LED grow lights are also known as “Cannabis Grow Lights” or “Herb Grow Lights.” They are primarily used to grow herbs, which can be sold illegally in most jurisdictions. However, LED lighting is increasingly being researched for use with other plants.
The cannabis plant has an extremely specific light requirement for growth: it requires light for photosynthesis, and a photoperiod of 12-18 hours light/day to flower.
This has led the cannabis plant to evolve into an ideal target for LED lighting; as such, there are now specially designed grow lights that can improve or replace sunlight as the primary source of all required light for your plants.
Many plants thrive with specific types of blue and red lights (also known among growers as “the veg cycle”), mimicking what they would normally receive from the sun in their vegetative state.
During flowering, these lights should mimic those which appear during sunset (or sunrise); this creates the right environment to produce buds.
For different applications (outdoors vs indoors) and growing mediums (soil, coco coir, hydro), there are different types of LED grow lights available. For warehouses looking to scale up herb production, there is even large-scale commercial LED grow lights designed for this purpose.
There are certain limitations to how much light can be produced in a single growing area using LED grow lights; however, because these limits are currently being broken every year by new research and development in the field (and because they do not require high temperatures or air conditioning like other indoor lighting methods), they will continue to become more popular in the future.
In this post, we’ve reviewed and listed the best 800W grow lights. Let’s start!
Grow Stronger and Faster with These Picks
1. HG800 LED Grow Light Full Spectrum
The HG800 LED Grow Light is the most powerful grow light on the market. The HG800 has four 3000K, high-power COBs specially developed for plants and a full spectrum of 380nm to 730nm with an output of up to 800 watts.
The HG800 is equipped with two switches, one for turning it into Veg Mode (380-460nm) and the other for Bloom Mode (460-730nm), which allows you to control your plant’s growth cycle from start to finish. The top-rated Orsram LEDs are high in longevity and won’t burn out easily.
This unit also comes with a cooling fan that will pass rigorous temperature tests before leaving the facility. The built-in aluminum sink will make sure that the lights never overheat and that they extend the battery service of the device.
The company swears by its professionals and support and warranty for any of the purchased products. Our top pick for an 800W LED grows light.
Prominent features:
- Optimal Full Spectrum from 380nm to 730nm
- 4x3000K high-power COBs
- Top Rated Orsram LEDs
- High Power Epileds COBs
2. BloomGrow New Tech
BloomGrow New Tech 800W LED grow light is a full spectrum(sunlight) led grow lamp for indoor plants, which provides the perfect amount of light needed to create plants in your garden.
This led grow light uses high-end & high-performance self-heating dissipation, construction for a long lifespan, and real full-spectrum(sunlight) for the plant from veg growth to bloom, no need to change your light source. The no-fan design will make your grow room quiet.
The BloomGrow New Tech 800W LED Grow Light delivers the highest PAR value available today. The light has a lifespan of more than 50,000 hours, which means that it will last for many years before needing to be replaced.
You can also use this light for many different stages of plant growth: from vegetative growth to flowering, it works well in all phases.
Good features:
- Low Noise
- High Performance
- Full Spectrum Light
- Easy to set up
- No Fan Design
3. Barrina Plant Light
Barrina T8 grow lights are a great choice for indoor gardening. What is interesting about these is that they only use 144W with 576 LEDs, which replaces 800W easily. They have a high light efficiency and low power consumption, which makes them an excellent alternative to traditional HPS or MH bulbs.
These LED grow lights also feature an ideal color temperature of 2900K, making them perfect for all growing stages from seedlings to harvest. The included reflector increases the light coverage area by up to 70% as well as increases the intensity of your plants’ photosynthesis by 17~20%.
Features we love:
- Full-spectrum lights
- Super bright and consuming only 144w
- The nice color which is easy on the eyes
- Super easy installation
- 2 years warranty
4. CDMALL Full Spectrum LED
The CDMALL full spectrum LEDs grow light is designed for the indoor growing of plants and flowers. It can be used as a standalone light or as an auxiliary lamp. The light has been tested and proven to work with all kinds of plant life: vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.
