light is the even light intensity even at the edges of the coverage area. Most other grow lights fade intensity a lot more once you move out of the center of coverage. But not the Raging Kush.
Scynce LED says this grow light will cover 5’x5′ during the vegetative phase, and 4’x4′ during the flowering phase. Depending on what you’re growing and what intensity level you prefer, you can adjust the hanging height to your needs.
Based on my estimations, you’ll only need one of these grow lights to get a maximum yield from your cannabis plants in a 4x4 grow tent.
Cooling:
The Synce Raging Kush LED grow light is passively cooled with heat sinks. That means no loud cooling fans in your grow space.
Grow light manufacturers seem to have mastered passive cooling designs because we’re seeing them on more and more of the high-end grow light models these days. Ultimately it means more energy efficient and quiet grow lights.
Scynce Raging Kush Specifications:
| Scynce LED Raging Kush | |
| Dimensions: | 44 x 34.5 x 3.75 in |
| Weight: | 54lb |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Safety Certifications: | UL, FCC, RoHS, CSA |
| Power Draw | 690w |
| LED Brand | Osram |
| Cheapest Place to Buy: | Amazon or LED Grow Lights Depot -- same price |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Scynce Raging Kush on Amazon.com
Pros And Cons Of Scynce LED Raging Kush LED Grow Light:
Pros:
- Fully customizable spectrum
- Intense 4′ x 4′ to 5’x5′ Coverage
- Best performing LED grow light on the market
- High Quality American Manufacturing
- Highly Durable product
- Cost Savvy Power Efficiency
- Lifespan of around 50,000 Hours
- 5 year warranty
Cons:
- Pricey but worth it
Do Growers Recommend the Scynce Raging Kush?
I’ve noticed people really love this grow light -- which should be expected for the best LED grow light on the market. I found one owner’s review that sums it up pretty well:
“These lights are incredible. Spectrum and time control with the theia app. 5 stars, I’ll be buying more!”
Look what people are growing with this light:
Do I recommend this LED grow light?
If your budget is flexible and you want the best of the best then you do not need to look any further. After countless hours of grow light research I chose this grow light based on it’s 10/10 performance for EVERY factor, not just one or two factors.
Considering it has the best specifications compared to all other grow lights, I’d definitely recommend you buy the Scynce LED Raging Kush Grow Light for the best results.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Scynce Raging Kush on Amazon.com
#3. Gavita Pro 1700e:
Design:
This is another impressive bar style LED grow light, but from Gavita. Gavita has been making horticultural lighting for a long time. The 1700e grow light is the newer generation of the previous 1650e model.
This 44 inch by 43.7 inch fixture will hover directly over most of your 4x4 foot grow space, providing strong and uniform light coverage for the whole area.
This light uses eight bars of LEDs that consume roughly 80 watts each for a total of 645 true watts. This is a powerful grow light, and luckily it’s dimmable to 50% so you can grow both seedlings and adult plants.
The dimmer is sold separately, so that’s one downside compared to other close competitor grow lights like the Optic Slim 600H. If you don’t buy the dimmer the Gavita Pro 1700e will operate at 100%.
This LED grow light utilizes high performance Samsung and Osram LEDs. In total the Optic LED Slim 600H uses electricity at an efficient rate of 2.6 micromoles per joule.
Spectrum:
Unlike older design LED grow lights, you don’t need to worry about changing the light modes when your cannabis changes growth phases. The Gavita Pro 1700e utilizes a complete white spectrum perfect for all phases of growth.
As you can see in the image above, the spectrum has a high relative intensity of blue, white and red wavelengths. Unfortunately infrared wavelengths are not included in this grow light. Perhaps Gavita can add them to a future version.
With that said, Gavita is still one of the most popular high end brands for indoor cannabis growers. The strong light intensity and uniform light coverage are some of the most attractive features.
Intensity (PPFD):
The Gavita Pro 1700E emits a very strong 1700 micromoles of light in the center, with slightly less on the sides. Because of the high intensity, you’ll either need to hang the light higher than normal, or purchase the dimmer controller which is sold separately.
The dimming controller also allows you to schedule the light cycles and place the light in sunrise/sunset mode. Take a look at the video below of the previous model Gavita 1650e for a good idea of the light intensity. The 1700e is even stronger than the 1650e shown in the video! Intensity info starts at 6:30 minute mark.
As you can see, compared to other gro
w lights for a 4x4 grow space, the Gavita Pro 1700e leaves an impressive light uniformity and intensity footprint.
Other Gavita Pro 1700e Specifications:
- 3 year warranty
- Operating voltage 120v/208-240v/277v
- Weight: 28.4lbs
- IP66 waterproof / UL8800 compliant
- Samsung & Osram LEDs
What quality of plants are people growing with the Gavita Pro 1700e?
Source: Instagram
Click Here For Price and Further Details About the Gavita Pro 1700e LED Grow Light
#4. HLG 550 V2 Quantum Board LED Grow Light:
The HLG 550 V2 R-Spec is the original “quantum board” LED grow light, and it’s still one of the best LED grow lights around. It was designed by Horticulture Lighting Group, the grow light company that disrupted the industry with this innovative light design a few years ago.
Quantum Board Design:
The quantum board design is bare-bones. You’ll notice there are no fans on the design. There’s also no “reflector” or glass magnifying lens on this design. It’s simply a few rows of LEDs slapped onto a thin panel with an adjustable Mean Well driver on the rear.
The HLG 550 V2 R-Spec quantum board LED grow light will draw 480 watts from your wall at maximum power.
The Meanwell driver has a rubber stopper on the “Output” side, you can remove the rubber stopper and adjust the light intensity with a Philips screw driver. You can dim the HLG 550 V2 down by 50%, bringing it down to 240 watts of power consumption.
Spectrum:
The R-Spec has a 3500K color temperature white spectrum. Many people appreciate this feature because it’s easier on the eyes (That doesn’t mean it’s safe to look directly at the light board. Don’t stare directly at the LED light board).
White spectrum is being used on the best LED grow lights today, as it’s been proven to be more effective for plant growth. There have been at least two studies showing white spectrum results in increased growth compared to blue + red wavelengths alone. You can read my article on white spectrum here if you’re interested in more details.
PPFD & Coverage Area:
HLG 550 v2 PPFD
You’ll see above the HLG 550 puts out pretty decent coverage up to 3x3 feet. If you put it inside a reflective grow tent, you can probably get 4x4 feet of coverage with it due to increased light reflection.
Difference Between R-Spec and Regular HLG 550 V2 4000K model?
The difference between the HLG 550 V2 R-Spec and the HLG 550 V2 with 4000K spectrum is the spectrum. The 3500K color temperature on the R-Spec is more balanced with blue/red color, where the 4000K has more blue and less red. The 4000k is better geared as a vegetative phase grow light spectrum.
User Comments:
Aside from the general positive comments, many people commented on the strong brightness of the light. Someone who’s tight on space appreciated the fact they didn’t need to waste space with cooling equipment.
