Best Quantum Board LED Grow Light Reviews 2026: Mars Hydro TSW2000 vs Spider Farmer SE3000

If you’re involved in indoor cultivation, chances are you’ve heard of “Quantum Board LED Grow Lights.” Quantum Board LED grow lights have become increasingly popular since the Agricultural Lighting Corporation first introduced them to the market. Today, several brands have begun producing this type of grow light, and there are also some DIY kits available.

The biggest question growers have is: are they as effective and reliable as other types of LED grow lights? As you will learn later in this review and guide, the Best Quantum Board LED Grow Lights often called QB LED grow lights are highly efficient and energy-saving. This type of light has several advantages over COB lights, such as higher efficiency and much easier thermal management.

Why are LED lights considered the best?

LED lights are considered the best choice for growers because they are cost-effective when you consider their minimal power consumption! Although they may be somewhat expensive to purchase, in the long run they pay off because they are extremely durable (over 100,000 hours in some cases) and emit far less heat than other types of lights. LED lights are also lighter, and thanks to their unique design, if a few LEDs stop working due to an electrical issue, it won’t affect the others. They are also easy to dispose of because they are non-toxic.

What is a Quantum Board LED?

A Quantum Board LED is a newer alternative to more expensive COB grow lights. A Quantum Board is a large circuit board on which a string of LEDs is connected to form an “intelligent spectrum chain,” creating a broader spectrum and larger plants. The result is a truly full-spectrum light.

Spider Farmer LED Grow Lights

Pros:

• Low heat output
• Automatically adjusts brightness to cool itself
• Energy-efficient
• Full-spectrum grow light
• Water-resistant

Cons:

• Requires good ventilation

See details and prices on amazon here

Mars Hydro TS Series

Pros:

• Quiet
• Energy-efficient
• Water-resistant

Cons:

• Produces more heat than similar quantum board lights
• No dimming capability

See details and prices on amazon here

How to Use LED Board Lights for Indoor Growing

Seedlings/Clones

PCB lights are extremely powerful, even at 50% output. I use fluorescent lights in the propagation room because I don’t have enough height for QB lights. The distance from the plants to the base should be 1.5 meters or more.

Vegetative Growth

During the vegetative stage, your goal is to slowly acclimate the plants until you reach 100% power. Start at 1.2 meters above the canopy and gradually lower the panel to 76–90 cm above the canopy. During the vegetative stage, minor leaf burn may occur, leaf edges may curl inward, or—most commonly—the leaves may take on a 3D appearance.

Flowering

In the flowering stage, you can slowly lower the panel to about 45 cm above the canopy. Light burn is easy to spot during flowering because the pistils turn brown and scorched. LEDs can also cause bleaching, though I have not personally experienced this. I’ve placed the panel 35 cm from the canopy before, but any closer will cause light burn.

Spectrum

The best spectrum for flowering cannabis is 3000K or 3500K. Always choose a configuration with added red (labeled 660 nm on Alibaba). This is very helpful in the flowering stage. If you’re only using LED panels for the vegetative stage, choose 4000K LEDs.

Dimming

Meanwell drivers usually come with a built-in dimmer. Use a small Phillips head screwdriver to adjust brightness. There’s no gauge, so you’ll need to get a feel for it. Move from maximum to minimum to understand the range. As of June 2025, all Meijiu products come with a wired dimmer—a major improvement over screw-type dimmers.

Eye Protection

Sunglasses are a must. Full-spectrum LED boards are extremely powerful and can damage your eyes. Don’t take chances. Keep spare sunglasses for anyone you show your plants to.

Driver Placement

If you’re growing in a plywood box, I recommend mounting the driver on the ceiling. In a grow tent, the best place is usually on the heat sink. Ensure proper ventilation if placing it there. A Meanwell driver should never become too hot to touch.

Conclusion

Quantum Board LED panels are mounted on a circuit containing multiple series-connected diodes that house mid-power LEDs forming a chain. These chains are then arranged in parallel configurations and paired with high-power drivers.

Growers can enjoy more advantages and only a few disadvantages when comparing Quantum Board LED grow lights with any other current lighting options such as COBs or traditional LED grow lights.

See more information about LED grow lights and the advantages and disadvantages of LED grow lights available here: LED grow lights