Plants need light to grow. We’ve known that since third grade. Large outdoor plantations aren’t necessary for farming anymore. Many people prefer to farm inside, in a greenhouse or a grow tent, because you can keep an eye on your plants.
Even though most plants get their light from the sun, what about plants cultivated indoors, like in a grow tent? Do they need sunlight to grow?
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Yes! And that’s where LED lights come into play! However, choosing the best-LED light for a 4×4 grow tent can be tough.
With over 100 LED light brands on the market, each claiming to be the greatest, it’s not easy to decide which one to buy.
Top 6 Most Effective LED Lights for 4×4 Grow Tents
Several brands sell similar products, but they’re not the same.
Although they serve the same purpose, each product has its own unique features. To make sure you get the highest quality, we prepared a list of the best-LED lights for 4×4 grow tents.
VIPARSPECTRA 1200w LED Grow Light
VIPARSPECTRA 1200w – Amazon.com
We have cheap products that are high quality, and VIPARSPECTRA makes the cut.
As a replacement for the 1000 HPS/MH, the VIPARSPECTRA 1200w LED Grow Light consumes only 520 watts.
It has a separate grow and bloom switch, so it’s a smart choice if you want to increase output in your 4×4 grow tent. It is bright enough to penetrate canopies and specifically designed for use in small grow tents.
If overheating occurs, it has high-speed fans and aluminum heat skins that provide instant cooling. It’s also got a really long lifespan.
Pros
- Superb cooling system
- Relatively cheap
- Easy control and installation
Cons
- It is not waterproof
- Large in size
Advanced Platinum Series P300 300W 12-brand LED Grow Light
Advanced Platinum Series P300 – Amazon.com
The Advanced Platinum Series P300 300W 12-band LED Grow Light provides the highest lumen output per watt among LED grow lights available.
It only consumes 180w, replacing the 400w HPS.
LED grow lights may already be familiar to you, so you would know how energy-efficient it is to consume only 180W. Small area coverage and high PAR per watt are the key features of these lights. The more light there is, the higher the output.
With the Veg and Flow buttons, it is easy to adjust based on what you are growing in your grow tent. A secondary lens directs light directly to the plants.
Pros
- Energy efficient
- High PAR and lumen output per wattage
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Not suitable for plants that don’t need too much light
HIGROW Optical Lens-Series 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
HIGROW Optical Lens-Series 1000W – Amazon.com
This set of grow lights has a 90-degree optical lens that focuses light onto the plants. The lenses reduce light loss by up to 30%.
They have 12 bands of LED grow light, so plants get the full spectrum of light they need to grow.
Pros
- Reduces light loss
- Fair price/quality ratio
Cons
- Not waterproof
- The power cord is short
VIPARSPECTRA Dimmable Series PAR 1200W LED Grow Light
VIPARSPECTRA Dimmable Series PAR 1200W – Amazon.com
Consider purchasing this one if you want a durable LED grow light designed specifically for a 4×4 grow tent.
The 6 fans and heat sinks help it to achieve the high 100,000 hours expected lifespan.
It is designed to specifically heat and balance between PAR/lumen output and coverage.
Pros
- Very long lifespan
- Decent cooling system
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Sometimes it does not generate enough heat
Iplantop 1000W LED Full Spectrum Grow Light
Iplantop 1000W Light – Amazon.com
This light only uses 180 watts, it’s energy-efficient so you’ll save money on electricity bills.
It has both veg and bloom lights, so it’s good for all stages of a plant’s life.
Two powerful fans keep it cool. The LEDs also have thermal silicon, so the lights will run cool at all times.
- It can cover up to 5.5 square feet, which is pretty impressive.
- It also has a daisy chain design, so you can connect multiple lights at once.
This light has a high PAR value, too.
Pros
- Durable
- Spot-on cooling system
Cons
- Lacks the 12 brands full spectrum
- The power cord is relatively short
G8LED 900 Watt MEGA LED Veg /Flower Grow Light
G8LED 900 Watt Light – Amazon.com
Closing our list is the notoriously expensive G8-LED 900Watt Mega LED Grow Light.
The names say it all; these LED lights use the G8 lighting system and are infused with 8 optimal bands IR and UV.
They have an excellent control system to suit whatever you are growing, but you should be willing to dig deep into your pocket.
Pros
- Excellent control
- Excellent cooling system
- It can be used in both small and large area coverage
- Highly durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Not easy to install and or operate
Why you should purchase LED lights for your 4×4 grow tent
Incandescent bulbs were first used in the 1980s. They were power and energy suckers, so no wonder they were banned in 2014.
LED lights are great whether you need them for your living room or your garden.
Here are some benefits of buying the best LED lights for your grow tent.
Energy saving
LED lights are the most energy-efficient bulbs ever. LED bulbs use less energy because they’re powered by electricity, rather than heat like incandescent bulbs.
We know that in business, we should take advantage of any money-saving opportunities that come our way, so when you use LED lights, you’ll save on your electric bill.
Lifespan of the bulb
Different light bulbs have different lifespans. LEDs aren’t cheap, but they last for a long time. They can sometimes last five times longer than regular bulbs.
The best thing about LED bulbs is they don’t get short-circuited or burnt out by frequent on-and-offs.
Different varieties
Customers can pick LED bulbs based on their tastes since they come in all shapes and colors. P
lants need different levels of light too.
LED lights come in a lot of varieties, so you can pick the best one for your 4×4 grow tent.
Small bulbs produce a lot of light
There’s always been a heated debate about size. Size doesn’t matter with LEDs. They produce lots of light, no matter their size.
The size of the bulb matters in a small tent, though, due to space constraints.
How to Choose the Best LED Light for 4×4 Grow Tent?
As mentioned earlier, all LED lights are not the same. They differ in their own capacity.
Therefore, to choose the best LED grow lights for your 4×4 tent, you must follow a set of guidelines.
Here are 6 factors to consider.
The burning time
LED lights last longer than other brands, but they’re not all made the same. You can see how long LED lights last on the product label. Make sure you read the product label and check the lifespan before you buy an LED light for your grow tent.
The heat generated
Some plants need both heat and light at the same time. It is recommended that you get yourself an LED bulb that can provide both heat and light in your 4×4 grow tent if this is the kind of plant you are growing.
Price
A high price doesn’t always mean the best LED lights. However, we have tried to include something for every budget in our review.
Shape and size of the light
4×4 grow tents aren’t that big. Whenever space is limited, pay attention to the size and shape of the LED light you buy.
LED lights come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, so you can pick the one that’s right for you.
Plants need a balance of light.
Too much light will make them wilt, whereas not enough light will kill the green coloring matter responsible for making food.
Easy installation
You don’t need a degree in rocket science to install grow lights in your tent, but some installs are tricky. Make sure you pick easy-to-install lights to avoid extra costs.
Grow light’s distance from the plants
The light needs to be optimal for plants – not too little, nor too much. Plants get drained when they’re exposed to too much light. Here are some signs that your plants are getting too much light:
• Folding of the leaves
• Stunted growth
• The leaves whitening
• Physical burns
You can use this chart to help you determine how far apart your LED grow lights should be placed in your tent.
Distance Chart for LED Grow Lights
|
LED Grow light in Watts |
Vegetables |
Bloom |
|---|---|---|
|
100-200w
|
12-20 inches
|
8-16 inches
|
|
201-400w
|
20-27 inches
|
13-21 inches
|
|
401-600w
|
30-38 inches
|
18-30 inches
|
|
601-800w
|
32-42 inches
|
19-34 inches
|
|
801-1000w
|
36-46 inches
|
21-36 inches
|
Photo: J. Garget.
