Engineered using the science of nature, full-spectrum LED grow lights are the best option for growing cannabis indoors.
These lights are designed to simulate natural sunlight. This feature ensures all of your marijuana plants light requirements are met.
Unlike conventional grow lamps that provide your plants with only some of the wavelengths of natural sunlight. Full-spectrum LEDs deliver all the useful wavelengths.
The choice of high-quality full-spectrum LED grow lights is huge. You must be very selective to pick a model that will fully meet your cannabis growing needs.
We did detailed research of the most popular products on the market and we found the following ten top models that come highly recommended for indoor growing.
Top 10 Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights for Cannabis
#1 WHOSLED 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Are you new to indoor cannabis growing? You need the WHOSLED 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light for illuminating your indoor grow room.
The light measures 15.7 inches long, 8.3 inches wide, and 2.4 inches thick. It is fitted with three base fans, a power outlet, and veg and bloom switches.
The light is purely handmade. The LED chips are individually soldered for durability. Unlike traditional grow lamps, this model has a durability of more than 60000 hours.
This model comes with three modes of operation, including bloom (seedling/germination), veg (vegetative growth), and veg plus bloom (flowering).
The recommended height for the bloom is 26 to 30 inches, for the veg is 20 to 26 inches, and for the veg plus bloom is 18 to 24 inches.
What makes this light quite impressive is its PAR coverage. At 24 inches you get an effective PAR of 488 μmol/m2s, which is the minimum light you need for moderate weed yield.
You can increase your indoor marijuana yield by lowering the light to 18 inches. At this height, you get optimum lighting of 735 μmol/m2s.
The light also has a superheat dissipation system. Heavy-duty heat sinks and the high-speed cooling fans maintain optimal operating temperatures.
Pros:
- Blue, red, UV, IR and white wavelengths simulate natural light
- UV wavelength activates your cannabis’ natural defenses
- Veg and bloom switches are operated independently
- Soldered LEDs are highly durable with a lifespan of over 60000 hours
- Core coverage is increased with a 140-degree wide-angle design
- Super heat dissipation system
- Comes with a 3-year warranty and 90 days return guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a daisy outlet
#2 GREENGO 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Do you want a lighting system that boosts high indoor marijuana growth? Look no further than the GREENGO 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light.
It is a large light that measures 17 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 2.2 inches thick. At 6 pounds, the light is pretty heavy and durable.
The heavy-duty construction features three base fans, upgraded heat sinks, veg and bloom switches, a power socket, and a daisy chain socket.
Triple-chip LEDs are more efficient and brighter compared to double-chip LEDs. The triple-chip LEDs are engineered to maintain a superior balance of PAR output and coverage.
The LEDs also feature a more zen diode design. This design ensures that one damaged LED does not affect the function of the rest.
The veg mode comprises of blue and white LEDs with a spectrum that ranges from 430 to 660 nm. This mode is suitable for seedlings and young veg growth.
The bloom mode consists of red and white LEDs with a spectrum that ranges from 430 to 740 nm. This mode is ideal for flowering and blooming.
This is a very powerful light with high PAR values. According to the manufacturer’s PAR chart, the light is capable of giving a PAR of 417 (minimum for weed growing) at a height of 79 inches.
The cooling system is remarkable. The upgraded aluminum heat sinks and the three high-speed cooling fans ensure there is superior heat dissipation.
Pros:
- Triple-chip LEDs are more powerful than double chips
- Zener diode technology ensures one damaged diode doesn’t affect the rest
- Veg and bloom switch for the effective operation
- Energy efficient light that only consumes 248 watts
- High PAR values that boost high yields
- A very efficient cooling system that maintains optimum temperatures
- It is timer controllable
- Daisy chain socket allows you to connect more units
Cons:
- Available power cord may be shorter for some growers
#3 Exlenvce 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
The Exlenvce 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light is a technological lamp designed for indoor growers. It is a good candidate for indoor cannabis growing.
The light is fitted with 15W triple-chip LEDs, which make the grow lamp brighter and energy-efficient compared to conventional two-chip LEDs.
It has a sturdy body that measures 15.8 inches long and 8.2 inches wide. It has separate on/off bloom and veg switches.
The veg channel uses a full spectrum for seedling germination and young vegetative growth. This channel only consumes 155 watts.
The bloom channel uses more red wavelengths to mimic summer lighting for flowering. The bloom mode is more energy-efficient, consuming only 80 watts.
You can also run both channels together to enhance maximum growth for higher yields. The light consumes only 235 watts when both switches are on.
