Best Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
Indoor growing systems offer the remarkable advantage of complete control over your growing conditions. Unlike outdoor grows, which are subject to unpredictable weather and seasonal variations, growing marijuana indoors lets you build a thriving ecosystem with a high level of customization.
Your first order of business will be replacing the natural sunlight that plants need to flourish with artificial lights. That's where full spectrum led grow lights come into play. (In addition to LED lights, there are various other types of cannabis grow lights available. To make an informed purchasing decision, we recommend referring to our previous guide to learn the differences.)
According to Waveform Lighting, a quality full-spectrum led grow light will have a "spectrum that closely mimics that of natural daylight". With their ability to emit light across the entire spectrum, from cool blues to warm reds, full spectrum LED grow lights effectively replicate the sun's natural illumination.
In this article, we will explore three great options that stand out as the best full spectrum LED growing lights available. These exceptional products have been carefully selected for their superior performance, energy efficiency, and ability to enhance plant development. Get ready to take your indoor cannabis growing to the next level!
Table Of Content
- 1. Top 3 Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
- 1.1 UNIT FARM UF2000 LED Grow Lights
- 1.2 GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb
- 1.3 Samsung's LM301H Full Spectrum Growing LED System
- 2. Things to Consider When Looking for the Best LED Grow Lights
- 3. Costs of Full Spectrum Led Grow Lights
- 4. FAQs
- 5. Conclusion
Top 3 Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
1. UNIT FARM UF2000 LED Grow Lights
The Unit Farm UF2000 grow lights are your best option if you're thinking about growing a sizable indoor garden. These top-of-the-line full spectrum LED grow lights provide an impressive array of features to enhance plant growth. They provide the vital wavelengths plants require for optimum growth with the ideal combination of warm, sun-colored light and the addition of infrared light.
The Unit Farm UF2000 grow lights are distinguished by their extraordinary 100,000-hour longevity. This longevity is a testament to the exceptional quality of the LEDs used, which not only ensures durability but also contributes to energy efficiency and lower electricity consumption. The lights have aluminum cooling plates that effectively dissipate heat and enable longer use.
While these lights offer exceptional quality and performance, they fall on the more expensive side. It's also important to note that some of these lights may not be dimmable, so you must carefully assess the distance between the lights and your cannabis plants.
2. GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb
The GE BR30 light bulbs can provide an advanced red spectrum, perfect for cultivating a wide range of plants, from flowers to luscious fruit trees and tomatoes.
The convenience of the GE BR30 bulbs is also unparalleled. Setup is like a breeze--you simply screw the light bulb into your existing grow lamp, and you're ready to go. These 120-volt bulbs can work seamlessly with most lamps, eliminating the need for any additional accessories.
These bulbs give forth a soft glow that is bright enough to help plants grow better. The Spruce team conducted tests on them, and discovered that seedlings developed quickly "within just a few days", and that large plants showed a considerable improvement after a few weeks of use.
One drawback of the GE BR30 is that it will need to be replaced within a few months. This is usually not too much of a hassle though since you can purchase them in packs of four bulbs. You will need to purchase a lamp separately to hold the bulb though.
3. Samsung's LM301H Full Spectrum Growing LED System
Samsung grow lights have long dominated the market for high-efficiency grow lights. The Samsung LM301H has a photosynthetic photon efficiency of 3.10 µmol/J at 65 mA. Sporting an anti-sulfur coating for durability, this grow light for indoor plants offers the ideal light spectrum for each growth stage of plants like cannabis.
Unlike the Unit Farm panel, the Samsung LM301H lighting intensity is adjustable, which means that the PPFD can be adjusted to meet the plant's specific needs, ensuring optimal growth and maximum yields. This feature makes it particularly suitable for novice growers.
