Best Grow Lights for Seedlings
Greetings, budding grower (did you catch that little play on words?)
So you want to grow your seeds indoors and need the best grow light for seedlings to help you along? Luckily for you, I have been in your shoes and have tested many, many lights over the years.
Here are my top picks based on whichever type of light suits you best. Be sure to check out the full table to choose the right product for your needs. Time to get growing!
Contents
Best LED Grow Lights for Seedlings
| Type | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Standing Panel  | AeroGarden 45w LED Grow Light Panel |
| Check Price On Amazon |
Best Standing Lamp  | EZORKAS 9 Dimmable Levels Grow Light |
| Check Price On Amazon |
Best Hanging Light  | MARS HYDRO TS 1000W LED Growing Light |
| Check Price On Amazon |
Best 2 in 1  | AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Hydroponic Garden |
| Check Price On Amazon |
Best Tall Stand  | Jump Start 2′ T5 Grow Light System (Stand, Fixture & Tube) – JSV2 |
| Check Price On Amazon |
What to Look for in the Best Grow Lights for Seedlings
If you’d love to consider other full spectrum LED grow light models, below are some of the factors you can consider.
Size
For starters, how tall your plants can grow should help you choose the right model. You need to factor in the distance between the lights and the plants. You also need to consider how much space you have in your house. If you have limited horizontal space, you can stack several of them vertically.
Price
If you’re on a budget, you can look for basic features such as the basic floor lamp, or a single freestanding unit. If you’re looking for advanced features such as a control panel, stackable units, or even extra items such as the seed starting mix, it’s going to cost more.
Light spectrum
Red and blue lights are the most common in most grow lights. Blue is essential during the initial stages of growth, while red is vital during the mature stages of producing flowers. Other colors include yellow, white, green, and purple.
They are not that significant, but they have their role in a plant’s growth. It’s best to choose a full-spectrum light, one that has all the colors. The only disadvantage is that full-spectrum lights may consume a lot of electricity. So choose a light that has most of the colors in the spectrum, while being energy efficient.
Types of Grow Light Bulbs to Use for Seedlings
Below are some of the most common types of bulbs for grow lights
- Full-spectrum fluorescent bulb – Fluorescent light mimics natural light. They produce a considerable amount of heat, and some of them are not energy efficient. If your plants need a lot of warmth, they are the best for that. Others include;
- Light Emitting Diode (LED) – These have a purple-ish color since they have more of the red and blue light. They are the most energy-efficient, durable, and effective in providing light for plants at all stages.
- High-Pressure Sodium Vapor – This type of bulbs has a red and yellow spectrum. They are the best when your plants are mature but may be detrimental for seedlings if used alone.
- Metal Halides – This type emits blue and green light. They are very fragile and consume a lot of power.
- Kelvin Scale – This is a measure of a color’s temperature on a scale of 1000 to 10,000. They are indicated by a capital K, such as 6500K. A value of 3000K is ideal for flowering, while 6500K is ideal for vegetation and early stages of growth.
- PPFD – This stands for Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density. It measures the number of photons in visible light, which is the light that’s crucial for plants’ growth. The process of measuring it is quite technical, but here’s what you need to know, the higher the PPFD value, the better. Most manufacturers have indicated this value on their lights.
Grow Light for Seedlings FAQs
1. Do I Need a Grow Light for Seedlings?
Plants need as much sunlight as they can get as they grow. If your plants have access to sunlight, you may not need an LED grow light. If you want to grow plants during winter or don’t have sunny windowsills, then grow lights may come in handy.
2. How Far Should the Grow Lights Be From the Seedlings?
This depends on the lights you’re using. LED lights operate at lower temperatures. So you can place them six inches from the plants. Fluorescent lights may have a higher heat signature so you can place them 12 inches from the plants.
3. How Do You Know if Your Plants Are Getting Enough Light?
If the leaves are yellowing, dull green, or falling off, your plants aren’t receiving enough light. Elongated stems are also a sign of deprivation of light. If the leaves show burned patches, then they are getting too much light.
The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings
Best Freestanding Grow Light for Seedlings
Sunlite 3-Tier
Key Features
- It features a powder-coated steel frame.
- It also has three trays, and casters for portability.
- The distance between the lights and the plants is adjustable, with the maximum height being 14.75 inches.
- It also features two full-spectrum 6500K LED lights above each shelf.
- The dimensions for the trays are 51 x 14.75 x 68.5 inches.
- Each LED tube has a shelf-life of 10,000 hours.
