Best Lights for Microgreens: Top Picks and Buying Guide 

Have
you
ever
tried
planting
microgreens
and
they
ended
up
not
growing? 

Are
you
looking
for
the
best
way
to
have
a
more
bountiful
harvest? 

Do
you
need
to
create
an
ideal
growing
environment
indoors? 

If
your
answer
is
YES
to
all
these
questions,
then
you
need
the
best
lights
for
microgreens.
They
will
provide
supplemental
lighting
when
there
is
no
sun,
making
sure
that
your
plants
will
not
end
up
fragile. 

Read
on
as
we
talk
about
some
of
the
most
popular
growing
lights
to
consider.
These
products
can
provide
the
right
lighting
intensity
to
encourage
optimal
growth.

Top
Choice: 

More
than
the
reputation
of
the
manufacturer,
the

GE
Lighting
Grow
Light
BR30
LED
Light
Bulb
is
our
favorite
because
of
its
energy
efficiency,
low
heat
output,
and
balanced
light
spectrum.
The
light
has
a
soft
and
natural
hue,
which
makes
it
gentle
to
the
human
eyes. 

Our
Top
Picks
for
the
Best
Lights
for
Microgreens 

Help
speed
up
the
growth
of
your
microgreens
and
reap
a
bountiful
harvest.
Below
are
some
of
the
top-rated
grow
lights
that
will
make
a
great
addition
to
your
indoor
setup. 

1.


GE
Lighting
Grow
Light
BR30
LED
Light
Bulb

–
Best
Overall 

It
might
seem
like
an
ordinary
light
bulb
at
first,
but
when
you
look
closer
at
its
specs
and
features,
you
will
see
that
it
is
a
great
option
for
microgreens.
Not
to
mention,
it
is
from
a
reliable
brand,
so
we
are
confident
that
the
quality
is
second
to
none. 

Among
others,
one
thing
that
makes
it
stand
out
is
the
advanced
LED
technology.
This
is
responsible
for
its
energy
efficiency. 

Under
normal
use,
it
only
has
an
output
of
nine
watts.
This
way,
it
creates
a
high
output
without
too
much
heat.
The
soft
and
natural
light
that
it
generates
is
perfect
even
for
fragile
microgreens. 

More
so,
this
GE
grow
light
is
incredible
because
of
its
high
Photosynthetic
Photon
Flux
(PPF).
It
has
16
micromoles
per
second.
The
latter
is
a
measurement
of
the
photosynthetically
active
photons
that
the
light
releases
per
second.
It
has
the
highest
PPF
available,
so
it
is
highly
effective
for
ensuring
growth. 

The
balanced
light
spectrum
is
another
good
reason
to
choose
this
grow
light.
It
has
both
red
and
blue
light
spectrums,
which
will
support
microgreens
at
all
stages.
It
also
helps
in
encouraging
flowering
and
fruiting. 

Key
Features
and
Specs: 

• Light
  Type:
  LED
  bulb 
• Rated
  Life:
  25,000
  hours 
• Bulb
  Color:
  White 
• Wattage:
  9
  watts 
• Warranty:
  Three
  years 

Pros: 

• Affordable 
• Ideal
  for
  small
  spaces 
• Generates
  high
  output
  with
  low
  heat 
• Has
  a
  soft
  and
  natural
  white
  light 
• Perfect
  for
  all
  growth
  stages 

Cons: 

• Can
  create
  a
  buzzing
  sound 
• Burns
  out
  within
  a
  short
  time 

Verdict 

With
its
affordable,
high
output,
low
heat,
and
incredible
energy
efficiency,
this
light
is
one
of
the
most
effective
on
this
list,
supporting
microgreens
at
all
stages
of
their
growth. 

Overall
Rating:
4.9
out
of
5 

2.


MARS
HYDRO
TS
600W
LED
Grow
Light

–
Runner-Up 

Grow
microgreens
successfully
even
without
sunlight
with
this
product.
It
has
a
full
spectrum,
making
sure
that
it
provides
the
lighting
needs
of
microgreens
at
all
stages. 

Looking
at
its
features,
one
of
the
most
notable
is
its
high
energy
efficiency.
Despite
being
powerful,
it
consumes
only
100
watts.
Even
if
you
leave
it
on
for
a
long
time,
no
need
to
worry
that
it
will
cause
your
energy
bills
to
shoot
up. 

