HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LED GROW LIGHT

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LED GROW LIGHT

The sunlight plays an essential role in the growth and health of plants. But sometimes, this luxury isn’t available for growers who want to grow indoor plants, such as marijuana. In such situations, the best alternative at the moment is an LED grow light. In recent times, these lights are rising in popularity among domestic and commercial growers. Many greenhouses have already switched to these lights and taking benefit from it. However, the trick is to buy the best LED grow light for the best results. So many brands are available on the market, selling grow lights in different designs and sizes. You must make sure that you choose these lights according to your requirements.

If you are a domestic or professional grower and looking for high-quality LED grow lights, this guide should help choose the best.

FINDING THE BEST LED GROW LIGHT: IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

When it comes to finding the best LED grow light for your plant’s growing needs, you must go through the specifications of the light. Grow light manufacturers market their products as the best, regardless of the actual quality. Therefore, you must identify the right product among the lot with your rational approach. The following information should help you know how to find the best grow lights for your indoor growing purposes.

1. THE INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT

It is the intensity of the light that should be given the first propriety when looking for an LED grow light. To choose the right intensity, you should focus on the grow space size and the growth stage of the plant. Most growers like to choose too much intensity for their plants and most opt for the little amount. Here, the intensity doesn’t mean how a human eye would see the light. Instead, it is the photons quantity of a plant that it uses for flowering and growth. So, how would you choose the appropriate light intensity for your growing space area and plant? Here is how you can do this:

• Refer to the manufacturer’s recommended footprint
• Determine through PPF reading
• Consult the PAR chart of the manufacturer

Some manufacturers build grow lights with dimmable features. It allows you to reduce and increase the intensity of the light during the veg stage for seeding. It also helps you save energy.

2. COLOR SPECTRUM

When looking for the best LED grow light, the spectrum should be your second concern. Remember that plants require different color spectrums at different stages of growth. For example, you may only need the grow light for flowering or veg, while other growers may require a light right from the seeding till flowering stage. In the market, you will find two types of color spectrums; broad and targeted. The targeted color spectrum utilizes specific diodes wavelengths. It is known as a photo-synthetically efficient approach.

On the other hand, the white-light, broad color spectrum utilizes low-powered white diodes or white COBs. Sometimes, manufacturers enhance it with ultraviolet diodes for rounding out the color spectrum. Most of this light comprises green color with white diode contribution. It is a more natural-looking spectrum and the leaves of the plant will look normal than to e purple or pink conversely to the targeted color spectrum approach.

White lights are more popular in the industry as white diodes are highly efficient than narrow wavelength diodes. Plants will appear more natural when you use white light. It will also help in diagnosing pests or diseases in the plant. The white light fixture also contains more amount of green light. Therefore, it has a higher PFFD. To be precise, it is essential that you choose the color spectrum according to the plant’s stage and what you want it to do. It is a selection between the yields or quantity.

3. WATTAGE DRAW

Another important consideration when looking for the best LED grow light is the wattage draw. It determines the growth potential of the fixture. Generally, an HPS 400W should be enough for a 2’ x 2’ space. Likewise, you should choose HPS 600W and HPS 1000W fixtures for 3’ x 3’ and 4’ x 4’ spaces. However, the wattage doesn’t mean the output of the light. It is a mistake that most people often make. Therefore, it is critical to choose the right wattage draw according to the area you want it to cover.

4. COVERAGE SPACE

The coverage space or area varies. Therefore, you must be aware of the exact space dimensions to choose the right light fixture. Usually, the hobbyist areas include 2’ x 2’, 3’ x 3’, and 4’ x 4’ spaces. However, the coverage space will differ immensely when it comes to commercial plantation growth. In such a situation, the growing area will be several hundred square feet or even thousands more than a domestic space. Therefore, you must find grow lights according to coverage space for the healthier growth of the plant.

5. PRODUCT WARRANTY

 Usually, grow lights perform well without any issues. Buying the best LED grow light may be a little expensive, but they work efficiently in the long run. However sometimes, there is a 1% chance, LEDs may deteriorate or a driver may fail. So, for your peace of mind, you must make sure that the product you are buying comes with a warranty. You will find grow lights with a warranty range from one year up to seven years. On average, companies provide a three-year warranty on grow light fixtures. Therefore, you must make sure that the manufacturer offers at least a three or five-year product warranty.

6. PRICE

Last but not least is the price, which is directly connected to the quality of the LED grow light. Most people find grow lights a little expensive. However, their cost is gradually coming down as more and more manufacturers are competing in the market. The price of a grow light can be anywhere from $100 to $2000, depending on its specifications and features. You may also find these lights below $100 in the market. However, you must not compromise over the quality of the product. Remember that the best-quality LED grow light will perform flawlessly for a long period, proving a cost-effective option in the long run.  

The above-discussed points should help you choose the best LED grow light fixtures for your growing needs. For further queries, you can contact us.