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LED grow lights for huge areas might be costly. Many grow lights on the market today are either inefficient, do not adequately cover the stated coverage area, or are grossly overpriced. When you invest nearly $1,000 (or more) on an LED grow light, you want to ensure that you're not only receiving a high-quality product that will last for years, but also an LED grow light that is efficient and evenly covers the grow space with light.
In this article, I will disclose my selections for the Best LED Grow Lights. This list will include LED grow lights with a flowering coverage area of 5'x5' that are ideal for a full-cycle grow (from seedling through flowering). These are complete fixtures only. This list excludes DIY grow lights and lights that require major assembly. The grow lights are listed in no particular order. For an LED grow light to make this list, I consider the following factors: PAR output, efficiency, spectrum, light spread, diodes, drivers, and warranty. I've omitted grow lights that cost more than $1,000 since it's simply not worth it to spend more than that to cover a 5'x5' area in my opinion.
Spectrum
Most plants require some color in order to grow. While ordinary grow lights appear clear or white to the naked eye, they are actually constituted to variable degrees of multiple hues. This is referred to as "full spectrum" light. Some of the hues in this spectrum are especially beneficial to indoor plants.
Blue light stimulates the production of chlorophyll, the pigment required by plants to flourish. It also aids in seedling and seedling germination and root growth.
Red light controls plant growth and allows plants to bloom and bear fruit.
Green light promotes photosynthesis.
Standard full spectrum grow lights will support most plant development. Some grow lights allow you to change the color balance from warm (more red light) to cool (more blue light) to meet the needs of your plants.
Temperature of color
The Kelvin (K) unit measures the color temperature of a single light bulb – that is, whether the light emitted seems warm or cool. When your grow lights also brighten your living environment, this becomes critical. Choosing a slightly warmer color temperature can give your home a comfortable feel.
Brightness of light
The amount of light provided by a bulb or fixture is determined by its intensity. This is often measured in lumens in the case of LEDs. The more lumens a bulb has, the more light it generates and the brighter it seems.
When discussing light intensity, you may come across the following terms:
- Watts: A measure of how much energy a light bulb consumes when in use.
Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD): A measure of the amount of usable light in a particular region.
- Lux: The number of lumens released per square meter.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): A measure of how precisely a light bulb will render colors in a room. A CRI of 0 indicates that all colors are displayed as black. A CRI of 100 indicates that the color will appear as it would in natural sunlight.
Coverage
The final factor to consider when purchasing a grow lamp is the amount of coverage it will provide. This is often measured in lumens, lux, or foot candles per square meter for LEDs.
What is the best LED grow light brand?
There is no such thing as the finest brand of LED grow lights. In truth, this is a controversial position, especially given the increasing number of brands and manufacturers. Nonetheless, the greatest ones right now (in practically every category) are ViparSpectra, Mars Hydro, Gavita Pro, California Lightworks, and Spider Farmer!
How Much Light Is Required for a 5x5 Tent?
According to the typical calculation, your 55 grow tent will require approximately 1250 watts. If you can't get that amount, two (2) 600 or 660-watt grow lights will suffice and provide enough light.
How Many Plants Can a 600-Watt LED Light Grow?
Depending on whether we're talking about the vegetative or flowering stages, the number of plants you can grow with a 600-watt LED grow light ranges from one (1) to six (6) medium-sized plants. There will be occasions when you can put at least eight (8) plants in, however this will necessitate the plants being smaller and thinner.
If your plants require additional sunlight, the best LED grow lights can give it in an inexpensive and efficient manner. If you're serious about growing, you'll want to make sure you obtain the correct kind of light for your plants, but there's almost certainly an LED alternative available that will provide you with exactly what you need.
Keep reading to learn more about the best light bulb and how they compare to models from other brands, such as: