Sometimes, high output LED lights are a necessity, depending on the type of plants you’re growing indoors.
While some will do okay when you place them near a window, some need more light, which is where to grow lights come in.
Still, some demand brighter light, especially during the seeding phase. This article explains all you need to know about high-output grow lights.
What Are High-Output Grow Lights?
High-output LED grow lights employ advanced lighting technology. And as their name suggests, they produce more light, almost twice the brightness of standard ones.
Therefore, if you have plants that need a sunny habitat or one that mimics a dry climate, consider high-output grow lights.
These lights are perfect for plants like citrus, rosemary, geranium, and cactus. Also, generally, any other plants that thrive in a dry environment.
Further, these lights work well with flowering and fruiting plants, well known for their need for plenty of light.
Simply expose the plants for about 16 hours daily and place them at least 12 inches from the plant.
Features of High Output LED Grow Lights: Buyer’s Guide
The following are some unique features of high-output LED lights that make them different from standard grow lights:
- High-efficiency diodes: With these diodes, the lights can save up to 40% energy and more. Therefore, you will achieve higher growth with fewer energy bills to pay.
- Full spectrum: Now, the full spectrum feature provides the light wavelengths (ranging from blue to red peaks) needed for all stages of plant development. In other words, they mimic sunlight.
(Caption: Full spectrum LED light)
- Different lighting modes: Another great feature of high-output grow lights is their different lighting modes. So with a switch, you can shift from high or low light requirements, depending on the needs of your plants. Also, you can activate UV and IR modes simultaneously or at different times.
- Adjustable dimmer: Interestingly, different plant growth phases require different light intensities. On this account, the high-output LED lights feature a dimmer. These allow you to vary the amount of light to the required levels.
- Smart input voltage: Another remarkable feature of these high-output lights is that they allow you to connect the bulbs to different power cables. Also, these lights offer a broader voltage range, 100V to 277V. Therefore, they’ll work with the voltage rates of different regions across the globe.
- Wide coverage area: An essential feature of good grow lights is coverage. And high output lights not only produce more light but have wider beams that can cover a wider area while maintaining light output consistency. They can cover two square feet, some even up to four square feet.
- Advanced control: Another cool feature of these grow lights is that you can connect them to any of your favorite controllers or apps. That way, you can access more advanced settings.
Tips for Selecting the Best High-Output LED Grow Lights
Usually, the quantity, manner in which you grow your plants, and preference will determine the high output LED grow lights best suited for your plants.
For example, are you growing them in a small area, a larger area or commercially? Also, do you prefer to stack or want something lightweight?
Here are some features to look out for depending on your needs and preference:
Large Capacity
For plants in a large grow area, you need lights with a higher distribution ability. For example, with a 120-degree distribution feature, you can adequately cover two to four square feet of beam distribution.
With such a light dispersion, you can provide sufficient lighting to all the plants in your growing area.
(Caption: Large grow area)
Stackable
Are you growing your plants in stacks? Then you’re better off with high-output grow lights with a simple design.
With such a design, you can easily hang and stack without damaging the bulb.
Lightweight
If you prefer something lightweight that you can easily install, it doesn’t mean you must limit yourself.
For example, lights with super lightweight designs cover up to six square feet.
Also, sufficient PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density) of up to 600. Therefore, as you can see, the lightweight feature does not limit output or coverage area.
Commercial
If you’re planting for commercial use, you need lights with much higher coverage and light intensity.
Such lights have a three-channel targeted light spectrum. Also, you can adjust the spectrum.
Regarding light dispersion, you can get a beam that covers huge areas of 16 to 36 square feet. These can produce a PPF (photosynthetic photon flux) of 1,650 micromol/s, which means the light can support six plants simultaneously.
Further, more than ever, you need dimmers to vary light intensity and spectrum.
(Caption: Growing for commercial use)
Small Capacity
For small coverage or a beginner, an output of 150W will do. Such voltage will generate an output equivalent to 400 W HPS supporting one or two flowering plants.
However, you still need an adjustable spectrum that you can set to different wavelengths (red, blue, and infrared) depending on the plant’s growth stage.
Strongest Output
Sometimes, the plants you’re growing may require intense light. In such cases, you need lights that can achieve the deepest penetration but with light heat emission.
Also, you can get lights with a unique design that supports programmable switching on and off without needing a timer.
FAQs
What Are the Highest Quality LED Grow Lights?
Undoubtedly, the high output LED grow lights are the best grow lights you can find.
That’s because they produce up to twice as much light as standard LED lights without emitting heat.
What Type of LED is Best for Growing Plants?
Now the types of plants you’re growing determine the grow lights you purchase. See, there are three categories of LED grow lights.
First, low-end lights produce less light. Then, medium-end with medium output. Lastly, high-end LED lights with the highest light output.
How Far Should a 1000W LED Grow Lights Be From Plants?
A rule of thumb when determining grow light distance is to place bulbs with a high output higher than those with lower output.
For example, you can place 1,000W lights 24 to 36 inches above the plants’ canopy. That way, they won’t harm your plants in the long run by scorching them.
But always remember that what matters with LED grow lights is the intensity or brightness produced, not how many watts it consumes.
Conclusion
That’s it on high-output LED grow lights. Without a doubt, they’re the latest technology in grow lights with more light output with better intensity.
Consider the tips mentioned above, and you can’t go wrong with selecting these remarkable grow lights.