Another person said they’ve been running the HLG 550 V2 at full power from seed phase and they’re loving the results. A third person said “buds came out big and dense , and the trichome production under this light was crazy.”
Other Specifications:
| HLG 550 V2 R-Spec: | |
| Dimensions: | 26” x 20” x 3” in. |
| Weight: | 18lb |
| Warranty: | 3 years |
| Safety Certifications: | ETL, CSA |
| Power Draw | 240-480w (dimmable) |
| LED Brand | Samsung LM301B & Osram 660nm |
| Cheapest Places to Buy: | LED Grow Lights Depot or Amazon |
Video:
What quality plants are people growing with the HLG 550 R-Spec Grow light?
Keep in mind there are many factors aside from grow lights used to grow plants shown below. Your results may vary:
Day 35, Grown with HLG 550 V2 R-Spec (Source: Instagram)
Day 45, Grown with HLG 550 V2 R-Spec (Source: Instagram)
You can see why this is an incredible grow light and one of the best LED grow lights currently available.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the HLG 550 V2 R-Spec on Amazon
Best Mid-Price Grow Lights:
#5. Green Sunshine Co. Electric Sky ES300 Grow Light – Best Mid-Price Grow Light
Looking for the best of both worlds with a grow light? I’ve got a solution for you. The Electric Sky ES300 isn’t the most expensive grow light, but with a little flex in your budget it’ll give you a lot of the same high performance.
The Green Sunshine Company is a small grow light company, but the grow lights are very good. What makes the Electric Sky ES300 one of the best LED grow lights in the mid-price range?
It’s a combination of the most important factors like spectrum, light intensity (PPFD), and coverage ability.
So, without wasting more time, let’s take an in-depth look into this panel.
Build:
The Electric Sky ES300 is 3 feet long, 1 foot wide. It’s designed to be passively cooled, like many of the other best LED grow lights currently on the market. That means no noisy fans, and no electricity wasted powering them.
It’s quite efficient, emitting 2.0 uMol/Joule of power, and only utilizing 300 watts from your wall outlet.
This light is plug and play. Unbox it, hang with the easy hang kit, and turn it on.
Spectrum, PPFD and Coverage:
The Green Sunshine Company custom designed the spectrum for this grow light. They call it a wideband spectrum. The color breakdown is as follows: Approximately 10% blue, 25% green, 55% red, and 10% infrared.
So it differs in that it has less blue, more green and it’s heavy on infrared. Infrared signals tells your plant to grow short stocky stems and also helps the plant grow into specific shapes.
Unique spectrum doesn’t mean bad. There are dozens of owners who swear by the light if you check out the reviews on LED Grow Lights Depot.
A study also showed that some green light was beneficial for cannabis growth, perhaps not ironically, it’s the exact amount of green spectrum that’s in the ES300 spectrum:
A low percentage (≤ 24%) of green light enhanced plant growth, whereas plant growth was inhibited under a higher percentage of green light (Kim et al., 2004a, 2005; Folta and Maruhnich, 2007; Lee et al., 2011; Liu et al., 2017).¹
The importance of PPFD is ensuring your light emits a minimum of 462 uMol and a maximum of 925 uMol based on a daily light requirement of 20-40 moles. If you want to learn more specifics, you can read more about that in my article here.
Taking a look at light intensity, from 18″ height the Electric Sky ES300 emits around 980 uMol. In short, it meets that daily light requirement standard perfectly.
You can get an effective coverage of 2’x4′ out of this grow light. But what’s great about the ES300’s coverage, is the light remains intense even at the edges of the coverage area. The strong intensity makes the Green Sunshine ES300 the best LED grow light for a 2x4 foot space, in my opinion.
There are plenty of great lights out there, but most of the high performers are designed for 4x4 or larger. If you’re only growing 2 plants in a 2x4 but you still want a high performing LED grow light, the ES300 is the perfect fit, hands down.
Lower quality grow lights tend to drop below usable intensity before even reaching the edge of the manufacturer’s claimed coverage area. So that’s why you have to keep your eyes peeled -- but luckily that’s not the case with the Electric Sky ES300.
Green Sunshine Electric Sky ES300 Specifications:
| Green Sunshine ES300 |
|
| Dimensions: | 36” x 12” x 3” in. |
| Weight: | 22lb |
| Warranty: | 3 years |
| Safety Certifications: | CE, RoHS, ETL |
| Power Draw | 300w |
| LED Brand | Custom Wideband |
| Cheapest Places to Buy: | LED Grow Lights Depot |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Green Sunshine Electric Sky ES300 Grow Light on LED Grow Lights Depot
Pros And Cons Of Electric Sky ES300 Grow Light
Pros:
- High End Performance for Mid-Range Price
- Beginner Friendly Operation And Use
- Marvellous Full Spectrum Abilities With IR
- Power Efficient
- No Fans
- Impressive Customer Support Of 3 Years.
Cons:
- Not equipped with timer.
- Not waterproof
What’s the Buzz about it in the Cultivator Community?
There are several dozen positive reviews from owners of the ES300 on LED Grow Lights Depot, but here are a few that stood out to me:
A grower with 10 years of growing experience said the ES300 resulted in the fastest growth they’ve ever seen. They also complimented the great customer service from the Green Sunshine Company.
There are many other reviews from people who switched from cheaper LED grow light models like Viparspectra or Meizhi. They say the difference is night and day.
What are people growing with the ES300?
Keep in mind there are many factors aside from grow lights (like nutrients) that may have affected the plants shown below. Your results may vary:
(Cherry bomb 6wk into flowering. Source: Instagram)
Samoa Kush at harvest (Source: Instagram)
My thoughts why the ES300 is one of the best LED grow lights:
To sum it up briefly, this is one of the best LED grow lights around because of the combination of custom engineered light spectrum, coverage area, light intensity, and the price point. All those factors make this grow light unbeatable for it’s price.
Unboxing Video:
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Green Sunshine Electric Sky ES300 Grow Light on LED Grow Lights Depot
#6. Mars Hydro TS-3000
This is the best Mars Hydro grow light model in my opinion, and it also happens to be one of the best LED grow lights at a mid-range price. It costs a little more than the Green Sunshine ES300 above, but it’ll cover a larger grow space.
This is the Mars Hydro TS-3000 grow light. It’s the most recent design from Mars Hydro, meant to replace the older “blurple” designs. I’ve spoken to growers who own this light in their 4x4 tent and they’re very satisfied with its performance.
Why is this one of the best LED grow lights today? It’s because of the price to performance ratio. This is the cheapest LED grow light you get get for a 4x4 grow tent that will yield decent results. Other good grow lights for 4x4 space cost about double the price.
Spectrum, PPFD and Coverage:
The spectrum on the Mars Hydro TS-3000 grow light is pretty nice. The white spectrum contains a balanced amount of blue and red, including infrared. It’s exactly what you need for full lifecycle plant growth.
