Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
Little natural light in your home doesn’t have to mean living without plants — if you invest in an LED grow light. These lights deliver a full spectrum of light, replicating what plants would get from sunlight. They can be used to sprout seeds, grow healthy seedlings in early spring, encourage abundant blooms, or just keep your plants lush and healthy year-round.
While the best LED grow lights tend to be a bit more expensive than standard grow lights, there are a few benefits that make them worth spending extra. For one, LED lights are long-lasting and use minimal energy, so you’re likely to recoup your initial investment. Another is that they come in a variety of styles to suit different setups. For example, there are under-shelf strip lights, large LED panels for more coverage, and countertop models designed for growing herbs.
If you’re ready to give your plants a boost, these are the best LED grow lights we recommend, along with everything you need to consider before making a final decision.
Best LED Grow Lights
- Best Overall: Mars Hydro TS-1000 LED Grow Light
- Best for Herbs: GrowLED Indoor Garden
- Best Strips: Mosthink LED Grow Light Strips
- Best Clip-On: GooingTop LED Grow Light
- Best Large: Barrina BU 2000 LED Grow Light
What to Consider
Installation
Most commonly, grow lights hang from the ceiling and can be raised or lowered to the appropriate height for your plants. When selecting a hanging light, be sure to check its weight, installation requirements, and cord length for mounting.
If a hanging light isn’t feasible for your space, there are other styles of grow lights to consider. Stick-on LED grow light strips are handy for installing underneath cabinets, and there are also lights that have a clip to attach to a shelf or desk. If you only have one plant that needs a light, you might consider a stake light, which can be installed directly into the planter.
PPF Rating
There are also more technical aspects of LED grow lights to get a handle on. Most LED grow lights have full-spectrum bulbs, which give off both cool and warm light to replicate natural sunlight. Knowing each product’s light output is essential, which is indicated by its PPF rating.
PPF is the number of photons that a light produces per second, and different PPF levels are better for different types of plants. For instance, low-light plants and seedlings only need a PPF of 100–200, while fruiting vegetables need a much higher PPF of 400–500. If you plan to grow plants at multiple stages, you may want to look for a light that allows you to change its PPF settings.
Dimming
Dimmable grow lights offer several benefits—both for you and your plants. Some plants actually prefer lower levels of light, and a full-strength grow light may end up scorching their leaves. The same holds true for extra-tall plants. In these instances, it’s beneficial to be able to turn the light’s brightness down to a safe level.
As an added bonus, dimmable lights can also help you save money on electricity. When their brightness level is turned down, the lights use less energy. It may not be a noticeable impact if you just have one grow light, but for large commercial setups, the savings can be substantial.
Timer
Depending on how they’re being used, grow lights typically need to be left on for between eight and 16 hours a day. You can turn them on and off manually, but it’s more convenient if lights have a built-in timer. Some models even allow you to create a custom schedule, turning on and off as needed to keep your plants happy.
How We Selected
In addition to my career as a product tester, I also run a small homestead where we sell vegetables and flowers, so I’m quite familiar with LED grow lights. Every spring, I use two large LED grow lights to sprout hundreds of plants and start seedlings, which we then plant out in the gardens.
To find the best grow lights to suit different setups, we looked for top-rated products in a wide range of styles. We evaluated each product based on factors such as its size, installation requirements, energy use, and bulb life, prioritizing options that are easy to use for gardeners of all skill levels.
Looking for more ways to grow and showcase your plants? Check out our stories on the best greenhouse kits, the best plant stands, and the best raised garden beds.
1
Best Overall
Mars Hydro TS-1000 LED Grow Light
1
Best Overall
Mars Hydro TS-1000 LED Grow Light
Pros
Wide-angle coverage- High PPF
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Gets hot at 100 percent brightness
While slightly expensive, this LED grow light is a worthwhile investment to help your indoor plants thrive. The light is a 3-by-3-foot square with more than 350 LED bulbs that delivers wide-angle light coverage, and its PPF ranges from 150 to 1,000-plus, depending on how much you dim it.
There’s a knob on top of the light that makes it easy to dim or brighten, and if you have a large setup, you can connect up to 60 of these lights together. Plus, it comes with a plug-in timer, as well as a digital thermometer, providing everything you need for happy, healthy plants.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 14.17 x 13.23 x 2.36 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 150 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | Not listed |
Pros
- Height adjustable
- Tray for plants
- Built-in timer
Cons
- Growing pots not included
You can grow fresh herbs virtually anywhere in your house with the help of this attractive LED grow light. The light is mounted above a 7.5-by-17.7-inch tray, where you can arrange several small pots, and the height of the light itself can easily be raised or lowered to suit your growing needs.