It’s a bit pricier but it’s worth every penny for any serious grower. It has 370 LEDs per bar and 2960 pcs in total.
This full spectrum LED grow light is made by using the latest technology. Its power consumption is 800W which makes it one of the most efficient lights on the market today.
This technology allows you to save up to 90% energy compared to traditional lighting systems while still maintaining high efficiency and brightness output.
Features we love:
- Has new tech 2080 umol/s
- Light replacing fluence SPYDR 2i / 2p, x, etc..
- The manual dim option is pretty handy
- Super quiet
- Best hydroponic on the market currently
Different types of LED grow lights
There are three types of LED grow lights commercially available. These are panel, high-power, and UFO-type lighting.
Panel LEDs
As their name implies, panel LEDs are the least powerful out of all LED grow light options. They work best with seedlings or clones that require little light, or for smaller plants in general.
Panel lamps come as either fixtures which can be hung up to provide a more ambient glow within your growing space, or as strips that you can attach to walls or tables for lower power penetration throughout your garden.
High Power LEDs
High-power LEDs have an output ranging from 2 watts to 300 watts per square meter. Like panel models, they are also effective at providing both veg and flowering cycles.
They are designed to be attached (and often cooled) by aluminum heat sinks, which helps spread the light over a wider surface area for more even coverage within your garden.
UFO LEDs
The third type of light available, UFO or “Unidentified Flying Objects,” sometimes looks like UFOs themselves! They are extremely efficient at providing both veg and flowering cycles because they can fit up to 36 small-scale LED grow lights into one fixture; these lights are typically designed for use in larger warehouses or greenhouses where herbs are being grown on a larger scale.
What does this mean for me?
Before investing any significant amount of time, money, and energy into growing herbs using LED grow lights, it is important to remember that some states and jurisdictions have not legalized the drug.
If you do decide to start growing with LED, it is best to research local laws before you begin purchasing your equipment.
Having said this, using LED grow lights will save growers money on both energy costs and replacement bulbs. LEDs also produce less heat than other forms of indoor lighting, meaning it’s easier for growers to maintain a healthy and comfortable environment within their crop space without having to worry about running additional cooling systems.
Along with all the environmental benefits associated with using LED grow lights (less harmful gasses emitted into the air), most models also come with automated timers that allow users complete control over their garden’s photoperiod — making it possible to completely change when and for how long their plants receive light throughout the day and night.
Although they are currently more expensive than other forms of indoor lighting, LED grow lights provide growers with an opportunity to save money on energy bills and bulb replacements, as well as control over the length of each photoperiod (day and night).
LED grow lights can be used both outdoors and indoors (depending on your specific application) with maximum efficiency.
How do grow plants with grow lights?
Many people are surprised to learn that you can grow your own food indoors. While it is true that the windowsills of most homes aren’t wide enough or strong enough to support a full garden, there are ways to use indoor gardening techniques for growing fresh veggies, herbs and fruits.
Using grow lights is one way to extend your growing season all year long.
Why Use Grow Lamps for Your Indoor Garden?
There are a number of reasons to use grow lamps when you create your indoor garden:
You can use them in homes and offices that don’t get enough sunlight to support an indoor garden.
If you live in a climate with cold winters and hot summers, using grow lights can extend the growing season both early and late in the year.
This is possible because the light from these lamps simulates sunshine during periods when outside conditions wouldn’t allow plants to flourish.
Even if you live where it’s warm most of the year, you can still enjoy salads and other fresh veggies through winter by using greenhouse-style portable enclosures like mini-hoop houses.
You want to grow unusual herbs and vegetables that aren’t found locally or seasonally at your area grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
What Kind of Grow Lights Work Best?
There are two main types of artificial lights for indoor growing: full-spectrum and fluorescent. Both types come in a wide range of wattages, so you can choose the best option based on the size of your garden as well as the type of plants you’re growing (some vegetables need more light than others).
