We grew basil, spinach, and tomato plants indoors to determine the best grow lights for every environment.
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Exterior Wall Lights
If you’re dreaming of a lush oasis indoors or just trying to help your plants survive cold snaps, grow lights have you covered. Packets of cilantro seedlings, youthful monsteras, citrus saplings, or even dormant dahlia bulbs thrive in any room with the right amount of light. Even in the dead of winter when frost and clouds full of snow fill the sky, tender plants can flourish with the right amount of water, carbon dioxide, and most importantly, light. In our testing we found on average, grow-light plants grew 33% taller than the natural-light plants at the three-week mark, and they grew 81% taller than their natural-light counterparts by the end of the six-week testing period.
The field is wide when it comes to choosing the best grow lights—there are hanging models, tabletop styles, options that sit on the floor like a lamp, some that have built-in timers, others that have optional apps, and various wattages depending on your needs. Whether you are setting yourself up for a spring garden full of cucumbers, trying to get that kitchen herb garden sprouting, or saving your delicate Meyer lemon tree from unseasonable frost, there is one model that will light you up. Jenny Maynard, owner of The Salt Shed in Panama City Beach, Florida, gives this advice: “It's good to decide where you want to place your grow lights before you make your purchase, this will help determine what kind you need.” She adds, “Here are a few things to think about before you buy. The cord length, will it reach the outlet that you will be using? Do you want flexible/movable lights on a stand? Will the grow light be under a shelf or hanging from the ceiling? What kind of plants will you be placing under the light, what kind of light does it require?” She also suggested a light meter and a houseplant lighting chart to make sure the plant is getting what it needs, but cautioned not to put the light too close to avoid burning the plant.
To come up with our list of the best grow lights, we spent hours tending six sets of seeds over six weeks with 16 different grow lights. We considered factors like ease of setup, design, brightness, and performance. In addition to Maynard, we received expert insight on what to look for in grow lights from Meredith Bishop, owner of Bloom & Bounty in Nashville, and Alexander Testel, sustainable gardening expert at Frugal Frontier.
It was a lightning-fast setup, and extra parts are included so the unit can be mounted on a tripod or hung from the ceiling.
As expected with LED lights, they are bright, so placement is key.
These grow lights effectively helped our seedlings sprout—at 15.3 inches for the tomato and 8 inches for the spinach, it had the most robust growth of all the models tested. We appreciated the easy, under three-minute setup and the included extra parts for mounting to the ceiling. One of the big advantages of this model is the included timer—it has settings for three, nine, and 12 hours.
While the brightness isn’t adjustable, it worked as expected for LED lights. Placement is key for these grow lights so they don't disturb your routine. Comparing the test group to the control group of seeds, the grow lights produced basil, spinach, and tomatoes that tripled in size while the non-lighted plants only showed modest growth. And though the wattage is on the higher end of this list, the light did not feel warm when we put our hands under it.
We also appreciated the ability to adjust the tripod unit as the plants grew, and the adjustable timer with three increments made the testing accurate and easy. For home gardeners who want the ability to grow seedlings and help existing plants survive the colder weather, the LBW grow light is a versatile choice that can be set up two different ways, has an adjustable height, and a timer to keep you from having to actively watch your seedlings. And if you want a larger model or more control over the brightness of your lights, other LBW models are available with varying degrees in size and adjustability.
Size: Light: 8.7 x 1.4 x 4.9 inches; Adjustable Stand: 15.7-47.2 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 30
The versatility of just a cord and metal-caged bulb makes this model easy to set up and move around as light changes through the seasons.
We wish the spectrum could be adjusted for maximum growth.
Like our top overall pick, this model encouraged robust growth in our grow light test group. Basil, spinach, and tomatoes doubled in size compared to the non-grow light group which only showed modest growth. Unlike our top model, it does not have a timer, but we appreciated the simplicity of the grow lights and the compact size. We do wish there was a way to adjust the light spectrum for maximum growth, but at this budget price, it’s not expected.
At 24 watts, the Sansi Indoor LED Grow Light Bulb provides plenty of light without getting warm. When temperatures dip and you want to overwinter your plants, this model offers versatility when it comes to placement. You just need to find a patch of ceiling for the hook to hang the cord from. Though not aesthetically the prettiest on our list, we thought this was an excellent value for how powerful the light is and how simple it is to set up.
Size: 5 x 6.7 x 5 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 24
A simple button on the wire allows you to switch between colors to give your plants the maximum chance for success.
Though we appreciate the integrated timer, we wish it would go for longer than 12 hours.
