Curious about which one is the best LED grow lights for indoor plants? In 2024, the latest LED grow lights can boost plant growth by up to 30% compared to older, generic models. Plus, these new grow lights are cheaper than old models.
Using the best grow lights can help you to enhance your home gardening experience. Whether you’re a professional or just starting to learn how to grow plants. The LED Hydroponic lighting System helps your houseplants thrive year-round. Also, it provides fresh herbs even during the dark winter days. LED grow lights are essential for maintaining plant health. Because they are necessary for photosynthesis. Experts like Jamie Chan and Blas Herrera, share horticultural insights on their blog site “Fog City Gardener“.
For over six months, we conducted a nationwide home experiment. We grew plants under LED grow lights and natural sunlight evaluating three distinct types of seedlings in each environment. Everything else, like care and conditions, remained the same.
In this article, we explore the top 10 full-spectrum LED grow lights for indoor gardening, discussing their pros and cons.
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Our compatible Selection:
Our Top Picks
If you’re looking for easy-to-use the best indoor plant grow lights for your plant, the AeroGarden Bounty Basic can be perfect for you. It comes with an LED grow light and a self-watering feature. That makes it a hassle-free choice for growing herbs and vegetables indoors.
We tested this hydroponic system for three months in our lab and six months at home. It proved to be a very low-maintenance option. We spent just about five minutes a week on plant care. This system is especially great for people who may forget to water, feed, or turn on the lights.
It allows you to set a timer and notifies you via the touch screen when it’s time to add water or plant food. If you’re traveling, you won’t have to worry about your plants being neglected! Setting it up was quick and easy, taking us less than 15 minutes to prepare and plant the pods. Once we inserted the pods and plugged them in.
The touch screen guided us through the process with a “Quick Plant” page. The system also provides estimates on growth time, water levels, and when to add plant food. We loved the implemented “Trellis System”. Which is simple to install and supports plants as they grow taller. Each plant pod includes a note about the plant’s final height (short, medium, or tall).
Which helped us decide where to place them in the garden. The light panel’s arm is adjustable, allowing it to rise up to 24 inches. It accommodates the plants as they grow. Though it’s one of the pricier options, this system is worth it if you want a self-sufficient indoor garden. Remember, you’ll need to buy special pods and plant food, but AeroGarden offers a variety of options to choose from.
Size: 34 x 17.25 x 11.25 inches, with a 30-watt LED light.
Pros:
- Simple to assemble and maintain
- Timer-controlled self-watering and grow light
- The instructions and touch screen are straightforward to understand.
- Able to at the same time grow up to nine plants
Cons:
- The use of special pods
All the grow lights we tested, the LBW Grow Light proved to be the most versatile. This company features the best budget full spectrum led grow light. Its lighting ranges from 380nm to 800nm. Along with an adjustable tripod and gooseneck arm, it is suitable for various plant growth stages, from seedlings to mature plants.
During our tests with basil, tomato, and spinach seeds, we were so impressed. We decided to place all our houseplants. Like basil, spider plants, ivy, and other green, non-flowering plants—under this light during Iowa’s winter months. Some plants had started to slow down due to the winter, but under this light, they began to thrive again.
Although you can’t adjust the red, blue, warm white, and cold white light chips individually. Adjusting the six brightness settings and setting a timer for 4, 8, or 12-hour intervals is easy using the controller. The light also includes hardware for ceiling mounting, if that’s more convenient for you. Remember that this light isn’t subtle or really fashionable. So, it might stand out in your space.
We continue to use this light in our basement, where it isn’t distracting. If you want to store it when not in use. The tripod folds up easily and the light is compact. If you need more lighting, there’s an option to buy one with two light heads or a larger light head. Or even without the timer for a slightly lower price.
Light Size 8.7 x 4.9 inches, with a stand adjustable from 15 to 48 inches, and it uses LED bulbs. Wattage: Not listed
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Pros:
- Adjustable stand
- Settings for the timer and dimmer
- Full spectrum LED lighting
- If necessary, hanging hardware
Cons:
- Not able to change individual lightbulbs
- Doesn’t add to your deco
Hanging grow lights are a smart way to save space and give light to more plants. But setting up LED grow lights can be a hassle and it might not always match your room’s style. We tested the Soltech Aspect Grow Light and found it to be an excellent choice.
The grow light installs easily and looks like a regular light fixture, complete with a stylish braided cable. So, it fits well in small spaces and blends with your decor. Plus, it’s simple to adjust as your plants get bigger.
During a six-month trial in a New York winter, this grow light helped our houseplants thrive. Also, it produces new branches, ripe fruit, and blooming flowers. The plants under this light performed much better than those just by the window with natural light.
