What is a double ended (DE) HPS grow light? Double ended grow lights, sometimes referred to as grow lamps, are High Intensity Discharge (HID) grow lights that operate at ultra high frequencies.

They’re one of the two main types of grow lights used to grow cannabis.

These lights utilize High Pressure Sodium (HPS), Metal Halide (MH), or Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH). While quite effective, these grow lights are no longer the most efficient on the market.

You can purchase a LED grow light that uses a fraction of the energy of HPS, MH, or CMH double ended grow lights. The only downside is LED grow lights are a little more pricey. You can start reading about them here.

Despite double ended (DE) grow lights being less efficient, they still hold a piece of the grow light market, and so I’ve researched the best models for you in this article.

Double Ended vs. Single Ended Grow Lights – What’s The Difference?

• Double Ended bulbs boast two connection points, one at either end, whereas a Single Ended bulb or lamp, only has one connection point.
• Double Ended lights get much hotter, producing far more light and heat than a Normal or S.E. one, which in turn, gives maximum yield and greater profits if selling your bud.
• Double ended grow lights require a much bigger financial layout than Single Ended to begin with, but, are more cost effective in the long run.
• Double Ended are also less likely to be available second hand.

Double ended (DE) grow lights have the positive and neutral sockets at each end of the fixture, as opposed to the one socket on a Single Ended (SE) bulb. The extra socket equates to extra brightness, and therefore efficacy.

Best Double Ended Grow Lights List:

On that note, you will find below a small selection of the recommended grow kits on which includes a large choice with a variety of specs, depending on your requirements and needs:

TopoGrow 1000 watt DE HPS Grow Light:

Designed for those seeking high luminescence indoors, this TopoGrow DE HPS grow light kit has been manufactured to be user-friendly, with a simple ergonomic design.

It also boasts improved safety statures on an air cool reflector hood with glass panel for easy bulb replacement, D.E. lights and a ballast that can be dimmed.

One nice thing about the TopoGrow 1000 watt DE HPS kits is the different options available to purchase. You can select from an open hood, enclosed hood, or adjustable hood design. Open hood would be my first choice.

This TopoGrow double ended HPS kit includes a 2100K spectrum bulb, reflector, ballast, hangers and hooks.

While the spectrum of most HPS grow lights can’t compete with LEDs, these type of grow lights are better for growing in large areas of 5×5 feet and above. That size grow space can be considerably more expensive to light properly with LEDs.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Complete Kit
• Dimmable ballast
• High Power at 1000W
• Design is User Friendly
• Ideal for someone starting out
• Comes with a middle of the road price tag, but, a bit on the expensive side

Cons:

• All HPS grow lights emit high heat, and are not energy efficient.
• No warranty

Click Here to see Reviews and Prices for the TopoGrow 1000w Double Ended HPS Grow Light Kit on Amazon.com

Yield Lab 1000W Double Ended Open Hood Reflector Complete Grow Light Kit

This Yield Lab double ended open hood reflector is similar to it’s predecessor, but with the added benefit of an open hood reflector for more heat dissipation. This allows your plants to stay cooler and prevents burn spots.

The Double Ended H.P.S. Bulb from Yield Lab is a powerful 1000 watt bulb and is highly efficient.

The digital and dimmable ballast (also 1000 watts) comes with North American and European safety certifications from of U.L.,  C.E. and RoHS. That means it was extensively tested against: Open circuits, short circuits, ignition failure and overheating.

The Yield Lab Pro Series 1000W H.P.S. Open Hood Double Ended Reflector is compact and all in one. The open wings allows the reflection of many points of light onto the plants.

This 2 part open design also helps reduce any excessive heat to your bud, as it permits dissipation of same via the reflector’s open gaps.

Pros:

• Full Spectrum Grow Kit
• Perfect for indoor growers including hydroponics
• Easy to set up
• Reasonably priced
• Comes with Free DVD & Timer

Cons:

• Ballast cannot be rotated from horizontal to vertical for use in a grow tent

Click here to see Price for the Yield Lab 1000W HPS Grow Light Kit

Vivosun Double Ended HPS Grow Light:

Design:

The hood reflector is designed with heat dissipation and light reflectivity in mind.

Vivosun says this light will produce a considerably amount of heat, as is expected with a 1000 watt high intensity light fixture. If you’re using the proper ventilation and HVAC you’ll be fine.

This system has a overheating and short circuit protection feature, so you can sleep easy knowing your high powered grow light isn’t a fire risk.

At the heart of this system is Vivosun’s low frequency Square-Wave technology ballast which is high efficiency, reliable and causes no electromagnetic interference.