Setup could not be easier with the Leoter grow light—just unbox, clip it on the edge of the shelf your plants are on, and plug it in. And with four separate lights, you can cover multiple plants at one time. We also appreciated the integrated timer with intervals for three-, nine-, and 12-hour settings to keep plant maintenance minimal, though we do wish it had the option of more than 12 hours.
This model is also one of three from our list that offers adjustable spectrum settings. A simple button on the wire allows you to switch between warm (white) light, red + blue, or red, blue + white to give your plants the maximum chance for success. At 80 watts, it is one of the strongest LED bulbs on our list, but when we put our hands under the light, it was not warm. Spinach, tomatoes, and basil all doubled in size under the grow lights, with tomatoes tripling, in comparison to little-to-no growth without the grow lights, and we appreciated that though the light was bright enough for the seedlings, it did not distract even when placed in a busy home office.
Size: Total Height: 27.5 inches; 10.2-inch lights | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 80
This model blends in seamlessly with any home decor, allowing versatility when it comes to placement.
We wish the spectrum was adjustable.
If you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing set of grow lights, this hanging light checks a lot of boxes. The minimalist, can-like design makes it look like any other light fixture in a room. We appreciated the clear, easy-to-follow instructions and found setup a breeze, though those who have never mounted something on a wall may need some tools.
The included 12-hour analog timer also required little effort to set up, taking only a couple of minutes. We wish the spectrum was adjustable, but liked that the light it emits is a nice, natural golden hour of sunshine tone. In our tests, the grow lights produced healthier plants than the non-grow light group. Under the 40-watt LED grow lights, the tomato plant grew into a very healthy 8-inch seedling, and though we found it slightly warm to the touch, it never got hot.
Size: Light: 6.5 x 4 inches; Cord: 15 feet | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 40
The light is touch-sensitive so you can turn it off or adjust the brightness at any time.
The setup was very minimal, taking just three minutes, but we found it best to use separate hanging strips to prevent paint peeling or adhesive not sticking.
If you have space and want a mounted bar of grow lights, the Soltech Grove LED Grow Light has a lot of capability. Though growth for our seedlings was the smallest with these grow lights, there was a noticeable difference between the control and test groups, with the tomatoes being the hardiest and requiring repotting by the end of the six weeks. The setup was very minimal, taking just three minutes, but we found it best to use separate hanging strips to attach to your surface to prevent paint peeling or adhesive not sticking. The good news is the unit did not break or become damaged when we initially mounted it with the included adhesive and it fell off.
We appreciated the integrated timer which has little "pins" you pull out to indicate which hours the light should be on and which times it should be off (1-12 hours a.m. and p.m.). Also, the light is touch-sensitive so you can turn it off or adjust the brightness at any time. Even though it’s only 11 watts of LED, the brightness can be distracting, so like all the models on this list, placement is key.
Size: Light: 16.5 x 1 inches; Cord: 6 feet | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 11
It’s compact, so it will fit in a more cozy apartment setting.
You will need a taller light once your plants get big.
The elegant iron frame of the iGrowtek grow light makes this versatile when considering aesthetics. The setup could not be easier—put it on the stand, use the little straps to adjust how high or low you want the light to sit next to the plants, and then plug it in. It’s also surprisingly compact, so it will fit in a more cozy apartment setting.
In testing, we observed the tomato and spinach plants sprouted faster and had more bright green leaves than the non-grow light plants. By the end of the test, the tomato plant outgrew the light setup, so one of the disadvantages to this model is you will need a taller light once your plants get big. The 10-watt LED light gave off plenty of light without getting warm, though we do wish the light was adjustable. Our seedlings thrived with this set of grow lights and we think the setup is perfect for starting plants, but we think value-wise, you should wait for a sale to purchase this set.
Size: 27.2 x 19.7 x 7.9 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 10
The 150-watt LED bulbs (the most powerful on our list) emitted little heat and remained cool to the touch.
We wish this model had an integrated timer at this price point.
Coming in second right on the heels of our overall pick, the Mars Hydro TS 1000 grow lights encouraged substantial growth in our spinach, basil, and tomato seedlings in comparison to the non-grow light group. Setup is slightly more complicated as it requires some power tools to drill the eyelet screws and attach the yoyo and power cables, but we found if you have multiple units you can daisy chain them together to control power from one unit. It still only took eight minutes from start to finish.
One of the most impressive things about this set of grow lights is the 150-watt LED bulbs (the most powerful on our list) emitted little heat and remained cool to the touch. Though this unit is no looker and doesn't have an integrated timer, we feel it is a great value for capability and effectiveness when starting seedlings for your spring vegetable garden or overwintering plants.