We initially tried the smaller model, which measures 5.8 x 3.8 inches. It offers 2,000 lumens and uses 20 watts of power. The light impressed us with its performance and natural look. The larger version, 7 x 4 inches with 4,000 lumens and 40 watts, was equally impressive. Both models are powerful and emit a pleasant, natural light.
Each grow light, whether small or large, comes with a 15-foot fabric cord, and three ceiling hooks. Also, it has two wall fairleads for cable management and a swag hook. These accessories help you adjust the distance of the lamp from your plants based on their type and growth stage.
It took us only 10 minutes to set up the larger light. Although it might take longer depending on your expertise and where you are installing it. The package includes clear instructions and labeled hardware. It along with guidance on which drill bit to use for different surfaces, makes installation quicker.
It’s important to hang the light where it won’t be a distraction, as it can’t be dimmed and is quite bright (the smaller version is less so). The light includes an analog timer for 12-hour daily use. But we opted for a smart plug instead. Other than needing to plug it in, it has no extra features.
Size: 4 x 4 x 7 inches | Type: LED | Wattage: 40 watts
Pros:
- Blends into decor
- Easy set up
- 12-hour timer
- Bright, natural light
Cons:
- Digital timers are easier to use than analog ones.
The AeroGarden Trio Grow Light is an excellent choice if you’re searching for a chic grow light that complements your decor. We tested it for six months and found it ideal for smaller houseplants or seedlings. Like succulents, thanks to its three adjustable lamp heads (ranging from 11 to 17 inches). It fits perfectly on a bookshelf or table.
The light offers different settings—full-spectrum, white, warm, and cool. So, you can choose the best one for your plant’s growth stage. The full package is perfect for beginners. Because it takes less than three minutes to set up and is easy to operate. The light comes with a 10-hour automatic timer, and you can change the modes or turn it on and off with a simple tap.
For more advanced settings, you can download the app, though it isn’t necessary for basic use. Through the app, you can program the light to gradually brighten or dim at sunrise and sunset. Also, you can adjust the timer, and more. It has a longer timer option (up to 24 hours) for extended cycles. Initially, we found the app a bit tricky, but once we selected our light type, using it became straightforward.
You’ll need to adjust the light to ensure it hits your plants at the right angle without toppling over. But this only takes a few minutes. We love how much light it provides despite its small size. The size makes it great for small spaces and can illuminate several plants at once. However, it’s best suited for plants under 12 inches tall. So larger plants will need a different solution.
Size: 17 x 11 x 24 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 5 watts
Pros:
- Three lighting setups.
- Stylish, comes in two colors
- Touch and app controls
- Longer timer
Cons:
- Not designed for big plants.
If you want to manage the lighting for each growth phase of your plants The Leoter Grow Light is a fantastic option. Because it doesn’t need to be assembled, it’s quite simple to set up. We discovered it easy to clip to our shelves, where we placed our seedlings.
The four lights are flexible and adjustable. Which is useful for covering multiple plants or accommodating taller seedlings. This grow light has a straightforward design without smart features or touch controls. But the remote on the wire is user-friendly. It includes a timer with three-, nine-, and 12-hour settings, which are reliable.
There are also 10 dimmer options, allowing you to customize the brightness to your desired level. Compared to many other lights, this one allows you to select from warm (white), or red. And blue, or a combination of red, blue, and warm light (380nm-800nm) according to your plant’s growth stage.
Using all three light colors together promotes the best growth. After six months of more research, including a Hartford winter, our plants were thriving, growing bigger, and stronger. And producing more greenery compared to those without a grow light. We’ve rotated houseplants and continued growing tomato seedlings under this light.
The clip and elastic limbs allow for easy adjustment to fit different plants. We consistently use the 12-hour timer. Which is ensure our plants get regular light, and it eliminates the need for us to manually turn it on and off. The only improvement we’d suggest is a longer timer option.
Size: 13.46 x 5.71 x 3.27 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Power: 80 watts
Pros:
- Four flexible lights
- Strong, stable clamp
- features a three-setting timer.
- Able to switch the light colors and dim it
Cons:
- Comes without stand.
The Mars Hydro LED Grow Light is ideal for plant growth in basements or other designated areas at home. The functional grow light allows you to connect many lights to the same control panel. Which makes it suitable for significant plant collections.
Installing the lamp requires a few steps but only takes 8 minutes to complete. Your setup time may vary depending on your experience and if you are connecting several lights.
In our basement, the light served as a “mini sun.” It was bright enough to grow lettuce in the winter and plant seedlings early. However, it did not perform as well for fruiting or flowering plants, probably due to differences in lighting or pollination.