It has a maximum coverage of 5.9 by 5.9 feet and a core coverage of 4.9 by 4.9 feet. However, the effective coverage depends on the height of the light.
The PAR values are remarkably high. At 24 inches high, you get an effective PAR of 539 μmol/m2s for optimal indoor marijuana growth.
With three high-speed base fans and upgraded heat sinks, the light never runs excessively. But you are advised to run it for roughly 15 to 18 hours a day.
Pros:
- Triple-chip LED technology is brighter and more energy efficient
- Double switch design allows for easy operation
- Veg and bloom channels use full spectrum for optimum performance
- Has a large core coverage
- Provides an effective PAR of 539 at 24 inches
- Superior cooling system maintains optimum temperatures
- Daisy chain outlet for adding more units
- Timer controllable
Cons:
- Adjustable rope clip hangers are not provided
#4 TOLYS 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
The TOLYS 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light is the best light for supplementing absorbable light for all stages of your indoor cannabis growth.
The light measures 13 inches long, 7 inches wide and 2 inches thick. The sturdy design comes with a power outlet, a daisy chain, a base cooling fan, veg/bloom switches, and hanging holders.
TOLYS uses double-chip LEDs that are bigger, brighter and more energy-efficient than conventional single-chip LEDs.
The veg channel promotes seedling germination and it contains 430 to 660 nm. The bloom mode promotes plant flowering and it contains 430 to 740 nm.
You can also turn both the veg and bloom switches on during flowering and fruiting to maximize growth. The IR wavelength usually appears dimmer, but it’s very effective.
The light is compact and only suitable for small grow areas. It provides a core coverage of 2 by 2 feet for seedlings, and 1.5 by 1.5 for vegetative and flowering.
The recommended height for germination is 24 to 30 inches, for seedling is 24 inches, for veg growth is 18 to 24 inches, and for bloom is 18 inches.
The cooling fan and upgraded heat sink constitute a powerful heat dissipation system that keeps the environment cool.
Pros:
- Double-chip LEDs are brighter and energy-efficient
- Veg and bloom channels can be operated independently
- Veg mode boosts germination and bloom boosts flowering and fruiting
- Full-spectrum includes IR wavelengths for optimum growth
- Superior cooling fan and heat sinks maintain optimum temperatures
- Daisy chain outlet allows you to connect more units
Cons:
- Daisy chain connection tends to reduce fan speed
#5 Yehsence 1500W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
The Yehsence 1500W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light has been a remarkable choice for more than three hundred indoor growers.
It measures 15.7 inches long, 8.2 inches wide and 2.9 inches thick. It comes with a US power socket, a daisy chain socket, veg and bloom switches, and three base fans.
The veg channel uses a full spectrum of 430 to 660 nm for germination; while the bloom channel uses a full spectrum of 430 to 740 nm for flowering and fruiting.
Unlike conventional grow lights that come with double-chip LEDs, the Yehsence comes equipped with 15 watts triple-chip LEDs that are more energy-efficient and brighter.
The light also features zener diode technology, which protects the LEDs from each other. One damaged LED does not affect the rest.
What’s really amazing about this light is the high PAR output. At 24 inches, the light is capable of delivering 594 μmol/m2s.
The maximum coverage area is 6.5 by 6.5 feet, but its core coverage is 5.4 by 5.4 feet. The lamp only consumes 265 watts, making it a suitable replacement for MH, HIDs, and HPS.
Daisy chained cord is universal with the power cord and allows you to connect three units at the same time.
Pros:
- Triple-chip LEDs are much brighter and more energy saving
- Veg and bloom channels use full spectrum for optimal growth
- High and effective PAR of 594 at 24 inches
- Zener diode protect each LED to expand the lifespan
- Daisy chain outlet is universal with the power cord
- Powerful heat dissipation and cooling
- Timer controllable
Cons:
- Can only connect three units at a time
#6 King Plus 600W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
If you are looking for a high performing grow light at an affordable price range, you should look no further than the King Plus 600W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light.
The light measures 12.2 inches long, 8.26 inches wide and 2.36 inches thick. The compact design has two base fans, power socket, daisy chain outlet, and the veg and bloom switches.
It is fitted with 60 pieces of 10 watts Epistar LEDs that deliver a full spectrum for vegetative growth and flowering. The full spectrum ranges from 430 to 730 nm.
King Plus offers your cannabis plants the best ratio of color. For example, you have two types of red spectrums, 620 to 630 nm and 655 to 660 nm.
During our tests, we realized that this is a model is more of a red spectrum light than blue. So, it may not be an effective choice for seedlings and veg, but a great choice for flowering.
