The demand for the best LED grow lights is increasing, and these products are extremely popular in the indoor growing market. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, the demand for indoor cannabis cultivation is also rising, and to help plants grow better, cannabis growers are turning to LED grow lights. Using LED grow lights for indoor cannabis cultivation under better environmental conditions can produce high-quality cannabis, and you will certainly achieve high yields.
The best LED grow lights are commonly used for indoor gardening, cultivation, food production including aquaponics and hydroponics, plant propagation, and cannabis growing. LED grow lights are also widely used in industrial sectors, but they are equally useful for growing nutritional plants at home.
What are LED grow lights?
LED stands for light-emitting diode. The price of LED grow lights has dropped significantly, and home growers everywhere are beginning to switch to them as their primary lighting solution.
These lighting systems generate extremely low heat, are ready to use out of the box, and can produce high yields with incredible energy efficiency.
HID lights require reflectors and ballasts, while LED grow lights do not. They can last for decades, whereas HID bulbs typically need replacement every few years. However, one of the main reasons LED grow lights are considered the best is because of the spectrum they produce.
Why are LED lights a good choice for growing cannabis and hemp?
Indoor cultivation is a full-time task. You need to provide the best possible light source with the highest intensity. Compared to any other artificial lighting, LEDs are the only lights capable of delivering consistently high light intensity.
Along with all their other benefits, LEDs offer many features that make them the best choice for plant growth. No matter how many LED bulbs you use, their energy consumption will still be much lower than any other light source used for growing. The advantage here is the average cost without sacrificing light intensity.
LEDs generally have a longer lifespan than any other light source and are relatively affordable. All these factors, combined with their ability to deliver strong, instant light to plants, make them a superior lighting option. Other features—such as being environmentally friendly, not emitting harmful UV rays, and having a robust construction—are more than enough to consider LEDs the best choice for supporting plant development.
PHOTOBIO•M 600-Watt LED Grow Light
Pros:
- Stainless steel hangers
- 2 infrared LEDs
- Enhanced canopy penetration
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Only lightly covers the sides
ECO Farm ECOZ 1000W Samsung 301H LED Grow Light
Pros:
- Good performance
- Silent operation
- Longer lifespan
Cons:
- Complicated initial setup
- Generates noticeable heat
- Single hanging hook makes installation difficult
Which LED grow light is the best?
All top-tier LED grow lights share a few things in common—a balanced spectrum, strong light intensity, high efficiency, quality components, safety, and excellent reliability.
Spectrum
The best LED grow lights have a consistent spectrum. If you place four plants under the light, they all receive the same spectral distribution.
We mentioned spectrum earlier, but it is important to emphasize that the best spectrum includes not only red and blue light, but also infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV).
A full-spectrum LED allows you to grow from seed to harvest under the same light, instead of switching bulbs or using different lights for growth and flowering.
Is the spectrum built from mono diodes (single-wavelength), full-spectrum white diodes, COBs, or a combination? Which do you prefer?
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Spectrums built from single-wavelength diodes are becoming less common because they are less energy efficient, have lower PPFD, offer poor canopy penetration, and often give plants a purple appearance—common in cheaper lights.
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Full-spectrum white light (white LEDs or COBs) usually ranges from 3000K to 4000K. 3000K: best for flowering, 3500K: best for full cycle, 4000K: best for vegetative growth. This option is becoming less common.
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Enhanced white spectrum (white base supplemented with UV, blue, red, and/or far-red diodes) is an excellent choice because it provides all the useful wavelengths that plants absorb and use. A popular spectrum is 3500K with added 660 nm red diodes. This type is becoming increasingly popular and is ideal.
Is the light spectrum sufficient for the plant’s growth stages?
- Increasing blue intensity = ideal for the vegetative stage (4000K white spectrum)
- Increasing red intensity = ideal for the flowering stage (3000K or 3500K white spectrum)
Does the light allow you to adjust the spectrum between vegetative and flowering phases? Although not absolutely necessary, this feature can help save energy while providing the ideal spectrum for both stages.
Light Intensity
The more light your LED emits, the higher your potential yield (to a large extent). Therefore, the best LED grow lights must deliver extremely high output.
