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Living in an apartment devoid of sunlight or a house with an eastern exposure doesn't mean you're stuck with all low-light plants or must forgo indoor gardening entirely. A grow light is required to diversify your plant collection or start seed trays. Though many are purely functional and prioritize tech over design, there are also options disguised as home lighting that will accent your décor and keep your plants happy to boot. We've rounded up a fantastic selection of grow lights for you to consider, so read on for our recommendations, plus everything you need to know before buying.
The Best Grow Lights for Plants
- Best Overall:
- Best Multi-Pack: Barrina T8 Plant Grow Light (4-Pack)
- Best Pendant: Soltech Aspect
- Best Panel: AeroGarden 45W LED Grow Panel
- Best Herb Garden: Rise Gardens Personal Indoor Garden
What To Consider
Light Spectrum
Most people buy full-spectrum lights to cover all stages of plant development, but the serious indoor gardeners may want adjustable lights with multiple colors for different growth stages.
Grow lights offer different light spectrums, as marked in their descriptions and packaging. Plants absorb light, which promotes photosynthesis, the process in which plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Wavelengths in the 400 and 700 nm range are considered optimum for plants. All light is absorbed in the spectrum's 400 to 700 nm range, and color is used at different stages of development. Blue is at the lower end of the color spectrum, used for early-stage growth and cultivating compact, stocky plants for ground coverage. The red-light spectrum (600 to 700 nm) is ideal for the flowering and fruit stages.
White light encompasses all colors in the spectrum, which is why full-spectrum lights help grow plants indoors. Although light outside the visible spectrum doesn’t contribute to photosynthesis, it’s still beneficial. Ultraviolet light can affect flower scent and leaf color, and far-red light (700 to 750 nm) can increase leaf size and cause plants to “stretch” tall and thin.
PPF
Photosynthetic photon flux, or PPF, measures the number of photons (particles of light) available to drive plant photosynthesis. Higher PPF levels indicate that a grow light delivers more photons that a plant can use for growth. This is a standard unit used to measure the efficacy of grow lights for indoor horticulture and one that's frequently included in packaging details.
Wattage and Lumens
Wattage and lumens are listed on LEDs, though neither gives a complete picture of how effective an LED grow light actually is. Generally speaking, the higher a light's wattage, the more powerful the light and the higher the energy consumption. That light's glow strength is measured in lumens, abbreviated as “lm,” which translates into how much light the human eye perceives. However, wattage and lumens don't translate to a plant's ability to absorb light, which is what makes a plant grow valuable light.
Styles
A spread-style hanging panel with tiny light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or standard tube lighting to mount or suspend under a shelf is a solid option for the most growth coverage. These are excellent for bundled plants and herbs that need to share space. You can also buy a stand with a light panel or tube lighting with adjustable height and light angles, ideal for kitchen gardens or taller plants that don't get much sunshine. Those with a more design-savvy approach can choose from stylish hanging pendants or standalone light bulbs to screw into existing fixtures without sacrificing personal style.
Connectivity
Many grow lights link together just like Christmas lights—a bonus if you need more coverage. This strategy provides ample lighting without requiring multiple outlets. A maximum number of lights can typically be safely connected—two to six among the grow lights we cover.
Timing
Plants need rest, as does your energy usage, so it's unwise to leave your grow light on all day—after all, the sun isn't up all day. Use one for roughly 8 to 15 hours a day, with the lower end reserved for herbs and the higher end for tropical plants that typically see more sustained sunshine than not. .
How We Selected
All of the grow lights featured have average user ratings of at least 4 stars, and the majority have average user ratings of 4.5 stars or higher. Our selection includes a range of styles, from large hanging panels to floor lamps as mentioned above, and our choices span multiple price points. Most are available in more than one size and color, and we note these options for each product, when applicable.
Pros
Sleek, minimalist design- Easy to mount via adhesive tape or screws
- Magnetic brackets let you angle light
- Comes with outlet timer
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Higher price is solely due to design
- Few user reviews say it has weak magnets
Available in black and white, Soltech's Grove is a minimalist, no-frills light with exceptional power, excellent style, and a solid 5-year warranty. Its touch control power lets users dim its warmth simply by pinching the metal fixture. Each end is capped with magnetic brackets that hold the light in place and let users angle the light as needed, which is great for anyone who wants to mount the light on surfaces other than a ceiling. Mounting is easy, too, as it only takes adhesives to fix to a surface, though it also comes with screws and a single wall anchor.
We love this light for its elevated design and style. Still, it may be overkill for anyone seeking an LED grow light purely for functionality—this is best for anyone concerned with growing plants while maintaining a stylish home. Price aside, some reviews say the magnet brackets are pretty weak.
Key Specs
| Style | Mounted |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18 x 1 x 1.5 in |
| Wattage | 11 |
| Weight | 8 oz |
2
Best Value
Barrina Full-Spectrum LED Grow Lights, 4 Ft. (6-Pack)
2
Best Value
Barrina Full-Spectrum LED Grow Lights, 4 Ft. (6-Pack)
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Versatile for a variety of setups
- Easy setup and three installation options
- Linkable
Cons
- Non-dimmable
- Individual lights don't offer a ton of coverage
These versatile full-spectrum LED grow lights are a great value, available in 2- and 4-foot 6-packs. For starters, their plug-and-play design allows you to link them end-to-end, plus you can choose three installation options with all hardware included. There's also a reflector to help increase efficiency up to roughly 20 percent.
Each 42-watt light boasts a 50,000-hour lifespan and is available in 2- or 4-foot sets. The downside is that they aren't dimmable, and the bulbs are narrow, so they may not offer as broad coverage as other higher-priced options.
