Growers often spend hours upon hours researching different grow methods and searching for the best grow equipment. One of the more difficult pieces of equipment to research is lighting. There are several different types of lights used for growing plants and dozens of different technical specifications to know. This makes it extremely challenging to learn and filter through the hundreds of grow lights on the market today. I’ve been studying horticulture lighting and growing with LED grow lights for over 7 years now and I’m often asked what are the best LED grow lights on the market today.
In this article, I will reveal my picks for the Best LED Grow Lights in 2023. This list will include LED grow lights that have a flowering coverage area of 3’x3’ and are best for a full-cycle grow (from seedling through flowering). These are complete fixtures only. This list does not include DIY grow lights or lights that require significant assembly. The grow lights are listed in no specific order. For a LED grow light to make this list, I factor in: PAR output, efficiency, spectrum, light spread, diodes, drivers, and warranty. I've excluded grow lights that are over $500 because in my opinion it's simply not worth it to spend more than that to cover a 3'x3' area. Since prices are always changing, click either the Amazon link, Happy Hydro link, or LED Grow Lights Depot link under each light for the most up-to-date price.
Do you 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
Medic Grow LED Mini Sun-2 LED Grow Light
The Medic Grow Mini-Sun 2 is a full spectrum, plug-and-play LED grow light ideal for grow tents and plant racks. It contains 1350 white diodes and a scattering of Osram red diodes, which means it brings your plants from veg all the way through flower.
Compared with similar fixtures, the Mini-Sun 2 helpfully comes with an onboard LCD dashboard, making it easy to adjust timing and dimming. It's also compatible with TSC-2, GLC-1, and 0-10 V dimming controllers.
Hung at 6" above the canopy, you can expect 2385μmol/m2/s; and at 12", 1748 µmol/m²/s. It draws only 320 watts at a 2.8 PAR efficiency. This high-intensity, high-efficiency fixture works as a stand-alone or can be daisy chained into a more extensive system with standard RJ cable connections.
Medic Grow website link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Osram Red, White Full Spectrum
PPFD: 1748 µmol/m²/s
PPF: 896 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 2.8 µmol/j
Wattage draw: 320W±5%
Coverage area: Vegetative 4' x 4', Flower 3’ x 3'
Light distance: > 6”
Dimensions: 19.8" x 15.86" x 2.6"
Weight: 13.23 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year warranty
AC Infinity IONBOARD S33 LED Grow Light
The IONBOARD S33 LED grow light from AC Infinity expands on their ecosystem of grow tent technology. The S33 is designed to integrate with the AC Infinity Cloudline, Airlift, and Cloudray products for a comprehensive and controlled indoor environment. Paired with their Smart Controllers, you have all the tools to perfect your production.
The IONBOARD S33 has algorithmically placed diodes spanning the usable spectrum, including 3000K, 5000K, 730nm and 660 nm. The unique design promises to penetrate your canopy for better total yields.
Sitting at 12" above the canopy, you'll get roughly 1700 PPFD, but still, this fixture only draws 240 watts. AC Infinity has also ensured this is grow room ready, as the IONBOARD has an IP-65 waterproofing rating and is certified by ETL, CE, and RoHS.
Amazon link (Discount code: MRGROWIT15)
AC Infinity website link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Samsung LM301B
PPFD: 1702 µmol/m²/s
PPF: N/A
PAR efficacy: 2.7 µmol/j
Wattage draw: 240W±5%
Coverage area: 3’ x 3’
Light distance: >12”
Dimensions: 18.50” x 18.50” x 2”
Weight: 14.37 lbs.
Warranty: 2 years
Mars Hydro FC 3000 LED Grow Light
Quality diodes make for a quality LED grow light. The Mars Hydro FC 3000 uses the top-of-the-line Samsung and Osram diodes in red, infrared, blue, and white for full spectrum coverage of your 3' x 3' grow tent or closet.
The fixture hits an impressive 1525 PPFD at 8" hang height, drawing 300 watts. This delivers 50 percent higher PPFD than a traditional HID option. In addition, it's completely dimmable, even when daisy-chained into a larger grow light system.
The FC 3000 is ultra-quiet as it doesn't require a fan, plus it has an aluminum heatsink to help remove heat away from the diodes. It has an IP-65 waterproof rating, and is ETL, CE, UKCA, RoHS, and DLC certified.
