Best LED Grow Lights 2023

When you decide to buy LED Grow lights, you are choosing to not only invest in your indoor grow but also want to make sure they are the best led grow lights. Over the years, growing lights have proven necessary, and ever since LED lamps have become popular as technology, many more indoor garden growers have been switching to this kind of light!

Over the course of this article, we will first cover the purpose of grow lights, then look at the factors you need to consider before buying a LED grow light, and then at the 10 best LED grow lights.

We have created a list of some of the best LED grow lights for 2023. There are many lights to choose from, so this list is not exhaustive.

All ten best led grow lights in this list will cover and light plants with at least a 4'x4' area for flowering. This Best LED Grow Lights 2023 list includes a mix of the following light fixtures:

• ShopGrowSpaces Bestsellers

• LED grow lights we think are well products and have impressive specifications (light output, PAR efficacy, uniformity).

What are LED Grow Lights?

LED stands for light-emitting diodes. These lighting systems emit low heat, are turnkey and can produce high yields with low power consumption and extreme energy efficiency. Prices for LED grow lights have rapidly come down in the last few years, thus allowing home growers to switch towards them as their preferred lighting options.

Compared to HIDs, LED Lights don't require a reflector and ballast for operation and can last for decades. HID bulbs often need to be replaced every couple of years and cannot produce the full spectrum light show as LED lights.

What is the different type of LED Grow Lights in 2022?

LED grow lights come in different forms, so it's imperative to research all of them to find the best fit for your growing needs

LED Grow Light Panels

The most common type of LED Grow Lights is panels. Panels are the most common type of LED grow light, and at Shopgrowspaces, most LED Grow Lights consist of LED panels. They include heatsinks for removing heat, a driver (think of it as a ballast), and often come with a warranty. Most LED grow lights are synonymous with LED pannel in the market and are the only type of best LED grow light and lights suitable for total stage growth.

Advantages:

• Full-spectrum, which can be customized and combined for both the vegetative and flowering stage

• Comes turnkey for a standard house outlet

• Very long lifespan, with the bulbs, typically lasting for decades.

Disadvantages:

• The most expensive type of LED grow light

LED Grow Light Bars

Many growers use LED bars as a simple way to expand their lighting footprint or change their natural light and spectrum. LED Bars come in different spectrums and are single rows of diodes. LED bars are not used in the entire growing cycle, i.e., from plant to seed, but as supplemental lighting to the primary light source.

Advantages:

• Can easily replace T5 fixtures to increase PAR and less energy consumption

• Some units come as turnkey and can work with a standard 120V house outlet

Disadvantages:

• Most use a single spectrum with no switching options.

• It cannot be used for a complete growth cycle, but more as supplementing, with the need to purchase multiple bars to use only light type.

LED Grow Light Bulbs

An LED grows light bulb is a single LED bulb. Like LED bars, they are restricted to growing plants until the flowering stage.

But, they can be a great asset for small growth, like leafy vegetables or smaller plants.

Advantages:

• Made for a standard light socket

• It gives the flexibility to create your preferred spectrum by mixing and matching.

Disadvantages:

• Multiple bulbs required

• A reflective hood may be required

What makes the best LED grow lights in 2023?

The best LED grow lights have the following standard features:

Uniform Spectrum

The significant characteristic of a good LED grow light is that it has a uniform spectrum, so all the plants under the light receive the same light distribution with same intensity natural sunlight and allow you to rise from the veg cycle to harvest with the same light. The best range consists of not just red and blue light but also infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV).

Power

Best plants' yields come from LED lights, which can give more intense light now. Hence, the best LED grow lights need to be incredibly powerful energy efficient.

Efficiency

Efficiency in LED grows lights is a must-have need. Maintaining a low running cost and actual power consumption is very important when operating at a high level and producing high power.

