Indoor gardeners didn't use to have as much choice in artificial lighting as they do today. In fact, it used to be sunlight or nothing. After incandescent came fluorescent. Others followed, but the one that's really making waves is the LED. You can find full spectrum LED grow lights at affordable prices, and they have much longer lifespans than their predecessors. Unlike other artificial lighting, LEDs don't run hot at all – and even the big, powerful ones typically include heat sinks (like your computer or laptop) that help absorb any extra heat. On top of all those pluses, LED grow lights are also energy efficient, and kind of cool looking.
5 Best Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Comparisons
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Plant LED Grow Light Full Spectrum |
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Roleadro Upgrade and Newly Developed |
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Phlizon Newest Winter 600W |
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1000W LED Grow Light, Dimgogo Triple Chips |
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VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 300W |
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What Does "Full Spectrum" Mean?
When you're a serious indoor or hydroponic gardener, you likely have done all the research from the best setup, soil, nutrients, and lighting to help your plants grow big, strong, and healthy. Many growers prefer to use a variety of lights to help their plants through each cycle – from vegetative to flowering. To prevent you from having to go out and buy a ton of equipment and different types of lights, you should look into full spectrum LED grow lights.
Full spectrum is exactly what it sounds like. Plants require different colors of light to help the photosynthesis process. Aside from the obvious reds and blues needed (green is simply absorbed by the plant, which is why plants often appear green), they also need some ultraviolet and infrared lighting. A full spectrum lighting system gives your plants all the light wavelengths they need.
You'll notice that LED full spectrum grow lights have a purplish or pinkish glow to them. That's because you're getting all those blues and reds together, along with a little white light, ultraviolet, and infrared. Put all those together and you get a bright purple hue.
Are LED Grow Lights Really Effective for Indoor Gardens?
It used to be that LEDs were only used for remote control devices. Initially, they were used to transmit infrared only, which is what makes a remote control work. They were almost always red. Then they made the leap to digital clocks, which were also almost always red – and huge in your dark bedroom. As technology improved, so did LEDs and their use. Now you'll find LEDs are used for household lighting, in monitors, televisions, headlights, camera flashes, and more.
One of the most recent uses for LEDs is artificial lighting for indoor gardens. It's become especially useful with the legalization of cannabis in several states in the United States of America. Now growers, amateurs and professionals alike, can set up an inexpensive full spectrum LED grow light over their little green plants and wait for harvest time. There's no need to switch out lights, add fluorescent or incandescent lighting, and electricity bills stay reasonable.
In fact, many growers have seen impressive results from full spectrum LED lights. And because there's no need to swap out lights, and the cost to run a system is so low, it has increased profits and yields for many users. All you really need to do is reduce the amount of time your plants are exposed to light to mimic the change of seasons. So, give your plants a big drink of artificial LED sunlight for 18 hours per day during the vegetative stage, and then reduce it to 12 hours during the flowering stage. Then get ready to harvest!
What to Keep an Eye Out for in Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
Some of the best lightings out there are full spectrum LED lights. Not all of them are created equally, though. So, before you scroll through a list of products online and hit "add to cart" on the cheapest one, consider these important features.
Cooling System
Although LEDs run much cooler than other lighting sources, they still put off heat, like any light. Many systems include a cooling system, which could be an aluminum heat sink that absorbs excess heat, or fans, which push the heat up and away from your fragile plants below. You still may need a ventilation plan to help the heat exit your grow room.
High Wattage
Generally, each LED runs at about 1W. To ensure you have good coverage and the right amount of light for your indoor plants, you should find a full spectrum LED light that offers at least 300W. There are some at lower wattages that can be useful for a single plant, or a small crop, though. You can find many LED lighting systems that go up to 1000W. Any higher, and you'll need a much bigger room or grow tent, and probably an air conditioning system for that room alone.
Switches
A full spectrum LED light is sufficient for all stages of a plant's life. With that said, some people still prefer to control the type of light their plants get. You can find some lighting systems with switches built in that control certain types of light, so you can turn one on, one off, and get the right light for the vegetative stage. Flip the switches and you'll have the ideal setup for the flowering stage.
