Indoor plants are a great way to bring nature into your home if you don’t have a lot of outdoor space.
Plus, most of them are easy to care for. But as most plants thrive in sunlight, how can you bring that light into your living room so your plants will thrive?
Grow lights are an excellent source of light for your indoor plants, as they mimic natural sunlight. So if you want to find the best LED grow light for your indoor garden, read on to discover our picks for 8 of the best!
What Are LED Grow Lights?
LED grow lights are a kind of lighting designed specifically to help plants grow.
They use LEDs (light-emitting diodes) to create light in certain wavelengths that aid in photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn light energy into chemical energy.
These lights are commonly used in indoor gardens and hydroponics to establish an environment where efficient photosynthesis can occur so plant growth rates can stay consistent and you produce higher yields.
Grow lights come in a variety of shapes and intensities that can be adjusted to meet the needs of your plants.
They can also be easily incorporated into indoor garden systems like grow tents to supplement natural sunlight or act as a total substitute for natural sunlight.
Types Of LED Grow Lights
Spread Style
Spread-style LED lights have many small lights, which makes them great for lighting multiple plants at once.
The quantum boards and spider-style boards are the two most popular subcategories of spread lights.
Quantum board lights use a large amount of small LED grow lights that are spread out over a pretty flat, large surface area.
They make use of full-spectrum white LED diodes and often include passive cooling, which lets you place plants directly under them without exposing them to excessive heat.
Meanwhile, spider-style lights contain multiple LEDs on the small arms of an open bar design. These are normally more expensive than quantum board lights.
Chip On Board (COB)
Chip on Board (COB) lights are made up of multiple small LEDs placed close together on one chip, so there appears to be just one intense light.
Although they give you optimal lighting in the middle of the area covered, these kinds of LEDs give you less widespread coverage when compared to spread-style LEDs.
Because they have a higher power output, COB lights normally emit more heat than other kinds of LEDs and may require fans in order to keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
They use full-spectrum white LED diodes and provide deeper canopy penetration when compared to spread-style LEDs.
Traditional
Traditional LED grow lamps tend to be smaller, which makes them great for indoor plants in small spaces. Compared to white LEDs, their LEDs tend to be multicolored and drench all the plants in color.
While this may be appealing to some, it may be too distracting or intrusive to some growers keeping their plants in their living space.
Product Reviews
Now that we know what an LED grow light is and the different types available let’s get into the product reviews of the 8 best LED grow lights!
This LED grow light has a 3×4 ft coverage area for vegetative plants, making it great for homeowners who have a few plants. You can also dim the light and change its colors to make the light more customizable.
We liked the full-spectrum quantum board of this grow light, its economic power consumption, and simple yet sleek design. However, we wouldn’t recommend this light for those on a budget.
Pros
- Provides full-spectrum lighting in colors such as blue, red, and white.
- Made of durable materials. In some areas, three years of after-service maintenance is offered.
Cons
- It is not the most budget-friendly grow light on our list.
- There is no built-in fan.
- Also available at: spider-farmer.com
We love that this grow light comes with a timer and a thermometer which makes it easier to tell how warm the plants are getting and how long the lights have been on.
The exterior light control also allows you to dim the full-spectrum LED lighting when needed.
While we appreciate this product for its daisy-chain functionality and efficiency, we also found the instruction manual hard to follow, making setting up and using the grow light rather difficult.
Pros
- The reflective design boosts light.
- Provides full-spectrum lighting that mimics real sunlight and aids in every stage of growth.
- Energy consumption is low.
Cons
- The power cord interface isn’t waterproof.
- There is only one ratchet hanger which makes the light difficult to hang.
- Also available at: mars-hydro.com
This grow light has a large coverage area of 6×6 feet, so you can provide light to a large amount of plants.
This grow light has a color-changing option, a dimming function, a plug-and-play design, and a thin, modern aluminum frame.
We thought the heat dispersion in this grow light was great, and while it’s rather on the costly side, it’s definitely value for money.
