Best LED Grow Lights (2024)

If you're looking to buy a new grow light, read further. Anyone looking to grow plants indoors will love the benefits of getting a grow light. You get to grow in a more controlled environment, setting the right amount of brightness that your plants need. You don't have to worry about the climate not working in your favor.

With new grow lights in the market now, consider upgrading or getting into indoor growing. Considering all the benefits, you'll surely get a faster return on investment, as you'll enjoy growing indoors more. And while nothing can beat natural light, the technology in grow lights has advanced so well that they are a formidable alternative to outdoor growing.

 

 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Plant LED Grow Light

When choosing a grow light, there are some factors to consider when deciding which is best for you. 

Power

The amount of power consumed by your grow lights is one consideration to factor. Grow lights have different wattages, which equate to the amount of electricity you consume. And while LED grow lights are still energy efficient, this should still be a consideration. You would want to consume less while growing in a small footprint.

Footprint

Another thing to look for is a footprint or the area that a grow light can cover. Measure how big your grow area is to get an idea of which grow light works best for you. Take note that some grow lights cover a rectangular footprint, another consideration. You want to maximize the light, so you should look for something that matches your existing space.

Spectrum

There are grow lights that work for a particular stage of plant growth. You'll see grow lights classified for vegetation and flowering. If you're growing herbs or any other leafy plant, you won't need a grow light with a spectrum meant for flowering.

Now, if you're growing crops or cannabis, that's where you'll need the flowering spectrum. That would mean having vegetation and flowering grow lights in your grow space. The good news is that many grow lights offer a full spectrum to handle both stages of plant development.

PPF and PPFD

When checking the product specifications of grow lights, you will encounter the terms PPF and PPFD.

PPF, or Photosynthetic Photon Flux, refers to how much light comes from a source per second, measured in umol/S. To be clear, PPF doesn't automatically mean a plant receives X amount of light per second. It just means the grow light produces that amount of light every second. Getting the right amount of light per second need not be done with a single light. You can combine grow lights to get the right amount needed by your plants.

PPFD, or Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density, refers to the amount of light your plant receives. Technically, the values listed are the amounts it receives when the grow light is set at the ideal height. Putting it higher will, of course, lessen the PPFD. Commercial-sized operations will benefit significantly with a PPFD range of 1,500 – 2,000 umol/S for every square foot. CO2 enrichment systems then supplement these. For smaller spaces, you won't need as much.

 

 

Best LED Grow Lights for 2024 

While the factors we have discussed above are some of the most important things to consider when buying LED grow lights, there are many other factors that can influence your decision. If you want to learn more about buying LED grow lights, we have a dedicated buying guide available that covers all aspects of the buying process in more detail. This guide can help you make an informed decision and find the perfect LED grow lights for your specific needs.

Without further ado, our recommendations for the best LED grow lights are based on a thorough analysis of various factors, including efficiency, durability, spectrum coverage, and cost-effectiveness. We have evaluated each product based on its performance in these categories to ensure that our readers receive the most accurate and relevant information. Additionally, we understand that some readers may have a limited budget, and for this reason, we have also included a low-cost alternative for each recommendation where available. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive guide to help readers make an informed decision when selecting the best LED grow lights for their needs.

 

Most Powerful LED Grow Lights 2024

Photontek XT 1000W CO2

 

The Photontek XT 1000W is one of the market's most powerful full-spectrum LED grow lights. It features a spider form factor that makes it lighter, despite the power it uses. This grow light comes with a photon efficacy of 2.7 umol/J while delivering a homogenous light spread across a 6 x 6 feet footprint. The XT 1000W uses P-Tek drivers, Osram, and Lumiled LEDs. Compared to HPS grow lights, you get to reduce the capacity of your HVAC system by 40 percent while increasing yields by up to 60 percent.

But what makes this grow light special is how you can use CO2 supplements to increase yields without having to plant more. Users have said that a 5 x 5 footprint with CO2 supplements has produced more promising results than a 6 x 6 footprint. Another interesting feature of the XT 1000W is the click magnet attachment system that makes this grow light modular. You can use fewer bars to save on electricity, especially when working on a smaller grow space. The XT 1000W is also compatible with Photontek's Digital Lighting Controller, allowing you to control up to 100 grow lights. But even without the optional controller, you can connect the XT 1000W with other controllers that use a 0 – 10V output or RJ to 0 – 10 V adaptor.

