Contemporary technological developments and innovations have already spilled over to the manufacturing of LED grow lights, and now more than ever, we are enjoying the most advanced LED grow light products on the market. Moreover, contemporary LED grow lights are more durable and efficient nowadays. This augurs well for those who would like to have their own greenhouse or those who would like to grow plants indoors.
As you shop around for grow lights, you will readily notice that grow lights are aptly labeled with numbers. These numbers appear like these: 2700K or 4000K. These numbers, of course, are not the price of the grow lights. Instead, they refer to the relative coolness or warmth on the light’s color spectrum. The rule is, the higher the associated number, the cooler the light would be.
The growth of foliage, for example, is optimal if they are fed with grow lights that have the number of 6500K. However, most plants need warmer lights, like the lights given off by grow lights with the number of 3000K for them to flower and bear fruit. Thus, if you want to grow seedlings, root crops, or leafy green vegetables, you will need a higher spectrum of grow lights. On the other hand, if you want to grow flowers and fruiting plants, you will require low spectrum grow lights.
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Important Factors to Bear in Mind When Buying Grow Lights
Grow lights have three types, namely, fluorescent, LED, and HID grow lights. Depending on your plants’ needs, you can always choose among these three different grow lights options. However, the most common grow lights used by planters and gardeners are the LED grow lights. LED grow lights, of course, are more expensive than fluorescent grow lights, but they use less electricity and last longer. They also give off more intense light than fluorescent grow lights.
At the onset of buying LED grow lights, you need to be aware of the following essential factors to consider when buying LED grow lights. In this way, you will be able to zero in on the most suitable LED grow lights to use for your plant growing needs.
1) Light Spectrum
Different light spectrums have varied effects on different kinds of plants. Some spectrums, for example, stimulate vegetative growth, while others increase the yield of fruits and make flowers healthily bloom. Other spectrums appear to have very minimal effect on the growth of plants. It’s a good thing that we can now fully understand the immediate effects of different spectrums on the growth stages of plants, allowing us to fully harness the use of grow lights.
Nowadays, you can select the spectrum of light that you will use for your indoor plants. Plants generally would grow if they receive red and blue lights. However, most LED grow lights provide full spectrum. Moreover, the spectrum that you would utilize in specific stages of the growth of plants would surely affect the patterns of growth of the plants.
Let’s discuss first the blue lights (400nm-500nm). The blue lights are more often used to stimulate the growth of plants during the vegetative stage. This spectrum, in some way, mimics the summertime sunlight. Plants, therefore, enjoy this spectrum and use it as their clue for growing leaves. It is as if this spectrum catalyzes the plants to spread its leaves and gather as much sunlight as possible. Hence, this spectrum is highly recommended during the vegetative stage of the plants’ growth. The downside of using too much spectrum, however, is that it leaves your plant with so much healthy leaves, but with stunted stems.
The red lights (660nm-730nm), on the other hand, are utilized for stimulating growth during the flowering or blooming stage of the plants. This spectrum mimics the fall sunlight. Fall, of course, is the time when plants begin to grow tall as a preparation for the coming winter. The logic for this is that taller plants have better chances of budding and pollinating using the winter winds.
You can buy LED grow lights that are specifically customized for such spectrums that your plants need. Furthermore, you will see the great PAR (photosynthesis active radiation) of LED grow lights on their labels. Hence, next time you shop around for LED grow lights; you should carefully read the labels to figure out if they are the appropriate LED grow lights for your plants at their growth stage.
2) Consider the Amount of Light
Plants thrive in light, and the more light they receive, the better they would grow. Hence, when shopping around for LED grow lights, you should look for LED grow lights that could emit the highest level of light quantity.
Panels that are tagged as 3W per bulb are known to produce the highest amount of light without necessarily scorching the plant. Moreover, the more panels you use over your plants, the better would be the growth of your plants. If you have a large growing space, you should at least use a LED grow light with two panels.
3) Heat Emission of the LED Grow Lights
When looking for a LED grow light, you need to look for something that has low heat emission. Light, of course, also comes with heat. So, you should not choose something that has high heat emission. Instead, go for low heat emitting lights.
You can position the low heat emitting lights near your plants for optimal capturing of lights without necessarily burning them. You should also control the temperature level of your grow room. Humid air allows for optimum growth of plants. However, high heat-emitting lights can dry the air and thus stunt or slow the growth of plants.
4) Consider the Wattage Per Coverage Area or Square Foot
It is essential to consider the wattage per square foot of your grow lights. You should bear in mind that grow lights run for long hours, and they consume electricity. The electrical output of your lights would usually stay above 300W. Thus, you may run the risk of scorching your plants after prolong exposure to lights.
You should know, therefore, the recommended amount of wattage per square foot for a particular type of plants. You should also see the area that your lights can adequately cover. We would recommend that you choose lights with 3 ft x 3 ft area coverage for the vegetative stage of the plants.
5) Electrical Usage
LED lights should be durable and long-lasting because you don’t want to be replacing busted LED lights more often. They should also be energy-efficient for you will be turning them on for long hours. The usual operation of LED grow lights is from 10 to 12 hours daily. Thus, you must research the total output of the LED grow lights that you intend to buy. LED grow lights come in 1000W, 400W, etc. Lastly, you should choose something that is energy efficient.
6) Quality
You will surely find LED lights as a costly investment. Yet, you will also discover that the quality of LED grow lights generally affects the yield. Hence, before zeroing in on a particular brand grow lights, you need to figure out the quality of the item carefully. Figure out likewise, if the products are made of quality stuff. Are they durable? Quality grow lights generally last for up to 50 thousand hours plus.