Size: 15 x 2.1 x 13 inches | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 150
The app is intuitive and gives control over the type and duration of light for plants.
We wish it could be adjusted to an even taller height to accommodate growing plants.
AeroGarden is known for its compact herb grow lights you set right on your kitchen counter, but this bendable light on a stand is even more versatile when it comes to placement. Setup could not be faster at just over two minutes—just pull the light out of the box, take the plastic off, and plug it in. Instructions were included, but not necessary. The app was also intuitively designed. Once downloaded, you can schedule the amount of light that your plants get, the type of light (warm, cool, and white mode), and have the lights fade in and out, mimicking sunset and sunrise.
We noticed the growth on the grow light plants was consistently better than the natural light plants. They looked better, had more height, and were more lush than the non-grow light plants. We also appreciated the 5-watt LED bulbs never got hot to the touch. Overall, even though we wished it was a little taller, with the ability to dim by touch, the easy-to-use app, and the easy setup, we think this is a great value.
Size: 24 x 11-17 x 24 inches; cord; 6 feet | Bulb Type: LED | Wattage: 5 per bulb
If you are looking for versatile grow lights that offer easy operation, we recommend LBW LED Grow Light With Stand because it can be set up in just over two minutes, includes extra parts for mounting to the ceiling, and has an integrated timer with adjustable settings to maximize plant growth. If you want a model with more bells and whistles that makes growing seedlings or overwinter plants effortless, choose the AeroGarden Trio Grow Light. Its intuitive app allows you to schedule the amount of light that your plants get, as well as the type of light for your tender seedlings.
We rounded up 16 of the best grow lights and put them through a series of tests. We planted six seed packets (basil, tomatoes, spinach) in six separate pots with grow lights used on three and only natural sunlight from windows on the other three. We placed the three grow light plants in a room that does not get much sunlight and placed the other three in a room that gets a fair amount of natural sunlight. Each plant was tended identically throughout the testing period, including planting them all with the same potting soil. We tracked their progress over six weeks and documented all changes in height.
In addition to the growth measurements, we also tracked and observed the ease of setting up the grow light, the clarity of included instructions, how much space the grow light takes up, and how much extra light it adds to the room. We also evaluated each set of grow lights for color of light, whether they had timers and how well they operated, how warm the grow light felt, whether an app was included and the ease of its operation, and whether the grow light had adjustable settings.
Finally, we tracked the environment each set of plants experienced, including time and intensity of grow lights versus natural light source, the average temperature and humidity in both locations. In the end, we took all ratings across tests and evaluated the value of each model of grow lights.
Many configurations and styles of grow lights are available on the market. Testel says tabletop units are great for small spaces or a limited number of plants, while hanging or panel lights suit larger plant collections.
Bishop says, “grow lights can be placed anywhere, and there are many options on the market. Ranging from a tabletop arm light to 48-inch shop lights hung from baker’s racks, grow lights come in a range of sizes and can be easily manipulated to fit most home gardener’s circumstances.” She adds this insight, “Seeds need only warmth and moisture to germinate, and have all the initial food they will need contained in the first set of leaves (called the cotyledons). Because photosynthesis doesn’t commence until the plant produces its first set of ‘true’ leaves, lights can be completely omitted until that point.”
When considering size, evaluate the growing space you need to cover. As Testel asserts, the light should cover the entire growing area. Bishop adds, “Plants need the light source placed only two-three inches above the top growth point, so look for lights that can adjust as the plant grows. Second, be sure that the outer seedlings are covered by the light source as well as the center. Invest in a light that is large enough to cover the entire tray of seedlings. And third, buy a simple timer. This will alleviate the dual problems of too much or too little light.”
There are really three types of bulb: LED, fluorescent, and incandescent. All of the grow lights on our list utilize LED—they are more efficient, offer ideal light spectrum ranges, and emit less heat. Testel touts LED lights as more energy-efficient and longer lasting. He adds, “Full-spectrum bulbs balance cool and warm light."
Fluorescent lights tend to be the middle of the road as far as prices go and perform with more energy efficiency than incandescent, the least expensive, most energy inefficient, and highest heat emitting.
According to Bishop, “While plants utilize the entire light spectrum to photosynthesize, the predominant color used to promote plant growth should be dictated by where the plant is in its growth cycle.” She adds, “The most utilized wavelengths during photosynthesis are red and blue light. Red light promotes germination & flowering, and would be most appropriate for seedlings, while blue light controls leaf thickness and root development, and would be best used where vegetable growth is needed.”