What is the PPF rating of the light? Is that amount of light sufficient considering its power consumption and efficiency?
- ~1700–2400 µmol/s for 5’x5′ and larger
- ~1300–1700 µmol/s for 4’x4′ to 5’x5′
- ~600–1300 µmol/s for 3’x3′ to 4’x4′
- ~300–600 µmol/s for 2’x2′ to 3’x3′
Is there a PAR map for the fixture? Is the PPFD level sufficient for your growth phase? How uniform is the PPFD across the entire area (coverage vs. evenness)?
Can you calculate the average PPFD using the PAR chart?
Average PPFD = Total PPFD values / Number of measurement points.
Is the average PPFD adequate for your plant stages?
- Vegetative: 300–600 µmol/m²/s
- Flowering: 600–1000 µmol/m²/s or higher
Efficiency
In general, LED grow lights are very efficient. However, the best LED grow lights will maximize your efficiency. Most importantly, they operate at high output, produce strong light, and maintain low operating costs.
How many watts does the light draw from the wall? To determine this, check the product’s specifications. Note that the number in the product name or title does not always represent actual wattage—it may refer to a model number, total LED chip wattage, or an HPS-equivalent rating.
As a guideline, plan for around 35 watts per square foot of grow space.
30–44 watts is a common range.
More efficient lights may use fewer watts per square foot.
More intensity per square foot can also come from more efficient lights with higher total power consumption.
Power consumption is not the same as light output, so do not use wattage alone to judge how “strong” a light is.
What voltage outlet will your light use?
Most household circuits in the U.S. are 120V. Some growers use 240V. Commercial growers often use 240V or higher. Many other regions (Europe, the UK, Australia) use 240V. Make sure the light is rated for your voltage. Most LED grow lights have drivers rated for 110V–277V.
PAR Efficiency
What is the fixture’s efficiency in µmol/J?
This represents how much light is produced per watt.
If not provided, you can estimate using:
Efficiency = PPF / Power draw
Does efficiency matter to you? If it does, look for lights above ~2.4 µmol/J (in 2020, top lights reached 2.8–2.9 µmol/J). If not, at least understand how much light (PPF or average PPFD) you get for the wall wattage.
Cheap budget lights are usually very inefficient due to low-quality components. Knowing the cost per photon ($/PPF) may help you decide which light best fits your budget. Everyone wants the best performance for their money, but that isn’t always achievable.
Component Quality
Given the cost of LED grow lights, they should be considered an investment. Clearly, your investment must last long enough to be worthwhile.
Therefore, the best LED grow lights must be reliable and durable, capable of standing the test of time.
All the lights we list come from reputable brands and include warranties. This gives you peace of mind knowing your purchase is protected.
What type of diodes does the light use?
Higher-quality diodes have longer lifespans and better efficiency (more light per watt).
Common high-quality brands include CREE, Samsung, Osram, Lumileds, and Bridgelux.
Epistar and Epileds are mid- to low-tier options.
What brand of driver does the LED use?
Mean Well and Inventronics produce high-quality drivers, but there are other good ones as well. Low-quality drivers in most budget lights are prone to early failure.
Safety and Reliability
Do you require any specific certifications or labels (UL/ETL/CSA/CE, etc.)? Most home growers do not need to worry about these special certifications. However, commercial growers in the United States must use lights that are UL or ETL certified if they want to comply with state electrical regulations. If you are in the European Union or Canada, you may need lights with the CE mark and the corresponding CSA certification.
How long is the warranty period? The warranty period for LED grow lights can range from 1 year to “lifetime.” Most companies offer a 3-year warranty. However, 5-year warranties are also quite common. Lights with longer warranty periods are usually more expensive. It’s best to check the manufacturer’s warranty policy in advance in case your light has any issues.
Conclusion
From this article, it is clear that the importance of LED grow lights for indoor plants is enormous. This technology has contributed significantly to the high yield and quality of crops such as cannabis, flowers, and more. It also helps growers/gardeners overcome the challenges of indoor cultivation effectively.
Seasonal growers have adopted this technology to take gardening to the next level. However, there are several important factors to consider when using LED grow lights, as there are many different types available on the market today.
Explore more grow lights, accessories, and more on our page in here: LED Grow Lights.