They are lying.
No “2000 Watt” LED grow light actually uses 2000w.
In fact, there is no actual 2000 watt light available on the market.
The biggest brands don’t even advertise anything above 1000 watts.
Many of the larger Chinese brands, however, have “2000 watt” lights. Some go up to “3000 watts.”
But even just a quick look at their specs will show you how much they are exaggerating.
For whatever reason, it has become common practice among Chinese manufacturers to greatly exaggerate their lights’ wattage.
Does this mean the lights are no good?
No. At least not always.
Most of them are pretty useless when it comes to flowering plants, that is true.
But a few actually do get the job done.
And that’s the reason for this article. I wanted to weed out all the low quality lights and help you narrow your decision down to only those lights that are actually effective.
But I also wanted to make sure you know that none of these lights actually use 2000 watts (you wouldn’t even want a light that consumes 2000w….just imagine that power bill!).
None of these lights are equivalent to a 2000 watt HID light either. That’s not where that figure came from.
The manufacturers call their lights “2000w”, because they have two hundred 10 watt diodes. If those diodes were driven at their full capacity, the light would use 2000 watts.
But they aren’t. They are driven at less than 2 watts. That makes the 2000 number greatly exaggerated.
And it’s not just the wattage. Every one of these manufacturers also greatly exaggerate the coverage area of their lights.
Not to worry.
I’ll make sure to let you know how much power each light actually uses and what it is equivalent to, in terms of HID lighting. I’ll also give you a more accurate idea of the coverage area you can expect.
With that information, you will be able to decide on the right light for you.
Best 2000 Watt LED Grow Lights: Comparison Table
Model | Size | Wattage | Coverage | PAR (@24") | Rating | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phlizon COB 2000 |
Weight: 15.5 lbs. Dimensions: |
Actual: 451 watts HID Equiv.: |
4' x 4' | 1561 umol/m²/s | 9.6 / 10 | $$$$ |
BestVA DC2000 |
Weight: 10.4 lbs. Dimensions: |
Actual: 390 watts HID Equiv.: |
4' x 4' | 760 umol/m²/s | 9.4 / 10 | $$$ |
King Plus 2000 |
Weight: 9.7 lbs. Dimensions: |
Actual: 380 watts HID Equiv.: |
4' x 4' | 660 umol/m²/s | 9.2 / 10 | $$$ |
Dimgogo 2000 |
Weight: 12.7 lbs. Dimensions: |
Actual: 343 watts HID Equiv.: |
3' x 3' | 702 umol/m²/s | 8.6 / 10 | $$$ |
HIGROW 2000 |
Weight: 9.1 lbs. Dimensions: |
Actual: 400 watts HID Equiv.: |
3' x 3' | 691 umol/m²/s | 8.4 / 10 | $$$ |
Roleadro Galaxyhydro 2000 |
Weight: 11.5 lbs. Dimensions: |
Actual: 300 watts HID Equiv.: |
3' x 3' | 387 umol/m²/s | 6.8 / 10 | $$ |
Reviews of the Top 2000W LED Plant Lights
Phlizon COB Series 2000W LED Plant Light
I wanted to have at least one COB light on this list, but I had a hard time finding any. The only one I was able to find at this wattage is this Phlizon COB Series light.
Luckily, it turned out to be an amazing light. The best on this list, in fact.
The only reason I gave it the same rating of 9.6 out of 10 as the BestVA light is the price. The Phlizon costs considerably more.
But I think it’s worth it.
It has the highest output of any light on this list, with a PAR reading of over 2000 umol/m²/s dead center at a height of 18 inches. And it only uses 451 watts to achieve that. Overall, it is about equivalent to a 800 watt HID light and has a 4 by 4 foot coverage area. The expected lifespan is 50,000 hours.
The spectrum on this light is great for every stage of growth. It has two warm white and two cool white 50w COBs that combine with a mix of 10w red, blue, white, UV and IR diodes to give you a spectrum with two peaks in the red range and one in the blue, plus a large amount of green and yellow light.
Out of all the lights on this list, the Phlizon has a spectrum closest to natural sunlight. That said, the spectrum of the BestVA and the Kings Plus (next on this list) lights are a bit better, since they don’t contain quite as much yellow and green. Plants do need both colors, but not in large quantities.
That means the spectra of the other two lights is a bit less wasteful, since it uses more of the electricity you pay for to create more usable blue and red light. This light does have a switch for veg/bloom and a second switch to turn the COBs on or off, which means you can cut down on power costs when you don’t need the full output (during vegging, for example).
When you buy this light, you also get a set of hangers and adjustable rope ratchets, grow light glasses and a thermometer and humidity monitor. You also get a power cord and your light is covered by a 2 year warranty and a 30 day return policy.
Check out my full review of this light.
