So, you’re interested in powerful LED grow lights. I’m about to break down the factors you need to consider to find the best 1000 watt grow light (spoiler: I like the King Plus).
The key to finding the best 1000 watt grow light is to look at the light intensity instead of the number in the title. Due to competitive marketing tactics, the number of watts in a grow light’s name doesn’t really mean much. Once you find a 1000w grow light with strong intensity, you can check other important factors like light spectrum quality.
To expand on that, if you browse 1000 watt grow lights on Amazon, you’ll find the light intensity (PAR/PPFD) can vary greatly between lights. It’s easy to look at those search results and feel overwhelmed, but luckily I’ve researched and listed the best 1000 watt grow light models for you just below.
In this guide, I review the best 1000 watt HPS AND LED grow lights on the market:
Best 1000 Watt HPS Grow Light:
iPower 1000 Watt HPS MH Digital Dimmable Grow Light Kit
If you still haven’t warmed up to LED grow light technology, iPower is a leading manufacturer of HPS grow lights, especially in the cannabis industry. Over the years they have been making some of the best High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) grow lights. This 1000 watt HPS grow light is one of the best HPS lights offered. Keep reading to find out why.
Adjustable intensity:
One feature that stands out in iPower 1000 watts grows light is the dimmable electronic ballast which supports 120 Volts and 240 Volts input. However, you can be able to dim this grow light to levels you deem suitable for your plants.
It supports three power options which are 50%, 75 and 100%. One thing you can be sure of is it’ll emit stable power output without flickering. It comes with an 8 foot power cord.
Coverage Area:
The 1000 watt HPS grow light will cover anywhere from 4x4ft to 6x6ft. This is the most powerful HPS grow light around. Even though I don’t recommend HPS grow lights anymore due to heat production and power consumption, they can still be an attractive option for certain situations.
Covering a large space with LEDs can get expensive quickly and HPS grow lights like this one could be the perfect solution for a grower on a tight budget who can handle the heat these lights emit.
Set Up:
This grow light comes with two 8 feet ratchet clip hanger that can withstand up to 150 pounds. A 9-inch reflector ensures large area coverage of 4 by 4 feet. In addition, this grow light has a heavy duty lamp cord measuring 15 feet and listed by UL to guarantee safety.
Another great feature is the incredible brightness of 140,000 lumens. On top of that, the bulb has a 24,000 hour lifespan. It can maintain up to 90% lumens after 5000 hours of use.
Many people know the downside of HPS lights is that they emit a lot of heat compared to LED lights. It won’t be an issue if you have an adequate fan. I wrote about choosing the proper sized fan for your grow tent here. You should, therefore, have adequate ventilation and even better use iPower ventilation.
This grow light is designed specifically for the cultivation of indoor plants. It features full spectrum bulbs that’ll get your plants through all stages of growth.
Pros:
- Dimmable electronic ballast
- UL certified safe
- 24,000 hour lifespan
- Includes timer & hanging kit
Cons:
- Not as efficient as LED grow lights – power & heat wise.
Click here to see reviews and prices for the iPower 1000 Watt Grow Light Kit on Amazon.com
Best 1000 Watt LED Grow Lights:
King Plus 1000w LED Grow Light
LED Grow lights are ideal solutions for all growing needs. Whether you are looking to supplement your houseplant lighting through the dark winter period, you need a consistent light source for starting a garden seed, or when planting a crop seed, grow light is the answer.
Most people understand the importance of investing in high quality LED grow light. King Plus 1000W LED is an effective affordable grow light. You do not have to go over your budget. Most growers choose to go for HID lights because LED is quite costly. However, King Plus cost less than HID systems and enables to enjoy low heat generation and energy consumption at less cost.
Full Spectrum
The King Plus 1000W LED grow light emits a full spectrum of light, including infrared and ultraviolet, which will help plant formation, bud density and THC potency.
It actually provides a full spectrum of light that plants require for growth at different stages. In addition, the pink or purple light that LED lights produce is good simulating natural sunlight that is essential to plants. The ultraviolet lights promote cell division while the infrared light essentially disinfects the plants.
The spectrum leans a bit more to the red side. It’s about 3:1 red to blue, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for more of a balance.
