Our Top Five Recommended LED Grow Lights
Are you looking for an LED grow light for your indoor plants but don’t know where to start?
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LED grow lights have taken off in popularity because of the innovative design and technology they offer avid gardeners.
You don’t have to have a green thumb to successfully grow indoor plants, especially when your plants rely on LED grow lights.
There are many different types of LED grow lights on the market with various features.
When searching for the right LED grow light, it helps to know what to look for.
Ambiguous product descriptions leave shoppers scratching their heads confused, which can lead to purchasing the wrong grow light.
If you are new to LED grow lights or looking for something better, you have come to the right place! We will give you the tools to choose a grow light with confidence!
What is a grow light?
A plant’s natural environment is outdoors where it gets sun, rain, and nutrients from the soil.
Plants depend on the sun to be able to produce food to grow.
Through photosynthesis, the green chlorophyll in a plant converts water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight into carbohydrates (plant food.)
Photosynthesis also releases oxygen produced back into the environment.
When you remove a plant from that natural setting, you must supplement each of its basic needs for it to thrive.
Artificial lighting (grow lights) is used to replace the sun for indoor plants.
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Plants use specific wavelengths found in different color spectrums to be able to photosynthesize.
Without photosynthesis, a plant will not grow.
The color spectrums will vary according to the type of plant and what stage of development it is at.
Many consumers get confused about grow lights because they don’t know what spectrum they need for their plants.
BEWARE: many grow light manufacturers claim their grow light spectrums are suitable for plants at all stages.
Specific plant stages require different spectrums as well as distancing between the plant and the light.
Types of Grow Lights
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Different bulbs (below) serve to accommodate the various plant phases as well as the spectrum (wavelength) that the plant requires.
Metal Halide
Used For: vegetative phase
Spectrum: blue (UV)
Heat output: strong
Energy efficient: no
Bulb degradation: 6-12 months
High Pressure Sodium
Used For: flowering phase
Spectrum: red/orange (infrared)
Heat output: strong
Energy efficient: no
Bulb degradation: 6-12 months
Ceramic Metal Halide
Used For: all phases
Spectrum: red/orange/blue (UV and infrared)
Heat output: strong
Energy efficient: no
Bulb degradation: 6-12 months
Fluorescent
Used For: germinating, root cutting, early vegetative
Spectrum: green, yellow (visual)
Heat output: low
Energy efficient: yes
Bulb degradation: 18 monthsLED
Used For: all phases (each plant phase does require a specific spectrum)
Spectrum: blue/red or full-spectrum (UV and infrared)
Heat output: low-medium
Energy efficient: yes
Bulb degradation: 15-20 years
Things to Consider When Choosing an LED Grow Light
To make an informed purchase and to get the best grow light for your needs, you should look for specific things in a LED grow light.
Plant Requirements
Plants at different stages/phases have different requirements. Purchasing a grow light (to include an LED) requires planning ahead because LED grow lights (to include all grow lights) are not a “one size fits all.”
BEWARE: many grow light manufacturers claim their grow light spectrums are suitable for plants at all stages.
Specific plant stages require different spectrums as well as distancing between the plant and the light.
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Space
Before purchasing your LED grow light, there are some essential things that you need to consider. Planning ahead will enable you to buy the right light for your specific needs.
There are different shapes, and dimensions in LED grow lights.
Be sure to measure the area you need your grow light to cover. Take height into consideration also.
Budget
The price of an LED grow light varies and is dependent upon the size and features. A reputable brand yields a better quality light, which can tend to be expensive.
Pay attention to consumer reviews and ratings on the product.
Specs / Features
LED grow lights range in features. When choosing a grow light, it comes down to personal choice based on how you want the light to perform.
Spectrum
If you are a well-seasoned gardener, you will most likely be versed in the various spectrum needs.
This enables you to choose single spectrum lights that are tailored for the plant.
However, if you are a beginner, it’s best to go with an LED grow light that is full spectrum.
Full-spectrum lights provide your plants with the necessary red, blue, orange, and red spectrums.
Energy Consumption
LED grow lights are ideal because they are energy efficient. This is perhaps one of the most significant benefits of LED grow lights.