Some customers had issues with their plants burning and the lights flickering, and some customers even found that the customer service was lacking when they wanted their product fixed or when they wanted to return it.
Pros
- This light uses a lot less power than other LED lights.
- It has a customizable dimming knob and light switch. It is noise-free.
Cons
- At almost 38 lbs, it weighs more than other lights.
- Some customers found the customer service to be lacking.
- Also available at: ledgrowlightdepot.com
What makes this entry different from the rest is that this grow light pack comes with a few tubular lights rather than a single square light so you can customize its coverage layout.
The grow lights are made of polycarbonate and aluminum, making them sturdy yet lightweight.
Some customers found that this pack of grow lights were great for those just starting out with indoor gardening because of their energy efficiency, reliable results, and price point.
However, some have mentioned that they found the light output weak.
Pros
- Can be used for a range of plants such as orchids and lettuce.
- The product comes with connector cords, mounting clips, and power cords for easy installation.
- Can increase efficiency by as much as 20% with a reflector.
Cons
- The lights have a narrow design, so you may need to buy more than one pack.
- There is no dimming option.
- Also available at: barrina-led.com
If you only have a few indoor plants in a small space, then this compact 2×2 ft LED grow light might be for you.
Whether you have seedlings or ripe veggies, this light will do the trick.
We love it because it helps you save energy, is pretty quiet, is affordable and comes with a 3-year warranty.
However, some customers did point out that their diodes burned out a lot quicker than expected.
Pros
- Lets you connect multiple lights to give you better coverage.
- It has an iron-housing that is resistant to fire.
- It also has aluminum high-speed fans and heat sinks so your plants don’t overheat.
Cons
- Not ideal for those with lots of indoor plants.
- Some found the design to be awkward and bulky.
If your plants are not located by a power outlet then having a reliable cordless sander can be a suitable alternative to an extension cord.
This LED light also has a one-hand locking dust collection bag that makes cleaning up so much easier.
We were definitely impressed with how our plants grew under these lights, and other customers also praised the compact, lightweight design.
However, some customers were unhappy with the amount of coverage. We do believe the light is missing an on/off switch, as that would be so much easier than having to plug and unplug the device whenever we wanted to turn it off.
Pros
- Has a wide variety of light colors available.
Has full-spectrum capabilities. - Comes with a power cord and steel hanging kit.
Cons
- Insufficient coverage when compared to other models.
- No on/off switch.
- Also available at: walmart.com
The Feit Electric Dual Grow Tube Light is an alternative to traditional greenhouse lighting and provides a full-spectrum so your flowers and plants get the best light possible.
Designed to be hung against a wall or ceiling, or mounted flush against the wall, these energy-efficient LED bulbs have low heat emission, so you no longer have to worry about burning leaves.
These bulbs give off 450 nm of blue light and 655 nm of red light, the perfect combination to encourage photosynthesis and plant growth.
For extra convenience, the light comes fully assembled and couldn’t be simpler to install.
The unit comes with a 5-foot plug-in cord, two 6-inch hanging wire harnesses, and all the mounting hardware you need.
Although the life expectancy of these bulbs is 25,000 hours, we found that some bulbs stopped working after several months. Despite this, it’s still a great budget-friendly option.
Pros
- Comes fully assembled.
- Simple installation.
- Great ratio between blue light and red light.
- Low heat emission.
Cons
- May burn out in a couple of months.
- Also available at: feit.com
The LEOTER Grow Light gives off a full-spectrum of color to promote different phases of plant growth.
It gives off 660 nm of red light and 460 nm of blue light, and a full-spectrum bandwidth of 380 nm to 800 nm. This combination of these gives you the best results when it comes to growth.
This light comes with a range of convenient features, including three timing modes, three switch modes, and 10 dimmable modes. The timer has 3-hour, 9-hour, or 12-hour increments and turns on and off automatically each day.
This way, your plants receive all the light they need even if you’re not around to turn the lights on or off.
