7 Of The Best Grow Light Bulbs
Introduction
Hi and welcome to this article about the best grow light bulbs. One of the many different types of light bulbs we review here at Light Bulb A to Z. Our many other reviews can be found here.
Firstly we have been growing plants indoors for a long time. For example pineapples were being grown from seeds and crowns back in greenhouses in the Netherlands in 1688. Worth the effort as a single pineapple could cost the equivalent of $8,000 today.
How Do Growing Lights Work?
Under normal circumstances the sun provides light to plants. The plants use the light in photosynthesis to provide the energy they need to grow and propagate.
Indeed plants make use of many different parts of sun light. For example, blue light can make the plant stockier and more dense, and red light causes the plant to grow taller.
Quality growing lights supply both a good amount of light and the correct spectrum of light. In fact grow lights are rated for photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) rather than lumens. PPF measures the amount of light that falls on the plants. But only light that works in photosynthesis. So the higher the PPF the more useful light the plans will receive.
To calculate the PPF from the lumens there is a very useful calculator here.
How We Chose The Best Grow Light Bulbs
Our selections are based on a number of criteria:
- Online reviews from a number of light bulb retailers
- Price, we are always looking for the best value
- Energy Star qualified, whether the bulbs has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA
- Lifetime and length of warranty, as these provide a measure of quality
- Dimmable, having a bulb that can be used with a dimmer switch makes it more versatile
LED – GE 32 Watt Par38 Grow Light
Not only have GE been in business since 1892 they are also the most popular brand here in the U.S.
To point out a few facts about the bulb. Firstly they are a PAR38 reflector, 4.75 inches in diameter and 5.12 inches in length with a thin 35 degree beam angle. Also they have a rated lifetime of 25,000 hours, a three year warranty and excellent reviews. Moreover the three year warranty is for 12 hours use per day rather than the usual three.
Finally they produce a huge amount of bright white light. So you will want to place them so that you cannot look directly into the bulb. GE also mention that though the light appears white it has a red: blue light spectrum that is perfect for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, leafy greens, and herbs. Also, according to the box, the lights need to be spaced 16 inches apart from each other. And the bulb should be located three to four foot from the plants.
Seeds and Green / Flowers and Fruit
To point out that there are two version of this bulb. One is for seeds and greens and costs $29 and the other is for flowers and fruits and costs $39. So check you are buying the correct one as they are not cheap. That said they do produce a lot of light and a very high PPF. In fact the highest amongst the LEDs reviewed in this best grow light bulbs list.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $39 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 150 watt equivalent / 32 watts actual
- Lumens: Approx 2800 lumens
- PPF (mol/s): 50
- Light Range: Bright White (¬4500k). Not rated for Kelvin.
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 3 years at 12 hours per day
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
LED – Feit Greenhouse Full Spectrum Grow Light
Feit are a family owned and operated company based in Los Angeles, California. According to their website they keep a stock of over 100,000,000 bulbs. So as to reduce order waiting time. Also they make a lot of different light bulbs including several shapes of grow bulbs.
Firstly Feit refer to this bulb as a full spectrum LED grow light bulb as it mimics natural sunlight. Indeed Feit make a whole enhance range that produce light close to sunlight. Coupled with this the bulbs emits specific blue and red light for improved photosynthesis.
Also the bulb is a flood light with a 110 degree beam angle, and can fits in tables lamps or hangs directly over plants. Finally it has a long 25,000 rated lifetime and a 2 year warranty.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $12.35 a bulb if bought in a 4-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 9 watts actual
- Lumens: 680
- PPF (mol/s): 14.2
- Light Range: Warm White (3300k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and Outdoor. Also suitable for damp locations rated for high humidity use
LED – Mfxmf 9 Watt Grow Light
Firstly lets start with the manufacturer. In general when I select a list of best-of bulbs there is one, or possible two makes that I have not hear of before. And in this case, I am unable to guess how to pronounce. Mfxmf sell their products on Amazon and at Walmart. They make table lamps, vanity lights, grow bulbs and pendent lights.