Sturdy

LED grow lights are a high-cost investment and thus must last a long time to show a positive return on investment. This can only happen if the grow lights are sturdy and reliable. Therefore, the best LED grow lights must be reliable and durable, lasting for a long time. All the lights below the listing are from reputable brands and include some warranty. This will ensure your peace of mind, knowing that purchases are protected.

Things to consider before buying LED Grow Light in 2023

Do you think to grow lights are all alike? You've got some severe misconceptions! A lot goes into finding your perfect LED gardeners, and we're here to bluestocking you with knowledge. 

In this article: - What makes an excellent glowing green foil stovetop substitute? And why should I care? We'll take care of those worries right now by discussing different types & uses; From high-efficacy bulbs suited best as cycling plant nutrients through advancing Photoperiodic flowering cycles

1) Coverage Area: Knowing the amount of space for your light coverage is essential. Understanding the total amount of space needed to cover with your LED lights is imperative. Each morning has a range of space it can cover; hence it's essential to understand the accurate measurement of the grow space. Once the precise area for coverage by LED grow lights is found, read the reviews and feedback from others on the distance the LED light can cover.

2) Brand/Budget/Price: These considerations are necessary depending on your growth journey. For a beginner, it will make more sense to use a lower-priced option to get your feet wet. This will be important as the higher-quality lights typically yield the best results. Once more experienced, it's never better to go with the higher-quality lights, as they usually produce the best results. A good brand that has raving customer reviews is, almost always, a safe bet.

3) Spectrum: A full spectrum LED grow light will go a long way in terms of helping your plant during various growth stages. All light variations are necessary for red, blue, infrared, and ultraviolet, depending on the location. It goes unsaid about the importance of a powerful light with different wavelengths to ensure maximum growth. The total spectrum yields are becoming popular as they run cool and don't need additional fans. They cost less over time, given the electrical savings and strong durability. We highly recommend purchasing this kind of LED grow lights as they are the best lights offer that offer the full range, including UV light. 

4) Electrical Usage: Good LED lights need durability, and excellent electrical efficiency, as well, as they will ideally operate for at least 10-12 hours a day. When researching a good LED light, it's essential to understand the total output (1000w, 400w, 300w, etc.). The more powerful lights tend to have less electrical usage and are more cost-effective.

 5) Light Control: Every growth stage requires the proper amount of lighting (down to the exact hour). Please find below a breakdown of the phases below for growing LED lights:

• Seedling Phase: 16 hours on, 8 hours off

• Vegetative Phase: 18 hours on, 6 hours off

• Flowering Phase: 12 hours on, 12 hours off

Light cycles must be followed to a tee as they can severely alter the growth and potency of your plants. 

Top 10 Best Grow Light 2023!

NextLight Mega Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

The NextLight Mega grow light quickly replaces a 1000W DE HPS while only drawing 650 watts. The LED lifetime for this grow light is rated at 100,000 hours, which is 20 years on a 12/12 cycle.

Features:

• One of the best-led grows lights.

• Top seller

• Commercial-grade white light fixture with Samsung diodes.

• Application: Home grow, commercial 

• Full-spectrum 3000K/5000K white Samsung LM561B+ diodes are heavy in blue and green, providing good red for flowering.

• Mega grow light measures 37" x 37" and is passively-cooled (no cooling fans).

• The broad form factor and thin profile allow the heat to dissipate without additional heatsinks or fans.

• It also helps create a more even footprint without hotspots or low PAR readings.

• NextLight Mega grow light is available with a Com-Port ($25) and dimmer ($75) for central communication and dimming capability.

• Daisy-chainable unit to an additional fixture, thus reducing the number of cords needed to run for the power supply.

• They are designed and manufactured in the USA.

• Perfect fixture for tents, grow rooms, or commercial farms.

• UL is listed for commercial applications.

Contact us for commercial pricing.

