LED grow light technology has been improving rapidly especially in the last 1-2 years. Although just about any LED grow light (even the worst ones) can grow good weed, some newer models developed specifically for cannabis are getting better yields, density, and plant growth rates than older and generic models. We are currently doing extensive testing between different best grow lights to determine which are the “best”.
Why Choose LED Grow Lights?
LED’s create substantially more light per watt than t5 grow lights or HID lighting. This additionally implies they run cooler, decreasing power costs and additionally the danger of flame in your grow room.
Most full spectrum LED grow lights accompany little fans worked in, and don’t require extra ventilation with the exception of in unique conditions.
- LEDs are energy efficient grow lights and last for up to 50,000 hours. If you’re using them on a 12-hour timer this is equal to 11 years. Some people argue LEDs are expensive and, to be fair, they have a higher upfront cost than their HPS counterparts. Over time, however, they are cheap grow lights to run long-term thanks to their reduced power consumption.
- They can be plugged into a regular socket and usually don’t require a separate ballast so they are easier to use in small spaces.
- LED plant grow lights produce less heat than HPS grow lights and can be placed closer to your plants without risking damage. Producing less heat also means you expend less energy maintaining the correct temperature in your grow room.
- LEDs can be customized to emit specific wavelengths of light (for example you can have red LED grow lights but studies show adding green and blue LED grow lights will help plants perform better. With LEDs you can adjust the colour balance to suit the specific plant type.)
- LED full spectrum grow lights are the best grow lights for cannabis. (I’ll discuss why LEDs are the best lights for growing cannabis in full detail in their own section below.)
- LEDs don’t contain harmful mercury so they don’t need to be disposed of in a particular way. This, in addition to their energy efficiency, makes LED grow lights the best choice for the environment.
Pros
- Full-spectrum light
- Wide coverage
- Ideal for all stages of growth
- Quiet operation
- Comes with two cooling fans and heat sink
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Light can be too bright
- Lance Hangers: Provides a 2-point hanging solution, but the customer must supply their own rope ratchets, chain or cable. PSE must also be centered on the fixture or it will be off balance. This is the standard option when not using multi-tier racks.
- Adjustable Hanging Kit: Provides a 2-point hanging solution with 5 feet of braided stainless steel wires and carabiners. PSE must also be centered on the fixture or it will be off balance.
- Short "V" Mounting Brackets: Provides a 4-point mounting solution that's ideal for waterfall decking on top of 2"-3.5" support beams (rolling racks and some pallet racks).
- Long "V" Mounting Brackets: Provides a 4-point mounting solution that's ideal for waterfall decking on top of 4"-5" support beams (pallet racks).
- Solid Decking Mounting Brackets: Provides a 4-point mounting solutions that's ideal for level solid decking and rolling tables. Requires two front-to-back support bars per fixture.
- 720W power draw
- 2.6 umol/j efficacy
- 1870 - 2080 umol/m2/s total light output
- 4'x4' to 5'x5' coverage area for high intensity grow
- GC-3k Full Spectrum with 660nm deep red (Osram diodes)
- Onboard dimming function (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%)
- Compatible with Grower's Choice Master Lighting controller
- Even light distribution
- Fanless Design
- IP65 Waterproof
- Horti DLC; UL1598 and UL880 certification
- 3-Year warranty
Pros
- Long lifespan
- Full-spectrum coverage
- Offers different lights that include blue, white, red, yellow, orange, IR, and UV
- Daisy chain feature that allows you to connect ti other systems
- Energy efficient
- Scientifically engineered optic lens
- Affordable
- Three-year warranty
- 30-day return policy and satisfaction guarantee
- Comes with cooling fans
Cons
- It can get extremely hot
What is a light cycle?
You’re trying to imitate the sun for your plants. A light cycle is more or less artificial day and night. Your plants will require different light cycles for different phases of their growth.
Generally, they’ll need about 18 hours of light a day while they’re growing, and 12 hours of light a day while they’re budding.
Leaving your light on constantly will seriously damage your plants, and not providing enough light will stunt their growth.
Do LED grow lights work for vegetables?
Well, since LED grow lights do possess the two primary spectrums that a plant is required, obviously it can be utilized for the vegging stage of your plant.
Therefore it also can be used for various vegetables to grow indoors.
In fact, some studies say that LED grow lights’ blue spectrum, which is responsible for effective vegging growth of the plant, is most efficient compared to the other type of Grow lights such as HID, HPS, MH, and so on.
If a particular plant gets some good amount of quality light without excess heat being generated at the same time by the grow light, the plant would then grow more effectively because no unwanted elements such as unnecessary heat would be involved.
In addition, because the blue light spectrum of LED grow lights is of better quality than the other kind of grow lights, it will give more emphasis on developing the leaves of certain plants.
Due to that, if a plant has some blooming, vigorous, and vibrant leaves, the process of photosynthesis which is primarily involved in the development and growth of the plant, then, of course, it would produce a great number of quality yields.
Now,
Some of you might be asking about the heat that is generated by LED grow lights, whether it is more beneficial than the other type of grow lights.
And the answer is yes!
In fact, LED grow lights are more known because they don’t generate that much heat since their bulbs don’t really focus on the great amount of illumination that is being produced instead it is the quality of the light that is more being more emphasized.
Meaning, LED grow lights don’t produce much light and thereby, less heat. And of course smaller expenses due to electricity bills!
Final Conclusion
When it comes to what brand of light you’ll ultimately decide to invest in, no one can make that decision for you.
The best thing you can do would be to research as much as possible.
Make sure you understand the environment you intend to grow in and what that environment will require.
Sizes, watts, the number of lamps – these things all depend on how many square feet you’re trying to cover.
What other gear you’ll need will also depend on what your light is already capable of providing for you.
Thorough research and comparison are the best tools you have. In the long term, it is definitely smart to look for a solution that is among the best led grow light for the money
Always use them to the fullest to make sure you’re buying the right light the first time, and you understand how to use it.
It’s not worth it to blow up to thousands of dollars on a gamble, so do your reading on any of the best led grow lights you choose to use.