You can run this grow light on 120 or 240 volt outlets. Since it’s completely silent and lightweight, you won’t be disturbed as this ballast is entirely noise free and can easily be moved.

Coverage Area:

Double ended 1000 watt grow lights are typically good for 5×5 feet of coverage. Using them in a smaller tent may be too intense for plants, and even too hot for such a small space.

In this case, the price is much less than what you’d pay for a comparable LED grow light. But as grow spaces get larger, HPS grow lights still tend to be more affordable. If you’re interested in a great LED grow light I suggest checking out my current list of best LED grow lights.

Package Dimensions are: 27in x 14in x 8.5in.

Pros:

• High tech ballast is quiet and adjustable power.
• Hood is high quality and designed for maximum heat dissipation.
• Hood is easily removable if you decide to change to a different style.
• Good reviews and fair price for the performance provided.

Cons:

• Uses more power than LEDs.
• Makes more heat than LEDs
• No warranty

Click here to see reviews and prices for the Vivosun 1000w Double Ended Grow Light Kit

SunStream 1000w Double Ended HPS Grow Light

This SunStream 1000 watt DE grow light is not one to be sneezed at or ignored. It comes at a reasonable price considering everything included in the package.

Included is a high parabolic aluminized reflector, and a double ended (DE) bulb with a mean lifetime of 30,000 hours. The high frequency dimmable ballast can be adjusted to your preference.

The German made aluminum reflector is perfect to deal with the intense heat given off by a double ended lamp. This means that it is resistant to decomposition whether caused by heat or pressure.

If purchased from Amazon you can choose between a 120v or 240v cord. This all includes a three year warranty from Sunstream.

Pros:

• Reflector is a generous size
• Ballast is high frequency and dimmable
• High P.A.R. Double Ended 1000W Bulb Included
• Both reflector and ballast come with a lengthy 3 year guarantee, bulb with 1 year
• Alumina reflector, made in Germany, gives extra reflection
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Cannot be connected to a controller

Click here to see reviews and prices for the SunStream Double Ended Grow Light on Amazon.com

Good Or Bad – Why Buy Or Use Double Ended Grow Lights?

There are a few benefits to double ended grow lights compared to single ended grow lights.

The light coverage and power consumption of DE grow lights is more efficient than single ended grow lights. Double ended grow lights also provide a substantially higher light intensity than conventional Single Ended or SE lights.

You get a better spread of light and higher lumen output providing up to 50% more usable light while using the same amount of power! And if that’s not impressive enough, even after 10,000 hours of burning, the intensity of double ended bulbs stays at a whopping 90%.

In contrast, double ended grow lights are more expensive. This applies not only to the bulbs but to all parts of the setup. Although the DE lamps do provide a lot of benefits and are more economical in the long run, the cost will be a factor to consider.

As long as you have a method to control heat, which most growers do, then double ended grow lights can still be an attractive growing option.

Difference between HPS and LED grow lights:

There are three main differences between HPS or Double Ended grow lights, and LED grow lights.

The first difference is cost. HPS grow lights cost a fraction of good quality LED grow lights, and that’s what keeps them attractive even as LED grow lights have really gained popularity.

The downside to HPS grow lights is they produce much more heat than LED grow lights, and so they aren’t good for small grow tents, or even small areas with no ventilation.

Growing cannabis, fruits or vegetables indoors requires a specific temperature and humidity. HPS light users can definitely face a challenge in maintaining a proper growing environment.

The third difference is the ability to control and produce more favorable light spectrum with LEDs compared to double ended grow lights like HPS or MH grow lights.

It’s Not Just About Lights – What About Reflectors, Connectors, Ballasts & Bulbs?

Complete kits like the ones highlighted above are the best option so you can be sure it’ll all work together.

If however you decide to buy individual pieces, make sure you double check all the specifications. Otherwise you could end up with a ballast that cannot be controlled by any connector or a double ended bulb and a single ended reflector!

Final Thoughts:

The grow light market is ever expanding and the products are ever evolving to meet demands and expectations of customers. The internet has given the customer a mammoth selection of double ended grow light options to meet their individual requirements.

LED grow lights have just about replaced DE grow lights at this point, but HID grow lights can still be used.

If you have a flexible budget, you may want to buy a DE Grow Light setup – it should pay off in the long term though with increased yield.

Best Product From The Reviews: The best double ended grow light really depends on individual requirements and funds available. For a commercial setup, the Yield Lab Grow Kit is one of the best choices, but ultimately it’s up to you!

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