Amazon link Mars Hydro website link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Samsung LM301B & Osram 660nm LEDs
PPFD: 1525 µmol/m²/s
PPF: 854 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 2.87 µmol/j
Wattage draw: 240W±5%
Coverage area: Vegetative 4 'x 4', Flower 3’ x 3’
Light distance: 6” to 18”
Dimensions: 22.8" x 20.4" x 3.2"
Weight: 9.6 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year warranty
ViparSpectra KS2500 LED Grow Light
One of the lightest LED grow lights on the market, the ViparSpectra KS2500 is ideal for hanging in your grow tent. Despite its ultra-lightweight design, it doesn't compromise on output. This fixture is ideal for beginner to intermediate growers who need full lifecycle coverage in a 3' x 3' grow tent.
The ViparSpectra KS2500 LED grow light is dimmable and made with premium Samsung LM301H diodes (3000K, 5000K, 660nm, and 730nm), making it suitable for your most sensitive seedlings as well as the late stages of flowering.
It pulls only 250 watts yet delivers an average of 729 PPFD and up-to a peak of 1000 PPFD. Moreover, thanks to its heat-dispersing design features, it has an improved lifespan - potentially for as long as 100,000 hours.
Amazon link (Discount code: VSMRGROWIT)
ViparSpectra website link (Discount code: VSMRGROWIT)
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Samsung LM301H 3000K, 5000K, Red 660nm, Infrared 730nm
PPFD: 1000 µmol/m²/s
PPF: 590.5 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 3.10 µmol/j
Wattage draw: 250W±3%
Coverage area: Vegetative 3' x 3', Flower 3’ x 3’
Light distance: 6” to 18”
Dimensions: 26" x 24" x 1.6"
Weight: 6.9 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee
Spider Farmer® SE3000 LED Grow Light
Whether you are planning out a small 3' x 3' grow tent or a larger grow room, the Spider Farmer SE3000 LED grow light offers maximum uniformity and efficiency. It's designed to replace your traditional 600-watt HID fixture, yet, incredibly, it only draws 300 watts.
This fixture contains full premium spectrum Samsung LM301B diodes (380-410nm, 660-665nm, 730nm, 3200-4200K, 4800-5000K) which have been strategically set to reach the outer edges of the canopy.
The SE3000 LED grow light offers daisy-chained dimming, spanning up to 30 individual lights. It also has a detachable driver, facilitating any maintenance work over its 100,000-hour lifespan. It comes with a 5-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Amazon link (Discount code: MRGROWIT5)
Spider Farmer website link (Discount code: MRGROWIT5)
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Samsung LM301B, Full Spectrum
PPFD: 1368 µmol/m²/s
PPF: 822 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 2.75 µmol/j
Wattage draw: 300W±5%
Coverage area: Vegetative 3' x 3', Flower 3' x 3'
Light distance: 12” to 24”
Dimensions: 24.02” x 24.02” x 2.7”
Weight: 13.27 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee
ChilLED Tech Growcraft X3 Mini LED Grow Light
One of the longest-standing names in LED grow light technology is ChilLED Tech. Their ultra-slim profile Growcraft X3 Mini option can increase yields from 30 to 70 percent over conventional grow lights - all while reducing your utility bills and solving your ongoing issues with heat.
The ChilLED Tech Growcraft supplies an impressive 1735 µmol/m²/s that averages out to 526 µmol/m²/s across the 3' x 3' canopy space. Since it's only 1.375 inches thick with a passive cooling design, it's an excellent choice for tight grow spaces. ChilLED Tech is also one of the few companies manufacturing its products in the USA. They offer a substantial five-year warranty on all of their products.
ChilLED Tech website link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Growcraft Yield Max Spectrum, 3rd Gen 2020
PPFD: 1735 µmol/m²/s (526 µmol/m²/s average)
PPF: N/A
PAR efficacy: 2.63 μmol/j
Wattage draw: 200W±5%
Coverage area: Vegetative 3' x 3', Flower 3' x 3'
Light distance: 6” to 24”
Dimensions: 22.5” x 19.5” x 1.375”
Weight: 9.95 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year warranty
PhotonTek SQ300W PRO LED Grow Light
One look at the layout of the PhotonTek SQ300W and it's clear this LED grow light offers something interesting to home-growers. Straight out of the gate, it pumps out 1228 PPFD at a 12" hang height. Even if raised to 40", you can still expect more than 450 1228 µmol/m²/s.
This grow light contains world-class components including 576 white diodes, 24 red, and 24 far red which support your plants from clones to late flower. It draws 310 watts and has an efficacy of 2.7 µmol/j.
