Do LED grow lights work as well as HPS?

High pressure sodium (HPS) grow lights are one half of a standard HID (high intensity discharge) grow system. Producing a red spectrum light, HPS grow lights are used to replace MH (metal halide) bulbs once your plants have entered the flowering stage.

Most planters agree that HPS lights are the most efficient way of generating lumens for your indoor plants, especially when you need adequate lighting.

When compared to other high performing grow lights, such as HID grow lights, T5s, and LED grow lights, HPS lights are 40% efficient.

But what cannot be ignored is that the LED grow light is getting better and better. Full spectrum led grow lights may be bring a better experience, So there is a question: Do LED grow lights work as well as HPS?

Let us compare the LED grow lights and HPS grow lights from the following aspects.

LED vs HPS: Spectrum

When looking for lights, make sure to check out the PAR value. PAR stands for photosynthetically active radiation. That’s a fancy term for light that is actually available for the plant to use.

Yet, to truly judge the efficacy of PAR, the spectrum of the light needs to be taken into account. HPS lights consistently have lower PAR values than LED lights.

Traditional LED grow lights contain most of the red and blue lights, however, newer LED grow lights use multiple bands to create a more complex and full spectrum of light.

HPS is used to mimic the natural response in cannabis plants to react to the suns’ position when it’s on the horizon. This red wavelength triggers an internal response to begin flowering due to shorter days ahead.

Modern LED lights often incorporate white along with reds and purples of the visible spectrum. It is thought to be beneficial to plant growth.

LED vs HPS: Yields

As light is one of the two most basic foods for any plant (water being the other), it naturally has a big impact on final yield. Annual flowering species follow very strict patterns of temperature, day and light hours, and light spectrum.

As the season changes from summer to autumn, the light spectrum changes, as do the other factors that affect flowering. For this reason, to achieve maximum yields, annual flowering plants should be exposed to different lights at different stages during their growth cycle.

HPS grow lights are best used during the flowering stage of a plant’s growth cycle. This is because the spectrum of light emitted is conducive to flower production. LED lighting is also ideal for the flowering stage as they produce a lot of lumens.They are not very different in this aspect.

LED vs HPS: Efficient

HPS lights use much more electricity to generate light than comparable LED grow light setups and are thus much less efficient. HPS lights also generate a lot of heat, which often requires additional ventilation equipment to maintain a proper grow room temperature.

LED grow lights are more energy efficient. They produce the same amount of light as HPS lights but consume substantially less energy. LED grow lights do not produce as much heat as HPS lights, avoiding the need for additional ventilation or airflow systems.

LED vs HPS: Lifespan

A regular HPS light has a lifespan of close to 10 000 hours, which might seem like an impressive number but in the long run LEDs are a better option. A good quality LED grow light can be perfectly functional from up to 50 000 to about 100 000 hours. With this data in mind it`s easy to deduce that LEDs are more worthwhile in the long run and would need to be replaced much less often. This means that you won`t have to worry about changing the lights for years to come.

LED vs HPS: Use

LEDs are very intuitive and easy to use, just find the right spot, plug them and you`re ready to start growing. There is no need for any additional setups or drilling, all made very simple and easy. HID lights usually need a lot of adjustments and preparation in order to be placed well.

LED grow lights are definitely superior from an engineering standpoint but they also offer a clear advantage in terms of benefits for the grower — longer life, better results, easiness of use and adjustability are just some of the features. HPS might be a viable solution in certain cases, but for aspiring growers who want to achieve great results LED is definitely the way to go.

When looking for the best lights for growing, remember to keep PAR values, light spectrum, and manufacturing quality in mind. Not all LED lights are created equal. When investing in growing equipment, opting for a well-made product that is uniquely designed to meet the needs of the plant makes all the difference. I sincerely suggest you two brands:lumatek attis 200w and vivosun 1200w cree cob led grow light. Choose a best brand is really important.