[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are looking to make an educated decision on purchasing the best LED grow lights for your cannabis growing needs, you have come to the right spot. Check out the table below, or scroll down for more in-depth reviews on each grow light.
There are a variety of elements you must take into consideration when picking the most effective light for your grow room. First of all, you need a light with enough power to reach everything you want to grow. Lights will be different depending on whether your weed grows in one place, or if you have a specific area where you grow seedlings and clones.
If you want to use lights for growing veg, flowers, and weed, then you need to decide whether you want an all-purpose light.
Replacing bulbs is not something you need to be concerned about. You also don’t need to think about bulbs becoming too hot – HID and HPS lights had those issues. But they won’t be a problem with LEDs.
We’re about to take a look at the details involved in the best LED lights. This will help you decide which light would be best suited to the space where you grow weed.
Tips For Picking The Correct Grow Light
The following list gives you the 4 most crucial aspects you need to think about when choosing your LED grow light:
Area
–Knowing the size of the area that needs to be covered is required to know the amount of LED lights you need. You’ll also know which ones suit your growing space to be the most effective.
Plant Growth
– For full growth cycles, a full-spectrum LED light would be needed to help in all growing stages.
LED Lens
– Bigger angles mean greater coverage. Smaller angles lead to light being more direct.
Budget
– Determine what you NEED first. Then think about how much money you want to
Why Full-Spectrum LED Grow Lights Are The Best
Many people believe fluorescent lights are the best to grow indoor weed gardens, but full-spectrum LEDs are proving to be superior. They’re a fairly new product, so not all growers are familiar with how it works and why it’s the best option.
One of the main benefits is that they imitate real sunlight.
And there are a ton of other great reasons, including the following:
- Support high yields
- Cost effective
- Extra fans not required
- No ballast needed
- Don’t need to replace lamps
Any other systems on the market are simply outdated now. Full-spectrum LED grow lights are the way forward.
Useful Gadgets For Your Grow Room
Sunglasses – You usually wear them to protect your eyes from the sun's UV rays. And you need to do the same indoors when using a full-spectrum LED light. It imitates real sunlight, so the same rules apply.
Nutrients – Plants need nutrients to grow better. It also affects the flavor, so think carefully about the nutrients you provide them.
Grow Tent – This makes controlling the climate for weed much easier. The plants can be shielded from light sources when they need complete darkness. It’s also a great way to keep yourself protected from the light.
Light Meter – They’re not just for advanced growers. Get ahead of the game and start using one, even if you don’t consider yourself advanced yet.
Thermometer and Hygrometer – Vital for knowing the climate conditions inside the tent!
Best LED Grow Lights For The Money
We’ve compiled a list of the top LED grow lights. The list takes into consideration the features and the kinds of results they’ve provided.
BESTVA 2000W Double Chips LED Grow Light
This product uses new technology in the form of dual-chip LEDs. They are brighter and can be used for growing plants, vegetables, and marijuana. It includes an incredibly powerful cooling fan system that produces minimal noise.
The heat convection runs 50-60℉ lower than other lights due to the aluminium panel having holes. It only consumes 390 watts when comparing to 1400 watt HPS! This grow light is also highly effective at covering areas than other lights. It’s an ideal item for growing areas with a height of 24”.
You’re also given 3 years warranty as well as a 30 days satisfaction or return guarantee!
VIPARSPECTRA 1200W LED Grow Light
This grow light has been scientifically engineered to balance out the PAR/lumen output and coverage. The full spectrum is optimal and gives your growing area with everything it needs as though it had been growing in the natural sunlight.
It consumes just 524 watts while comparing to 1000 watt HPS/MH! It’s a perfect match for a growing area with a height of 24”. The maximum coverage is 5×5. The fans on this model have been upgraded to 4.72” and they have huge aluminium cooling heat sinks that are 0.8” high. In other words, heat dissipates easily!
There’s a 3 year warranty and 30 days satisfaction or return guarantee with this product.
