When the sun is bright and you’ve set up your indoor plants right by the window, they bask in the natural sunlight and flourish. However, when winter rolls around and temperatures shift, that natural sunlight just doesn’t cut it for most plants. That’s when grow lights come in. These are especially important if you have more than just a couple of house plants and you want to keep them toasty and happy through the cold winter months. The best way to mimic sunlight is to incorporate full spectrum grow lights into your space.
Some designs are straightforward while others have extra features that make your life just a little bit easier. Some are fixed and stationary while others are flexible and adjustable, allowing you to move them to your heart’s desire until you get the positioning just right for all your plants. Still, some may not be enough and when that’s the case, you need the option to connect some more and get your setup perfect. Below, we highlight our top three picks for the best full-spectrum grow lights to keep your indoor plants healthy and thriving.
Top Picks: The Best Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Plants
Check Amazon- With 1,728 LEDs and 600 watts of actual power, this grow light is a high-efficiency option.
- Temperature control and a temperature sensor ensure the grow light always maintains the optimal temperature.
- Timer modes help you stay in control of how long the light runs.
Check Amazon- A dual-head grow light that stands via a tripod, offering optimal customization for placement, height, and direction.
- Available in four styles: two heads with a timer, one head, one head with a timer, and three heads with a timer.
- Three lighting modes and six levels of brightness are available.
- The light is easy to set up.
Check Amazon- An upgraded model with a daisy chain function, to be able to add lights as necessary.
- The diode distribution is updated to provide more uniform lighting.
- High-efficiency, low-cost lighting is promised with the dimmer function.
#1 Best Overall: SZHLUX PT6000 LED Grow Light 4×6ft with Timer and Temp Control
The best overall full-spectrum grow light for plants is the SZHLUX PT6000. These grow lights operate with low energy consumption but deliver high efficiency. They utilize the latest technology, letting high-yield LEDs deliver the powerful light your plants need to grow at their optimum rate. The design of these full-spectrum grow lights allows for uniform penetration which results in the best yields possible. There’s a temperature sensor, button, and timer that you can control. Adjust the height of the unit as needed to ensure your plants get the most PPF value.
These grow lights emit sunlight full spectrum with over 95% light energy that your plants can absorb. They include white, blue, red, and IR — adjust as needed for seedlings, plant photosynthesis, flowering, and fruiting, and to increase crop quality and yield. Customers rate these grow lights 4.4 out of five stars. They are thrilled to have happy plants after installing and turning these grow lights on. They’re especially valuable for customers who strive to keep their frost-sensitive plants alive through blistery winter months. These lights don’t just do better than they imagined, they’re also easy on power consumption. One customer received defective lights, but customer service quickly replaced them.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| With 1,728 LEDs with 600 watts of actual power. | Some customers had trouble understanding the included instructions. |
| A temperature sensor is included. | |
| Five modes with time control are offered. |
- With 1,728 LEDs and 600 watts of actual power, this grow light is a high-efficiency option.
- Temperature control and a temperature sensor ensure the grow light always maintains the optimal temperature.
- Timer modes help you stay in control of how long the light runs.
2. Best Dual Heads: Grow Light with Stand, LBW Dual Heads Full Spectrum Grow Light
These full-spectrum grow lights have dual heads and a single tripod stand. Use the flexibility of the dual head design to perfectly light your plants, even if they’re not huddled together. Not only are the dual heads flexible, but you can also make adjustments to the stand itself. It’s extendable from 15 inches to 63 inches, which gives you plenty to work with to customize it to your space. No matter the growth stages or heights of your plants, you can provide them with the full spectrum illumination they need.
These grow lights have 100 high-efficiency LEDs, including red, warm white, and cold white. The design is specifically for indoor plants — they emit 380nm up to 800nm. It’s meant to replicate what the noon sun emits and though it does more for your plants, it doesn’t cost you more on your electric bill. The design makes these lights beneficial for your plants and your pocket. Use the on/off timer as needed so you’re not having to plug and unplug (and drive back home when you forget). Even if you take a vacation, you can trust your plants are getting the full-spectrum light they need and deserve.
Customers rate these grow lights 4.5 out of five stars. Some self-proclaimed “brown thumb” customers came to realize that what they were missing was this product. The light for their indoor plants was much too low and when this arrived, they saw a massive change. It’s easy to use, even for newbies. They appreciate that the entire freestanding unit is flexible, allowing them to customize each of the heads and adjust the height of the stand. After seeing the results, many have invested in a second one of these dual-head grow lights to further enhance their indoor garden paradise.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Dual heads with an extendable tripod stand make this grow light versatile. | The power supply has no ground. |
| An auto on/off timer is included. | |
| Six brightness levels and three lighting modes are available. |
- A dual-head grow light that stands via a tripod, offering optimal customization for placement, height, and direction.
- Available in four styles: two heads with a timer, one head, one head with a timer, and three heads with a timer.
- Three lighting modes and six levels of brightness are available.
- The light is easy to set up.
3. Best Sleep-Friendly Design: 2023 Upgraded VIPARSPECTRA P2000 Led Grow Lights for Indoor Plants Full Spectrum
These LED grow lights have been updated with a new diode layout and daisy chain function to ensure you have the most uniform light distribution and that you can connect more grow lights depending on your unique needs. The unit is equipped with a dimmer function so you can play with the brightness and set the desired level with ease. You get a high PAR output with high energy efficiency so you can attain greater yield without worrying about a rise in energy costs.
Customers rate these grow lights 4.7 out of five stars. Mostly, they love the node spacing and the results they get with their indoor plants. Even those with their very first greenhouses are seeing the huge difference these grow lights make for their different plants, including SunPatiens, petunias, and lemon trees. Excitement abounds from customer reviews as they get ready to expand their already abundant indoor plant spaces.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Optimal full-spectrum light is provided. | Despite heat dissipation, the unit itself gets hot, and it may require ventilation during warmer weather. |
| The grow light has superior heat dissipation. | |
| Low energy consumption makes this light a frugal choice. |
- An upgraded model with a daisy chain function, to be able to add lights as necessary.
- The diode distribution is updated to provide more uniform lighting.
- High-efficiency, low-cost lighting is promised with the dimmer function.
Criteria: What to Look for in the Best Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Plants
Adjustability
Before settling on the best grow lights, consider your space. Will you need multiple units or a single set of grow lights? Grow lights with dual heads give you a lot more flexibility than stationary lights. You can set up one head of lights for one section of your plants and use the flexible second head of lights for plants in another part of your room. An extendable stand is also of note, considering you may have taller plants that need attention. A dimmer is a good option also, allowing you to achieve the desired brightness.
Cost
Cost is an important consideration but when weighing how much you’re willing to spend, don’t forget to consider the cost of losses if you don’t have the appropriate lighting for your indoor plants. Also, consider the cost over time. An initial investment is often worth it when you consider the life of the product.
The 3 Best Full-Spectrum Grow Lights for Plants FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the best light spectrum for growing plants?
For growing plants, full spectrum lights are ideal because they are the ones that most closely mimic the light of the natural sun. These lights combine several colors and serve plants through every stage in their growth process.
How far should full spectrum grow lights be from plants?
When your plants are flowering, your grow lights should be about 16 – 36 inches from your plant’s canopy. The closer the lights, the more you maximize photosynthesis. It all depends on the types of plants you’re growing, their growth stage, and the intensity of the grow lights you purchase.
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