LED grow lights are the most suitable ways to get your plants the light they need during their growing and flowering period. This is especially true if you are using hydroponic gardening techniques. These lights emit light at a wavelength which is ideal for plant growth. They use less electricity and are much cooler than traditional HID or fluorescent lighting and have a longer lifespan. It may cost more upfront, but over a long period, a best led grow light will save you a lot of money.
The Ultimate Buying Guide To Choosing The Best LED Grow lights
There are several factors to be considered while purchasing a LED grow light
- Budget: LEDs are inherently more expensive than the usual grow lights. But they also save a lot of money over the longer period and are often more effective. Select an LED which is the best value for money for your needs and not necessarily the cheapest.
- Type of growth: Depending on the type of plant you are growing, the choice of LED grow lights will differ. Refer to a gardening expert or online to find the right wattage, intensity and light spectrum required for your plants.
- Area of growth: The coverage required often determines the size and number of LED panels you need to buy. A quick rule of thumb as suggested by most experts is 25-30 watts of power per square foot of growth area. But if you are growing low light plants, then 16 – 20 watts per square foot is a better calculator. While installing these panels ensure that light coverage overlap. Also look at whether there is secondary optics included. Check also the angle of the beam to ensure you get the best coverage and impact across the area covered.
- Names: Be careful of buying based on just the name of the light. Most lights have wattages like 300 w or 800 w associated with their name. Please check the actual output before buying.
- Light Spectrum: Look at the range of light spectrum required for your plants as per the expert. Buy a light with adjustable output spectrum which will help you tailor your light according to the growth phase of your plants. These changing lights will help mimic the seasonal changes. Look at the PAR value required by your plants and match it to your LED light.
- Cooling System: One of the advantages of LED grow light is that it is cooler than regular lights and so does not require additional cooling mechanisms like air conditioning and fans in the growing area. Ensure that your panels have good fans and heat sinks.
- Fixtures: Which are mounted on a metal core printed circuit board that can operate at higher temperatures.
- Warranty and guarantees: Reflect the company’s confidence in its products. Look for products where company’s offer warranties which are at least as long as the lifespan of the LEDs.
Be smart and buy the best LED grow light which gives you the best value for the money being spent.
Comparison Table of The Best LED Grow Lights
Let us now look at some of the best rated LED Grow Lights on Amazon.com
| Model | Advanced Platinum | King Plus | Galaxyhydro |
| Picture |  |  |  |
| Dimension | 19 * 8.25 * 3 inch | 12.2 * 8.26 * 2.36 inch | 15.8 * 8.3 * 2.4 inch |
| View Angle of LEDs | 60o and 90° | 90° | 90°and 120°mixed |
| Voltage | 260V | 265V | 265V |
| Bands of Light | 11 | 7 | 9 |
| Output | 300W | 800W | 300W |
| Power Usage | 180W | 180–220W | 200W |
| Chips | DS200 3 W | BridgeLux 10 W | Epileds 3 W |
| Lifespan | 50,000 Hours | 50,000 Hours | 50,000 Hours |
| Warranty | 5 years + 90 day money back guarantee | 3 years | 2 Years |
| Weight (Pounds) | 13.1 | 6.6 | 8 |
| Rating | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
To understand in more detail which of the LED Grow Lights best suits your growing needs.
Top 3 Best LED Grow Lights Reviews:
#1 – Advanced Platinum Series P300 300w 12-Band LED Grow Light Review – The Best Light Intensity Among Grow Lights
** Editor’s Choice – Best LED Grow Light **
Advanced Platinum Series P300 300w 12-band LED Grow Light – DUAL VEG/FLOWER FULL SPECTRUM
Advanced Platinum P300 has the best light intensity output (as measured PAR per Lumen output) per watt of electricity of input of all the LED lights in its price range. Its area coverage is similar to many grow lights used by professional growers.
Features
Some of the features are:
- Full Spectrum LED Grow Light (11 bands)
- Rated at 300W using hundred 3W LED Bulbs
- Highest PAR/Lumen output/Watt of any LED
- Dual Switch for vegetative and flowering phases of plant growth.
- Lifespan of LEDs graded at 50,000 hours
- Voltage used 265 V
- Frequency: 50 – 60 Hz
- Beam angle between 60o and 90o
- Dual-intake Fans
- Unit dimensions are 19 * 8.25 * 3 inches
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Warranty: 5 years + 90 day money-back guarantee
Light
Advanced Platinum P300 is a full spectrum LED grow light with 11 bands spread from 380 to 760 nanometres including the wavelength of ultraviolet and infrared ends of the spectrum. It has the highest light intensity output to the wattage of electricity used giving you a 100% usable light. There is a dual switch which helps you toggle between 100w of intensity required during vegetative phase of plant growth and the full intensity during the flowering phase.
LED
The high light intensity output is provided by a 300 Watt LEDs which are refracted through a 60o primary lens and a 90o secondary lens.
The intensity of light is two to three times of all competing LEDs and a higher coverage area of 3.5’ X 4’.
Others
It has aluminum coated heat-sinks, and high speed whisper quiet fans to keep the panel cool.
It is relatively compact with a dimension of 19*8.25*3 inches and a comfortable weight of 13 pounds.
Durability
The LEDs have been graded for a lifespan of 50,000 hours. The company gives a 5-year warranty and also offers a 90-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.
