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The 12 Best Grow Lights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

With these grow lights, your plants can thrive anywhere in your home

Four potted plants under a iGrowtek 2ft Grow Light for Seed Starting

The Spruce / Rachel Thalhuber

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice learning how to grow your own plants, grow lights are fantastic resources for your home garden. They can help you jumpstart your seedlings before you plant them later in the spring, provide fresh herbs during some of the darkest days of the year, or make sure your houseplants thrive, all year long.

No matter your goal, “light is among the most vital factors to consider when growing plants because it is a vital component of photosynthesis,” says Jamie Chan and Blas Herrera, who write about all things horticultural for the blog Fog City Gardener.

We researched and tested the top-rated grow lights available online, ranging from as simple as adding a lightbulb, to a full indoor garden system that does all of the work of taking care of your plants for you. During our most recent round of testing, we tested 16 different grow lights at our own homes across the country. We planted seeds and grew three different seedlings under the grow light, as well as three under natural lighting to compare the differences. Aside from the lighting, the care and conditions were the same. After six weeks, the seedlings with grow lights grew 81 percent taller on average, than the seedlings that just used natural sunlight.

We've also included our top-performing indoor gardens with grow lights, from our indoor garden at-home testing during the same period. Whether you are looking for a simple grow light, or a grow light that does most of the gardening work for you, here are the best options for your space.

Editor’s Note: This review was updated in January 2024 based on our latest testing.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

LBW LED Grow Light

LBW Grow Light With Stand

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Brightness
    4.5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Adjustable stand

  • Timer and dimmer settings

  • Full spectrum lighting

  • Hanging hardware if needed

What We Don't Like
  • Can’t adjust individual light bulbs

Out of all of the grow lights we tested, the LBW Grow Light stood out as being the most versatile. Thanks to its full spectrum lighting (380nm to 800nm), and adjustable tripod and gooseneck (adjustable arm), this grow light provides the right amount of light for various stages of plant growth, from seedlings to larger plants. We used the tripod on a tabletop for our testing and adjusted it as our tomato, basil, and spinach seedlings grew, so the lighting was always at an optimal distance, and the plants thrived.

While you can’t adjust the red, blue, warm, white, and cold white chips individually, we found it easy to change the six brightness settings and set a timer for 4, 8, or 12-hour intervals on the controller for the entire unit. Plus, the light also comes with hardware, so you can hang it from the ceiling if that works better for your needs. 

As with most of the grow lights that we tested, the lighting can be bright and distracting at times, especially in a small space, so keep that in mind during placement and while adjusting the timer (you can also dim the lights when needed). However, if you do want to put it away when not in use, the tripod is easy to fold and store and the light doesn’t take up much room. And if you find that you need even more lighting, this option is available with two lightheads, and with a larger lighthead (or without the timer, for a few dollars less).

Dimensions: 8.7 x 4.9 inches (light), 15 to 48 inches (stand) | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: Not listed

What color light is best for plant growth?

The best color light for plant growth can depend on the type of plant and the plant stage. Choosing a full-spectrum light that covers the full PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) Spectrum, 400 to 700 nanometers, and includes plenty of red and blue light, is optimal for most uses.

Best Hanging

Soltech Solutions Large Grow Light

Bloomscape Large Grow Lights

Bloomscape

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    4.8/5
  • Brightness
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Blends into decor

  • Easy set up

  • 12-hour timer

  • Bright, natural light

What We Don't Like
  • Analog timer isn't as easy to use as digital

  • Cannot dim light

Hanging grow lights allow you to save space while providing light for a larger number of plants. But they can be tricky and time-consuming to install, and sometimes, they don’t blend in well with your decor. While testing the Bloomscape Soltech Aspect Grow Light, we found it to be a great hanging option because it’s easy to install and looks like a regular light fixture (including the braided cable), so it blends in even in small spaces. 

We originally tested the smaller version of this light—5.8 by 3.8 inches with 2,000 lumens, 20 watts—and were impressed by its performance and the amount of natural-looking light it emitted. For this round of testing, we tried out the larger version—7 by 4 inches with 4,000 lumens, 40 watts—and were just as impressed. Both are extremely powerful and provide a nice amount of natural-looking light. 