Specs:

• Wattage draw: 650W

• Coverage area: 4'x4' to 5'x5' for flower (7'x7' veg)

• PPF: 1400 umol/s

• Spectrum: 3000K and 5000K (4000K average)

• Efficiency (umol/w/s): 2.15

• Price: $1525.50

• $/watt: $2.34

• $/photon(umol/s): $1.08

• Warranty: 5-year full

NextLight Veg8 LED Grow Light

NextLight Veg 8 grow light has been promising a proper replacement of green light and fluorescent lights for the ordinary 8-bulb fluorescent to grow light fixture. Veg8 grow light has approximately an 18% edge over the eight tubes T5 fixture in light intensity measured in PAR.

Features:

• Veg8's light fills the 2 x 4 square feet space quite nicely.

• It has a complete spectrum compared to a traditional 8-bulb T5 fluorescent grow fixture, thus facilitating healthier overall plants.

• Veg 8 light is suited for the vegetative state of plants.

• It can easily replace a 500 Watt HPS light.

• It uses less than half the power of a traditional eight-light bulb T5 fixture, leading to less energy and more efficient technology and hence less heat output to deal with, and in return, your plants will love you.

• It's rated at 100,000 hours. When used for a regular vegetative light plant grow cycle of 18 hours a day on and 6 hours off, it will last a little over 15 years of continuous use.

• It's UL certified for damp or dry locations such as commercial plant growing or greenhouses and is also suitable for home use.

• It eliminates the need to change light bulbs ever.

• Minimal Heat.

• Fast, Proven Return on Investment.

• 5 Year Warranty

Specifications:

• Flower Footprint: Not recommended

• Veg Footprint: 2 x 4 square feet

• PPF: 365

• Wattage: 190 Watts

• PPF/Watt: 1.92

• Unit Dimensions: 22 in x 46 in x 2.5 in

• Weight: 10 lbs (4.54 kg)

• Daisy chain option: maximum number of light units plugged in here is 1. This receptacle is for use with Next Light products only.

• Light Life Rating: 100,000 hrs @ 77°F

• Warranty: 5 Years Full

• Operating Voltage: 120v - 277v

• Light Operating Frequency: 60 Hz

• Light Operating Temperature: -4ºF to 104ºF (-20ºC to 40ºC)

• Light BTU Output: 640

• Input Current: 1.6A @ 120V, 0.8A @ 240V

• Made in the USA: Of the US and Imported Parts

Shop all NextLight

Black Dog PhytoMAX-2 1000 Watt LED Grow Light Fixture

Black Dog LED Phytomax- 1000  grow light is one of the most scientific and researched powerful LED grow lights on the market.

Features:

• One of the best grow lights from Black Dog LED light brand.

• PhytoMAX-2 1000 led grow light pulls 1050 Watts from the wall, or 2100 LED watts, operates on a 120/240-volt outlet, and costs around $45.36 per month to run.

• It implements 420 high-output 5-watt light diodes capable of penetrating a dense canopy and reaching out to plants in areas other lights cannot.

• It has a full spectrum ranging from UV to IR (365-750nm), producing the ultimate seed harvest spectrum that plants need.

• This light creates a 7' x 7' veg footprint or a 5' x 5' flower footprint.

• It has the most significant heat sink in the industry, resulting in superior cooling and increased lifespan of the light.

• This light also contains ultra-quiet and dedicated fans to further control temperatures.

Specs:

• Actual Wattage:1050 watts

• LED Wattage:2100 watts

• HID Equivalent:1600 watts

• LED Quantity:420

• Voltage: AC 100V ~ 250V

• Amperage: 8.8A@120V ~ 4.4A@240V

• Spectrum: full spectrum from UV-A to NIR (365 to 750 nm); for all grow cycles

• Coverage Area: 8 by 8 feet for veg; 6.5 by 6.5 feet for flowering

• Working Frequency: 50~60 Hz

• Working Temperature:-4~104 °F

• BTU:3581

• Power Factor:> 0.98

• Dimensions:21 x 21 x 7 inches

• Product Weight:53 lbs.

