March 04, 2022
Growing plants is an exciting, yet challenging venture; one that requires meticulous research and dedication. For instance, there are a lot of things to consider when first starting out, like buying the best LED grow lights, providing enough space, getting all the right tools for the job, and etc.
Still, with so many options out there, it’s hard to keep track. Luckily for you, we did our homework and compiled a comprehensive list of the best LED lights for plants regarding their power consumption, area coverage, durability, warranties, discounts and so on.
A grow light helps your plants or crops flourish without high amounts of natural light. Grow lights are energy-efficient and durable to meet the exact needs of your plants. Unlike the sun, the intensity of a grow light also remains constant to ensure your plant receives direct light for the recommended amount of time each day. Grow lights are ideal for various growing options, from seedlings to already established plants.
The goal of grow lights is to replicate the effects of natural sunlight to help your plants flourish. Sunlight contains the complete spectrum of light, which includes all colors of the rainbow. Many grow lights mimic this light spectrum and produce a balance of cool and warm light similar to natural sunlight.
The main benefit of using artificial lights is that they allow you to grow plants indoors that, under normal circumstances, you couldn’t keep inside due to a lack of light. Grow lights also give your plants a growing advantage and let you adapt your lighting to your plant’s lighting needs. For example, the option to add red wavelengths of light allows you to purchase and enjoy flowering plants.
Since you can grow plants nearly anywhere with a grow light system, you’ll want to make sure your setup is safe for yourself and your plants. If you have a lot of lamps in a small space, it’s helpful to invest in some ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets to prevent the risk of an electric shock while watering.
It’s also a good idea to have a backup energy source in case of a power failure. While your plants will be okay for a few hours without their lamps, having an additional energy source will ensure they remain healthy until you can connect your lamps to a main source of power again.
ECO Farm SP-600 Samsung Foldable Dimmable Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
The ECO Farm LED Grow Light uses an upgraded Samsung LM281B chip with 6 passively cooled LED strips, the professional SMD design provides even and wide canopy coverage, higher light intensity, and less light decay. It easily achieves a 30% higher average PPFD and boasts an incredibly high efficiency of 2.8 µmol/J. A total of 1632 LEDs consume only 600W on a 3x3 ft growing area, resulting in a smaller footprint and better crop quality and quantity. The foldable grow light has enhanced blue light (3000–5000K) and rich red light (660nm), plus infrared and ultraviolet light provides more precise and uniform dynamic PPFD Meets all plant stages from seeding to flowering, accelerating growth and promote crop growth. The best choice for your greenhouse growing, horizontal and vertical farming, best for grow tents and indoor warehouses. The foldable design brings you the convenience of no installation, no assembly, and plug and play.
Grow Light Science PROGROW 640 LED Grow Light
Features:
LED grow lights are full-cycle overhead lighting solutions for commercial or residential plants cultivation. The 640’s form factor allows for expandability and multiple grow room and grow tent configurations where photosynthesis and yield maximization are the goals. PRO GROW 640 offers high PPFD levels and can be used with or without added carbon dioxide. PRO GROW 640 will deliver PPFD levels of over 1,000 umols/m2/s, either individually or in arrays of multiple units. To adjust and achieve target PPFD levels stage by stage throughout the cultivation cycle, growers are advised to use a PAR meter in combination with hanging height and dimming.
Growing your own plants can be very rewarding. Whether you lack the backyard space for a garden and want to grow vegetables in the kitchen, or you love having tons of houseplants around, the proper equipment will help you successfully grow plants indoors. One of the most important tools is full-spectrum light, as this allows you to provide the plant with its preferred amount of light.
When selecting a full-spectrum light, you’ll need to consider how big your growing area is. There are units that are designed to provide light for approximately one to four plants, as well as models.
Check to see how customizable the full-spectrum light is, as you want to ensure it allows you to provide just the right amount of light. For example, some models have three different light settings, while others come with as many as nine dimming levels. You can even purchase a full-spectrum light with a timer that will automatically turn on and off based on times you enter into the system.
Review the type of light that is used, as you want a full-spectrum light that most resembles the natural light from the sun. Some models imitate sunlight while also being easy on the eyes. Others don’t flicker or produce a glare.
Consider a full-spectrum light that runs quietly. Some models use a fan to stay cool to the touch, and these fans are often noisy. Instead, go with a model that is cooled by a thick 3-millimeter aluminum heat sink. This passive heat exchanger runs without making a sound and works by transferring the heat to a cooling medium before expelling it from the machine.
Finally, you’ll want to choose a full-spectrum light that is energy efficient. Look for lights that use 1,000-watt LED lights and are built with a 90-degree reflector that allows you to concentrate the light. This results in losing 30% less light, which means you’ll use less energy. Some models are so efficient that they use 50% less electricity than other lights on the market, so make sure you do your homework if you want to keep your electric bill low.
To be a thriving plants cultivator you need to take a lot of things into consideration. For instance, do you have enough space? Do you have a specific budget? What kind of LED growing light should you choose?
The first two questions you need to answer yourself. As for the latter, we hope our list did a good job of clearing any uncertainties and doubts you might’ve had about LED grow lights.
Happy growing!
October 20, 2023