Each unit includes a 15-foot fabric cord, three ceiling hooks, two wall fairleads (Soltech’s cable management accessory), and a swag hook. Installing the larger light took us only 10 minutes. But keep in mind that it may take longer depending on your experience hanging fixtures, and where you are installing it. However, the light comes with clear instructions, clearly labeled hardware, and which drill bit to use depending on the surface, which we found helped speed along the process.

Like any other grow light, and especially for any requiring installation, make sure you hang it in an area where you won’t find it distracting. The light doesn’t have any dimming capabilities, and while it provides a nice, effective growing light, it is very bright (although the smaller version is less bright). It does come with an analog timer, providing light for 12 hours per day, and other than that, it has no other features, you simply plug it in. 

We also like that this lamp comes in two colors—black and white—to match your decor. Plus, the cable and fairleads allow you to move the lamp closer or farther away from your plants, depending on the type and growth stage. For example, we placed the light closer to our seedlings (this also makes the light spill less into your room if you are finding the light distracting), but we plan on moving it further away when we switch them out for houseplants. 

Although this hanging light is one of the more expensive options on this list, it can last for up to 15 years when used for an average of 16 hours per day.

Size: 4 x 4 x 7 inches | Type: LED | Wattage: 40 watts

Best Kit

AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Gardening

AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4.8/5
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Performance
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Easy to set up and maintain

  • Self-watering and grow light on a timer

  • Touch screen and instructions are very intuitive

  • Can grow up to nine plants at a time

What We Don't Like
  • Need to use special pods

If you want a "set it and forget it" indoor garden system, complete with an LED grow light and self-watering feature, you'll love the AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Gardening. We tested this hydroponic system for three months in our lab and during our latest round of testing at home and found it to be an effortless way of growing herbs and vegetables each time. 

Overall, we think this system is especially helpful for those who may forget to water, feed, or turn the light on for their plants, as you can set up the timer and be alerted on the touch screen when food or water runs out. And if you are going on vacation, you don't have to worry about finding someone to water your plants!

During each round of testing, the setup was simple and took less than 15 minutes, including preparing and planting the pods. We just had to insert the post into the garden base, followed by inserting the light into the post (both clicked in to let us know that they were in properly). After we plugged in the pump cord and power cord, the touch screen lit up with a "Quick Plant" page to let us know the next steps. It also gives you an estimate of how many days until growth, the water level, and when plant food is needed. We also appreciated the included "Trellis System" that is also easy to click in an install—like most trellises, this is to help support the plants as they grow taller.

We loved that each of the plant pods has a note indicating the plant's eventual height (short, medium, or tall), which we found particularly helpful when figuring out where to plant them (front for smaller plants, back for the taller ones). For example, the dill pod indicated that it would grow tall, and we found that it grew surprisingly tall (in fact, it grew faster. and taller than any of the other pods). We had to adjust the arm of the light panel higher because the dill started to burn. Luckily, the light is easy to adjust, so you can make it taller as the plants grow (as high as 24 inches). Also, note that we received 11 pods (it has room for nine), and swapped out two of the extra pods that we initially planted that seemed slower to grow.

While this is one of the most expensive options on our list, we think it's worth it if you want a self-sufficient way of growing herbs and vegetables. Keep in mind that you do need to purchase special pods and plant food. However, AeroGarden does provide many different types of pods and plant food for purchase. Also, this is one of AeroGarden's largest systems, so while it does hold up to nine plants, you may want to make sure you have the right amount of space for it. While we found that it doesn't make a lot of noise (or take up much room), the light could be a little distracting if you are in a small space trying to work or watch TV while it is on. We set it up so the light was on during daylight hours, so we didn’t find it to be too much of an issue.

