Best Led Grow Lights For Starting Seeds of 2023
Philip Jackson Dec 7, 2023 3:40 AM
We spent several hours searching the internet for best led grow lights for starting seeds, reading reviews, and drawing on our own personal experiences to compile our list of the top 16 best led grow lights for starting seeds now available on the market.

Overview
Confused and overawed by the variety of grow light options available for seed starting? Yes, I agree! I've been using an outdated fluorescent lighting setup for the past few years, but after one of my ballasts died this year, I thought it was time to change.
Since I first installed my system 15 years ago, the grow light environment has undergone a significant transformation. It is now challenging to sort through the possibilities and choose the setup that is best for you because there are so many more options and businesses.
As a result, I dug deep for you, did extensive research, created this essay, and even bought some of the choices I discuss below.
Let's get going.
Plant Light for Indoor Plants, Aukphie Full Spectrum led Grow Lights with Stand, Auto On/Off Timing 3/6/9/12/15/18H & 10 Brightness Levels, Grow Lights for Seed Starting with 540 LEDs.(6 Light Heads)
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- BrandAukphie
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FECiDA 600W LED Grow Light Dimmable, 2022 Best LED Grow Lights for Indoor Plants Full Spectrum, Seed Starting Seedlings Vegetable Pepper Hanging Growing Lamps, Daisy Chain Function, Quiet Built-In Fan
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- BrandFECiDA
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Bseah Grow Light Plant Lights for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum Plant Grow Lights with 3/9/12H Timer, Auto ON & Off, 10 Dimmable Lightness Clip-On Desk Led Grow Light for Seed Starting
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- Brandbseah
- Prime
Wolezek Plant Light for Indoor Plants, 4-Head 80 LED Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Seed Starting with 15-48 inches Adjustable Tripod Stand, Red Blue Warm White Floor Grow Lamp with Auto 4/8/12H Timer
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- Brandwolezek
- Prime
JESLED LED Grow Light 4FT for Seed Starting, Linkable Integrated Plant Light Fixture with ON/OFF Switch, Red Blue Full Spectrum, 240W (6x40W)High Output, LED Growing Light for Indoor Plant, Greenhouse
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- BrandJESLED
- Prime
Grow Light, LED Grow Lights for Seed Starting Indoor Plants with Full Spectrum & Red Blue Spectrum, 4/8/12H Timer, 10 Dimmable Level & 3 Switch Modes, Adjustable Gooseneck, Plant Lamp with 60" Stand
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- BrandANYFONG
- Prime
iGrowtek 2ft Grow Light for Seed Starting,LED Grow Lamp for Indoor Plants,Seedling Grow Light with Stand,Seed Starter Light Kit with Natural White Spectrum,Height Adjustable,Iron Frame,ON-Off Switch
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- BrandiGrowtek
- Prime
Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, LaMuVii LED Grow Light for Seed Starting with Full Spectrum, 4/8/12H Timer, 5 Dimmable Levels,Growing Lamp Suitable for Various Plant
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- BrandLaMuVii
- Prime
Hytekgro LED Grow Light 45W Plant Lights Red Blue White Panel Growing Lamps for Indoor Plants Seedling Vegetable and Flower (2 Pack)
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- BrandHytekgro
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Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, LED Grow Light for Seed Starting, Full Spectrum Plant Light with Stand (Adjustable Tripod 15-60inch for Floor Plants, Red White Grow Lamp with 4/8/12H Timer) (White)
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- BrandFeel Show
- Prime
iGrowtek 2 feet LED Grow Light Stand for Seedling,Iron Pipe Frame,with Natural White Light Full Spectrum LED Plant Growing Lamp, Light Height Ajustable,with ON/Off Switch
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- BrandiGrowtek
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Grow Lights for Seed Starting,Led Grow Lights for Indoor Plants Full Spectrum,Plant Light with Timer for 4 Head Growing Lamps Adjustable 10 Dimmable Modes,Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
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- BrandMINEGROW
- Prime
DOMMIA Grow Light, 2Pcs Ultra-Thin Plant Light for Indoor Plants, 20W Full Spectrum LED Plant Grow Light with ON/Off Switch, DIY Hanging Plant Growing Lamps for Seed Starting, Succulents, Veg, Herbs
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Brite Labs LED Grow Lights for Seed Starting - Germinate Seeds Fast with Maximum Yields - Grow Lamp for Indoor Plants - Sun Lamps for Plants, Seedlings & Succulents - Artificial Sunlight Hanging Kit
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- BrandBrite Labs
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Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, 132 LEDs Full Spectrum Plant Grow Light for Seed Starting, 15-63 inches Adjustable Tripod Stand Plant Light Indoor, 10 Level Dimmable, 3/9/12H Timer & 3 Switch Modes
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- BrandWoark
- Prime
LED Grow Lights for Seed Starting,Full Spectrum Single-Head Clip-on Plant Grow Lights for Indoor Plants with Timing Function,Plant Growing Lamp with Adjustable Gooseneck for Indoor Plant
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- BrandEcoogrower
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Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rack/Shelving Unit
For my seed-starting business, I utilize a 5-shelf stainless steel wire rack. On four of the five shelves, I have lights hanging (except for the bottom one which is close to the floor). The shelves are 4′ wide, which is significant because varied lengths of lights are available. Make sure the light's length and the shelves' breadth are the same.
For the purpose of simplicity, I unquestionably advise getting a wire shelf system for your seed starting rack. They are readily available at big box and hardware stores, inexpensive, and simple to put together. Additionally, you can relocate it into a basement, spare room, or garage and use it as storage when you're not using it for seed beginning.
