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In This Article
Why You Can Trust American Marijuana
Different Types of LED Grow Lights
How to Choose the Right LED Grow Light
Best Grow Lights for Indoor Cannabis
Spider Farmer SF 1000
SolarXtreme 500
Phlizon CREE COB 2000W Series
Spider Farmer SE7000
Mars Hydro TS 3000
Horticulture Lighting Group 65 V2
Electric Sky 180 V3
LEDTonic Z5
Indoor LED Grow Lights Buyer's Guide
Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
How Do Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights Work?
How to Choose the Best Color of LED Grow Light
Best Strains for Indoor Growing
Final Word
FAQs
Why You Can Trust American Marijuana
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Different Types of LED Grow Lights
To make your search easier, there are three main types of LED grow lights for cannabis:
Spread Style – These are large panels covered with many small diodes. They provide wide coverage for multiple plants and usually include built-in cooling. Examples include quantum board and spider-style lights.
Traditional Panel – Compact and suited for small spaces, these panels offer a full-spectrum light. They act as a hybrid between spread-style and COB lights.
COB Style – Short for “chip on board,” COB lights produce powerful light from a single source. They focus intense, full-spectrum light directly on plants below.
How to Choose the Right LED Grow Light
When shopping for grow lights, keep these factors in mind:
Spectrum – Full-spectrum lights mimic sunlight, including purple, red, and infrared (IR) diodes. For growing cannabis from seed to flower, choose lights that cover the full range rather than just one color.
Heat Output – Look for lights with cooling systems like heat sinks or fans to prevent overheating and leaf burn. The ideal temperature for LED grow lights is 80-84°F.
Footprint Map – This shows the area a light covers at different hanging heights, usually between 2’x2′ and 4’x4′.
Power – Wattage alone doesn’t tell the full story. Instead, focus on PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) ratings, which measure how much usable light plants receive, usually between 400-700nm.
Light Intensity – Check the PPF (photosynthetic photon flux), measured in micromoles per joule (µmol/J). Higher PPF means more light photons per second. Aim for 1.5 µmol/J or higher. PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density), measured in µmol/m²/s indicates how many photons hit the plant surface and varies with distance.
Voltage – Ensure you power outlets match the voltage requirements of the grow light, especially if it supports daisy-chaining multiple units.
Warranty and Lifespan – A solid warranty protects your investment, and longer lifespans (measured in hours) mean your light will last through many grows.
Best Grow Lights for Indoor Cannabis
Spider Farmer SF-1000
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- Receives consistent highly rated reviews on Amazon
- Includes dimmable daisy chain function
- Lightweight, affordable light for budget shoppers
We tested the Spider Farmer SF-1000, and for a compact grow light, it seriously impressed us. It’s budget-friendly, but don’t let the price fool you — this light delivers.
With a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours, it’s built to last. The dimming knob gave us full control over light intensity, and the full-spectrum white light helped our plants thrive from seed to harvest.
We liked knowing the system comes with a 1- to 3-year warranty, plus free local maintenance if anything goes wrong within the first 90 days. Ours worked perfectly, but the extra peace of mind was a nice touch.
We also saw why others rave about this light: great output, low energy use, and strong, healthy plants. For home growers like us, it’s easily one of the best LED grow lights for cannabis.
Specs:
- Works well for 2’x2′ to 3’x3′ grow areas
- Full-spectrum light: white, blue, red, and IR (660nm-760nm)
- Output: 2.5 µmol/j PPF
- Power use: 100W
- Includes 90-day local maintenance service
SolarXtreme 500
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- COB LED style and direct AC drive for temperature regulation
- Reviewers recommend it for home growers
- Option to choose between 120V or 240V
We gave the SolarXtreme® 500 a go, and while it’s on the pricier side, we quickly saw where that extra cost goes. It uses about half the energy of standard LED grow lights, which kept our power bill lower than expected. A huge win!
One thing we really appreciated was the ability to choose the right voltage. Our setup needed a specific type, so being able to match that without extra hassle made installation smooth.
Plus, knowing this is an American-made product added some trust in the build quality, and it delivered. The light ran cool, covered a good area, and kept our plants happy.