Dimensions: 34 x 17.25 x 11.25 inches | Type: LED | Wattage: 30 watts

Best Adjustable-Spectrum

Leoter Grow Light for Indoor Plants

Leoter Grow Light for Indoor Plants

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    4.8/5
  • Brightness
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Four flexible lights

  • Strong, stable clamp

  • Includes timer with three settings

  • Can dim and adjust the lighting colors

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't include a stand

If you want to control the type of light at each stage of growth, the LEOTER Grow Light is a great choice. We loved how simple this light was to set up, with no assembly required. We found it very easy to clip onto our bookshelf where we were starting our seedlings. The four lights were very easy to bend and adjust, covering multiple plants when needed. Plus, we were able to easily adjust the height of the light as our tomato plants grew taller.

While this grow light is relatively simple in design—there are no smart features or touch controls—we found the remote on the wire very easy to understand and use. It has a timer for three-, nine-, and 12-hour intervals and we found them to be very accurate. It also offers 10 different dimmer settings, so you can control the brightness in the room.

Unlike many lights on this list, you can choose between warm (white), red and blue, or red, blue, and warm light (380nm-800nm), depending on the growth stage of the plants. A combination of all three delivers the most positive growth results.

Dimensions: 13.46 x 5.71 x 3.27 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 80 watts

How do seedlings benefit from grow lights?

While you can start seedlings indoors utilizing natural light, grow lights can help create stockier plants for transplanting, according to Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University. "They transplant better than lanky ones, and almost universally, we don't have enough light even in the brightest windows to produce robust stocky plants."

Best for Herbs

Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3

Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4.8/5
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Design
    4/5
  • Performance
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Very simple to set up

  • Relatively affordable for an all-in-one system

  • Stylish, compact, and portable

  • Includes three basil pods, and can accomodate seeds

What We Don't Like
  • No messages to indicate that it is set up properly or if food is needed

  • Water level indicator is subtle and easy to forget about

Similar to the AeroGarden Bounty Basic, the Click & Grow is an all-in-one system that keeps your plants thriving with both water and light, with little effort on your part. However, if you are looking for a smaller system for a few herbs, we love the Click & Grow, for its simplicity, and compact footprint. We tested this product in our lab for three months, and also at home for further insights, and found it very easy to put together during each testing period. Although it required a little bit more than clicking and growing, we just had to insert the pods, place the clear domes on top of them, pour water into the basin, and plug in the power cord.

We do want to note that, unlike the AeroGarden, there is no screen with instructions telling you that everything is set up properly, how many days until growth, or when food might be needed. You just have to wait for growth and monitor the water level indicator, which we found is very subtle and easy to miss. 

We do like that the light is self-timed and turns off and on automatically (after 16 hours). Also, the system comes with two extension arms that you can click on when your plants grow tall. We found them helpful as our plants did grow pretty tall and burned on one occasion (the leaves only browned a bit during the second round of testing). However, even though the lights were powerful, we found them to be aesthetically pleasing (even more so than the AeroGarden). It's also worth noting that during the first testing period, the basil grew very slowly at first (we had the extension arm at first and the light might have been too high), once it did grow, we found it to look really healthy and taste great!

Although we wish this garden came with various herbs, instead of three basil pods, the company offers many different options you can purchase. Plus, we love that you can also use your own seeds with the Grow Anything Plant Pods. Overall, we think this is a relatively affordable system, with simple, yet very helpful features.

Dimensions:
8.1 x 5 x 12 inches | Bulb Type: LED
| Wattage: Not listed

Best for Houseplants

AeroGarden Trio Grow Light

Amazon AeroGarden Trio Grow Light

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4.5/5
  • Design
    4.2/5
  • Brightness
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Three lighting settings

  • Stylish and available in two colors

  • Touch or app controls

  • Longer timer

What We Don't Like
  • Not designed for larger plants

If you want a stylish fixture that adds to your decor, we love the AeroGarden Trio Grow light. During testing, we found that it’s perfect for smaller houseplants or seedlings (we used it on seedlings, succulents, and other small plants) because it has three adjustable lampheads (11 to 17 inches), and blends in perfectly on a bookshelf or table. It also offers different lighting settings—full-spectrum, white, warm, and cool—that you can choose depending on the plant stage. 

We think this is a great grow light for beginners because it took less than three minutes to set up and is easy to use. The timer is automatically set to 10 hours.  Just tap the light to change the lighting modes or to turn it off and on. 