Warranty
One of the best ways to protect your purchase is to find a full spectrum light with a long, strong warranty. You may luck out and get a perfect system with no flaws, but if you happen to get a lemon, you'll be happy you have a warranty that lets you return the light for a new one or to have it repaired.
Horticulture experts and newbies all have the same goal: to produce the best crops ever. When you're doing it indoors, you rely on the best artificial lighting available, and if you think that's LED, then keep reading. You're sure to find the best full spectrum LED grow light reviews below.
Top 5 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Reviews
Plant LED Grow Light Full Spectrum 300W, Reflector LED Grow Lamp with Heatproof Casing, for Greenhouse Hydroponic Indoor Plant Growth by Lightimetunnel
- Wattage: 300W
- Reflector caps: 60 degrees
- Cooling system: Fan, vents
- Dimensions: 12.2 L x 8.5 W x 2.5 D inches
- Weight: 3.65 lbs.
- Number of LEDs: 192
- Lifespan: 30,000 hours
Lightimetunnel jumped into the LED light game with this full spectrum lamp that sports 300W total – except the actual wattage equates to about 130W. The unit is affordable, and that's due in part to the construction of this lighting system. The housing is made of plastic, which the manufacturer claims, is heatproof, and that may be true, but it still feels a bit cheap. Still, it also contributes to its lightweight body.
This LED light includes a fan to get rid of any excess heat, and it runs quietly – you might notice a slight hum. However, there is no heat sink to absorb heat. It's pushed out of the unit and away from your plants through the housing's vents, but the heat has nowhere to go except into the room itself. It's effective for a small growing area, but you should limit it to one or two plants – maybe three, if you're positioning it far away from the leaves. It's suitable for a 2-foot-by-2-foot space.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Quiet operation
- Includes warranty
- Energy-efficient
CONS
- No heatsink
- Housing is plastic
PRO TIP
If you’re looking for an affordable full spectrum LED grow light that offers a few cooling features, and is lightweight, this one may work for you.
Roleadro Upgrade and Newly Developed LED Grow Light Full Spectrum 2nd Generation Series 300w Plants Light
- Wattage: 300W
- Cooling system: Fans, vents, heat sink
- Dimensions: 12.1 L x 8.2 W x 2.4 D inches
- Weight: 5.45 lbs.
- Number of LEDs: 50
- Lifespan: 50,000 to 100,000 hours
- Warranty: 2 years
One of the reasons people might not like LED lights is because of that tell-tale purple glow. The Roleadro's newest full spectrum LED grow light solves that issue with a soft, yellowish glow – much like the sun. The full spectrum light ensures that your crops grow from seed to harvest without you having to add different lights during that growth cycle. As with any grow light like this one, it consumes very little energy compared to the older generation grow lamps, so you won't see a crazy electric bill.
The cooling system included on this Roleadro unit has a heat sink, vents, and two fans. While the fans do a good job to help keep your grow room from becoming too warm, they are quite noisy. You'll be thankful for the long two-year warranty if you buy this light because there have been several reports of units dying before they hit the 50,000- to 100,000-hour lifespan. Roleadro makes it a point to quickly replace any defective units.
PROS
- Nice white light
- Truly full spectrum
- Decent warranty
- Low energy consumption
CONS
- Fans are noisy
- Lifespan is hit or miss
PRO TIP
If you’re in the market for a low-wattage, full spectrum LED light without that purple glow, this may be a good choice for you
Phlizon Newest Winter 600W LED Plant Grow Light, with Thermometer Humidity Monitor, with Adjustable Rope, Full Spectrum Double Switch Plant Light for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower- 600W(10W LEDs 60Pcs)
- Wattage: 600W
- Cooling system: Fans, vents
- Dimensions: 15.7 L x 6.7 W x 2.36 D inches
- Weight: 3.65 lbs.
- Number of LEDs: 60
- Lifespan: N/A
- Warranty: 2 years
There are a few ways companies can create full spectrum LED grow lights, and Phlizon created its 600W grow lamp with a mix of blue, red, UV, and white light to ensure your plants get all the lights they need. The biggest difference between this grow light and others, is that it includes switches for vegetation and flowering cycles. Just flip the switch for each growth phase to give your plants what they want. This is a decent size for a small grow tent (about 3-foot-by-3-foot), but any larger, and you may want to buy a couple of these. The good news is that they're easy to daisy-chain and plug into one outlet.
