123rf (Tyson Anderson)
Most growers know about the benefits of using LED grow lights for weed. But making the switch can be costly: even cheap LED grow lights can cost more up-front. (Though they’re generally more affordable if you buy it included in a kit with a grow tent.)
Fortunately, you’ll make up that cost over time, because LED lights last longer than conventional grow lights. Plus, you’ll save big on energy costs. Read on to find the best LED grow lights under $500 available right now.
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $199.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $129.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $76.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $399.00 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $269.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $229.00 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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1. EDITOR’S CHOICE: Viparspectra Dimmable Series 220W LED Grow Light
Pros:- 500W Equivalent, Only 220W
- Virtually Silent
- Dimmable
- Full spectrum
- Daisy-Chain Up to 20 Lights.
Cons:- No reflectors on LEDs
- Only covers 2" x 2"
- No Fans
This Viparspectra LED grow light stands out because it’s an awesome LED grow light for under $250 and you can get it right on Amazon.
This 220W light has a full spectrum that compares to a traditional 500-Watt HPS light but uses only around 220 watts of energy. It is bright enough to cover an area of about 2 feet x 2 feet, thanks to VIPARSPECTRA’s use of Samsung diodes.
This light doesn’t have any fans included, but if you’re worried about overheating, it has aluminum heat sinks to make sure the unit doesn’t get too hot.
There are 4×2 and 2×2 options available, so you can find the right LED grow light for your grow setup. And when you grow your setup in the future, you can actually daisy-chain multiple lights together.
It’s also dimmable, so you can customize it for each stage of plant growth.
It also comes with a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The company provides great customer service, so you can call them for assistance with your lighting and grow questions.
Find more Viparspectra Dimmable Series LED Grow Light information and reviews here.
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2. BEST CHEAP OPTION: BESTVA 2000W LED Full Spectrum Grow Lights
Pros:- Full Spectrum
- Energy Efficient
- Long Lifespan
Cons:- Limited Coverage Area
- Heat Output
- Non-Dimmable
The BESTVA Full Spectrum LED Grow Light is a powerful and cheap lighting solution designed to optimize plant growth and provide optimal conditions for indoor gardening, greenhouse cultivation, and hydroponic systems. With its advanced features and high-quality components, this LED grow light offers a reliable and energy-efficient alternative to traditional lighting methods.
One of the key features of this grow light is its full spectrum design. It provides a balanced blend of red, blue, and white light, mimicking natural sunlight and delivering the optimal light spectrum for all stages of plant growth. From seedling to flowering, the full spectrum ensures that your plants receive the right wavelengths of light necessary for healthy photosynthesis and robust growth.
With a wattage of 1000 watts, this LED grow light offers ample power to cover a sizable growing area. The light emits a high intensity of luminous output, penetrating deep into the plant canopy and promoting even growth across all parts of your plants. Whether you’re growing leafy greens, herbs, flowers, or vegetables, this grow light provides the ideal light intensity to support healthy and vigorous growth.
The BESTVA LED grow light features a sturdy construction with high-quality materials. The light panel is equipped with high-intensity Epistar LEDs, known for their efficiency and longevity. These LEDs produce minimal heat, reducing the risk of damage to your plants and allowing for close positioning without the need for excessive cooling systems. The durable aluminum heat sink effectively dissipates any heat generated, ensuring optimal performance and extended lifespan.
For ease of use, this grow light comes with a built-in power supply and is ready to plug and play. The included hanging kit allows for easy installation and height adjustment to accommodate different plant growth stages. Additionally, the light features a daisy-chain function, enabling you to connect multiple units together and reduce cluttered cords and outlets.
Energy efficiency is a notable advantage of LED grow lights, and the BESTVA Full Spectrum LED Grow Light is no exception. Compared to traditional high-pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH) lights, this LED grow light consumes significantly less energy while delivering equivalent or superior light output. This energy efficiency not only saves on electricity costs but also contributes to a greener and more sustainable indoor growing environment.
The BESTVA LED grow light boasts a long lifespan of up to 100,000 hours, eliminating the frequent bulb replacements associated with traditional lighting options. This durability translates to cost savings and less maintenance, allowing you to focus more on tending to your plants and achieving optimal results.
The BESTVA Full Spectrum LED Grow Light offers an efficient and reliable lighting solution for indoor gardening, greenhouse cultivation, and hydroponic systems. Its full spectrum design, high wattage, and advanced features ensure optimal light output and promote healthy plant growth at all stages. With its durable construction, energy efficiency, and long lifespan, this LED grow light is a valuable investment for any plant enthusiast or professional grower seeking consistent and impressive results.
These lights are available on Amazon.
Find more BEST CHEAP OPTION: BESTVA 2000W LED Grow Lights information and reviews here.
