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The Best LED Grow Lights 2020 0

Light-emitting diodes (LED) have been around for over 50 years, even though it may seem as if they are a new technology. 

This is because it has only been in recent years that the advantage of using LED light has been noticed by both professionals and enthusiast growers.

There are several reasons why LED grow lights are so popular. A big plus for LED's is that they are energy efficient. 

LED's are up to 75% more efficient than incandescent lighting, and last about 25 times longer.  That is a big plus!

Other advantages of LED light are that they:

• Can stimulate growth in plants
• They have adjustable wavelengths
• They are energy efficient
• They are compact in size
• They are very durable and long-lasting

 We have chosen five LED lights that are the best on the market today. 

 Kind K5 XL1000 WiFi LED Horticulture Grow Light

Wattage: 630W

Price $1,695.00

Kind LED is an industry leader of full-spectrum grow lights. They have rigorously researched and developed their LED technology. 

The LED lights from Kind are considered to be the best indoor grow lights on the market today.  The brand new K5 WIFI is the perfect platform for controlling multiple lights. 

It can be done from your phone, tablet, or laptop through the web-based Kind command center. 

It can’t get much better than being able to control spectrum and timing from wherever you are and whenever you want. 

The K5 XL 1000 has a new easy-to-read LCD screen. This unit has newly enhanced UV diodes that increase terpene and flavor profiles. 

The Kind K5 will deliver 200% greater canopy penetration and harvest weight. 

High Times magazine has awarded Kind LED Grow lights with their STASH Gear of the Year for four years in a row since 2014.

Features include:

• > 50,000 hour lamp life
• Three-year warranty
• Fully customizable spectrum for vegetative and flowering stages of plants
• Newly enhanced diodes
• 200% greater canopy penetration
• Easy to use the dial to adjust timers and spectrum
• Kind Command Center allows you to set your timers and spectrum
• Favorite light recipes can be saved
• Control multiple lights

Heliospectra LX601 630W LED Grow Light

Wattage: 1000w

Price: $1849.00

The LX601 is one of the most technologically advanced grow lights available. There are four different types of diodes built into the light. 

These lights can significantly reduce your energy consumption while growing by as much as 50%. 

This particular light is designed for indoor use and as a primary light source. Another advantage is that you can adjust your growth rate. 

If you are basing your production on demand, if demand is down, you can slow down the growth rate or speed it up so that there is nothing that goes to waste.  

You can control all of the spectral makeup through a CAT5 ethernet cable that plugs into your computer. 

The overall quality, light intensity, and duration can be controlled from wherever you are on your smartphone. 

This is a huge advantage during the growing process, and you will spend less time running the operation. There are no more hand-turning spectrum dials or setting wall timers. With the onboard computer, web interface, remote monitoring, and open API, you will have control no matter where you happen.

Features include:

• Lamp life > 50,000
• Designed to cover a 4ft x 4 ft area uniformly
• Two LED color plates have set ratios to grow a variety of leafy greens, herbs, and flowers
• Using web-based UI, you can control quality, intensity, and duration
• Optical distribution is ideal to be close to plants but maintains a uniform distribution pattern
• Spectral distribution is consistent with photosynthesis
• Power cables for EU or North America plug type
• A reputable company for the past 14 years
• Three-year warranty’

California Lightworks SolarSystem 1100 LED Grow Light 

Wattage: 800w

Price: $1599.00

California Lightworks has spent time developing circuit boards to minimize heat and maximize performance. 

Using 5-watt Osrams that use half the heat and electricity as 3-watt chips, the Osrams also put out twice as much light. 

The SolarSystem 110 is the most powerful grow light in the California Lightworks product line. 

The unit is lightweight yet puts out more light than larger LED grow lights. Powerful enough for veg or bloom, the SS 100 has a fully programmable spectrum control with the optional SS Controller. 

