ECO Farm FLD 320W Full Spectrum Dimmable LED Grow Lights Bar VS ChilLED Tech Growcraft X6 mini 330W LED Grow Light
Indoor lighting is rarely bright enough to give plants what they need to thrive — even on a windowsill. We tested the top grow lights on the market to see if they could ensure healthy plant growth.
When it comes to plants, all light is not equal. Unless you have a greenhouse or an unlimited number of south-facing windows, grow lights are your best option for providing the right light to your plants. Though nothing is better than natural sunlight, grow lights are designed to provide Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) so the plant can undergo photosynthesis like outside in nature. We wanted to know if they worked well enough to keep plants not just alive — but thriving — so we tested the most popular models on the market.
We placed the plants and grow lights in areas that were otherwise too dark for plants to grow, and we tried them out on a variety of plants, from houseplants to herbs, to flowering seedlings. We kept track of plant health, overall growth, and the development of new leaves. Ahead, learn what to look for when selecting the best grow lights for your indoor plants.
Advantages Of LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights outperform traditional HPS fixtures in yield per watt while also promoting a significant increase in overall quality because of their targeted spectrum, which includes UV and IR wavelengths.
LED Grow Lights have been demonstrated to enhance the production of oils and terpenes by up to 80%, as well as provide tighter internodal spacing and denser fruits and flowers than alternative grow lights because of having IR and UV wavelengths.
They can produce this significant improvement in quality while using 50% less energy than HPS fixtures. Because LED lights provide less heat, they do not need to be air-cooled like HPS lights, removing the need for additional fans and allowing them to run more quietly.
Lower light temperatures result in a much easier to maintain grow environment. Because each diode in a LED light is programmed to emit a specific colour and a particular proportion. They can emit the exact spectrum that a developing plant requires thriving, with little to no waste.
If you want to save money, get a few LEDs to offset your costs and provide excellent results.
ECO Farm FLD 320W Full Spectrum Dimmable LED Grow Lights Bar
Features:
ECO Farm LED grow light with upgraded SMD 3030 chip 6 passive-cooled led bars, higher light intensity, less light decay, better lumens and PAR values than ordinary LED chips. FLD 320W uses 1200 LED chips that consume only 320W, perfect coverage for 3x3ft, helps you achieve maximum quality and quantity. The intensity of light can be adjusted according to the needs of plants. It can be freely adjusted lighting intensity as plants need growth at different stages with dimming options ranging from 0 to 10 levels. SMD leds spectrum is white 3000K leds, white 5000K leds, 660nm red leds and 740nm IR leds. This professional-grade led grow light is designed for maximum results in all stages of growth.
ChilLED Tech Growcraft X6 mini 330W LED Grow Light
Features:
The ChilLED LED Grow Light features six light bars that provide a footprint of up to 2 x 4. With a compact 1.375" design, it hangs easily in a variety of growing areas. This 6-strip commercial LED grow light is designed and manufactured in the USA with a choice of flowering or plant growth optimized lights to suit your needs. ChilLED LED grow lights can maximize your yield and profit. Switch from HPS to ChilLED and increase your yield and profits by over by 30–70% without adding any additional heat, energy costs or cooling requirements. Market-leading efficiency combined with our adjustable maximum yield spectrum equals unmatched performance. This grow light uses the highest build and component quality — never sacrificed for profit. ChilLED grow lights are built to last.
Features to Look for
When purchasing the best grow light for seedlings, we recommend looking for the following features in a prospective model.
LED Lights
All modern grow lights feature design with LED technology. LED is effective and affordable to run. It’s the best way to give your plants the optimal spectrum they need for growth. LEDs have a longer service life than fluorescent, incandescent, or metal halide bulbs, and they use less electricity.
LED Output and Power
When selecting your ideal indoor grow light, we recommend looking at the LEDs’ output in your prospective light. The average small grow light for seedlings needs between 45-Watts to 80-Watts of light output. That’s enough lumens to help your plants achieve optimal growth.
LED Quality
The quality of the LEDs in your grow light makes an enormous difference in service life. The average high-quality T5 LED should provide you with at least 10,000-hours of service life before replacement.
Light Spectrum
It’s critical that you look at the wavelength emitted by the device when purchasing your grow light. Plants require full-spectrum light for the best growing results. Look for models featuring a full PAR spectrum, offering both red and blue wavelengths. Some models will also feature white-light.
Lighting Modes
Your LED grow light should feature different lighting modes. Look for models offering blue, red, and full-spectrum modes for your choice of growing conditions. The lighting modes affect your plants and how they grow.
PAR refers to the balance of red, blue, and white light in your LEDs. Top models feature high PAR ratings, giving you the best performance out of your new grow light.
Timers
The best grow light for seedlings come with timers. You get the option of setting your light cycle to 3-hours, 6-hours, or 12-hours, depending on your plant’s needs.
A timer is a handy feature in your light, allowing you to control the light cycle. However, if your model doesn’t come with a timer, you’ll have to purchase one separately or rely on manual operation.
How to Use Grow Lights
Use grow lights to help your indoor plants grow quicker and healthier.
Choose your equipment. Select the style of light you think will work best for your houseplants or herb garden. Fluorescent and HID grow lights often require ballasts to regulate electrical outputs. Full-spectrum grow lights are a good option for most indoor plants. If you have several houseplants, consider using a larger grow lamp, a panel of lights, or a reflector for supplemental light to reach the bottom of leaves.
Set up your lights. The ideal lighting levels depend on the types of plants you have in your indoor garden. Although some plants thrive in low-light conditions, most require bright light — particularly succulents and flowering plants.
Monitor the temperature of your lights. Depending on the wattage of your light sources, grow lights can burn houseplants. Place incandescent lights at least two feet away from your plants. Keep fluorescent and HID grow lights at least twelve inches away from plants. With a low heat output, LED grow lights can typically get as close as six inches to houseplants without harming them.
Install a timer. Constant light output prevents plants from experiencing a normal light-dark cycle and ultimately harms them. Use a timer to regulate the amount of light your houseplants receive from your grow lights. Make sure your plants get between eight to sixteen hours of light and at least eight hours of darkness.
Conclusion
Ultimately, grow lights come down to your preferences, growing space and whatever your budget allows. Just start small if you’re not sure how often and how much you’d like to grow.
Fortunately, I only care what you think. I sincerely hope this guide on growing lights helps you successfully grow your plants indoors.
And, speaking of that … It really feels empowering to be able to grow your own plants. Whether you can’t find what you need in stores or you just want to be more self-sufficient, this is an excellent step in that direction!