• Life Span: 50,000+ hours

• Certifications: ETL, CE, FCC, RoHS

• Package Includes fixture, US standard 120V 8-foot power cable, adjustable ratcheting 8-foot light hangers.

• Manufacturer's Warranty: 5-year warranty; 90-day return policy

Black Dog LED PhytoMAX-2 800 LED Grow Light

The Black Dog LED PhytoMAX-2 800  led grow light will any day replace a 1000 watt HPS, giving higher yields and better quality results with low-cost electricity and more intense light usage.

Features:

• Utilizes 420 Top-Bin 5W LEDs from industry leaders such as Cree and Osram, rated at 50,000 hours.

• The cover's up to a 6' x 6' for flower and veg a 7.5' x 7.5' area.

• Its spectrum can be used for both veg and flower, which helps reduce stalling associated with spectrum changes and which plants need.

• The spectrum ranges from UVA to Far Red and includes a healthy amount of green to naturalize the light for easy viewing and increase photosynthesis inside the leaves and canopy.

• Come with metal-gear ratchet hangers.

Contact us for commercial pricing.

Specs:

• Wattage draw: 840W

• Coverage area: 4’ x 4’ to 6’ x 6’

• PPF: 1282 umol/s

• PhytoGenesis Spectrum (UVA to far red)

• Efficiency: 1.53 umol/j

• Price: $1949.00

• $/watt: $2.32

• $/photon(umol/s): $1.52

• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Black Dog LED PhytoMAX-2 600 LED Grow Light

PhytoMax-2 600 led grow light consumes 630 watts and is equivalent in output to a 1000-watt HID system.

Features:

• It consumes less power than its competitors and does not have a customizable light spectrum or separate modes for veg and bloom. Hence they consume 630 watts no matter the growth cycle.

• Total photon flux of 961 umol per second

• Distribute their light much more evenly throughout the coverage area

• It gives a 5 by 5-foot coverage area during flowering and a 6.5 by 6.5-foot coverage during veg, while most 1000 watt LED lights can flower a 4 by 4 size.

• Significantly less variation in intensity, so plants on the outside get almost as much light as those in the center. This leads to consistent growth and no requirement to rotate the plants as much.

• It offers the best coverage, and canopy penetration combination among all 1000-watt LED grow lights.

Specs:

• Actual Wattage:630 watts

• LED Wattage:1260 watts

• HID Equivalent:1000 watts

• LED Quantity: 252

• Voltage AC: 100V ~ 250V

• Amperage:5.3A@120V ~ 2.6A@240V

• Full-spectrum from UV-A to NIR (365 to 750 nm); for all grow cycles.

• Coverage Area:6.5 by 6.5 feet for veg; 5.5 by 5.5 feet for flowering

• Working Frequency: 50~60 Hz

• Working Temperature:-4~104 °

• FBTU:2148

• Power Factor:> 0.98

• Dimensions:18.75 x 18.75 x 5.13 inches

• Product Weight:32 lbs.

• Life Span:50,000+ hours

• Certifications:ETL, CE, FCC, RoHS

• Package Includes fixture, US standard 120V 8-foot power cable, adjustable ratcheting 8-foot light hangers.

• Manufacturer's Warranty:5-year warranty; 90-day return policy

The Green Sunshine Company Electric Sky ES300 (2-pack)

The Green Sunshine Company Electric Sky ES300 LED  full spectrum led grow light has a unique full spectrum that is closer to the sun's rays than any other full-spectrum grow light and hence aids rapid growth and produces large flowers. 

Features:

• The focused intensity with an optimal flowering spectrum.

• Designed to be a modular system grow light

• Application: Home grow, commercial 

• Dual-Way Linear Lens (60° x 120°) angel's the light toward your plants in such a way that it reduces wasted glare and increases PAR and vertical penetration. 