For more setting options, we downloaded the app to our phone (although it’s not necessary for basic use). There, we could program the light to fade in and out at sunrise and sunset, adjust the timer, and more. And unlike other options on this list, it has a longer timer setting (up to 24 hours), so you can program it for longer cycles if needed. We found the app to be hard to use at first, but once we selected our grow light type, we had no trouble using it. 

It does require a little bit of work to make sure the lights hit your plants at the right angle without toppling over, but we found that this just takes a few minutes to adjust. Also, keep in mind that this grow light is designed for plants less than 12 inches tall, so you will need another option for larger plants.

Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 24 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 5 watts

Best Light Bulb

GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb

Amazon GE Grow Light LED BR30 Light Bulb

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Brightness
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5
What We Like
  • Fits in most lamps

  • Simple to install

  • Great for a variety of plants

What We Don't Like
  • Will need to replace in a few months

  • No timer included

For a versatile and affordable option you can easily install into most standard-sized lamps, we love the GE Grow Light LED Indoor Flood Light Bulb. We’ve tested this bulb several times, including during our most recent at-home grow light test, and think it’s a great option for beginners and more experienced indoor gardeners alike. 

At 120 volts, it conveniently fits into most standard lamps, which means you don’t have to go out and buy any additional accessories or equipment, and it should blend in pretty well with your other decor. We originally installed it in a desk lamp that we clamped onto a bookshelf (and could easily adjust to the right distance to the plants), but during our most recent test, we placed it on a flood light socket that we connected to one of our existing grow light stands, so you can place it wherever it meets the needs of your plants.  

This light offers an advanced red spectrum, ideal for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, fruit trees, and flowers. While assembly is as simple as screwing in a lightbulb, the package did come with helpful height recommendations and illustrations for high-light plants (they listed tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers), as well as low-light plants (leafy greens and herbs). It also recommends using the light 18 hours a day. This bulb does not come with a timer, but we were able to use one of our own. 

Unlike many other grow lights on this list, you will need to replace the bulb in a few months (depending on how often it is used). However, you can buy it in packs of four so you'll always have a replacement handy. Also, this light is similar to a flood light, so it can be bright but can be pretty lightweight to move (depending on the lamp).

Dimensions: 4.06 x 5.94 inches | Type: LED | Wattage: 9 watts

Best Clip-On

GooingTop LED Grow Light

GooingTop LED Grow Light

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Brightness
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Two adjustable lights

  • Simple set up

  • Accurate timer with three settings

  • Light isn’t as distracting as other options

What We Don't Like
  • Only comes with clip-on option

Clip-on lights are a great option for bookshelves and tables that lack space. The GooingTop LED Grow Light is our top pick in this category because it’s ready right out of the box, comes with two lights on flexible arms that can cover several plants, and is easy to adjust as your plants grow. 

We placed it on a cabinet for under-self-lighting, and found that it has several useful features at a budget-friendly price. This full spectrum lighting (red and white LEDs) has a remote on the cord that offers multiple brightness settings and three accurate timer functions: You can program it to turn on for 4, 8, or 12 hours in a day. 

While this option looks like a traditional grow light, it was small enough to blend into a corner of our kitchen under a cabinet shelf. We also didn’t find the lighting too distracting or bright because it was under the shelf and focused more on the plants.

It doesn’t come with a stand, so if you are looking for a more stylish option that stands on its own, our best for houseplants option, the AeroGarden Trio Grow Light, might be a better choice. But we found this to be an effective, stable option (no worries about it falling over as we adjusted the arms), that's easy to clip on where you need it.

Dimensions: ‎22 x 14 x 7.9 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 50 watts

Best Mounted

Soltech Solutions LED Grow Light

Soltech Grove LED Grow Light

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Brightness
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Slim and lightweight design

  • Multiple placement options

  • Includes timer

  • Tap on light to control and adjust brightness

What We Don't Like
  • Adhesive might not be strong enough for all surfaces

Don't let the simple design of the Soltech Solutions Grove LED Grow Light fool you: This versatile grow light has many "hidden" features to help you provide the right amount of light for your seedlings or houseplants. We found it surprisingly lightweight, and it takes just a few minutes to install on a shelf or wall (or you could place it right onto a shelf). We chose to stick it onto our wall, but it also comes with hardware, so you can screw it onto the wall for a more permanent placement.

