July 08, 2022
There are a variety of grow lights available on the market for growing plants, and each has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. In general, however, grow lights can be broadly classified into two main types: HID (High-Intensity Discharge) and LED (Light Emitting Diode).
HID grow lights are typically more powerful and emit more heat than LED lights, making them ideal for larger grow operations. However, they also require more energy to operate and generate more heat, which can be a problem in smaller grow spaces.
LED grow lights are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and low heat output. While they may not be as powerful as HID lights, they can still produce excellent results and are a great option for smaller grow spaces.
Some LED lights are full spectrum, which means that they mimic the sun in terms of the light rays they produce. There are also options that produce a higher UV / IR proportion, which tend to speed up the growth process and increase yields.
As you may know, light can produce different wavelengths which exist on a broad spectrum. Out of all the parts of that spectrum, red and blue light can be especially beneficial to plant growth. Red and blue light sends a message to plants that there is not a lot of competition nearby. This allows the plant to grow healthily in all directions. LED grow lights are one of the most effective options for producing this kind of light for your plants.
Many types of grow lights give off excess heat while they operate. For that reason, many of those lights require a cooling system to maintain an acceptable temperature for your plants and the light itself. Since LED lights give off so little heat, the need for a cooling system is much less prevalent. However, there are some rare instances in which you will need to use some form of cooling or ventilation for an LED grow light.
ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 480W Dimmable LED Grow Light
Features:
The ECO Farm full spectrum LED grow light was designed to help enhance photosynthesis so you can enjoy stronger and healthier crops! This linear horticulture lighting fixture produces a broad-spectrum lighting output made for Vertical Farming and indoor use. This premium LED growth light is an energy-efficient system that helps you to make important savings. This full spectrum LED grow lights come with 876pcs leds. Excellent spectrum mimics the sun spectrum, optimizing the whole stages of indoor growing plants from seed to flowering, to maximize the yields and ensure crop quality. It has a 2.8 umol/J efficiency level so you can make sure that this grow light system is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for your garden. The aluminum housing material is durable and reliable. This top growing light for plants uses broad spectrum LEDs that can enhance nutrient absorption. It has an IP65 waterproof design that is perfect for indoor use or greenhouses. At 480W, 1009.8 µmols light output is higher than HPS lights, while using less energy.
Phaser X660 Pro LED Grow Light
Features:
This full-spectrum LED grow light has an excellent spectrum that mimics the sun spectrum, optimizing the whole stages of indoor growing plants from seed to flowering, to maximize the yields and ensure crop quality. Perfect grow lights for indoor plants. These grow lights are also built-in 0–10V dimming control knob, to satisfy the plant’s growth stages needs. This grow light for indoor plants utilize an advanced aluminium heat-sink design, No fans ZERO noise, 8 aluminium led bars offer an excellent 360° heat dissipation to protect plants and expand grow light lifespan. Indoor grow lights utilize high-low profile design, ideal for vertical grow configurations and greenhouse. Adjust the hanging height to suit the plant growing needs and maximize yields. At 660W, 1735 µmols light output is higher than HPS lights, while using less energy.
Light Intensity
Light intensity is one of the most important factors when choosing A LED Grow Light for your plant. It would help if you had different intensities of Light for the various growing stages of your plant that also matches your grow size or space where your plant is growing.
You must check the seller recommended footprint to know the area covered by this Light. One problem most growers found at this stage is that we have hundreds of LED grow lights projects; The mentioned coverage value is somehow subjective to/for the seller.
You will see that some shop keepers assures you that their lights will cover 4×4 or 3×3 while some will say that their lights will cover 3.4 x 3.4 or whatever the value is. Stuck! Right?
PFF
Most of the new growers’ bad luck starts from here. It is always recommended to consider Photosynthetic Photon Flux. PPF is the total light output of the lamp in micromole per second.
PPF is proof to see if the Grow Light seller is telling the truth about his grow Light or not.
In general, if the value is more than 1000 micromoles per second, it will cover a 4x4ft area. About 1500 micromoles are the top range for covering a 4×4 ft area grow Light.
Photosynthetic Active Radiation Chart (PAR Chart)
Also Known as the Map of PPFD readings or light intensity readings. PPFD stands for Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density. A PAR map shows how intense the Light is over a given area and how it is distributed across the area.
Every single light source is most intense in the middle, less intense on the edges, and even lesser intense on the corners
Heat
The Light emitted by led grow lights is unfiltered, so the heat emitted from led grow lights can increase the environment’s temperature. Thus, the temperature of the plants becomes an essential factor affecting the growth of the plants.
The temperature of the grow room, where the plants are grown, is directly related to the plants’ temperature. If the temperature is too high, the plant will grow slowly and, in a way, will cause the death of the plant.
It is always good to have extra power when installing a system of LED Grow Lights. Apart from the fundamental power watts that a LED consumes, you will need extra power for cooling and electricity consumption.
So, it’s absolutely important of having enough power to make your LED work properly; otherwise, even the best LED can fail too.
Budget
To find the best LED Grow Light, you will need to decide on a budget. These lights can be a bit more expensive, but they are worth every penny. You will have noticed that some grow lights are more expensive than some Chinese manufactured grow lights products.
You will want to decide on how much you are willing to spend before you go shopping. It is easy to find lights that are under $100, and they are often more than enough for a small garden. If you have a larger garden, you may want to opt for a more expensive light.
But again, considering cheaper lights can cost you double of the original are a reliable one. These lights are well worth the money, especially when considering how much you stand to save in the long run.
Being on the lookout for the right product can be challenging as there are so many good options. It can often be hard to narrow down the best products. Hopefully, this buying guide will help you pick from the best LED grow light for growing plants indoors for your unique needs.
Another important aspect is picking the right place to buy the right product. We have extensively covered the benefits of going with online platforms. We hope that this article will be informative enough in aiding you to make the best purchase decisions in the future.
October 20, 2023