Please include attribution to WhenYouGarden.com with this graphic.

Plants use specific wavelengths found in different color spectrums to be able to photosynthesize.

Without photosynthesis, a plant will not grow.

The color spectrums will vary according to the type of plant and what stage of development it is at. 

Many consumers get confused about grow lights because they don’t know what spectrum they need for their plants.

BEWARE: many grow light manufacturers claim their grow light spectrums are suitable for plants at all stages.

Specific plant stages require different spectrums as well as distancing between the plant and the light.

Types of Grow Lights

High-Intensity Discharge (HID)

Different bulbs (below) serve to accommodate the various plant phases as well as the spectrum (wavelength) that the plant requires.

Metal Halide

Used For: vegetative phase

Spectrum: blue (UV)

Heat output: strong

Energy efficient: no

Bulb degradation: 6-12 months

High Pressure Sodium

Used For: flowering phase

Spectrum: red/orange (infrared)

Heat output: strong

Energy efficient: no

Bulb degradation: 6-12 months

Ceramic Metal Halide

Used For: all phases

Spectrum: red/orange/blue (UV and infrared)

Heat output: strong

Energy efficient: no

Bulb degradation: 6-12 months

Fluorescent

Used For: germinating, root cutting, early vegetative

Spectrum: green, yellow (visual)

Heat output: low

Energy efficient: yes

Bulb degradation: 18 months

LED

Used For: all phases (each plant phase does require a specific spectrum)

Spectrum: blue/red or full-spectrum  (UV and infrared)

Heat output: low-medium

Energy efficient: yes

Bulb degradation: 15-20 years

Things to Consider When Choosing an LED Grow Light

To make an informed purchase and to get the best grow light for your needs, you should look for specific things in a LED grow light.

Plant Requirements

Plants at different stages/phases have different requirements. Purchasing a grow light (to include an LED) requires planning ahead because LED grow lights (to include all grow lights) are not a “one size fits all.”

BEWARE: many grow light manufacturers claim their grow light spectrums are suitable for plants at all stages.

Specific plant stages require different spectrums as well as distancing between the plant and the light.

©WhenYouGarden.com

Share Image On Your Website

Please include attribution to WhenYouGarden.com with this graphic.

Space

Before purchasing your LED grow light, there are some essential things that you need to consider. Planning ahead will enable you to buy the right light for your specific needs.

There are different shapes, and dimensions in LED grow lights. 

Be sure to measure the area you need your grow light to cover. Take height into consideration also.

Budget

The price of an LED grow light varies and is dependent upon the size and features. A reputable brand yields a better quality light, which can tend to be expensive. 

Pay attention to consumer reviews and ratings on the product. 

Specs / Features

LED grow lights range in features. When choosing a grow light, it comes down to personal choice based on how you want the light to perform.

Spectrum

If you are a well-seasoned gardener, you will most likely be versed in the various spectrum needs.

This enables you to choose single spectrum lights that are tailored for the plant.

However, if you are a beginner, it’s best to go with an LED grow light that is full spectrum.

Full-spectrum lights provide your plants with the necessary red, blue, orange, and red spectrums.

Energy Consumption

LED grow lights are ideal because they are energy efficient. This is perhaps one of the most significant benefits of LED grow lights. 

Heat

LED grow lights produce significantly less heat than HID grow lights.

The heat an LED grow light emits is controllable by using a fan for ventilation.

Ventilation, in essence, benefits the plants in the end because it prevents harmful dust from settling on the plant.

Wattage

The wattage differs in LED grow lights due to the accordance of coverage area.

Below is a wattage chart that gives you an estimated wattage that you will need to cover a specific amount of space.

Small Area

1 ft: up to 40 watts

2 ft: up to 140 watts

Medium Area

3 ft: up to 300 watts

4 ft: up to 500 watts

Large Area

5 ft: up to 800 watts

6 ft: up to 1,000 watts

8 ft: up to 1,200 watts

Features

Features vary in different LED grow lights. 

• Programmability; timer, adjustable spectrum, vegetative and flowering switch
• Lifespan
• Things included; remote control, hanging kit, user manual, eye protection

Our Top Five Recommended LED Grow Lights

Taotronics LED Grow Light Bulb TT-CL007

Why we like this product!

The Taotronics LED grow light (bulb model TT-CL007) is rated extremely well by consumers. 

Although it is not a grow light unit, but rather a grow light bulb, you can use this bulb in a regular household lamp. 