The light intensity (also known as PPFD or uMols) is nice and strong considering the price of this grow light. At 18 inches hang height your plants will receive 1150 micromoles of light per second, more than enough to get a high yield from your cannabis plants. You can read more about light intensity here.
You can use this Mars Hydro TS-3000 grow light to cover a 5x5ft veg or 4x4ft flowering area. That’s from the recommended height of 18”.
How many Mars Hydro TS-3000 do you need for a 4x4 grow tent?
The strong light intensity coming from this grow light means you’ll need only 1 to cover a 4x4 grow space while achieving the maximum yield. Its the best value LED grow light for that size space.
Power consumption & Heat dissipation:
The TS-3000 only consumes 450 watts from the wall. If you decide to dim the light, it will use less power than that.
Like all grow lights, it will generate some heat, but the TS 3000 has a nice feature where the drivers are detachable from the light so you can place them outside your grow tent to reduce heat.
Other than that this design is fan-less. It was designed so the heat escapes the grow light structure naturally.
All said, the Mars Hydro TS 3000 LED Grow Light comes at a fair price and gives you the best results regarding yield.
Mars Hydro TS-3000 Specifications:
| Yield: |
2.5 g/watt |
| Warranty: |
3 yr |
| Weight: | 11lb |
| Dimensions: |
25.3 x 22.8 x 2.7 in. |
| Power Draw: |
450w |
| Cheapest place to buy: |
LED Grow Lights Depot |
Pros and Cons Of Mars Hydro TS-3000 LED Grow Light:
Pros:
- Best priced grow light for 4x4ft coverage
- A Full 16 band Spectrum With IR
- Dimmable
- High light intensity
- Detachable drivers
- Manufacturer’s Warranty Of 3 Years.
Cons:
- Could be even stronger
Warranty and Owner Satisfaction:
One of the most important factors for buying a grow light is knowing you’ll be satisfied. There’s no better way to find out than hearing it from a current owner.
I already mentioned the grower who told me they loved their TS-3000. In reading through several other reviews from people who bought the Mars Hydro TS 3000 grow light, the overall sentiment is largely positive. Many people complimented the brightness and how their plants seemed to respond positively to this light.
The best part is you get a full 3 year warranty should anything go wrong. Mars Hydro has great customer service.
I think this product deserves your attention. And, that’s why I also included this model in our review of Best LED Light for 4X4 Grow Tent as well.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Mars Hydro TS-3000 on LED Grow Lights Depot
#7. Timber LED Model 4VS
The next best LED grow light in the mid-price range is the Timber LED Model 4VS. Timber LED actually makes a whole product line of grow lights so they have models at all price levels, but the model 4vs makes a great mid-range grow light.
The Timber LED grow lights utilize Vero29 Gen 7 COB LEDs that emit white spectrum. These are high end COB LEDs and provide a great value in this mid-price grow light.
Spectrum:
These high quality white spectrum grow light fixtures hand built to order in San Diego. It’ll take about 5 days to ship out -- not that bad.
White spectrum like this is used in best LED grow lights these days. Studies have shown white light results in 12-18% better growth. You can read my article about white grow light spectrum here.
No matter which model you choose, you’ll be able to specify 3000K, 3500K, or 4000 kelvin temperature.
3500K is the most popular option and is ideal for seedling to flower growth phases, as it has a balanced amount of red and blue light. 4000K temperature is more ideal for the vegetative phase only as it has more blue, and 3000K is more ideal for the flowering phase only, featuring more red wavelengths.
Light Intensity & Coverage Area:
The Timber Model 4VS covers 4x4 feet, with peak light intensity reaching around 1080 uMols while hanging 18 inches above the canopy.
The nice thing about Timber LED grow lights is, even if you go with a smaller model like the 2VL, the light intensity is still the same. With other brands lower output models usually have lower light intensity.
How many in a 4x4 Grow Tent?
You only need one Model 4VS to efficiently cover a 4x4 grow tent/space. If you go with the smaller 2VL model, you’d need two units.
Power Consumption & Heat Dissipation:
The Timber LED Model 4VS consumes 425 watts from the wall. You’ll notice this light doesn’t feature any cooling fans. Passive cooling is another feature that’s been integrated into the best LED grow lights. The Timber LED grow lights feature large heat sinks on top of the unit for cooling -- and that’s it.
Other Specifications:
| Timber LED 2VL: | Timber LED 4VS: | |
| Dimensions: | 21 x 8.5 x 4 in. | 21 x 20 x 4 in. |
| Weight: | 9.2lb | 19lb |
| Warranty: | 3 years | 3 years |
| Coverage Area: | 2.5ft x 2ft | 4ft x 4ft |
| Power Draw | 210w | 425w |
| LED Brand | Bridgelux Vero Gen7 COB | Bridgelux Vero Gen7 COB |
| Cheapest Place to Buy: | LED Grow Lights Depot | LED Grow Lights Depot |
Video:
This is a video of the smaller model, the Timber Model 2VL. If you stick two of these units next to each other you get the 4VS, so it’ll still give you a good idea of what you’re getting.
What are people saying about the Timber LED 4VS?
Some owners have left reviews for the Model 4VS on Timber LED’s site, and here’s what they had to say:
Wow I was blown away coming from a blurple Chinese light. It’s perfect for my 3x4. It’s well built. It’s like staring into the sun and its growing strong plants.
Have almost a year using these lights. They procude the same quantity as a 600w HPS but the quality is definitely better! With low heat, energy efficient and rock solid parts/construction, these are the end all lights for indoor growing. Get the 3500K and changing lights will be a thing of the past! Can’t recommend more!!!
What are people growing with Timber LED grow lights?
Keep in mind there are many factors aside from grow lights (like nutrients) that may have affected the plants shown below. Your results may vary:
Mobshine day 67 of flowering under a Timber LED grow light
Green Poison, day 27, under a #timberled 3500K spectrum
Considering all the above, I’d definitely say the Timber LED Model 4VS is one of the best LED grow lights available in the mid-price range. It offers many design qualities and performance of the high end lights at a mid-range price.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Timber LED Model 4VS at LED Grow Lights Depot
#8. Spider Farmer SF-4000:
The Spider Farmer SF-4000 grow light is basically a generic off-brand version of the HLG 550. There may be slight differences between different versions of the HLG and Spider farmer, but the LEDs and drivers are the same brand.
The Spider Farmer SF-4000 covers the same 4x4 foot grow space as the HLG 550, and costs considerably less. It’s a great value and one that I recommend often for a 4x4 foot grow space.
If you aren’t growing in a 4x4 foot grow space, Spider Farmer also makes different size lights that cover 2x2 and 2x4 feet, available to view here.
The LEDs are Samsung LM301B, and the driver is Mean Well brand.
How do Spider Farmer Grow Lights Compare?
The closest competitor to Spider Farmer in terms of price and performance is Mars Hydro. Mars Hydro is able to keep their prices lower by using different brand LEDs and driver.