Additionally,
the
grow
light
comes
with
a
high
reflective
sink,
which
also
contributes
to
its
energy
efficiency.
It
has
an
aluminum
shield,
which
allows
heat
to
disperse
without
losing
its
effectiveness.
This
will
increase
the
coverage
area
while
also
preventing
too
much
heat. 

A
lot
of
the
grow
lights
have
fans
for
effective
heat
management,
which
can
be
noisy.
Good
thing,
this
product
does
not
have
a
fan.
This
means
that
there
is
no
annoying
sound,
so
it
is
great
even
for
tiny
rooms. 

Despite
the
good
things,
it
has
some
drawbacks.
For
instance,
it
does
not
come
with
an
on/off
switch.
Plus,
you
cannot
dim
the
light
if
you
wish. 

Key
Features
and
Specs: 

• Light
  Type:
  LED 
• Number
  of
  LEDs:
  225 
• Wattage:
  100
  watts 
• Coverage:
  2
  x
  2
  feet
  for
  vegetative
  stage
  and
  1.5
  x
  1.5
  feet
  for
  bloom
  stage 

Pros: 

• Large
  coverage 
• Excellent
  build
  quality
• High
  energy
  efficiency 
• Has
  a
  built-in
  fan

Cons: 

• No
  dual-mode
  switch 
• Non-dimmable 

Verdict 

With
225
LEDs,
this
grow
light
is
known
for
its
great
energy
efficiency,
aluminum
heat
sink,
and
fan-less
design
that
makes
it
operate
quietly. 

Overall
Rating:
4.8
out
of
5 

3.


Barrina
T5
Grow
Lights

–
Best
Full
Spectrum 

With
its
full
spectrum,
this
light
helps
bring
your
microgreens
into
life.
From
the
early
to
late
stages
of
development,
it
can
provide
effective
supplemental
lighting.
Best
of
all,
it
consumes
only
80
watts,
so
you
will
love
its
energy
efficiency.
Even
with
continuous
operation,
you
don’t
have
to
worry
about
its
electricity
consumption. 

Right
out
of
the
box,
the
installation
of
this
grow
light
is
effortless.
It
has
plug-and-play
functionality,
so
you
don’t
have
to
deal
with
complicated
wiring.
Within
minutes,
the
lights
are
ready!

More
so,
it
is
inclusive
of
almost
everything
that
you
will
need
in
one
kit.
Aside
from
the
eight
T5
grow
lights,
you
will
also
receive
four
power
cords
with
an
on
and
off
switch,
seven
connecting
cords,
eight
small
connectors,
eight
installation
clips,
24
double-sided
tapes,
and
24
zip
ties. 

We
also
like
how
the
lights
have
separate
controls.
This
way,
you
can
choose
which
one
should
be
on
or
off.
Nonetheless,
take
note
that
it
does
not
come
with
a
built-in
dimmer,
but
you
can
use
an
external
one. 

Key
Features
and
Specs: 

• Light
  Type:
  LED 
• Number
  of
  LEDs:
  400 
• Wattage:
  80
  watts 
• Warranty:
  Two
  years 

Pros: 

• Easy
  installation 
• Offers
  several
  customization
  options 
• Energy-efficient 

Cons: 

• Prone
  to
  electrical
  shocks 

Verdict 

A
complete
kit
with
eight
T5
grow
lights,
this
product
stands
out
because
of
its
easy
installation,
energy
efficiency,
and
options
for
customization. 

Overall
Rating:
4.7
out
of
5 

4.


VIPARSPECTRA
300W
LED
Grow
Light

Equipped
with
dual-chip
LEDs,
this
is
another
effective
product
for
growing
microgreens.
It
generates
full-spectrum
lighting,
including
infrared,
which
will
support
the
growth
of
your
plants
through
all
its
stages. 

One
of
the
best
things
about
this
product
is
its
daisy
chain
function,
which
means
that
you
can
link
several
lights
when
you
need
multiple
units.
This
will
simplify
the
connections.
Each
unit
has
a
power
plug,
which
also
doubles
as
a
daisy
chain. 

The
efficient
cooling
system
is
another
compelling
reason
to
choose
this
grow
light.
Even
with
continuous
operation,
it
won’t
get
hot.
This
will
also
prevent
burning
microgreens,
especially
those
with
high
heat
sensitivity.
It
has
a
built-in
aluminum
heat
sink
and
a
quiet
fan.
The
latter
keeps
the
system
running
smoothly
without
annoying
noise. 