Samsung full spectrum grow lights are incorporated in various commercial grow light panels. Expert and newbie growers may use them in grow tents or grow boxes. The Hey abby OG grow box kit uses the LM301H, and incorporates an additional 660nm 3535 high-power red LED for further support during the cannabis flowering stage.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best LED Grow Lights
Size
You should first decide how many plants you want to grow and how big of an area you will need to cover. Will you keep your light in one place or are you planning on moving the light around the space? If you plan on moving it, you will want to consider portability and opt for something more lightweight.
Location
Your light needs to be positioned just far away enough from your plant. Melissa Lallo Johnson, host of Art of Gardening, does a great job of explaining: "Hanging your lights too low can burn your plants, but hanging them too high can leave them stretching for light, and weak." Improper position will cause potential damages. For instance, when it comes to weed plants, excessive direct light can lead to cannabis leaves curling up and affect the final quality of buds.
If you're using incandescent lights, place them at least 24 inches away from the plant. On the other hand, if you're using led grow lights or fluorescents, which have lower heat outputs, you should aim to place them 12-18 inches away.
Growing marijuana seedlings? Place them 2-3 inches away from fluorescent lights. You should position your light source directly over the plants, which best mimics natural sunlight.
Spectrum Coverage
When discussing full spectrum led growing lights, it's only intuitive to compare spectrum coverage. Different light wavelengths are important for different stages of plant growth, so each plant will have different needs. Do a quick search on your plant of interest and see what wavelengths they prefer. If they're not particularly picky though, most full spectrum led grow lights will do just fine.
Costs of Full Spectrum Led Grow Lights
When it comes to the costs of full spectrum LED grow lights, it all comes down to size and type. The price range can vary significantly, so let's break it down.
For those on a budget, light bulbs like the GE BR30 are a steal. You can get a pack of four bulbs for just $56. They may be small, but they pack a punch and provide full spectrum lighting without breaking the bank. These bulbs are perfect for smaller-scale growers who want quality without the hefty price tag.
But if you're serious about your indoor gardening and need something more powerful, you should consider the big guns. The Spider Farmer SF7000 LED growing light is a beast of a panel, designed for commercial growers or those with larger cultivation spaces. It's priced at around $599, but it's worth every penny.
Of course, you can also invest in a complete growing system coming with pre-installed premium LED lights, like Hey abby grow boxes. These intelligent grow setups offer a convenient and comprehensive solution, with everything pre-packed and ready to go. Starting at just $549, you not only get the benefits of full spectrum LED grow lights but also a range of other features and functionalities to support your indoor garden.
Keep in mind that prices can vary depending on additional features, brand reputation, and specific functionalities. It's important to assess your budget, the size of your grow space, and the needs of your plants before making a decision.
FAQs
1. How long should LED grow lights be on?
This will depend on what type of plant you're growing, what time of year it is, and where you live. Generally speaking, it's best to turn on the led grow lights between 8-16 hours every day. If you are growing somewhere that is exposed to natural light, you don't have to use as much artificial light. However, if you are growing somewhere with no sun exposure, you may need the full 16 hours.
2. How far should LED grow lights be from plants?
This will depend on the age and type of plant. But in general, if you're using incandescent lights, place them at least 24 inches away from the plant. If you're using led growing lights or fluorescents, which have lower heat outputs, you should aim to place them 12-18 inches away.
3. Do full spectrum led grow lights work for cannabis plants?
Yes, cannabis plants thrive on full spectrum lighting. Cannabis plants need different wavelengths depending on the stage of growth, which makes full-spectrum lighting a great choice to meet these needs. For example, younger cannabis plants need more blue light, while flowering plants need more red light.
Conclusion
Providing your plants with high-quality led growing lights is going to set you up for a bountiful harvest. If you're new to the growing world, you may feel a little overwhelmed with all the options. But at the end of the day, it's important to remember that there is no single best grow light for indoor plants. The best grow light will depend on you, your plant, and your growing environment. Knowing what to look for is the first step in finding the best fit for your indoor garden.
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