VIPARSPECTRA Dimmable Series PAR 450 450W LED Grow Light
This LED grow light has been engineered using science to ensure that the balance of the PAR/lumen output and coverage is optimal. There are white, red, and blue dimmers which can be adjusted individually. This gives you meticulous control over a 3-channel spectral control.
It consumes just 210 watts compared to 400 watt HPS/MH! Best suited for growing areas of 3×2.5” at a height of 24”. The front fans have been upgraded to 3.2” with aluminium cooling heat sinks that are 0.8” in height. This allows heat to disperse with ease without making too much noise.
You’ve given a 3 year warranty and a 30 days satisfaction or return guarantee!
Advanced Platinum Series P600
This is one of the most advanced grow light kits we’ve ever tried out! While it is a pretty big spender, the elite growers understand that you can only achieve top results with top products. This LED grow light is simple to set up and will last. And if you have the cash, it’s definitely worth the buy.
The area of coverage is 2 x 5 feet, meaning a maximum of 10 plants can experience intense light when the “bloom” switch is flicked.
This product has effective fans and powerful light to ensure incredible growth while preventing your plants from burning. You also get a 5 year warranty and amazing customer service from the company itself!
Advanced Platinum Series P300
This is the perfect option for those who don’t want to spend as much as they’d have to on the P600 model. The Advanced Platinum Series P300 offers close to what the P600 does, while saving you a lot of money!
Its coverage spans to 4.5 x 3.8 feet and can accommodate growth areas with heights up to 18 inches. This item is ideal for growth in smaller areas. It’s also beneficial when combined with other lamps to cover bigger areas. You can replace a 400W HPS light while taking up just 180 watts of electricity! This is one of our favourites since you get so much coverage and power, at half the price of the P600!
This panel provides you with 2-3 times more intensity than other grow lights. This comes down to its incredible high PAR per lumen output – In fact, we’ve never seen anything like it before!
Out of the 11 band spectrum on offer, you’re given UV and IR nutritional values which are great for marijuana growth. The panel also comes with a 60-degree lens as well as a 90-degree focusing lens. This helps boost the intensity for optimal growth.
You get a 5 year guarantee with the company offering security to their customers.
Advanced Platinum Series P900 – Editor’s Choice
Buy Now On Amazon.comThis series of LED grow lights all use full-spectrum technology that is considered to be revolutionary. Your grow room and plants are kept cool while also growing well. The P900 model offers light intensities that are 3 x more bright than many other grow lights on the market. Check out our review of the P1200 here.
Infrared and ultraviolet are part of the 12 light wavelength bands. These are the parts you can’t actually see! The Advanced Platinum Series P900 offers the most realistic mimicking of sunlight possible indoors.
This product is also great for each phase involved in cannabis growth. The intensity can be kept low for growing veg, or it can be taken up a notch by the flick of a switch. The LED lens is at 90 degrees which provides maximum light into canopies of your plants. This leads to amazing growth results!
You can use it to replace a 1000 watt HPS light when it’s at its highest intensity. But this item only takes up 515 watts! The maximum amount of coverage for this plant is 4 x 6 feet. The most it can cover in height is 3 x 4 feet. Sprouting tends to involve a larger area being covered since it doesn’t need as much light in the beginning stages.
As things develop into flowering, more intense light is required meaning a smaller area will be covered. The warranty for this product is also enticing. You’re given a 90-day money-back guarantee as a well as a 5 year warranty!
California Lightworks 440W LED Grow Light
This is on the higher end of the price list, but in this case, you’re paying a premium price for premium results. The stand-out visuals of this products caught our eyes. Usually the light panels on other products remain subtle, but the California Lightworks 440W Grow Light uses a bright red color!
It uses 5W LEDs meaning it can produce a lot more intensity compared to models that use 3W chips. The item uses a 90 degree focused lens for ultimate precision. It contains two 15W UV-B tubes that help tremendously with growth during the flowering phase. The panel remains quiet and cool with the help of fans and you’re given a 3 year warranty.
G8LED 600 Watt MEGA LED Grow Light
High Times Magazine named this the best LED grow light in 2016. And in our opinion, the price tag is worth paying for this item, because the quality is superb! You’re given an 8-band wavelength including UV and IR meaning you can grow plants for every stage effectively.
