It’s not easy picking out a LED grow light. PAR value, power consumption, efficiency, light spectrum, and light spread are just a few things to consider when buying a light. Currently, the market is flooded with hundreds of different LED grow lights and there are hundreds of different LED grow light manufacturers. Some of the LED grow lights are excellent in the sense that the grow light is made up of quality components, emits a high PAR output, and has an even light distribution. Other LED grow lights on the market today are cheaply made with low-quality components, produce low PAR output, and the light is focused in the center of the grow space. With so many options out there, it’s tough narrowing down your choice to just one.
In this article, I will talk about the Best LED Grow Lights in 2019. This list will include LED grow lights that have a flowering coverage area of 4’x4’ and are best for a full-cycle grow (from seedling through flowering). The grow lights are listed in no specific order. The things I look for in a LED grow light to make this list are: PAR output, efficiency, spectrum, light spread, quality diodes, efficient drivers, and warranty. Since prices are always changing, click either the Amazon link or LED Grow Lights Depot link under each light for the most up-to-date price.
Need a better understanding of PAR output, spectrum, efficacy, energy consumption, or light spread? Check out this complete Buyer’s Guide for LED Grow Lights in 2019.
Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 550 V2
Let’s start with one of the most efficient LED grow lights on the market today. The HLG550 V2 by Horticulture Lighting Group absolutely makes the list this year as one of the best LED grow lights in 2019. The dimensions are 29”x20”x3” and the entire fixture weighs only 18 lbs. It has 4 quantum boards that have a total of 1,152 top-bin Samsung diodes. It is a white-light full spectrum grow light that comes in either 3000k or 4000k. The 4000k is recommended for plants in the vegetation stage and the 3000k has a better light spectrum for flowering. Most growers choose the 3000k if growing from seed through harvest in the same grow space.
Now let’s talk PAR output. The HLG 550 V2 has a photosynthetic photon flux (or PPF) of 1178 umol/s and PAR efficacy comes in at 2.5 umol/j. The LEDs are powered by a Mean Well driver that is dimmable to 50% intensity. Since the grow light has a dimmer, the wattage draw from the wall will vary from 190w to 480w depending if the light is fully dimmed or maxed out respectively. This LED grow light was designed and is manufactured in the USA. It comes with a 3-year warranty.
LEDs: 1,152 x Top-Bin Samsung LM301B diodes PPF: 1178 umol/s (equivalent to 1000w SE HPS) PAR efficacy: 2.5 umol/j
Wattage draw: 190-480 watts (dimmable on driver) Coverage area: Veg- 6′ x 6′ , Flower- 4.5′ x 4.5′ or 5′ x 5′
Light distance: Veg- 36”, Flower- 24”
Dimensions: 29″ x 20″ x 3″
Weight: 18 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year
Horticulture Lighting Group HLG-600H Quantum Board V2 DIY Kit
This LED grow light is very similar to the HLG 550 V2, although, this is a DIY kit – not a complete fixture. So you will need to use a screw driver and some wire snippers to assemble it. The dimensions are 29”x15.5”x3.5” and it weighs 25 lbs. What are the differences between this LED grow light and the HLG 550 V2 LED grow light? The HLG 600H is more powerful. It distributes 1500 umol/s which is 20% more than the HLG 550 V2. With the added intensity, it also draws more from the wall – 620w. Although, PAR efficacy is slightly lower at 2.4 umol/j. The recommended coverage area for Veg is different – 7’x7’ for the HLG 600H while the HLG 550 V2 is listed to cover a 6’x6’ grow space. The last major difference to call out is the HLG 600H comes with a 1-year warranty vs the HLG 550 V2 comes with a 3-year warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LEDs: Samsung LM301B Top-Bin Diodes PPF: 1500 PPF PAR efficacy: 2.4 umol/j
Wattage draw: 620w Coverage area: Veg- 7’x7’, Flower- 4’x4’ to 5’x5’
Light distance: Veg- 40”, Flower- 24”
Dimensions: 29″ x 15.5″ x 3.5″
Weight: 25 lbs.