You can achieve 0 tp 100% dimming of the LED grow lights with a 5’ x 5 ‘ bloom coverage or 8’ x 8’ vegetative coverage area.

Feature Include:

• Lights are > 50, 000 hours
• Never have to change bulbs
• Great for Propagation, Veg or Bloom
• Waterproof and can handle humid conditions
• Use for personal or commercial grow
• Replaces a 1000-watt HPS with 40% less energy
• UL listed
• Made in the USA.
• Five-year warranty

Spectrum King SK602 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

Wattage:610w

Price: $ 1495.00

Spectrum King LED grow lights are carefully designed and engineered to mimic natural sunlight. 

HPS lights require 1,000 watts to produce the intensity for healthy plants. Spectrum King SK402 offers the same intensity using only 460 watts. 

You will spend up to 50% less on energy. Completely sealed from dust and moisture, the SK402 is IP65 rated. 

Even if your light gets sprayed with a hose, the housing will not be damaged. A huge perk is that Spectrum King's LEDs have large heatsinks and can run cool. 

A fan that can suck in bugs and moisture is not needed to cool the light. 

Features Includes:

• 92% Efficiency
• Low profile of seven inches
• Remote power system compatible
• Grow area of 5’ x 5’ 
• Does not need a fan
• Fit for use in wet and humid conditions
• Five-year mechanical warranty

Amare SolarBar SB800 COB LED Grow Light

Wattage: 880w

Price: $1695

The newest light in Amare’s line up, the SolarBar SB880, contains dimmable Samsung (white) and Osram (red) diodes that deliver high-efficiency light over your canopy. 

This light can be constructed in two, four, six, or eight-bar configuration with the patent-pending attach/detach bracket design. 

The design enables the bars to attach/detach for separate operations in pairs. 

The SolarBar has a very low profile of fewer than four inches and is excellent for close proximity for vertical or multi-tiered applications. 

This light delivers the highest available CRI, DKI, PPF/W, PPFD/W, McCree, and medical curve efficiency. 

 Features Include:

• Waterproof housing
• Can be used for commercial applications
• Full-cycle growing from seedling to flower
• Full white light spectrum
• Detachable bar sets
• 4’ x 4’ to 5’ x 5’ coverage
• Samsung LM301B and Osram Oslon diodes
• Five-year warranty

Things To Consider

When looking for a set of LED lights, it is best to get a set that is quality and will suit your needs. 

If you choose a set based solely on a lesser cost, you may end up with a product that costs you more in the long run. 

Time and effort and your original plants could be ruined if you don't have the right lights. 

It pays to research the types of lights available and what you need regarding your growing. Set your goals and educate yourself on what you need to get there. 

It is seldom a good idea to skimp on costs thinking that you will upgrade at a later date when you can afford it. 

If you don't set up your process correctly from the beginning, you may not have a later date to count on.

When looking for LED lights, consider the following important information:

Quality

You want your grow lights to be durable. It can be extremely frustrating to have to replace lights a short time after purchase, or in the middle of a grow cycle. 

A quality LED light should last about ten years. We may be biased, but we believe that a product manufactured in the United States according to high industry standards, is the place to start looking. 

Four of the five LED grow lights mentioned in this article are made in the United States.

Brand Name

When you start looking, you will find numerous brands and manufacturers on the market today. 

If you are looking at different lights that are comparable, check out the brand. 

As with most other items, go with a brand that has a good reputation. If you have any difficulties, you want a company that will stand behind its product and provide excellent customer service.

Energy Efficient

You will be expecting a lot from your grow lights. They will need to be functioning for at least ten to eleven hours each day. 

That is a big draw on the amount of energy you will be using. You want a product that will be easy on your electricity bill. 

Check how many units the light is in total output. Anything less than 300W will cost you. 

Choose something that is on the higher end of 600W to 800W or more. The higher output will compensate for any wattage loss.