So a few points about the grow bulbs themselves. Mfxmf say it is a 100 watt equivalent but the power output is closer to a 60 watt. Though this a minor quibble considering how cheap these bulbs are. Moreover they are shatterproof and give off a white light. So they can function as additional room lighting.
Finally they have a 20,000 hour lifetime though reviewers have mentioned that they do not last as long as suggested.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $1.50 a bulb if bought in a 4-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 9 watts actual
- Lumens: 720
- PPF (mol/s): 13 approx
- Light Range: Bright White (4000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 20,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 1 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
LED – GE 9 Watt BR30 Grow Light
Not only have GE been in business since 1892 they are also the most popular brand here in the United States. They make a huge range of light bulbs including grow bulbs such as this one.
Firstly this is a mid-size flood light (BR30) with a bright white light that generates 16 PPF. While the light appears white it also has high blue/red levels to encourage plant growth. GE suggest this is perfect for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, leafy greens, and herbs.
While this grow bulb is not cheap at $15 it is rated to last 25,000 hours. Which at a high usage level of 18 hours a day is close to four years.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $15 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 9 watts actual
- PPF (mol/s): 16
- Lumens: Approx 900
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Warm White (3000k) Daylight (5000k) and Bright Daylight (6000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
LED – SANSI 15 Watt Grow Light
Sansi is a Chinese company, specializing in LED technology. Also they have an R&D focus with 500 in-house engineers. Leading to them having applied for 372 patents.
This grow bulb shows some of this research. Having a body made of a high-tech ceramic that is flame retardant. Furthermore the bulb gives of a high PPF of 26 and a lifetime of 25,000 hours. Something the company backs up with a five year warranty. Sansi claim that this is a 200 watt replacement bulb but the light output is closer to 150 watts. Still, taking this into account, these bulbs are good value at just under $13.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $12.75 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 200** watt equivalent / 15 watts actual
- Lumens: 1350
- PPF (mol/s): 26
- Light Range: Warm White (3800k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Incandescent – Philips 75 Watt BR30
In general here at Light Bulb A to Z we like to recommend newer LED light bulbs. They last longer, are more efficient and, nowadays, don’t cost much more than other bulbs. However, we also like to give you choice. So here are two non-LEDs for the best grow light bulbs list.
Firstly an incandescent bulb from Philips. Philips are the number one supplier of light bulbs in Europe and are known for their reliable if somewhat expensive bulbs. And at $10.50 for a light bulb that is only rated to last two years they are keeping up this reputation.
This 75-Watt BR30 is compatible with track and recessed lighting. Additionally it fits in a light fixture with a clamp. The bulb will provide good light for 2-3 square feet of plant.
As incandescents use a lot of power to create heat you could use this as an option if you wanted to warm up an area. For example a lean-to, or a green house in the colder months.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $10.50 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 75 watts actual
- Lumens: 700
- PPF (mol/s): 13 approx
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 2,000 hour (1.8 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: Yes
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
High Pressure Sodium – SYLVANIA 250W Plantastar Grow Light
Our second choice of non-LED light bulb is this high-pressure sodium light from Sylvania. After GE, Sylvania is the next most popular brand of light bulbs in the U.S.
In brief high pressure sodium lights, as the name suggests, contain sodium vapor at high pressure. There are two electrodes at the end of the tube. When a high enough voltage is applied the gas conducts electricity. Thus giving off a bright yellow light. They are often used in street lights. Also they have pretty good lifetimes, even better than many LEDs.
To point out this bulb gives off a massive amount of light, at 29,000 lumens of soft white light which also provides 335 PPF. However they do use a significant amount of power, some 250 watts. Due to their high power usage they require ANSI ballast S50 and come with a E39 Mogul base. So you cannot just pop them in any household socket.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $14.50 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 250 watts actual
- Lumens: 29000
- PPF (mol/s): 335
- Light Range: Soft White (2100k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 24,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: Yes/No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only