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3. Marshydro Reflector 600W LED Grow Light
Pros:- 720 Watts
- US based customer service
- Three year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee
- High quality and well built
Cons:- Extremely bright, may hurt eyes
- Some reviewers received confusing messages from emailing customer service
- Some reviewers had bulbs burn out early
This MarsHydro Reflector 720W LED light stands out because each individual LED has a reflector around it. This will increase efficiency and light coverage.
Unlike other LED grow lights, MarsHydro grow lights are named based on their true wattage, not just the HPS equivalent.
This grow light has a full spectrum of red, white, and blue lights, making it ideal for vegetative and flowering growth.
Thanks to their call center in California, MarsHydro is known for their excellent customer service. This light comes with a three-year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee.
Find more Marshydro Reflector 720W LED Grow Light information and reviews here.
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4. GROWatt 800W LED Grow Light
Pros:- Uses OSRAM LED lights
- 800W
- Overheating protection shuts off at 62 degrees
Cons:- Not an established brand
- Not many reviews
- No warranty
This GroWant 800W grow light is an excellent choice for growers on a budget.
It uses OSRAM LEDs developed specifically for indoor growing. These LEDs have a SMD ceramic package with silicone resin and a lens around each LED. They put out less heat than Epistar LEDs, so they last longer. This light has red, blue, UV and IR lights for a wide band spectrum suitable for all stages of growth.
Find more GROWatt 800W LED Grow Light information and reviews here.
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5. VIPARSPECTRA 1200W LED Grow Light (Veg + Bloom Switches; Full Spectrum)
Pros:- Well known brand with excellent customer service and tons of positive reviews
- Includes both veg and bloom channels
- Can replace a traditional 800W HPS/MH lamp while consuming only 520 watts
- Three year warranty
- More red wavelengths in bloom channel to promote bud growth
Cons:- Viparspectra models in black casing MAY not emit as much white wavelengths as the lamps in white casing
- Fan can be loud
- May need to contact customer service to replace fan if it's loud
This VIPARSPECTRA 1200W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light stands out because it’s one of the most well-reviewed grow lights on Amazon.
Thanks to its veg and bloom options, you’ll be able to flip over to more flower-friendly wavelengths without changing your lights — while keeping your plants happy.
This 1200 Watt light can replace a traditional 800W HPS/MH light. But it will only draw 520W — helping you save big on energy costs!
This light covers an area of 3.5″ x 3.5″ (flowering).
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6. Advanced Platinum Series P150
Pros:- Five year warranty
- High PAR/Lumen output
- Upgraded heat sinks for more energy efficiency
- 11-band spectrum (perfect for both flowering and veg)
- Two quiet cooling fans
Cons:- Fans may be loud in a small space
- Lower band sprectrum than some other models
- Metal casing not the highest quality available
These cheap LED grow lights stand out because they’re made by Advanced Platinum.
Advanced Platinum is known for excellent LED grow lights. Their grow equipment is known for lasting forever, producing high yields, and conserving energy.
Their lights also boast the highest PAR/Lumen output of any LED grow light, with two to three times the intensity of other lights. This light is perfect for mid-size grows, with an 11-band spectrum, a primary 60-degree lens, plus a 90-degree secondary focusing lens. (LED lights rely on lenses to focus the light.)
These high-quality lenses boost light intensity. This light will work well for both vegetative and flowering states.
When your plants are ready to flower, you can just flip one switch to flip these lights to flowering mode.
It also has two high speed, quiet cooling fans, and upgraded aluminum heat sinks. The coverage is 4.5′ x 3.8′, and can be combined with multiple units for greater coverage. Advanced Platinum couples this awesome light with a five-year warranty and ninety-day no-questions-asked guarantee.
Find more Advanced Platinum Series P300 information and reviews here.
Are LED Grow Lights Safe For Humans?
Yes, LED grow lights emit radiation (like sunlight) that is harmful to humans. However, like with other potentially harmful tech, if the necessary precautions are taken (proper PPE like glasses and protective aprons), you can mitigate their harm.
Are LED Grow Lights Bad For Your Eyes?
Prolonged LED light exposure can cause eye damage or discomfort. Because UV-A and UV-B lights are emitted by LEDs, they could cause permanent damage to your eyes. We recommend wearing protective eyewear while using LEDs in your setup.
Can LED Lights Catch Fire?
LED grow lights are typically made with heatsinks and widespread heat dissipation, and the LEDs, themselves, operate at a much cooler temperature than incandescent bulbs. You won't find any LED grow lights for sale that heat up higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, incandescent bulbs can get as hot as 428 degrees Fahrenheit. So, consider LED grow lights significantly safer than incandescents.
That being said, there is an incredibly tiny possibility that any LED light you buy could malfunction.
Can LED Grow Lights Burn Seedlings?
Yes, if your LED grow lights are too close, they could potentially burn our seedling (known as light burn).