Heat
LED grow lights produce significantly less heat than HID grow lights.
The heat an LED grow light emits is controllable by using a fan for ventilation.
Ventilation, in essence, benefits the plants in the end because it prevents harmful dust from settling on the plant.
Wattage
The wattage differs in LED grow lights due to the accordance of coverage area.
Below is a wattage chart that gives you an estimated wattage that you will need to cover a specific amount of space.
Small Area
1 ft: up to 40 watts
2 ft: up to 140 watts
Medium Area
3 ft: up to 300 watts
4 ft: up to 500 watts
Large Area
5 ft: up to 800 watts
6 ft: up to 1,000 watts
8 ft: up to 1,200 watts
Features
Features vary in different LED grow lights.
- Programmability; timer, adjustable spectrum, vegetative and flowering switch
- Lifespan
- Things included; remote control, hanging kit, user manual, eye protection
Our Top Five Recommended LED Grow Lights
Why we like this product!
The Taotronics LED grow light (bulb model TT-CL007) is rated extremely well by consumers.
Although it is not a grow light unit, but rather a grow light bulb, you can use this bulb in a regular household lamp.
You would need to acquire the hanging supplies to position the lamp for optimal overhead lighting.
This grow bulb has a unique feature for heat relief with an open flanged umbrella dissipator on the back. The red and blue spectrums in this bulb provide outstanding intensity lighting for plants that are both vegetative and flowering.
QUESTIONS
Q. Can I use a table lamp with this bulb?
A. Yes. However, a hanging lamp or clamp on lamp works best for optimal light coverage.
Q. Why won’t this bulb work on plants that are between vegetative and flowering stages?
A. Once a plant has passed the vegetative stage, it goes into the budding stage.
This is the stage just before flowering.
Plants in the budding stage require green and yellow spectrum light.
These are what’s known as the“visual spectrum.”
This spectrum is visible to the human eye and is seen as white light.
This is the light that we can see with our eyes.
Blue spectrum light is “UV,” which is not visible to the human eye.
Nor is orange or red as those are “infrared.”
About The Manufacturer
Taotronics is a subsidiary of the Sunvalley Group which was founded in 2007.
The Sunvalley Group owns several brands that provide global consumers with a variety of products ranging from technology to bed linens.
Taotronics specializes in innovative products that are geared toward LED lamps and Bluetooth accessories.
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Why we like this product!
Those looking for an economical LED grow light, this product seems to deliver.
Reviews and ratings are good across the board.
There is no specific company information for this particular grow light.
It is listed throughout the market generically.
The programmability of timer settings, light dimming, and gooseneck adjustability are great features to have in a grow light.
If you have a small area to light, this is a good product to consider.
QUESTIONS
Q. What company manufactures this light?
A. This light is a generic product produced in China. Various distributors sell it globally.
Q. How large of an area will this light cover?
A. It will cover a small area up to 2.5 feet.
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Why we like this product!
This product has outstanding reviews and ratings! It is a popular choice for an LED grow light bulb for small areas. It provides a full spectrum coverage for plants.
Although it does not come with adaptable sockets, you can purchase an E26/27 socket. Many gardeners have purchased this bulb to use with a clamp-on lamp.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. Will this bulb cover an area that is about 6 feet?
A. No. It is 100 watts which is intended to light a small area up to 3 feet. To properly light a 6 foot area, you must have a minimum of 1,000 watts.
Q. Where can I purchase a socket to make it fit a lamp?
A. You can find the E26/27 socket at your local hardware store.
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Why we like this product!
If you are looking for an LED panel grow light that is affordable with the best reviews, this is it! You get the full spectrum in this light in a panel form.
Don’t let its low wattage fool you because its unique design enables it to provide coverage for almost three times the normal allotted sized area.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. Is there a timer setting on this light?
A. No. You can always add the BN-LINK 7 Day Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer
Q. How big of an area will it cover?
A. Although this light is 45 watts, it’s technology enables it to cover up to 5 feet!
About The Manufacturer
Maiicy is owned by Shenzhen Maiaisi Technology in China.
The company has designed and produced affordable options in LED grow lights since 2013.