I’ve owned and tested both brands and the performance is very close. For some people the name recognition of Samsung LEDs is worth the slightly higher price of Spider Farmer grow lights. Others don’t mind much and go with Mars Hydro.
Another competitor would be HLG (Horticulture Lighting Group). HLG uses the same brand LEDs and driver as Spider Farmer, and their lights are priced slightly higher.
One important difference is that HLG offers different spectrums on their lights, which may be more preferable for some people. For example the new HLG 550 Eco Series offers 3000K (heavy red) and 4000K (heavy blue). The B-Spec and R-Spec editions are in the middle with 3500K and cost slightly more.
Intensity (PPFD) & Spectrum:
As you can see above, the Spider Farmer SF-4000 will light a 5x5 grow tent pretty well. Intensity in the 3x3 foot range is 900 to 1300 micromoles, great for flowering, but probably a bit much for veg. So during the vegetative phase you may need to raise thet light or dim it, whichever is easier.
The ideal intensity for veg is roughly 300 to 600 micromoles, and for flowering you want to be in the 460 to 900+ micromole range. You can go over 900 micromoles in flowering but it’s not really necessary.
The spectrum on the Spider Farmer SF-4000 is a mix of 3000K, 5000K, 660nm and infrared spectrums. This is a very nice mix of light that’ll grow cannabis through all phases.
Power Consumption & Cooling:
You’ll be pulling 450 watts from your wall when using this grow light. The driver is dimmable, so if you choose to dim you’ll use less electricity.
All grow lights generate heat, and the newer quantum style lights like this one don’t feature fans. So be prepared to install an inline fan and oscillating fan in your grow tent.
Video:
Here’s my video of the smaller SF-2000 model which I bought and tested out at home:
All these Spider Farmer grow lights perform quite well and are a great value in my opinion. Built nicely as well. You can tell it’s a quality piece of equipment when you’re holding it in your hand.
Warranty & Comments From Current Owners:
Spider Farmer offers a 3 year warranty with their grow lights, which is pretty good. These grow lights are highly reviewed on multiple websites, and from my own personal experience I also give them a two thumbs up for the reasons mentioned above.
Click here to view the Spider Farmer SF-4000 Grow Light on Amazon.com
Spider Farmer SF-4000 Specifications:
| Model: | SF-4000 |
| Manufacturer: | Spider Farmer |
| Dimensions: | 25.3 x 21.1 x 2.3 inches |
| Weight: | 11.5 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 50K Hours |
| No Of LEDs: | 1,212 |
| Spectrum: | 3000K, 5000K, 660nm, Infrared |
| Intensity: | 900+ for 3x3ft, 300+ for 5x5ft |
| Actual Power Draw: |
450 Watts |
| Average Coverage: | Up to 5x5 ft |
| Voltage Range: | 120v, 240v, 277v |
Pros And Cons Of SF-4000 Grow Light
Pros:
- Good Price
- Nice full spectrum including infrared
- High & intense coverage for the price
- Owners love it
- Extremely Bright Light
- 3 year warranty
Cons:
- No Spectrum Options
Click here to see the Spider Farmer SF-4000 Grow Light on Amazon.com
Best Low-Cost Grow Lights:
#9. ParfactWorks 1000w BM4 CREE COB LED Grow Light
CREE is the best of the best when it comes to LEDs. That’s why several models on my Best LED grow lights list feature CREE COBs. The Parfactworks is one of the best LED grow lights at a lower mid-price range.
Features:
The Parfactworks 1000W features twenty 3000K white CREE COBs and 52 SMD LEDs on its panel.
Centralized COBs improve uniformity, and luminous efficiency of this grow panel. You might have noticed that luminous efficiency and spectral uniformity is the main factor behind boosting the growth and health of your plants during vegetation as well as during blooming.
There are two switches on this light -- one to turn on/off the COBs and the other for the SMD LEDs.
It also features a daisy chaining port where you can attach another grow light without the need of an extra socket in your power outlet.
Parfactworks puts these lights through extensive quality control and durability testing the during manufacturing process. These are quality grow lights at a great price. I named this light as one of my best COB LED grow lights as well.
Spectrum:
Parfactworks BM4 COB is a true full spectrum COB LED Grow light. Too many lights these days claim full spectrum without containing all the necessary wavelengths.
The Parfactworks grow light has every wavelength from ultraviolet (UV) up to infrared (IR). The spectrum ranges from 380nm to 780nm -- deep blue to far red. A well-balanced ratio of blue and red color makes the Parfactworks grow light an easy buy in my books.
This light is suitable for all kind of plants and all the phases of a plant’s lifecycle. You can control the spectrum using the two switches. One switch controls the COB LEDs, the other controls the supplemental 5 watt SMD LEDs.
Coverage:
Parfactworks says the 1000w model will cover 4x4. They don’t provide a PPFD coverage chart so I can’t confirm, although I know the CREEs put out serious light intensity so I wouldn’t doubt this light is good for at least 3x3.
If you need more or less coverage area, Parfactworks makes a 500w and 1500w version as well.
Power Consumption, Heat & Warranty:
This light consumes only 380 watts from you wall which is pretty impressive for a 1000 watt light.
Well managed heat dissipation system in the Parfactworks 1000w COB ensures safety and stability of your marijuana plants throughout its lifecycle. The 1000 watt model comes with 4 cooling fans. All the reviews are perfect rating and nobody has complained of heat issues so far.
To provide their customers with a hassle-free and worry less experience of indoor weed cultivation Parfactworks offers 3 years warranty and 30 days money back.
Customer Comments:
Reading through the reviews I found that existing owners are quite pleased with this light, which makes it a great bargain. There are only a handful of reviews so far, but they’re all near perfect ratings and the owners seem pretty enthusiastic about these Parfactworks lights.
If you’re concerned with features and budget but don’t want to compromise on either of them, then the Parfactworks 1000W CREE COB LED Grow Light is for you.
Other Specifications:
| Parfactworks 1000w COB: | |
| Dimensions: | 15.75 x 15.75 x 2.95 in. |
| Weight: | 13.2lb |
| Warranty: | 3 years/30 day guarantee |
| LEDs: | 20 x CREE COBs, 80 x 5w SMD |
| Power Draw | 380w |
| Lens / Reflector | 90 degree / 120 degree |
| Cheapest Places to Buy: | Amazon |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Parfactworks 1000W COB on Amazon.com
Pros and Cons of Parfactworks 1000W CREE COB Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Pros:
- Attractive and elegant design
- Attractive price
- Full spectrum output
- Great Energy efficiency
- Daisy chaining ability for expansion options
- 3 year warranty
Cons:
- PPFD chart not provided, but we know CREE LEDs put out very strong light.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Parfactworks 1000W COB on Amazon.com
My opinion on Parfactworks COB LED grow lights:
The Parfactworks grow light lineup offers a great amount of value and exactly the type of light you need to grow healthy cannabis plants. I decided Parfactworks offer some of the best LED grow lights after comparing their lineup to other similarly priced grow lights. I haven’t heard of a disappointed owner of these lights yet!