For
your
peace
of
mind,
it
is
also
good
to
know
that
it
comes
with
a
two-year
warranty.
Plus,
you
have
30
days
to
try
the
product.
If
you
are
unhappy
in
any
way,
let
the
manufacturer
know,
and
you
will
receive
an
unconditional
refund. 

Key
Features
and
Specs: 

• Wattage:
  600
  watts
• Coverage
  Area:
  2.5
  x
  2.5
  feet
  for
  vegetative
  stage,
  2
  x
  2
  feet
  for
  flowering
  stage 
• Lifespan:
  100,000
  hours 
• Warranty:
  Two
  years 
• Dimensions:
  11.7
  x
  7.9
  x
  2.7
  inches 

Pros: 

• Daisy
  chain
  connection
• Excellent
  heat
  dissipation 
• Comes
  with
  a
  30-day
  money-back
  guarantee 

Cons: 

•  Some
  parts
  can
  be
  flimsy 

Verdict 

With
its
daisy
chain
functionality,
quiet
fan,
aluminum
heatsink,
and
30-day
satisfaction
guarantee,
this
grow
light
for
microgreens
deserve
a
spot
on
this
list. 

Overall
Rating:
4.5
out
of
5 

5.


SPIDER
FARMER
SF-1000
LED
Grow
Light 

One
of
the
first
things
that
you
will
notice
in
this
grow
light
is
its
price.
Yes,
it
is
expensive,
but
that
should
not
give
you
the
reason
to
ditch
it.
The
light
has
top-notch
features
and
superior
performance,
making
it
worth
every
dollar. 

Equipped
with
Samsung
diodes,
this
grow
light
has
an
innovative
design
that
promises
a
more
abundant
yield.
It
has
high
energy
efficiency
and
large
coverage
with
deep
light
penetration
for
the
best
in
terms
of
effectiveness. 

Another
compelling
reason
to
choose
this
product
is
its
durable
construction.
Even
after
years
of
use,
we
are
confident
that
it
will
deliver
optimal
performance.
It
has
a
thick
aluminum
heat
sink,
which
allows
effective
heat
management
even
if
it
does
not
come
with
a
built-in
fan.
It
is
also
water-resistant. 

The
dimmer
knob
is
one
more
feature
that
we
love.
This
way,
you
can
adjust
the
brightness
of
the
grow
light,
depending
on
what
is
most
suitable
for
the
specific
stage
of
growth
of
the
microgreens. 

Key
Features
and
Specs: 

• Power
  Draw:
  100
  watts 
• Maximum
  Yield:
  2.5
  grams/watt 
• Lifespan:
  100,000
  hours 
• Warranty:
  Three
  years 

Pros: 

• Has
  a
  thick
  heat
  sink 
• Works
  for
  all
  growth
  stages 
• Solid
  construction 

Cons: 

• Does
  not
  have
  an
  internal
  fan 

Verdict

From
its
aluminum
heat
sink
to
the
dimmer
knob,
this
grow
light
has
tons
of
features
that
make
it
another
notable
option
to
consider. 

Overall
Rating:
4.4
out
of
5

6.


VIVOSUN
T5
Grow
Lights 

Concluding
our
list
is
a
grow
light
with
four
bulbs
and
a
length
of
two
feet.
It
has
two
hanging
cables,
which
will
let
you
easily
position
the
light
on
the
top
of
your
microgreens.
Plus,
if
you
need
generous
coverage,
then
you
can
use
the
daisy
chain
link
to
connect
several
units. 

The
high-output
tubes
can
generate
up
to
2,000
lumens
each.
Compared
to
standard
lights,
it
has
a
higher
output,
which
makes
it
more
powerful. 

Another
exceptional
feature
is
the
ultra-reflective
surface,
which
allows
it
to
generate
more
light
while
using
less
energy.
The
reflective
aluminum
housing
is
powder-coated
to
maximize
the
light
output. 

More
so,
it
comes
with
two
on
and
off
switches
for
versatility.
This
way,
you
do
not
have
to
use
all
four
lights
at
a
time,
which
is
a
great
way
to
cut
energy
costs. 

