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Best Led Grow Lights For Starting Seeds of 2024

Philip Jackson
  Apr 19, 2024 6:53 PM

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 I've been using an outdated fluorescent lighting setup for the past few years, but after one of my ballasts died this year, I thought it was time to change.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.


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1
  • SCORE
    9.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

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    Aukphie
2
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    FECiDA
3
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    bseah
4
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    wolezek
5
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    JESLED
6
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    9.2
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    ANYFONG
7
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    9.0
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    iGrowtek
8
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    9.0
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    LaMuVii
9
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    Hytekgro
10
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    Feel Show
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    iGrowtek
12
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    8.8
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    MINEGROW
13
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    8.6
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    DOMMIA
14
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    Brite Labs
15
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    7.6
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    Woark
16
  • SCORE
    7.6
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    Ecoogrower

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Reviews

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.
 


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