Best Commercial LED Grow Lights Buying Guides
Intensity of light
Plants need adequate light for healthy growth, and that is why the intensity of the LED grow lights matters. The intensity is not quantified by how bright the light is but more by the number of photons available.
Different plants have different photon needs, and therefore it is important to confirm how much light is needed for those specific plants to thrive before making any decisions.
The number of light tomatoes that need to thrive will not be the same as, say, lettuce or basil because they are small plants. The larger the plant, the more photons will be needed to permit the plant's healthy growth.
You should always check the PPF reading to determine the amount of light produced by the fixture. The term PPF refers to Photosynthetic Photon Flux measured in umol/s. The higher the PPF reading, the more photons your plant access to thrive.
If you want to cover an area of 4' x 4', an LED light with a PPF reading of 1500umol/s is adequate. Those who need more coverage will require larger LED lights with a higher PPF reading.
Alternatively, there are models that offer dimmable lights so that you can adjust the light intensity according to the plant's growth stage. A good example of this is the HLG 600 V2 B SPEC which provides full-spectrum coverage and a PPF reading of 1446 to give a veg footprint of 6' x 6'.
Area of Coverage
If you want LED lights for commercial spaces, you need to understand the overall size of the area. This way, you can formulate a plan on how to make sure all the plants in the space have adequate light.
You can choose to buy a large LED light covering the entire space or settle for several grow lights that are well-spaced out.
Also, the number of plants in the space needs to be accounted for. You don't want to overcrowd the area because the base of the plants will not be able to receive much light. Space your plants in such a way that proper light distribution and air ventilation are possible.
Ensure to check the manufacturer's PAR map to understand the intensity of light in an area of a specific size. The PAR maps are a good way to estimate how much light each LED grow light has to offer according to the brand.
Quality parts
LED grow lights are not cheap; in fact, it is an investment for those who need them for commercial reasons. Durability is crucial, especially for grow lights that operate daily because of the constant wear and tear.
For example, the Nextlight Mega 650 watt LED Grow Light can work in both dry and damp conditions with no worries, and it comes with a 5-year warranty.
It is then essential for you to select grow lights that provide a long warranty because it indicates that the quality can be trusted. The longer the warranty, the better because you can expect the lights to last as long as the warranty.
Spectrum
Another important feature to consider in growing LED lights is the spectrum. The spectrum generally means the different light wavelengths available. Plants at different stages of growth require different wavelengths for proper development.
For example, red light is suitable for the flowering stage, while blue light works best for the veg stage.
In the marketplace, you find that LED growth lights either feature a broad or targeted spectrum. Targeted spectrums utilize diodes of specific wavelengths to equal photosynthetic peaks that facilitate chlorophyll absorption.
Considered photosynthetically efficient, targeted spectrums may feature green, UVA, and Far Red.
Broad-spectrum models usually feature lower-powered diodes or white COBs paired with more diodes like UV to complete the spectrum. The white diodes are believed to give all of the vital wavelengths that plants need to thrive.
The spectrum offers more green light rather than pink or purple than the targeted spectrum provides.
In short, consider what stage your plants are in, and source grows lights that will produce either quality plants or high yields.
Programmable features
For commercial purposes, LED lights should run optimally without taking up too much electricity, which is why customizable features are convenient. Depending on the plants you are growing, you might want to invest in a model like the Kind LED Indoor WiFi LED Grow Light K5 Series XL750.
The grow lights feature a timer and remote control to program when you want the lights to run, which saves energy. This 450W covers an area of 4' x 4,' and it is ideal for home growers, but you can buy several models for commercial use.
It consists of a customizable spectrum of 208 diodes that include UV, IR, 3w, and 5w to provide the plants with the photons they need for the veg or flowering stage.
Budget
The much that you are willing to spend is crucial to the size and quality of grow lights you can access. You can buy cheap LED grow lights, but they will not last as long as grow lights like the BLACK DOG PHYTOMAX-2 1000.
These lights are not cheap, but they are compact and powerful with a 5-year warranty; hence the manufacturer guarantees durability. They provide a flowering footprint of 6.5' x 6.5', and a veg footprint of 8' x 8,' and offer a full spectrum that includes 365-750nm, NIR to UV.
If you only want to grow lights for a single season, there is no need to break the bank. However, if the lights are for daily commercial use, they will cost you substantially more, but they will last longer.
Work within a budget so that you narrow down the brands that offer good value for money. Working without a budget might cause you to spend more than expected.
FAQs
How should users space their grow lights?
Spacing your grow lights depends on the intensity and the area of coverage. However, to be safe, it is better to space them about 4 inches apart.
If you place them too close, there is a high chance of overlapping, which will expose some plants to more light than necessary. Spacing them too far apart will result in a loss of energy as plants will not be able to maximize the light released.
In short, make sure that your lights do not overlap too much, as this will result in too much heat. Adequate spacing of the lights makes sure that the light produced works for the best of the plants.
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How do you tell if the light intensity is too much?
LED grow lights can be intense for plants, especially if placed too close to the plant. A sign that the light intensity is too much is when the leaves start browning at the edges or bleach. If the light intensity is not reduced, these leaves will curl up and eventually wilt.
Manufacturers always specify the recommended height for the LED lights to be suspended from the plants. In addition, it is crucial that the growing area is well-ventilated to dissipate any heat that may damage the plants unnecessarily.
Are Led grow lights expensive to run?
LED grow lights do not consume a lot of electricity, and therefore they are not expensive to run. Purchasing the units might cost you a pretty penny, but once you install them, the utility bills are not as high. Some models in the market come with adjustable settings and timers; hence you can save on electricity when the lights are not needed 24/7.
Final Thoughts
At first, shopping for grow lights for commercial spaces can be confusing because there are so many options in the market.
It is up to you to filter the best commercial LED grow lights from the average, just by looking at the features offered.
Apart from the features offered, remember that the price also counts because you cannot purchase what you cannot afford.
If you don't want to break the bank but still get quality to-grow lights, you can always pick the HLG 600 V2 B SPEC.
Those who need a model with an adjustable spectrum will find the Kind LED Grow Lights K5 XL750 suitable as it is also fitted with an in-built timer.
Overall, the BLACK DOG PHYTOMAX-2 1000 will be suitable for those looking for durable premium LED grow lights that will accompany plants throughout their growth stages.
By no means are these the only available models in the market, but according to our research, these LED grow lights have proven to offer good performance.
The best commercial LED lights will be subjective to the plants you want to grow, so take your time to look through all the features and select the most suitable lights.