Warranty: 1-year
The Green Sunshine Company Electric Sky ES300
The Electric Sky ES300 by The Green Sunshine Company was released last year and quickly became popular among both home and commercial growers. It uses Top-Bin Mid Power Wideband diodes. The GS1 Wideband Spectrum emitted by this LED grow light plus the even light spread, allows plants to thrive resulting in faster growth. The ES300 has a PAR output of 600 umol/s and a PAR efficacy of 2.0 umol/j – all while pulling only 300w from the wall. The dimensions are 36″x12”x2.5” and it weighs 22 lbs. I personally grow with this light and to be honest, it’s the best LED grow light that I’ve ever used. Feel free to check out the videos on my YouTube channel to see the results that I’ve gotten from using it. This LED grow light comes with a 3-year warranty.
The Green Sunshine Company link (Discount code: MRGROWIT) Amazon link
LEDs: Top-Bin Mid Power Wideband Diodes PPF: 600 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.0 umol/j
Wattage draw: 300w Coverage area: Veg- 3’x6’, Flower- 2.5’x5’
Light distance: Veg- 24-48”, Flower- 18-20”
Dimensions: 36” x 12” x 2.5”
Weight: 22 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year
Gavita Pro 1650e LED ML
Gavita, who is mostly known for their HID grow lights, has joined the LED grow light market. The Gavita Pro 1650e LED ML grow light comes in at a 2.6 umol/j efficacy and 1650 umol/s PPF. Wow! The dimensions are 44.1”x44.1”x2.1” and the entire fixture weighs 28.4 lbs. This full-spectrum grow light has diodes lined up on 8 bars for even light spread and includes enhanced reds to benefit in flowering. The unit pulls 629-646 watts from the wall (depending on which voltage you get) and is passively cooled. It is compatible with both the Gavita Master EL1 and EL2 Gen 2 controllers so you can fully control things such as light schedule, dimming, and sunrise/sunset features. This fixture is backed by a 3-year warranty.
LEDs: Top-Bin proprietary PPF: 1650 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.6 umol/j
Wattage draw: 646w Coverage area: Veg- 6’x6’ to 7’x7’, Flower- 4’x4’ to 5’x5’
Light distance: Veg- 36-48”, Flower- 18”
Dimensions: 44.1” x 44.1” x 2.1”
Weight: 28.4 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year
California Lightworks SolarSystem 1100
The California Lightworks SolarSystem 1100 LED grow light makes the Best LED grow light list again this year. This LED grow light uses top-bin OSRAM diodes, has a PAR output of 1730 umol/s PPF and a PAR efficacy of 2.2 umol/j. It pulls 800w from the wall full power. The dimensions are 18”x18”x4” and the fixture weighs 26 lbs. The light is cooled via four fans on the top of the fixture. For an additional cost, you can get the SolarSystem controller. With the controller, you can fully customize the amount of UV, IR, red, white, and blue light. The controller also has a sunrise/sunset feature. With this feature enabled, the grow light will slowly become brighter when the unit first turns on to emulate sunrise. Then to emulate sunset, the brightness will reduce slowly prior to turning off. This is one of the LED grow lights that I currently use in my grow room. I’ve been using it for well over a year now and I have gotten some excellent results with it. This LED grow light is made in the USA and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
LEDs: Top-Bin OSRAM diodes PPF: 1730 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.2 umol/j
Wattage draw: 800w Coverage area: Veg- 8’x8’, Flower- 4’x4’
Light distance: Veg- 24”, Flower- 18″
Dimensions: 18″ x 18″ x 4″
Weight: 26 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year limited
Amare SolarBar SB 800
The Amare SolarBar SB 800 is another LED grow light that has a 8-bar design. It’s a full-spectrum, white light grow light that contains Samsung LM301B white diodes and OSRAM red diodes. It pulls 880w full power and has a PAR output of 1782 PPF. PAR efficacy comes in at 2.5 umol/j. The dimensions are 47.08”x46.93”x3.3”. I like the low-profile design and that the light can be so close to the plants without burning them. The recommended light distance is 6-9” when using in a 4’x4’ grow space and 18” when using in a 5’x5’ grow space. This LED grow light comes with a 5-year warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LEDs: Samsung LM301B and Osram Oslon diodes PPF: 1782 PAR efficacy: 2.5 umol/j
Wattage draw: 880w (dimmable) Coverage area: Veg- ?, Flower- 4’x4’ to 5’x5’
Light distance: Veg- 18”, Flower- 6-18”
Dimensions: 47.08” x 46.93” x 3.3”
Weight: ?
