October 14, 2022
When you decide to buy LED grow lights, you not only want to invest in indoor plants, but also make sure they are the best LED grow lights. Grow lights have proven to be very important over the years, and since LED lights became popular as a technology, many indoor growers have turned to them!
Over the course of this article, we’ll first cover the uses of grow lights, then we’ll look at what you need to consider before buying LED grow lights, and then the best LED grow lights.
Yes! All of these provide the spectrum needed to complete a plant indoors.
(You can also place them in mushroom grow tents — but when you grow mushrooms, you can usually use cheaper light sources than these.)
It’s part of the hustle and bustle about LED lights today.
According to a NASA study, LEDs provide the optimal wavelengths of light that plants need to grow.
Additionally, depending on the stage your plants are in, the schedule and configuration of the colored LEDs can be easily controlled to promote plant growth or flowering growth.
Maybe you’ve heard someone say LED lights are bad in the past. But the industry is growing rapidly.
In other words: now is a good time to switch your grows to LEDs (if you haven’t already).
ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 640W Dimmable LED Grow Light
Features:
This ECO Farm full-spectrum LED Grow Light uses 1314 pcs upgrade SMD lamp beads (3000K, 6500K and 660nm). Adequate and sun-like light can prevent the growth of plants from spindly and moulding. The best lighting solution for indoor hydroponics and soil cultivation, such as potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, etc, is most suitable for the various growth stages of plants. The high-reflective optical principle guarantees emitting uniform light, 98% of light can be absorbed, and plants love it. LED light spread at a close distance from the crop canopy and delivers outstanding results for indoor grow, greenhouse and grow tents. Increase 15% — 30% yield, help plants grow healthier. The 6 bar led grow lights, are suitable for all plant growth stages, seedlings and any other fruits and vegetables. The LED grow lights use a high-quality aluminium heat-sink design, it makes excellent heat dissipation.
Spectrum King Phoenix 680W LED Grow Light
Features:
The Spectrum King LED grow light is the new LED standard for a 1:1 1000W DE HPS replacement that consumes 36% less power while offering the highest reliability in the industry. SK Cryo-Therm cooling technology enables an ultra-thin profile that maximizes airflow and minimizes microclimates. This grow light is optimized for single or multi-level planting close to the canopy. Many growers are switching from heat-generating HPS lights to ultra-high performance LED strip lights. SonoFarm LED grow lights utilize the latest technologies on the market — from intensive research for optimum performance, to customising the spectrum for the highest possible yield.
Fluence SPYDRx Plus 685W LED Grow Light
Features:
SPYDRx PLUS is a full-cycle top lighting solution for commercial horticultural planting with the ability to grow from vegetative to flowering. The SPYDR series is only 4.6" thick, with a recommended installation height of only 6" from the top of the canopy, and is designed for vertical farming — from vegetables to flowering — with an average PPFD of up to 1,030 µmol/m2/s on a 4'x4' top on the canopy. All SPYDR models can be dimmed with an optional light intensity Dimmer for precise control of the PPFD and provide flexibility to instantly adapt to new crops with varying light requirements. Recommended installation height is 6" for optimal light uniformity, penetration and flux density above a 4'x4' canopy.
Since LED grow lights can be expensive, you shouldn’t buy them willy-nilly. There are things to consider if you want to make a smart purchase, such as:
Lifespan
One of the biggest benefits of LED light products over others is their burning time. Some brands have managed to produce LED grow light with a lifespan of 100,000 hours or so, which is admirable, to say the least.
However, don’t expect all LED lights to have such a long lifespan. Around 50,000 or less is what you should expect, and anything over it is a huge plus.
Still, it’s a lot more compared to others and you do get the best value for your money.
Generally speaking, the best grow LED lights are long-lasting, but make sure to check the lifespan of the light you choose for your tent so you know what to expect.
Shape and size
You have to match the size of the light to the size of your grow tent to ensure the heat balance and that your plants receive the heat evenly during each growth stage.
While the shape is not crucial, you can choose between different types according to your preferences.
The great thing about LED grow light is that they come in different shapes and sizes, so be sure you’re getting the ones that suit your grow tent and your plants the best.
Efficiency
Every LED grow light features info about energy efficiency. Usually, you’ll see it expressed in μmol/J or micromole per Joule.
This measurement determines how efficiently a light converts electrons into photons. The higher the value, the more efficient the light.
LED lights are generally highly efficient.
We don’t have to tell you the significance of energy-saving capabilities — if you have a grow tent (or tents), you know that inefficient lights can run up your electric bill in the blink of an eye.
Installation
Most of the best LED grow lights for grow tent are not complicated to install.
The ones that made our list are all fairly easy to install and use, so you ought to be able to do it yourself without any issues.
If, however, it comes to that, they come with detailed instructions that can help you out.
Worst case scenario — you can call a professional to help you install the light properly.
Price
When choosing the best LED grow light, we can’t dismiss the price points, especially since some models cost twice as much as others.
That being said, we’ve made sure to include excellent choices from both sides of the price spectrum, so you can choose between high-end items and budget-friendly options.
On average, an LED grow light goes for $200. You can find options under this amount, and there are plenty that cost a lot more.
The bottom line is — think about your budget and how much you can (and want) to cough up for LED grow light, and start from there.
Sure, the expensive ones may have better features, but don’t dismiss the cheaper ones so easily, they might surprise you!
Dimming abilities
Most products and brands mentioned today have amazing dimming options.
It’s vital to consider the dimming capabilities of the best LED light for grow tent. In other words, you have to think about the light intensity.
Different growth stage requires different light intensity, so proper dimming options are crucial.
Power consumption
Most LED grow lights consume around 300W in a grow tent. Some use less energy, some use more, so don’t forget to check the exact power consumption before purchasing.
Heat sinks
A LED grow light for a grow tent should feature a sturdy, ergonomic design with aluminum heat sinks that dissipate heat in grow tents.
This is important for any growth stage so your grow tent doesn’t get too hot and burn your plants.
Full-spectrum lighting
Full-spectrum lighting is a vital part of LED grow light products.
Growers know the importance of adequate light in every stage of plant growth, and the only way you can achieve that in grow tents is with a full light spectrum.
With so many different brands of LED lights on the market, choosing just one can become tedious. You need to consider not only the quality of the product, but also the price point. Here, we’ve compiled the best options that we hope will meet the needs of different users and help them find the best option for every grow room enthusiast on the market.