We found the timer to be a bit tricky to set up but it does come with clear instructions (we misplaced them for a bit but once we found them, they were easy to understand). You do need to set up the timer at the time you want the lighting to start, but can then program the amount of light you want in 24 hours. If you’d rather just turn it on and off when you want it, you can just tap the bulb, or use the "outlet on" switch on the timer.

We do want to note a few hiccups we had during the installation. Make sure the wall or shelf is smooth, since it may not strongly stick to textured surfaces. We installed it on a slightly textured wall, and it did have a hard time staying put (and did take a little paint down in the process). This proved to be an impromptu durability test, since it fell onto the floor a few times and still worked perfectly with no scratches. Once we installed removable Command Strips, we never had any other issues. 

The lighting is bright, but you can change the settings by tapping on the bulb. Placing it under a shelf will also help keep the lighting from spilling into the room. You can also rotate the bulb to direct the lighting towards your plants. 

This isn’t an ideal option if you know you will need to move your lighting as the plants grow (unless you don’t install it on the wall), but it’s great for small houseplants or seedlings that you know you will move outside once they grow taller.

Dimensions: ‎‎18 x 1 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: Not listed

Best Large Capacity

Mars Hydro LED Grow Light

Mars Hydro TS-1000 LED Grow Light

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4.5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Brightness
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Covers a larger amount of seedlings or plants

  • Can connect multiple lights together on the same circuit

  • Brightness settings

  • Doesn't get too warm

What We Don't Like
  • Fixture doesn't blend in well in small spaces

  • No build-in timer

While testing the Mars Hydro LED Grow Light, we found that it’s a great option for basements and other areas in your home that are dedicated to growing seedlings and plant care. We love that multiple fixtures (purchased separately) can be connected utilizing the same control panel, also known as daisy chaining. This comes in handy if you have a larger amount of plants and space. Installation does require several steps, but it only took us 8 minutes to set it up. However, it might take longer, depending on your experience with mounting fixtures and if you are connecting more than one. 

This full-spectrum grow light does not come with an internal timer, but we were able to use one of our own to make sure our plants were getting an adequate amount of light. We appreciate that the control panel does have a dimmer, giving you several intensity options. We set this light up in our basement, so we didn’t mind that the light flooded the room. Setting this light up in a grow tent, cabinet, or under a shelf could help with this, but otherwise, this light wouldn’t be a great option for common areas in your home where you wouldn’t want a bright light. It also doesn’t have a cable management system to keep the cords out of sight (which might not be an issue in a basement or other dedicated space).

Dimensions: ‎‎5.5 x 17.3 x 16.9 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: Not listed

Best for Seedlings

iGrowtek Grow Light

iGrowtek 2ft Grow Light for Seed Starting

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4.5/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Brightness
    4.5/5
  • Value
    3.5/5
What We Like
  • Compact size

  • Easy to set up

  • Can adjust the height of lighting

What We Don't Like
  • No additional features

  • Only designed for seedlings

Whether you are starting seedlings indoors for the first time, or need a small option for your space, this grow light from iGrowtek will give your plants a good start. We installed the light and stand in under 5 minutes, which included putting the light on the iron stand, adjusting the straps to get the light to the right height, and plugging it in.  It does come with instructions, but we found the fixture was intuitive enough to set up without them. 

At 2 feet long, this grow light setup doesn’t take up much room, and fits a larger seeding tray or a few plants. We used it in our basement, but you could fit it on a small table in any room, as long as you don’t mind a bright light. Aside from the stand and adjustable cords, the light doesn’t come with any other features, like a timer or dimmer, so you will have to remember to turn it on and off (or purchase an external timer).

Remember that this setup is only for seedlings or very small plants. The light can only be as high as 6 to 7 inches, so you will need to move your plants to a different grow light if you want to continue to keep them indoors. However, this is a great choice if you want to get ahead of the growing season and start your seedlings indoors.