Pros
- Most powerful light on this list (2161 umol/m²/s at 18 inches)
- Great spectrum for all stages of growth (but slightly behind the previous and next lights on this list)
- 4 by 4 foot coverage is among the largest on this list
- 2 year warranty
Cons
- Most expensive light on this list
- Heaviest light on this list
BESTVA DC Series 2000W Full Spectrum LED Panel
My highest rated light is this BestVA DC Series fixture. There are two main reasons for that: the perfect spectrum for plants and the highest output of any light on this list.
I also like that they include useful extras, like hangers and glasses.
Let’s begin with the spectrum. Many LED manufacturers try to tell you that plants need only red and blue light, but that is not true.
They also need some green and yellow light. And that’s exactly what BestVA provide.
They use 10 different diodes, including IR, UV and both warm and cool white.
This gives a spectrum with peaks at red and blue, but also some light in the green and yellow wavelengths, plus a smaller peak in the far red range, which plays an important role in plant growth and development.
It is the perfect spectrum for a grow light to take plants through all stages of development.
The actual power draw of this light is 390 watts. It is roughly equivalent to 700 watts of HID light and will give you an effective coverage area of 4 by 4 feet.
That ties it with a few others for the largest coverage on this list. At 18 inches from the plants, it has an output of 1036 umol in the center and still well over 100 umol even in the corners.
When you buy this light, you get a number of extras: a hanging kit and adjustable rope ratchet hangers and grow room glasses. The included power cord is 6 feet long, which is a bit shorter than I would like.
The rated lifespan of this light is 100,000 hours (tied for longest on this list) and that is backed up by a 3-year warranty and a 30 day return guarantee.
You can read my full review of this light here.
Pros
- Very powerful with 1036 umol at 18 inches
- Good coverage of 4 x 4 feet
- Perfect spectrum for all stages of plant growth
- 100,000 hour rated lifespan
- 3 year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee
Cons
- 6 foot power cord could be longer
- Slightly higher price than some of the other lights on this list
King Plus 2000 Watt Full Spectrum Light
Right off the bat: the King Plus 2000w light is often out of stock. That and the lower output are the main reasons I rated it lower than the lights above.
If it is out of stock, but you had your mind set on it, it is worth considering paying a bit more and getting the 3000w King Plus. Or, if you don’t mind sacrificing some output and coverage area, getting the 1500w one.
The King LEDs are great lights, considering the price. Of course, they do not live up to most of King’s claims, but as mentioned, that is true for every single Chinese brand.
This particular light actually uses 380 watts and is about equivalent to a 700 watt HID light. It can run on 85V – 265V. It features 200 Epistar diodes of 10 watts each. The expected lifespan is 100,000 hours.
The main reason I rate this light so highly is the spectrum. It is almost identical to the BestVA light, which means it is heavy on red and blue, but also includes white diodes that provide some light in the green and yellow wavelengths. UV and IR diodes round out the spectrum to ensure higher quality yields.
In additional to the light, you also get a 6 foot power cord (which I wish was longer), hanging hooks, ratchet hangers and a pair of protective glasses. The light has a 3 year warranty, a 30 day return policy and King Plus does a much better job with customer service that other Chinese brands.
I wrote a more in-depth review of King Plus lights here (focused on the 1000w version).
Pros
- Ideal spectrum for plants (all stages of growth)
- Rated lifespan of 100,000 hours
- Good coverage area of 4 by 4 feet for flowering
- 3 year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee
Cons
- Often out of stock (it’s worth paying more for the 3000w version)
- Power cord could be longer (it’s 6 feet)
Dimgogo 2000 Watt Full Spectrum LED Fixture
This Dimgogo LED Grow Panel is another great light, but it doesn’t quite match up to the best. The main areas where it lags are a smaller coverage area and less power.
It covers a core are of 3 by 3 feet for flowering, which is less than the top lights. In terms of output, it gives you 702 umol/m²/s dead center at 24 inches from the canopy. It consumes 343 watts and is equivalent to about 600 watts of HID power.
The spectrum is the one area where the Dimgogo really shines (pun intended). It is equal to the spectrum of the BestVA and the Kings Plus.
10 watt red, blue and white diodes give you two large peaks in the red wavelengths and a smaller peak in the blues. You also get every other color in smaller amounts, which is exactly what plants like. IR and UV diodes are also included.
The light ships with a power cord and a hanging kit, which is a little disappointing considering most manufacturers include a set of ratchet hangers to make it easier for you to adjust the height of your light. You do get a great warranty, though. It lasts for 3 years and Dimgogo will also take the light back for a full refund for 30 days after purchase. The rated lifespan is 50,000+ hours.