Key Specs
| Style | Ceiling mount or hanging |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 48 x 1.38 in |
| Wattage | 42 |
| Weight | 1.15 lb each, 7 lb total |
Pros
- Stylish design
- Multiple sizes and colors
- Easy plug-in installation
Cons
- On the pricey side
The grow light is available in black and white in two sizes, and it gets rave reviews, with an average 4.8 stars from more than 200 customers. It features a 15-inch fabric-covered cord and—bonus!—doesn't need to be hardwired, plus it includes a basic outlet timer, along with wall fairleads and a hook to keep the cord in place. There's an LED chip instead of a bulb with an approximate 15-year lifespan.
| Style | Pendant, hanging |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 4 x 4 in |
| Wattage | 20 |
| Weight | 2.75 lb |
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4
Best Indoor Garden
Rise Gardens Personal Garden and Starter Kit
4
Best Indoor Garden
Rise Gardens Personal Garden and Starter Kit
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Very simple growth instructions
- App-enabled for easy tracking
- Great size, especially for kitchen spaces
Cons
- May be too pricey for those who may already have starter plants
- Pod system can get overcrowded
This freestanding personal garden maximizes growth space at such a small footprint, making it excellent for countertops and tiny spaces. Its incorporation of natural elements also makes it stylish like a trendy kitchen appliance or something out of a Design Within Reach catalog. Best of all, its set it and forget it approach to indoor gardening makes it an awesome pick for beginners. This is an excellent grow light solution to those wanting a tiny garden and don't mind starting from zero, but only if you can swing its cost.
The Personal Garden and Starter Kit comes packaged with eight pods stuffed with various plant seeds (four types of lettuces, four types of herbs) that'll grow within 30 days. The bottom of this freestanding garden has a pod tray and a watcher catcher. Just start your pods in a small plastic nursery (included), wait 7 days for them to sprout, then fill the catcher up with water and place each sprouted pod into the pod tray.
The accompanying app reminds you when it's time to added nutrtients to the water, plus you can adjust light settings to ensure it gets an optimal amount of articlficial sunshine to yield a good harvest.
I tested this personal garden kit over the course of 30 days and found it easy to grow from seed to plant, and, despite its large packaging, simple to assemble. After reading various users reviews that said the garden gets pretty crowded when growing eight pods at once, I opted to only grow four which provided ample space for the vegetables to breathe.
This is a solid starter kit that doesn't require more than a few glances at its directions, and although I couldn't find any info about wattage on its packaging, the light was bright enough to grow a tiny garden in our dark office basem*nt. Also, surprinsgly, it's built durabile though it's made with mostly plastic. Extra seed pods are roughly $24 per 12-pack, but if you're looking for a kit to house your already-sprouted starter plants, this isn't it.
Key Specs
| Style | Freestanding |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18 x 11 x 16 in. |
| Wattage | Unlisted |
| Weight | 14 lb |
5
Best Freestanding
Jump Start T5 Light Timer System
5
Best Freestanding
Jump Start T5 Light Timer System
Pros
- Ideal for stating seeds if you're short on space
- Adjustable light and stand extension
Cons
- Fluorescent bulb instead of LED
If you're growing fewer plants and don't want to deal with mounting or hanging lights, this is a smart pick for getting the job done. The stand is basic and effective, with a pulley system attached to the suspended full-spectrum fluorescent that can be lowered far down for seedlings.
There's also a 2-inch stand extension for tall plants, a timer, plus a 6-foot grounded cord with a switch. The stand takes up minimal space and comes in two sizes, but the fluorescent bulb isn't as effective for coverage as other options.
Key Specs
| Style | Freestanding |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 24.5 x 18.3 x 26 in |
| Wattage | 24 |
| Weight | 3.5 lb |
6
Best Countertop Panel
AeroGarden LED Grow Light Panel
Pros
- Versatile freestanding or suspended use
- Adjustable height and LED panel
Cons
- Price point is a little high
Key Specs
- Style: Freestanding; hanging
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 10.4-16.3 x 21.5 x 9 inches
- Wattage: 45 watts
- Options: 1 size/color
AeroGarden is best known for their awesome indoor hydroponic gardens, but the brand also makes freestanding grow lights for gardeners who don't mind getting their hands dirty. This model is designed to set on a countertop or other flat surface, or you can suspend it above plants using the included carabiner hanging system.
It's an excellent choice for seed trays, featuring blue-, red-, and white-light LEDs, plus the stand's height is adjustable and the panel swivels 360 degrees. It's priced a bit higher than some other similar options, but you also get more versatility with this model.
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7
Best Adjustable-Spectrum
Feit Electric Adjustable-Spectrum LED Grow Light
7
Best Adjustable-Spectrum
Feit Electric Adjustable-Spectrum LED Grow Light
Pros
- Customizable light for different growth stages
- Three installation options
Cons
- Non-dimmable
This affordable, adjustable-spectrum LED grow light allows you to customize settings for your plants’ growth stages. The three settings are full-spectrum white, blue for seedlings and early-stage growth, and red for the budding and flowering stage.
There are three installation options and the fixture features two integrated light strips with a 25,000-hour lifespan. The lights are non-dimmable but stay cool—and you can link up to four fixtures, sold individually and in a handy 4-pack set.
Key Specs
| Style | Ceiling mount, hanging |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.7 x 23.3 x 4.9 in |
| Wattage | 32 |
| Weight | 1.5 lb |
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
Kevin Cortez
Commerce Editor
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