 

Electrivo 960W

 

 

The Electrivo 960W XBar Pro is another high-powered, full-spectrum LED grow light option. Featuring a spider form factor, this grow light can cover up to a 7 x 7 feet footprint. Running at 960 watts, the 960W XBar Pro has a PPF of 2646 umol/s and an efficacy of 2.8 umol/J. You can chain up to 100 sets of this grow light using a network cable and wired through a single controller.

The 960W XBar Pro has a trademark locking design that uses a one-click assembly that's easy to install and upgrade as needed. There's also a separate light module that allows you to control these lights. Installation is easy, as the 960W XBar Pro can be suspended or ceiling-mounted using its adjustable cables. If you're looking at the economical side of things, the 960W XBar Pro is also DLC-listed, which makes it qualified for utility rebates.

 

Low-cost Alternative:  

Spider Farmer SE1000W CO2

 

 

The Spider Farmer SE1000W CO2 is a good alternative for those looking for a powerful grow light that won't break the bank. This grow light comes with 3710 Samsung LM301B LEDs that ensure a PPF of 2943 umol/s with an efficacy of 2.8 umol per watt. This full spectrum grow light delivers 2800-3000K warm white light, 4800-5000L blue lights, and 650-665 Osram red light for the proper output while boosting plant growth.

The SE1000W features 10 LED bars to cover up to 5 x 5 feet footprints. You can connect up to 30 grow lights, each with its own controller that you can synchronize with other controllers in the chain.

 

 

Best New LED Grow Lights

HLG Scorpion Diablo

The HLG Scorpion Diablo is a newer grow light worth checking out. This grow light was designed for growers without the luxury of indoor space. However, it makes up with its quantum boards that ensure an even and wide spread of light of up to 6 x 6 feet while hanging at 15 inches from the canopy.

The Scorpion Diablo uses full-spectrum white and 660nm red LEDs to cover each stage of plant development. With a 2100 PPF and photon efficacy of 2.97 umol/J, the Scorpion Diablo ensures high-quality yields from your plants. And because the Scorpion Diablo was designed for limited space, this grow light features passive cooling, eliminating the need for fans in your grow tent. The Scorpion Diablo also features a dimming system, UL 8800, UL 1598 damp location, and DLC-certified.

 

OpticLED Slim 750S NextGen

Another new kid on the block worth checking is the Optic LED Slim 750S. This grow light works well in medium to large footprints of up to 7 x 7 feet. The Optic LED Slim 750S features three dimmers that allow you to adjust red, blue, and white LEDs independently for a more customized spectrum that adapts to the needs of your plants. Behind the full spectrum of the Slim 750S are full spectrum white lights, 3500k mixed white LEDs, 660nm deep red, 450nm royal blue, UV, and 730nm far red. The Slim 750S features passive cooling, so you don't need to add fans to dissipate heat, even when maximizing its power.

 

Best Selling LED Grow Light

HLG Blackbird

The HLG Blackbird is a standout LED grow light, ideal for 4x4 grow tents and designed for both full and flower cycles in home grows. Featuring 6 Full Spectrum QB 200 Quantum Boards, it ensures an even light spread from just 20 inches above the canopy, enhanced by a passive-cooled design for efficient operation. Its full spectrum lighting, combining white and deep red LEDs, caters to all growth stages, and its dimmable 100-600 watts power supply adapts to varying needs. The Blackbird, with its auto-sensing power supply for different voltages (120-277 VAC), offers a flowering footprint of 4' x 4' and a veg footprint of 6' x 6'. Notably, it boasts a system PPF Efficacy of 2.79 μmol/joule and a total output of 1567 PPF, all in a compact size, weighing 17.45 lbs. and backed by a 3-year warranty.

 

Low-cost Alternative:  

Spider Farmer SE7000

Another popular choice in the grow lights market is the Spider Farmer SE7000. Using 730 watts of power, this full spectrum grow light boasts 2688 Samsung LM301B LEDs that deliver 1920 umol/s and an efficacy of 2.75 umol/s for every watt. The SE7000 also features an eight-bar design for even light distribution.