Pros
- Great spectrum for all stages of growth
- 3 year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee
Cons
- Smaller coverage area at 3 x 3 feet
- Less power than the top lights
- No adjustable ratchet hangers included
HIGROW 2000W Double Chip LED Horticultural Light
This HiGrow LED fixture is very similar to the Dimgogo light. The main difference is that is uses more power to basically achieve the same results, which is one reason I rated it slightly lower. The other is the spectrum.
The HiGrow light has large peaks on red and blue, but it has virtually no light in the yellow and green wavelengths. Plants grow stronger and faster when they have some green and yellow light, like the other lights on this lists (apart from the next one).
This light does include some white diodes, in additional to the various red and blue ones, but it doesn’t have enough of them. It also has a few UV and IR diodes, but so does every other light on this list.
In terms of power, the HiGrow 2000 has an output of 691 umol/m²/s. But it uses a full 400 watts to achieve that, which makes it less efficient than the Dimgogo and much less efficient than the top lights. It is about equivalent to a 600 watt HID light and has a coverage are of 3 by 3 feet.
When you buy this light, you also get a hanger and a set of adjustable rope ratchets. It has a 50,000 rated lifespan and the manufacturer’s 3 year warranty and 30 day return policy have you covered in case something goes wrong (or you simply aren’t happy with the light).
Pros
- 3 year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee
Cons
- Spectrum lacks green and yellow wavelengths
- Less efficient than other lights on this list
- Smaller coverage area than the top lights
Roleadro Galaxyhydro Series 2000W LED
If you are only flowering and don’t need as much power, the Roleadro Galaxyhydro Series HYG05-200X10W-W is a good option.
It costs less than all other models on this list and features a color spectrum that is very heavy on red, with some blue and minimal white light. It also has IR and UV diodes (4 each).
Since the spectrum is so heavy on red, this is not the best light for vegging. If you are only vegging, or if you are looking for a light to use throughout all stages of growth, this would not be my top choice.
Don’t get me wrong: it will work and work well, but a light with a few more blue and white diodes would work better (like my top choices above).
Roleadro also don’t publish a color spectrum graph, like many of their competitors do, which is a bit disappointing. They do give a breakdown of the diode colors, however.
Like most lights on this list, this one used 200 diodes of 10 watts each. Also like all lights, the diodes are under-driven. It total, the power usage is around 300 watts.
The light is about equivalent in output to a 400 watt HPS bulb and has a 3 by 3 foot coverage area. That makes it considerably less powerful than the other lights on this list.
The lack of power, the smaller coverage area and the red-heavy spectrum are the main reasons for the slightly lower rating.
On the plus side, Roleadro made sure this light can be daisy chained, so you can run several of them off the same circuit. It has a rated lifespan of 50,000 hours, which is about average. It can run off any voltage from Voltage from 85 V to 265 V.
When you buy this Galaxyhydro Series light, you also get a stainless steel hanger, a power cord and a manual. Unfortunately, the package does not include a ratchet hanger and there are no other extras either.
The cost is lower than other lights, so maybe that is why. But it is also weaker. It does include a 2-year warranty and a 30 day return policy.
I’ve done a full review of this light, which you can find here.
Pros
- Ability to daisy chain several lights
- Lower cost
Cons
- Red-heavy spectrum is good for flowering, but not as good for vegging
- Less power and smaller coverage area
- No ratchet hangers included
Owing to a variety of websites suggesting Bestva were the ideal lighting solution, I bought four units. They all failed within a matter of three months. I contacted the company regarding replacements which were sent out really quickly, but were 50% DOA. Having sent photos and emails regarding the failed units since then, there has been no response from the company.
From my experience, I would NO recommend Bestva for anything!
Unfortunately, this is the problem with all Chinese brands. There is a higher chance that you get a bad light and if you do get a bad one, it is harder to get help from the company.
If you want to avoid that risk, you have to buy from a non-Chinese company and pay over $1000. To some, the peace of mind is worth it. Others prefer to pay far less and take the risk. It’s a decision everyone has to make for themselves.
As far as Chinese brands go, BestVA is one of the best. As you said, you got replacements quickly. That would not have been the case with most other brands. Unfortunately, you got more bad lights…
One can tell that you are ill-informed about even the basics. 1.) Plants do NOT need green light, the reason they are green (aside from chlorophyll) is green is the only color not being absorbed. Thus it is reflecting the green outward. 2.) You compare Bestva’s 390w (actually 392w but who’s counting) as being equivalent to 700w HID, but because you are foregoing all the power that would be wasted on green lighting, and not considering the extra UV lighting provided by the LED, I believe that comparison sells the LED short. I appreciate you taking the time to experiment with these devices, but please educate yourself more regarding light spectrum before you go out serving Kool aid. Thanks
This is what the “blurple” manufacturers have been telling us for years, but there is a reason the industry is moving toward white light: plants do make use of green light. Just not as much. Even the “blurple” lights now all include white diodes. At least all of the top brands do.