#10. VIPARSPECTRA Reflector Series V600
Here’s another great LED grow light in my best LED grow light buyer’s guide. It’s the Viparspectra Reflector V600 LED grow light. Maybe you don’t need the more powerful V1200 I reviewed earlier. That’s fine because the V600 is the younger sibling with a mean bite.
Features:
The Viparspectra V600 Grow Light is equipped with 120 5 watt diodes and reflectors which produces a well balanced and a complete spectrum for any green plant.
The Viparspectra reflector V600 comes with dual light modes so you have the convenience of only using blue spectrum during the vegetative phase.
High tech and advanced heat sink with quietly running cooling fans make your grow space a beautiful and comfortable home for your plants.
PPFD & Spectrum:
As far as PPFD is concerned, it’s 456 uMol from 24″ height. Hang it at 18 inches and you’ll get even better intensity. Just make sure initially that it’s not too close for your plants. Most grow lights are able to hang safely at 18″.
Efficiency and brightness can easily replace a traditional 600W lightning system, and still, it won’t increase your recurring utility cost as it only draws 269W from the wall.
The Viparspectra spectrum tends to lean more towards the blue side. It’s definitely enough to carry your plants to harvest, but it’s worth mentioning in case you’re looking for a heavy-red light, you can choose another one from our list.
Along with the most efficient full spectrum rays, this panel is capable of delivering infrared (IR) as well, to produce more resin on your flowers during blooming.
Coverage:
With all this ability the Viparspectra V600 can cover an area of 3’ X 3’ during veg and 2.5’ X 2.5’ during flowering. However that’s from a recommended 22 inches. Hang it at 18″ and you’ll get a bit more intensity, but you’ll sacrifice a bit of coverage. That’s what I’d do.
If you still want more coverage, then this grow panel is daisy-chainable hence you can expand your grow space at any time as per your need.
3 years manufacturer’s warranty is a cherry on top.
How many Viparspectra V600 grow lights do you need for a 4x4 grow tent?
Based on my estimations,
For Average Cannabis Yield: 2 Viparspectra V600
For Maximum Cannabis Yield: 3-4 Viparspectra V600
Viparspectra V600 Fullspectrum LED Grow Light – Specifications
| Model: |
Viparspectra V600 600W |
| Series: |
Reflector |
| Manufacturer: |
Viparspectra |
| Dimensions: |
15.3” X 12.8” X 3” |
| Weight: |
9.8 lbs |
| Lifespan: |
100000 Hours |
| Waltage Of LEDs: |
5W |
| No Of LEDs: |
120 Pcs |
| Spectral Ability: |
Well balanced full spectrum with IR |
| Light Intensity (PPFD): |
456 uMol @ 24″ |
| Actual Power Draw: |
269 ±3%W |
| Avg Coverage (Veg.): |
3’ X 3’ |
| Avg Coverage (Bloom.): |
2.5’ X 2.5’ |
| Equivalent HPS: |
600W |
| Voltage Range: |
100V-240V |
| Warranty: |
3 Year Limited Warranty |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Viparspectra V600 Grow Light on Amazon.com
Pros And Cons Of Viparspectra V600 Grow Light
Pros:
- Fair price tag
- Full spectrum light with IR abilities
- Dual mode
- Competitive coverage
- Daisy chaining ability
- Reliable quality
- Ultimate power saver in its segment
- Fabulous cooling ability
- Extremely bright light
- Dependable warranty
Cons:
- No Timer
- Small 2x2 coverage area.
Owner commentary:
We looked around at some of the V600’s reviews. Aside from the high rating, some of the most popular phrases were “bang for your buck,” “runs cool,” “well built,” and “super bright.” How can you argue with that?
Reliability and efficiency make this grow light a real masterpiece by viparspectra, and hence the majority of experienced cultivators are recommending it to everyone.
My Advice
The Viparspectra V600 is one of the best LED grow lights because of the value it offers. At this price range you’ll cover a small space but you’ll get a full spectrum light that’s been used successfully by hundreds of cannabis growers. This is one of the best cheap LED grow lights money can buy.
While recommending Viparspectra V600 to you, we concern reliability, ease of use and quality of light which matters a lot.
#11. Bestva 1200W Reflector LED Grow Light
The Bestva 1200w reflector is one of the best LED grow lights that sell at a low cost. Combine Bestva’s light spectrum design, strong intensity, and the low cost, and that’s what makes it a big winner if you’re looking for a low cost grow light.
This is the full spectrum reflector series light that has considerably higher light intensity than the regular, less expensive double chip (DC) Bestva lights.
Why do I recommend the reflector over the double chip series? They both work, but the difference is the light on the double chip series is only intense enough to grow a mediocre yielding plant, and you really need the stronger intensity of the reflector series if you want to grow a high yielding plant.
Spectrum:
I’ve researched a ton of grow lights and I always recommend Bestva as one of the best choices spectrum-wise among low cost grow light options. The spectrum provides the full range of blue, red and even some 3500K & 6500K white!
There are a ton of cheap LED grow lights out there that can’t even touch this spectrum. Too many focus on pinching every last penny, then supply you with a heavy blue or heavy red spectrum that only gets you through one phase of plant growth.
PPFD and Coverage:
This grow panel is a perfect fit for your 2.5’ X 2.5’ grow space or grow tent. All you have to do is hang it and plug it in!
How many Bestva 1200w grow lights do you need for a 4x4 grow tent?
In terms of light intensity, one of the reflector series will efficiently cover 2x2 foot area. If you need to cover a whole 4x4 foot grow tent, I’d recommend:
For Average Cannabis Yield: 2 Bestva 1200w reflector grow lights
For Maximum Cannabis Yield: 4 Bestva 1200w reflector grow lights
It’s not just easy to install, but it’s also easy to use because the Bestva 1200w reflector grow light comes with a dual mode which makes it convenient to operate during various phases of the cannabis’ life cycle.
State of the art technology and high-quality aluminum heat sink with cooling fans ensures the safety of your plants and the cold temperature of your grow room.
This product comes with 3 year warranty along with a 30 day guarantee.
Bestva 1200W Reflector Grow Light Specs:
| Model: | Bestva 1200W |
| Series: |
Reflector |
| Manufacturer: |
Bestva |
| Dimensions: |
14.8″x11.4″x2.8″ |
| Weight: |
10.4 lbs |
| Lifespan: |
50-100K Hours |
| Waltage Of LEDs: |
10W |
| No Of LEDs: |
120 pieces |
| Safety Standards: |
UL & ETL Certified Safety standards |
| Spectral Ability: |
Complete full spectrum with infrared |
| PAR: |
597 uMol @ 18″ |
| Operating Frequency: |
50-60 Hz |
| Max Power Draw: |
240W±5% |
| Avg Coverage (Max.): |
2.5’ X 2.5’ |
| Equivalent HPS/MH: |
600W HPS/MH |
| Voltage Range: |
110V-120V |
| Warranty Period: |
3 Years |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Bestva 1200W Reflector Grow Light on Amazon.com
Pros And Cons Of Bestva 1200w Grow Light
Pros:
- Affordable
- Complete spectrum with IR ability
- Dual mode compatibility
- Good coverage
- Beginner friendly operation
- Extremely bright light
Cons:
- No timer included
- Smaller coverage area
Bestva 1200 watt LED Grow Light -- Bottom line:
The Bestva 1200w is definitely one of the best LED grow lights if you need to keep a tight budget and don’t mind a smaller grow area.
