Best LED Grow Lights in 2021 for Cannabis & Plants (Review Guide)

Indoor plant grow lights provide a similar light spectrum to the sun by varying the colour, intensity (called lumens) and temperature of the light output. Countless studies show different types of plants respond better to different colours and intensities of light, so using indoor grow equipment allows the grower total control over the type of light the plants receive.

What you are trying to grow indoors will determine the best LED grow lights 2021 for you. The best vegetable grow lights are not necessarily the best lights to grow plants of other kinds.  Of course, with more states legalising the growing of marijuana, the best lights to grow cannabis are a hot topic of conversation. (As such I’ve devoted an entire section below to the best weed growing lights.)

What Should I Know Before Buying LED Grow Lights?

How to choose the best LED grow light: there are so many important factors. Here are the ones that are most critical.

The Needs of the Plant

Light cycles can seriously impact your plants’ growth and potency. Some need full light from a high-intensity source, and others get dried out or burned with too much, so make sure you know what you need from the outset.

A full spectrum LED grow light will help ensure maximum growth. Ideally this kind of light will have red and blue spectrums, as well as IR and UV light. (If you don’t grow from seed or germinate your seeds outside you might be okay with just red and blue light, but full spectrum is always preferred.) Better still, you’ll be able to control which spectrums it emits, when.

Energy Efficiency

Full spectrum LEDs are also more energy-efficient, typically. They are durable, usually run cool without additional fans, and cost less in electricity. Your grow lights will need to be operating for 18 hours every day at times.

The higher their output (wattage), the more power you’ll be using, but not proportionately. In other words, if you need 1000 watts instead of 500, you still won’t see twice as much power consumption.

Control and Customization

Remember that you’ll be changing the lighting cycles depending on the growth stage to ensure that your plants thrive:

• Seedling stage: 16 hours on/8 hours off


• Veg stage: 18 hours on/6 hours off


• Flowering stage: 12 hours on/12 hours off

Size and Spacing of Your Grow Room

Don’t fight with manufacturer specifications, especially when it comes to coverage area. Your LED grow light system simply has to cover the right space for your plants.

Remember, if you’re growing with a hydroponic system, you need to have access to the right power and water sources for that system and your lights. This can demand some planning in a smaller space.

As well, if you’re selecting a light not on this list, read feedback and reviews on the actual coverage of the system. Occasionally there can be a discrepancy in this area, as we’ve discussed above.

Balancing Your Budget With Buying Good Equipment

This is tricky, but obviously important. Higher-end lights often produce better results, but a budget only works if each piece fits. Newer growers may want to select less costly grow lights to gain experience. Growers who already know what they prefer and need for their crops may go with a higher-priced option.

An LED grow light is not the only component you’ll need for your indoor grow operation. Your budget also has to cover fertilizers, filters, grow tents, soil, nutrients, and various other supplies. This means that blowing the whole budget on the best possible light isn’t an option—but directing as much of the budget toward a quality LED grow light as you can should be your goal.

Since quality is the goal, brand matters. In this vertical, the best brands develop loyal customer bases and generate solid reviews. They also frequently address feedback that’s less stellar. Look for this kind of brand strength online if you’re not sure about a light system or deciding between great options.

ECO Farm 650W Osram LED Grow Light Bar

Pros:

• Patented with a compact design and powerful performance


• Packed with the best and the latest technology for boosting plants’ growth indoors


• Uses a lot less energy and produce less heat


• ETL, RoHS, CE, and FCC Certified

Cons:

• Too pricey


• Doesn’t allow you to adjust its single spectrum system for growth stages


• Can’t be placed too close to the plants

Phlizon Pro Series 2000W LED Grow Lights

Pros:

• Certified with EC, ROHS, and UL listed


• Uses PWM dimming lights


• Provides an extra-large footprint that promotes better harvests


• Allows you to fully adjust its spectrum to match the needs of your flowers and vegetables

Cons:

• The deep penetration of spectrum is not that efficient for some plants


• The fan is a little bit noisy

Why Choose LED Grow Lights?

LED grow lights are a great solution for today’s indoor plant grower. When buying LED grow lights, you need to consider their durability. The construction should be of high quality. If not, then you’d be wasting your hard-earned money. LED grow lights provide the spectrum of light your plants need. If your plant doesn’t get enough light it will not grow strong. Then the productivity of the plant will decrease as well. So, if you don’t get enough fruits and flowers from your indoor garden, you can use some cheap led grow lights. Also, if you need to save them from snow or cold by providing enough daylight for your plants.

Final Thoughts 

The best full spectrum LED grow lights are the ones for indoor plants if you want to grow fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Nowadays, the large commercial sectors are using LED lighting technology for large yields. That’s how they control the growth of plantation, crops, fruits, and flowers.