I’ve researched dozens of LED grow lights and the list below contains the best of the best. It includes grow lights in every price range and coverage size, starting at high-end (top of the list), mid-range (middle) and low-cost (bottom of the list).
First make sure to read the criteria to consider when buying the best LED grow light:
Three Criteria to Consider on the Best LED Grow Lights:
Criteria 1:
First determine what size space you’re growing in. Grow lights cover areas ranging from 2x2 to 5x5, so knowing the size of your grow space will allow you to pick the right size and the right number of grow lights.
Criteria 2:
The second criteria, sufficient light intensity, is about ensuring your grow light is strong enough to provide enough light over the course of the entire day. You can read my whole article about light intensity here.
Newer grow lights on the list below all have great intensity and uniform light spread across the canopy.
Criteria 3:
Choose a bang for the buck versus high performance grow light. That’s the third key criteria to finding the best LED grow light for you.
Bang for the buck isn’t the cheapest available but it’s far from the most expensive. I’m talking brands like Viparspectra, Mars Hydro, and Phlizon versus the higher end HLG, Gavita, and Spectrum King.
I’ve spoken to owners of both who are very happy with their grows, but you should decide if the extra performance and features are right for you.
Here is my up-to-date 2021 list of the best LED grow lights for cannabis growing. Keep reading below for the details of each light:
The Best LED Grow Lights for Growing Cannabis:
Best High End LED Grow Lights:
- HLG 650R (5x5 to 7x7)
- Scynce LED Raging Kush 2.0 (5x5)
- Gavita Pro 1700e (5x5)
- Mars Hydro FC 4800 (4x4)
Best Mid-Price LED Grow Lights:
- Green Sunshine ES300 (2x4)
- Mars Hydro TS-3000 (4x4)
- Timber LED Model 4VS (4x4)
- Spider Farmer SF-4000 (4x4)
Best Low-Cost LED Grow Lights:
- HLG 225 (3x3)
- Viparspectra P1500 (3x3)
- Maxsisun PB 2000 (2x4)
- Phlizon 1000w COB (3x3)
Best High-End Grow Lights:
#1. HLG 650R
(Click Here to View or Buy the 650R at LED Grow Lights Depot)
Design:
Released around May 2020, HLG’s most powerful grow light is pretty impressive. I bought one for myself and tested it out, you can read the full article here.
This 29 inch by 22 inch fixture will fit in a 4x4 foot grow space, but it’s really meant for a minimum of 5x5 feet, with the capability to veg an incredible 7x7 feet.
It consumes a true 630 watts, placing it in direct competition with some of the other top LED grow lights available, like the ones you’ll read about below. But I think the 650R is probably the best deal right now for 5x5 to 7x7 feet.
This LED grow light utilizes the 4000K Samsung LM301H LEDs as well as red 660nm diodes. The LM301H are slightly more efficient than the previous generation LM301B diodes.
In total the 650R uses electricity at a highly efficient rate of 2.81 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 HLG 650R utilizes a complete white spectrum perfect for all phases of growth.
Take a look at the image above and tell me you’ve seen a spectrum that perfect before. You’ll be hard pressed.
The one downside is that infrared diodes are not included. It’s not necessary, but HLG wouldn’t need many infrared diodes to perfect the spectrum. Perhaps they can include it in a later version.
The result of these LEDs is the highest relative intensity of blue, red, and white wavelengths on any LED grow light available. The HLG 650R has truly taken the LED grow light market one step forward in terms of performance.
Intensity (PPFD):
Let’s take a look at the light intensity and coverage area at 24 inches.
When I did the intensity test on mine, the light spread was very strong and even throughout my 4x4.
Other HLG 650R Specifications:
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 27lbs
- Driver: Inventronics
- Dimmable 10% to 100%
- Hanging kit included
My HLG 650R Test Video:
Click Here For Price and Further Details About the HLG 650R Grow Light
#2. Scynce LED Raging Kush 2.0
The Scynce LED Raging Kush 2.0 (also known as Raging Kush Alpha), 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.
