The 5 Best Grow Lights For Seedlings of 2023

I and my team curated a list of the 5 best grow lights for seedlings that I picked with detailed reviews. I will highlight their main features, performance, and suitability for your seedlings!

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: VIPARSPECTRA XS4000 LED
2. Best High Performance: Medic Grow Fold-8 LED
3. Best Dimmable: HYPHOTONFLUX HPF4000 LED
4. Best Built-In-Dimmer: SANSI Dimmable Grow Light
5. Best Output Power: Cultiuana CT-800 LED

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Best Overall: VIPARSPECTRA XS4000 LED

Specifications

Wattage	450W
Weight	23.5 pounds
Material	Aluminum

Product highlights

I recently upgraded to the best overall grow light for seedlings, the VIPARSPECTRA XS4000 LED, and it has been an incredible experience. 

It is a game changer, the grow light providing my baby tomato home plants with full spectrum LEDs. It includes 3000K warm white, 5000K white, 660nm deep red, and 730nm infrared light that mimics natural sunlight. Besides, its construction is strong enough to light up my 5×4 tent. I didn’t even need to use it at full intensity because it was already so bright.

Also, the grow lights operate at cooler temperatures, and they have a fan to keep the ballast and heatsink cool. Plus, the full-length heatsink with the whisper fan keeps the lights cool and in perfect working order. Moreover, the dual Mean Well driver and the Samsung LM301 diodes ensure reliable performance, and this device has made a big difference compared to my previous fluorescents.

Overall, the XS4000 is the perfect choice for my tent, and I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s a real gem in the Viparspectra lineup. Its quality of light and performance are worth every penny.

Pros

• Full-spectrum mimics natural sunlight
• High intensity
• LM301 LEDs and dual Meanwell drivers
• Dimmer control and heat dissipation
• Quiet operation

Cons

• Limited IR light visibility

Best High Performance: Medic Grow Fold-8 LED

Specifications

Wattage	760W
Weight	31.1 pounds
Material	Aluminum

Product highlights

This Medic lighting device is worth considering if you want to take your seedlings to the next level.

Its standout feature is its full spectrum with the LED bulbs’ combination of blue and red wavelengths. So I was very confident in using it in the seedling stage of my chilli plants. With six powerful LED bars, it emits a balanced spectrum that caters to all my seedlings.

Energy efficiency is another advantage of this product. It allows me to reduce energy costs while providing an optimal lighting source for growing plants. About its performance, its brightness was noticeable in my two 5×5 tents, even at low-power settings. All my baby chilli plants are growing fast and healthy. 

However, I find it a bit difficult in the assembly process. Since the panels are hinged, some work is required to set them up properly. But when I figured it out, the device worked perfectly!

Pros

• Full spectrum coverage
• Energy efficiency
• Sturdy and flexible build
• Bright and powerful

Cons

• Challenging to assemble

Best Dimmable: HYPHOTONFLUX HPF4000 LED

Specifications

Wattage	480W
Weight	24 pounds
Material	Aluminum

Product highlights

HYPHOTONFLUX HPF4000 LED grow light is a high-yield, full-spectrum power source that caters to all stages of home garden growth, from seedling to flowering. The combination of warm white, white, and deep red diodes provides the perfect full-spectrum and quality of light that my seedlings need to thrive.

The standout feature of the HPF4000 is its easy-dimmable design. I appreciate that I can control the brightness, especially as my plants go through growing stages. This type of grow light flexibility allows me to fine-tune the lighting conditions and optimise the growth rate. Whether I need a gentler light for seedlings or intense lighting during the flowering phase, the dimming function is a benefit.

In terms of performance, the HPF4000 effectively covers a 4 x 4 area, and I have seen the results firsthand. I am surprised! My plants thrived in its light.

Despite its high power, this emits very little heat, which is a significant advantage over other lights I have used in the past. The efficient heat dissipation system keeps the temperature in check, preventing any damage to my indoor plants. 

In terms of build quality, the HPF4000 is impressive. It is constructed with high-quality aluminium, which gives it a robust and durable feel. I have no doubts about its longevity, and I am confident that it will withstand the rigours of long-term use.

Pros

• High-yield, full-spectrum
• Easy dimming design
• Low heat emission
• Wide coverage area
• Heavy-duty build quality

Cons

• No timer

Best Built-In-Dimmer: SANSI Dimmable Grow Light

Specifications

Wattage	200W
Weight	7.83 pounds
Material	‎Ceramic, Aluminium

Product highlights

When I started using the SANSI dimmable lighting for my seedlings, I was impressed with the incredible amount of light for its size, which was a pleasant surprise.

One feature that surprised me was the built-in dimmer with Samsung L301 diodes. I knew it was dimmable, but I didn’t realise it came with a dimmer. It works well, although it would be better with a percentage display to indicate the opacity level. But for my vegetable crops, the accuracy of opacity doesn’t matter, as they are not as sensitive as herbs.

Besides, its brightness is quite impressive. I have tomato, pepper, and green pea plants growing down there, and they are growing well in my 3×3 tent. The intensity of 200 W did not cause any damage or heat stress to the plants; they were all growing towards the light.

However, it does heat up during operation (still much cooler than traditional HPS or MH grow lights). Thus, I recommend placing this device at a suitable height so as not to burn the leaves.

Pros

• High light output for its size
• Have dimmable features
• Lightweight and easy installation

Cons

• Generate heat during operation

Best Output Power: Cultiuana CT-800 LED

Specifications

Wattage	800W
Weight	22.04 pounds
PPF	2240 umol/s

Product highlights

Since I turned the Cultiuana CT-800 LED grow light on, I knew I had made the right choice in terms of the size of the grow light I needed for my indoor gardening setup!

First and foremost, the output power of this lighting device is impressive. At 800 W, it provides high intensity to support the growth of my seedlings. Whether it is the vegetative or flowering stage, this lighting covers it all with its full spectrum. Thus, it ensures that my plants receive the suitable wavelength at every growth stage.

Besides, the CT-800’s coverage is commendable. With 5 x 5 square feet of coverage, it illuminates enough space in my growing area. In addition, with an efficiency of 2.8 μmol/J, it efficiently converts electrical energy into usable light for plant photosynthesis. So it is an energy-saving option for indoor gardening.

I also appreciate its dimmable feature, which makes it a perfect choice for adjusting the intensity to meet the specific requirements of my seedlings. Moreover, I didn’t hear any noise during its operation. It has a thermal management system (it doesn’t rely on fans or other active cooling methods).

As can be seen, the last option on this list will not disappoint you with what it brings compared to the cost!

Pros

• High power
• Full spectrum from seed to harvest
• High energy efficiency
• Dimming capability

Cons

• High price

Conclusion

My comprehensive review of the 5 best grow lights for seedlings highlighted seedling growth, taking into account their features, performance, and suitability.

From my point of view, the VIPARSPECTRA XS4000 LED is a good-quality grow light. You can ensure that your seedlings receive the ideal lighting environment, similar to natural sunlight, promoting strong growth.

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