The Best Full-Spectrum Light

Growing your own plants can be very rewarding. Whether you lack the backyard space for a garden and want to grow vegetables in the kitchen, or you love having tons of houseplants around, the proper equipment will help you successfully grow plants indoors. One of the most important tools is a full-spectrum light, as this allows you to provide the plant with its preferred amount of light.

When selecting a full-spectrum light, you’ll need to consider how big your growing area is. There are units that are designed to provide light for approximately one to four plants, as well as models, such as the Maxsisun Sunlike Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights, which cover a 2-foot by 2-foot space.

Look for flexibility when opting for a small full-spectrum light. The Jueyingbaili 80W Full Spectrum Plant Lights comes with four adjustable arms that can be twisted and bent to provide light at just the right angle for up to four plants. The unit is lightweight and portable, which makes it a great choice for both home and office. It’s also powered via a USB or AC power adapter.

Check to see how customizable the full-spectrum light is, as you want to ensure it allows you to provide just the right amount of light. For example, some models have three different light settings, while others come with as many as nine dimming levels. You can even purchase a full-spectrum light with a timer that will automatically turn on and off based on times you enter into the system.

Review the type of light that is used, as you want a full-spectrum light that most resembles the natural light from the sun. The Mibest 10,000 Lux Full Spectrum Natural Sun Light is ideal, as it imitates sunlight while being easy on the eyes. It also doesn’t flicker or produce a glare.

Consider a full-spectrum light that runs quietly. Some models use a fan to stay cool to the touch, and these fans are often noisy. Instead, go with a model that is cooled by a thick 3-millimeter aluminum heat sink. This passive heat exchanger runs without making a sound and works by transferring the heat to a cooling medium before expelling it from the machine.

Finally, you’ll want to choose a full-spectrum light that is energy efficient. The VeRosky Full Spectrum 3500K Sunlike Grow Lights uses 1,000-watt LED lights and is built with a 90-degree reflector that allows you to concentrate the light. This results in losing 30% less light, which means you’ll use less energy. Some models are so efficient that they use 50% less electricity than other lights on the market, so make sure you do your homework if you want to keep your electric bill low.

• Some full-spectrum lights can get a little too hot to the touch, so use caution when adjusting or moving the lights after they’ve been on for a while.
• Where you place the full-spectrum light, and for how long, is dependent upon the plant’s stage of growth. Ideally, you want to set the light 8 to 10 inches above a seedling and have it turned on for approximately 12 to 14 hours per day. At the vegetative stage, hang the light 6 to 8 inches above the plant and run the light for 14 to 16 hours each day. Move the light to within 4 to 6 inches of the plant when it reaches the flower and fruit stage. Keep the light on for 14 to 18 hours each day.
• Look for a full-spectrum light that is splash-proof, as you’ll need to water your plants from time to time and splashes happen.
• Avoid using full-spectrum lights that have infrared or ultraviolet lights, as these have the potential to hurt your eyes.
• Make sure the light unit you select is suitable for all stages of growth. You don’t want to have to purchase one light for seedings and another for plants that have reached the fruiting stage.
• Full-spectrum lights have a wide range of uses. In addition to setting them up for your indoor plants, you can also use them for tissue culture, vegetable cultivation, breeding, growing greenhouse plants, illuminating an aquarium and pipeline cultivation.
• If price is one of the factors you’re considering when shopping for a full-spectrum light, you’ll find both the Jueyingbaili 80W Full Spectrum Plant Lights and the Mibest 10,000 Lux Full Spectrum Natural Sun Light affordable. The VeRosky Full Spectrum 3500K Sunlike Grow Lights has a more moderate price tag, while the Maxsisun Sunlike Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights is a bit more expensive than the others.