Features:
This 650 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 2.0 LED grow light utilizes a low 650w from your outlet due to efficient 2.51 uMol/J energy use rate. Anything over 2.0 uMol/J is considered efficient, but 2.51 is on the high end.
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 buds obtained under the effect of this grow light compared to other cheap grow lights.
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 ~1100 uMol at 9″ 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 2.0 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. Due to the intensity remaining strong at the edges of a 4x4 foot grow space, I’d say you can flower in 5x5 feet with this grow light!
Based on my estimations, you’ll only need one of these grow lights to get a maximum yield from your cannabis plants in a 5x5 grow tent.
Cooling:
The Synce Raging Kush Alpha 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 2.0 Specifications:
| Scynce LED Raging Kush 2.0 |
|
| Dimensions: | 44 x 34.5 x 3.75 in |
| Weight: | 54lb |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Safety Certifications: | UL, FCC, RoHS, CSA |
| Power Draw | 650w |
| LED Brand | Osram |
| Cheapest Place to Buy: |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Scynce Raging Kush Alpha at LED Grow Lights Depot
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
- Control Spectrum, Grow Timer, Intensity from cell phone app
- Daisy Chain feature allows for large or industrial grow area use.
- Cost Savvy Power Efficiency
- Lifespan of around 50,000 Hours
- 5 year warranty
Cons:
- Priced at high end of grow light market, but offers unique features.
Do Growers Recommend the Scynce Raging Kush Alpha?
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 2.0 at LED Grow Lights Depot
#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. Mars Hydro FC 4800
The Mars Hydro FC-4800 is a newer bar-style LED grow light from Mars Hydro. Mars Hydro continues to be a pioneer in the LED grow light industry, and the FC 4800 is one of the best LED grow lights in the 4x4 foot coverage range.
Bar Design:
The bar design is a popular design focused on spreading the 480 watts of light as evenly as possible across your grow space. You’ll notice there are no fans on the design. There’s also no “reflector” or glass magnifying lens on this design. The FC 4800 consists of 8 bars of LEDs with a detaching adjustable Mean Well driver on the top side.
The FC 4800 will draw 480 watts from your wall at maximum power. The dimmer knob allows you to easily reduce the power output if you’re growing seedlings or if your plants are growing too close to the light.
The Meanwell driver comes with a 6ft cord that allows you to detach the driver from the fixture and hang it up to 6 feet away, removing the heat source from your grow tent.
These features truly differentiate the FC 4800 and make it one of the best options for 4x4 foot grow spaces.
Spectrum Quality:
The FC series grow lights offer a near-perfect spectrum composition consisting of blue, red, infrared, and a mixture of warm and cool white diodes. The infrared is important because it will help your plants stay healthy and the buds will grow larger.
This 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:
You’ll see above the FC 4800 covers 4x4 feet very well. If you’re looking for maximum light strength which equals strong cannabis yields, the FC 4800 is the best bang for your buck!
Difference Between the Mars Hydro FC Series and Mars Hydro TS Series?
The Mars Hydro FC series has a few key differences in comparison to the TS Series. First, the type of LEDs used is different. The FC series uses Samsung LEDs, while the TS Series uses Epistar. I don’t personally think there’s a big difference but I know of some growers who prefer Samsung.
Second, the FC-4800 uses 30 extra watts of power compared to it’s TS series counterpart, the TS-3000 which uses 450 watts. The Mars FC 6500 is the highest power grow light from Mars Hydro and does not have a TS series counterpart.
Other Specifications:
| Mars Hydro FC 4800: | |
| Dimensions: | 32” x 32” x 4” in. |
| Weight: | 19lb |
| Warranty: | 3 years |
| Power Draw | 480w (dimmable) |
| LED Brand | Samsung LM301B |
| Cheapest Places to Buy: | LED Grow Lights Depot |
Click Here to See Reviews and Prices for the FC 4800 at LED Grow Lights Depot
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:
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:
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.
You can read the full reviews for the Spider Farmer and Mars Hydro grow lights that I bought and tested by clicking here (Spider Farmer) and here (Mars Hydro)
Another competitor to Spider Farmer 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 Spider Farmer SF-4000:
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. HLG 225 Grow Light
The HLG 225 is not the cheapest of them all but as a grower you never want to go with the cheapest when it comes to LED grow lights. Trust me!