Heat

Because the lights are in constant proximity to your plants, you want to make sure that the lights will not be damaging the plants by the heat that they emit. 

Another thing to consider is that lights that have a higher heat output will also burn out faster. 

Semiconductor Chip

An LED’s light core converts electricity to light and determines the wavelength of that light.

The chip needs to have at least 3W to be able to provide sufficient illumination.

Plants

What will you be growing? Certain LED lights are made to supply the needs of specific plants. It is not always a one-size-fits-all with LED lights. 

Depending on the plant, it will need different wavelengths during each growth stage. Tomatoes will require a different type of light than flowers. 

It is also essential to consider if you are doing just vegetative cycles or if you are doing flowering and growing processes too.

Space

This is a significant factor. What is the size of the area you will be growing in? As a general rule, you will need 32 watts of actual power per square foot. 

Again, it depends on the plants that you are growing. Some plants take less light (like lettuce), and others take more (like tomatoes). 

You will need to determine the amount of light your crops will need.

Easy to Use

There may be times when you need to adjust the position of your LED lights. If you get a quality light, it will also be able to be adjusted with ease. 

Look for lights that have both wavelength and light intensity adjustments. Ease of maintenance is another an important factor. 

Full Spectrum

An LED is not just an LED when you want the light to simulate the photosynthesis process. The process requires different wavelengths, as we mentioned earlier. 

You will want an LED that can deliver the full spectrum needed throughout every stage of the growth process. 

Some plants need a light in the red and blue range along with the light being infrared and ultraviolet. A quality LED grow light will be able to provide these variations.

Warranty

Last but not least, you are going to want a light that has a good warranty. Whatever light you choose should have a decent warranty and even free return shipping. 

A reputable manufacturer will stand behind its quality built product. 

In Conclusion

There are a variety of things to think about when looking at what LED grow light you should purchase. Use the above factors as a guideline when considering what you need.

If you purchase a quality product, it will cost you upfront, but inferior products always end up costing you more in the long run.

Best Gorilla Grow Tents for Hydroponics 0

Mars Hydro, a Hydroponic Supplier Spotlight 0

The Top 5 Fan-less LED Grow Lights 1

LED grow light technology is still new and rapidly evolving. While LEDs are much more efficient than traditional HPS/HID grow lights, they still output heat.

To manage this, most LEDs have built-in fans to move the heat away from the diodes and keep them from overheating and getting damaged. While this method of heat management works, it has a few drawbacks.

First, the fans themselves have a lifespan and can break or be damaged. Every additional component in your light is a potential point of failure. If the fan breaks then it has to be fixed or replaced if you want to continue using the light during your grow.

Fans also accumulate dust, dirt, and other buildup from your grow room. This means they have to be regularly cleaned in order to operate effectively. Many grow lights don’t account for this in their design and make it difficult or impossible to easily clean the fans. If you’re using one light then this is a minor issue, but if you’ve got more than this can be a huge pain.

Finally, while most fans are advertised as “silent”, many end up being pretty noisy, which can be annoying.

Many LED manufacturers are catching on to these issues and some of their latest designs have eliminated the need for fans entirely.

They do this in a few different ways such as adding much larger heat sinks, opting for newer hyper-efficient low heat output diodes, and increasing the overall surface area of the light to reduce areas of highly concentrated heat.

On top of not requiring a fan, these lights tend to have a lower overall heat output, run more efficiently, and have a longer lifespan compared to LEDs with internal fans. 

Here are some of the best options for fanless LED grow lights: 

1) Spectrum King SK402

Wattage: 460 Watt

Price: $799.00

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: 36 sq ft (6 ft x 6 ft)
• Flower: 16 sq ft (4 ft x 4 ft) 

The SK402 is the newest and most popular light by Spectrum King. The all around white coating gives better intensity on the outer edge of your canopy. Perfect for plants that are particularly sensitive while only using a fraction of the energy. Safety Certified and IP65 Rated. With water resistant housing the SK402 LED Grow Light is perfect for wet and humid environments. Guaranteed to lower your overall ambient room temperature.

