Best LED grow lights for growing cannabis?

[MeowMeow]

I see there's lots of knowledgeable growers here. I was wondering, what's your current favorite grow light (LED or otherwise) for growing weed?

From what I can read online:

• Electric Sky was the best LEDs for weed, and they had Earthdust organic nutrients (I'm so sad those are gone) but Electric Sky went out of business during COVID unfortunately.
• Most popular LEDs for growing weed - The kind you can buy on Amazon: Spider Farmer, Mars Hydro, HLG (Horticulture Lighting Company), Vivosun, AC Infinity...
• Others - Other LED grow lights you can find on individual websites, or Instagram (maybe Facebook? I don't have a Facebook account), Aliexpress, etc. Some of them are marketing particularly to cannabis growers but they almost never have pictures of actual cannabis plants grown under the LEDs.

What LED grow light are you using?

Are you happy with them? (what kind of results are you getting)

[Gator]

I have 5 lights from three different manufacturers, I've used them all and have no complaints,mars hydro, spider farmer, mixjoy and one that I'm sending to another member of the forum

[MeowMeow]

Hey thanks for the reply Gator. So you're saying that generally, you haven't noticed a huge difference between the LED companies you've grown with?

[Gator]

No, not really,as far as quality of the light, the only difference is ppfd at measured distance from the canopy

[Pyrokill]

I use spider farmer and have for a bit now In my main tent. Nothing measured but good growth and they have been running well for a couple years.

I also have Amazon knock off lights, fedicu or something like that. They have been running on and off for about 4 years now. Cheap and very surprising on the life and the growth that I've had. I got the 600w one but the tag on the light says 65w hahah. Either way I use 2 in a 3x3 with good results and I've also used them for under canopy lights. They run pretty cool also. Definitely not able to heat the tent alone with these.

[MeowMeow]

I've heard lots of growers say you get more yields from two smaller lights than one big one. And I bet your setup is nice on your electricity bill!

[golfnrl]

I've only ever used HLG Lamps. I started with their 100. I had two of them. Then I used their Elite 360 for a while. Now I'm running their Scorpion Rspec in the 4x4 tent. Last grow with the lamp at the 7th click on the dial and PPFD at around 1100 I harvested more than 40oz from two manifolded plants. I'm running their 350R in the 2x4 tent. It grows good weed. It's a powerful lamp. No complaints about HLG. Everything has worked as advertised. When I've had questions their CS was good. Others will say that the same quality can be had for a lesser cost. Maybe, but I'll stick with HLG. Could just be a Ford Chevy thang.

[MeowMeow]

I feel like HLG seems like the only LEDs still around that are actually kind of different from the other LED companies. I saw an HLG booth at a cannabis convention, and a guy told me HLG tests their LEDs on actual cannabis plants and then measure the THC results to guide design.

[Bluey]

I have both MarsHydro and Spiderfarmer lights. Both quantum and bar types.

You are best with bar style lights as they give the best light spread.

The Samsung EVO LEDs are the best efficiency wise but you pay a premium for them.

Buy the light/s that best suits your space as that will give you the best results.

Supplimental lighting, UV and the far reds, are a waste of money. Just go full spectrum and that will get you the best results.

Basic under canopy lighting will improve your yields by up to 20% if you need to increase yields.

[Smallgrow]

I’m running a Photontek 465w pro (Lumatek in Europe). It’s a premium brand like HLG, Fluence, Black Dog, and others. Theses are the companies leading the design and development of grow lights and targeting commercial growers.
Are they worth the cost over good Amazon brands like Mars, spider farmer, ACI etc. probably not based on light produced, but for me where it’s made, by who, the customer support, electrical safety, and warranty are all to be considered as well. My 465w pro had a 5 year warranty for example.

Just be careful of the no name brands on the internet, some probably perform well and the prices can be tempting, but Id be concerned about build quality and safety. Chech for UL listing or other certification in your country. In Canada any fixtures not certified would not be allowed by an electrical inspector , also if the worst happened and you had an electrical fire your insurance company would not look fondly on your uncertified fixture