Other plants showed noticeably better growth compared to those without a growth light. We produced basil and thyme throughout the winter, supplying fresh herbs for our kitchen.
This grow light covers the entire spectrum but lacks an embedded timer. So, we utilized our own to ensure proper lighting. The control panel features a dimmer for shifting brightness, which we liked. The light was set up in our basement, so brightness was not an issue.
If you put this light in a grow tent, cabinet, or behind a shelf. It may be more appropriate for non-basement environments. There is no cable control system, which is not an issue in a specialized area.
Sizes: 5.5 x 17.3 x 16.9 inches, with an LED light, Wattage is not provided.
Pros:
- Features a larger amount of plants or seedlings.
- Can connect many lights to the same circuit.
- Brightness settings
- Doesn’t get too warm
Cons:
- The fixture does not integrate well in small rooms.
- No built-in timer
If you’re starting seedlings indoors or need a compact to-grow light, the iGrowtek grow light is a great choice. At 2 feet long, it fits a large seed tray or a few small plants. We used it in our basement, but it can also fit on a small table in any bright room.
Set up the light and stand took just five minutes to complete. We simply attached the light to the iron stand, adjusted the straps for the right height, and plugged it in. The instructions are included, but the setup is easy enough to do without them.
The light comes with a stand and adjustable cords but lacks features like a timer or dimmer. You’ll need to turn it on and off manually or buy an external timer.
This setup is ideal for seedlings or tiny plants since the light height is limited to 6-7 inches. You’ll need a different grow light for larger plants. However, it’s perfect for getting a head start on your growing season by starting seedlings indoors.
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Pros:
- Compact size
- Easy to set up
- Can shift the height of lighting.
Cons:
- No extra features
If you want to start growing plants indoors but don’t have a lot of space, the LED Stack-n-Grow Lights System is a great choice. It’s compact and stackable. So, it doesn’t take up much room on the floor, leaving your counters and surfaces clear.
During our six-month test, the seedlings grew well under its full-spectrum light. This grow lights system doesn’t include a timer or dimmer. So, depending on where you put it, the bright light might be a bit distracting. Especially, if you add more shelves and lights.
We placed ours in the basement to avoid this problem and used an external timer to easily manage the light schedule. Assembling the light wasn’t difficult. But it took a long time compared to the others we tested about 35 minutes. The instructions were easy to follow, but since it’s a larger setup unpacking and assembling took some time.
We needed a second person to help attach the light to the overhead rack. Which was the only small challenge we faced. Adjusting the shelf and light height as plants grow can be a bit tricky. Our tomato plants started reaching the light. We wished it was easier to adjust like the LBW LED Grow Light, which has flexible gooseneck arms. However, for starting seedlings, you won’t need to adjust it often.
Size: 31 x 15.5 x 21 inches | Light type: LED | Wattage: not specified
Pros:
- Space-saving
- Expandable
- Great for starting seedlings
Cons:
- Compared to other grow lights, it has a longer assembly time.
- Lighting gets harder to manage as the plants grow.
Don’t be fooled by the Soltech Solutions Grove LED Grow Light’s basic design. This adaptable light has many useful features to ensure your seedlings or houseplants get the right amount of light. It’s surprisingly light and takes just a few minutes to set up on a shelf or wall. We decided to connect it to our wall, but it also includes hardware for a more permanent installation.
The light is promising but the settings may be readily switched by tapping the bulb. Placing it underneath a shelf can help stop the light from extending too far into the room. You can also rotate the LED to focus the light on the plants.
We found the timer a bit tricky to set up initially, but the instructions are clear. You need to set the timer at the time you want the light to start. And then you can program how long it stays on each day. If you prefer manual control, you can turn it on and off by tapping the bulb. Or using the timer’s “outlet on” switch.
During installation, we noticed a few issues. Ensure the wall or shelf is smooth, it might not attach well to rough surfaces. We tried it on a slightly textured wall. And it had trouble staying up, even taking some paint with it. Despite falling a few times, it remained undamaged and worked perfectly. Using removable Command Strips solved the problem.
This light isn’t the best choice if you need to move it as plants grow unless you don’t mount it on the wall. However, it’s excellent for small houseplants or seedlings that will be moved outside later. After six months, we saw new growth in struggling houseplants, and our seedlings thrived.
Size: 18 x 1 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: not specified
Pros:
- Minimal and lightweight design.
- Many placement options.
- Includes timer
- To modify and customize the brightness, simply tap on the light.
