In the world of gardening, there has always been one ultimate light source for plants: sunlight. However, with the rise of hydroponics and indoor gardening, artificial lights have become the accepted alternative—though older solutions were far from perfect. They produced too much heat or were too expensive to operate. Today, the gardening world has changed, as the best high-quality LED grow lights are now available on the market. The question is: which type of light is worth investing in? That’s where a guide to using LED grow lights like this becomes useful.
What should I pay attention to when buying LED grow lights?
The best LED grow lights must take each of the following factors into account:
- Output power – How many watts does the light use, and does it meet your needs?
- Light spectrum – Does the light include the full PAR spectrum, especially blue and red?
- Quality LED chips – We recommend chips of at least 3W each, appropriate for blue and red lighting.
- Cooling – Does it have built-in fans, or do you need to buy them separately?
How do you choose the best indoor LED grow light?
Color
Did you know that the color of light absorbed by your plants has a major impact on the amount of energy they take in?
This is because different colors of light create different wavelengths. The shorter the wavelength, the more energy it contains. Each type of light has its own function for your plants, so a full spectrum of light is best for them.
But if you want to optimize light color for each stage of plant growth, here are some simple solutions:
- Far-red light (720–1000 nm) improves crop yield
- Red light (620–720 nm), when combined with blue light, helps plants produce more leaves or flowers
- Green light (495–570 nm) promotes chlorophyll production
- Blue light (450–495 nm) improves plant growth speed
- Purple light (380–445 nm) enhances coloration in succulents and cacti
Heat output
For any LED grow light you plan to buy, this factor is extremely important.
LED lights are not all made the same, meaning the amount of heat they emit varies. The more heat a light produces, the farther you should place it from your plants, as placing it too close can cause leaf burn or restrict plant growth.
If your plant canopy is too low and the light is too hot, consider installing some fans to cool the area.
Barrina 4×4 Indoor Grow Light, Full Spectrum, Adjustable LED Grow Panel with 816 LEDs, High PPFD
Pros
- Full-spectrum light output
- Passive-cooling light bars allow flexible use
- Water-resistant
- Easy to install both vertically and horizontally
- High-quality components throughout the design
Cons
-
An expensive choice for home growers
See details and prices on amazon here
SZHLUX 500W LED Grow Light 4×4/5×5 ft with Timer and Temperature Control, Full Spectrum Light with 1056 Diodes
Pros
- High-end LEDs
- Fully programmable
- Remote control
Cons
-
Price (but worth it)
See details and prices on amazon here
How many square feet can an LED grow light cover?
- Flowering area for 500 watts: 4′ x 4′
- Flowering area for 1000 watts: 4′ x 8′
- Flowering area for 1200 watts: 6′ x 6′
- Flowering area for 1500 watts: 8′ x 8′
- For 2000 watts: A single light should not be used to cover an 8′ x 8′ area.
Higher wattage is not meant to cover a wider area—it is meant to help plants grow optimally.
- To understand the coverage range of LED grow lights, it’s important to know how the diodes inside them emit light. Traditional HID bulbs such as High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) or Metal Halide (MH) emit light outward from a filament. Fluorescent bulbs also shine outward due to the charged gases inside. This is why these bulbs are positioned horizontally with a heat-resistant reflector behind them.
- However, LED diodes emit light differently. Their light shines outward from the diode itself, which is typically mounted onto a small reflective surface. This reflector focuses the diode’s strong light into a beam. The beam isn’t as narrow as a laser, but imagine a powerful flashlight pointed into the night sky—you’ll notice that the beam doesn’t spread out much as it moves away from the source; it remains relatively narrow.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best indoor LED grow lights.
For many indoor growers, LED grow lights are a game changer. While there is still debate over whether LEDs produce the highest yields, there is no doubt that these devices are the most environmentally friendly choice. Combined with features such as easy installation and strong light intensity, it’s easy to understand why cannabis growers are drawn to LEDs like moths to a flame.
In many ways, LED grow lights are popular because they’re cool—literally. Unlike high-intensity discharge (HID) grow lights, LEDs do not produce excessive energy or heat. This makes LEDs extremely eco-friendly and cost-effective. LED lights are also lighter and easier to install than HID lights. Beginners have no trouble plugging an LED into an outlet and switching it on. Some LEDs are highly versatile, making them easy to install in almost any grow space. By the way, we wholeheartedly recommend the best LED grow lights for your needs.
For more information about LED grow lights and the pros and cons of using them, see here: LED Grow Lights.