The Ultimate Guide to the Best Indoor LED Grow Lights in 2022
LED lighting is the newest artificial lighting option on the market, and there is a lot of hype surrounding it. If you’re an indoor gardener, you might be wondering if LED lighting is better than traditional fluorescent and incandescent lights. We’ve done the research so we can answer your most pressing questions about LEDs and plant growth so you can make an informed decision that fits your needs.
How do LED grow lights work?
In nature, plants get the light they need to perform photosynthesis from our primary light source: the sun.
But there is no rule that says your plants have to get their light from our sun. Indoor LED grow lights use artificial light to provide plants with the daily light they need to grow.
Scientific research has shown that plant growth changes depending on the color of the light they are exposed to. Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights include all visible light colors and mimic sunlight very well. LED grow lights allow you to create a thriving garden indoors without relying on plenty of natural sunlight.
ECO Farm Z8–800 Samsung LM301B LED Grow Light With Separately UV+IR Control
Features:
The ECO Farm grow light is equipped with SAMSUNG LM301B chip and 8 high-efficiency aluminum rods to ensure high-efficiency PPE 2.7umol/J, better heat dissipation, and long service life. Compared with old plant lights, the average PPFD is increased by 30%, and the yield and quality are increased by 50%. 8 LED growth lights, each rod is covered with high-grade glue, waterproof and easy to clean, not easy to be filled with dust. This plant growth light also uses a special dimmer, which can precisely adjust the brightness. At the same time, it also has an ideal full-spectrum and amazing heat dissipation: excellent full-spectrum mixing of white, blue, red, and ultraviolet light, IR LED (3500K, 660nm and IR 760nm & 396nm UV), close to natural sunlight. The spectrum applies to the entire stage of indoor planting. This ECO Farm LED grow light has 3 channels control: Adjustable knob, IR switch, and UV switch.
Mars Hydro FC 8000 LM301H LED Grow Light
Features:
The Mars Hydro LED Grow Light is designed and engineered with commercial cultivators in mind, but is also perfect for nearly any personal grow. This powerful light delivers impressive results with an average uniform PPFD of 1500 μmol/s, sufficient to activate 100% photosynthesis and achieve maximum yield with or without CO2. The FC 8000 is the ideal light for almost any indoor growing scene, including single- or multi-shelf vertical farms, thanks to its versatile design and Samsung LM301B diodes for stronger canopy penetration and more consistent output. The FC 8000 LED Grow Light provides uniform standard readings thanks to an excellent 12-band spectrum, including IR, for maximum photosynthetic response. With enhanced blue and red light, plant growth increases with higher yields, larger flowers, and a more potent, higher-quality end product.
Spectrum King Phoenix 840W LED Grow Light
Features:
Spectrum King’s Phoenix 840W is ideal for photon-hungry crops that can handle strong light. With 16% less wall power than standard HPS fixtures, the 840 provides some decent output compared to other fixtures while still saving electricity and heat. Spectrum King’s custom spectrum is tested and customized to maximize plant and flowering cycle growth. The intensity of this dimmable light can be as low as 10%, enabling growers to simulate a sunrise/sunset effect. Spectrum King’s innovative Cryo-Therm cooling technology features an ultra-thin profile that maximizes airflow and minimizes microclimates. The Phoenix 840 grow light is optimized for single or multi-level planting close to the canopy.
Things to consider before buying the LED grow light
Energy efficiency
To save money, some growers choose HPS solutions because of their lower upfront costs. However, LEDs are more energy efficient than HPS solutions. HPS solutions generate light through the ignition of gas within the luminaire. This causes the HPS solution to generate a lot of heat. Although a lot of energy may be injected into an HPS solution, most of that energy is converted into heat, not light for crops. On the other hand, the electro-optical conversion efficiency of LEDs is as high as 90%. So while the upfront cost of an HPS solution may be lower, over time LEDs can save growers money by wasting less energy to heat.
A good piece of advice for growers is to always keep an eye on the efficacy of the lights. Efficacy is determined by dividing lumens by watts. Lumens measure the amount of light emitted per second. One watt is equal to one joule of energy per second. The higher the efficiency, the more energy efficient the lamp, and therefore, the more sustainable it is.
Longer service life
Quality LED lights have an expected lifespan of over 50,000 hours. HPS solutions typically only last about 10,000 hours. For the sake of comparison, the LED lamp has a lifespan of over five years, while the HPS solution has a lifespan of just over a year. This results in fewer replacements for growers using LED lights. Fewer replacements means fewer resources are used in the manufacturing process, less packaging material, and less shipping to carry replacement lights. Overall, this reduces the carbon footprint of cultivation.
In addition to these sustainable benefits, requiring fewer replacements is another way LED lights can save growers money. LED lights are easy to maintain. While the upfront cost of LED lights may be higher, they only need to be replaced for a fraction of the time. As a result, LED lights reduce expensive maintenance and replacement costs for growers. Able to withstand the heat and humidity of a greenhouse environment, a simple routine cleaning of dust and debris inside and out of LED lights can ensure they work efficiently for years to come.
Recyclable non-toxic materials
LED lights do not contain many hazardous chemicals, such as mercury, that can be hazardous to the environment and public health. LEDs are made from small diodes made from thin layers of semiconductor material. One of the main advantages of LED lights under current regulations is that they can be easily recycled along with other electronics. Recycling reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, prevents pollution and saves energy by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
Like any other business, products have an environmental responsibility to make sustainable decisions and be part of solutions to protect the planet. LED grow lights are energy efficient, recyclable and have a longer lifespan than the competition — plus are a more cost-effective option. For anyone in the indoor farming industry, making the switch should be a breeze.
Conclusion
When it comes to LED Grow lights, I always say you get what you pay for. However, if you’re on a tight leash and only plan to grow one type of plant, one of the above grow lights may be your best bet.