Their designers use a combination of agricultural science with a technological approach.
- 【UPGRADED LIGHT SPECTRUM】 This plant lighting saves 50% to 90% in energy consumption compared to incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes. Efficiently shorten the growth cycle, provide anti-season plants, veg and flowers, also increase the yield to great degree. With MAIICY full spectrum grow light, it makes your plants grow more full and lush, these for all your indoor grow needs.
- 【PROFESSIONAL SPECTRUM RATIO】 Total 225pcs LEDs, 131 red LEDs(660-665nm), 81 blue LEDs(450-460nm), 4 UV(395-400nm), 4 IR(730-735NM), 4 white(6500K). Red light is conducive to flowering and stems production. Blue light can increase the photosynthetic efficiency, thereby favoring the stems and leaves. This product works better than most 75W lamps on the market.
- 【WIDE APPLICATIONS】You can growing any plants you want in a year around,include anti-season plants,suitable for all kinds of plants growing. This growth lamp is very popular in greenhouses, grow boxes, indoor gardens and for potted plants, hydroponic potted plants and so on. It is also a good choice for family if you are looking for home use on the flowers and vegetables.
- 【LOWER POWER CONSUMPTION AND DURABLE TO USE】 This growing lamp upgraded with more professional spectrum with UV and large effective illumination area,luminous efficiency reach up to 98% without any waste. Equal to traditional 150 watt HPS/MH while consuming only 30w. Upgraded larger reflector cup design plus high anti crystal reflective material ensure high light efficiency for better growth.
- 【SAFETY GUARANTEED】 This led grow light equipped with certificated power cord which ensures a safe electricity environment. Include 4 stainless Hanging kit,you can hang this grow light for anywhere you want. This product is lighter in weight and easier to install. Thicker aluminum base, better heat dissipation, 12 months warranty and 30 days 100% money back, lifetime customer service support.
Why we like this product!
You can’t beat the price for this little grow light.
Regardless of it being generic, it has good reviews and ratings.
It is an economical option that distributors offer to consumers globally.
The added features of auto timer setting, light dimmer, gooseneck adjustability, and USB charging make it a great option for those looking for a desktop grow light for a small plant.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. What company manufactures this light?
A. This light is a generic product produced in China. Various distributors sell it globally.
Q. What size of area does this cover?
A. This light is a 1-plant light and intended for desktops or small areas.
- 【AUTO TURN ON/OFF TIMER FUNCTION】You can set the time for 3H/6H/9H/12H/15H to turn on/off at the same time. You can use plant lights very conveniently even if it is not next to you at that time. When the auto turn on/off procedures are performed, you need to reset it for next time.(Please note that this is not a cycle timer)
- 【RED/BLUE LED COMBINATION】This LED grow lights made up of 36Pcs efficient growing leds(24pcs for Red,12pcs for Blue), meet the conditions of plant growth without sunlight. 12 BLUE bulbs help plants with chlorophyll synthesis to intake more energy for better germination. 24 RED bulbs contribute to photosynthesis, germination, flowering and results.
- 【DIMMABLE & FLEXIBLE GOOSENECK】The plant lamp has 5 dimmable levels brightness to be chosen; With the adjustable gooseneck, you can not only adjust the light to any direction you want, but also adjust the brightness of the light according to plant’s needs
- 【CLIP DESIGN & USB CONNECTOR】The grow light has a clip, which you can apply it to office or home.There are soft sponges to cushion the clip, preventing it from scratching or damaging table or else. With the USB interface, the plant light can be powered by US adapter, power bank, car charger and any other device that has USB interface(NOTE:the usb adapter is supplied）
- 【WARRANTY】 30-days money back,1 YEARS quality assurance and lifetime customer support. If you have any problems with our products, please contact with us at any time. We will try our best to solve your problem.
Your “LED Grow-Light-Takeaway”
There are so many grow lights on the market. They come as bulbs or panels with typically a red/blue spectrum or full spectrum. The choice in what to purchase comes down to your personal preference and needs.
Do your homework and read up on how grow lights can benefit your specific plants. Knowledge is the power to make a great purchase you will be happy with!