The SE7000 has a three-channel spectrum composed of 2800K warm white light, 4800 blue light, and 655nm Osram red. This grow light is ideal for medium-scale operations, with a footprint coverage of up to 5 x 5 feet. You can connect up to 30 lights using a single control knob on any of the SE7000 units. With a unified system, you can simplify your workflow.

 

 

Best Commercial LED Grow Light

Gavita RS 2400e

The Gavita Pro RS 2400e LED Grow Light is an exceptional choice for commercial growers, excelling with its 4 x 4 feet coverage and impressive 2400 umol s-1 PAR at an efficiency of 3.0 umol/joules. Its full-spectrum lighting, enriched with an enhanced blue spectrum, optimizes terpene and cannabinoid profiles in plants, crucial for high-quality yields. An added advantage is its ability to operate on 120V, making it compatible with standard electrical outlets for easy installation and flexibility in various settings. Paired with the Gavita EL3 Master Controller, it allows for precise light cycle management, enhancing plant growth. Durably constructed and ETL listed with an IP66 rating, the RS 2400e's foldable design and top-quality components ensure reliability, backed by a five-year warranty, making it an ideal, efficient solution for commercial indoor gardening.

 

Best Value LED Grow Light

Migro ARAY 8

Looking for a powerful grow light that can provide superior coverage and efficiency for your grow space? Look no further than the Migro Aray 8.

Equipped with eight high-powered LED bars, the Migro Aray 8 is designed to deliver even coverage and optimal light penetration, making it an ideal choice for grow spaces up to 4' x 4'. With its customizable spectrum, this light allows growers to fine-tune the light to meet the specific needs of their plants at different stages of growth.

The Migro Aray 8 runs at a maximum of 500 watts, making it an extremely energy-efficient choice for growers who are looking to reduce their energy costs. The light also features built-in dimming capabilities, allowing growers to easily adjust the light intensity as needed.

Constructed from high-quality materials, the Migro Aray 8 is built to last. With its rugged design, this grow light is able to withstand even the toughest grow environments, ensuring that it will be a reliable and long-lasting addition to your grow setup.

 

Low-cost Alternative:  

Spider Farmer SE5000

The Spider Farmer SE5000 provides good value for your money. This grow light is a scaled-down version of the SE7000, which still gives you a good amount of PPF and PPFD. You get the same three-channel spectrum with the SE5000 but only consume 480 watts of power. The SE5000 can cover up to 5 x 5 feet footprints and can connect up to 30 grow lights.

 

 

 

 

 

Best LED Grow Light with Supplemental UV

California Lightworks SolarSystem Series

The SolarSystem series by California Lightworks is one of the best you can get that offers supplemental UV lighting. These grow lights feature programmable full spectrum control with the help of the SolarSystem Controller. Unlike other grow lights, the SolarSystem grow lights can go from total blackout to a hundred percent brightness. The SolarSystem series has an efficiency of 2.23umol/J while only consuming up to 800 watts of power. You can use the SolarSystem to cover more expansive grow areas when linked together.

 

California Lightworks SolarXtreme Series

If you want a cheaper alternative to the SolarSystem grow lights, California Lightworks also offers the SolarXtreme as a viable option. This COB grow light can cover up to 5 x 5 feet of grow space and uses direct AC drive technology to eliminate the need for LED drivers and reduce electricity costs. If heat is an issue, SolarXtreme uses active cooling, so you don't need to add fans to your grow tent.

 

Closing Thoughts

Choosing the right LED grow light is crucial for the success of any indoor growing operation. In this guide, we've highlighted some of the best LED grow lights available on the market, each with its unique features and capabilities to suit different growing needs. However, we recognize that every grower's needs are unique, and we offer a wide range of LED grow lights to fit all budgets and grow space sizes.

 

Shop LED Grow Lights For Sale

 

If you're having trouble deciding which grow light to choose, don't hesitate to reach out to our team for personalized advice and recommendations. With our help, you'll be able to find the perfect grow light to help you achieve healthy and robust plants in your indoor grow space.