This grow light uses 10 watts diodes hence ensuring suitable PPFD values for 3 by 3 feet areas from 24 inches height. King Plus 1000W LED spectrum is far much better than what you will get in other LEDs, fluorescents and Hid lamps.
Double Chip LEDs:
A closer look into the King Plus 1000W LED you will notice that they are different from other grow lights. This is because unlike the standard diodes this LED grow lights are designed with a double chip. While standard grow lights use 3W diodes King Plus use 5 watts diodes.
Nevertheless, each diode uses Zener protectors to ensure the diodes are resistant to burning out and preventing the whole lamp from burning out when one single diode burns out.
Cooling Fans:
The reason why LED makers do not push beyond 3 or 5 Watt is that a diode power past this would produce a lot of heat. It is therefore imperative that a grow light should have an effective cooling system.
To deal with high heat input King plus comes with a smart cooling mechanism. The board is thicker than usual and has holes to increase heat dissipation. For better cooling, the two high-quality fans blow air over the heat sinks.
These cooling techniques do not only increase the lifespan of the diodes but also significantly reduce the chance of burning out.
Coverage Area:
Depending on the size of your area you may need multiple lights. Yi will have to calculate how many Led units you will require. King Plus Led light will effectively cover an area size of 3 feet by 3 feet.
Hanging Height:
First, you do not have to worry about hanging your grow light. King plus comes with hanging hooks. Hence it is quite easy to suspend and adjust the light according to your preferred requirement. Well, you may need to do trial and error to arrive at an ideal height.
The general positioning is between 18-24 inches from the canopy. It is, however, prudent to adjust this height according to your plant’s growth stage.
For instance, during the cloning stage, it would be a bad idea to have you grow light near the canopy. However, it is a good idea to adjust your LED panel down to about 20 inches during the blooming phase given those plants requires a lot of light during this stage.
Pros:
Reasonable price
Effective cooling system
Bright full spectrum diodes
50,000 hour lifespan
Includes hanging equipment
Cons:
- No Daisy Chain
Click here to see reviews and prices for the King Plus 1000W LED on Amazon.com
Sunraise 1000w LED Grow Light
When it comes to growing plants indoor one of the most important thing is a light source. That is why grower has to seek artificial light that is a simulation of sunlight. The Sunraise 1000 watt LED grow light is a popular choice among many growers. So why do growers prefer this light?
First is the optical lens that helps increase the PPFD intensity higher than other popular 1000 watt lights. The optical lens is superior to a reflector, and increases the PPFD up to 30%. The second reason is the more efficient triple chip LEDs. These 15 watt chips are brighter and consume slightly less power, contributing further to the superior performance of this light.
Light Spectrum and Intensity (PPFD):
As mentioned, the Sunraise 1000 watt LED grow light has 15 watt chips. Most LED grow lights utilize anywhere from 3 to 10 watt chips. They do a great job emulating natural sunlight which is essential when growing plants. What makes it better is the full spectrum light which is suitable for plants in all growth stages.
The PPFD intensity is quite impressive compared when I compared it to two other 1000 watt grow lights. The Sunraise 1000 watt PPFD at 18″ hang height is 697 uMol. That compares to the King Plus’ 595 uMol, and Yehsence’s 634 uMol. So ultimately it appears the optical lens does result in a higher light intensity.
Cooling Fans:
Powerful grow lights can be risky to your grow space. This is because of the high light intensity and extra heat. The Sunraise 1000W has two powerful cooling fans that control the temperatures and prevents the light from overheating. I looked through the dozens of reviews from current owners, and many people are saying the heat output is low and not an issue.
Coverage Area:
Sunraise says their light will cover an area of 3×3 feet, but I tend to be a bit more conservative on coverage unless you’re buying a very high end light like Advanced Platinum or G8LED.
So for this light I’d say 2.5×2.5 feet of coverage to be safe. If you buy 2 or 3 units you’ll get 5×5 or 7×7 of coverage for quite a low price. You’ll be able to daisy chain them together
If you are looking for affordable, effective and effective grow lights, this is an ideal solution. It is powerful and comes with great options of high-intensity light at a reasonable price. Due to the price-quality ratio, it is already a popular and preferred option.