The unit’s PPF is around 1,150, and there are five brightness levels and four timer settings, including eight, 12, 16, and 24 hours. The unit is also compatible with smart plugs.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 7.48 x 17.72 x 18.7 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 20 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | Not listed |
Pros
- Large coverage area
- Adjustable side panels
- High PPF
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- No timer
For large-scale growing, you’re going to want an oversized LED grow light, such as this one from Barrina. The hanging panel is a 4-by-4-foot square, but it has adjustable side panels that can be lowered down to create a more focused coverage area.
The PPF value in the center of the light can reach up to 1,600, making it ideal for a wide range of growing applications, and the light features a dimming knob, as well as an on/off switch. It's also backed by a three-year warranty.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 0.2 x 15.36 x 15.63 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 200 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | Not listed |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Best for All Growth Stages
KingLED Grow Lights
4
Best for All Growth Stages
KingLED Grow Lights
Pros
- Three lighting modes for different plant stages
- Very bright light for better penetration
- Built-in fans for cooling
Cons
- Lights do emit some heat
Some people simply use grow lights to start seeds, but if you want the light to sustain your plants through multiple growth stages, this model has three modes for different light colors. There are settings for the germination, flowering, and fruit stages, and by providing the right type of light for your plants, it helps to produce larger yields.
This hanging grow light covers roughly 3 by 3 feet, and its 200 LED diodes give off a bright light—up to 6,680 lumens—that helps penetrate dense foliage. However, the lights do get quite warm if they’re on for several hours, and while the fixture has a built-in fan to dissipate some of the heat, you may want to monitor the temperature of your plants and add another fan, if needed.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 15.35 x 10.98 x 1.61 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 200 |
| Dimmable | No |
| Bulb Life | Not listed |
Pros
- Stick-on design
- Extra-long lifespan
- Built-in timer
Cons
- PPF not listed
These LED strips are another budget-friendly option that are easy to install. The set comes with two 13-inch LED light strips, as well as double-sided tape that you can use to attach the lights underneath a cabinet or shelf. The controller has a built-in timer that can be set to two, four, or eight hours, and there are four brightness levels, as well. Plus, the LED strips have an impressive 50,000-hour lifespan, so they will last you for many years.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 13.8 x 3 x 2 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 15 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | 50,000 hours |
6
Best Hanging
GE LED Grow Light Integrated Fixture
6
Best Hanging
GE LED Grow Light Integrated Fixture
Pros
- Balanced light spectrum
- Includes mounting chains
Cons
- Narrow field of light
This LED grow light is a 24-inch bar that’s designed to hang directly over plants. It uses a balanced light spectrum with a red:blue ratio inspired by best practices of professional growers. It has a PPF of 72, making it well-suited for starting seeds, and its light appears white, so it won’t be a nuisance when used indoors. The unit comes with mounting chains, as well as a 5-foot power cord, and it’s rated to last for up to 25,000 hours.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 4.75 x 2.6 x 24 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 40 |
| Dimmable | No |
| Bulb Life | 25,000 hours |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Best Clip-On
GooingTop LED Grow Light
7
Best Clip-On
GooingTop LED Grow Light
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Dual-head design
- Built-in timer
Cons
- PPF not listed
If you just have a few houseplants that you want to provide with supplemental light, this LED grow light is affordable and easy to use. It has a clip-on design for attaching to a shelf or tabletop, and it features two tube-shaped lights that are held up by flexible goosenecks.
You can bend the supports to angle the lights in any direction, and the controller offers five brightness settings, as well as a built-in timer that can be set to four, eight, or 12 hour cycles.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 2.5 x 4.5 x 12.98 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 25 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | 30,000 hours |
8
Best Dimmable
VIVOSUN VS1000 LED Grow Light
8
Best Dimmable
VIVOSUN VS1000 LED Grow Light
Pros
- Dims down to 25 percent
- Waterproof design
- Lightweight design is easy to hang
Cons
- Fan recommended to dissipate heat
For more control over your grow light, you may want a dimmable light like this one. It can be dimmed down to 25 percent and on lower settings produces less heat and uses less energy. Being able to dim the light is helpful to prevent burning the upper leaves on tall and beneficial for plants that need less light to grow.
This LED grow light is waterproof and designed to hang. At just over 3 pounds, installation in a grow tent is fairly easy. It provides a 3-foot coverage area, but you can link up to 20 lights for a larger growing setup.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 13.98 x 17.32 x 14.37 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 100 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | Not listed |
9
Best For a Single Plant
Lordem Full Spectrum LED Plant Light
Pros
- Affordable
- Built-in timer
- Height-adjustable
Cons
- PPF not listed
If you just want a grow light for a single plant, this LED grow light is the way to go. It's mounted on a telescoping metal stake, and all you have to do is stick the support into your plant’s pot and adjust the height of the light as needed, up to 26 inches. The light panel itself can also be rotated 180 degrees.
The LED grow light has four brightness settings, as well as a built-in timer with four, eight, or 12-hour options, and it will last for up to 50,000 hours.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 12.28 x 4.49 x 1.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Watts | 10 |
| Dimmable | Yes |
| Bulb Life | 50,000 hours |
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
