Do you consider yourself a full spectrum grow light guru? If so, would you be able to pinpoint the highest quality light out of 30 or more options? Our guess is that you can’t since you probably haven’t researched grow lights fully. For this reason, we’ve decided to educate you on essential features to look for.
Dimensions, for instance, tell you which option is ideal for the shape and size of your indoor grow facility. You also need to be aware of weight so you can figure out what kind of support you need. Other key features are average power draw, input voltage, as well as type and number of LEDs. These will tell you the power requirements of the device and give you a general idea of the light output. It is also essential to look into the warranty. These are the things we used to judge which of the many options on Amazon were the best full spectrum LED Grow Lights. They also helped come up with the list below so that you can select the most appropriate one for your needs.
Other features: max yield at 2.5g/watt, IR included, aluminum hood, fanless design, two waterproof and dimmable Mean Well Drivers
For a commercial grow facility, the MARS HYDRO TS 3000W LED Grow Light might just be what you are looking for. It also happens to be our editor’s choice product of the day. As such you should expect a lot from this product.
The coverage area is quite large, at 5’ x 5’. However, that only applies to the veg stage of your plants’ growth.
For the bloom stage, more light intensity is required. This necessitates a reduction in the area covered from 5’ x 5’ to 4’ x 4’.
Also, this is a relatively large device with a staggering number of LEDs. It is no wonder it uses up so much power. However, even power consumption may vary depending on the stage of plant growth. After all, you can’t have the tool at 100% output from the clone stage to the flowering stage.
You are advised to use about 30% brightness for the earlier stages. As you reach the final steps of plant development, you can opt for 100%.
Rather than have fans to cool the invention, the manufacturer opted for an aluminum body. This component can disperse heat, all the while being highly reflective. Due to the reflective nature, the light intensity is increased by a factor of 20%. Also, the lack of a fan means a noiseless device.
The present Meanwell drivers provide a consistent flow of power to the LEDs. Another pro is that the power supply works with 120VAC, 240VAC, and 277VAC sockets, which are available in almost every home. Infrared light is included as well.
Other features: large solid aluminum heat sink, high-quality protective covers for cables, waterproof LED, 2.5g/watt
The Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light is another square-shaped unit to feature on our list. Given the fact that it is the premium pick, expect to pay a lump sum to own it. However, for some people, the cost is acceptable. So, what do you get for your money?
It features 5’ x 5’ bloom coverage with vegetative coverage extending to 6’ on all sides. With such a big area, you would expect a higher number of LEDs on the surface, and you would be right. It comes with a total of 1212 LEDs.
The product ships ready to use, which means no assembly. You just install it above your plants, connect it to a socket, and light it up. The resulting plants should have even canopies and natural colors.
The LEDs are waterproof, and that should help protect the device and keep it working for longer.
Also, there are one or two similarities between the Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light, and the MARS HYDRO TS 3000W LED Grow Light. One of them is the aluminum construction.
The next is that two Meanwell drivers are included in this invention. Another design pro is the inclusion of protective covers for the cables, which prevents water damage. With such a design, it is no wonder the manufacturer provides you with a three-year warranty.
Other features: UV and IR, IP65 waterproof standard, adjustable Meanwell Driver
Depending on the design of your grow area, you may also want a rectangular grow light. This is where the MARS HYDRO SP 250 Led Grow Lights comes in. This device doesn’t offer different coverage for flowering and veg stages. As such, you will have to contend with the 2’ x 4’ area coverage through all the growing stages for all plants.
The dimensions of the device are relatively small as compared to other top full spectrum led grow lights for indoor gardening on this list. Nevertheless, this is still a commercial device. You can even install several to cover your indoor garden fully.
It is also not surprising that this product is from the same maker as the editor’s choice. It makes sense that they would make a smaller and cheaper product for a different market.
The number of LEDs is 684, which is impressive for a device of this size. You also get to save on the power consumption of this tool. For a small growing area, this may serve to keep the cost of operation down.
Another pro of the tool is that it is waterproof. It even gets an IP65 rating. This means your LEDs are protected from water damage. Also, adjustable Meanwell drivers are included in the design. These can be used to control brightness levels as you see fit. Two problems with that are that you need a screwdriver to make the adjustments, and the buttons for doing so are well hidden.
Design-wise, the body doesn’t come with fans. However, the manufacturer does achieve heat dissipation another way. It would also be an injustice for a review of this product to fail to mention the three-year warranty.
Other features: 2.7 umol/J, LM301B Diodes, zero noise, IR included
Another alternative that you might want to check out is the Spider Farmer SF-2000 LED Grow Light. It weighs a little less than 10 pounds.
Additionally, it comes with 606 LED bulbs crammed into the 25.5” x 10.5” surface. These bulbs will use about 202.3W of power as they function, which makes them quite efficient at their job.