You can power this light by plugging it into a standard outlet or with a USB port.
They also come with an adapter for extra convenience. It has four flexible gooseneck arms and four light heads that can be adjusted by 360 degrees.
The strong mounting clip allows it to be attached to any surface up to 3 inches thick, meaning you can put it anywhere.
What we didn’t like about this LED light was that it ceased working after three months, and information surrounding a warranty was hard to find.
Pros
- Has three light modes.
- Has 10 dimmable settings.
- Has a built-in timer.
- Has flexible gooseneck arms.
- Can be powered using a standard outlet or USB port.
Cons
- Warranty information is hard to find.
- Burns out in a couple of months.
Also available at: brite-labs.com
Buyer’s Guide
So now that we’ve taken a look at the best LED grow lights, you may be wondering what makes an LED grow light worth the money, or not worth a dime.
Well, below you’ll find the factors to take into account when buying a good LED grow light.
Coverage
Grow lights normally provide measurements on how much flowering and vegetative coverage they offer.
It’s important to buy a light that aligns with how much light and the kind of coverage you need for your growing area like a plant wall or indoor garden.
Wattage
The wattage of a grow light determines how much light it emits. Different plants need different amounts of light, so it’s important to not just go for the highest wattage for the best plant growth.
Instead, you should align the wattage to the plants you’re growing. For example, when growing tomatoes you should choose a grow light that gives off around 32 watts of light per square foot.
Adjustability
Several features of your LED grow light should be adjustable:
Brightness: LED growers normally have knobs to adjust the brightness of their light bulbs to achieve the optimal light intensity.
Color: Plants require different color lights for every phase of their growing cycle. The best grow lights provide blue lights, red lights, and white light color options.
Proximity: You should also be able to adjust how close the lights are to your plants by shortening or lengthening the chain or rope they’re hanging from.
Installation
Grow lights are often mounted to the ceiling with a rope or chain. These can take 30 minutes to a few hours to install.
How You Can Help Your Indoor Plants Grow
LED grow lights are an amazing way to help clean-air indoor plants grow, but there is a lot more to helping your plants meet their full potential. Let’s take a look at some essential tips for helping your indoor plants grow.
Be Mindful Of Light Conditions
While LED grow lights are essential, you should be mindful of what plants you’re buying and how compatible they are with the lighting in your house.
For example, if you have little natural light or small windows, you should buy plants that can thrive with little sunlight.
You should also be mindful of how well a certain plant does, depending on how close it is to the window and sun direction to help it reach its full potential.
Be Careful When Watering
We all know that plants need water, but too much water can be just as damaging as insufficient water.
To help your plants grow, carefully check the soil before watering. To check the moisture level, insert your finger two inches into the soul. If it’s not totally dry, hold back on watering it.
Keep A Close Eye On Pests
Pests can be particularly troublesome for plant growth. To help make sure your plants are safe, check them regularly for bugs like aphids, gnats, and whiteflies and treat them as soon as you see them.
Avoid Fertilizing In Winter
Plants become dormant during winter and so don’t need fertilization. You should only fertilize in the spring and summer to encourage proper growth.
Be Mindful Of The Pot
Choosing the right plant container for your plants is a big factor when it comes to growth. The first step is ensuring your plant pot has drainage holes.
You should also buy a container that’s at least one inch larger in diameter than your plant’s root mass. When a plant starts to outgrow its container, it’s essential to re-plant in a bigger container so it can properly grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Semiconductor Chip On An LED Grow Light?
The semiconductor chip converts electricity into light. The chip itself will have a wattage rating, and three watts is enough for proper light production.
Can You Get Grow Lights That Don’t Hang From The Ceiling?
Yes, you can get freestanding grow lights that you can clip to tables or rest on tables. They’re simpler to install than hanging grow lights, but the light coverage often isn’t as good as hanging lights.
Will LED Grow Lights Increase Your Electricity Bill?
Since LED grow lights are energy-efficient they will have little effect on your electricity usage and bill.