Dimensions: ‎‎‎27.2 x 2.3 x 19.7 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 10 watts

Best Stackable

Gardener’s Supply Company Stack-n-Grow Lights System

Gardener’s Supply Company LED Stack-n-Grow Lights System

Gardener’s Supply Company

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4.5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    4/5
  • Brightness
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4/5
What We Like
  • Space-saving

  • Expandable

  • Great for starting seedlings

What We Don't Like
  • Lengthy assembled compared to other grow lights

  • Harder to adjust lighting as plants grow

If you want to start your garden by seed indoors, but horizontal space is limited, the LED Stack-n-Grow Lights System by Gardener’s Supply Company is a great solution. During testing. we loved that this compact, stackable design didn’t take up much floor space, and allowed us to keep counters and other surfaces free, and more importantly, our seedlings thrived under the full-spectrum lighting.

While we didn’t find it hard to assemble, it did take the longest on this list, at 35 minutes. The instructions were clear, but this is a larger setup, and taking it out of the packaging and assembling all of the pieces takes longer. We did find it tricky to attach the light to the overhead rack and we needed an extra person to help, but that was the only small hiccup in the process. 

This unit doesn’t come with a timer or dimmer—depending on placement, the lighting could be a distraction (especially if you add additional shelves and lights), since it brightens the room. We set it up in our basement so it wasn’t an issue, and we also used an external timer, to avoid remembering to turn on and off the lights. 

Note that it is a bit tricky to adjust the height of the shelves and lighting as your seedlings grow. Our tomato plants started growing into the light, and we wished moving the light was as simple as some of the other options on this list (for example, our best overall, the LBW LED Grow Light, which we just had to move the gooseneck arms of the light). However, if you are starting seedlings, this isn’t something you’ll need to do too often.

Dimensions: 31 x 15.5 x 21 inches (base measurements) | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: Not listed

Compare

Setup Effectiveness Design Brightness Value
LBW Grow Light With Stand
Best Overall:
LBW LED Grow Light
5 5 5 4.5 5
Bloomscape Large Grow Lights
Best Hanging:
Soltech Solutions Large Grow Light
5 5 4.8 4.5 4.5
AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden
Best Kit:
AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Gardening
4.8 5 4.5
Leoter Grow Light for Indoor Plants
Best Adjustable-Spectrum:
Leoter Grow Light for Indoor Plants
5 5 4.8 4.5 4.5
Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3
Best for Herbs:
Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3
4.8 4 4.5
Amazon AeroGarden Trio Grow Light
Best for Houseplants:
AeroGarden Trio Grow Light
5 4.5 4.2 5 4.5
Amazon GE Grow Light LED BR30 Light Bulb
Best Light Bulb:
GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb
5 4 4.5 5 4
GooingTop LED Grow Light
Best Clip-On:
GooingTop LED Grow Light
5 4 4.5 5 4.5
Soltech Grove LED Grow Light
Best Mounted:
Soltech Solutions LED Grow Light
4 5 5 5 4.5
Mars Hydro TS-1000 LED Grow Light
Best Large Capacity:
Mars Hydro LED Grow Light
4.5 5 4.5 5 4.5
iGrowtek 2ft Grow Light for Seed Starting
Best for Seedlings:
iGrowtek Grow Light
5 4.5 4.5 4.5 3.5
Gardener’s Supply Company LED Stack-n-Grow Lights System
Best Stackable:
Gardener’s Supply Company Stack-n-Grow Lights System
4.5 5 4 4.5 4
Final Verdict

Out of the 16 grow lights we tested, our best overall pick is the LBW LED Grow Light With Stand. This full spectrum grow light impressed us with its versatility and features, which include a timer, dimmer, adjustable stand, and adjustable gooseneck arm, which makes it a good option for different spaces and plants. If you want a grow light that includes a hydroponic system, taking care of the watering and lighting for you, we also like the AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden, our best kit pick. It includes seed pods, walks you through a simple setup, and reminds you when it's time to add plant food.

The Spruce / Nusha Ashjaee

Other Options We Tested

We tested and found the following products impressive. Though they didn't make best overall, we think they're still worth considering.