You would need to acquire the hanging supplies to position the lamp for optimal overhead lighting.

This grow bulb has a unique feature for heat relief with an open flanged umbrella dissipator on the back. The red and blue spectrums in this bulb provide outstanding intensity lighting for plants that are both vegetative and flowering.

• RED/BLUE SPECTRUM for use with vegetative or flowering plants.
• HEAT DISSIPATION with unique umbrella design.
• COMPATIBLE with E26/E27 sockets (100-240V.) Can use with standard lamp.
• 60 DEGREE ILLUMINATION ANGLE for broad coverage.
• 36 WATTS; INTENDED USE for SMALL areas.

Taotronics LED Grow Light Bulb TT-CL007

Pros

• This product has excellent reviews and ratings.
• The 36-watt bulb amply covers a small footprint both in spectrum (red/blue) and in intensity.
• Heat is released through the back of the bulb through a dissipator keeping it cool to the touch and to plants.
• You can use this bulb in a regular lamp.

Cons

• This bulb is marketed as a full spectrum product. However, Taotronics specifies that it is red/blue spectrum.
• Although you can use this bulb in a standard lamp, you must purchase a hanging kit or supplies to place it overhead of the coverage area.
• There is no programmability or control over timing. You are limited to either off or on.
• Plants that are in between the vegetative and flowering stages do not do well with this light.

QUESTIONS

Q. Can I use a table lamp with this bulb?

A. Yes. However, a hanging lamp or clamp on lamp works best for optimal light coverage.

Q. Why won’t this bulb work on plants that are between vegetative and flowering stages?

A. Once a plant has passed the vegetative stage, it goes into the budding stage. 

This is the stage just before flowering.

Plants in the budding stage require green and yellow spectrum light.

These are what’s known as the“visual spectrum.” 

This spectrum is visible to the human eye and is seen as white light.

This is the light that we can see with our eyes.

Blue spectrum light is “UV,” which is not visible to the human eye.

Nor is orange or red as those are “infrared.”

About The Manufacturer

Taotronics is a subsidiary of the Sunvalley Group which was founded in 2007.

The Sunvalley Group owns several brands that provide global consumers with a variety of products ranging from technology to bed linens.

Taotronics specializes in innovative products that are geared toward LED lamps and Bluetooth accessories.

No products found.

ABCreative LED Plant Grow Lights For Indoor Plants

Why we like this product!

Those looking for an economical LED grow light, this product seems to deliver.

Reviews and ratings are good across the board.

There is no specific company information for this particular grow light. 

It is listed throughout the market generically.

The programmability of timer settings, light dimming, and gooseneck adjustability are great features to have in a grow light.

If you have a small area to light, this is a good product to consider.

• 45 WATTS; INTENDED USE for SMALL areas.
• ADJUSTABLE GOOSENECK design for 360 degree angling.
• DUAL LIGHT HEADS providing twice the light.
• TIMER for 3, 6, 12 hours.
• LIGHTING LEVEL DIMMER (5 settings)
• SOCKET SIZE E27
• FULL SPECTRUM

GABCreative LED Plant Grow Lights For Indoor Plants

Pros

• Timer settings are a plus. You can set it for 3, 6, or 12 hours.
• The adjustable gooseneck design allows for different angles of light direction.
• Affordably priced.

Cons

• The spectrum is questionable because no information could be found on exactly what colors it supports.
• If you are looking for a reputable brand, you won’t find it in this product because it is generic.
• The clamp-on clip has trouble supporting the weight of the lamp.

QUESTIONS

Q. What company manufactures this light?

A. This light is a generic product produced in China. Various distributors sell it globally.

Q. How large of an area will this light cover?

A. It will cover a small area up to 2.5 feet.

No products found.

Outcrop Innovations LED Grow Light Bulb

Why we like this product!

This product has outstanding reviews and ratings! It is a popular choice for an LED grow light bulb for small areas. It provides a full spectrum coverage for plants.

Although it does not come with adaptable sockets, you can purchase an E26/27 socket. Many gardeners have purchased this bulb to use with a clamp-on lamp.

• FULL SPECTRUM
• 100 WATTS; INTENDED USE for SMALL area.
• 30-45 DEGREE BEAM ANGLE
• LIFESPAN 20,000 hours
• 3-YEAR WARRANTY

Outcrop Innovations LED Grow Light Bulb

Pros

• Comparable cost; affordably priced.
• 20,000 hour lifespan.
• Full-spectrum lighting making it ideal for a variety of plant stages.
• 3-year warranty.

