There are so many different lights on the market and so many different customers with unique needs.
Farmers, horticulturists, gardeners and medical marijuana growers all need different features and they have a very broad selection of options to choose from.
The first big decision is between LED grow lights and HID lights, which include HPS and MH bulbs.
Light emitting diodes, (LED) are relatively new in the horticultural and many people are not yet familiar with their benefits and drawbacks. HID lighting has been used in the industry for decades and has been the system of choice for indoor gardeners.
There are many compelling reasons why growers are making the switch to LED technology, including:
Energy savings – LEDs use up to 40 per cent less energy than traditional HPS systems to deliver the same light levels.
Optical design freedom – LED optics offer exceptional design flexibility in terms of light level, colour spectrum and distribution pattern.
Spectral tuning – LED fixtures offer multiple colour spectral variations – each specifically designed to elicit the desired plant response – including leaf size and stem elongation, chlorophyll concentration, pigment concentration, branching and early/late flowering. Plant response times are also often faster with LEDs.
Heat management – LED fixtures produce less heat and can be placed closer to plants, enabling higher light intensities without excessive heat. Reduced heat also translates into reduced water consumption.
Long life, low maintenance – LEDs last much longer than HPS lamps, and require far less maintenance.
HPS, or High Pressure Sodium lights are capable of producing a huge quantity of light. In fact, a lot of farmers preferred HPS lights for years because of this. Light is crucial during the flowering stage and has been known to increase yield at harvest. The high intensity of HPS grow lights can create an ideal environment for cannabis flowering. HPS lights are also comparatively cheap to set up. However, on the flipside, the high intensity output of High Pressure Sodium lights generates a lot of heat. In many cases, using HPS grow lights requires additional ventilation for sufficient airflow. This can increase costs significantly. In addition, the high intensity light consumes a huge amount of energy, driving up costs while also causing more environmental damage.
Which Option is Better?
Should you be using HPS or LED grow lights? Both options have merit. There are pros and cons of each. However, unless you are growing in frigid temperatures, you’re better off using LED lights. There are simply more advantages. LED lights offer long-term savings, energy efficiency, and do not require extra equipment. While the upfront cost of LED lights does tend to be higher than HPS lights – you may be shocked by just how affordable high quality options have become. The market has expanded enough that you’ll find a wide variety of options available. With the long-term savings, investing in a quality LED lighting system is the way to go. Whether you need LED lights for a large-scale grow or small operation, we have something to fit your needs!
Advantages of HPS Grow Lights
HPS grow lights are capable of producing an intense amount of light, which can increase cannabis flowering.
There are a wide variety of HPS grow lights available, so options have become more standardized.
The initial start-up costs are lower with HPS grow lights than LED lights.
Drawbacks of HPS Grow Lights
HPS grow lights require more power and are less energy efficient than LED lights.
HPS grow lights have a shorter shelf life in comparison to LED lights.
The intense lighting of HPS makes adequate airflow and ventilation essential.
Setting the optimal temperature can be challenging, particularly in confined spaces.
HPS grow lights increase costs substantially in the long-term
Advantages of LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights are more energy efficient. They produce the same amount of light as HPS lights but consume substantially less energy.
LED grow lights do not produce as much heat as HPS lights, avoiding the need for additional ventilation or airflow systems.
LED grow lights are smaller than HPS lights, maximizing grow space.
LED grow lights feature an impressive shelf life.
Drawbacks of LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights require a higher upfront investment. However, they can reduce costs in the long run due to their extensive shelf life.
LED grow lights may not produce enough heat as HPS lights for colder climates
LED lights lack standardization, which makes comparing options more challenging.
However, there is a top quality and best priced LED grow lights for you!
LOWER RUNNING COSTS & HIGHER-QUALITY YIELDS: SPIDER FARMER LED Grow Lights utilize the latest in high yielding LEDs technology today-Samsung LM301B diodes, high Energy Efficiency with 2.7 umol/J, delivers powerful light output and uniform canopy penetration to resulting maximum higher yields. Only consumes 100w, running 50% less power than the other SMD LEDs or Blurple lamps or HPS. Veg footprint is 3 x 3 ft, Flowering footprint is 2 x 2 ft.
CUSTOMIZED DIMMING DESIGN: Upgraded SF series growing lights have a dimming knob and light switch. A single light can be adjusted the light intensity at liberty. Multi-light Connection with unified dimming especially beneficial for large area of indoor growing and commercial planting.
IDEAL FOR ALL GROWTH STAGES: Excellent full spectrum- white, blue, red and IR (3000K, 5000K, 660nm and IR 760nm). 3000K diodes providing more reddish light and the 5000K providing more blueish. The 660nm red and IR light is especially useful during bloom, where it speeds up flowering time and boost yields. Turn your seeds into your own supply. And the light looks fairly natural , so it's good for accurately monitoring plant health.
WELL MADE & SOLID CONSTRUCTION: No Fan Noise Free. High Safety performance MEAN WELL Driver, Fair Waterproofing. Update aluminum board is thick and sturdy, doesn't put out a tremendous amount of heat, high-quality protective covers for cables; User-Friendly Packaging. Quality components mean the light lasts longer, but they also save you money.
VALUE FOR THE MONEY: SPIDER FARMER LED Plant Lights are often copied but will never have our quality or commitment, we provides 3 years of after-service of local maintenance center(US/CA/UK/DE). Make sure you purchase authentic Spider Farmer grow lights, really can give you need from a high-quality grow lights – at a price that is affordable. For any questions, feel free to e-mail us and we will help you resolve it. Quality backed by our ironclad!!!
If you want to purchase a full spectrum LED grow light, this one will be your good choice.
Conclusion
Both LED grow lights and HPS grow lights are equally capable of producing great yields, and both have advantages over the other. If initial cost is not an issue, the answer to which one is better really comes down to other main factors contributing to your grow such as the growing method you plan to practice as well as the ambient conditions and size of the grow area.
In summary, whether or not an LED grow light is better than an HPS one involves a lot of factors. The debate will likely rage on for years to come, with LED growers offering up math that shows they are right, and HPS growers offering up math that says they are right, and both sides claiming that the other one is fudging the numbers. With cannabis strains and environmental factors being varied across the world, it makes matters that much harder to pin down.