Also, an aluminum heat sink is incorporated into the design. This means it can function without needing a fan for cooling. If you hate hearing the hum of a fan, then this tool could be for you. You can also see stated above that the machine can cover a maximum of 3’ x 4’ of plant veg. For flowering, you can expect 2’ x 4’.
If you feel like this coverage is too small, there is no rule against buying two or more and putting them together for more extensive coverage. The money you have will dictate just how many of these grow lights you can put together.
This is as well yet another product that ships ready to use. You hang it up, connect it to a power source, and watch your plants get all that they would need from the sun.
The LED board is as well waterproof, meaning your light won’t get damaged by moisture in the surroundings. Lastly, the manufacturer allows for a three-year grace period where their warranty will cover repairs under certain conditions.
Other features: full spectrum, UV and IR, dual-chip 10W LEDs, advanced cooling system
If you are looking for a cheap LED full spectrum grow light, the King Plus 1000w LED grow light may be the way to go. It is a relatively small device as compared to most other options on the list.
Also, on the underside of the grow light are 100 LED bulbs. These use an average of about 185W to produce the full spectrum of light that allows plants to reach their maximum potential.
Each bulb on the device is meant to produce a particular type of light. Some produce white light, others blue, and some red. There are even infrared bulbs dotting the surface.
Additionally, there are two buttons on the side of the device that are used to control the bulbs. The veg switch turns on both the blue and white LEDs. In contrast, the bloom switch turns the red and white LEDs on. When you get to the flowering stage, you are advised to turn on both options.
Also, this is one of the few devices to feature multiple fans in their design. These help cool the device if the operating temperature gets too high.
Other features: Dual-chip(10W) LEDs, 3mm thickness aluminum plate radiator, 50~60℉ lower than any other LEDs,
The BESTVA DC Series 2000W LED Grow Light is not a bad option as well. It comes in a rectangular shape that offers plant coverage of up to 7.8’ x 7.5’. You as well should know that it has a total of 200 LEDs lining its bottom surface. Each of the LEDs is dual-chip and rated at 10W. As such, the performance and brightness should be a little more than that of traditional LEDs.
Also, like some of the competition, this tool comes with an aluminum radiator. This component’s primary function is to allow for better heat dissipation. Some holes are even included in the design for the same purpose.
Given the brightness, you are advised not to look at the grow light directly. However, this shouldn’t be problematic since the product ships with grow room glasses as well.
With its 90-day return guarantee, you will be able to use the tool and see if it works. If you find its performance unsatisfactory in any way, you can return it before the grace period is over. A three-year warranty is also present.
Additionally, this tool comes with two buttons, which make it a breeze to control. A significant downside is that it isn’t waterproof.
Other features: High-Intensity 5W Epiled/Bridgelux LEDs, ≥100,000 hours lifespan, advanced cooling system
The VIPARSPECTRA UL Certified 600W LED Grow Light makes some compelling arguments on why it should be included in this list using its features. One of them is relatively low average power draw.
Also, with continuous operation, this tool can get extremely hot. As such, to prevent shutdown, an advanced cooling system is incorporated. This is in addition to the full spectrum of lights that will prove beneficial to your plants over time.
You as well have a unique feature known as the daisy chain function with this purchase. This makes it easier to link up multiple devices while using one power source.
UL certification is another thing the manufacturer flaunts since it gives a lot of credibility to their product. If this is not enough, a three-year warranty can suffice.
Other features: 3W BridgeLux, Epistar, Optotech LEDs; CE certified and RoHS compliant, 2 internal cooling fans, 1200 umol at 2 ft
One might look at the G8LED 240 Watt LED Veg/Flower Grow Light and say it has a small number of LEDs. However, for the size of the device, these should be sufficient. Also, the LED density has been optimized with the highest plant yields in mind. As such, this product should perform well in almost any indoor grow area.
The light produced by the device can penetrate the canopy to a distance of 152cm. This means sufficient light reaches all of your plants.
Also, if you look at the average power draw stated above, you will realize the tool doesn’t use much power at all. Additionally, the machine comes with two cooling fans. Their job is to bring down the heat, and they are quite adept at the job.
Also, the fact that the tool is CE certified and RoHS compliant is impressive. Despite the two-year warranty being underwhelming by competition standards it is still a good deal.
For optimal growth and high yields in your plants, you need the best grow light you can find. This means sifting through a myriad of options for a product with the most benefits. Doing this without looking through the buying guide below can be likened to playing with a handicap. If you do so, you are likely not to get the best results.
There are many benefits of LED grow lights for seedlings, vegetables, etc., whether it is in comparison to traditional grow lighting or in general. One of them is the use of less power. As it stands, LED bulbs often need less power to light up at maximum than their HID counterparts. This is because they are quite efficient at converting energy to light. This also means you save on energy utility costs.