This metal shelving unit or this one (with one fewer shelf) are quite similar to the one I have. You can select a smaller rack with fewer shelves if you don't start as many seeds as I do (hundreds of thousands!).
Regardless of the model you choose, the most crucial dimensions are the shelf width (which should be around 48′′ to suit standard sized lights) and the shelf depth (which should be about 18′′ to provide you enough of area for seedling trays). The number of plants you'll cultivate will have a greater impact on the height and number of shelves that it has.
Shapes and sizes
Grow lights are available in a range of sizes and designs, including lamp-style bulbs, clip-on rods, and lengthy shop lights. Your seed starting setup's orientation will determine the size and form that is best for you.
Your light should ideally be placed directly over your seedlings. They will strain to reach it if it's out to the side or too high above them, which leads to thin, weak stems.
As a result, if you only have one tray of seedlings, a single bulb model will probably be plenty, especially if you have some additional natural lighting, such a bright window. To ensure that the light is dispersed more evenly, a tube lamp the length of your seedling tray would be a better, though typically more expensive, solution.
A longer shop light will enable reasonably uniform coverage throughout your trays if you're starting many seedling flats.
Bulb technology
Fluorescent or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are typically used by gardeners. Other grow light types exist, like as sodium vapor lights, although they are more difficult to locate and used in industrial greenhouse environments.
Gardeners' preferred seed-starting bulbs for long years were fluorescent shop lights, but LEDs have fast supplanted them as the norm. Although LEDs are often more expensive than fluorescent bulbs, they are also much more durable and energy-efficient. They come in a wide range of sizes and forms and do not generate excessive heat. Both kinds are frequently offered at neighborhood hardware stores, online, and at garden centers.
Light color
Photosynthetically active radiation, which includes wavelengths from 400 (violet) to 700 (red) nanometers, is used by plants. Typically, plants require more red light later in their life cycles when they start to blossom and produce seeds and less blue and blue-green light while they are seedlings.
Use grow lights that are designated as blue-green spectrum or balanced light spectrum if you're merely using them to start seeds or grow leafy crops. Lighting with the designations "for greens and seeds" or "for flowers and fruit" is becoming more and more prevalent.
Light Spectrum
When choosing a grow light, it's important to consider the wavelength that the device emits. For the best outcomes in growth, plants need full-spectrum light. Look for devices that give both red and blue wavelengths in the PAR spectrum. White-light will also be present in some versions.
Lighting Modes
There should be several lighting modes on your LED grow light. For your preferred growing circumstances, look for models with blue, red, and full-spectrum modes. Your plants' growth is impacted by the lighting modes.
The balance of red, blue, and white light in your LEDs is referred to as PAR. High PAR ratings are seen in top models, offering you the best performance from your new grow light.
Timers
The top seedling grow lights have timers. Depending on the requirements of your plant, you can adjust your light cycle to three hours, six hours, or twelve hours.
Your light's timer is a useful feature that lets you manage the light cycle. However, you'll need to buy a timer separately or use manual operation if your model doesn't come with one.
Adjustable Light Height
You must raise the light as your plants grow in order to maintain the proper angle with respect to the canopy.
The foliage will burn and the plant's growth will be slowed if the light is placed too close to it. For quick adjustment of the lamp height, some versions have gooseneck arms, while others have hanging cables or telescoping legs.
FAQS
How far do I position the lights from my plants?
We advise placing your LED lights between 12 and 30 inches away from the canopy. You'll need to continually modify the height of the canopy as your seedlings grow to accommodate the additional growth.
The seedlings burn when the lights are positioned too close to the canopy. Growth is slowed by keeping the light too far from the canopy.
How many hours of light do seedlings need each day?
Experts say that during the seedling stage, your plants require at least 16 to 18 hours of sunshine per day. The amount of light the plants receive throughout the height of the growing season is provided by this lighting cycle. Set your lights on a 12-hour cycle instead. To recover from the strain of the day's growth hours, your seedlings require a few hours away from the light.
What is the best color spectrum for my seedlings?
It's critical that you thoroughly examine the system's output before making your grow light purchase. Red LEDs encourage your seedlings to flower and bear fruit. They also simulate the shorter days of the season, allowing you to transition your plants into their flowering stage. Red light is therefore necessary for growth, but it shouldn't be too intense in your grow lamp. LEDs that provide blue light help your plants grow vegetatively. Although this spectrum is great for seedlings, it must be balanced with some red light.
Conclusion
You ought to already have a few potential models in mind for your new seedling grow light by this point. The appropriate lighting system can significantly affect the output of your plants when they are ready for harvest. Light is a crucial component for plant development.
Use one of our top picks from our review to start your plants early this season. Why not choose one of our top selections if you're having problems making a decision?
Our choice for the best overall seedling grow light is the Root Farm All-Purpose LED Grow Light. This particular model has telescoping legs for adjustable canopy height and a freestanding design. With a 45-Watt capacity that is perfect for growing seedlings, you get a healthy balance of red and blue LEDs.
Our pick for the best premium seedling grow light in our evaluation is the Future Harvest Developer. This model is offered as a whole system, complete with seedling trays. A potent 48-Watt total light output is provided by two banks of 24-Watt lamps. A telescopic stand on the reflector hood allows you to change the height of the canopy as your seedlings grow.
Another excellent option and the greatest value pick in this evaluation is the Elaine Indoor LED Grow Light. You receive three adjustable gooseneck arms with a 20-Watt LED with this model. This model features five dimmer modes that are adjustable as well as a simple canopy height adjustment. These grow lights use high-quality LEDs that have a 50,000-hour service life and are very affordable.