Cons
Light is too intensive to manage for new growers and if managed improperly can damage new plants. There have been some complaints about lower coverage than advertised. It does not come with hangers.
Even though it is one of the more expensive LED grow lights, thanks to the fact that it has the best light intensity and coverage of any other LEDs, Advanced Platinum P300 is one of the favorites among semi-professional growers.
Availability and Affordability
It is available at most garden supply stores and also online on Amazon.com.
#2 – King Plus 800w Double Chips Full Spectrum Review
** Editor’s Choice – Best Budget LED Grow Light **
King Plus 800w Double Chips LED Grow Light Full Specturm for Greenhouse and Indoor Plant Flowering Growing (10w Leds)
King Plus is the big impact grow light; it has the best LED output of 800W of any grow light in its price range.
Features
Some of the features are:
- Full Spectrum LED Grow Light (7 bands)
- Rated at 800 W using eighty 10 W LED Bulbs
- Lifespan of LEDs graded at 50,000 hours
- Voltage used 265 V
- Frequency: 50 – 60 Hz
- Beam angle 90o
- Powerful Cooling Fans
- Unit dimensions are 12.2 * 8.26 * 2.36 inches
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Warranty: 3 years
- Hanging kit included
Light
king LED grow lights is a full spectrum led grow lights with 7 bands of light ranging from 410 to 730 nanometers. It includes the infra-red end of the light spectrum; however, it does not include the ultraviolet end. It has a high output wattage 800 watts for an LED light in its price range, which gives more energy and hence will encourage higher amount of photosynthesis faster, therefore, higher and faster growth of the plants.
LED
It has eighty highly efficient and powerful BridgeLux 10 watts LEDs. These LEDs are highly energy efficient consuming only 180-220 watts of electricity. All LEDs have a Zenner capacitor setup so that the panel does fail is one of the LEDs fails.
Others
It has a powerful and quiet cooling fan inside the system.
Thanks to the lower number of LEDs this is a very compact panel with dimensions of 12.2*8.26*2.36 inches and one of the lightest weighing in at less than 7 pounds.
The package includes a hanging kit with an installation manual which makes it easy to install the light.
Durability
The BridgeLux LEDs are graded for more than 50,000 hours of life. The company offers 3 years of warranty.
Cons
Some reviewers have complained about light bleeding even when the power has been turned off. This could be harmful to the growing plants. There are no heatsinks and could cause damage to the plants due to increasing temperatures. Heat also reduces the lifespan of the panel. It does not emit the ultraviolet end of the light spectrum.
Despite its issues, the King LED which has the best output wattage (800 W) of any grow lights in its price range.
Availability and Affordability
It is available at most garden supply stores and also online on Amazon.com. It is also one of the cheapest 800w grow lights.
#3 – Galaxyhydro 300w LED Grow Light Full Spectrum Review – The Best Value For Money LED Grow Light
Advanced Platinum Series P300 300w 12-band LED Grow Light – DUAL VEG/FLOWER FULL SPECTRUM
Galaxyhydro 300W LED grow light is one of the more moderately priced LED grow lights in the market which is flooded with expensive LED grow lights.
Features
Some of the features of Galaxyhydro LED grow light:
- Full Spectrum LED Grow Light (9 bands)
- Rated at 300xW using hundred 3W LED Bulbs
- EpiLED branded LED chips
- Lifespan of LEDs graded at 50,000 hours
- Voltage used 265 V
- Frequency: 50 – 60 Hz
- Beam angle between 90o and 120o
- UL approved Fans
- Unit dimensions are 15.8 * 8.3 * 2.4 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Warranty: 2 years
Light
The Galaxyhydro LED grow light is a full spectrum light which emits 9 bands of light covering the frequencies from 380 to 730 nanometres covering the entire range from ultra-violet to infra-red. This is needed at different stages of plant growth. The light has been designed to have a quality PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) with a special emphasis on the red and the blue colors of the spectrum which impacts production yield. The ultra-violet and infrared wavelengths help in killing harmful bacteria.
LED
There are 300W EpiLED chips. These chips are supposed to have low power consumption, high output, and high life expectancy. The LEDs have been placed so that the beam angles are 90o and 120o. This ensures optimal penetration of the light into the plant canopy. It also ensures a uniform coverage without any particular “hotspots”.
Others
These lights can be linked to form a daisy chain for larger areas thus reducing the number of power cords and outlets required.
The panel has heat sinks, and UL approved fans which keep the panel cool.
It is designed to be compact to fit into tight spaces and at 8 pounds is light to be hung easily.
Durability
The LEDs are designed for a lifespan of 50,000 hours. The company gives a 2-year warranty.
Cons
The fans become loud over a period of time. It does not come with hangers. There are some questions raised about the output wattage.
The issues with Galaxyhydro LED Lights are minor and it is the best value for money grow light as it comes in full spectrum and has many features as the more expensive versions. It also comes with a dimmable feature using a dial which is slightly more expensive but might be worth the investment.
Availability and Affordability
It is available at most garden supply stores and also online on Amazon.com. It is priced very affordably.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day if you are looking to grow plants in a small way in your home then Galaxyhydro 300w LED Grow Light Full Spectrum is the best value for money LED Grow Light. It is a full spectrum light including infrared and ultraviolet ends, highly energy efficient LEDs and all this at a great price.
Resources
wikipedia.org : Grow light
academia.edu : Design of LED grow light
backyardboss.net : Types of Grow Lights: Amazing Results With the Power of the Sun