You can choose to add a manual dimmer which enables turning the power down to as low as 10% power for more control when needed.

 The features include 

• Full spectrum LED, that runs with a blinding intensity
• Low heat levels - solves temperature issues, particularly in summer
• Great as both supplementary lighting and as a standalone
• Speeds up vegging times
• Features a level of light penetration that gets deep into the canopy
• Built using Cree LEDs
• Built to last - engineered to the highest standards
• Highly energy efficient
• Ridiculous PAR rating!
• 50000 hour lamp life
• Wide-angled for a better light spread
• UL listed.

 2) NextLight Mega 

Wattage: 650 Watt

Price: $1525.50

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: 49 sq ft (7 ft x 7 ft)
• Flower: 16 sq ft (4 ft x 4 ft) 

Another best seller. The NextLight Mega produces a high intensity full spectrum light designed to efficiently replace any DE 1000w HPS on the market. This bright white LED grow light is named the “Mega” not for its size but for the increased production and large footprint it will supply to your canopy. Using only 650 watts, this light is perfect for growers looking to cover larger areas using less.

NextLight’s full spectrum provides the same sun-like qualities plants love without the negatives of high energy requirements and high heat. Using NextLight’s full spectrum you will see faster growth, tighter internodal spacing and increased production overall.

The Mega is designed to meet the needs of commercial and home growers alike. The excessive power consumption, bulb replacements and heat are the biggest problems indoor growers face. The NextLight Commercial Series alleviates all of those issues. Coming in at 2.15 PPF/Watt, the Mega is one of the most efficient lights on the market. On top of that, they have some of the best service and support available and the Mega is even DLC certified and UL listed - perfect for a commercial grow operation.

3) Electric Sky ES300

Wattage: 300 Watt

Price: $695.00

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: Up to 3' x 6’ 
• Flower: Up to 2.5’ x 5’’

The Electric Sky ES300 is a 300 watt wideband grow light that uses the newest spectrum and light distribution technology. The patent-pending GS1 spectrum grows plants faster in veg and creates larger flower yields. Industry-first linear lenses send light in two directions, providing both downward intensity and side-to-side uniformity to avoid hotspots. Beginner and expert growers will appreciate the ability to fine-tune the canopy of light by adjusting the positioning of units to create the perfect Electric Sky for any garden size.

• Exclusive & scientific “GS1” Spectrum contains a special color ratio that tells your plants to grow big leaves & stems for exponentially faster vegetative growth.  Growers frequently report 2x growth speed vs Metal Halide and T5 light sources.
• Wideband LED technology activates the hidden “supercharger” in plants for massive flowering results.  Older “white” and “purple” LEDs miss a color region that HPS Bulbs and new Wideband LED technology can reach. 
• Replaceable LEDs and components. Replace yourself or send in to them for an upgrade to a brand new light for a fraction of the cost.
• Industry-first linear lenses focus light in an “aisle” for evenly distributed yet powerfully intense light above and below the canopy.  Large “sweet spot” vertically and horizontally. Grow “Higher and Wider” even in small areas.

4) Horticulture Lighting Group HLG550

Wattage: 515 Watt

Price: $1049.00

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: 36 sq ft (6 ft x 6 ft)
• Flower: 20 sq ft (4.5 ft x 4.5 ft or 4 ft x 5 ft)

The HLG500 indoor horticulture LED Lamp is designed to replace a single ended 1000W HID. Each lamp uses 4 custom designed high efficiency white light Quantum boards. With a total of 1152 Top Bin Samsung LM561C S6 LED's, this fixture produces 1160 PPF with just 510 Watts.

The HLG550 is one of the most affordable fan-less lights if you are on a budget. 