- The LED lights have 120 watts actual power.
This Sunlite 3-Tier structure enables you to utilize your indoors to grow seedlings. It features three shelves, and high quality LED lights that compensate for the sunlight that your plants need as they grow.
Why we like it
- The three shelves provide ample growing space.
- The casters make this structure easy to maneuver.
- Powder-coated aluminum ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight.
- The LED lights are ideal for plant growth, and they are also very long-lasting.
What we don’t like
- The assembly process may take too long.
- Since the lights are horizontal, plants that are away from the trays may not get enough light.
Our Verdict
If you have limited space, the 3-tiers will give you enough space to plant any plants you’d like. The 6500K is also the recommended output for seedlings.
Best Stackable Grow Light for Seedlings
Stak N Grow Starter Kit
Key Features
- Each unit also has two 36 inches long 6500K LED bulbs, each with an aluminum reflector. You can also adjust the height of the lights from the plants.
- The dimensions for one unit are 31 inches (Length) * 15.5 inches (width) * 21 inches (Height).
- The manufacturer also provides a seed starting mix and 24 seedling markers.
- Each shelf can hold at least 110 pounds of plant weight.
- It also comes with a germination dome that maintains the right conditions for the germination of your seeds.
- It also features a water reservoir.
If you’re looking for a complete growing kit, you will love the Stak N Grower Kit. It comes with highly efficient LED lights, seed trays, seed starting mix, and several other components that ensure you create a conducive environment for your plants.
Why we like it
- You can stack up to four units, giving you a lot of vertical growing space.
- It also comes with wall brackets that enable you to attach it to the wall. This can come in handy when you have kids and pets playing around.
- It’s also effortless to assemble and maintain.
- You can also adjust the light heights based on the height of your plants.
- The LED lights are also more energy-efficient and long-lasting than fluorescent bulbs.
What we don’t like
- The add-ons are sold separately, making it an expensive option.
Our Verdict
We recommend this model for seedlings, especially for plants that will be transplanted. It comes with all the necessary items for growing plants. All you have to do is get your seeds, and you will have one of the best indoor gardens.
Best Tabletop Grow Light for Seedlings
Stak N Grow Light System
Key Features
- It features a heavy-duty plastic frame.
- Each unit is sold separately.
- The dimensions for one unit are 31 inches (Length) * 15.5 inches (width) * 21 inches (Height).
- The height of the unit is also adjustable.
- The posts come with an add-on that enables you to attach it to the wall for extra stability.
- Each shelf can hold three trays, each with 24 cells, and at least 110 pounds of plant weight.
- Each unit also has two 36 inches long T5 fluorescent bulbs, each with an aluminum reflector. You can also adjust the height of the lights from the plants.
This model is similar to the Freestanding Sunlite 3-Tier, but it’s smaller, and you can place it on a table in one of your rooms. You can purchase one unit, or stack two to three of them.
Why we like it
- It provides a lot of growing space thanks to the stackable nature, high weight capacity, and the 72 cells on each shelf.
- The adjustable height of the posts and the lights allow you to grow taller plants.
- It’s easy to assemble, and you don’t require any tools.
- The high-quality plastic ensures stability while maintaining a lightweight unit.
- The reflectors ensure that more than 50% of the light is focused on the plants.
What we don’t like
- The top trays may leak water into the lower lights.
- The plastic build feels a bit flimsy for some users.
Our Verdict
If you’re new to indoor gardening and would love to try it without spending too much money, this is for you. It may not handle very heavy plants, but it works great for seedlings. You can also purchase a boot tray to prevent the water from reaching the lights underneath.
Best Lamp Grow Light for Seedlings
Agrobrite Floor Lamp
Key Features
- It features an adjustable neck, and an adjustable height (from 48 inches to 61 inches).
- The lamp weighs 9.7 pounds.
- It features a 27 watts CFL bulb and six inches power cord.
- Base dimensions – 10.5 inches by 9 inches
- Head dimensions – 9 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 1.75 inches thick.
- It also features a six-foot-long power cord.
If you’re looking for a simple freestanding lamp for your indoor plants, this model suits you. It’s one of the most versatile, affordable, and effective grow lights.
Why we like it
- The flicker-free bulbs are energy efficient, and they provide enough light for the plants. They also have enough clarity for reading.
- It’s light and stable enough to be placed on a table or the floor.
- The adjustable height also enables you to use plants of different sizes.
- It’s also easy to assemble.
- It’s also beautiful.
What we don’t like
- Some users have complained that the lamps don’t last that long.
