Below you will find all of the in-depth buying guides we have researched and written for anyone looking to purchase LED grow lights.
- How To Buy LED Grow Lights On Alibaba (And Avoid Scams)
- Mars Hydro Vs Spider Farmer (Which Is The Better Brand?)
- Best 300 Watt LED Grow Light (True 300W!)
- Best LED Grow Light Under $100 (Reviewed And Compared)
- 2000 Watt LED Grow Light (The Best And Why 2000W Is A Lie)
- Best Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights (Why White+ Fixtures Are Best)
- Best LED Grow Lights (Reviews By An Actual Grower)
- Best Dimmable LED Grow Lights (Reviewed And Compared)
- Best COB LED Grow Light (There Aren’t Many Good Ones)
- LED Grow Light Strips (Best For Veg/Clone & Supplemental)
- T5 LED Grow Lights (Which Ones Beat Fluorescent Tube Bulbs?)
BRANDEN RAE says
If you had to use either the Active Grow’s High Output T5 LED sun-white spectrum bulbs or the Roleadro 600 full-spectrum white LED, which one would you use and why? I enjoy the white light for my eyes rather than looking at the bright red light. I am looking to start growing plants, both leafy and fruiting, indoors with hydroponics. Also would either of them work with on 220 volts? Thank you for your articles. They have really helped out.
Steven says
I like the spectrum of the LED tubes better (heavier on red), so I’d go with those. Whether they run off 220V depends on the fixture you put them in. If the fixture takes 220V, then yes. The Roleadro also runs off 220V, but you’ll probably need to ask for the right power cord.
Branden says
Thank you. That helps out heaps.
Jason Parker says
Do any of these give off a little UVA, UVB, or IR like some T5 Flourescents do? Thanks in advance.
Steven says
Some of the Active Grow tubes emit IR light, depending on which spectrum you choose.
roger dixon says
In my 1.2m x 2m grow box I will use supplementary/side led lighting. I will be trying out X4 90cm full spectrum led grow bars, 200par at 20cm, 28 ish 3w leds, 90° lenses and adding X4 red shifted bars for the flowering phase. Cost is $120 – $150AU ea. resourced from China. The only place in Oz (Australia) I can get an equivelant one is $300, far too costly and the China ones have epistar or osram leds (so they say!). It is such a pitty supplementary led bar lighting seems to have been overlooked in stores.
Steven says
Yes, there aren’t many bar LEDs, especially in Australia I would just get the cheap Chinese ones. You may end up with a few that don’t work, but you can return those. In the end, the cost will be much lower than importing something from the US.
Jvan says
Any thoughts when comparing the recommended active grow led replacement bulbs to the AgroLED sun blaster replacement LED bulbs?
I’m really attracted to their Veg specific bulbs and would love to know your thoughts.
Steven says
They seem to have some quality control issues, but if you get a good one, then they’re perfectly fine. I’d say, if you need 4 bulbs, go with Active Grow. If you need less than 4, go with another brand, like AgroLED.
Mat says
Should I add some red LED strip next to the Barrina to give a more complete spectrum ? I grow leafy greens. I heard somewhere that too much blue light can stunt growth of some plants.
Steven says
They actually have a complete spectrum. They’re just a bit heavy on blue light, but for leafy greens that is actually a good spectrum to have. Adding extra light is always good and some additional red light will help, but it is not necessary if you are growing plants that don’t flower.
Dustin Bonhomme says
Would the Barrina lights work for seedlings. We are gonna try growing flowers for a fresh cut flower business. We will start the flowers from seed and eventually transfer them outside sometime in May. We will also start some vegetables from seed as well. I bought an active grow t5 4 light system the other day. I have a large 6 foot tall shelf that we will be growing on. I just can’t afford several active grow sets
Dustin says
I was looking at getting these Barrina lights.
https://amzn.to/34UXNfw
I forgot to add that in my question
Steven says
Yes, those would work great for seedlings.
Eric says
Will the active grow t5 bloom work in a ballast bypass fixture?
Steven says
I would guess no.
Tatiyana says
I got the active grow fixture and so far I like it but was wondering if I can use other brand light bulbs with it when my current ones die.
Steven says
if they’re LED bulbs, sure.
Travis says
The Active Grow lights don’t seem to be available on Amazon Canada anymore. Any suggestions on where to find these? I’m based in Edmonton.
Steven says
Does the US Amazon ship to Canada? I don’t know where you could get them.
Ian says
I am looking to start growing some herbs from cuttings in my basement workshop. Currently there is a 4’ fluorescent fixture in the space, approximately 46” above the table where I want to do the growing. Will the replacement of the fluorescent tubes with T5 bulbs work for my application? Or does the light need to be very close to the plants?
Thanks!
Steven says
If the fluor. fixture works at that distance, then a comparable T5 LED light will, too.
Ian says
Hi Steven. Thanks for the reply.
I have not started trying to grow anything yet. The fixture is currently 46” above my work area. I can replace the bulbs with T5 LED as you suggest. Do I need to lower the fixture so the light is closer to the herbs? If so, how close?
Thanks!
Steven L. Gutierrez says
Thanks for your very interesting information before buying LED tubes.Really it works for me.i think we get more post from you like this.
Bryna says
Great article! Based on your recommendation, I’m thinking about buying the Barrina light bars. Just wondering what distance they need to be from my seedlings. I have a 7′ tall 5 rack shelf, so there would be about a foot maximum between the canopy and the light, decreasing as they grow. This setup worked with fluorescents, but some things I’m reading suggest LEDs need to be farther away. These are vegetable starts, primarily tomatoes and peppers, with basil and cucurbits later in the season. Thank you!
Steven says
LED bars about the same distance as fluorescents, so there shouldn’t be a problem.
Andrew says
I was looking at building a hydroponic garden that will contain 2 4ft x 2ft beds so these Barrinas seem to be a perfect option! each of the beds will have 2 4ft rails running the length of the bed. Now the Barrinas will be the only light source for this build but I noticed that right now they have 2 kits on amazon at the same price:
12 x 20W (2000LM) 6500K lights (same as in this post) – I would put 6 lights on each garden for a total of 120W and 12000LM per garden
6 x 40W (5000LM) 5000K lights – I would but 3 lights on each garden for a total of 120W 15000LM per garden
I see that there is a noticeable difference in light temperature so that could be the biggest factor. For reference Im planning on growing leafy greens such as lettuce and Bok Choy, maybe some strawberries as well. Would either of these setups work or are they overkill/underpowered?
The broader question, which is more beneficial, multiple lower output tubes or, less tubes but higher intensity?
Looking forward to your responses!
Catherine says
We ordered the JunWen Flexible LED Strip
lights JW99905-DW-US-NF. The package just says 24W. There is no indication on or in the packaging of how bright they are. We are returning them.
It’s more expensive but we might stick with Seattle based if and when we can.
Karen is right sometimes says
Be careful with cheap Led Lights from China, many have reported them catching on fire. Just read the reviews. Do not purchase any light that is not CSA certified.