Top features include:

• High efficiency white light Quantum boards
• White lLight full spectrum for better results
• Better canopy light penetration with diffused light
• Ideal for veg and bloom
• Dimmable Power Supply included

5) Spectrum King 140 Closet Case

Wattage: 140 Watt

Price: $349

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: 16 sq ft (4 ft x 4 ft)
• Flower: 9 sq ft (3 ft x 3 ft) 

Another great light from Spectrum King. The Closet Case is just what the name says, a dedicated LED light for smaller spaces with full spectrum capability. It works great as a light for a single plant and is perfect in tight spaces where heat output can be hard to manage.

Cool running and using only 140 Watts the Closet Case is an LED grow light built to the highest standards. Complete spectrum output will ensure your plants are happy and healthy. 

Features include: 

• A great light to keep your plants going strong also designed to work for the entire grow and flower cycles.
• Replace your old T5 banks, CFLs and any HPS up to 250w with these high efficiency LED grow lights built for closets, tents and smaller grows
• Rugged IP65 Rated waterproof housing makes it perfect for harsh environments
• Efficient heat sink minimizes radiant heat, which can be problematic in small tent environments.
• Specially designed 90-degree reflectors spread light evenly to your plants.
• Each light ships with a six-foot power cord, hanging clips and bracket for easy installation.
• Safe for outdoor use

Compared to traditional LED grow lights, fan-less LEDs are more efficient, easier to maintain, have a longer lifespan with less that can break, and run completely silent.

If you're looking to upgrade your current LED grow lights or are making the switch from HID lighting, you should definitely consider the advantages of forgoing the fan!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals 2017 0

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are Coming Up Quick!

We'll post all of our deals here so that you can get the best deal on your next LED grow light and other grow gear. Some of these deals haven't started yet but we're letting you know about them now so you're ready when they do.

Last Update 11/23. Added Electric Sky, Kind LED, Lush Lighting, NextLight, and SuperCloset deals. We'll keep updating as new deals are announced!

Amare

25% off all grow lights. No coupon required.

Valid: 11-24 - 11/27

Black Dog LED 

20% all grow lights. No coupon required.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

Electric Sky

20% off all grow lights. No coupon required.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

Kind LED

20% off all grow lights. Use code KINDFRIDAY.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

Lush Lighting

10% off all grow lights. Use code LUSHFRIDAY.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

NextLight

20% off all grow lights. Use code NEXTLIGHTFRIDAY.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

Optic LED

1 Free Optic 1 when you order an Optic 4 or Optic 6 Grow Light. No coupon required.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

Spectrum King

10% off all lights. No coupon required.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

SuperCloset

10% off all grow cabinets, grow rooms, and hydroponic systems. Use code SUPERCLOSETFRIDAY.

Valid: 11/24 - 11/27

Unit Farm

15% off all lights and tents. No coupon required.

20% off all light and tent packages. No coupon required.

Valid: 11/1 - 11/31

Financing

Don't forget we now offer financing for all order over $199. Find out more here.

The Top 5 Best COB LED Grow Lights for Every Grower 0

As a grower you're always on the lookout for the best and brightest when it comes to new grow light technology. A good source of light is the best investment you can make for big healthy plants and huge yields. That's why you should be looking at COB LED grow lights, they don’t only blow traditional HPS  bulbs out of the water, they’re also a big step up over standard LEDs.

COB (Chips on Board), is a new technology of LED packaging for LED light. Multiple LED chips are enclosed together as one lighting unit. When turned on, they look like a single light source instead of multiple individual lights. Slowly but surely, these COBs are taking the grow light market by storm.

The main advantages of COB LED grow lights over regular HID and standard LEDs are:

• Improved electrical efficiency so you save energy and reduce power costs.
• Highest usable lifespan of any grow light technology so you won't be replacing them any time soon.
• High Color Rendering Index (usually over 80) and broad spectrum for large healthy plants.
• High quality COB LEDs will outperform HID technology at the same power consumption.