Cons:
The glue might not be sufficient for all surfaces.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and flexible the best LED grow light bulbs for indoor plants that fit most standard lamps. The GE Grow Light LED Indoor Flood Light Bulb is a great choice. We’ve tested this bulb several times and found it to be an excellent option for both new and experienced indoor gardeners.
Operating at 120 volts, this bulb easily fits into most standard lamps. So you don’t need extra equipment. And it will seamlessly blend with your existing decor. Initially, we used it with a desk lamp attached to a bookshelf. The bulb allows easy adjustment to fit your plant’s needs. Recently, we tested it with a flood light socket on one of our grow light stands to better suit different plants.
This bulb has an expanded red spectrum. This feature makes it ideal for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, fruit trees, and flowers. Installing it is as simple as screwing in a lightbulb. The package includes helpful guidance on optimal heights for different plants. For best results, it’s suggested to use the light for 18 hours a day. Although it doesn’t include a timer, you can use your own.
Additionally, it’s a great solution for bringing outdoor plants indoors during the winter. We had success growing a coleus, cilantro, and a cucumber seedling indoors using this bulb. Unlike other grow lights, this one needs replacing after several months of use. But it’s available in packs of four, ensuring you always have a spare. It resembles a flood light in brightness but remains lightweight for easy movement.
One downside we encountered was a humming noise when the bulb was on, which became more noticeable over time. We suggest placing it where the sound won’t be bothersome. Overall, this bulb is an effective way to give extra light to a plant or a small group of plants.
Size: 4.06 x 5.94 inches | Type: LED| Wattage: 9 watts
Pros:
- Fits in most lamps
- Simple to install
- deal for a variety of plants
Cons:
- Makes a buzzing noise
- There are no special features
FAQ
What is the best grow light?
The best grow light depends on your specific needs, like the type of plants you’re growing and the space available. Generally, LED grow lights are highly recommended because they are energy-efficient and provide natural sunlight, helping your plants thrive indoors. Always choose the best full spectrum LED grow lights for indoor plants, because they provide multiple features.
How to use grow lights for indoor plants?
To use grow lights effectively for indoor plants, position the light 6-12 inches above the plants for optimal growth. Make sure to provide 12-18 hours of light per day, depending on the plant type. Adjust the distance and duration based on the plant’s response. Use a timer to automate the light schedule for convenience.
What type of bulb to grow plants?
LED bulbs are the best choice for growing plants indoors. They are energy-efficient, have a long lifespan, and offer a full spectrum of light that supports photosynthesis. Look for bulbs labeled as “grow lights” to ensure they provide the right light wavelengths for plant growth.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Best LED Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
Size:
When picking the size of your grow light, consider the number of plants you need to cover and where you plan to place them. For flexibility, choose a portable light that isn’t fixed to the ceiling or wall, especially if you plan to move it around or use it seasonally. Our top choice covers multiple plants and is easy to move and store.
If you prefer to use wall or ceiling space, our recommended hanging option blends well with decor and isn’t too large. For covering more plants in a fixed space, our large capacity pick is ideal and can be expanded with multiple lights on the same control panel. Ensure there is enough room for safe operation, away from furniture and drapes.
Type:
The best LED light for growing plants indoors comes in various forms, such as panels, overhead hangers, and screw-in fixtures. Consider the plant type, existing natural light, and plant location to narrow your choices. Hanging lights are typically larger, while desktop lights are smaller and portable. Look for indoor herb gardens with planters, self-watering devices, and built-in lights for a full system.
Location:
Proper placement is crucial. Hanging lights too low can burn plants, while too high can cause weak growth. Incandescent grow lights should be placed at least 24 inches from plants. Fluorescent and LED lights, which emit less heat, can be placed 12 to 18 inches away. For seedlings, position them 2 to 3 inches from a fluorescent source. Direct overhead positioning mimics sunlight and ensures even light distribution.
Wattage:
Wattage helps determine the right fixture. Typically, 32 watts per square foot is sufficient for most indoor plants. More critical is the PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density), which measures light emission. However, not all products list this metric.
Bulb Type:
best grow LED lights for indoor plants are energy-efficient, emit little heat, and offer ideal light spectrums. They last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent lights are also efficient but more expensive than LEDs. Incandescent bulbs are the least efficient and emit high heat, which isn’t ideal for growing.
Growing Season:
The best LED Grow Lights For Indoor Plants enable year-round plant growth. They require the right balance of light and darkness. For germination, run lights for 16 to 18 hours daily until plants are a few inches tall. As plants mature, gradually reduce light to mimic spring conditions before transplanting. A grow light with a timer simplifies light management, ensuring optimal light levels even when you’re away. You can also use an external or smart timer for lights without built-in timers.