It’ll beat out so many other options out there for this price. When you’re searching low-price grow lights it’s too easy to get fooled, so when you see quality like the Bestva provides, you can be sure you’ve got a good light.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Bestva 1200W Reflector Grow Light on Amazon.com
#12. Phlizon 1000w COB LED Grow Light:
Phlizon is another well known LED grow light manufacturer. You may know them from their other cheap LED grow light models. The Phlizon CREE COB series seen above is one of the best LED grow lights for the price. This is the 1000 watt model, but they’re produced in variants up to 3000 watts of output.
One unusual feature on a high output light like this is the daisy chain capability. Typically that feature only comes on lower output lights as you can only run so much current through the daisy chain outlet. But with this light you’ll have that daisy chain option.
PPFD and Coverage Area:
At 24″ hang height you’ll get a good coverage for a 2x2 area as shown above.
You can try lowering the light to 18-20 inches and get a bit more intensity in that 2x2 area and completely sacrifice that space beyond 2x2 which is useless anyway because that intensity is too low.
The Phlizon 1000w COB is the best LED grow light in the Phlizon COB lineup, because once you consider that intense 2x2 coverage area, you can get 2 of these units for less than the 3000 watt model, and get a larger effective coverage space than the 3000 watt model.
How many Phlizon 1000w COB grow lights do you need for a 4x4 grow tent?
Due to the 1000w being the smallest of the Phlizon COB lineup, the effective coverage is 2x2, but it’s intense light within that 2x2 area. Based on my estimations, you’d need 2 of the 1000w models for a 4x4 grow tent.
For Maximum Cannabis Yield: 2 Phlizon 1000w COB grow lights.
Spectrum:
The Phlizon 1000w COB provides a full spectrum of absorbable light to your plants. It includes 630-660nm, 470nm, 6500k, 3000K, ultraviolet (UV), and infrared (IR).
The ultraviolet has been shown to increase THC levels, and infrared benefits plant formation as well as flower quality. These are two really important wavelengths for good quality cannabis.
Cooling & Heat Dissipation:
Two large cooling fans with heat sink help keep this light running cool. One user who uploaded a video of his Phlizon 1000w said it runs cool. Other owners who’ve reviewed this light also said heat was not an issue.
Phlizon 1000w COB Specifications:
| Dimensions: | 16.5” X 9.4” X 3.1” |
| Weight: | 8.3 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 50,000 hours |
| No Of LEDs: | 2 CREE COB + 58 supplemental LEDs |
| Spectral Ability: | Full spectrum with IR & UV |
| Actual Power Draw: | 245W |
| Effective Coverage: | 2’ X 2′ |
| HPS/MH Replacement: | 1000W |
| Warranty: | 2 years |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Phlizon 1000W COB Grow Light on Amazon.com
Pros and cons of Phlizon 1000W Grow Light
Pros:
- Complete Spectrum with IR & UV light
- Sturdy metal build
- Efficient power draw
- Quiet operation
- At least 50,000 hour lifespan
- Stellar customer support with 2 year warranty
- Highest in the low cost segment for yield per watt of electricity
Cons:
- Smaller Coverage Area
What people are saying:
The Phlizon 1000w COB has a high rating from dozens of owners. One long time grower said after growing for 15 years this light was the best bang for his buck that he’s seen. Others have left general positive comments about the intensity and positive plant response.
My opinion
I’m in total agreement that this is one of the best LED grow lights for the price. Sure there are other grow lights for even less, but they won’t touch this light on intensity (PPFD) or complete spectrum.
I always say you get what you pay for when it comes to grow lights. If you need something entry level, the Phlizon 1000w CREE COB is the way to go.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the
Phlizon 1000W COB Grow Light on Amazon.com
For Small Plants Or As A Booster Light:
The last grow light in my review is known as a “booster” light. It’s great for growing succulents, or if you want to add a few of these to your grow space to boost the overall light intensity.
#13. Sansi 36w Grow Light– Perfectly Crafted For Small Plants
The Sansi LED 36 watt grow light bulb is a full white spectrum LED grow light. It’s a great grow light for small spaces, a great grow light for small plants, and a great grow light for succulents.
My Time with the Sansi 36w Grow Light:
Sansi was kind enough to send me one to experience first hand:
This grow light is perfect for the small space in my house where I grow a few succulents.
I already had a cheap 12w grow light with a red/blue spectrum, and the succulents weren’t responding to that grow light. The succulents weren’t dying but they weren’t thriving either.
The difference in the succulents after the first 1-2 days of installing the Sansi 36w grow light bulb was impressive. The succulents with leaves sort of “lifted up” like they were standing at attention, or as if they were awoken.
I continued to notice faster than normal growth in my succulents over the following month. It’s clear to me the Sansi 36w LED Grow Light bulb made a difference to those succulents.
If you know much about succulents you know they’re among the least demanding plants. So I picked a small plant from my yard to see if I could grow it successfully under the Sansi 36W LED grow light. I ended up with a Marigold seedling.
Marigolds are a bit more demanding than succulents. They expect a lot of light and a lot of water to sustain their rapid growth. They go from seedling to flower in 40-50 days.
After ~30 days the marigold is doing very well under the Sansi 36w grow light bulb. I’ve kept it in a small grow cup to save space, but considering the environment it’s been given, the flower is doing very well.
My marigold seedling after 1 month under the Sansi 36w
I kept the Sansi bulb 18″ above at all times, and run the light for 8 to 9 hours per day.
Update: I transferred the marigold to a larger bucket and it continued growing and bloomed beautifully under the Sansi bulb:
Why the Sansi 36w grow light bulb performs well:
This is a great grow light for small plants, or even if you want to combine it with other grow lights to boost light intensity.
The spectrum of this grow light really separates it from other low wattage grow lights:
Sansi 36w Bulb Spectrum
No matter what size plants you’re growing or what size grow space you have, spectrum is one of the most important features in a grow light. White spectrum has been shown to result in 12-16% higher tomato yields compared to red/blue spectrum alone (you can read more about white spectrum here).
Most of the small grow light bulbs on the market today still feature red and blue spectrum, so the Sansi 36w Grow Light bulb provides you an advantage on that front. If you read any of my reviews about larger grow lights for cannabis, you’ll see I always prefer the white spectrum over red and blue alone.