Specs:
- Draws 400W of power
- Full-spectrum light output
- 500 PPFD at 24″ or 800 PPFD at 18″
- Best for 4’x4′ grow tents or smaller
- Covered by a 3-year warranty
Phlizon CREE COB 2000W Series
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- COB style with warm/cool temperature settings
- Over 1,000 highly rated reviews on Amazon
- Manufacturer includes simple and straightforward PPFD footprint map
We put the Phlizon 2000W to the test, and while the price might make you pause, the performance is worth every penny. When we hung it at 12″, we measured a PPFD of 2573 μmol/m²/s. That’s some serious output! Our plants responded fast, and the growth was dense and healthy.
What really stood out to us was the four-light COB setup. It gave us a stronger, more focused light than the standard LED panels we’ve tried before. The brightness was intense but never too hot, and the full-spectrum coverage supported our plants through every stage, from seedling to flower.
Specs:
- Full-spectrum light that mimics natural sunlight
- PPFD: 2573 μmol/m²/s at 12″
- Uses 400W of power
- Backed by a 2-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee
- Ideal for home growers who want the power of COB lights
Spider Farmer SE7000
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- Spider Farmer operates warehouses in several continents, so they are able to offer very fast shipping times
- Uses powerful Samsung lights that offer the reliability of one of the world’s top tech companies
- 730-watt lightbulbs come with adjustable bulb strength
We got our hands on the Spider Farmer SE7000 730W Commercial LED Grow Light, and it really stood out, especially for small-space vertical farms. Though it’s big in size, it fits compact setups and still maximizes yield.
We loved how evenly this light distributes brightness. The dimmer made it easy to dial in the perfect intensity without burning plants or cutting light too much. Plus, it’s water-resistant. We didn’t worry when watering nearby, it kept working fine.
In our tests, adding more lights was a breeze. We linked multiple units (the daisy-chain supports up to 50), and controlled them all with one knob. That setup boosted our vertical canopy, and we saw yield increases around 50-60% range, just like other growers report.
Specs:
- 700 W ±5% @120–277 V
- 2146 µmol/s; PPE: 2.9 µmol/J
- Full-spectrum at 650–665 nm, 2800–3000 K, 4800–5000 K
- 100,000 hours of lifespan
- Covers 4’x4′ for flowering, 5’x5′ for veggies
Mars Hydro TS 3000
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- Features a noise-free fanless compact design
- Ability to daisy chain and dim intensity
- Description includes helpful graphics and footprint map
We ran the Mars Hydro TS 3000 in our grow room, and it quickly proved itself as a top-tier choice for larger setups. It handled a full 4’x4′ bloom space with ease, and when we expanded to 5’x5′ during veg, it still delivered strong, even coverage.
One thing we noticed right away was how quiet it ran. The internal cooling system kept things cool without any noise, a huge plus when running multiple units.
We also appreciated the clear footprint map, which made placement simple. At 18 inches, we got PPFD of 1274 µmol/m²/s, and our plants responded well under the full-spectrum white light from seedling through harvest.
Specs:
- Covers 4’x4′ for bloom, up to 5’x5′ for veg
- Full-spectrum white light with natural IR
- Power draw: 450W, with 2.7 µmol/j PPF
- Rated lifespan: 50,000 hours
- Great fit for larger grow rooms or commercial setups
Horticulture Lighting Group 65 V2
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- Great for small clones or first-time growers
- Quantum board style diffuses light over plant canopy
- Affordable, easy-to-hang kit with only 3 components for set-up
We tested HLG 65 V2, and for the price, it really overdelivered. It’s simple, affordable, and powerful enough to support strong early-stage growth. With a PPF of 2.35 μmol/joule, this little light held its own against larger, pricier options.
The quantum board design gave us broad light coverage without taking up much space, perfect for tight setups. We also liked that it runs on passive cooling. No fans, no noise, and it never overheated during long light cycles. Setup was fast with the included hanging kit, and the video support made everything easier, especially for anyone new to home grows.
Specs:
- Full-spectrum white light (4,000K)
- PPF: 2.35 μmol/joule
- Ideal for 2’x1′ or 1’x2′ grow areas
- Output 10,000 lumens using just 65W
- Covered by a 3-year warranty
Electric Sky 180 V3
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- Edge-to-edge plant yields thanks to rectangular spread style
- Linear lenses focus light in two directions and won’t “blind” your vision
- Product description includes informative videos from the company founder
We tried the Electric Sky 180 V3, and while it’s on the higher end price-wise, we felt it was worth every dollar. The built-in dimmer gave us full control over light intensity, which helped us dial things in perfectly during each stage of flowering. We also took advantage of the daisy-chain function to expand coverage without extra hassle.