Key
Features
and
Specs: 

• Lighting
  Type:
  T5
  fluorescent 
• Combined
  output:
  8,000
  lumens 
• Wattage:
  24
  watts 

Pros: 

• Easy
  to
  clean
• Has
  a
  daisy
  chain
  for
  continuous
  connection 
• Long-lasting 

Cons: 

• Can
  be
  difficult
  to
  hang 

Verdict 

From
its
high
combined
output
of
four
fluorescents
to
the
ultra-reflective
surface,
this
is
another
effective
grow
light
for
your
microgreens. 

Overall
Rating:
4.3
out
of
5 

Choosing
the
Best
Lights
for
Microgreens 

Not
all
grow
lights
will
yield
the
same
outcome
for
your
microgreens.
Make
a
well-informed
choice
and
consider
the
following: 

Type
of
Light 

One
of
the
most
important
is
the
type
of
light
to
use.
The
latter
impacts
energy
efficiency
and
effectiveness. 

• LED:
  This
  is
  the
  best
  option
  for
  growing
  microgreens.
  They
  produce
  no
  or
  minimal
  heat
  and
  are
  also
  known
  for
  their
  energy
  efficiency.
  They
  also
  contain
  fewer
  heavy
  metals
  compared
  to
  other
  types
  and
  have
  no
  electrical
  interference. 
• Fluorescent:
  It
  uses
  an
  electric
  current
  to
  activate
  mercury
  vapor.
  In
  turn,
  the
  light
  generates
  short-wave
  ultraviolet.
  Meanwhile,
  the
  photons
  collide
  with
  a
  phosphor
  coating,
  which
  is
  then
  responsible
  for
  producing
  light.
  However,
  it
  contains
  a
  toxic
  coating
  and
  is
  not
  long-lasting. 
• Incandescent:
  A
  traditional
  option
  for
  indoor
  lighting,
  this
  is
  no
  longer
  popular
  today.
  
  Incandescent
  lights
  have
  a
  wire
  filament
  that
  electric
  current
  heats.
  One
  of
  the
  problems
  with
  this
  lighting
  option
  is
  that
  it
  generates
  excessive
  heat. 

Colors 

The
colors
or
spectrum
affect
the
compatibility
of
the
light
to
the
microgreen,
especially
in
terms
of
its
growth
stage.
For
the
best
results,
we
recommend
picking
one
that
generates
a
full
spectrum.
The
combination
of
all
colors
will
support
the
healthy
growth
of
your
microgreens.

Wattage 

One
of
the
most
important
technical
specifications
to
look
at
is
the
wattage,
which
measures
the
amount
of
electricity
the
light
uses
at
a
specific
point.
The
higher
the
wattage,
the
brighter
the
light.
Meanwhile,
the
lower
the
wattage,
the
lesser
power
it
consumes.
Ideally,
each
light
should
have
at
least
20
watts.

Energy
Efficiency

Lights
for
microgreens
operate
continuously
or
for
an
extended
time.
This
makes
it
vital
to
pick
one
that
has
incredible
energy
efficiency,
so
you
can
save
money
on
electricity.
LEDs
are
great
because
they
are
known
for
their
minimal
power
consumption
while
maintaining
superb
performance.

FAQs

• 
  Why
  do
  microgreens
  need
  lights? 

Like
other
plants,
microgreens
need
light
for

photosynthesis.
More
so,
the
lack
of
proper
lighting
can
result
in
wilting,
yellowing
of
the
leaves,
and
stunted
growth.
It
will
limit
your
harvest
and
can
also
slow
down
growth. 

• 
  How
  many
  hours
  of
  lighting
  do
  microgreens
  need? 

The
lighting
requirements
of
microgreens
vary
depending
on
the
specific
type
and
the
intensity
of
the
lights
that
you
will
use.
Generally
speaking,
microgreens
will
need
at
least
12
hours
of
artificial
light.
Meanwhile,
if
it
is
natural
night,
four
to
six
hours
will
suffice. 

• 
  Can
  microgreens
  get
  too
  much
  light? 

Yes,
microgreens
can
get
too
much
light.
Especially
when
the
light
is
too
hot,
prolonged
exposure
can
kill
the
microgreens. 

Conclusion 

If
we
have
to
pick
a
winner
in
this
best
lights
for
microgreens
roundup,
it
would
be
the

GE
Lighting
Grow
Light
BR30
LED
Light
Bulb.
It
has
a
full-balanced
spectrum,
which
allows
the
light
to
support
all
stages
of
growth.
Not
to
mention,
it
generates
minimal
heat
and
consumes
minimal
power
without
compromising
its
overall
performance. 

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