• Electric Sky grows light system's modularity allows the light to spread over a larger area for even coverage.

• Passively cooled, the driver is contained within the center of the grow light making this one slick LED grow light.

• Listed for commercial grows and measures 36" x 12" x 2.5".

Contact us for commercial pricing.

Specs (for two ES300s):

• Wattage draw (2 units): 600W

• Coverage area (2 units): 4’x4’ to 5’x5’ for flower; 6’x6’ for Veg

• PPF: 1200 umol/s

• GS1 Full Spectrum (proprietary); heavy in red and far red.

• Efficiency (umol/w/s): 2.0

• Price: $1315.00

• $/watt: $2.19

• $/photon(umol/s): $1.09

• Warranty: 3-year

Shop all The Green Sunshine Company

Soalrextreme 1000 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

The California Lightworks SolarXtreme 1000  led grow light is perfect for hobbyists or home growers alike, who are looking for an affordable, yet powerful plug-and-play option without any frills. It is the best COB LED grow light currently on the market.

Features:

• One of the best led grow lights from California Lightworks.

• Full-spectrum plug-and-play grow led light fixture at an affordable price.

• Application: Home grow

• SolarXtreme grows light series does not integrate with a controller but can plug it into a timer and set to flower in a 4'x4' to 5'x5' area.

• It uses unique driverless COBs that emit a full spectrum heavy in wideband red (red to far-red). Red, in conjunction with far-red, helps boost photosynthesis via the Emerson Effect.

• Grow Light unit only weighs 22 lbs and is 18 "x18". 120 VAC application only.

Specs:

• Wattage draw: 800W

• Coverage area: Up to 5'x5' for flower

• PPFD: 800 umol/s at 28"

• Full-spectrum white COB with Far-Red

• $/watt: $1.12

• Warranty: 1-year

California Lightworks SolarSystem 550W Grow Light.

California Lightworks 550W LED Grow Light might seem like an expensive light, but this is one situation where you get the results you pay for

Features:

• Comes in a bright red color – a stark change from subtly-colored light panels from other manufacturers.

• A bit more intense when compared to 3W chips, as this uses 5W LEDs instead – 110 of them

• It has jewel-quality focused optics at 90 degrees.

• It has two 15W UV-B tubes to enhance growth at the flowering stages.

• This panel runs calm and quiet with its built-in fans.

• 3-year warranty

Specs :

• Input Voltage: 90-277V

• Max Current: 3.3A @ 120V, 1.65A @ 240V

• Operating Frequency: 50Hz - 60Hz

• Power Consumption: 400 Watts

• Total PPF Output* (uMoles/s): 642

• Efficiency* (uMoles/s/W): 1.61

• Veg Footprint: 6 ft x 8 ft

• Flower Footprint: 3 ft x 4 ft

• Life Expectancy: 50,000 Hours (LEDs and Fans)

• Weight: 13 lbs

• Dimensions: 18" x 8.5" x 4"

• Operating Temperature: 0°F to 107°F

• Warranty: 5 Years

• Power Factor> 0.95

SolarXtreme 250 Full Spectrum COB LED Grow Light

 

SolarXtreme 250 led light is a small LED grow light and is the little brother of the SolarXtreme 1000, the best COB LED grow light.

Features:

• The SolarXtreme 250 led light is 200 watts and fits perfectly in a growing space of 3' x 3'.

• It operates on a 120-volt power source and puts out a full spectrum ideal for all stages of growth.

• It is incredibly cheap to run, costing only $8.64 a month in electricity.

• SolarXtreme 250 grow light also saves you money on HVAC costs, putting out just 640 BTUs of heat.

• It has a 1-year warranty and is the best LED for under $250.