The PAR output is very impressive. The effective PAR value at 24 inches is approximately 458 μmol/m2s. The core coverage is 3 by 3.4 feet.
Given the modest power output of this light, it does take a very small footprint. So, you can choose to daisy chain multiple units in your grow room to enhance illumination.
The built quality reflects its price as it is lacking a few heat sinks. However, the cooling system backed by two high-speed fans that improve heat dissipation.
Pros:
- 10W Epistar LEDs deliver an optimum full spectrum
- It offers the best ratio of color for your cannabis plants
- Delivers a high PAR to lumen output for optimal growth
- Daisy chain socket allows you to connect more units
- High-speed fans improve heat dissipation
Cons:
- Has a very small footprint
- Red LEDs are in excess
#7 HIGROW 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
The HIGROW 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light is a high-quality grow lamp for indoor cannabis growing. It is an ideal choice for beginner growers.
This is a fairly big light that measures 20.1 inches long, 11.2 inches wide and 2.6 inches thick. It is fitted with three base fans, an input socket, and bloom and veg switches.
It comes with 200 pieces of 5 watts Bridgelux LEDs with a ninety-degree lens that minimizes light loss by about 30%. This helps to maximize growth and yield.
The powerful LEDs deliver a 12-band full spectrum. The red (650-660 and 620-630 nm) and blue (460-470, 450-460 and 430-440 nm) spectrums offer your plants with the best ratio of color.
The veg and bloom channels can be operated independently to meet the individual requirements of different growth stages.
The light has superior efficiency. When both the veg and bloom switches are on, it only consumes 400 watts, reducing electricity costs.
The model has a remarkable PAR output. At 24 inches, the PAR at the core is around 765 μmol/m2s. But the effective coverage is about 4 by 3 feet.
With three high-speed cooling fans and upgraded heat sinks, the light never runs excessively hot.
Pros:
- 5W Bridgelux LEDs are brighter and energy saving
- 12-band full spectrum delivers optimum illumination
- Energy efficient light draws an average of 400 watts
- Comes with a fairly long power cord
- High and effective PAR of 765 at 24 inches
- Best ratio of color, red (52.3%) and blue (38.1%)
Cons:
- Possible to receive a defective unit with one operational channel
#8 BESTVA DC Series 2000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
If you are looking for the highest PAR/lumen output for optimal growth of your indoor cannabis plants, the BESTVA DC Series 2000W is your best bet.
The light is strong enough that is projected to last at least 100,000 hours. However, considering the quality of the unit you should expect constant performance for at least seven years.
This can be a very effective grow light if you are just a beginner for illuminating your indoor cannabis plants.
The light is made of only reliable and top-of-the-line materials. It weighs 10.36 pounds and measures 20.66 inches long, 8.46 inches wide and 2.36 inches thick.
The light comes equipped with 200 pieces of dual-chip Bridgelux LEDs that are rated at 10 watts. The dual chips are very bright and energy saving.
This model will provide your cannabis with a full spectrum that is very necessary for your plants to grow healthy. The spectrum guarantees higher yields.
The full spectrum is also incorporated with IR and UV wavelengths, which are both very essential for your indoor cannabis plants.
The spectrum composition of this light ranges from 380 to 730 nanometers, which is essentially consistent with natural visible light.
The PAR/lumen output of the BESTVA DC Series 2000W is very impressive. At 24 inches, the core PAR is 760 μmol/m2s.
Pros:
- Dual-chip 10-watt Bridgelux LEDs are brighter and more energy saving
- Optimum full spectrum replaces natural light
- Has selectable bloom and veg switches for the effective operation
- High PAR/lumen output with a wider effective coverage
- Full-spectrum includes UV and IR lights, which are beneficial to cannabis
- Highly durable can last up to 100,000 hours
Cons:
- Possible to lose a few LED chips
- Could be better with triple-chip LEDs
#9 Phlizon Cob 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
If you are looking for a professional light for any growth stage, look no further than the Phlizon Cob 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light.
The heavy-duty body is made from highly durable materials. According to the manufacturer, the unit is expected to last for at least 50,000 hours.
It features special Cree cob LEDs that are well-known for stability and high power. These LEDs guarantee longer lifespan by reducing light attenuation and thermal resistance.
The light features an optimum full spectrum that provides your indoor marijuana plants with all the necessary light needed for optimal growth.
You get extremely high and effective PPFD. At 18 inches, the unit delivers an optimum PPFD of 941 μmol/m2s. This output boosts higher yields.
The light comes with two pieces of cob, forty pieces of 630 to 660 nm, six pieces of 470 nm, five pieces of 6500K, three pieces of 3000K, two pieces of UV and two pieces of IR.