Another nice feature on the Sansi 36w LED grow light is the 120 degree lens. That lens helps spread the light out more evenly across the plant canopy, instead of focusing the light all in one direction, which can result in burned leaves.
Other Specifications:
| Socket: | E26 |
| Waterproof? | Yes -- IP20 |
| Warranty: | 5 year / 30 day guarantee |
| Voltage: | 120v |
| Spectrum: | 5000K (see image above for color breakdown) |
| Weight: | 1.2lb |
| Dimensions: | 4.6 x 4.6 x 5.3 inches |
| Where to Buy? | Amazon |
Read my full article about the Sansi 36w grow light bulb here
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Sansi 36W LED Grow Light Bulb on Amazon.com
Now, we’re presenting you an update buyer’s guide that’ll give you sneak peak of entire LED Grow Light fundamentals. Then we’ll close this guide with our verdict on Best LED Grow Lights on the market.
Buyer’s Guide For Selecting Top Rated LED Grow Light
Before we review any of the LED Grow Light, It’s essential to understand why we need it? and what are the factors which we should consider before selecting a good LED Grow Light for your weed plants ?
Why Is Best Quality Light Essential For Plants?
Let me explain.
Plants turn the energy of light into their essential nutrition and building materials with the help of a process called photosynthesis.
And they need carbon dioxide and water as well to turn this energy into most essential sugars like glucose.
This whole process is the only secret behind well-sustained plants. It’s the base of their lifecycle.
Fact is that only sunlight can provide this light, But, there are several artificial grow lights as well which can mimic the real sunlight. Thank to advanced technologies.
If you aim to get best possible yield from your marijuana plants, then it’s only possible if you can provide your cannabis plants with best possible full spectrum light.
What Are The Different Types of Grow Light Available On The Market?
There are several types of light available on the market. Let’s take a brief look at each one.
1. Fluorescent Grow Light
These type of grow lights are widely known as CFLs, T5s, and T8s. These lighting panels are popular for propagation, vegetative growth and small plants.
Different kind of spectrum distribution panels are available, Daylight panels and Bloom panels. The main use of these panels is for two distinct growth phases of your weed plants.
Daylight panels are used for vegetation and small weed plants. Bloom panels are used as sidelights during the Flowering phase of your marijuana plants in your Best grow tent.
2. High Pressure Sodium
You’ll notice this kind of grow light in many of indoor cultivator’s growing space because these light panels are capable of producing highly efficient and extremely intense light indoor.
However, it results in extreme heat generation and needs an external cooling mechanism inside your grow space to keep temperature balanced.
This panels are also known as HPS panels.
3. Plasma Grow Lights
These widely known as solar genesis and sulphur plasma. These sort of grow lights are more efficient than HPS, and less depreciation cost is involved in this grow lights.
However, this grow light is not suitable for the flowering phase because of several cons attached to it.
4. LED Grow Lights
LED technology is much better when it comes to indoor growing.
These panels are best for providing top-notch quality of light to your marijuana plants.
Why? Let me explain.
Because, the generated spectrum doesn’t produce too much heat and saves plants from usual harm, As this kind of lights provides all the required efficiency and intensity of light.
It works for the entire life cycle of any of the plants.
On the market of indoor lights, these are the main types of lights which are usually used by professional as well as beginner growers depending on implementation strategy.
Usually, LEDs are the most favorable type of lights for professional cultivators, and hence we’d be focusing on LED grow lights for cannabis cultivation in this review and buyer’s guide.
COB LED Grow Lights:
A more advanced and efficient version of regular LED grow lights, the COB LED utilizes several LEDs bunched together on a single chip. The result is higher intensity and lower power use. These lights typically cost a little bit more but the cost is worth it when you consider the increased light your plants receive.
Many of the best COB LED grow lights also feature an intensifying lens that increases intensity even further, and makes these type of grow lights even more of a value compared to regular LED grow lights. I wrote about the best COB LED grow lights Here and Here
Quantum Board LED Grow Lights:
This is the most modern type of LED grow light to date. You can read my reviews for the most popular models, the HLG 300 V2 or HLG 550 V2. The difference between these LED grow lights and other types is that they emit a great spectrum, are more efficient, and they have stronger PPFD intensity further from the center of the light.
They sell at a premium cost but many dedicated growers have found the cost to be worthwhile. Like I said earlier, you get what you pay for!
Factors To Look For In An LED Grow Light
In this section, we’re going to cover the essential question that most of the beginners forget to ask themselves before making the selection. There are several factors which need to be considered before making your final decision to buy an LED grow light for your weed plant.
1. Coverage Area
Make sure you pick a LED grow light that covers your whole grow space. It’s worth picking quality over cost as much as possible in this situation.
2. Build Quality
A Professional grower will not look at anything apart from build quality of the grow light. Yeah, excellent build quality means more durability, and that means higher lifespan.
If the great quality of LED Chips is used in a grow light panel, then it won’t generate much heat, and it’ll keep your grow space as well as grow light safe from a breakdown.
If an LED Grow Light is equipped with a durable outer body, certified LEDs, a good quality heatsink and multiple cooling fans, then you can say it’s good to go product for your grow space.
3. Heat Generation
It’s an essential factor to consider because of two reasons. First, Lights which generated extreme heat are less durable. And Second, Minimal heat generation protects your plants from getting damaged.
Low heat output ensures safety during flowering phase as during this stage your weed plants would be needed extremely intense light and lesser heat.
4. PPFD Intensity And Color of light
Yeah, Lumens are the measure of the intensity of any grow light. This measure is for human visibility and not for plants.
If you’re growing cannabis indoor then going with higher wattage would be a good choice instead of focusing on lumens. You want to focus on PPFD readings which are the intensity of light rays measured at the surface of your plant.
Another important factor apart from its brightness is colour spectrum. As a rule of thumb “Red” and “Blue” spectra are ideal for your marijuana plants growth. But if you can afford a higher quality light, research has shown white spectrum increases yield when mixed with red and blue spectrum.
The higher quality LED grow lights like COB LEDs and Quantum Board LED grow lights offer white spectrum mixed in. You want to make sure the red & blue intensity are balanced so the light works equally well for the vegetative phase and the flowering phase.
Wavelength measures this spectra, and that will be specified on the grow light box as well as on user’s manual if you in most cases. Generally, “Blue” is most essential during Vegetation while “Red” is essential during Flowering.
5. Lifespan
Rated life of your light is an essential factor to consider, because it’ll decide for how long you’re gonna use that particular grow light in your grow room.
It’s an excellent way to divide the lifespan of your grow light by the factor of 2 because the actual lifespan would majorly depend on your use.
6. Budget
It’s yet another critical factor to keep in mind before browsing through various grow light reviews. The saying goes “you get what you pay for,” and it couldn’t hold more true than when you’re picking an LED grow light.
There are many premium grow lights are available with comparatively more features than other ordinary grow lights. Go for an ordinary light like the Bestva 2000 watt if you’re low on budget. If you have more to spend, check out the HLG 550 Quantum Board or a COB LED grow light.