You should also consider the warranty provided by the manufacturers. Trusted manufacturers generally offer an extended warranty because they are sure of their products’ quality. Consider also the design of the grow lights. Are they easy to use and easy to set up? Most contemporary grow lights are equipped with a power cord and hanging hooks.
7) Price and Your Budget
The better the quality of the LED lights that you use, the better the yield, and the results. At the onset, many beginners in using grow lights tend to settle for the less expensive ones. However, as you get more experienced in utilizing grow lights, you ache for quality and more expensive ones. If money is not an issue for you, you can always settle for the quality but expensive ones. However, your budget will surely determine the type of LED grow lights that you can buy.
Most Recommended High Yielding LED Grow Lights on the Market Today
LED grow lights come in wide varieties and brands. Thus, buying the ideal LED grow lights becomes a bit confusing for many. To facilitate the buying process for you, we have delineated here five of the highest yielding LED grow lights on the market today:
1) King Plus 600W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower(Dual-Chip 10W LEDs 60Pcs)
The King Plus 600W LED Grow Light features 10W LEDs that are obviously better than the old 3W and SW LEDs. This LED grow light is scientifically engineered for providing a balance of coverage and PAR output. It is a full spectrum LED grow light that offers comprehensive spectrum for plant vegetation and flower. It substantially mimics the sunlight.
The King Plus 600W LED Grow Light comes with a very efficient cooling system that features two high-speed fans that work quietly along with upgraded heat sinks for keeping the lights quiet and cool. It is also energy efficient as compared to the traditional 600-watt HPS/MH lamp. It only consumes 120 watts and allows you to save more on your electric consumption. Moreover, it comes with a 3-year warranty. The only downside of opting for this product is its price which is not cheap.
2) MARS HYDRO Led Grow Light Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower Plant Lights for Hydroponics Grow Lights High Yield (Pro II Epistar1600W)
The MARS HYDRO Led Grow Light is capable of producing more blue and red PAR per watt for more yield. It is a high-quality LED grow light with lower operating costs. It comes with full-power functionality for optimum light intensity and growth of plants.
The MARS HYDRO Led Grow Light is a full-spectrum grow light that comes with upgraded power supply. It also comes with fans along with Cree and Epistar chips. Moreover, it comes with an improved reflector-cup design for achieving 100% output. It also offers a balance between PAR/Lumen output and area coverage.
The MARS HYDRO Led Grow Light features flexible control with its U-connector for connecting multiple lights. It also features vegetable and bloom switches for easy and flexible control. It is easy to operate and mostly easy to manage.
The MARS HYDRO Led Grow Light offers excellent coverage and is perfect for 4′ x 4′ growing area at the height of 24″. It is also ETL certified. Another good thing about MARS HYDRO Led Grow Light is that it comes with a 3-year authentic warranty with 30-day return guarantee if it comes with any problem.
3) BESTVA DC Series 2000W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum Grow Lamp
BESTVA DC Series 2000W LED Grow Light comes with full-spectrum light for use indoor. You can use this grow light for all the growth stages of the plants. It makes use of the most advanced dual-chip LEDs that are 10W. This means that it can give you the highest PAR for each LED. It also comes with around 80 LED chips. This implies that your plants will undoubtedly get a very high amount of light. Hence, you should hang this light 24 inches above your grow beds. It also features 120-degree LED angles for ensuring that your plants get direct light.
BESTVA DC Series 2000W LED Grow Light has been engineered to scatter light without scorching your plants evenly. It is designed specifically for the coverage area of 4.5ft x 4 ft for optimum results. It also features an efficient cooling fan system that readily scatters and dissipates heat. Its aluminum panel also comes with holes to keep the lights at a running temperature of 50 to 60-degree Fahrenheit. This range of temperature is lower than other products. Eventually. You can save on your energy consumption using this LED grow lights.
The good thing about this product is that it comes with a timer for perfect control. It is not waterproof. Thus, you can’t use it outdoor. It is expected to last more than 100,000 hours of use. Lastly, it comes with a 3-year warranty and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
4) Advanced Platinum Series P300 300w
The Advanced Platinum Series P300 300w comes with a coverage of around 4.5 feet x 3.8 feet. You can position it optimally at approximately 18 inches above the plants. It is perfect for use in compact grow areas. It features platinum LED lights that offer the highest PAR/Lumen output per watt. It comes with a superior 12-band full spectrum with a range from UV to IR. It basically provides the most complete and most efficient spectral output at hand. Its lamp chips are replaceable, and for this reason, it comes with a higher price tag.
The Advanced Platinum Series P300 300w comes with VEG/Flower switches. It also features an efficient cooling system with two high-speed, quiet fans along with aluminum heat sinks. The Advanced Platinum also comes with 400W HPS replacement. Lastly, it comes with a 5-year warranty along with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
5) Roleadro LED Grow Light, Galaxyhydro Series 1000W Indoor Plant Grow Lights
The Roleadro LED Grow Light features an infrared grow light that is perfect for indoor plants. It comes with the most useful Blue and Red IR and UV light as well as white light. It is ideal for helping plants perform photosynthesis even in an indoor setting. It offers a higher PAR Value while allowing you to save on your energy consumption.
Roleadro LED Grow Light features 10W chips that are designed for higher PAR value. It also features a unique 90-degree optical lens. It is designed for effectively reducing light loss, and it ensures the use of light up to around 98%. Thus, it achieves the balance between energy-saving and efficient utilization. Roleadro LED Grow Light comes with a very useful cooling system with its two high-speed fans with built-in aluminum heat sinks. Lastly, it comes with a 2-year warranty.