When these lights have been on for 24 hours straight, they still remain cool! The customer service from this company is also exceptional. They contact customers to see how things are going and offer a 2-year warranty.
Complete Grow Tent Kits
Check out our top 10 list of complete grow tent kit packages
G8LED 450 Watt LED Grow Light
This is a great fit for small and medium size growers. 8 bands on the visible light spectrum are provided, including infrared, meaning it’s a multipurpose light that will cover all stages of weed growth.
You’re getting the most bang for your buck with this product, especially if it’s your first proper upgrade!
Mars Hydro Reflector 192 Watt LED Grow Light
Growers with smaller spaces of 4×4’ will adore this product. Although there is a little bit of noise with the “flower setting” we noticed there was no problems with the “veg” setting. This one sits above the rest of the less expensive options in terms of the kinds of results it can produce. You also have an easily adjustable spectrum to play around with. Check out the full review here.
VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 450W
We’ve noticed that customers who have purchased this item seem to love it. This is because the amount of features on offer for the price paid is fantastic. It’s a perfect fit for growers who have smaller tents or closets that are 2×2’ or 3×3’. Check out our full review on the 300W perfect for smaller 2×2′ areas.
Apollo Horticulture GL45 LED 135W
You can also hang this light up easily due to its lightweight. A ballast is also not needed! Since this lamp can also run at a cool temperature, it means you can hang it closer to plants without worrying about burning them.
Despite the fact this product is small, don’t let its size fool you. It has a lifespan of 50,000 hours. The products will help with all stages of growth However, when you reach the flowering stage, you may need to invest in another lamp. The company also give you a 2-year warranty, which is pretty unusual for lamp products at a low price.
Galaxyhydro 300W
Out of the products we’ve reviewed, the Galaxy Hydro 300W is one of the cheapest! It provides you with a 9-band spectrum, including UV and IR, but it only covers areas of 2×3’. So it’s mostly suited for sprouting purposed rather than flowering.
However, you can always purchase a number of these lamps to create the similar effect of larger and more expensive lamps. Customers are given a 2-year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee.
Apollo Horticulture GL140X5LED Full Spectrum 700W
This model is small and light, but it creates a lot of light considering the size of it! The panel also gives you a variety of spectrum wavelengths which means that all you can cover all stages of your plant growth.
While the price may not be within the “cheap” category, it’s definitely great when you take into consideration you’re getting a high quality product. It comparison to other high-performing items, this one is much easier on your wallet!
Global Star G02 300W
You really get your value for money with this one. A full spectrum of light is offered as well as enormous LEDs. There are 50 in total and are all 6 watts each! The kind of light it can produce is intense. This means dense plants can grow better! The panel can expand to grow areas of 2×1.5 feet during the flowering stage.
You’re also open to a range of customization options which are like the ones they put on the premium priced products. There are two switches, including one for flowering, and one for veg. There are 11-band spectrums on offer as well as two cooling fans. There’s even a backup system in case one chip fails! Global Star give customers a 1-year warranty where parts and service are included.
TaoTronics Hydroponic LED Grow Light
This product is great for those who are completely new to growing indoors. It provides them with the essentials for small-scale growth. People who are beginning with a single plant do not need to go out and spend hundreds of dollars.
The TaoTronics is perfect for starting up without having to spend tons of cash on an initial investment. You should also know that this light most likely will not last long, but again, it’s only a start-up product. Once you increase growth areas, you’ll need something bigger.
ABI 12W PAR38 Flowering Lamp
It helps you to get more flowers on the weed you’re growing and can fit household lamp sockets. The 12 watt red light bulb usually concerns people, but you can relax with this product. It always remains cool!
Spider Farmer Reflector R90 450W LED Grow Light from MEIZHI
This product offers a full-spectrum AND it’s dimmable! Furthermore, the price is very competitive to other big brands. The PAR rating is 540umols. It can cover a maximum of 3.5×2 feet and 18 inch high growing areas.