The PhotonTek SQ300W LED grow light is fully dimmable and compatible with the external P-TEK Digital Controller (or other universal controllers that connect via RJ cables or 0-10v signaling). Paired with a controller, PhotonTek ensures cultivators maintain precision control over their grow room.
PhotonTek website (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Higher Spec White, Red & Far Red Diodes
PPFD: 1228 µmol/m²/s
PPF: 816 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 2.7 µmol/j
Wattage draw: 310W±5%
Coverage area: 3.3' x 3.3'
Light distance: 12" to 40"
Dimensions: 22.08’’ x 22.08’’ x 2.82’’
Weight: 11.46 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year warranty
ViparSpectra KS3000 LED Grow Light
ViparSpectra's KS3000 model focuses on delivering usable uniformity across the canopy. Compared with other grow lights which are intensely focused on the center zone, this fixture ensures consistency from the center outwards.
This LED grow light supports your grow system from seed to flower with high-end dimmable Samsung LM301H and Osram diodes (3000K, 5000K, and 660nm). Altogether the fixture draws 300 watts which is standard for an efficient 3' x 3' grow light. The KS3000 LED grow light will easily replace your 600-watt HID fixture with much higher efficiency.
ViparSpectra is a plug-and-play design that they promise can be installed in eight minutes flat. It also helpfully comes with a 3-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Amazon link (Discount code: VSMRGROWIT)
ViparSpectra website link (Discount code: VSMRGROWIT)
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: Samsung LM301H, Osram
PPFD: 1000 µmol/m²/s
PPF: N/A
PAR efficacy: 3.10 μmole/j
Wattage draw: 300W±3%
Coverage area: Vegetative 3' x 3', Flower 3' x 3'
Light distance: 12” to 24”
Dimensions: 32” x 32” x 1.6”
Weight: 7.9 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee
HLG 300L V2 RSpec LED Grow Light
The 300L V2 RSpec LED grow light is a unique product by Horticultural Lighting Group (HLG), which combines two full-spectrum high-efficiency white light quantum boards into one fixture. These boards use Samsung LM301H white LEDs - some of the highest quality in the LED industry.
Additionally, HLG has supplemented the full-spectrum white light with deep red LED 660nm to better suit indoor growing. The unit pumps out 700 µmol/s, which is suitable to replace a 600 watt HID. As an added efficiency, it has a dimmable power supply rated between 90 to 270 watts.
This model works for a 4' x 4' vegetative grow space or a slightly-smaller 3' x 3' flowering space. As with other HLG LED grow lights, growers have noted that the 300L V2 RSpec delivers better canopy penetration through diffused lighting. HLG designs and manufactures all of their LED grow lights in the USA and offers a 3-year limited warranty.
LEDs: Samsung LM301H and Deep Red LED 660nm
PPF: 700 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 2.60 µmol/J
Wattage draw: 90-270w (dimmable)
Coverage area: Vegetative 4’ x 4’ , Flowering 3' x 3'
Light distance: 18" to 24"
Dimensions: 26" x 10" x 3"
Weight: 12.38 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
Growers Choice ROI-E420 LED Grow Light
A long time cultivator favorite is the Growers Choice ROI-E420 LED grow light. Built to harness the power of intense LEDs, but with a sleek, slim frame, this fixture delivers a PPF of 1090 µmol/s with a system efficiency of 2.60 µmol/J. And the power draw? Only 420 watts, which provides a 40 percent savings over a standard HPS light.
Growers Choice created a fixture using only Osram Top Bin diodes which are considered some of the best diodes on the market. These deliver a full spectrum of light tailored explicitly to growing inside.
Depending on the application, this LED grow light has a recommended hang height of between six to 24 inches above the plant canopy and comes with an onboard dimming function. Growers Choice is compatible with most light controllers on the market - including their own. All Growers Choice products, including this ROI-E420 model, come with a 3-year limited warranty.
Happy Hydro link (Discount code: MRGROWIT)
LEDs: GC-3K Full Phase Spectrum Osram Top Bin Diodes
PPF: 1090 µmol/s
PAR efficacy: 2.60 µmol/J
Wattage draw: 420w
Coverage area: Vegetative 4’ x 4’, Flowering 3’ x 3’
Light distance: 6" to 24"
Dimensions: 35.3" x 34.6" x 3.2"
Weight: 19.4 lbs.
Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
Which LED grow light do you think is the best on this list? Do you think any other LED grow lights (with a 3’x3’ flowering coverage area) should have made this list? I’d also love to hear from growers using these LED grow lights. What do you like/dislike about these LED grow lights?
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