You’ll find some fixtures that come with multiple bulbs, allowing you to adjust the amount of heat and light power depending on plant needs. This is important since your climate will likely not be optimal year-round.
Indoor Growing Systems for Your Plants
There are thousands of varieties of vegetables, fruits, and herbs that can be grown indoors. One way to create an indoor garden is with hydroponics, which is gardening without soil.
The water-based system uses wicks or other methods to deliver water and nutrients directly to the roots of your plants in order to produce healthy foliage and abundant flowers (or fruit).
Those who love houseplants also find this method works well when growing their favorite flowers in containers on a deck or patio during the summer months.
If you’re looking for low-maintenance options, there are self-watering pots that allow you to plant veggies like tomatoes without worrying about watering them every day (like with traditional containers).
These systems work well for herbs, flowers, and leafy veggies like lettuce. You can also find self-watering window boxes that allow you to grow the vegetables of your choice on a windowsill by using wicks to distribute water.
What about Controlling Your Garden’s Climate?
The light from grow lamps is perfect for herbs, vegetables, and most houseplants, but they do nothing for climate control. You’ll need to grow lights plus additional equipment if you want to lengthen your growing season with an indoor garden.
This means you might have to spend some time setting up a mini greenhouse or cold frame enclosures with clear panels or plastic film. While these structures are not as durable as fiberglass greenhouses, they are usually less expensive and can be put up and taken down quickly.
If you live in a temperate climate, these structures can protect plants from frost or cold air but allow them to take advantage of the warmer temperatures that come with sunlight.
In subtropical climates, they can help keep plants from becoming waterlogged during rainy periods while still allowing solar radiation to reach the plants inside for added warmth.
In all cases, using grow lights throughout the year will be dependent on how much money you spend and what types of plants you want to grow. However, it’s important for any indoor garden owner to use a source of artificial light so your growing season is not limited by Mother Nature’s clock.
FAQ
1. Can LED grow lights be used for plants other than cannabis?
Yes, LED grow lights can be used for a wide variety of plants, not just cannabis. The spectrum of light provided by LED grow lights can be customized to suit the specific needs of different plants, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.
The amount and type of light needed for each plant may vary, so it’s important to do some research on the specific requirements of the plants you’re growing.
2. How much energy do LED grow lights consume?
LED grow lights are generally more energy-efficient than traditional lighting sources. The exact amount of energy consumed by an LED grow light will depend on its wattage, the size of the growing area, and the specific needs of the plants being grown.
Generally, LED grow lights use less energy than fluorescent or HID (high-intensity discharge) lights, which can save growers money on their electricity bills over time.
3. Can LED grow lights be used for hydroponic gardening?
Yes, LED grow lights can be used for hydroponic gardening. In fact, LED grow lights are often preferred for hydroponic systems because they produce less heat than other types of lighting, which can be beneficial for plant growth.
Additionally, the customizable spectrum of light provided by LED grow lights can be tailored to the specific needs of hydroponically grown plants.
4. Are LED grow lights safe for indoor use?
Yes, LED grows lights are safe for indoor use. Unlike some other types of indoor lighting, LED grow lights do not produce harmful UV (ultraviolet) or IR (infrared) radiation, which can be damaging to both plants and humans.
Additionally, LED grow lights produce less heat than other types of lighting, which can help to maintain a safe and comfortable environment within the growing space.
5. Can LED grow lights be used for both vegetative and flowering stages of plant growth?
Yes, LED grow lights can be used for both vegetative and flowering stages of plant growth. However, different types of light may be required for each stage. During the vegetative stage, plants require light in the blue spectrum, which promotes healthy leaf growth.
During the flowering stage, plants require light in the red spectrum, which promotes the growth of buds and flowers. Some LED grow lights come with switches or settings that allow growers to adjust the spectrum of light for each stage of plant growth.
Conclusion
All in all, using LED grow lights is a great way for cannabis cultivators to take charge of their own growing systems at a relatively affordable cost.
Once you’ve decided to jump into the world of LED growing, there’s no going back! So with all that, happy growing and good luck!