HLG is a respected brand in the grower community that makes near perfect design and specification grow lights like the HLG 650R you see at the top of this list!
The HLG 225 is their small coverage low cost model which is a solid choice for flowering up to 3x3 feet of space, and veg up to 4x4 feet.
Features:
The HLG 225 consumes 225 watts of power, and has a pretty unique design with large metal heat sinks on the top side of the grow light. Speaking of heat sinks, I definitely wouldn’t worry about heat with a 225 watt grow light, but if you use several of these units in one space, the heat sinks may come in handy.
The LumiLED and Luminus LEDs are centralized onto one middle board, and are surrounded by a white cup reflector.
While the HLG 225 isn’t the cheapest it’s a high quality low cost option for a small space.
Spectrum:
As you can see from the image above the HLG 225 provides a full spectrum capable of growing from seedling to harvest.
More specifically, the LEDs are a combination of white 4000K, 630nm red and 660nm red.
Hang Height & Coverage:
Vegetative phase hang height: 24 inches
Flowering phase hang height: 18 inches
This grow light will flower up to 3x3 feet and veg up to 4x4 feet. The HLG 225 intensity goes to about 500 in the center and about 300 on the sides of a 3x3 ft grow tent when hanging 24 inches above the plants. That’s a good intenisty level for vegging.
If you hang the light a little bit lower at 18 inches, the intensity gets up to 900 ppfd in the center and 450 ppfd on the edges of a 3x3 foot grow tent. That amount of intensity is good for flowering.
Customer Comments:
Verified owners of this grow light have had very positive things to say: “no complaints… no heat…the girls LOVE it,” “little but powerful” and “awesome grow light for my small tent”.
Other Specifications:
| HLG 225 grow light: | |
| Dimensions: | 12 x 10 x 4 in. |
| Weight: | 10 lb |
| Warranty: | 1 year |
| LEDs: | |
| Power Draw | 225 watts |
| Lens / Reflector | White cup reflector |
| Cheapest Places to Buy: | LED Grow Lights Depot |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the HLG 225 Grow Light at LED Grow Lights Depot
Pros and Cons of HLG 225 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Pros:
- Attractive and elegant design
- Attractive price
- Full spectrum output
- High quality
Cons:
- Not the cheapest for 3x3ft, but it’s a high quality brand.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the HLG 225 at LED Grow Lights Depot
#10. VIPARSPECTRA P1500
(Click Here to View or Buy the P1500 at LED Grow Lights Depot)
Here’s another great LED grow light in my best LED grow light buyer’s guide. It’s the Viparspectra P1500 from the Viparpsectra Pro Series. Viparspectra made the Pro Series as the next generation to their previous purple spectrum grow lights.
I actually purchased the slightly smaller P1000 and tested it out, you can read about that here.
The Pro Series are great budget grow lights for smaller size spaces. Viparspectra has a very dedicated following of growers who swear by these grow lights.
Features:
The Viparspectra P1500 Grow Light is a 150 watt grow light with the most modern white and red LED spectrum. The white spectrum is slightly better than purple spectrum in tests, and that’s why all manufacturers are using white spectrum now.
The P1500 and the rest of the Viparspectra Pro Series still have a heat sink on the top side of the grow light, which isn’t necessary but it’s nice because all the other quantum board style lights seemingly abandoned heat sinks even though the higher powered models still generate some heat.
The Pro Series grow lights are dimmable from 0% to 100% with an easy dim knob on the side of the light.
PPFD & Spectrum:
The smaller Viparspectra Pro Series models like the P1000 and P1500 are pretty low power at 100 and 150 watts. So you can hang these grow lights close to the canopy and save some overhead space at the same time.
At 12 inches you can get a good flowering level intensity, and perfect veg intensity at 14 inches.
Coverage:
Based on my personal experience with my P1000 I would say the P1500 is good for 2x3 feet of coverage. If you have a larger sized grow space, you can buy multiple units, or even buy a larger size because the Pro Series goes from P1000 to P2500.
