Today’s LED models are much better for growing cannabis than the ones available even a few years ago. Many modern lamps are full spectrum or “wideband” spectrum (instead of only red and blue light diodes, which product a bluish purple light and are sometimes called “blurples”). Full spectrum light is easier on the eyes and adding at least some amount of green light to blurples typically results in healthier growth. Other spectrum colors like red, far red, and infrared are important for the budding/flowering stage.
LED manufacturers have developed specialized lenses to point light directly to the plants and increase penetration, resulting in bigger yields for the same amount of light compared to older models. There are also many different form factors, with everything from the casing to the size of the diodes varying from model to model.
LED's on average yield 0.5 to 1g/watt (of actual power draw)
There are 3 Main Types of LEDs.....
- Spread Style (Ex: Quantum Board, Rack, or Spider)
- Traditional Panel
- COB Style
These are Trusted LED Grow Light Companies for Growing Cannabis – These LED models have been tested by actual growers in real production grow rooms.
ViparSpectra – Recommended Panels
(see below for model specific details)
HLG (Horticulture Lighting Group) – Recommended Quantum Boards
(see below for model specific details)
Advanced Platinum
(see below for model specific details)
Kind LEDs
(see below for model specific details)
Here's the Breakdown of Different ViparSpectra LED Models:
This list doesn’t include all their models, just the ones that seem to perform the best. We omitted a few that just don’t seem as good as the others for whatever reason.
Recommended ViparSpectra Models:
450W
450W (pro series) <– great choice for first-time growers!
600W
1200W <– for advanced growers only
Grow Space: 2.5’x2.5′ core coverage, though some light will reach to the edges up to 3.5’x3.5’
Actual Power Consumption: 200W
How Far to Keep from Plants: 24″ is the recommended starting distance from the plants.
Average Yields: 3.5-4+ ounces – keep in mind that genetics and plant training make a difference in final yields
ViparSpectra PAR450 (Dimmable, Pro Series)
Grow Space: 3’x2.5′ core coverage, though some light will reach to the edges up to 3.5’x3’
Actual Power Consumption: 202W
How Far to Keep from Plants: 24″ is the recommended starting distance from the plants.
Average Yields: 3.5-5+ ounces – keep in mind that genetics and plant training makes a huge difference in your final yields.
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Grow Space: 3’x3′ core coverage, though some light will reach the edges up to 4’x4’
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Actual Power Use: 274W
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How Far from Plants: 24″ is the recommended starting distance from the plants.
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Average Yields: 4.5-6+ ounces – strain (genetics) and plant training make a huge difference in your final yields.
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Grow Space: 4’x4′ core coverage, some light will reach edges up to 5’x5’
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Actual Power Usae: 520W
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How Far from Plants: 24″ is the recommended starting distance from the plants.
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Average Yields: 9-14+ ounces – strain (genetics) and plant training make a huge difference in your final yields.
Horticulture Lighting Group (HLG) LED Grow Lights
HLG first coined the term “Quantum Board” for an LED grow light with the diodes spread out over a large area (on a board). The board style LED grow lights have become very popular almost as soon as they appeared on the scene.
Growers are reporting results that may beat even other LED grow lights when it comes to the amount of yields for the electricity used.
We feel it’s too early to call a winner just yet, but it’s undeniable these are some of the best LED grow lights available today (with a price tag to match)!
Here's a Breakdown of a couple different HLG LED Models:
HLG 300 Quantum Board (3000K spectrum recommended)
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Grow Space: Up to 4′ x 4′ in the vegetative stage. Between 2.5′ x 2.5′ to 3′ x 3′ in the flowering stage
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Actual Power Use: 285W at full power, and can be dimmed down to 120W for younger plants
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How Far from Plants: 20-28″ for the vegetative stage. 18-20″ away in the flowering stage.
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Average Yields: 5-10+ ounces – keep in mind that the strain and any plant training makes a huge difference in your final yields
HLG 550 Quantum Board (3000K spectrum recommended)
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Grow Space: Up to 6′ x 6′ in the vegetative stage. Between 4′ x 4′ to 4.5′ x 4.5′ in the flowering stage.
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Actual Power Use: 480W at full power, and can be dimmed down to 240W for younger plants
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How Far to Keep from Plants: 20-28″ for the vegetative stage. 18-20″ away in the flowering stage.
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Average Yields: 8-17+ ounces – keep in mind that the strain (genetics) and any plant training you do makes a huge difference in your final yields
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Grow Space: 2’x2.5′ to 2.5’x3′
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Actual Power Use: 93W in veg, 185W in flowering (this model has a separate vegetative and flowering modes)
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How Far to Keep from Plants: 24-38″ is the standard starting distance for the vegetative stage. However, you can move it to 18-20″ away in the flowering stage & even a few inches closer for light-loving strains.
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Average Yields: 3+ ounces – strain (genetics) and plant training make a huge difference in your final yields
Advanced Platinum LED Grow Lights
A relatively new name on the scene, Advanced Platinum is selling professional LED grow lights for less money than many other LED lamps of the same quality.
Despite the cheaper price tag, they have a wider light spectrum than most LEDs, which helps plants grow faster with fewer of the leaf problems and deficiencies than you see with LED models that only have red and blue diodes.
They’re making a good name for themselves in the cannabis growing community because their LED models are getting really great results when it comes to both quality and yields.
This company is known for great customer service and a 5-year warranty on all their lights.
Here's a Breakdown of Different Advanced Platinum LED Models:
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Grow Space: 3’x4′ or 3’x5′
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Actual Power Consumption: 184W in veg, 368W in flowering (this model has a separate vegetative and flowering modes)
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How Far to Keep from Plants: 24-38″ is the standard starting distance for the vegetative stage. Move it to 18-20″ away in the flowering stage & possibly even a few inches closer for light-loving strains.
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Average Yields: 6+ ounces – keep in mind that the strain and any plant training make a huge difference with final yields
Kind LED Grow Lights
Kind LED panels have recently become very popular on the cannabis growing scene and seem to be getting great results especially with yields. However, they are definitely pricey even for LEDs, so that is a big consideration!
Kind LEDs offer several additional models of LED grow lights, because of the price tag on these lamps I’m only listing the ones I’ve know have been used by actual cannabis growers & have proven themselves to be top quality!
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Grow Space: 2.5’x3.5’’
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Actual Power Use: 270W
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How Far to Keep from Plants: The manufacturers of this Kind LED grow light recommend that the lamp be kept at least 36″ from the tops of your plants for the best results. This model is very, very powerful and keeping it too close will definately burn your plants!
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Average Yields: 4+ ounces – keep in mind that the strain (genetics) and plant training have an effect on your final yields
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Grow Space: 3’x4′
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Actual Power Use: 320W
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How Far from Plants: The manufacturers recommend that the lamp be kept at least 36″ from the tops of your plants for the best results. This model is very, very powerful and keeping it too close will definitely cause issues!
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Average Yields: 5+ ounces – keep in mind that the strain (genetics) and plant training effect your final yields