Sansi Grow Light Bulb

Sansi Grow Light Bulb

Amazon

We appreciated the simplicity and effectiveness of the Sansi Grow Light Bulb. Similar to the GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb, all that is required for this grow light is a lamp, so it's a great option for small spaces, and other than the brightness of the light, it can blend into your decor. It doesn't offer a timer or other features, but it's a great option for the price.

Dymond BoostGro LED Grow Light Full Spectrum

Amazon DYMOND BoostGro LED Grow Light

Amazon

Although the Dymond BoostGro LED Grow Light took us 45 minutes to set up, we found that it provides effective lighting for long, narrow spaces. It doesn't come with a timer, but we were able to hook it up to an external smart timer. We don't recommend this lighting for small spaces where a bright light would be distracting, since there is no dimmer feature. However, if you use the included wires to lower it, or set it up under a shelf (we used double-sided tape), that could help with this issue.

How We Tested the Grow Lights

Over the last few years, we've tested grow lights at home, as well as in our lab for three months. Our most recent round of testing included 16 different grow lights, as well as 18 different indoor gardens (12 of which included grow lights). Each grow light was evaluated on setup, effectiveness, design, brightness, and value.

  • Setup: After setting up a timer, we set up each grow light according to the manufacturer's instructions. We noted if the instructions were clear or confusing, how many people were required for assembly, and if we had any other issues along the way. We also noted how easy to the grow light was to use during the testing period, including if the features were intuitive and easy to use and if the grow light could be adjusted as the plants grew.
  • Effectiveness: We set up three pots for each grow light. After using the same brand of soil, we added either tomato, basil, or spinach seeds to each pot and labeled each pot accordingly. We set them up in an otherwise dark room away from natural light. We also set up three similar pots but placed them near a window and monitored the seedlings' progress with natural lighting. For both the grow light and natural light plants, we set up a hygrometer to record and monitor the temperature and humidity to make sure it was good. We took care of each plant the same, watering them when needed, and recorded the seedlings' height with a measuring tape after a 3-week and then a 6-week period. All of the grow light plants grew 81 percent taller on average than those that just utilized natural sunlight, with tomato plants being the fastest growers.
  • Design: During our testing process, we noted how much space the grow light occupies and used each feature, including any internal timers (which we tested for accuracy), dimmers, stands, and smart features.
  • Brightness: We noted how much light was cast into the room, if it was adjustable, and the color of light. We also noted how much heat was provided by placing our hand underneath the light (note that none of these LED grow lights produced a lot of heat).
  • Value: After the testing period, we noted what we liked and didn't like about each product and if we felt that the price was reflective of its features.

What to Look for in a Grow Light

Size

When deciding which size grow light you need, think about how many plants you need to cover and where you intend to put them. If you plan to move your light from place to place or just use it during certain times of the year, opt for something portable that doesn't need to be installed into the ceiling or the wall. Our best overall pick, the LBW LED Grow Light With Stand, covers several plants and can easily be moved or stored. If you want a portable light with a watering system, we love the Click & Grow Smart Garden 3.

If you do want to utilize wall or ceiling space, the Soltech Solutions Aspect Large Grow Light, our best hanging pick, is a great option that isn't too large and will blend in easily with your decor. However, if you do need a fixture that will cover a larger number of plants and you have a designated space for your plants (without being distracted by bright lights), the Mars Hydro LED Grow Light is a great choice. It can also be expanded with multiple lights onto the same control panel.

Wherever you plan to put it, make sure there’s room for it to operate safely and not up against furniture, drapes, or other items.

Type

There are various types of grow lights to consider, from panels to products that hang overhead or screw into standard light fixtures. The type of plants you have, the amount of existing natural light, and where your plants are located help you narrow down your choices. Typically, hanging lights are larger, while desktop lights are smaller and easy to move around. If you want a complete system, consider a full garden kit, like the AeroGarden Bounty Basic, our best kit, which includes the planter with a built-in light.

Location

“Hanging your lights too low can burn your plants, but hanging them too high can leave them stretching for light, and weak,” says Kansas City-based Melissa Lallo Johnson, host of Art of Gardening, a vlog and podcast that features influential gardeners from around the world. The standard placement recommendation for incandescent grow lights is at least 24 inches from plants. Since fluorescent and LED lights have lower heat outputs, they can be placed 12 to 18 inches away from plants. Indoor garden systems with extendable lights are helpful in ensuring that your plants do not burn while they grow.