How many Viparspectra Pro Series grow lights do you need for a 4x4 grow tent?
Based on my estimations I would recommend two P2500 models for a 4x4 grow tent.
Viparspectra P1500 Specifications:
| Model: |
Viparspectra P1500 |
| Series: |
Pro Series |
| Manufacturer: |
Viparspectra |
| Weight: |
6 lbs |
| Lifespan: |
50,000 Hours |
| Waltage: |
150 watts |
| Light Spectrum: |
Full Spectrum White |
| Light Intensity (PPFD): |
750 uMol @ 12″ |
| Avg Coverage: |
2.5’ X 2.5’ |
| Voltage Range: |
100V-240V |
| Warranty: |
3 Year Warranty |
My Video Test:
Personal commentary:
Based on my experience the Pro Series grow lights are very solid build quality, easy to use, and the price is very competitive. These are a solid choice if you’re looking for a quality low cost grow light.
Click here to View or Buy the Viparspectra P1500 at LED Grow Lights Depot
#11. Maxsisun PB 2000
The Maxsisun PB 2000 is a basic quantum board style LED grow light that offers a lot of value for the low price.
It combines a modern white light spectrum, respectable light intensity, and low cost. This is one of the best cheap LED grow lights for 2x4 feet of growing space.
Sure you can find a grow light for 2x4 with more wattage or extra features, but the Maxsisun PB 2000 was made for people who are on a tighter budget and know how to get by without fancy features.
Maxsisun Spectrum:
The Maxsisun PB 2000 provides a combo of 3500K & 5500K white LEDs, plus 660nm red. In simple terms, it’s enough to grow your plants from seedling to harvest.
One nice feat of the PB 2000 is it uses Samsung LM 281B diodes. Samsung is regarded as top shelf LED manufacturer, so it’s great to be able to get these LEDs on a low cost light like the PB 2000.
My one nitpick about the spectrum is that the red wavelengths could be a little bit stronger but it’s definitely enough to get you through harvest without issue.
PPFD and Coverage:
If you know how to interpret the PPFD map above, you’ll know theMaxsisun PB 2000 LED grow light emits more than enough intensity to grow a high yielding cannabis plant.
This intensity is not the strongest, but it’s far from the minimum that’s needed by your plants, and that’s why this grow light is a great bang for the buck.
Maxsisun says that the PB 2000 will cover 3 x 3.5 feet, but I say if you’re growing cannabis you’re better off using these 200 watts in a 2x4 foot space instead.
How many Maxsisun PB 2000 grow lights do you need for a 4x4 grow tent?
You would need two of these lights to cover a 4x4 foot space. One to cover a 2x4 foot space.
This grow light comes with 3 year limited warranty along with a 90 day guarantee.
Maxsisun PB 2000 Grow Light Specs:
| Model: | 2000 |
| Series: |
PB |
| Manufacturer: |
Maxsisun |
| Dimensions: |
24″x10.8″x2.5″ |
| Weight: |
9 lbs |
| Lifespan: |
50-100K Hours |
| Wattage: |
200 Watts |
| Spectral Ability: |
Complete full spectrum |
| PAR: |
~1200 uMol @ 12″ |
| Operating Frequency: |
50-60 Hz |
| Coverage: |
2x4 feet |
| Voltage Range: |
AC 100V-240V |
| Warranty Period: |
3 Years |
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Maxsisun PB 2000 Grow Light on Amazon.com
Pros And Cons of Maxsisun PB 2000 Grow Light
Pros:
- Complete spectrum with infrared
- Best Cheap LED Grow Light for 2x4 feet of coverage
- Modern design, strong light intensity
Cons:
- No dimmer
Bottom line:
The Maxsisun PB 2000 is definitely one of the best LED grow lights for 2x4 feet if you need to keep a tight budget.
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 Maxsisun provides, you can be sure you’ve got a good light.
Want to see Maxsisun’s larger models? Check out my full post on their grow light lineup here.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Maxsisun PB 2000 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.
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:
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
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.
Advanced Platinum, DormGrow, California Lightworks, MarsHydro, Viparspectra, Bestva, Apollo Horticulture, King Plus, Ledgle, TaoTronics