Pros:
15 watt chips produce powerful light
Durable
Runs cool
50,000 hour lifespan
Includes hanging equipment
Cons:
- Not waterproof
Click here to see reviews and prices for the Sunraise 1000W LED Grow Light on Amazon.com
What to consider when buying the best 1000 watt grow light?
Grow lights vary in features including prices, watts, sizes and type. According to your specifics, some may be better while others may be worse. There are many factors to consider before buying grow lights. Below is some of the most important consideration before setting out to purchase a grow light.
Spectrum
Chlorophyll I and chlorophyll II are the two primary compounds for active photosynthesis. These compounds absorb blue and red light. Nearly all the other light are reflected away from the plant.
LED red light is more associated with flowering stage while blue is more associated with the vegging stage.
Chlorophyll converts light energy into plant energy. LED lights have an edge in this process over to fluorescent and HID light. They convey the right energy more efficiently than HIDs.
To make a conclusive decision in regards to the spectrum you need to consider two things.
The first is the color of the light in favor of white light. White grow light proponents argue that it is most natural and similar to sunlight. Its light is similar in HPS and metal halide bulbs. White LED is the best option for grow lights. Plants look natural in a white plant, so it is very easy to inspect and sort our any discoloration.
On the other hand, this light is made of green and yellow which are of little use to the plants.
Some grow light allows you to keep control of your spectrum. The fundamental advantage is that this cuts the cost of electricity.
Plants need more light during flowering as opposed to vegging. So you can reduce the amount of light. However, changing the color can shock the plants leading to stalling.
Wattage / Light output
Grow light will have to operate between 12-18 hours each day which increases the electricity bills. A prudent choice can save you in the future by checking units of the total output.
Higher outputs compensate for wattage loss. While the options go up to 1000 watt as you should not settle for 300W and below.
LED provides more value compared to HID. A 250 watts LED grow light can produce the same light value as a 400-watt HPS.
You should not use lumens to consider the light intensity because of that only works for human visibility and not plants.
Note that no plant requires 24 hours of sunlight. So you may want an automatic timer that automatically rests from light to darkness.
Coverage Area:
It essential to all your plants get enough plants. You, therefore, need to measure the exact size of your garden. You should then find the lamp’s lighting area size. The rule of the thumb is that you need 32 watts per square foot. This requirement varies depending on plants.
Heat Output
Traditional grow light emits too much heat that is harmful to plants. LED plants are designed to emit low heat. Be sure to choose the grow light that emits suitable heat for your plants.
Cost
The price is one of the most important metrics to consider. The good news is that you have a whole lot of choice concerning the price. You can find very cheap CFL bulbs on Amazon. Fluorescent are also very affordable. HPS and LED green lights are on the pricier side compared to fluorescents. One thing that should always keep in your mind is that you should purchase from reputable vendors.
Other important features include canopy penetration, scalability, brand reputation, ease of use and using automatic timers.
Types of Indoor Grow Lights:
There are several types of indoor grow lights that, though not as powerful as the sun, provide the required spectra to get the job done. The three major types if grow lights are
• Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
• High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) is also known as High-Intensity Discharge (HID)
• Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent Lights
They come in varying intensity. They last longer and more efficient than incandescent bulbs. However, they are less intense as HPS lights. The negative side of these lights is that the tubes require stands and light will require a ballast to regulate that current.
High-density Discharge (HID)
The demand for HPS lights has grown tremendously becoming more popular than fluorescents use. More experienced commercials growers tend to prefer these lights more. Since they emit more light and heat than most bulbs, they should be placed a greater distance from the plants.
Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
While they can be considerably more expensive than other bulbs, they are the most efficient. LED lights also last longer and consume less electricity. These grow lights are brighter, focused with zero or near zero heat production.
You can even target specific wavelength within the color spectra hence getting customized lighting that can improve lighting over sunlight. However LED lights can be harmful to eyes and hence require protection when engaging in urban growing.
Is 1000W better than other Wattage?
Watt is a measure used to refer to the amount of energy used by an electrical circuit. That means that 1000 watts bulb will be brighter than a 60 watts bulb.
However, due to technological advancement, the quality of circuits varies from one manufacturer to another. Hence bulbs do not have the same quality. In other words, you can have two bulbs of 1000 W producing two different amounts of light.