In general, the higher-wattage lights are more intense and better for growing larger areas, according to Testel. But, the wattage your plants need depends on many other factors like plant type, what age they are, and how dense their foliage is. Most experts recommend somewhere between 32 and 40 watts per square foot for the best growth.
Sometimes the term PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density) may appear on the grow lights’ label—it refers to the amount of light the grow lights give off. According to a 2020 study, 200–900 PPFD is optimal for plant growth, depending on their growth stage. But don’t be alarmed if PPFD is not listed; not all models have them on labels.
We found that lights were often too bright for the space in which they were placed, but the plant needed the brightness for proper growth, making placement an important consideration when shopping for grow lights.
Ezorkas Grow Light With Stand: This grow light got high marks for design and effectiveness. The grow light plants grew much faster and were in significantly better health than the non-grow light plants. Significantly more seeds sprouted and continued to grow, and the plants finished much taller than the natural light plants. We appreciated the easy setup, especially for beginners, and it has an integrated timer plus a choice in spectrum setting. We did find that the arms quickly outgrew the plants, and wished the timer had more convenient time increments. We appreciated the affordable price point coupled with the robust capability in an easy-to-use model.
GE Grow LED Light Bulb: This grow light scored high for setup and brightness, and we especially liked the height recommendations for different varieties of plants, plus the LED light never got hot. Across our tests with basil, spinach, and tomato seedlings, we found the stems of the grow light plants were thicker and sturdier than the natural light plants, though plant height was inconclusive. We appreciated there was an available adjustable light stand for purchase at an affordable price, making this model easier to place, and the light the bulb provides is neither too bright nor too dim for seedlings. It’s a basic setup, but gets the job done.
Maynard weighed in on this one: “Blue light encourages vegetative growth: strong stems. lush leaves and dense roots. Red light promotes flowering and fruit. For all purpose growing of seedlings, houseplants, and herbs a ‘full spectrum’ bulb is the best choice. Full spectrum bulbs will generally be between 5000 and 6500 K (K= Kelvin). Kelvin measures color temperature or light appearance in a light bulb on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000. The full spectrum bulb will best mimic a bright natural sunlight appearance by emitting the same wavelengths of light that we receive from the sun's light spectrum.”
All our experts agree that fluorescent light works as a grow light. But they have a few caveats. According to Maynard, they should be used on plants requiring low to medium light, but she adds LED grow lights have a longer life span, are more energy efficient, and produce better plant health and growth.
Testel recommends full-spectrum fluorescents. He added, “They are great for starting seeds and growing greens but might not be the best for fruiting plants due to their lower intensity than other grow lights.”
The goal of grow lights is to augment where natural light is insufficient. Maynard recommends, “...grow light should be placed about 1 to 1 1/2 feet between the plant's canopy and the grow light.” She adds this tip, “A simple way to check is to place your palm approximately 6 inches away from the plant's leaves. If your hand is visible your plant is getting enough light. If your hand is not visible, move the plant closer to the light.”
Basements and interior rooms are likely candidates for grow lights. Testel adds, “The key is to ensure they are close enough to the plants—about 2-4 inches above seedlings and 1-2 feet above full-grown plants—to be effective but not so close that they cause heat damage.”
According to Maynard, most plants need 10-12 hours of light per day with at least eight hours of darkness for optimal growth. She adds, “During the darkness plants ‘rest’ and use this time to move nutrients to their extremities while taking a break from growing. Keeping the light on 24/7 can stunt growth and plant tissue and cause the plant to die. Look for grow lights that have on/off timers to help mimic the natural day/night hours of the sun.”
Bishop agrees that grow lights should mimic nature. She adds, “Seedlings benefit from more light exposure. However, more mature plants that are putting on vegetative growth will need 8-10 hours per day. All plants, regardless of stage, benefit from a respiration period where they can take a break from photosynthesis in complete darkness.”
Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who grew up on a farm and has owned her share of grow lights as she moved around the country. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has maintained an active herb and vegetable garden at home—she knows the importance of the right amount of light for fragile seedlings, even in her abundant natural sunshine home state of Florida. To compile this list, we tested 16 of the best grow lights available, evaluating them based on ease of use, design, performance, and value. Carrie also spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for grow lights, including size, bulb types, wattage, and included features. For expert tips on what to look for in grow lights, she spoke to Jenny Maynard, owner of The Salt Shed in Panama City Beach, Florida; Meredith Bishop, owner of Bloom & Bounty in Nashville; and Alexander Testel, sustainable gardening expert at Frugal Frontier.
outdoor security lights By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.