Additionally, one cannot forget that LEDs don’t produce much heat as compared to other bulbs. This is one reason why some models like the Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light don’t even have fans. They can dissipate the minimal heat they produce in other ways. However, this is a design decision, as some models still use fans in their cooling systems.
Low heat production also leads to another benefit. This is the fact that you can place the grow lights much closer to the plants without damaging them. As a result, light penetration that ensures maximum growth is to be expected.
Another huge benefit is that you can control light spectrums according to the stage of plant growth. This is seen in the King Plus 1000w LED Grow Light, where the spectrum is chosen according to the stage of plant growth. Also, a lot of the options mentioned above allow you to dim the light or crank it up when needed.
Full-spectrum LED grow lights are used for all stages of plant growth. When you choose LED lights, you don’t have to worry about switching them out as your crops mature through their growth cycle. With the information on the features as we have provided below, you will be able to tell which product you should be purchasing.
Power consumption is something you need to be aware of even as you are considering your various LED grow light purchase options. The higher the average power draw, the higher your power utility bills over extended periods of use. You can avoid high costs by going for a product with a low average power draw.
In the case of our list above, it would be the G8LED 240 Watt LED Veg/Flower Grow Light. However, remember that there are other things to consider as well, such as the size of your grow area and the plants you intend to grow.
Different spectrums of light work well for varying stages of plant growth. The full spectrum option is ideal for all stages of growth. Nevertheless, you might have to adjust brightness as you go along.
The light intensity also affects a lot of how your plants pan out. An example is where the photosynthetic photon flux density is increased; it leads to higher-quality flower stems.
Another measure of light intensity is photosynthetic active radiation or PAR. Worth noting is that the light intensity will vary at different distances from the plant. You want a device that can produce intense light when it is needed; hence you should look into that as well.
You probably have your plant layout all planned out. The plants may be planted in rectangle patches or even square ones. Additionally, you may have a large greenhouse or a bunch of small plants in your basement.
Consequently, you need to plan for adequate coverage of all your plants. If you don’t cover all your plants with the light it can lead to uneven growth. For a small grow area, even products like the VIPARSPECTRA UL Certified 600W LED Grow Light could be enough.
Additionally, the sockets you have around your grow area may play a significant role in the purchase. After all, you do need to make sure that the products are compatible, which is where the input voltage comes in. Products like the Spider Farmer SF-2000 LED Grow Light work with most home sockets in the USA since they are rated at 120V.
The MARS HYDRO TS 3000W LED Grow Light and a few other devices on this list have fan-less designs. This means they have to find new ways of cooling, which is where the heat dispersing material construction of the device comes in. Nevertheless, tools that use such systems still get a bit hot. You should thus be careful when you are touching them.
They are also more energy-efficient since none of the power goes into powering fans. Devices like the VIPARSPECTRA UL Certified 600W LED Grow Light that have fans are also not bad. They may even benefit from more effective cooling systems.
Installation should also be on your mind before you make the purchase. As such, the dimensions need to fit both your needs and the place where you want to install them. Being lightweight may also help since it means less of a hassle mounting the lights.
The lifespan of the LED bulbs quoted tells you exactly how long you have before you need to make another purchase. You would do yourself some good by going for the product with the most extended lifespan. That way, you get more time to prepare yourself financially for your next purchase.
Warranties don’t seem to be different for a lot of the products mentioned above. The only exception seems to be the G8LED 240 Watt LED Veg/Flower Grow Light. This is because it is covered for two years, while all the rest are covered for an extra year. Nevertheless, you are probably conversant with the fact that the more extended and more comprehensive the warranty, the better it is for you.
Once you are satisfied with all the primary features in a potential purchase, it is time to look for additional value. This is only if your budget still permits it. You may be surprised at the other benefits that you can get from different tools just by looking into extra features.
One example of such is the inclusion of extra accessories in the King Plus 1000w LED Grow Light package that make it easier to use.
There are a few options which we consider superior to the rest. As such, if we were in your position, they would be our go-to options for purchase. These are the MARS HYDRO TS 3000W LED Grow Light, Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light, and MARS HYDRO SP 250 Led Grow Lights.
The first two work well in large spaces. They have superior numbers in terms of LED lights, excellent coverage, and are dimmable. Additionally, they are waterproof hence protected from water damage. This makes them the best options for commercial indoor grow areas.
For a smaller space, you can opt for the MARS HYDRO SP 250 Led Grow Lights. It has a lot of the editor’s choice benefits in a smaller package. This includes being dimmable and waterproof. However, we know that not all of you share our opinions. If you differ, you can tell us why in the comments below.