The most important consideration in regards to wattage is the coverage area. 1000 watts grow lights will cover a large area compared to a 300 watt light.
In addition, 1000 watts is more suitable for plants that require higher intensity compared to low wattage grow lights. Simply you should multiply the width and the length of your canopy to get the area.
Now multiply the area by the wattage of your light. This is the wattage you need for optimal yields. In most cases, you will find that 1000 watts grow light to provide optimum light for most indoor gardens without being too less or superfluous.
Frequently Asked Questions about 1000 Watt Grow Lights
How Far to Position the 1000W Grow Light From the Plant?
There is no exact distance you can place you can hang your grow light. The hanging height is dependent on so many factors. Most manufacturers provide the recommended height for their lights. You may need to adjust the height if your plant leaves start to look burned or shriveled.
If you do not have a recommended height from the manufacturer here are ideal distances. Note these are suitable heights for LED lights. For 200 watts hang the light 12-20 inches from the plant during the vegging stage and 8-16 inches during blooming.
For 600 watts the ideal height is 30-38 inches during the vegging stage and 18-30 during bloom. Lastly for 1000 watt grow lights the height should be 36 -46 inches for vegging stage and 21-36 inches for bloom stage.
For 1000 watts HID grow light the distance should be 12-13 inches and HPS 12-35 inches. Fluorescent light is not as hot as LED lights. Hang it 4-6 inches above the plants during vegging and flowering. During seeding, 6-10 inches will be okay.
How to Take Care of the Grow Light?
LED grow lights are incredibly efficient and have a long lifespan. You can power strip that use surge protection to protect your LED grow lights wholly.
To easily and conveniently protect your grow light keep them away from water to avoid accidents and short circuits. Similarly, avoid using the light in rooms with moisture to avoid being destroyed by water droplets. A power stabilizer also proves to be helpful. It ensures accurate heat and light for the growth of plants.
Final Thoughts:
Grow lights are essential for indoor plants growing or if the weather is not conducive in the sense that there is not enough sunlight. However, before you purchase grow light ensures you have considered the cost and quality among other features.
More importantly decide if you need fluorescent, HID or LED grow light. This article will help you make a shrewd choice. We are persuaded to believe that Sunraise 1000 watt LED grow light is the best 1000 watt grow light.
FAQ:
What’s the best 1000 watt grow light?
The best 1000 watt grow light is the Mars Hydro 960 watt reflector. It’s not exactly 1000 watts but it emits a nice spectrum, good light intensity, and beats out many 1000 watt grow lights.
What’s the best cheap 1000 watt grow light?
The King Plus 1000 watt is good, but you’ll sacrifice coverage area compared to the Mars Hydro 960 watt reflector.
How much does it cost to run a 1000 watt grow light?
There are many factors that affect the cost to run a 1000 watt grow light. The high quality Mars Hydro 960 watt consumes 387 watts, while the King Plus 1000 watt consumes 185 watts. Considering the average US cost per kilowatt hour is $0.13, it may cost you between $18.18 to $38.03 for a 6-week vegetative growth period using those wattage numbers. A 10-week flowering period would cost between $20.20 and $42.26 using the above wattage numbers.You can check out my Grow Light Cost Calculator to play around with more numbers.
What distance to hang 1000 watt grow light?
In most cases 18 inches from your plants is a safe and effective distance to hang your 1000 watt grow light.If you’re using a powerful grow light emitting more than 400 micromoles (uMols), you should raise the light higher (~24-28 inches) during the vegetative phase when your plants utilize less intense light.
Do 1000 watt grow lights require a ballast?
1000 watt grow lights only require ballasts if the grow light is a High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide style grow light. 1000 watt LED grow lights do not require ballasts.
What’s the average coverage space for a 1000 watt grow light?
The average coverage space for a 1000 watt grow light is between 2 by 2 feet, and 3 by 3 feet. A high end 1000 watt grow light will cover a larger space.
How many plants can I grow with a 1000 watt grow light?
You can grow as many plants as you can fit in your grow light’s respective coverage area. If your 1000 watt grow light covers 3 feet by 3 feet, you can fit two large plants, or 3-4 smaller plants.
References:
3. 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.
Other References:
iPower, King Plus