Different plants require different intensities of light, however. If you grow seedlings, Johnson recommends positioning them within 2 to 3 inches of a fluorescent light source, or as close to the light as possible without touching it. Hanging or positioning lights directly over plants is the best arrangement because it mimics sunlight and ensures that the entire plant receives adequate light.

Wattage

Wattage is a useful tool to determine the correct fixture for your plants. Generally, you need 32 watts per square foot, so most indoor plants (especially herbs) do just fine with a lower-watt light. The more important metric is PPFD, or photosynthetic photon flux density, which measures the specific light emission a lamp gives off. Not all products list this, however.

Bulb Type

All of the options on this list feature LED lights, which tend to be the most popular and most energy-efficient options. They also offer ideal light spectrum ranges. LEDs emit less heat than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 30 times longer. “LED lights are my preferred go-to for lights, because they’re energy-efficient and generate little to no heat,” Johnson says.

Fluorescent lights are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs (but not as much as LED lights), but they tend to be pricier. 

Incandescent bulbs are the least-expensive option, but they’re also the least energy efficient. They also have fairly high heat outputs, which is not the most ideal growing condition.

Growing Season

The beauty of indoor grow lights is they allow herbs, seeds, houseplants, and flowers to flourish year-round. However, they need the right amount of sunlight and darkness to thrive. Johnson says that for germination and seedlings, you can run lights 16 to 18 hours per day until they are a few inches tall. "As they mature," she adds, "you can slowly reduce to get them on a similar light pattern for spring before you transplant them.”

After some experimenting, you should be able to peg the optimal duration for your specific plant variety. A grow light with a built-in timer makes it easier to control proper light levels, especially if you’re away from home. Most of the grow lights on the list feature built-in timers. However, you can most likely add an external timer or even a smart timer like we did during testing to those without one. For example, we were able to use an external timer for our best light bulb pick, the GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb. Johnson suggests that you try to get the light schedule as close as possible to the current sun pattern so your plants are less shocked when transplanted outdoors.

Roleadro grow light over plants

 The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash

FAQ
  • How far should grow lights be from plants?

    Though it depends on the wattage and light wavelengths, you should position grow lights at least 2 feet away from your indoor plants to avoid overheating. LEDs and fluorescent lights typically have lower heat outputs, so they can be placed a little closer.

  • How long should grow lights be on?

    To effectively mimic the sun's natural light, a grow light should be on 8-16 hours a day, depending on where you live, what time of year it is, and the type of plant. Generally, if your plants receive some natural light, they don't need as much artificial light. A plant that doesn't get any natural light may need the full 16 hours.

  • Do you have to use LED lights?

    LEDs are most often recommended for grow lights, though some fluorescent and incandescent bulbs can work. The most important thing is that regardless of type, the bulbs should offer full-spectrum illumination and produce waves of red and blue light, which is often necessary for plants to thrive indoors.

Soltech Solutions Grow Light

The Spruce / Stephanie Vermillion

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jenica Currie is an editor for The Spruce and has been with the team since 2020. She updated this article with our most recent testing insights from grow lights and indoor gardens we tested at home. Currie is an avid gardener and has been using the AeroGarden Bounty Basic for several years to grow herbs indoors. She is currently testing the Soltech Grove LED Grow Light to start seedlings for the next growing season and to help her houseplants thrive.

Our Experts:

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Front Plant Sci, vol 11, 2021, doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.610041

  2. Saito K, Ishigami Y, Goto E. "Evaluation of the Light Environment of a Plant Factory with Artificial Light by Using an Optical Simulation." Agronomy. 2020;10(11):1663. doi:10.3390/agronomy10111663

  3. Energy Saver, U.S. Department of Energy.

  4. Ganandran, G S B, et al. Cost-benefit analysis and emission reduction of energy efficient lighting at the Universiti Tenaga Nasional. TheScientificWorldJournal, vol 2014, 2014, doi:10.1155/2014/745894.

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