The coverage is also very impressive. At 24 inches, the maximum coverage is 3.5 by 3.5 feet and the core coverage is 3.3 by 3.3 feet.
Pros:
- Cree cob LEDs are less affected by attenuation and thermal resistance
- Delivers superior PPFD for fast growth and higher yields
- A very energy-efficient design that consumes only 245 watts
- Selectable veg/bloom and stronger switches
- Full-spectrum design provides your cannabis plants with everything
- Superior cooling system maintains optimum temperatures
Cons:
- Some LEDs may burn out
#10 Mars Hydro Reflector Series 720W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
The Mars Hydro Reflector Series 720W is a highly recommended full spectrum LED grow light. It comes with a versatile design that gives you lots of options for placement.
This model measures 28 inches long, 10 inches wide and 2 inches thick. It is one of the heaviest models in the reflector series, weighing in at 14.77 pounds.
The longer bar-style design has two push-button dimmers and the reflective chrome base. All the parts are made from durable materials.
The LED light exposure design has a strict spectral ratio as well as two selectable switches for growth and bloom. Independent operations are energy saving.
The light exposure design ensures there is no light loss during the irradiation process. The individual LEDs are fitted with a reflector for uniform light irradiation.
Effective light irradiation ensures your cannabis plants have a comprehensive growing environment for both vegetative and flowering stages.
Upgraded heat sinks and high-speed cooling fans largely dissipate excess heat for optimal operation. The noise from the fans is minimal.
Daisy chain function allows cascading of several units to improve coverage. Also, the daisy chain outlet is universal with the power cord.
Pros:
- Versatile bar-style design offers many placement options
- Reflective design ensures your cannabis plants receive all the light
- LED light exposure design largely prevents light loss
- Two selectable switches for easy operation
- Daisy chain function for connecting additional units
- Perfect cooling and noise reduction system
Cons:
- Some diodes may burn out
Led Grow Lights: Buying Guide
LED lighting is the latest technology among indoor marijuana growers. This technology has proven to be very effective as far as growth and yield are concerned.
A light source that has a full spectrum of the Sun in it, but also has higher nanometer ranges of colors for both veg and bloom stages.
Full-spectrum LED grow lamps can enhance photosynthetic properties greater than any traditional grow light.
You can embrace this technology today by choosing a model that works for you. Here are important factors to consider.
Wavelengths
Cannabis plants use more blue and red wavelengths for photosynthesis than any other wavelengths.
Top-of-the-line full spectrum LED grow lights allow you to pick the ideal wavelengths in the full spectrum instead of a specific wavelength.
Some of the wavelengths that are crucial for indoor cannabis growing within the 400 to 740 nanometers range are:
- Red – 620 to 630 nm, 655 to 660 nm
- Blue – 440 to 450 nm, 450 to 460 nm
- Orange – 605 to 610 nm
- UV – 380 to 410 nm
- Far Red – 730 nm
Light Quality
You may have a full spectrum LED grow light that gives your plants all the necessary wavelengths. Are your cannabis plants receiving all the wavelengths?
Marijuana plants are capable of sensing UV to infrared wavelengths. This refers to the photo-biologically active radiation (PBAR, which ranges from 280 to 800 nm).
The visible spectrums (400 to 700 nm) also referred to as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is useful for photosynthesis.
The blue light spectrum ranges from 400 to 460 nm. The blue spectrum has fairly high energy. The wavelengths in this spectrum have pronounced effects on cannabis plants.
The blue spectrum normally promotes germination.
The red spectrum is resourceful at regulating growth as well as the development of your indoor marijuana plants.
The red light promotes cannabis flowering as well as fruiting. Far-red is essential for phytochrome recycling.
Light Intensity and PPFD
Intensity
Light intensity influences the way your cannabis plants grow. If you grow your marijuana in low light intensity, they will tend to be spindly.
However, cannabis plants grown in a bright light would tend to be healthier. They would be shorter, thicker and with dark green leaves.
According to our evaluations, the light intensity your plants get depends on the nearness of the LED grow light to the plants.
Light intensity usually decreases rapidly as you increase the height of the lamp.
PPFD / PAR
The PPFD is the number of photons in the PAR waveband that are incident on your cannabis plants. The PPFD is extremely important for indoor marijuana growing.
PPFD vary for the height of the lamp. For example, a given LED grow light may have a value of 594 μmol/m2s at 24 inches and 2172 μmol/m2s at 6 inches.
Wattage
Wattage has been used by indoor growers to establish the power of an LED grow light. Wattage is directly related to the coverage area.