7. Manufacturer
It’s a major mistake that many growers make initially -- picking a low quality manufacturer.
The LED Grow Light sector is flooded with low-quality manufacturers. So, it’s safe to deal with one who has established themselves as a brand on the market.
Make sure to check my many reviews, or at least ensure you get a lasting warranty included before you buy.
8. Warranty and Maintenance
Customer support is crucial while buying anything online. Isn’t it?
An authentic grow light comes with premium and genuine customer support. Your purchase should be risk-free.
How to Choose The Best LED Grow Light For My Grow Space?
Before answering this question of yours, I’d like to ask several questions.
- Is it your first indoor growing experience?
- How much grow space you wants to get covered?
- Do you know current phase of your plants? If Yes, then which is it?
- What is your primary concern? Budget or Quality and Yield?
Yeah, if it’s your first growing experience, then we’d suggest you to start with something small in comparatively smaller space.
But, if you’re already familiar with indoor growing, then you should select one which meets your expectation regarding coverage area.
Once you find multiple LED Grow Lights you can consider the current phase of your plant’s life cycle. If it’s seedling or vegetative, then go with one which either has Blue shade or have purple shade. And for plants in the flowering phase going with Red or Pink light effect would be a good move.
Now, you’ll have sorted Grow lights based on your experience, Grow Space, and phase of your plant’s life cycle.
Now, go with cheap, and budget-friendly LED if Budget is your primary concern.
However, Budget Friendly LEDs can’t provide you with resinous and high-quality yield.
Because, generally, this kind of LEDs are built with low-quality light emitting diodes and would not be equipped with the proper cooling mechanism. Eventually, these chips would fail to provide the required intensity of light for your plants.
It’s important to note here that there’s nothing wrong to go with budget-friendly grow lights for the shorter run.
Now, it’s time to move forward and to take a look at some of the Best LED Grow Lights Available on the market.
Before we start, let me throw some light on a few tips to use it for the more extended run and to get maximum out of it.
Tips for getting the most out of any full spectrum LED grow light:
- Recommended PH values for soil is 6.0 ~ 6.5 and in hydro is 5.7 ~ 6.0 in most of the LED Grow lights.
- Keep the humidity rating between 50-70% in your grow space.
- Maintain a stable voltage to avoid any hazard or failure.
- Always wear sunglasses when you get into contact with grow lights.
- Only a few grow lights with the highest price or state of the art technology will be waterproof, so it’ll be safe to keep your light away from any dripping water.
- If a grow light can be controlled using a timer then always opt in for a timer to save more electricity.
- If you have an LED with IR and UV feature and it has an LED which looks exceptionally dim, then it doesn’t mean that LED is faulty.
- Always keep your grow panel away from hazardous chemicals such as sulfur or acid.
- Best Recommended distance for any grow light 22-24” during and veg and 18-20” during bloom. However, it varies between manufacturers and light quality.
- No matter how durable a product is, always give it a couple of hours rest. This is to get the best reliability out of your grow light.
- Be safe and keep your place safe for your plants.
My Final Verdict:
Finding the best LED grow lights on the market doesn’t come easy. It takes countless hours of research and comparison -- which I’ve painstakingly, but happily completed at your convenience!
If you’re wondering why you didn’t see other LED grow light brands or models on my list of the best LED grow lights -- it’s not necessarily because they’re terrible, but because they were beaten out by the grow lights I did include.
If there’s a light that’s good but wasn’t included, it may not have fit into the total picture framework of the article. For example maybe the spectrum and coverage were great, but the light was beaten out when you compare its price to a different light that I included above.
In short, I have zero doubt the grow lights I listed above are the best of the best. Cycle through, find one that works for you, and feel confident that you’re making a solid purchasing choice.
Let me know how everything works out -- feel free to reach out via the contact page.
Good luck and Happy Growing!
FAQ:
The best LED grow light will provide a great balanced light spectrum, a solid coverage area, and sufficient light intensity to grow your plants to the maximum potential. You can read more about the best specific brands and models of LED grow lights at 420ExpertGuide.com
Research shows white spectrum light added to red and blue spectrum grow plants more effectively than red and blue spectrum alone. The best LED grow lights typically have white wavelengths mixed into their spectrum.
The best LED grow light for cannabis growing will emit a white spectrum, 617 umol for 18 hours straight during vegetation, and 926 umol for 12 hours straight during flowering.
You can use a grow light emitting half that amount, but yields will be lower. Those readings are required across the whole canopy, not just the center.
The best grow light for a 4x4 grow tent is the Mars Hydro 1200 watt CREE LED grow light because it provides the maximum intensity you’ll need to get the maximum yield from your plants.
A less expensive option would be two Phlizon 1000 watt CREE COB LED grow lights.
Research has shown white spectrum LED grow lights resulted in better tasting lettuce. You can find the best white spectrum LED grow lights reviewed on 420ExpertGuide.com.
Succulents need less intense light than fruit bearing plants. An LED grow light of 30 or 50 watts is sufficient.
The best LED grow light on Amazon is the Scynce LED Raging Kush.
The there are many other best LED grow lights suited for different budgets that are featured on 420ExpertGuide.com
A white spectrum LED grow light that emits between 617 uMols and 925 uMols of light is best for tomatoes.
Tomatoes, like other fruit and vegetable bearing plants, require 20-40 moles of light per day. When you translate 40 moles per day into micromoles (uMols), your plant would need 617 uMols for 18 hours during the vegetative period and 925 uMols for 12 hours during the flowering period.
420ExpertGuide.com discusses several grow lights that would be sufficient for this use.
A grow light with a heavy blue spectrum would be best for these plants since that’s the spectrum absorbed during those phases of growth. You can read more about this topic here.
References:
- Sharakshane, Anton. “White LED Lighting for Plants.” bioRxiv (2017).
- Eichhorn Bilodeau, Samuel et al. “An Update On Plant Photobiology And Implications For Cannabis Production”. Frontiers In Plant Science, vol 10, 2019. Frontiers Media SA, doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.00296. Accessed 14 Oct 2019.
- MARUO, Toru, et al. “Effects of Supplemental Lighting with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Tomato Yield and Quality of Single-Truss Tomato Plants Grown at High Planting Density.” Environmental Control in Biology, Japanese Society of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Engineers and Scientists, 11 June 2012, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ecb/50/1/50_63/_article.
- Lin, K., Huang, M., Huang, W., Hsu, M., Yang, Z. and Yang, C. (2013). The effects of red, blue, and white light-emitting diodes on the growth, development, and edible quality of hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata). Scientia Horticulturae, 150, pp.86-91.
- He, Dongxian & Kozai, T. & Niu, Genhua & Xin, Zhang. (2019). Light-Emitting Diodes for Horticulture: Materials, Processes, Devices and Applications. 10.1007/978-3-319-99211-2_14.
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