Users can easily select the preferred intensity for each phase of plant growth with the dual dimmer switches. The veg setting is best for sprouting seeds. You can then flick the bloom setting to support flowering and growth of buds. By using this single light, you can replace a 450W HID HPS and MH light while only using up 201 watts!
MEIZHI Reflector-Series R450 450W LED Grow Light
This product is proving itself to be so good that it’s actually taking on big brands like the VIPARSPECTRA and Mars Hydro. It has a PAR rating of 779 umol, which would usually be enough to warrant an increase in price. But this company have decided to keep the prices moderate. There are 90 5W LEDs which give you the entire spectrum to grow huge buds!
A 450W HIP lamp can be replaced with this product and only take up 195W of power. When you want to grow veg, use the “Grow” switch. When it comes to flowering time, you can simply hit the “Bloom” switch. It’s a relatively small panel as it can only cover an area of 3.5 x 2ft. But most growers would use this product in a chain for their larger growing tents.
FAQ On LED Grow Lights
Worth a read if you’re new to growing or just want to ensure you’re doing things right!
What is an LED Grow Light?
- LED stands for light emitting diode.
- Grow refers to the light assisting plant growth indoors.
- Light is the mimicking of sunlight to provide energy for plants to grow.
LED grow lights offer a number of wavelengths, some of which you can see and other that you cannot. These include both UV and IR rays that have massive impacts of growth.
How LED Lights Grow Plants
It’s hard to imagine that these small lights can create so much growth among your plants without using any actual sunlight.
Did you know plants absorb more blue light than any other color? That’s why UV rays are always present in LED lights. They help plants grow incredibly well! The equally important infrared rays are used to stimulate the blooming of plants.
Depending on your model and growing area, the wavelengths can be adjusted. For those wanting to grow plants in the veg stage, UV rays are best by boosting cell division when rays are absorbed. This results in more yield and quicker growth!
When it comes to growing plants in the flowering stage, it is best to use LED lights that are which use IR (infrared) rays. This ensures that the buds can absorb the rays to cause faster blooming.
So those of you looking to pick an LED grow light, we recommend going for on that has a variety of wavelength options on offer. It ensures you can adjust the settings more precisely to the different stage of your plant growth.
Things that can affect the growth of plants include:
- Amount of light
- Type of light emitted
- Types of plants
- Lumen per area
- Wavelength
- Height between plants
- Light
Why You Should Use LED Grow Lights
Prior to LED grow lights, people used fluorescent bulbs and high-pressure sodium lamps. However, these growing methods negatively affected growers who had small growing areas. These older lights required more space to set up. To make matters worse, there was a ton of heat being produced meaning that a ventilation system also needed to be equipped. Everything involved in this process made it way too difficult for new and small-scale growers to get started.
Some of the biggest benefits of using LED grow lights include the following:
- Easy Set Up And Small – LED lights are compact and you don’t need to be an expert to install them. All you need is a suitable place to hang the item above the plants at a certain distance.
- No Ventilation System Needed – These lights let off a minimal amount of heat and keep themselves cool with large fans.
- Better Coverage – LED lights are small meaning they can be set up adjacently which means a larger area can be covered.
- Easily Adjustable – You can alter wavelengths and modes depending on the specific stages of growth.
LED grow lights don’t require much space at all, their bulbs don’t need replacing, there are to ballasts to deal with, and they take just half of the power to run continuously.
All of these benefits combined have made us huge supporters of LED lights. You can get great results, for a cheaper price, and less work!
What’s The Ideal Amount Of Watts?
To know the amount of watts you need to effectively grow, measure the area and the quantity of plants you want in that space.
As a general guide, 1 square foot includes 1 plant in that area. In this instance, there should be 25 watts for each plant in each square foot. If you’re fitting two plants into one square foot, the wattage would simply double to 50 watts per square foot.
So if we go by these examples, and you have a 250 watt LED grow light, 8-10 plants can grow underneath it for optimal growth.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a new grower, or an advanced one, we hope this guide for the best LED grow lights has been helpful! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]