For example, a 400W unit will flower a roughly 2 by 2, a 600W will flower a roughly 3 by 3 and a 1000W will flower a roughly 4 by 4 grow space.
However, the wattage draw is not the same as light intensity. A fixture will emit more light, depending on how efficient it.
You may find a 1000W full spectrum LED grow light that emits more useful light than a 1500W fixture at a height of 24 inches.
According to our inferences, wattage draw only gives you a general idea of how powerful a given full-spectrum LED light is.
Coverage Area
You can only be able to choose a quality to grow lamp if you know the dimensions of your grow space. You don’t want to invest in the wrong product.
Common size grows spaces for indoor marijuana growing include a 3 by 3, 4 by 4, and 5 by 5 feet growing area.
Large Full spectrum LED grow lamps may only cover a 4 by 4 to a 5 by 5 grow area. In fact, the only handful of models you will come across can cover more than a 5 by 5.
This is so since it is nearly impossible for an LED grow lamp to fully cover the corners and edges at a good light intensity.
In most cases, we recommend that you buy units with daisy chain function. This would allow you to add more fixtures of similar rating in order to increase coverage.
Most manufacturers will have recommendations for maximum and core coverage. In this case, core coverage refers to the area that receives optimum illumination.
Price
The cost of high-quality full-spectrum LED grow light is also an important consideration for indoor cannabis growers.
This is so since these fixtures can be quite expensive. But, the cost of these fixtures is going down, while performance and efficiency are going up.
Good quality light can cost less than $100 to more than $2,000. The size, light output, and quality of parts determine the price of a fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is A Full Spectrum?
Literally, full-spectrum refers to light that contains all the colors of the rainbow. Usually, a full spectrum simulates natural sunlight.
What Color Light is Suitable for Seedling Germination?
The effect of the blue spectrum on plants is regulating growth. Therefore, this makes the blue light suitable for seedlings.
Why is PAR Important for Cannabis Growth?
Cannabis thrives in shorter wavelengths because they tend to deliver more energy. PAR outputs represent these shorter wavelengths.
Too high or too low PAR values may be damaging to your plants. Therefore, you need to maintain optimum levels that your marijuana plants need for photosynthesis.
What is the Ideal Height for Setting up an LED Grow Light?
Placement options differ from one brand to another. The recommended height for the veg is 20 to 26 inches, for the bloom is 26 to 30 inches, and for the veg plus bloom is 18 to 24 inches.
What Size LED Grow Light Should I Buy?
The size may differ to your grow area. For example, a 400W would be ideal for a 2 by 2 feet room, while a 1000W would be suitable for a 4 by 4 feet area.
However, the size/wattage draw does not determine the efficiency of the light. A 600W could deliver more light than a 1000W.
Sometimes it is even better to buy several small units and connect them using daisy chain function to achieve your desired coverage.
Are White LED Lights Full Spectrum?
White light can be generated by combining LEDs with different wavelengths, such as red, green and blue or yellow and blue.
Alternatively, white light can be created by coating blue LEDs with a phosphor.
In this case, the phosphor will absorb some fraction of the photons emitted by the blue LEDs and re-emit light with longer wavelengths through luminescence, creating white light.
The emitted spectrum can be adjusted based on the type as well as the amount of phosphor coating. Therefore, this is not a true white spectrum and not a full spectrum.
Are Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights Safe To Use?
You must consider several factors when talking about safety, including wavelength, intensity, and duration of exposure.
Intense light from very powerful fixtures will most certainly damage your vision. This is regardless of the wavelength the fixtures give.
The high light intensity can cause sunburns on your retinas and burns on your skin.
Most wavelengths within the visible spectrum are usually not harmful. But full spectrums that extend beyond visible light to include UV and far red are harmful.
Should I Be Worried About Hazardous Materials in LED Grow Lights?
Originally, LED fixtures were said to contain hazardous materials, such as mercury. But that is a myth nowadays.
According to research, LED lights are said not to be hazardous with an exception of low-intensity red LEDs that release a miniature amount of lead.
Conclusion
There is no better way of boosting your indoor cannabis growing than using a good quality full spectrum LED grow light.
Unlike traditional fixtures, full-spectrum lights ensure your plants receive all the useful wavelengths from UV to far-red.
Modern designs come with two modes of operation: vegetative and bloom. A true innovation in indoor lighting for optimum growth and higher yields.
The best of these lights have both the full spectrum and higher nanometer ranges of color for all growth stages.
The result is a light source that can enhance the photosynthetic properties of chlorophyll greater than even natural light.
If you are growing cannabis for the first time, full spectrum fixtures are what your cannabis plants need!