Warranty: 5-year
BIOS Icarus Gi2
The BIOS Icarus Gi2 LED grow light is an industrial grade fixture that meets the demanding requirements for commercial cultivation. It has several certifications and is wet location rated. It has aluminum heat sinks and is passively cooled so there are no moving parts. The spectrum on this LED grow light is scientifically engineered and is optimized for all phases of plant growth. The dimensions are 33”x28”. The fixture is certainly durable, and comes in heavy at 40 lbs. Its intensity is excellent. It has a PAR output of 1359 umol/s and PAR efficacy of 2.12 umol/j – all while pulling only 640w from the wall. This LED grow light comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LEDs: ? PPF: 1359 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.12 umol/j
Wattage draw: 640w Coverage area: 4’x4’ to 5’x5’
Light distance: 12-36”
Dimensions: 33” x 28”
Weight: 40 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year limited
Enlite Sundisk Series 600W Flower Light
The Enlite Sundisk Series 600w Flower LED grow light is designed for high-intensity flowering but can be used for all phases of growth. This white light full-spectrum LED grow light draws 640w from the wall and has an estimated PPF of 1472. PAR efficacy is 2.3 umol/j. The fixture consists of 2 separate units – each pulling 320w from the wall. I like the separation of units as this give you more flexibility to adjust the grow lights to your canopy. The dimensions are 40″x8″x2.75″ (x 2 sets) and each fixture weighs 30.2 lbs. The LEDs are custom-designed, proprietary diodes and are passively cooled. This LED grow light comes with a 3-year standard and a 5-year limited warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LEDs: Custom-designed, proprietary diodes; manufactured by Philips PPF: 1472 umol/s (estimated) PAR efficacy: 2.3 umol/j
Wattage draw: 640w Coverage area: 4’x4’
Light distance: 24”
Dimensions: 40″ x 8″ x 2.75″ (x 2 sets)
Weight: 30.2 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year standard or 5-year extended
Optic 4 XL LED Grow Light
The Optic 4 XL LED grow light has become one of the more popular LED grow lights recently due to the documented yields of up-to 2.25 pounds per light. The LED grow light uses four CREE CXB3590 3500K COB LEDs and 32 x 3-watt OSRAM ultra-efficient LEDs. It pulls 460w from the wall full power. There are two independent dimmers on the LED grow light – one to control the COBs and one for the 32 x 3-watt OSRAM diodes. PPFD dead center from 18” is 1660 umol/s. The dimensions are 24″x24” and weighs 33 lbs. It has large aluminum heat sinks and five cooling fans. This LED grow light comes with a 5-year warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LEDs: 4 x CREE CXB3590 3500K COB LEDs, 32 x 3-watt OSRAM ultra-efficient LEDs PPFD: 1660 umol/s (center @ 18”) PAR efficacy: ? umol/j
Wattage draw: 460w Coverage area: Veg- 5’x5’, Flower- 4’x4’
Light distance: Veg- 30”, Flower- 18-24”
Dimensions: 24″ x 24″
Weight: 33 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year
Optic LED Optic 8+ COB LED Grow Light
The Optic 8+ LED grow light has a similar design and similar features to the Optic 4 XL LED grow light – but is more powerful. It uses 500w to power 8 x CREE CXB3590 COB LEDs & 32 x 3-watt OSRAM ultra-efficient LEDs. The dimensions are 26.75”x26.25” and weighs 34 lbs. It is a slightly larger fixture compared the to Optic 4 XL and weighs 1 lb more. On this LED grow light there are 3 dimmers vs the 2 that the Optic 4 XL has so you have more control over the light spectrum. The Optic 8+ also includes UV and added IR. The last major difference between the Optic 8+ and the Optic 4 XL is that the Optic 8+ has nine cooling fans vs five cooling fans that the Optic 4 XL has. This LED grow light also comes with a 5-year warranty.