The fans do a good job of keeping things cool, whether in veg or flower state, but they are quite loud. And the included thermostat tells you the temperature of your grow tent or room, plus the humidity. If you're in the United States, though, you should be aware the temperatures are only in Celsius. There's no telling what the lifespan is on this LED lamp, but the maker offers a two-year warranty, so if it dies before your warranty does, then you can return it for repairs or a replacement.
PROS
- Easy to daisy chain
- Good coverage
- Includes a thermostat
- Small for wattage
CONS
- Loud fans
- Thermostat in Celsius only
PRO TIP
For a little more power and only slightly more money than the 300W versions, this could be the full spectrum LED grow light you need
1000W LED Grow Light, Dimgogo Triple Chips Full Spectrum Grow Lamp with UV&IR for Greenhouse Hydroponic Indoor Plants Veg and Flower All Phases of Plant Growth (10W Leds)
- Wattage: 1000W
- Cooling system: Fans, heat sink, vents
- Dimensions: 12.2 L x 8.27 W x 2.83 D inches
- Weight: 6.6 lbs.
- Number of LEDs: 100
- Lifespan: 50,000 hours
- Warranty: 3 years
Dimgogo created a full spectrum LED grow light with only 100 LEDs to equal 1000W of power. How? Instead of the more common 3W or 5W LEDs, the manufacturer used 10W LEDs, which produces a much brighter intense light. You can grow your plants from seed to harvest with this lamp, and all you really need to adjust is the amount of time they suck up the light from this grow lamp. The actual wattage this light uses is about 268W, which means you won't feel it in your electric bill.
The size of this grow light is similar to its 300W and 600W competitors, but it's suitable for lighting a 5-foot-by-4-foot space. Although it has a couple of powerful fans, a heat sink, and decent ventilation, this light does get a bit hot when running for 18 hours per day. There are several reviewers who've said they received damaged goods or that LEDs burned out within days. The saving grace is that this grow light comes with a three-year warranty.
PROS
- Uses 10W LEDs
- Actual wattage ~268W
- Long warranty
- Good for 5'x4' space
CONS
- Many reports of defects
- Questionable quality
PRO TIP
If you need a 1000W full spectrum LED grow light, this one may be right for you.
VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 300W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower
- Wattage: 300W
- Cooling system: Fans, heat sink, vents
- Dimensions: 12.6 L x 7.9 W x 3 D inches
- Weight: 5.6 lbs.
- Number of LEDs: 60
- Lifespan: 100,000 hours
- Warranty: 3 years
It used to be that the best full spectrum LED grow light cost more than $300, and that's for a 2-foot-by-2-foot space. You can get the same to better quality with the latest grow lights, like this 300W one by VIPARSPECTRA, at one-third that price. You won't be able to grow long rows of crops indoors with this single small grow light, but for a 2-foot-by-2-foot space, your plants should be happy.
You shouldn't receive a big blow when you get your electric bill each month while running this light, as it only uses about 136 watts. The LEDs should last a good long while – up to 100,000 hours, which is the equivalent of about 11 years if running constantly. However, there was more than a handful of complaints about defective units. The three-year warranty should cover those issues, though.
PROS
- Doesn't cost a lot to run
- Actual wattage ~136W
- Includes three-year warranty
- Long lifespan of LEDs
CONS
- Fan is a bit loud
- Some reports of defects
PRO TIP
If you want to make your tiny indoor garden happy from seeds to harvest, this full spectrum LED grow light could be good for you.
Conclusion
When choosing the best full spectrum LED grow light for your small indoor garden, you should take everything from the color of the light and intensity of light to the cooling system into consideration. All of the LED grow lamps reviewed above will get the job done, but there's a single unit that gets the best reviews, which is the VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 300W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower. As long as you don't mind that bright purple glow that comes with LED grow lights, this 300W grow light will do your plants a nice service. It may be the best thing next to actual sunlight. Whatever you're growing, this full spectrum LED grow light should help you go from seed to harvest without you having to change your lighting system one bit.
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