July 11, 2023
When you decide to buy LED grow lights, you are not only choosing to invest in indoor plants, but you also want to make sure that they are the best LED grow lights available. Grow lights have proven necessary over the years, and since LED lights became popular as a technology, more indoor garden growers have switched to them!
The best LED grow lights have the following standard features:
Uniform Spectrum
The significant characteristic of a good LED grow light is that it has a uniform spectrum, so all the plants under the light receive the same light distribution with same intensity natural sunlight and allow you to rise from the veg cycle to harvest with the same light. The best range consists of not just red and blue light but also infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV).
Power
Best plants’ yields come from LED lights, which can give more intense light now. Hence, the best LED grow lights need to be incredibly powerful energy efficient.
Efficiency
Efficiency in LED grows lights is a must-have need. Maintaining a low running cost and actual power consumption is very important when operating at a high level and producing high power.
Sturdy
LED grow lights are a high-cost investment and thus must last a long time to show a positive return on investment. This can only happen if the grow lights are sturdy and reliable. Therefore, the best LED grow lights must be reliable and durable, lasting for a long time. All the lights below the listing are from reputable brands and include some warranty. This will ensure your peace of mind, knowing that purchases are protected.
ECO Farm LM301B UV&IR 450W Quantum Board
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light is up to 2.7 umol/J which only consumes 450w of power. PPFD is 2261 umol/m2/s. This LED grow light provides the same yield as HPS 800W normal led growing lights while saving more energy. These LEDs create better canopy light penetration, get 40% higher yields with less energy compared with other red blue lights. Suitable for 3*3 ft grow tent.This led grow light use large areas of a solid aluminum heat sink, which is safer and quieter when working. High safety performance MEAN WELL Driver provides 50% longer lifespan. Using waterproof LED board, the IP rating is IP65. ECO Farm LED quantum board is designed with Full spectrum(3000K), red light 660nm and IR 730nm and UV 395nm, best for all plants from seed to flower and increase yield & crop quality.
UNIT FARM UF4000 LED Grow Lights
Features:
This UNIT FARM grow lgiht has 2.7μmol/j high efficiency,ideal for all growth stages. Sunlike rich spectrum, Composed of OSRAM Diodes. 3000K, 5000K Make Plants Stronger, 660nm the better to stimulate growth. Additional IR help for the amazing Bloom. Offer you 2.5g/W yield max. Uniform light by the arrangement of diodes. Silent fanless design. No fans zero noise. Built-in large areas of solid aluminum heat sinks, essential for heat dissipation while ensuring long lifespan of the light. Removeable driver with extended power cord for better heat dissipation, Less heat generation than the driver which soldered on top, Control your growing space easier. IP65 waterProof layer, Extend the performance time.
Bloom Plus BP 4000 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
This Bloom Plus grow light uses the NEWEST LED grow light technology including Samsung 2835 Diodes, high-energy efficiency with 2.5g/W, Higher output but lower electricity consumption. Making these lights more efficient than other lights on the market. The Full Spectrum led grow lamp can provide everything the plants need under light at all stages. The powerful blue light makes the plants grow faster, and IR light is particularly useful during flowering, it can accelerate bloom time and increase yield, fill the flowers with space and obtain an amazing harvest. This can not only reduce buds but also increase yield while saving energy and costs.
While you’ve seen the various ways to choose the right size LED grow lights, there are a few considerations that can affect the overall success of your indoor garden due to the LED grow lights you choose.
Analyzing PAR maps and light uniformity
A PAR map or PPFD diagram is a visual representation of the intensity and distribution of PAR within a specific area, usually presented by suppliers in light coverage areas. It provides valuable information about how much light a plant is receiving per inch, allowing growers to easily understand light performance and determine if this LED grow light will fit into their lighting system for maximum plant growth.
Light uniformity, on the other hand, refers to how uniform the light distribution is within a given space, and can be clearly identified by a PAR diagram. Uneven light distribution can cause some areas to receive more light than others, resulting in uneven plant growth and yield. By measuring and analyzing light uniformity, growers can identify areas that need more or less light and adjust their lighting systems accordingly.
Here are some tips for interpreting PAR graphs to gain insight into light uniformity:
Look for hot spots: Hot spots are areas of particularly high light intensity. These can indicate areas of poor light uniformity, as plants in these areas may be receiving more light than they need. Plants may grow towards the hot spot and become stronger under it, or conversely, their leaves may be scorched by the hot spot.
Look for cold spots: Cold spots are areas with particularly low light levels. These can indicate areas with poor light uniformity, as plants in these areas may not be receiving enough light. Cold spots indicate the distribution of light around, affecting whether the side and deep branches can absorb enough light. Cold spots can cause slow growth if the gardener is not planting in a grow tent or in a reflective area that allows light to bounce off to enhance side light.
Look for patterns: When using multiple LED grow lights, it is common to see patterns in the PAR meter, patterns in the PAR graph can give you insight into the cause of uneven light distribution. For example, if the PAR graph shows a striped pattern, this may indicate that fixtures are spaced too far apart. By identifying patterns, you can adjust your lighting system to provide a more even distribution of light.
Overall, understanding light uniformity through PAR maps requires careful analysis of the intensity and distribution of PAR in space, and using this information to optimize lighting systems for optimal plant growth and development.
Dimming and Daisy Chain Control
When investing in indoor gardening grow lights, it is important to consider the functionality of the product.
LED grow lights are designed to provide plants with the light they need to thrive, but different plants have different answers to the amount of light for the seedling, vegetative, and flowering stages. This is where dimming control comes into play. By adjusting the intensity of your grow lights, you can create a custom lighting environment for your plants.
Additionally, daisy-chain control allows for seamless connection of multiple grow lights, simplifying the setup process and eliminating the need for extensive dimming operations. Growers can control the intensity of all lights with the turn of a single knob.
Dimming function and daisy chain function of LED grow lights
It is important to ensure that the grow lights you choose are equipped with dimming and daisy chain control to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of your indoor gardening operations. By doing this, you can create the optimal lighting environment for your plants and promote healthy growth, while also simplifying setup and operation.
Additional Features and Customization Options for LED Grow Lights
As indoor gardening continues to grow in popularity, so does the demand for smart features and customization options for LED grow lights.
Smart features such as remote control access and scheduling capabilities allow growers to easily manage their grow lights from a distance and optimize LED lighting schedules for optimal plant growth.
Smart Features of LED Grow Lights
Additionally, customization options such as spectral control and adjustable brightness give growers more control over light output, allowing them to fine-tune the lighting environment to meet the unique needs of their plants.
These features and options not only simplify the management of indoor gardens, but also provide an enhanced growing experience by promoting healthy plant growth and reducing energy consumption. Therefore, it is important to consider the availability of smart features and customization options when investing in LED grow lights, as they can greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your indoor gardening operation.
In my opinion, LED lighting has many advantages for indoor gardens compared to other types of lighting. They are very effective because they can produce the wide variety of colors your plants need. If you’ve been thinking about buying the right model for your indoor garden, we hope you’ve learned something from this guide.