Cons

• Socket(s) are not included.
• Company information is ambiguous.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Will this bulb cover an area that is about 6 feet?

A. No. It is 100 watts which is intended to light a small area up to 3 feet. To properly light a 6 foot area, you must have a minimum of 1,000 watts.

Q. Where can I purchase a socket to make it fit a lamp?

A. You can find the E26/27 socket at your local hardware store.

No products found.

​MAIICY LED Full Spectrum Panel Grow Light

Why we like this product!

If you are looking for an LED panel grow light that is affordable with the best reviews, this is it! You get the full spectrum in this light in a panel form. 

Don’t let its low wattage fool you because its unique design enables it to provide coverage for almost three times the normal allotted sized area.

• FULL SPECTRUM
• 45 WATTS with PROFESSIONAL COVERAGE for up to 5 FEET
• LIGHTWEIGHT
• LIFESPAN 50,000 HOURS
• 12 MONTH WARRANTY
• THICK ALUMINUM BASE for HEAT DISSIPATION
• INCLUDES HANGING KIT

MAIICY LED Full Spectrum Panel Grow Light

Pros

• Affordably priced.
• 3-year warranty.
• Full spectrum lighting for area up to 5 feet.
• Includes hanging kit.

Cons

• Simple in function. It does not have programmability. You have either “on” or “off.”

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Is there a timer setting on this light?

A. No. You can always add the BN-LINK 7 Day Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer

Q. How big of an area will it cover?

A. Although this light is 45 watts, it’s technology enables it to cover up to 5 feet!

About The Manufacturer

Maiicy is owned by Shenzhen Maiaisi Technology in China. 

The company has designed and produced affordable options in LED grow lights since 2013.

Their designers use a combination of agricultural science with a technological approach. 

No products found.

Generic 18-Watt Dual-Head Gooseneck LED Grow Light

Why we like this product!

You can’t beat the price for this little grow light. 

Regardless of it being generic, it has good reviews and ratings. 

It is an economical option that distributors offer to consumers globally.  

The added features of auto timer setting, light dimmer, gooseneck adjustability, and USB charging make it a great option for those looking for a desktop grow light for a small plant.

• 18 WATTS; INTENDED USE for SMALL areas.
• ADJUSTABLE GOOSENECK design for 360 degree angling.
• DUAL LIGHT HEADS providing twice the light.
• TIMER for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 hours with AUTOMATIC ON/OFF
• 1-YEAR WARRANTY
• LIGHTING LEVEL DIMMER (5 settings)
• RED/BLUE SPECTRUM for use with vegetative or flowering plants.
• CLIP-ON
• USB ADAPTOR
• LIFESPAN 50,000 HOURS

Generic 18-Watt Dual-Head Gooseneck LED Grow Light

Pros

• You can set it for 3, 6, 9, 12, or 15 hours.
• Timer has an auto on/off.
• USB adaptor.
• The adjustable gooseneck design allows different angles of light direction.
• Economically priced.

Cons

• You only get red/blue spectrum in this light.
• If you are looking for a reputable brand, you won’t find it in this product because it is generic.
• The clamp-on clip has trouble supporting the weight of the lamp.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. What company manufactures this light?

A. This light is a generic product produced in China. Various distributors sell it globally.

Q. What size of area does this cover?

A. This light is a 1-plant light and intended for desktops or small areas.

No products found.

Your “LED Grow-Light-Takeaway”

There are so many grow lights on the market. They come as bulbs or panels with typically a red/blue spectrum or full spectrum. The choice in what to purchase comes down to your personal preference and needs. 

Do your homework and read up on how grow lights can benefit your specific plants. Knowledge is the power to make a great purchase you will be happy with!

The Meaning and Symbolism of Delphinium

Have you heard? Delphinium is having a major moment right now. In fact, 1-800-Flowers named…

9 Pumpkin Topiary Ideas

How to Create a Stunning Pumpkin Topiary for Your Fall Garden Autumn is the perfect…

14 Cut Flowers for Hot Climates

Growing flowers in hot climates can be challenging, but some plants are ideally suited to…

Gypsy Peppers Info and Care

Gypsy peppers are a versatile and delightful addition to any garden. They offer a sweet…

12 Benefits of Oregano

The smell of pizza is one of the most recognizable and striking scents, and its…

Benefits Of Yarrow

8 Benefits Of Yarrow With its delicate blossoms and storied past, Yarrow has been cherished…

Sharing is caring!