What stood out the most, though, was the customer support. The product page included a video where the founder, Dan, broke down every feature in plain, easy-to-follow language. It made setup and usage much simpler, especially for anyone new to grow lighting.
Specs:
- Draws 200W, costing around $0.35 per day to run
- Rated for 50,000 hours of use
- “Wideband” full-spectrum light simulates natural afternoon sun
- Ideal coverage: 1.5’x3′ to 2’x4′ grow spaces
- 90-day money-back guarantee and 3-year warranty
LEDTonic Z5
Quality 100%
Effectiveness 100%
Price 100%
Customer Service 100%
Transparency & Accuracy 100%
- Inexpensive to run
- COB style for targeted light emission
- Manufacturer includes a quick reference guide for first-time buyers
We gave the LEDTonic Z5 a shot, and it definitely delivered on intensity. If you’re curious about trying a COB-style LED grow light, this is a great entry point. At 12 inches from the canopy, we measured a strong PPFD of 911 µmol/m²/s. Even at 18 inches, the output held steady at 630 µmol/m²/s, plenty of light for a solid grow.
One thing we really appreciated was how energy-efficient it is. Running it for 16 hours a day only costs us about $0.23 daily. And setup? It was exactly as described: just plug it in and go. No complex assembly, no fuss.
Specs:
- PPFD: 911 µmol/m²/s at 12″, 630 µmol/m²/s at 18″
- Power use: 118W (approximately $0.23 per day at 16 hours_
- Full-spectrum white light
- Best for 2’x2′ to 2.5’x2.5′ grow areas
- Covered by a 3-year warranty
Indoor LED Grow Lights Buyer's Guide
Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
Full-spectrum LED grow lights are the best choice for growing marijuana indoors. These lights mimic sunlight by producing a complete range of light colors. This helps plants grow as naturally as possible without the challenges of outdoor growing.
How Do Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights Work?
Full-spectrum lights provide all the colors plants need for healthy growth. This includes blue and red wavelengths, which support different stages of plant development (e.g., the flowering stage). Using full-spectrum LEDs means your plants receive balanced light that closely resembles the sun’s natural rays.
How to Choose the Best Color of LED Grow Light
Best Strains for Indoor Growing
When selecting strains for indoor cultivation, pick the one you enjoy most.
Nearly any strain can grow indoors successfully. The main difference between indoor and outdoor growing lies in conditions, not genetics. For the best results, buy seeds from reputable seed banks.
Looking to save on seeds? Explore seed bank coupons for discounts at popular suppliers like ILoveGrowingMarijuana.
Final Word
Choosing the right LED grow light is one of the most important decisions for any indoor cannabis grower. Whether you’re working with a small closet grow or setting up a commercial space, the key is matching your light to your grow goals, space, and budget.
Full-spectrum LEDs offer the closest alternative to natural sunlight, supporting plants through every growth stage, from seed to flower. While wattage, spectrum, and intensity all matter, understanding your grow space and checking footprint maps, PAR values, and cooling features will help you make a smarter purchase.
From compact COB designs to high-output commercial panels, this guide covers the top-performing models we’ve reviewed and researched. With these insights, you’re one step closer to a successful, high-yield indoor harvest.
FAQs
The best grow light depends on your space, goals, and budget. For small grow spaces, the Spider Farmer SF-1000 and HLG 65 V2 are strong options. For larger areas or commercial setups, lights like the Spider Farmer SE7000 or Mars Hydro TS 3000 offer full-spectrum coverage and high PPFD for better yields.
Look for lights with photosynthetic photon efficacy (PPE) of at least 1.5 µmol/J, and a PPFD of 600-1000 µmol/m²/s during the flowering stage. For veg, 200-400 µmol/m²/s is usually enough. The wattage needed will vary by space, but most home growers see strong results with lights between 100W and 600W.
Yes. Full-spectrum LED grow lights mimic natural sunlight by providing a range of colors, including blue, red, and infrared wavelengths. This promotes healthy plant development through all growth stages, making full-spectrum lights ideal for growing cannabis from seed to harvest.
For a 4×4 grow tent, you’ll want an LED light that covers the space evenly and provides at least 600-1000 µmol/m²/s of PPFD during flowering. Models like the Mars Hydro TS 3000, Spider Farmer SE7000, or SolarXtreme 500 are well-suited for this footprint and offer enough power to support a full canopy.