Here are our top 5 COB LED grow lights recommendations so you can finally replace your big, bulky, and hot HID grow lights.

1) Optic 6 COB LED Grow Light

First up is one of the newest and most affordable COBs on the market, the OPTIC 6 COB LED Grow Light.

Wattage: 620 watts

Cost: $749

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: 5' x 4' (Max 6' x 5')
• Flower: 4' x 4' (Max 5" x 4')

The Optic 6 comes with a mix of three 3000k COBs and 3 of 5000k COBs for an even full spectrum for your plants. It's a full cycle COB LED grow light designed to be able to grow from seedling through flowering with the most efficient spectrum at every point along the way.

The 3000k COBs add a lot more red to the overall spectrum which gives it amazing capabilities in flowering.The secondary diode array combined with the COBs produces a maximally efficient spectrum and high quality glass lenses magnify PAR output by up to 200%.

2) Amare SolarECLIPSE 450 COB LED Grow Light with UVB

Wattage: 450 Watts

Cost: $1145

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Veg: 4.5' x 4.5'
• Flower: 4'x 4'

Amare uses the latest LED technology to provide an intense, uniform, and natural white light for your plants for every phase of growth. Amare is one of the most reputable brands around and their track record of success has given them a large loyal fanbase. This is one of the highest quality COB grow lights out there.

Some unique features of this light:

• COB Technology gives a full white light spectrum ranging from 410nm to 760nm.
• Integrated UVB bulb to maximize late stage bloom resin production.
• Dual operating modes for Veg and Bloom.
• Modular Arrangement gives you the flexibility to start small and expand later.
• Removable lens allows you to focus intensity where you need it.
• Quiet fan and oversized heat-sinks mean it's always running cool.

3) Mars Hydro COB 100W LED Grow Light

Wattage: 100 Watts

Cost: $232.99

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Core coverage: 2.5'x2.5'
• Max coverage: 4.5'x4.5' (veg)

If you’re a first-timer for COBs or just want to get your feet wet before diving in with something bigger, the Mars Hydro COB is a great place to start. It works well for a single plant or a mother plant so you can try out how you enjoy the COB at a very affordable price.

It offers complete protection against particles and water so it can handle any grow environment.

4) Cirrus 1K LED Grow Light

Wattage: 1000 Watts

Cost: $999.00

Recommended Coverage Area:

• 4.5' x 4.5'

This innovative addition to the Cirrus line is the highest yielding LED grow light in its price range. The Cirrus 1K utilizes full-spectrum driverless COBs paired with high performance heat exchangers. This cutting-edge design allows for greater cooling, light-output, and efficiency.

It is truly one-of-a-kind with a 1000 watt power draw for less than $1000.

5) Optic 3 Dimmable COB LED Grow Light

Wattage: 170 Watts

Cost: $499.00

Recommended Coverage Area:

• Vegetative: 4' x 4'
• Flower: 3' x 3'

Another great option from Optic LED, the Optic 3 is the only light in this lineup that can be fully controlled (timing and dimming) by remote control. If you’ve got a multi-light setup the remote can be a huge time saver. The American made CREE CXB3070 COB is specifically designed for horticultural lighting. It gives the same full spectrum light as the Optic 6 in a smaller package.

A unique, toughened, and ultra-clear optical lens guarantees high light transmittance up to 97% - no energy waste!

COB LEDs have quickly gone from a new, untested technology only usable by people willing to build their own grow lights to a mature product that offers some of the best light available for your plants. You get stronger canopy penetration and greater efficiency than a traditional LED grow lights plus none of the heat and energy issues of HID bulbs

COBs used to be out of the price range of most growers, but now that they’re more affordable it’s a great time to jump in a test them out. Once you do, you won’t be going back to your old lights!

You can see our whole collection of COB LED grow lights here.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Whatever your growing situation or experience level, it is our pleasure to help you grow!