- It can only cover a few plants. If you have many plants, you need to purchase several lamps.
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for growing light that doubles up as a reading light, you may love this model. However, since it stands at least 48 inches high, it’s ideal for mature plants. It may not be the best for seedlings.
Grow Light Only
Phlizon
Key Features
- It has 60 10-watts LED lights, translating to 600 watts of growing light.
- It features the red and blue lights, which are ideal for flowering and foliage growth stages.
- The manufacturer provides a two years warranty.
- It also has no reflector like most grow lights.
- It features a humidity monitor and a heat monitor.
- It has a PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) output of 941 umol/m2s.
- It consumes 245 watts of electricity and covers a maximum of 3.5 feet by 3.5 feet.
This is the ultimate growing light. It features full-spectrum lights that adjust based on the stages of plant growth. It also has a thermometer and a humidity monitor, allowing you to control more aspects of your plant’s growth.
Why we like it
- It has a high PPFD output, which is ideal for flowering and budding.
- It is very energy efficient.
- It works at low temperatures.
- In the case of a short-circuit, the lack of a reflector minimizes the risks of fire.
What we don’t like
- The fan is noisy sometimes.
- The LED lights are not consistent in their output. As a result, some plants may not get enough light.
Our Verdict
We recommend this light for those with greenhouses. It is bright, has a color combination of red and blue light, and it doesn’t consume a lot of electricity. It also comes in different sizes, with the largest being 1200 watts.
Best Budget Grow Light for Seedlings
EZORKAS
Key Features
- It has a timing feature and an Auto on/off function.
- It features nine dimming levels and three switching modes.
- It has 80 LED lights (52 blue lights and 28 red lights).
- It features a clip that allows you to attach it firmly next to the plants.
This is a budget-friendly grow light that features color combination lights, and flexibility. It’s also an interactive device that allows you to control the dimming levels and timing.
Why we like it
- The USB connector makes it easy to connect it to a power supply.
- The red/blue spectrum makes it ideal for all stages of plant growth.
- Since most people complain about some lights being too bright, the nine dimming levels are an added advantage.
- It has four heads, and each of them can be adjusted based on the direction of your plants and the distance you’d love to have between the plants and the lights.
- The timing function enables you to monitor how long a plant receives light based on its requirements.
What we don’t like
- Considering its coverage area, this light is not energy efficient.
Our Verdict
Its power consumption is relatively higher, but it’s still an adequate indoor grow light. The control panel that allows you to control the timing, light intensity, and switching makes it stand out from the rest. It’s suitable for growing any type of plant indoors.
Low Bamboo LED
Key Features
- The frame is made from bamboo, while the trays have a galvanized steel base.
- Dimensions – 38.25 inches long, 18.75 inches wide, and 18.5 inches tall.
- The growing space for your plants is 12 inches tall.
- Each unit has 2 3960 lumens LED lights.
- It weighs 27 pounds, and each unit can handle up to 50 pounds.
- There are taller options if you have taller plants. These are the 36.5 inches and 52 inches tall options.
If you’d love to give your indoor garden that furniture look while providing your plants with enough light, you will like this model. It’s a stackable wooden garden that features high quality LED lights.
Why we like it
- The lights are bright enough that you don’t have to adjust their height from the plants.
- They also recessed to ensure they don’t glare outside the garden. You also don’t have to run the lights for long since they are strong enough. 10 to 12 hours are enough.
- The galvanized steel tray doesn’t leak water or rust easily.
- You can stack four of them for ample growing space.
- It also has casters that make it easy to move around.
- It’s also beautiful, and it will blend in with your home decor.
What we don’t like
- Some users found the assembly process difficult.
- You can’t adjust the light heights, so it may not be useful for some plants.
- Some items such as the screws and the light clips break easily.
Our Verdict
This grow light is ideal for all types of plants, including herbs, succulents, and even seedlings. Since the lights are fixed, make sure you choose a suitable kit for the plants you want to grow.
Final Thoughts
We vouch for the Aerogarden, for it has most of the aspects a gardener may be looking for, except that it’s quite expensive. The cheaper models are made of plastic, but this kit features a powder-coated aluminum frame. It’s also stackable to maximize small spaces, and you can adjust the distance of the lights from the plants to cater for different plant needs.
This kit also features 6500K LED lights which are energy efficient and ideal for seedlings. The frame can also hold a lot of weight, and the casters make this structure easy to move around the house. The installation process and the cost shouldn’t scare you away. The functionality is worth it.