LEDs: 8 x CREE CXB3590 COB LEDs & 32 x 3-watt OSRAM ultra-efficient LEDs PPFD: 1300+ umol/s (center @ 24”) PAR efficacy: ? umol/j
Wattage draw: 500w Coverage area: Veg- 6.5’x6.5’, Flower- 4’x4’ to 5’x5’
Light distance: Veg- 24”-30”, Flower- 24”
Dimensions: 26.75″ x 26.25″
Weight: 34 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year
Pacific Light Concepts PLC 6.2
The Pacific Light Concepts PLC 6.2 is one of the most high-performing, cost effective LED grow lights on the market today. The company aims to provide the most photons per dollar while using the highest performing components throughout the system. The PLC 6.2 has a PAR output of 1200 umol/s and a PAR efficacy of 2.08 umol/j. It uses Bridgelux Vero 29C LEDs and draws 600w from the wall. It has aluminum housing and emits a finely tuned horticulture specific spectrum. This LED grow light comes with a 3-year warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LED Grow Light Depot link – NOT ON LED GROW LIGHTS DEPOT
LEDs: Bridgelux Vero 29C PPF: 1200 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.08 umol/j
Wattage draw: 600w Coverage area: 4’x4’
Light distance: ?
Dimensions: 24.5” x 25.25” x 4.9”
Weight: 29 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year
Timber Grow Lights Redwood VS
The Timber Grow Lights Redwood VS consists of Vero29 Generation 7 COB LEDs. This full spectrum LED grow light has a PAR output of 1350 umol/s and the PAR efficacy is estimated to be 2.1 umol/j. The dimensions are 42″x24”x4” and the fixture weighs 31 lbs. The grow light is dimmable down to 10% output and consumes 640w from the wall full power. The fixture is designed for an even light spread and is available in 1750k, 3000k, 3500k, and 4000k color temperatures. This LED grow light comes with a 3-year warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LEDs: Vero29 Generation 7 COB LEDs PPF: 1350 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.1 umol/j (estimated)
Wattage draw: 640w Coverage area: 4’x4’
Light distance: 18”
Dimensions: 42” x 24” x 4”
Weight: 31 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year
Fluence SPYDR 2x LED Grow Light
The Fluence SPYDR 2x LED grow light was designed for vertical racking but many use for home growing. It emits a light spectrum tailored for particular photomorphogenic responses called PhysioSpec Indoor. It pulls 345w from the wall and has a PAR output of 860 umol/s. PAR efficacy comes in at 2.5 umol/j. The dimensions are 42.8″x46.99”x4.3” and weighs 24 lbs. 13 oz. This grow light is dimmable and it is designed to emit an even light spread. It is passively cooled and has a detachable power supply. This LED grow light is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Amazon link – NOT ON AMAZON
LED Grow Light Depot link – NOT ON LED GROW LIGHTS DEPOT
LEDs: ? PPF: 860 umol/s PAR efficacy: 2.5 umol/j
Wattage draw: 345w Coverage area: 4’x4’
Light distance: 6-12”
Dimensions: 42.8” x 46.99” x 4.3”
Weight: 24 lbs. 13 oz.
Warranty: 5-year
Thanks for reading! Leave a comment letting us know which LED grow light you like the best.
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