July 29, 2021
LED grow lights intended for large spaces can be expensive. Many grow lights on the market today are either inefficient, don’t properly cover the stated coverage area, or are grossly overpriced. When you’re spending $1,000 or more on a LED grow light, you want to make sure that you’re getting not only a high-quality product that will last several years but also a LED grow light that is efficient and evenly covers the grow space with light.
In this article, I will reveal my picks for the Best LED Grow Lights in 2021. This list will include LED grow lights under $600 that has a flowering coverage area of 4’x4’ and are best for a full-cycle grow (from seedling through flowering).
LED grow lights do work if you use them carefully according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Different LED grow lights are ideal for plants at different growth cycles.
Ensure that you have used the correct wattage, hang them at the recommended height and regularly monitor them to ensure they are working properly as intended.
Plants growth is achieved through the process of photosynthesis. In order for photosynthesis to occur, one of the requirements is the source of light.
However, different light color spectrums have different wavelengths either short wavelengths or long wavelengths and they produce different energy levels.
When plants absorb a given light color it has an impact on the energy levels that the plants consume.
Purple/violet light color spectrum are short wavelengths and they have the highest energy levels while the red light which is at the other end of the light spectrum is a long wavelength and produces less energy.
The blue light color is ideal for plants at the vegetative stage while a blend of red and blue is perfect for plants at the flowering stage.
With the current LED technology advancement, there are best LED grow lights that are full spectrum making it possible for the grower to adjust grow light requirements at different stages of plant growth.
What are the advantages of LED grow lights over other traditional models?
Why settle for the best LED grow lights for indoor plants over other models? There are many benefits of using LED grow lights in your indoor garden as opposed to other models such as HPS.
The following are the advantages of LED Grow Lights;
They provide high performance while at the same time being energy efficient
LED grow lights have a longer lifespan thus, giving you value for money
The full spectrum LED grow lights can be used to grow plants with different growth cycles
The following picks consider the features described, including light spectrum, power, and heat output. This list offers choices for a top-notch LED grow light in various categories, available in a range of price points.
ECO Farm ECOS 600W LED Grow Light
Features:
The ECO Farm grow light is equipped with Samsung full-spectrum white light + Osram 660nm plant red light and 6 high-efficiency aluminum rods to ensure high-efficiency PPE 2.5umol/J, better heat dissipation, and long service life. 6 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. 0–10 levels are optional. This means that you can see clear brightness levels and record while adjusting. No need to worry about differences. At the same time, it also has an ideal full-spectrum and amazing heat dissipation, close to natural sunlight. The spectrum applies to the entire stage of indoor planting. This lamp is equipped with the best radiator to get the best heat dissipation effect. Instant start, no flicker, long service life, and increase cannabis production. Finally, it is a fanless and zero-noise design, which is very quiet.
Phlizon 2021 Latest FD4000 Plant Led Grow Light 5x5ft Coverage
Features:
The FD4000 series grow lights use 1728 high-efficiency SMD LED lights, with market-leading efficiency, up to 2.9 μmol/J and 2.5 g output, an average PPFD of 30%, and actual power of 450 watts, which can cover 6 x 6 feet (approx. 1.8 x 1.8 meters) 1.5x1 5 feet for flower gardens. Adjustable light, full-spectrum, the light intensity can be adjusted according to the needs of plants. LEDs are all new technology SMD LED lights, including 1728 SMD LED beads, including 1056 3000K LED lights, 384 6000K LED lights, 264 660nm red LED lights, and 24 infrared LED lights. No fan and no noise, the lightbox is an all-aluminum radiator, low energy consumption FD4000 growth lamp, with 6 passive cooling rods, aluminum radiator, excellent heat dissipation, and service life performance, compared with HID lamps in the electricity bill reduced by 50%
Features:
Utilizing Grower’s Choice proven 3K full PAR spectrum, this LED is perfect for professional cultivators and grow enthusiasts alike, who require a powerful LED fixture with a lower profile frame. This new, sleek LED is also perfect for hobby growers or entry-level professional cultivators who want to maximize their yields while working with limited space. The ROI-e420 is controllable with Grower’s Choice Master Controllers and is compatible with all quality master controllers. Cultivators can set the fixture to turn off and on at desired times, program sunrise/sunset settings, program dimming options and set protective fail-safes to dim or turn off the fixture in the event of excessive room temperatures, such as in the event of an HVAC failure, potential saving gardens from heat damage.
The following sections detail some of the most important qualities to keep in mind when shopping for the best LED grow lights for your needs.
Light Spectrum
Natural sunlight features all the colors on the electromagnetic spectrum. Some LED lights can reproduce only certain color frequencies, while full-spectrum white LED lights produce all the hues necessary for every stage of the growing process.
Blue light helps plants grow in the earliest stages of their lives. It’s the first color that plants can absorb in their vegetative state.
Purple light is also used in the vegetative state; however, it’s not as effective for photosynthesis as blue light.
Red light helps in the latter stages of growing and is essential for buds to flower.
White light encompasses all the colors of the spectrum. Used alone, it can be effective for every developmental stage.
Power
It’s a bit difficult to compare LED grow lights because manufacturers use a variety of metrics to measure the power of their lights and the amount of light they emit. The brightness of LED lights is measured in lumens. Seedlings require approximately 2,000 lumens per square foot to thrive, while flowering plants may need as much as 10,000 lumens.
While lumens measure visible light, biologists often use photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) or photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) to measure light intensity in terms of the light that plants will actually absorb. PPF is measured in μmol/second, which is the number of photons of light emitted every second. PPFD is measured in μmol/m2/s and measures the density of light distributed per square meter per second. The higher the PPF and PPFD, the more effective the light should be.
To establish how much electricity a light uses, look for its “actual power draw” or “actual power consumption.” This is measured in watts and gives a good indication of the light’s power. Bulb wattage is not a good indicator because LEDs are designed to be energy-efficient.
Heat Output
One of the risks when using a grow light is that the heat emitted by the bulbs can damage your plants. However, LED lights give off very little heat relative to the amount of light they produce. But they do produce some heat, so many models are equipped with built-in cooling systems to ensure proper temperature regulation.
Some LED lights have aluminum heat sinks, and others come equipped with fans. A unit with a fan might be loud, so factor noise level into your choice when selecting a grow light.
Connecting
Many LED grow lights are designed to link to other units to cover larger areas, which is typically referred to as “daisy chain connectivity.” Products with this capability simply plug into each other and then plug into one outlet, which minimizes the number of cords required for setup.
To help you settle for the best LED grow lights, we have compiled a list of the most reputable LED grow lights in the market from trusted manufacturers.
We believe that our expansive LED grow lights reviews post will help you make the right purchasing decision. You will not only get the best LED grow lights that meet your need, but you will also get value for money.
June 27, 2024
When choosing Best LED Grow Lights, you should also consider the durability of the lamp, energy efficiency and whether it can meet the light needs of specific plants. For example, the LED plant growth lights provided by Philips Lighting are designed for specific crops to promote uniform growth and improve quality and yield.
June 20, 2024
June 15, 2024
On Amazon, hot growth light types include LED Growing Lights, which have a variety of functions and features such as automatic on/off timing, red and blue LED light combinations, multiple dimmable modes, and flexibility for indoor potted plants or indoor gardens.