Growing lights may seem like a small feature to consider when attempting to grow an indoor garden, but selecting the right grow lights for what you are growing is imperative. Grow lights come in all shapes and sizes and have their own unique features and function.
Things to Consider When Deciding on the Right Grow Lights
One thing to take into account when purchasing grow lights is how much space you have. Some lights are small and compact and some are large and can take up a lot of space. Determining what kind of space you are growing your plants in will directly affect what options you have for the size of lights. Once you decide how much space you have to work with, you can move to deciding on the best type of light. As sunlight contains the complete spectrum of light, full-spectrum lights are ideal for plant growth as they closely mimic the sun. Beyond full-spectrum, there are LED or fluorescent (CFLs) to choose between. Overall, LED grow lights are a better option between the two, as they are better for the environment and more economical. In addition, LED lights are more energy efficient and longer lasting than fluorescent lights. Although they are a steeper financial investment to start off with, long-term you will save the savings pay off. While LED lights do have many superior benefits, fluorescent lights do have unique benefits to consider. As mentioned, LED lights cost more initially than fluorescent lights. For those on a tighter budget, fluorescent lights can help you enter the world of indoor gardening without breaking the bank. Fluorescent lights come in a variety of sizes and wattages, making it easy to find just the right light for your plants’ needs and your space. There are fluorescent bulbs that are ideal for every stage of growing. For LED lights there are many different styles of lights, including, spread style, traditional panel and COB style. Each style has unique benefits and it is important to consider what your specific needs are. Below we have ranked our favorite grow lights based on functionality and type.
BEST CLIP LED GROW LIGHTS:
Clip LED grow lights are notable for their clip which allows them to attach easily to any surface. They are generally flexible and great for small spaces.
EZORKAS 9 Dimmable Levels Grow Light
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LED Grow Light,6000K Full Spectrum Clip Plant Growing Lamp
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BEST QUANTUM BOARD LED LIGHTS:
Quantum board LED lights generally have low wattage diodes and are spread out over the board.
MARS HYDRO TS 1000W Led Grow Light 3x3ft Daisy Chain
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SPIDER FARMER SF-4000 LED Grow Light 5’x5′ Coverage Compatible with Samsung LM301B Diodes
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BEST SPIDER STYLE LED LIGHTS:
Spider style lights are similar to Quantum Boards in that the individual diodes are spread out, but instead of a board, they resemble the arms of a spider in the layout.
HYPHOTONFLUX HPF4000 Led Grow Lights with 1224pcs Samsung LM301B Diodes&MeanWell Driver
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MARS HYDRO LED Grow Light 4x4ft FC4800 with Samsung LM301B Osram Diodes Inventronics Driver
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TRADITIONAL PANEL STYLE LED LIGHTS:
Traditional or standard panel LEDs are the most common LED grow lights. They are generally more compact and have small to medium diodes.
BESTVA DC Series 3000W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum Grow Lamp for Greenhouse Hydroponic Indoor Plants Veg and Flower
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KingLED Newest 2000w LED Grow Lights with Samsung LM301B LEDs and 10x Optical Condenser 5×5 ft Coverage Full Spectrum Grow Lights
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COB STYLE LED LIGHTS:
COB style lights use lights called COB (Chip on Board). COB’s are more intense lights compared to other types of LEDs because each COB contains numerous LED chips. They produce stronger, more concentrated light compared to those lights with small diodes.
AGLEX COB 1200 Watt LED Grow Light, Full Spectrum IR Reflector Series Plant Grow Lamp, with Daisy Chain, Veg and Bloom Switch, for Hydroponic Greenhouse Indoor Plant Veg and Flower
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Phlizon CREE Cob Series 1000W LED Plant Grow Light Full Spectrum Indoor Plants Light Growing Veg Flower Cree Cob Grow Light with Monitor Adjustable Rope -1000W (Actual Power 250watt)
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BEST FLUORESCENT GROW LIGHTS:
Durolux T5 Ho Grow Light – 4 Foot 4 Lamps – DL844 Fluorescent Hydroponic Indoor Fixture UL Listed – Bloom Veg Daisy Chain with Bulbs
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HYDRO PLANET T5 Grow Lights 4-Ft 8-Lamp Fluorescent HO Bulbs Included for Indoor Horticulture Gardening | Hanging Grow Light | Fluorescent Grow Lights (4-Ft 8-Lamp)
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The Bottom Line
Picking the right grow lights for your indoor gardening needs is, as you may have learned above, dependent on a few variables. Once you have determined the space you have to work with, move next to deciding on what style of grow lights best match your needs and then click on the our recommended picks for the type that is right for you.