Specs:

• Power Draw: 200w

• 500 PPFD Distance: 18"

• 800 PPFD Distance: 12"

• Max Current: 1.3A @120v

• Coverage Area: 3' x 3'

• Heat Output: 640 BTU

• Dimensions: 8.5" x 8.5" x 4"

• Weight: 6 lbs

• Thermal Management: Active

• Warranty: 1 Year

Shop All California Lightworks

Mars Hydro SP 250 LED Grow Light

One of the best grow lights from MARS HYDRO, the Mars Hydro SP 250 led light, uses the cutting-edge SMD LED technology to provide the highest par/lumen output per watt possible.

Features:

• Full-spectrum(450~475nm, 620~630nm, 650~660nm, and white) grow light which gives out sunlight-like output are, incorporated by incorporating ultraviolet and infrared light bulbs alongside the Epistar SMD chips.

• SP 250 grow light can keep calm and conserve energy by the no-fan design.

• The Mars Hydro SP250 quantum light board is covered by glue for water resistance.

• Adjustable Meanwell driver.

• No veg or bloom switch, the sunlight spectrum of this grow light is suitable for growing plants from seed until harvest.

Specs:

• Coverage: 2'X4'

• Max Yield: 2g/w

• Compare to HPS/MH/HID: 255-355 watt

• Draw power: 260W + - 5%@AC120V 256W + - 5%@AC240V

• Chip Brand: Epistar

• Plug Type: EU,UK,AU,USA,Japan

• Humidity: ≤90%

• View Angle of LED: 90°-120°

• Work Temperature -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C)

• Lifespan: 50000 hours

• Dimension: 1080x90x80mm

• N.W/G.W: 5.1000 kg

Shop All Mars Hydro

Best all-around LED grows light.

Which LED grow light is best for medium-sized hobbyists and smaller commercial growers? 

For an all-around, high-quality product that will suit the needs of professionals and amateurs alike, we recommend checking out Black Dog LEDs. We have found their products to be very reliable when it comes down to reliability compared with other brands on this list--which means you can rest easy knowing your investment deserves top priority!

Black Dog PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights

 

We consider Black Dog LED'S largest grow light model to be the most powerful LED grow light on the market, and the PhytoMAX-2 grow lights line to be the best all-around LED plant lights. For most growers, the BLACK Dog LED seems out of reach because they are priced at a premium, but they are indeed the best.

These LED grow lights have been built on six years of patent-pending indoor growing experience and are built to last. Here are some top reasons Black Dog LED PhytoMAX-2 are the best-LED lights indoor plants on the market:

• They consist of the most refined quality top-bin LEDs from Cree, Osram, etc.

• They have unmatched durability, cleanliness, and efficiency through glass primary lenses.

• They have an edge-to-edge footprint which provides uniform coverage and eliminates leaf burn and hot spots.

• ETL certified to UL safety standards

• They have the most advanced active heat management, ensuring the most extended LED life, efficiency, and spectrum stability.

• These lights also feature the most oversized heat sink on an LED, further cooling the growing space.

• They have an ultra-long lifespan, with over 70,000+ hours of use.

• Phyto-Genesis Spectrum™ is the most efficient known for growing plants indoors, based on their 6 years of research. They have outperformed other LEDs, including HPS/HPS, CMH, T5, etc.

• It consists of UV and IR diodes and white and red diodes. This produces higher potency and active compounds in the plant and increases the photosynthetic activity.

We can cite more reasons to consider Black Dog LEDs the best on the market, but we leave it to you to find out for yourself. They have LED's for every size grow, from 200 watts to the industry-leading 1,000 watts grow light! Thus, both hobbyists and commercial growers are equally served.

Need help choosing an LED to grow light?

We at ShopGrowSpaces are proud to carry the best LED grow lights on our site, but they may not be the best for you. Every grower's requirement is unique, and we recognize that! If you want help selecting an LED to grow light or have questions about which one is best for you, reach out to our experts at +1 (800) 351-5283. Also, don't forget that we are one of the few hydroponic stores that accept sizzle for financing you grow need.